She was then a student at Wales’ Cardiff University and she wanted to study malaria in orangutans and the vectors involved. But she couldn’t do it and she changed to studying proboscis monkeys and macaques, and population genetics with funding from the Mexican government.
Her degree is long completed, but 14 years later, she is still in Sabah. The 44-year-old from Cuernavaca in Mexico’s Morelos state can’t get enough of the Land Below the Wind.
“Harmony,” Salgado Lynn told FMT when asked to describe in one word what she liked about Sabah.
“The people are very tolerant, have a friendly culture and good ways of thinking. And the different faiths living in total harmony – I like that.
“Certainly, there is quality of life. That is valuable as not everyone can have the same opportunity while also having the beautiful beaches here. In just two hours, you can drive to Mount Kinabalu.
“It’s great here.”
Salgado Lynn, who is now a scientific adviser at local wildlife research outfit Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC) even had a traditional Kadazan wedding with Belgian Benoit Goossens in 2010. Goossens heads the DGFC.
Their son, who turns 10 next month, was born in the state capital.
She has a hectic schedule at work, but she finds it fulfilling. Much of that fulfilment comes from knowing that the people she interacts with in her line of work are passionate about what they do.
“I really like the people and the way they work together here on environmental issues and the different NGOs working together as well,” she said.
“When I got here, Sabah looked a lot like the place where I was living as a child in Mexico – the weather, the people and the vegetation. That is also a reason why I stayed here. It feels like home.”
The Mexican government recently gave Salgado Lynn its Distinguished Mexican award for her work in developing studies and conservation programmes on the ecosystem and endangered wildlife for their long-term survival and to combat illegal trade.
The Mexican embassy said her contributions to promoting understanding and friendship between Mexicans and Malaysians and her outstanding scientific work promoted a positive image of Mexico.
“It is an honour and a privilege to grant this recognition and medal to a Mexican woman who has developed her passion in the sciences and who demonstrates that the talent from our country transcends borders,” Mexican ambassador to Malaysia, Edmundo Font said.
“Milena is a bridge between Mexico and Malaysia for the conservation of the ecosystem and endangered wildlife species.”
The award is given to Mexicans who have been living abroad for more than five years consecutively and have made achievements in their fields of expertise.
Salgado Lynn said she didn’t even know such an award existed, but she was grateful.
“I am very humbled but I obviously feel what I have contributed is not my doing alone. It has always been with a team.
“So, for me, this award is a recognition of what our team has achieved together.”
She told FMT she was not ready to say adios to Sabah any time soon if she could have her way.
“I’ll stay until my work visa is not renewed,” she said with a laugh. “If the powers-that-be think I have nothing more to contribute, that’s when I will leave. I don’t see any other reason to leave.
“I have been working for over 10 years here and I hope I can get at least another 10 more. But of course, the longer the better.”