Nationality: Singapore
Faculty & Year of Study: Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Year 1
Undergraduate: National University of Singapore, Singapore
"If you already have a project in mind, or even better, some results already - it helps you get kickstarted on your work even faster"
Why Did You Choose To Pursue A PhD?
My field of clinical work is paediatric oncology. The treatment of cancer is a rapidly evolving field. In order to best benefit my patients, progress in science is needed, and the ability to translate it from the lab to the bedside is important. Hence, doing a PhD provides me with the training and skills to be a clinician-scientist, to be able to further advancements in the field and with the overall aim of curing children with cancer.
Why Did You Choose To Pursue Your PhD At NUS?
NUS is one of the top universities in the world, with some of the most renowned researchers in various fields. My mentor A/P Allen Yeoh is one of the giants in the field of paediatric leukemia, and hence doing a PhD in NUSMed under him was the most logical decision.
Can you tell us briefly about your research topic?
The immune system plays a crucial role in the development, response as well as outcomes in leukemia. I am interested in examining the immune response in children with leukemia, with the eventual aim of looking to see how we can modulate these responses to improve overall outcomes and other phenotypes such as toxicities.
Why did you choose to do this research for your PhD?
To help me translate into improved clinical outcomes for my patients with cancer
How does PhD graduate education compare with your undergraduate experience?
I did my undergraduate training in Medicine in NUS. This was a highly structured program and heavily focused on training us to be doctors. PhD graduate education is a lot more self-directed, a lot less structured/guided, and it is up to yourself to find your own grounds and achieve your own progress.
What do you like most about graduate school?
Self-direction. Most things are at your own time/effort, rather than a timetable to follow.
What challenges have you faced during your stint as a PhD student?
Self-direction is a double-edged sword. It is also challenging being thrown into the deep end and learning how to swim.
Any highlights you'd like to share with us about your PhD life?
Being able to move to USA to do my research work here.
Any advice for someone who's considering a PhD in NUS?
It is not a trivial undertaking. Commitment is necessary. For doctors, consider doing the MCI to give you a good foundation before starting PhD.
Any other words of wisdom to share?
If you already have a project in mind, or even better, some results already – it helps you get kickstarted on your work even faster.