Jolynn Ong
Nationality:
Singapore
Faculty and Department:
Cancer Science Institute of Singapore
Year of Study:
3
Undergraduate University:
University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Why did you choose to do graduate education at NUS? If you received offers from other universities, why did you pick NUS?
My passion lies in cancer research. Instead of continuing my PhD in my undergraduate university, University of Edinburgh, I have decided to pursue a PhD at NUS instead as I always wanted to contribute to cancer research that is more relevant to the Asian population. Also, NUS has a good reputation for cancer research with a dedicated research institute (Cancer Science Institute, CSI) just for that, which I eventually enrolled under. Lastly, studying in NUS would allow me to be closer to home and family!
How does graduate school compare to your undergraduate experience?
The undergraduate research experience (e.g. Final Year Projects etc.) is nothing compared to what you get in graduate school. In graduate school, you are granted a lot more freedom and intellectual control over your own research projects; it is something I really appreciate and is one of the reasons why the PhD journey has been so exciting and rewarding!
What impact do you hope to have with your research?
My PhD is focused on Basic Science – meaning that it revolves around advancing the fundamental aspects/theories/concepts of science. Of course, the ultimate goal is to translate the findings from my research into something tangible that can directly help cancer patients.
However, I have learnt that the process of bringing your research findings from “”benchside-to-bedside”” is easier said than done and requires the combined efforts of many clinicians/researchers. As of now, I hope that my research will provide a stepping stone for others in the same field to leverage on and further potentiate the understanding of the cancer
If you have won any academic prize/competition or been invited to speak at an international conference—share what it is, its significance, and how you worked towards achieving it.
Have recently won a “Best Poster Award” for NCAM (NCIS Annual Research Meeting) conference 2021. This is conference is co-organised by multiple cancer institutes in Singapore which aims to to provide a platform for clinicians and scientists to share their novel discoveries in cancer research.
I have also been invited to speak at the Japanese Cancer Association (JCA) conference 2021. This is a international conference aimed to allow sharing of novel cancer research.
Share something fun from your graduate journey at NUS.
I have been very blessed to belong to a nice and loving lab under Dr Takaomi Sanda. Before COVID-19, we organized a lab trip to Thailand and had lots of fun eating good food and touring the main city.
Share a challenge you faced in graduate school and how you overcame it.
It is easy and normal to feel burned out at some point of the PhD journey. As most singaporeans do, I overcame it by drinking loads of my favourite bubble tea while telling myself that it will all be worth it!
What message would you like to give to students interested in graduate studies in NUS?
Celebrate the little victories!