Sinan Xiong
Nationality: China
Faculty & Year of Study: Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Year 1
Undergraduate: National University of Singapore, Singapore
"Be like a pineapple: Stand tall, wear a crown, and be sweet on the inside."
Why Did You Choose To Pursue A PhD?
The pursuit of scientific knowledge and truth is one of the most rewarding endeavours of my life. I’m motivated to be a cancer scientist committed to bridging the gap between research and clinical practice in hopes of making a difference in the lives of patients who get involved with their plights.
Why Did You Choose To Pursue Your PhD At NUS?
The School of Medicine at NUS is well-known for its in-depth doctoral training program and thriving research environment, which supports exciting and innovative interdisciplinary studies and translational bioscience.
Can you tell us briefly about your research topic?
I’m currently studying novel targets of transcriptional regulation in multiple myeloma, which is the second most common hematologic malignancy, based on next-generation sequencing technology.
How does PhD graduate education compare with your undergraduate experience?
I completed my undergraduate study at NUS and Master study at Duke. The PhD program at NUS is top-notch and offers ample opportunities for students to connect with researchers around the world.
What do you like most about graduate school?
Supportive and open-minded supervisors with a wealth of knowledge in the field of blood cancer.
What challenges have you faced during your stint as a PhD student?
Balancing a packed schedule can be challenging sometimes. In addition to coursework and research, there are lots of interesting seminars, workshops and events to attend. Time management is one of the most important lessons I’ve learned from graduate school so far.
Any highlights you'd like to share with us about your PhD life?
I am honored to have received the President’s Graduate Fellowship.
Can you tell us something fun about your PhD journey in NUS?
Playing frisbee on the Town Green.
Any advice for someone who's considering a PhD in NUS?
The school of Medicine encompasses different disciplines and departments. Doing lab rotation is a great chance to broaden your exposure to different research fields and skill sets relevant to your research of interest!
Any other words of wisdom to share?
Be like a pineapple: Stand tall, wear a crown, and be sweet on the inside.