Grace Joy began her academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Malaya in 2004. She went on to pursue a Master of Science in Molecular Biology at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), where her passion for marine biotechnology began to take shape. Following her postgraduate studies, she served as a Research Assistant at the Centre for Harmful Algal Bloom Studies (CHABS), gaining valuable experience in the field of algal research.

In 2008, Grace joined Universiti Malaysia Sabah as a lecturer at the Biotechnology Research Institute. Her research focuses on the molecular biology of both microalgae and macroalgae, with particular interest in harmful algal bloom (HAB) species and economically important seaweeds. She is currently involved in projects exploring microalgae for biofuel production, as well as the molecular characterization of HAB species such as Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum and Cochlodinium polykrikoides. Her work also extends to red seaweed species, including Kappaphycus spp. and Eucheuma denticulatum.

Puan Grace Joy Chin Wei Lie holds Sarjana Sains (Biologi Molekul) from Universiti Malaysia Sabah , among other qualifications, and has established themselves as a respected expert in their field.