Nationality: Singapore
Current Job: Executive Director, A*Star, Singapore
Graduation: NUS Graduate School of Integrative Sciences and Engineering (NGS), Year 2009
Undergraduate: National University of Singapore, Singapore
"I have taken 20 years to reach this stage, and I am still learning and developing. Be humble. Always ask and learn. A career in science is a marathon, not a sprint."
In retrospect, would you still have chosen to do a PhD? Why?
Yes, PhD is the key period of my life where I grew intellectually and professionally.
On hindsight, would you still have chosen NUS to do your PhD?
I always believed in going local. When everyone went overseas, I went the other way and went to NUS instead. Why? I thought that I did not have to go through an adaptation period, I could hit the ground running. I started working in a lab as a Year 1 undergraduate. If I had gone overseas, I had to take on too many things, accommodation, new environment, new acquaintances, activities. I felt I was not ready for it at that time.
I did my PhD subsequently in NUS as well in 2007. I had amassed a large amount of research data at that time, sufficient to write the papers required for graduation. I graduated in 2009 in two years. It was careful planning and I ultimately point back to my decision to study locally as the key factor in allowing me to finish my PhD in 2 years.
On hindsight, would you have chosen the same research topic for your PhD?
My passion was in biomaterials and to develop something that will have a positive impact on human lives.
How did your experiences as a graduate student shape and guide you in your current career?
We should dare to take the road that has not been taken by our predecessors and overcome difficulties by cleverly steering through the storm and navigating well through the wind and waves. NUS trained me to be a future scientific leader. As a scientific leader, you must have a vision, you must be decisive and you must try your best.
Suggest 2 or 3 things that graduate students should do to prepare for their professional careers?
Learn the art of good presentation, “upsell” yourself in a positive manner, be proactive and show a positive attitude to your work. Learn from mistakes and bounce back.
What advice would you give someone considering doing his/her PhD at NUS?
Stay focused and stay calm even if the results do not come your way. Read and ask around if in doubt. Make friends, some of them may be working coincidentally in labs that have the solution to the problem you are trying to solve.
Briefly share something fun in your graduate journey at NUS that you remember
It was really about balancing research work until evening, then rushing to the canteen for a quick dinner before rushing to the lectures for the typical graduate night classes. NUS at night is so active and a really beautiful place.
Any other words of wisdom to share?
I have taken 20 years to reach this stage, and I am still learning and developing. Be humble. Always ask and learn. A career in science is a marathon, not a sprint.