Cultivators: Gloria Lim

Gloria Lim (1930-2022) was a mycologist known for her extensive work in the study of fungi, particularly in Southeast Asia. With a passion for exploring the diverse fungal ecosystems, she made significant contributions to the understanding of both native and rare species. Her research and advocacy helped raise awareness about the ecological importance of fungi and their role in maintaining biodiversity.

For Further Reading: 

• Bloom Where You Are Planted
• Gloria Lim: Mycology expert and first woman member of the Public Service Commission
• Education on plants and fungi in Singapore: an urgent call

This month, we’re talking about cultivators — women who nurtured, cross-pollinated, experimented, or went to great lengths to better understand and protect the natural world.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:04):
Hello. My name is Sarah Shleid. I'm a producer at
Wondermedia Network and a co curator of this month of Omenica.
I'm so excited to be guest hosting this episode. This month,
we're talking about cultivators, women who nurtured, cross pollinated, experimented,
or went to great lengths to better understand and protect
the natural world. With a keen eye for the hidden

(00:27):
wonders of the natural world, this woman dedicated her career
to exploring the fascinating realm of fungi with a passion
for science. She inspired Matty to appreciate the complexity of
fungi and their crucial impact on biodiversity. Let's talk about
Gloria Limb. Gloria was born in Singapore in nineteen thirty,

(00:49):
but it wasn't that Singapore. It had once been long
before Gloria was born. Singapore was full of vibrant forests
and diverse flora and fauna. It was a scientist's dream.
But when the British came deforestation and infrastructure development destroyed
the homes of several plant species. Their crops altered the

(01:11):
natural landscape, and some of the non native species they
introduced were invasive. In short, colonization disrupted the ecosystem that
allowed Singapore's biodiversity to thrive. What it didn't do was
discourage Singaporeans from studying plants. Despite science not being deemed
a suitable subject for girls, so much so that her

(01:33):
all girls' school didn't even offer it, Gloria knew she
liked science. She attended the University of Singapore and graduated
with a Bachelor of Science in botany in nineteen fifty four.
She was one of two graduates to receive honors from
the Department of Botany. Gloria continued her education at the
University of Malaya. Their botany department was relatively young after

(01:57):
being set up in nineteen forty nine. Gloria wasn't placed
in sciences. Instead, she was put on the arts faculty.
Gloria's mother was not too pleased about it. Gloria recalls,
my mother said, no, if you're going to do arts,
you might as well go to teacher training straight away.
So I appealed to the university and they put me

(02:18):
in science and lo and behold, in my first year,
I was like a sponge, absorbing all the scientific things
around me through local plant species and field trips to
Malayan forests and beaches. Gloria became an expert in tropical
plants and fungi. Gloria stayed true to herself while also
heeding her mother's request. She got a diploma in education

(02:40):
in nineteen fifty six and a Master of Science in
plant pathology in nineteen fifty seven. After graduating, Gloria was
offered two jobs, one at a prestigious all girls high
school and one at the University of Malaya's body department.
Instead of choosing between the two, Gloria decided she'd do both.

(03:00):
She taught at the high school in the morning and
would rush back to the university for her afternoon classes.
After a few years of teaching, Gloria's boss at the
university submitted her for the Inter University Council Fellowship. Through
this recommendation, Gloria was able to get her PhD from
the University of London in nineteen sixty one. She furthered

(03:21):
her expertise and deepened her knowledge in mycology the study
of fungi. Full of new research, Gloria returned to Singapore
and got straight to work. Because of Singapore's sticky, humid climate,
the country is home to a diverse population of fungi.
Gloria knew that most people saw fungi as more harmful

(03:41):
than helpful, but she was intent on highlighting their benefits.
She said, yes, they can cause disease, but they can
also heal you. For example, important drugs like penicillin were
first found in fungi. Throughout her career, Gloria kept a
unique collection of these understudied species. She wrote research papers

(04:03):
and authored several mycology centered books. She also consulted for
universities and businesses locally and internationally. One of her roles
was serving on the board of a company that developed
medicinal mushrooms. In another instance, she advised Singapore's Ministry of
Defense when they found mold in their underground storage bunkers.

(04:25):
This might not have been where Gloria would have expected
her fungui expertise to be put to use, but that
just goes to show how critical this area of study
can be. In nineteen sixty seven, she completed a full
Bright fellowship at the University of California, Berkeley. Although academia
was an unconventional and at times challenging group for women,

(04:45):
Gloria achieved one of the highest honors. In nineteen seventy three,
she was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Science at
the University of Singapore. She was the first woman to
hold this position. Despite being more than qualified to do
the job, she still received some apprehension from colleagues. Nevertheless,
Gloria served as dean until nineteen seventy seven, and then

(05:07):
again from nineteen seventy nine to nineteen eighty. While Gloria
loved science, it wasn't her only passion. In nineteen eighty two,
Gloria became the first woman to serve on the Public
Service Commission, or PSC. The PSC is an independent body
that recruits and manages civil service talent. Gloria was responsible

(05:28):
for the appointment and promotion of senior civil servants. Her
presence in this male dominated organization caused the group to
rethink and expand their selection policies. Gloria was integral in
giving women more opportunities. For example, the group had never
given a woman a physical education scholarship. Gloria pushed for

(05:48):
more female physical education teachers. In nineteen eighty five, Gloria
broke another glass ceiling and became the first woman to
head the Department of Body at the National University of Sais.
One of her main contributions during her tenure was promoting
the study of fungi. She was aware that mycology wasn't
very valued among the sciences. Because fungi can easily blend

(06:11):
into the forest backdrop, they are often perceived as low
value in boring. When not producing mushrooms, fungi can be
so microscopic that they're hard to find and therefore hard
to study. Overall, fungi is a very overlooked area of study,
but Gloria persisted because fungi are vital to a healthy
forest ecosystem. They can act as decomposers, mutualists, and pathogens.

(06:37):
In nineteen ninety one, Gloria retired from her role at
the university, but she wasn't done working. She was the
first Foundation director at the National Institute of Education. In
her three years in this role, she transformed it from
a teacher training institute to a full blown degree granting institution.
They offered bachelor's degrees, master's and PhDs. Gloria received a

(07:01):
Public Service Star in nineteen ninety three. Over the course
of her career, Gloria authored around one hundred and forty
papers in chapters in books on mycology. In two thousand
and five, the National University of Singapore Faculty of Science
awarded her the title of Distinguished Science Alumni. While her
contributions to fungal biology are obvious, she considers her students

(07:25):
her most important legacy. Gloria Limb passed away on July eleventh,
twenty twenty two. All month We're talking about cultivators. For
more information, find us on Facebook and Instagram at Womanica Podcast.
Thanks to co creators Jenny and Liz Kaplan for letting
me guest host. Talk to you tomorrow