Nationality: Ghana
Current Job: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellow, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Norway
Graduation: Faculty of Science, Year 2018
Undergraduate: Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
"Pursing a PhD can be challenging so commit to a research area that you love. In doing so, even the most difficult moments will end up motivating you to keep striving for the impact that you dream of."
In retrospect, would you still have chosen to do a PhD? Why?
Yes, I would have since I was always drawn to research. After my master’s degree, a PhD was a step in the right direction for me as it brought me closer to my dream of pursing an academic career.
On hindsight, would you still have chosen NUS to do your PhD?
Yes. I chose NUS for a number of reasons. It provided the world-class research facilities for me to conduct pharmaceutical research. It also provided a competitive environment that enabled me grow as a researcher and compete internationally. Given the vibrant and exciting campus life, I had the opportunity to forge life-long relationships with other students from all over the world. Most importantly, the department of pharmacy provided a supportive environment and I was drawn to the lab of my advisor, A/P Rachel Ee, whose research was exciting to me.
On hindsight, would you have chosen the same research topic for your PhD?
Yes. During my PhD, my research focused on the development of anionic hydrogel systems for the delivery of antimicrobial peptides. I was able to not only work on one project but to explore my own ideas as well as work with other group members on antimicrobial systems. This was really helpful as it allowed me to dig deeper into my own interests, develop new skills and other project ideas.
On hindsight, would you have chosen the same research supervisor for your PhD?
Yes. I really enjoyed my graduate journey in Prof Ee’s lab. I gained an all round research experience and a myriad of interdisciplinary skills that allowed me to compete internationally. I was well supported within the lab and had access to all equipment and resources that I needed or proposed for my work. I believe the 4 years’ graduate experience I had in my supervisor’s lab was the best any student could have had and I am eternally grateful to her for all her support till date.
How did NUS prepare you for your career?
As a graduate student in Prof Ee’s lab, I had the opportunity to sharpen my writing skills and the platform to apply for research grants. On one such occasion, I was awarded an international fellowship for 3 months which allowed me to work in Germany, The Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research. This opened a door of possibilities for me and made me more resilient in my quest to pursue an academic career. Additionally, I was able to network internationally and further improve my research in areas where I had little experience. Finally, I was ready to take on a challenge in my final year to apply for an internationally prestigious grant, which I was awarded barely a year after graduating from NUS. I most definitely attribute these successes to the training I received from my research lab in NUS.
How did your experiences as a graduate student shape and guide you in your current career?
I worked independently on a research project and also supervise master students on other research projects. Considering my training, I am very sensitive to the experiences of my students and ensure that they receive the training that matches with their career goals. In managing my own project, I am able to identify the resources needed to achieve the milestones of my project and able to continuously compete for new research grants.
Suggest 2 or 3 things that graduate students should do to prepare for their professional careers?
I would advice graduate students to take advantage of the opportunities in their research labs to not only work diligently on their projects, but where possible support the work of their colleagues. This will help expand their skill set.
To continually seek to expand their research projects, discuss potential ideas that can be developed with their supervisors and take on mentoring opportunities where possible.
To read and always have a proposal/short review/manuscript that they are working on so that they can stay abreast with their fields and also sharpen their writing skills. Additionally, to communicate earlier on their career plan with their supervisors, this will allow their PI’s the opportunities to plan well ahead and allocate resources or support specific applications that will help achieve these career goals. Having a yearly plan on possible grants, conferences and research milestones they want to apply for and/or achieve can also help tremendously.
Name 2-3 things you wished you had been told when you started graduate school?
To spend as much time in planning my research experiments as I did in actually conducting the experiments.
To not worry so much about the failed experiments.
What advice would you give someone considering doing his/her PhD at NUS?
The training that you will receive as a student in NUS is unmatched. In choosing NUS for your PhD, you will receive exceptional support for your graduate journey alongside the necessary resources/facilities that will equip you as a competitive candidate. You will also have a lot of memorable and fun moments with new colleagues and identify internationally renowned mentors that will support your career.
Briefly share something fun in your graduate journey at NUS that you remember.
During my PhD, I served as a resident assistant in one of the graduate accommodations. As a resident assistant, I had several fun experiences such as during bonding and leadership camps organized by the residential life team at the office of student affairs (OSA). In 2015, we visited the Loola adventure resort where I took part in activities such as wall climbing and the flying fox. Additionally, my first proposed event as a resident assistant was an ice breaking night. This was really fun and fulfilling to see new students bond with each other over fun games!
Any other words of wisdom to share?
Pursing a PhD can be challenging so commit to a research area that you love. In doing so, even the most difficult moments will end up motivating you to keep striving for the impact that you dream of.