Professor Wu Jishan, Provost's Chair Professor from the Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Science at NUS, received the esteemed President’s Science Award (PSA) from Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore.

Two outstanding young researchers were conferred with the Young Scientist Award (YSA) from Mr Heng Swee Keat, Chairman of NRF, for their potential to become future world-class leaders in their fields. They are: Assistant Professor Liu Boxiang, Presidential Young Professor from the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in the Faculty of Science at NUS, and Assistant Professor Hou Yi, Presidential Young Professor from Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in the College of Design and Engineering at NUS, and Head of the Perovskite-based Multijunction Solar Cells Group at the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) at NUS.

Their collective achievements underscore the University’s deep commitment to fostering a culture of research excellence and innovation at every career stage, from promising young talents to established leaders in their fields.

2026 President’s Science Award Recipient: Professor Wu Jishan

Professor Wu Jishan was presented the PSA for his contributions to molecular carbon science. His work focuses on developing open-shell and topologically complex molecules as designable systems, enabling new approaches to control their properties for future electronic, magnetic, photonic and quantum technologies.

A leading molecular scientist, Prof Wu has transformed our understanding of how electrons can be controlled in carbon-based molecules. He challenged the long-standing reliance on stable "closed-shell" molecules by demonstrating that highly reactive "open-shell" molecules can be systematically designed and controlled. This paradigm shift turned scientific curiosities into functional materials with unique magnetic, optical, and quantum properties.

One of Prof Wu’s most significant contributions is the development of stable diradicals and polyradicals – molecules containing unpaired electrons that interact with one another. His discoveries have led to new materials for spintronics, photonics and molecular quantum technologies. Prof Wu also reshaped chemistry’s core concept of aromaticity by extending it into three dimensions. He synthesised complex carbon architectures like Möbius and figure-eight molecular systems, opening new possibilities for advanced photonics, circularly polarised light technologies, spin-selective devices, and future quantum systems.

“Receiving the President’s Science Award is a tremendous honour and a deeply meaningful milestone for me. It recognises not only my own scientific journey, but also nearly two decades of work by my students, research team and collaborators at NUS,” said Prof Wu. “I am particularly grateful that our long-term effort to explore unconventional molecular systems — from open-shell molecules to three-dimensional aromatic and topological carbon structures — has grown from fundamental curiosity into new directions for advanced materials and quantum technologies.”

Collectively, Prof Wu’s discoveries provide a unified framework for controlling electron behaviour. Since joining NUS in 2007, he has built a world-leading research programme and mentored a new generation of scientists who now hold leadership positions globally. His foundational work and commitment to talent development lay the groundwork for future quantum technologies and cement Singapore’s position as a global leader in scientific innovation.

Read the full citation here.

2026 Young Scientist Award Recipient: Assistant Professor Liu Boxiang

Assistant Professor Liu Boxiang, a computational biologist and geneticist, won the YSA for his work in developing artificial intelligence (AI) and bioinformatics methods that improve the identification of causal genes for complex diseases, enabling precision medicine approaches for human health.

“This award recognises not just me but the hard work and dedication of my team and the generosity of my mentors and collaborators. It shows that the work we do is generating real-world impact, and the risk we took led to positive outcomes,” said Asst Prof Liu.

Asst Prof Liu’s research involves developing and employing AI methods to find genes that cause complex human diseases, with a particular focus on Asian populations, which have been underrepresented in genomic research. His work lays the groundwork for precision medicine tailored to an individual’s genetic makeup.

To close the data gap, he spearheaded the creation of the first atlas that maps genetic variation in individual Asian cells. His work identified an Asian-specific gene variant linked to Graves’ disease, a common thyroid condition, with the discovery earning a coveted spot on the cover of the scientific journal Nature Genetics. Asst Prof Liu also developed powerful computational tools, including the LocusCompare2 web platform used by researchers worldwide and the DIRAC deep-learning model, which turn raw genetic signals into actionable insights about disease mechanisms and potential drug targets.

Beyond his own research, Asst Prof Liu is committed to nurturing the next generation of scientists. He directs the Genomic Data Science Laboratory and the MGI-PPS Joint Laboratory at NUS, mentors a team whose work has earned awards, and has co-created and taught new genomics courses for the University. He also leads an industry partnership to bring advanced sequencing technologies to NUS. Apart from YSA, Asst Prof Liu received two other early-career awards this year – the NUS Young Researcher Award, and the NUS Faculty of Science Young Scientist Award.

Addressing aspiring scientists, Asst Prof Liu urged, “Don't give up – most people give up way too soon and never manage to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Pace yourself and avoid burnouts. Eat well, rest well, and exercise to fight for another day.”

Read the full citation here.

2026 Young Scientist Award Recipient: Assistant Professor Hou Yi

Assistant Professor Hou Yi clinched the YSA for his contributions to the development of high-performance perovskite solar technologies, from record-breaking devices to scalable manufacturing. His work has enabled lightweight and energy-efficient power systems for AI infrastructure, wearable electronics, space platforms and sustainable energy applications.

A pioneer in next-generation solar technology, Asst Prof Hou specialises in tandem solar cells. These cells stack two light-absorbing layers, often using perovskite materials, to capture more solar energy than conventional single-layer cells. His research has produced multiple world-record performances and tackled key challenges in stability and large-scale deployment.

By expanding the understanding of how different material layers interact and the degradation mechanisms of solar cells, Asst Prof Hou has made these advanced solar technologies significantly more durable, efficient, and commercially viable. His breakthroughs are paving the way for lightweight, energy-efficient power generation, moving beyond the limitations of traditional silicon and enabling new energy solutions for a wide range of demanding applications.

“One of the biggest challenges in our research has been translating high-performance perovskite solar cells from laboratory-scale devices into technologies that are stable, scalable, and relevant to real-world applications. We have addressed this by working across disciplines and continuously connecting fundamental materials science with device engineering and manufacturing,” said Asst Prof Hou.

Outside the lab, Asst Prof Hou is deeply involved in technology commercialisation. As the founder of the NUS spin-off company Singfilm Solar, he actively translates academic research into industrial use. Through his research and entrepreneurial efforts, he is building revolutionary power sources for AI infrastructure, wearable electronics, and space systems, strengthening Singapore’s position as a global leader in next-generation solar technology.

To young researchers, his advice is “to stay curious, focus on important problems, and not be afraid of taking on challenges that may initially seem difficult or unconventional”.

Read the full citation here.

The SNAS Fellowship honours exemplary individuals for their exceptional and enduring contributions to science and education. As the nation's scientific leaders, SNAS Fellows are a distinguished group entrusted with guiding national policy and research direction, driving thought leadership, and championing science education for the public good. These outstanding scientists are also committed to upholding scientific ethics and advancing the research ecosystem in Singapore.

Prof Novoselov holds a Tan Chin Tuan Centennial Professorship at NUS, where he is also Director of the Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials and a faculty member of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in the College of Design and Engineering, NUS. An established physicist, specialising in condensed matter physics, mesoscopic physics and nanotechnology, Prof Novoselov has broad research interests from mesoscopic phenomena in ferromagnets and superconductors to electronic properties of two-dimensional (2D) electron gas in GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures and graphene. He also has a vast background in nanofabrication and nanotechnology. 

In 2010, Prof Novoselov (together with Prof Andre Geim) was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his research in graphene. His groundbreaking discovery of graphene introduced a material that is the most conductive, stretchable, and strongest known, and opened a new realm of multidisciplinary research.

Prof Novoselov was knighted as Commander of the Order of the Netherlands Lion in 2010 and subsequently awarded knighthood of the British Empire in 2012. A highly decorated and cited researcher with over 600 peer-reviewed publications, he has also received numerous international accolades such as the Europhysics Prize, the Leverhulme Medal and the Dalton Medal among many others, and is a Fellow of The Royal Society. 

For his transformative and seminal discovery of graphene and exploration of other two-dimensional (2D) materials, Prof Novoselov has been elected as a SNAS Fellow. He joins the prestigious ranks of only 62 SNAS Fellows inducted since 2011.

The reactor uses a thin metal filament, similar to the wire found inside an incandescent lightbulb. When electricity passes through the filament, it heats up to extremely high temperatures, providing the energy needed to drive chemical reactions quickly and efficiently.

Led by Professor Yan Ning, Director of the NUS Centre for Hydrogen and Carbon Innovations (CHCI) and faculty member in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering under College of Design and Engineering at NUS, the research team demonstrated the reactor in three applications: producing hydrogen from ammonia, recycling plastic waste, and converting methane into useful chemicals.

Inspired by a household lightbulb

Many industrial chemical processes require very high temperatures to operate. These temperatures are typically generated by burning fuels, which consumes large amounts of energy and produces carbon emissions.

The NUS team's reactor offers a different approach. Instead of heating an entire reactor, it concentrates heat in a thin metal filament. This allows temperatures of more than 1,200°C to be reached rapidly while keeping the surrounding area much cooler.

Because only a small part of the reactor needs to be heated, the system can perform chemical reactions efficiently while remaining compact. It can also run on electricity, making it compatible with renewable energy sources.

Producing hydrogen from ammonia

The researchers first applied the reactor to ammonia decomposition, a process that breaks ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen.

Ammonia is increasingly being explored as a way to transport hydrogen because it is easier to store and ship. However, converting ammonia back into hydrogen efficiently remains a challenge.

Using the lightbulb-inspired reactor, the team achieved near-complete conversion of ammonia into hydrogen. The reactor is also significantly smaller than conventional systems designed to process the same amount of ammonia.

The researchers are now working with an industry partner to explore how the technology could be used in future ammonia-based energy systems.

The results of this study were published in Nature Chemical Engineering in October 2025.

Recycling plastic waste

The team also used the reactor to recycle common plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene, which are widely used in packaging and consumer products.

Many existing recycling methods produce a mixture of different chemicals, making it difficult to recover materials for reuse. The NUS reactor was able to break these plastics down into simpler chemical building blocks that can be used to make new plastics.

This approach could help support a more circular plastics economy and reduce the amount of plastic waste sent to landfills or incinerators.

This work was reported in Nature Communications in November 2025.

Converting methane into valuable chemicals

In a third study, the researchers applied the reactor to methane, the main component of natural gas.

Methane is an abundant resource but converting it into useful products efficiently remains difficult. Using different temperature zones within the reactor, the team was able to convert methane into valuable chemicals used in manufacturing, while also producing hydrogen.

The design helps improve both the efficiency of the process and the quality of the products produced.

The team published their findings in Nature Sustainability in April 2026.

A platform for future technologies

While the three studies focused on different challenges, they demonstrate the versatility of a single reactor platform.

The researchers are now exploring additional applications and ways to scale up the technology for industrial use.

“Our goal is to develop practical technologies that can support the transition to a low-carbon future,” said Prof Yan. “These studies show how a simple idea inspired by a familiar household object can be adapted to address different challenges in the chemical industry.”

This interconnected approach, which she calls “roots to reefs”, recognises that ecosystems do not exist in isolation. What happens upstream in forests, rivers and coastal habitats can shape the health and resilience of mangroves and coral reefs downstream. This holistic vision has become the foundation of her research and teaching at NUS.

Her work spans mangrove restoration at Pulau Ubin to leading expeditions across Southeast Asia, where she uses drones and 3D mapping technologies to create detailed digital models of coastal ecosystems. She also produces immersive 360-degree conservation films — one of them, entitled Roots to Reefs 360, clinched the Bronze accolade at the 2023 QS Reimagine Education Awards.

As we observe World Mangrove Day on 26 July, Dr Coffman discusses Singapore’s mangrove story, why these forests matter for our climate future and what gives her hope in the next generation of mangrove champions.

World Mangrove Day puts a spotlight on mangrove ecosystems globally. What’s the current state of Singapore's mangroves?

Around 13 per cent of our coastline was originally fringed by mangroves, but today less than 1 per cent of Singapore’s land area remains as mangrove habitat. Against a backdrop of continued mangrove loss across Southeast Asia, Singapore has become a regional leader in mangrove conservation through projects such as Sungei Buloh Nature Park Network and Sungei Durian in Pulau Ubin.

Singapore’s mangroves also remain rich in biodiversity. We have 35 species of true mangroves – almost as many as Indonesia, the global leader with about 48 species. Singapore’s mangrove flora is exceptionally diverse for a highly urbanised nation.

Every year, I begin my Aquatic, Riparian and Coastal Systems course at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve because it tells one of Singapore’s greatest conservation stories. In the 1980s, the Nature Society Singapore recognised the site was internationally important for migratory shorebirds. Their advocacy helped protect it, making it Singapore’s first ASEAN Heritage Park. It is a powerful reminder to students that conservation succeeds when passionate people speak up and scientists, communities, policymakers and citizens work together.

What excites me most is that Singapore is no longer conserving isolated patches but restoring connected coastal ecosystems, reflecting the “roots to reefs” approach that underpins my research and teaching. The healthier these ecological connections become, the more resilient our wildlife, coastlines and communities will be.

Mangroves have been described as “climate infrastructure”. Can you explain what that means?

The word “infrastructure” brings to mind bridges, roads or seawalls. Mangroves perform many of those same functions naturally, which is why scientists call them natural climate infrastructure.

Mangroves are among the planet’s most efficient ecosystems for capturing and storing carbon, particularly in their deep waterlogged soils. Over hundreds of years, this builds up like an underground carbon bank.

But carbon is only part of the story. Mangroves reduce wave energy, buffer storm surges, stabilise shorelines, filter pollutants and provide nursery habitat for fisheries. A seawall protects a coastline, but a mangrove forest does this while storing carbon, supporting biodiversity and improving water quality.

As sea levels rise, our future resilience will depend on combining engineering with healthy ecosystems through nature-based climate solutions.

You bring NUS students into mangrove ecosystems for field learning. What do students discover that they cannot learn in a classroom?

One of my favourite moments happened during a field research trip in a mangrove forest in Lombok. After collecting data, I asked students to sit quietly on the mangrove roots, close their eyes and listen. They described hearing birds calling, crabs clicking beneath the mud and how surprisingly cool the forest felt.

It was a simple exercise but it changed how they saw mangroves — not just as muddy coastal forests but as a living, interconnected ecosystem.

While lectures provide the scientific foundation, students develop deeper understanding by seeing and doing. They learn to observe like scientists and understand how every species plays a role.

I also want students to see themselves as future conservation leaders. In my course, teams choose a degraded mangrove site and develop restoration proposals. Successful restoration requires understanding tides, sediments, biodiversity, communities and long-term management. The best strategies bring together ecologists, engineers, planners, policymakers and communities to design solutions beneficial for people and nature.

As an educator nurturing the next generation of conservation leaders, what gives you hope?

I see hope in the moment curiosity turns into connection. Students often arrive thinking mangroves are muddy, smelly places. By day’s end, they’re excitedly pointing out mudskippers and kingfishers, imagining how these places can be restored.

I see the same hope when working alongside communities across Southeast Asia as I meet people who care deeply about restoring coastal environments. Conservation succeeds when local communities lead, because they continue caring long after researchers leave.

People protect what they understand, and understanding often begins with experience. I hope that everyone experiences a mangrove forest at least once. Once you’ve experienced that magic, it’s hard not to want to protect it.

How can one experience the “Mangrove Magic” this World Mangrove Day?

Visit Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Chek Jawa Wetlands or Pasir Ris Mangrove Boardwalk. Pause, listen to the birds, watch the mudskippers and crabs and look out for the otters.

Consider joining a kayak tour at Pulau Ubin, or participate in mangrove planting and coastal clean-ups organised by NParks, the Nature Society Singapore and the International Coastal Cleanup Day in Singapore.

Once you spend time in a mangrove forest, you begin to see it differently.

World Mangrove Day is observed annually on 26 July to raise awareness of mangrove ecosystems and promote their sustainable management, conservation and restoration.

For marine biologist Dr Ow Yan Xiang, Senior Research Fellow at the Tropical Marine Science Institute at NUS, and resident scientist at the St John's Island National Marine Laboratory, World Ocean Day is “a day to appreciate how our oceans and the marine life within have kept us alive through their roles in climate regulation and supporting global economies”.

On a more serious note, she added that “it is also a day where we caution ourselves about the consequences should our oceans no longer be healthy”.

Dr Ow’s work focuses on seagrass. Unlike seaweed, which are marine algae, the lesser-known seagrass are flowering plants with roots, stems and leaves. Found in shallow, near-shore waters, seagrass meadows are an essential part of the marine ecosystem, providing food and shelter, and serving as nurseries to many aquatic creatures. Seagrass also play an important role in coastal protection by buffering wave energy and stabilising sediments. A natural carbon sink, seagrass meadows are remarkably good at trapping carbon: in the Central Indo-Pacific region, which includes Singapore and Malaysia, they capture an average of 86 metric tonnes of carbon per hectare, the equivalent of annual carbon emissions from 22 cars.

However, Singapore has lost approximately 45 per cent of its seagrass since the 1960s due to land reclamation and ongoing coastal development. Currently, seagrass beds continue to be wiped out at a high rate, for example, in Southeast Asia, the rate of loss is 5 per cent every year. 

When the seagrass is greener on the other side

Last year, Dr Ow co-led Singapore’s inaugural seagrass restoration project in collaboration with the National Parks Board, transplanting seagrass from denser meadows like East Coast to areas with little to no seagrass, like Sisters’ Islands. Until the end of this year, Dr Ow and her team will monitor the transplanted seagrass plot on Sisters' Islands, before deciding on whether to proceed with another transplantation exercise.

To further improve seagrass restoration efforts, Dr Ow and her team have a two-pronged approach. Firstly, they are developing and refining transplantation methods, to determine the best way of planting mature seagrass shoots, so that they will not get washed away or perish easily.

“Transplanting seagrass is a far less well-studied science compared to that of trees, mangroves or even corals,” Dr Ow pointed out. “By optimising our transplantation techniques, we can revitalise the seagrass population in Singapore’s waters.”

Uncovering the wonders of seagrass reproduction

Secondly, Dr Ow and her team are studying the sexual reproduction of seagrass in Singapore. Despite the presence of 12 seagrass species in Singapore, the sexual reproduction of the vast majority remains poorly understood.

Consequently, the team has been conducting monthly surveys at different seagrass meadows to look for seagrass flowers and fruits. Recently, they published an open-access scientific paper in the Bulletin of Marine Science that documents the sexual reproduction of the noodle seagrass Syringodium isoetifolium, including images of the flowers, fruits and seeds as well as detailed information on the timing and process of pollination, fertilisation, fruit development and seed dispersal. This is the first comprehensive description of the sexual reproduction of the noodle seagrass.

“If we are able to understand when and how various seagrass species reproduce sexually, it will greatly aid long-term restoration effort,” Dr Ow said.

Undoubtedly, Dr Ow’s tireless work on seagrass promotes the health of our blue planet. And how can individuals protect our oceans and the conservation of marine life? Dr Ow shared, “Nothing is too little. Collective stewardship can make a big impact if we all play our part.”

She urged, “Whether it’s advancing knowledge through research, advocating for education and conservation, or even making a conscious effort to reduce one’s environmental footprint, small actions are better than none!”

Dr Sean Yap, Research Fellow at the Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions (CNCS) under the NUS Faculty of Science, is studying how these soundscapes can be used to monitor biodiversity. His work at the Lab for Advancing Protection of biodiversity with Innovative Solutions (LAPIS), combines bioacoustics — the study of animal sounds — with artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse large volumes of recordings collected in forest environments.

“Bioacoustics uses animal vocalisations to identify species and study ecological patterns,” Dr Yap explained. “These recordings can help us compare species communities between sites, track animal activity patterns, and even locate individual animals.”

His research currently focuses on two questions: how human-generated noise, such as traffic, affects animal activity in forests, and whether microforests, or small restored forest patches, can help improve ecological connectivity in urban landscapes.

Listening to ecosystems

To collect data, researchers place small autonomous recorders equipped with microphones tuned to specific frequencies to capture sound in the forest. The set-up itself is relatively simple; the challenge lies in analysing the vast amounts of audio data generated.

The recordings are then converted into spectrograms or visual representations of sound, which AI systems analyse to identify patterns linked to different sources. Some models can distinguish broad categories of sound, such as traffic noise and animal calls, while others can classify bird vocalisations to the species level or differentiate between anthropogenic noise and wildlife sounds. This allows researchers to assess levels of human disturbance and measure the presence and activity of different species across study areas.

Complementing traditional field surveys

Traditional biodiversity surveys often rely on researchers spending limited time in the field observing wildlife, with results varying depending on the observer’s experience and the duration of the survey.

Bioacoustic monitoring offers a different approach. Recorders can be programmed to collect data continuously or at specific times of day, producing more standardised datasets. Because the devices remain in place, they can also capture species that might avoid human presence. As Dr Yap noted, human observers are often the main limiting factor in traditional surveys, whereas autonomous recorders can collect data over much longer periods and with greater consistency.

Challenges in using AI for biodiversity monitoring

Despite its advantages, AI-based monitoring still faces limitations. Dr Yap’s team found that algorithms tend to perform well for species with distinctive vocalisations, such as songbirds. However, species with lower-frequency calls, including pigeons, doves and owls, are harder for AI models to detect accurately. In some cases, recordings initially flagged as owl calls were later found to be traffic noise.

Many existing sound-recognition models are trained primarily on species from North America and Europe, Dr Yap explained, which can make them less reliable for species found in Southeast Asia.

To address this, researchers at NUS are exploring ways to refine models using locally collected data, allowing AI systems to improve as regional biodiversity datasets expand.

Technology and the future of conservation

While these technologies are transforming ecological monitoring, Dr Yap emphasised that AI complements rather than replaces traditional field research. He sees AI as a powerful tool that could help scientists gather information efficiently and monitor ecosystems over longer periods.

“AI tools depend on good training data and ecological expertise,” he said. “They help us collect and analyse information more efficiently, but they still rely on the knowledge of scientists who study these ecosystems.”

For biodiversity-rich regions such as Southeast Asia, this could make a significant difference. Tropical forests in the region are dense and exceptionally diverse, making it difficult for researchers to spend extended periods surveying species in the field. Technologies such as bioacoustics allow scientists to collect more comprehensive datasets and gain a better understanding of how these ecosystems function.

In the future, Dr Yap hopes to expand AI-based monitoring beyond birds, which are currently prioritised due to the availability of labelled call databases. He plans to work with researchers studying frogs, insects, bats and other mammals to develop locally trained algorithms, improving the accuracy of biodiversity monitoring in Southeast Asia.

Prof Hew has been actively involved in tropical orchid research for over 30 years. His lifelong research has resulted in significant advances in the understanding of the physiology and cultivation of tropical orchids, particularly in optimising their growth and development. His work expanded the understanding of the various patterns of carbon dioxide fixation in tropical orchids, partitioning of assimilates, advances in orchid tissue culture, flower senescence, and postharvest handling of orchid cut-flowers.

His research directly contributed to innovations in commercial orchid cultivation and postharvest management. His work on plant growth regulators and postharvest physiology enabled longer-lasting cut flowers, benefitting exporters and commercial growers in Singapore and the region.

His consulting expertise extended beyond academia, collaborating with government agencies, commercial enterprises, and international research institutions to drive orchid biotechnology, conservation, and sustainable cultivation practices.

Prof Hew has published more than 140 works in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings. Of his three books, The Physiology of Tropical Orchids in Relation to the Industry has been particularly well-received. 

Established in 2023, the AOSORA is regarded as AOS’, and possibility the world’s, first and most prestigious award dedicated specifically to orchid scientists and researchers. The AOSORA is administered and conferred by the AOS Research Committee, a panel made up of respected orchid scientists.

The selection process is highly competitive. To receive the award, a scientist must be nominated by a world-renowned peer, supported by multiple letters of endorsement from established international expert, selected by the vote of the AOS Research Committee and approved by AOS Trustees.

Prof Hew is the fourth recipient of the AOSORA.

Read more about Prof Hew’s research achievements here.

That same curiosity now underpins his research — building tools that can both detect early signs of stress and deliver targeted help into living plants. Today, at the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in the College of Design and Engineering at National University of Singapore (NUS), Asst Prof Lew, who is also a Presidential Young Professor at NUS, leads a multidisciplinary team developing nanotechnology-enabled tools that help plants better withstand a changing climate, from disease pressure to salinity and heat.

His latest work tackles one of the most stubborn bottlenecks in plant science: getting useful “cargo”, such as genes, proteins, hormones and even beneficial microbes, into living plants efficiently, especially when leaves are wet or fully submerged.

Published in Nature Communications on 24 November 2025, the study describes “amphibious” microneedles designed to deliver a wide range of biomolecules and living microorganisms into both terrestrial and aquatic plants.

Solving a stubborn delivery problem

Many established approaches for delivering functional cargo into plants are inefficient, difficult to control or limited to certain species. Wet leaves add another layer of complexity, as rainfall or irrigation can wash away sprayed molecules before they enter the plant. In aquatic environments, the challenge is more pronounced — payloads can disperse into surrounding water before the intended plant has a chance to take them up.

To address this, Asst Prof Lew and his team built a tiny patch covered in short microneedles that gently create microscopic pathways into plant tissue. Each microneedle is designed like a protective capsule: an outer layer helps it resist water exposure long enough for handling and application, while the inner core holds sensitive cargo. Once inserted, plant fluid gradually triggers a release mechanism that Asst Prof Lew compares to the “fizz” of an effervescent tablet, helping to push the payload into the surrounding tissue at a controllable pace.

In the study, his team showed the patch can transport a wide range of cargo types, including functional nucleic acids, proteins, plant hormones and live Agrobacterium (a soil-dwelling bacterium that functions as a natural genetic delivery system for plants), with evidence that the delivered genes remain active in plant cells. The platform also enabled underwater delivery of a salt-tolerance gene into a submerged freshwater plant, demonstrating a route to engineering stress resilience in settings where conventional delivery tools are difficult to use.

“This is the first demonstration of a programmable microneedle system that functions reliably in both land and aquatic plants,” Asst Prof Lew added. “Most delivery methods rely on spraying or injection, which fail on wet or submerged plants. Our system combines water resistance, controlled release — which we can tune — and biological compatibility in a single design.”

Aquatic plants such as watercress, water spinach, and seaweed stand to benefit from this technological breakthrough.

Beyond proving that the approach works in both dry and water-rich settings, Asst Prof Lew sees the patch as a practical delivery “bridge” between lab ideas and real plants in the field. The microneedles could be used to deliver biomolecules that help improve crop traits, such as stress tolerance and growth, or to introduce beneficial microbes more precisely with minimal loss or contamination to the surrounding environment.

Asst Prof Lew also pointed to the platform’s potential to deliver gene-editing tools to impart desirable traits, including improvements in flavour, nutrient production or other characteristics, while offering a new route for aquatic plant biotechnology, an area that remains difficult to access with standard spraying or injection methods. “In the longer term, the approach could support more efficient use of agricultural inputs, by placing bioactive payloads where they are needed rather than dispersing them broadly,” said Asst Prof Lew.

At the frontier of climate-resilient flora

The microneedle patch is part of a wider effort in The Lew Lab, a multidisciplinary research group led by Asst Prof Lew, to build plant-friendly technologies that can both read and shape plant responses to stress. Beyond delivery, the group develops nanosensors that monitor plant physiology in a non-destructive way, as well as nanoparticle-based strategies to target specific plant entry points and improve the efficiency of protective treatments. For example, Asst Prof Lew’s team is currently experimenting with a molecular “sunscreen” for plants to help them better withstand heat stress.

Established in September 2022, the lab also studies plant–microbe interactions and the biocompatibility of plant nanotechnologies, with the goal of designing tools that boost plant performance and resilience while minimising unintended impacts on crops and surrounding ecosystems.

Looking ahead, Asst Prof Lew is focused on translating the microneedle platform toward more scalable use. This involves optimising designs for field-like conditions, expanding the range of cargoes including gene-editing tools and stress-response regulators, and studying longer-term plant responses under realistic agricultural settings. He is also exploring manufacturing routes such as 3D printing and considering how patch-based delivery could pair with advances in agricultural and underwater robotics.

Founded in 1964, the NAE is a private, independent, nonprofit institution that provides engineering leadership. It is part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, an independent, nonprofit organisation chartered by the US Congress to provide objective analysis and advice to the nation on matters of science, technology, and health. This year, the NAE elected 130 new members and 28 new international members.

Prof Lim’s election to the NAE recognises his distinguished contributions to engineering, which have advanced the understanding of human disease biomechanics and enabled innovative approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Members of the NAE are peer-selected for exceptional engineering achievements and leadership.

This latest honour follows Prof Lim’s election as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 2024 and as an International Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng) in 2025, making him the first Singaporean to be elected to both organisations, widely regarded as among the most prestigious scientific and engineering institutions globally.

Prof Lim said, “I am deeply grateful for this tremendous recognition from the NAE. It truly reflects the dedication and hard work of my lab members, collaborators, and colleagues, with whom I am proud to share this honour. I look forward to continuing our journey together in translating research from the laboratory into meaningful real-world impact.”

Prof Lim is the NUSS Chair Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the College of Design and Engineering and Director of the Institute for Health Innovation and Technology at NUS. His research focuses on mechanobiology, microfluidics as well as wearable and AI-enabled systems for health monitoring and therapy. His work has led to influential advances in label-free cell capture and blood-based cancer screening, resulting in patented technologies, licensed innovations, spin-offs and a public-listed company that translate research outcomes into solutions adopted by healthcare and industry partners.

Here, we shine the spotlight on three accomplished women in STEM at NUS: quantum physicist Assistant Professor Yvonne Gao, materials scientist Associate Professor Daria Andreeva-Baeumler and computer scientist Assistant Professor Jane E, to celebrate their achievements, give insights on their research journeys and inspire young women and girls to set foot on the same path.

Taking the leap from natural phenomena to quantum computers

At the frontier of quantum physics, Assistant Professor Yvonne Gao, who is from the Department of Physics in the Faculty of Science and the Centre for Quantum Technologies at NUS, is not just investigating the fundamental rules of the universe — she is building the tools to test them. As a Presidential Young Professor, she leads a team creating quantum devices using electrical circuits to uncover the secrets of how light and matter interact. Through their experiments, her team gains important insights on natural phenomena and verifies abstract concepts in quantum physics, spearheading the development of powerful quantum computers. “It’s also really fun!” she gushed.

Asst Prof Gao’s passion in science stems from a lifelong love of tinkering and the daily thrill of innovation. “There isn’t a specific moment that led me to the path I’m on today,” she reflects, “but rather an accumulation of the excitements I feel each day when I see my own construction and ideas come to life in the lab.”

Beyond research and teaching, Asst Prof Gao is also a mother of two cheeky toddlers. “One thing I genuinely appreciate about academia is the flexibility — you still work hard, but you often can choose when you do the hard work,” she shared. Asst Prof Gao makes it a point to separate her professional and personal life. “I’ve learned not to feel bad about setting professional boundaries: for instance, I don’t schedule meetings on weekends or after 5.30pm. Having these guardrails helps me work more efficiently during work hours and gives me the time to be with my little ones in peace.”

As an accomplished and widely recognised scientist, her approach to inspiration is refreshingly simple and authentic. She hopes to empower the next generation of women by “just being myself, having fun in doing what I do every day and showing young women that a productive and enjoyable science career doesn’t require perfection.”

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Articulating what we don’t know is not a sign of weakness but a very good indication of maturity and mastery of knowledge,” she urged. “Have fun and keep exploring. Science is meant to be an exciting exploratory process.”

Turning smart membranes into real-world solutions

Since young, Associate Professor Daria Andreeva-Baeumler, Deputy Director (Academic Matters) at the Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials (I-FIM) and a faculty member in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in the College of Design and Engineering at NUS, has been deeply curious about how the world works, especially how simple materials can give rise to complex and useful functions. As she learned more, she became increasingly fascinated by materials science because it sits at the intersection of physics, chemistry and engineering, and has the power to turn fundamental ideas into real solutions.

“A defining moment for me was when I realised that research could directly contribute to cleaner technologies and better healthcare,” said Assoc Prof Andreeva-Baeumler. “Science was not only intellectually exciting, but also a way to make a tangible difference.”

Presently, Assoc Prof Andreeva-Baeumler is a prolific materials scientist who has published more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific articles. Her research focuses on smart membranes and biointerfaces – functional and stimuli-responsive materials that can selectively interact with their surroundings – to address challenges in environmental sustainability and healthcare. By designing high-performing and eco-friendly materials, her work contributes to a future where technological progress advances in tandem with human health and environmental care.

Today, she is equally passionate about working with and mentoring young generations of scientists and engineers, inspiring students to translate curiosity-driven research into impactful technologies for society. With a rewarding STEM career behind her, Assoc Prof Andreeva-Baeumler aims to inspire aspiring women scientists by mentoring, teaching, and leading by example. “I want young women to know they can pursue ambitious research, build meaningful careers, and shape science in ways that align with their values.”

To encourage young women and girls who are considering a STEM career, Assoc Prof Andreeva-Baeumler shared, “Stay curious and don’t be afraid to take up space. You don’t need to be perfect to belong in STEM – what matters is your willingness to learn, ask questions, and keep going.”

“Trust yourself, seek mentors who support you, and remember that your voice and ideas truly matter,” she concluded.

Designing for human potential and empowerment

Assistant Professor Jane E, from the Department of Computer Science in the School of Computing at NUS, is just beginning to establish her research group, affectionately named the Palette Lab. Like an artist’s palette, where different colours come together and mix, she hopes her lab brings together students of diverse perspectives, disciplines, and lived experiences to shape how technology is designed.

Asst Prof E’s research in human-computer interaction asks how technology can support people in developing their own expertise. “Many tools today are designed to prioritise efficiency or productivity, and increasingly act on people’s behalf,” she explained. “While this can be useful, it can also risk reducing understanding, creativity, and autonomy.” In the Palette Lab, she and her students study how tools can guide attention, encourage reflection, and support learning across domains such as creativity, accessibility, and healthcare. “We aim to build systems that empower people, respect diverse ways of knowing, and strengthen—rather than erode—human agency, participation, and voice.”

Mentorship has been central to Asst Prof E’s career and motivation for becoming a professor. She credits two strong women in STEM—her mother and her research mentor—for showing her that careers in STEM can centre care and community. “I aspire to emulate both of these women in my own career and continue their legacy.”

She describes her mother as “someone who completely radiates love, care, and dedication”. While managing to pursue careers across several STEM fields, her mother has constantly found ways to advocate for others. Asst Prof E saw a similar commitment reflected in her late research mentor, Dr Floraine Berthouzoz, whom she described as “someone who actively fought for gender equality in education and deeply believed in building community”. Dr Berthouzoz worked to make entry into computer science feel less intimidating by creating opportunities for students and building safe spaces and communities for women in STEM. Together, they showed that a career in STEM can be both technically rigorous and deeply grounded in care for others and the communities one is part of.

Reflecting on her own experiences with imposter syndrome and anxiety, Asst Prof E encourages young women in STEM to “take time to pause and reflect so you can figure out what you are genuinely excited about” and to not “be afraid to ask for and find the support you need”.

The Highly Cited Researchers 2025 List consists of NUS scientists from diverse fields such as Biology and Biochemistry, Chemistry, Economics and Business, Engineering, Immunology, Materials Science, Neuroscience and Behaviour, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Physics and more.

This year, Clarivate presented 7,131 Highly Cited Researcher awards to 6,868 individuals from more than 1,300 institutions in 61 countries and regions, with 3,569 researchers recognised for cross-field impact and 258 researchers named in two or more fields.

Every year, the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) at Clarivate prepares the list using a broad and rigorous selection process. Besides citation activity, the list is further refined by adopting other quantitative metrics, qualitative analysis and expert judgement. 

NUS Deputy President (Research and Technology) Professor Liu Bin said, “We are extremely proud of our brilliant researchers whose work is making a global impact, advancing knowledge in their fields, and driving new frontiers in science and innovation. Their achievements demonstrate the strength of NUS’ research and its role in inspiring positive change globally.”

David Pendlebury, Head of Research Analysis at the Institute for Scientific Information at Clarivate said, “The Highly Cited Researchers list identifies and celebrates exceptional individual researchers at NUS who demonstrate significant and broad influence in their fields. They exemplify excellence in their research as well as integrity in their publication and citation practices. These researchers continue to shape the future of science, technology and academia globally and deliver innovation that drives societal progress.”

The 37 highly cited NUS researchers in their respective fields are:

The Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering recognises the most accomplished engineers, inventors, and technologists from the United Kingdom and around the world who have made exceptional contributions to engineering. This year, 74 new Fellows were elected by their peers, including nine International and five Honorary Fellows who have demonstrated outstanding impact in their fields.

This latest honour follows Prof Lim’s election to the Royal Society in 2024, highlighting his rare distinction as the first and only Singaporean to be recognised by both of the world’s most prestigious science and engineering academies – a testament to the interdisciplinary impact of his trailblazing work.

Prof Lim, who is also with the Department of Biomedical Engineering under the College of Design and Engineering at NUS, was elected to the Academy in recognition of his pioneering research in biomedical engineering, and his significant contributions to the development of microfluidic and wearable technologies for disease diagnosis and therapy. A globally renowned biomedical engineer, inventor, and entrepreneur, he has translated academic innovations into impactful healthcare solutions through six start-ups, including one that was publicly listed. Among his transformative technologies is a cancer-detecting biochip designed to capture circulating tumour cells from blood, offering a less invasive approach to cancer diagnostics.

In addition to his research and innovation, Prof Lim is deeply dedicated to mentoring the next generation of researchers, actively shaping the future of biomedical engineering and healthcare innovation.

“I’m extremely honoured to be elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, and incredibly proud to be the only Singaporean elected to both the Royal Academy and also the Royal Society,” said Prof Lim. “This recognition is a reflection of the hard work and creativity of my amazing team of past and present lab members, as well as the many outstanding collaborators whom I have the privilege to work with. I am also grateful to the Academy for this profound honour, and will remain committed to using engineering to create real-world impact.”

Prof Lim’s election to both academies reflects the rising global stature of Singaporean science and engineering, and highlights how interdisciplinary innovation is shaping the future of healthcare.

Please refer to the Royal Academy's announcement here, and Prof Lim’s Royal Academy Fellow profile page here.

From empowering older adults to take charge of their cognitive health, to helping people with visual impairments navigate the world with greater immersion, and enabling better oral health through diet tracking, NUS researchers are designing AI innovations that respond to real needs in the community.

On AI Appreciation Day 2025, we celebrate the adaptive, context-aware AI innovations that empower independence, dignity, and decision-making, a departure from one-size-fits-all approaches. What unites them is a clear focus on accessibility, personalisation and long-term benefit, each playing a role in reshaping the lives of ordinary people through the power of AI.

CURATE.DTx: Personalised cognitive training to support healthy ageing

As Singapore’s population ages, the risk of age-related cognitive decline is becoming an increasingly urgent health concern. For many older adults, early signs of memory loss or mental fatigue may go unnoticed or unaddressed until more serious symptoms emerge. Spotting this gap, a research team at NUS has developed CURATE.DTx, a digital platform that uses AI to deliver personalised cognitive training and potentially identify early warning signs of cognitive decline in a simple, engaging format.

The CURATE.DTx platform is adapted from a NASA-designed system which simulates real-world tasks to understand the user’s responses. The NUS team, co-led by Associate Professor Bina Rai from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the College of Design and Engineering (CDE) and Dr Alexandria Remus, who is the Head of Digital Therapeutics at both the Institute of Digital Medicine and N.1 Institute for Health (N.1) at NUS, designed a gamified experience that challenges seniors to manage four concurrent tasks, such as watering plants, feeding fish or responding to audio cues, within a two-minute session. Each task is designed to train a specific aspect of cognitive function such as attention, memory or coordination.

The crux of CURATE.DTx is how the game adapts in real time to the individual’s performance. Integrating the platform with CURATE.AI, an AI engine originally developed for personalised medicine, enables the system to continuously fine-tune the game’s difficulty level based on how a user performs. If a player completes a round with ease, the AI will gently increase the challenge; if they struggle, it will dial back the complexity. The goal is to keep users engaged at just the right level — not too easy to be boring, not too hard to be frustrating.

Unlike most AI systems that rely on large datasets from many people, CURATE.AI uses only the individual’s own data to generate a personalised cognitive profile. This “small data” approach ensures that each person’s cognitive training is tailored to their abilities and progression over time.

“Older adults are not a one-size-fits-all group. CURATE.DTx recognises that even the same person may perform differently from day to day. By using their own performance data to adapt and improve, the system offers training that is both personalised and dynamic,” said Dr Remus who is also Senior Research Fellow at the Heat and Resilience Performance Centre at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.

As part of her thesis work, final-year NUS undergraduate student Cathlin Theophilus from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, CDE, helped to develop the latest adaptation of CURATE.DTx called “Life As A…” through several rounds of community testing with older adults.

“Designed with user-friendliness in mind, the game includes culturally familiar scenarios, like gardening, and intuitive touch controls. Participants receive positive feedback from a friendly virtual character and can earn in-game coins for completing tasks, reinforcing motivation without penalties for mistakes” said Assoc Prof Rai who is also a Principal Investigator at the N.1.

Early usability studies conducted in partnership with public hospitals, the first community engagement hub at the Health District@Queenstown, and BME for Good – an initiative by the Department of Biomedical Engineering at CDE - showed high engagement and willingness to continue playing. Many participants found the game enjoyable, especially when the storyline reflected familiar hobbies. Participants also identified the need for clear audio instructions and simplified interfaces.

Looking ahead, the team aims to refine the game’s mechanics further and test its long-term effectiveness in supporting cognitive health. Eventually, they aim to scale the tool for home use, making preventive cognitive care more accessible and less stigmatised.

SonicVista and AiSee: Enhancing daily living for the visually impaired through sound and smart assistance

Supporting independence in daily life is a key priority for people living with visual impairment. At NUS School of Computing, Associate Professor Suranga Nanayakkara and his team are developing tools that harness AI to address everyday challenges — to enhance how users connect with and enjoy the world around them and for functional navigation.

SonicVista is a mobile application that transforms panoramic scenes, such as parks or cityscapes, into immersive soundscapes. The application analyses an image of the user’s surroundings to identify key visual elements and generate realistic ambient audio: rustling leaves, distant church bells, and people conversing nearby. These AI-generated sounds are then layered with spoken descriptions to provide a multi-sensory experience of the environment.

The AI models behind SonicVista were trained to detect objects and simulate audio in a way that feels natural and spatially coherent. Instead of just hearing a list of what is around, users can experience the mood and texture of a scene through sound. For example, a visually impaired visitor to a garden might hear birdsong to the left, footsteps on gravel to the right and narration guiding them toward the next trail. This auditory experience brings leisure and exploration into reach, while preserving important environmental cues like voices or traffic.

Complementing SonicVista is AiSee, a wearable assistive device first developed in 2018. Since then, the team has introduced a range of improvements to make AiSee even more practical and intelligent. The current version features an open-ear speaker design that enhances comfort and allows environmental awareness, essential for safety and orientation.

More significantly, AiSee’s AI system now functions like a digital assistant that can perform complex tasks beyond simple object recognition, such as reading food labels and translating text. A video mode allows AiSee to assist users over extended activities, such as locating items at home or navigating a shopping centre. The team has been testing the device with visually impaired users in Singapore since late 2024, using feedback to refine both hardware and software. The NUS research team plans to include public trials at spaces like the Singapore Botanic Gardens, where visually impaired visitors can borrow a headset to explore the grounds independently.

“Our focus has always been on creating tools that empower, not just assist,” said Assoc Prof Nanayakkara. “Combining intelligent audio and interactive AI allows us to design technologies that help people experience more of the world on their own terms.”

Dental Diet Diary: improving dental health through informed diet-tracking

Tooth decay remains one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide, yet many people continue to underestimate how much their diet contributes to oral health issues. In Singapore, sugar-sweetened beverages and frequent snacking are widespread dietary habits, but patients often struggle to track how these behaviours affect their teeth. At the NUS Faculty of Dentistry, Assistant Professor Charlene Goh saw an opportunity to bridge the gap.

Together with collaborators from NUS School of Computing and Smart Systems Institute, they developed the Dental Diet Diary, a mobile tool that uses AI to recognise food from photos and offer personalised, dental-focused dietary feedback. The app was designed to support people in making small, informed dietary changes that could reduce their risk of dental caries.

The idea was sparked from conversations with dental students, who found traditional paper-based diet diaries to be inconvenient and outdated. Patients were often reluctant to complete them and, even when they did, dentists had little time to analyse the information in detail.

Existing nutrition-tracking apps tend to focus on calorie counting or general health. The Dental Diet Diary, however, combines deep learning with behavioural nudges tailored to the local context. Users simply snap a photo of their meal or drink, and the application’s AI model identifies the item and matches it to a nutritional database. The model was trained on over 200,000 images across 241 food categories, with a strong focus on familiar local dishes and beverages.

Once the food is recognised, the application highlights tooth decay-related factors such as sugar content, acidity and snacking frequency. Users receive real-time prompts, such as reminders to drink water after a sweetened kopi or to limit sticky desserts between meals. These messages are written in an informal, relatable style — “Do you ‘lim kopi’ with your buddies at tea time? Try asking for siew dai or kosong” — to help users connect the advice to their own habits.

“We wanted the app to be simple enough for everyday use, but also smart enough to guide meaningful change,” said Asst Prof Goh. “We’ve created a tool that supports oral health in a way that feels personal and relevant by narrowing the focus to caries prevention and designing around local diets.”

The project team includes researchers from the NUS School of Computing: Professor Ooi Beng Chin from the Department of Computer Science, Dr Zheng Kaiping, Senior Research Fellow with the NUS Database Systems Research Group, and Liu Changshuo, a PhD student. Together, they adapted existing food recognition technologies to better serve dental goals, reducing interface complexity and adding oral health education modules.

A pilot trial with Year 1 dental students demonstrated positive reception and usability. The team now plans to expand testing to patients at high risk of dental decay and is exploring a WhatsApp-based interface to widen accessibility. Future versions may also link the app to electronic health records to enable dentists and patients to co-manage diet-related risk factors with greater ease and continuity.

The NUS honourees, Associate Professor Benjamin Tee and Assistant Professor Jocelyn Chew Han Shi, embody the spirit of innovation and public impact, translating cutting-edge science into real-world solutions that improve lives.

Assoc Prof Benjamin Tee: Blazing trails as an ecosystem builder, entrepreneur and materials scientist

Associate Professor Benjamin Tee from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the College of Design and Engineering at NUS is recognised for his entrepreneurial impact and contributions in nurturing startups.

In his role as Vice President (Ecosystem Building) at NUS Enterprise, Assoc Prof Tee drives innovation platforms and programmes such as the National Graduate Research Innovation Programme (GRIP), BLOCK71 Global Network, and the NUS Overseas Colleges programme. These platforms give tech and deeptech founders the boost they need to turn their early ideas into reality.

Balancing his role in shaping vibrant startup ecosystem in NUS, Singapore and beyond, Assoc Prof Tee has also made his mark as a successful serial entrepreneur. In 2019, he co-founded TwoPlus Fertility with a partner, combining his expertise in medical technology and passion for entrepreneurship. The company aims to assist over a million couples through at-home fertility aids, from supplements to test kits, in their journey towards parenthood.

Assoc Prof Tee has also co-founded three other start-ups: Privi Medical (acquired), Hannah Life Technologies and Tacniq.AI.

In the lab, Assoc Prof Tee is charting new frontiers in electronic skin and intelligent sensor technologies. He leads the Sensors.AI Labs, where his research bridges materials science, electronics, and advanced technologies to build devices inspired by human skin—capable of sensing, healing, and adapting.

His innovations include the development of world’s fastest sensing electronic skins, brightest stretchable and self-healing lighting device, and high-performance sensors for applications in human-robot interactions.

Assoc Prof Tee’s achievements in scientific research have earned him prestigious international recognitions, including the World Economic Forum’s Singapore Young Scientist of the year in 2019, the National Research Foundation Fellowship in 2017, and the MIT Technology Review’s TR35 Innovator (Global) in 2015. In 2021, his team’s work on healthcare sensors emerged as the International Winner of the James Dyson Foundation Prize — marking Singapore’s first global win in the award’s 17-year history.

“It is an incredible honour to be named among Tatler Gen.T’s Leaders of Tomorrow 2025 list. This recognition reflects my collaborative spirit to drive research, innovation, and enterprise from Singapore to the world. I am excited to continue advancing solutions that pushes the frontiers of technology and deliver meaningful impact on society,” said Assoc Prof Tee.

Read the citation on Assoc Prof Benjamin Tee here. 

Asst Prof Jocelyn Chew Han Shi: Driving digital behavioural health and servant leadership

Assistant Professor Jocelyn Chew from the NUS Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies (NUS Nursing) has been recognised for her visionary work at the intersection of digital health, behavioural science, and nursing innovation.

“Being named a Tatler Gen.T Leader of Tomorrow is both an honour and a reminder of the responsibility we carry to shape a healthier, more equitable future,” she said. “At NUS, I’m privileged to work at the intersection of science, innovation, and care—where bold ideas can translate into real-world impact for the communities we serve.”

Asst Prof Chew’s academic journey at NUS is marked by three key themes: translational research, personal growth, and community inspiration.

In the realm of translational research, Asst Prof Chew has led interdisciplinary work in obesity management and cardiometabolic health. One of her flagship innovations is the Modu^© app (formerly known as eTRIP) and the LIGHTER programme, which uses behavioural science, digital phenotyping and novel counselling techniques to encourage healthier lifestyle habits. In addition, she founded the Singapore Nursing Innovation Group, set up a nurse-led translational service, and has consistently worked to build platforms that empower students and clinicians to address unmet clinical needs.

According to Asst Prof Chew, her personal and professional growth has been deeply shaped by the dynamic academic environment at NUS. Balancing roles as a scientist and mother of two young children, she is grateful for her family’s support and expresses a deeper appreciation for work-life integration and servant leadership in academia.

Asst Prof Chew draws constant inspiration from her students, mentors, and colleagues across disciplines. “The collegiality and diversity of thought at NUS make it a truly energising place to work and grow,” she added.

She expressed her appreciation to colleagues and mentors including Professor Dean Ho, Adjunct Professor Ngiam Kee Yuan, Associate Professor Shefaly Shorey, Professor Wang Wenru, Professor Nick Sevdalis, Professor Roger Foo and Professor Liaw Sok Ying (Head of NUS Nursing), for generously sharing their wisdom and providing unwavering support over the years.

Read the citation of Asst Prof Jocelyn Chew here.

Her journey began with a simple yet powerful question: How can AI solve real-world energy problems? Over time, this curiosity evolved into a focused mission — to help society reduce its reliance on fossil fuels by making renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, more reliable and accessible.

“I wanted to find smart, data-driven ways to help integrate renewable energy sources better into our power systems and support a cleaner, more sustainable future,” Prof Srinivasan explained.

A data-driven vision for greener cities

Prof Srinivasan’s current research investigates how computational intelligence — drawing on nature-inspired methods like neural networks and evolutionary algorithms — can optimise renewable energy integration and electrified transport systems.

Computational tools are particularly useful in harnessing complex systems, such as city-wide electric bus networks or national power grids, to provide insights for planning and balancing supply and demand, as well as supporting decision-making under constraints such as battery capacity or power grid limits.

Prof Srinivasan and her team leverage on evolutionary computation, which mimics natural selection, to find different solutions by keeping the best-performing ones and improving them over time — just like how nature evolves stronger species. The research team applies this technique to determine the best locations and sizes for battery storage, so that energy is stored and delivered efficiently across the power grid.

Smarter charging, smarter fleets

In a study last year, Prof Srinivasan and Dr Can Bark Saner, who is a research fellow from the Department of Mathematics at the NUS Faculty of Science, introduced a multi-module optimsation framework for the planning and operation of electric bus (e-bus) shuttle fleets to reduce life cycle cost, and maximise savings on charger procurement, electricity, and battery degradation.

The framework was published in the journal IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems on 21 August 2024.

As part of the framework, the NUS team proposed a three-module model comprising:

·      a vehicle scheduling module to determine e-bus deployment and trip assignments to ensure alignment with energy consumption and mitigate battery degradation;

·       a charger deployment and charging planning module that determines the number of chargers to deploy at depots and across e-bus charging schedules to minimise life cycle costs; and

·       an online charging scheduling module which updates charging schedules to handle uncertainties in trip energy consumption.

Her team’s work complements the focus on computational intelligence-based decision-making — especially in the context of large-scale electrical vehicle (EV) charging and integration with renewable power. With this proposed framework, they demonstrated a life cycle cost reduction of up to 38.2 per cent, facilitating up to a 90.2 per cent decrease in battery degradation cost.

“We’re working on how to manage EV charging at scale, especially for large fleets in cities, workplaces, or public charging hubs. The goal is to maximise the use of solar and wind power during EV charging, by aligning charging schedules with periods of high renewable energy generation. That way, we make the most of renewable energy and reduce stress on the grid,” said Prof Srinivasan.

The team is also developing algorithms to support Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technologies, allowing EVs not just to consume power, but to return it to the electrical grid when needed — turning EVs into mobile storage units that help stabilise the power system.

Beyond technologies -- towards consumer adoption

Integrating EVs and renewable energy into existing infrastructure is not just a technical challenge, it involves various stakeholders from industry partners to consumers. Prof Srinivasan stresses the importance of looking beyond infrastructure. For clean technologies to succeed, people need to understand, trust, and feel supported in adopting them.

“We must think about affordability, ease of use, and awareness. People need clear information, strong incentives, and policies that support their choices,” said Prof Srinivasan.

She added, “People need access to clear information, financial incentives, and reliable technology that fits seamlessly into their lives. Supportive policies and a strong focus on consumer behaviour and acceptance also play a key role in driving the transition to clean energy.”

Envisioning Singapore’s renewable energy future

Looking towards a sustainable future, Prof Srinivasan sees enormous potential in Singapore’s approach to energy innovation.

She envisions a future where renewable energy plays a central role in Singapore’s power system — enabled by smart tools, supported by strong policy, and integrated into everyday life. Prof Srinivasan highlighted that with land constraints, breakthroughs are needed in solar deployment, energy storage, and grid management.

At the heart of her work is a belief that technology, when designed thoughtfully and deployed strategically, can drive real change for a greener and more sustainable future with renewable energy.

“This work isn’t just about algorithms or software. It’s about building systems that support a cleaner, more resilient future, and making sure that the shift to renewables and electric mobility is not just possible, but practical,” said Prof Srinivasan.

As cities and countries plan for more e-buses, greener grids, and sustainable transport systems, Prof Srinivasan’s research offers a critical piece of the puzzle — ensuring we don’t just adopt clean technology, but do so intelligently, affordably, and equitably.

The Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame was launched by SCWO on 14 March 2014 as an expansion of the Wall of Fame that was established earlier to honour Singapore’s pioneering women activists, educators, and philanthropists. The Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame aims to recognise and salute the outstanding women of Singapore in all fields of endeavour.

“I am deeply honoured and grateful to be inducted into the Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame alongside other outstanding women who have made profound impact on Singapore. This recognition affirms my commitment to scientific excellence, innovation, and my role as an academic leader and mentor. I hope it serves as an inspiration for more young women to pursue their passions and make their own meaningful contributions that help shape a better, more inclusive world for all,” said Prof Liu.

From a childhood passion to global impact

Since young, Prof Liu had a wide range of interests ─ she was passionate about mathematics and chemistry. She was also interested in artwork and cooking. Despite having a background in arts and social sciences, Prof Liu’s father understood the crucial role that science plays in shaping our world and he encouraged her to pursue a career in science and engineering.

Prof Liu enrolled into NUS to further her studies and earned her PhD in Chemistry, after obtaining her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Nanjing University. Soon after completing her postdoctoral training at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Prof Liu returned to NUS in 2005 to serve as an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the College of Design and Engineering at NUS.

Prof Liu is world-renowned in the field of organic functional materials, particularly for her work in polymer chemistry and applications of organic nanomaterials in medicine, environmental monitoring, and energy systems. One of her most significant research contributions to the study of biocompatible luminogens began in 2011. Her findings led to the development of highly sensitive light-up molecular probes and nanoparticle probes that allow for long-term cell tracing and tumour imaging, crucial for cancer research and cell-based therapies.

Leveraging her research on biocompatible luminogens, Prof Liu co-founded Luminicell, an NUS start-up, to commercialise this cutting-edge technology.

Throughout her academic career, Prof Liu has received numerous accolades in recognition of her innovative and groundbreaking research. Some notable ones from the past year include the President’s Science Award 2024 for her team’s breakthrough discovery of the role of carbazole isomers in room temperature phosphorescence of carbazole, an organic semiconductor, resolving a 95-year debate in the field. She was also inducted into the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering College of Fellows Class of 2024, in recognition of her distinguished contributions to the development of nanomaterials for biomedical and energy applications.

Shaping the future of research through visionary leadership and mentorship

Prof Liu has been a key driver in elevating NUS’ international research reputation, forging strong partnerships with leading global universities to promote knowledge exchange and collaborative research initiatives. As NUS’ Deputy President (Research and Technology), Prof Liu’s leadership has been instrumental in fostering innovation across faculties at NUS. A notable initiative, where Prof Liu played a crucial role, was the development of the NUS Sustainability Cluster, which aligned the University’s research efforts with global priorities in sustainable development.

Prof Liu is a strong advocate for women in STEM and encourages more women to pursue careers in science and engineering. She believes that girls should be granted the same opportunities as boys to pursue their interests and thrive in STEM fields. Prof Liu’s active interest in promoting opportunities for girls and women in science and engineering has contributed to the diversity and inclusivity of Singapore's scientific community.

Prof Liu is also committed to nurturing the next generation of research leaders and innovators. During her 18 years at NUS, she has mentored 36 PhD students and 63 post-doctoral fellows and visiting professors.

Taking great pride in her multiple roles - as a researcher, academic leader, and mentor - Prof Liu aims to continue to inspire innovation, foster collaboration, and empower emerging scientists to achieve groundbreaking advancements in their respective fields.

When asked to share some advice with young women aspiring to excel in their fields, Prof Liu said, “As we progress in scientific fields, the number of female scientists tends to decrease. I encourage young women interested in STEM to believe in their potential and boldly pursue their passions. Don’t let fears or assumptions limit what you can achieve. Seek out mentors who can support and guide you along the way.”

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we highlight the inspiring journeys of three women in STEM from NUS: evolutionary biologist Professor Antonia Monteiro, AI scientist Associate Professor Angela Yao, and mechanical engineer Assistant Professor Tan Yu Jun, to showcase their passion for research in STEM and tenacity in breaking barriers, reimagining possibilities, and paving the way for the next generation of girls and women to pursue rewarding STEM careers.

Unveiling the secret lives of butterflies

Professor Antonia Monteiro, an evolutionary biologist from the Department of Biological Sciences at the NUS Faculty of Science is intrigued by butterflies and their remarkable evolution. Together with her team, they uncover the lives of butterflies, studying the genetic links to their wing colours, their behaviour, and the behaviours of their offspring.

“Early in my career, I focused exclusively on investigating the genetic and developmental mechanisms behind the wing patterns of butterflies. But after hosting a few students that pushed to work on behavioural projects, I got hooked in studying this facet of butterflies’ lives. Studying the genetics of behaviour is equally, if not more, fascinating than studying static wing patterns. It is as if we are studying genes responsible for producing a ‘movie’ rather than a still ‘picture’,” explained Prof Monteiro.

Prof Monteiro’s STEM journey began in high school, where she met an engaging biology teacher who ignited her interest in the many wonders of biology. This experience inspired her to study biology in college where she delved into evolutionary biology.

“I found evolutionary biology most interesting as it could explain and unite all of biology into a cohesive framework,” said Prof Monteiro. “It was during an internship at an evolutionary biology laboratory, in my final year of college, which made me discover all the intriguing projects that researchers were pursuing in this area of biology that convinced me that I really wanted to pursue a research career in evolutionary biology.”

When she was pursing undergraduate studies in Lisbon, Prof Monteiro had the opportunity to work in an evolutionary biology lab in the Netherlands, as a visiting Erasmus student. “I picked that lab because they said they worked ‘on natural selection experiments in tropical butterflies’. This just sounded fabulous and different from other more mundane topics,” she added.

During her earlier college years, Prof Monteiro would go on field trips in Portugal, and she always found the colours and patterns of the birds and butterflies there completely mesmerising. “I got hooked on working with butterflies in my senior year of college and have worked on them ever since,” she said.

Prof Monteiro describes venturing into a STEM career as “immensely rewarding and never boring”. “Except when repeating the same experiment multiple times to obtain a good estimate of the typical outcome or it effect size,” she quipped.

“Having a STEM career in research demands enormous amounts of creativity, deep thinking, perseverance, and bravery. It is also fun! The flexibility of the job makes it very compatible with having a family,” added Prof Monteiro, who has one daughter, who is now working as a science videographer.

As she leads her research team, she hopes to inspire her students and researchers by engaging them and helping them to explore what interests them. “By delving deeper into their topic of interest, I hope to guide them to designing experiments to investigate those questions and to discover their full potential as researchers.”

Harnessing artificial intelligence to understand human movements

Associate Professor Angela Yao from the Department of Computer Science at the NUS School of Computing centres her research on the visual perception of people. Assoc Prof Yao works alongside her team to understand videos relating to human actions and human 3D modelling.

One of Assoc Prof Yao’s research projects looks at estimating the 3D joint positions of various human hand poses as it performs everyday tasks in recorded videos. The team employs weakly-supervised and self-supervised learning to train data sets and build artificial intelligence (AI) models to predict how the human hand moves and interacts. Her work was earlier awarded funding from the MOE Academic Research Funding (AcRF) Tier 2 scheme in 2021, and the team is now leveraging this model to develop real-world applications.

Assoc Prof Yao began her STEM journey specialising in Engineering during her undergraduate and master's studies, with a strong interest in signal processing, multimedia, and machine learning. Her thesis projects applied machine learning for prosthetics control, which led her to explore image and video analysis and later, pursue a PhD in Computer Vision. Assoc Prof Yao’s PhD thesis focused on human action recognition, which involved developing AI algorithms to interpret human activities in images and videos — a topic which she continues to research on today.

Throughout her academic journey, Assoc Prof Yao has been inspired by strong role models at different avenues of her life – from her mother, who helped her spark an early interest in math to supportive university professors who demonstrated the real-world impact of research. Assoc Prof Yao’s passion for both research and teaching made academia a natural career choice. Now, Assoc Prof Yao strives to lead by example, showing her students that STEM is for everyone.

Assoc Prof Yao’s message to girls and women looking to pursue a career in STEM is simple: “Just go for it! Believe in yourself, because you are strong and capable. STEM careers are fun and exciting — you get to be at the forefront of new discoveries and technology, and your work can make a significant and meaningful impact on the world.”

Revolutionising engineering through sustainability and inclusion

Assistant Professor Tan Yu Jun from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the College of Design and Engineering in NUS focuses her research on applying principles from biomaterials science to develop sustainable, functional materials for flexible sensors, biocompatible implants, and soft robotic systems, all aimed at advancing the circular economy.

“When people think of mechanical engineering, they often picture cars, heavy machinery, or rigid robots. However, my research takes a different approach by harnessing the properties of natural materials, transforming them into valuable and functional products, such as self-healing devices and developing recyclable and biodegradable materials for these devices and soft robots, ensuring that our innovations align with sustainability goals,” said Asst Prof Tan.

From a young age, Asst Prof Tan enjoyed watching documentaries and was captivated by nature’s ability to create complex, efficient structures. She found it fascinating that biological systems can generate both soft and hard materials, while seamlessly integrating function with sustainability.

“Unlike conventional manufacturing processes, nature constructs materials without relying on extreme conditions or harmful chemicals. This piques my curiosity: could engineers replicate these natural processes to develop more sustainable technologies?” remarked Asst Prof Tan.

This desire to blend the natural world with engineering led her to pursue a career in mechanical engineering. Asst Prof Tan is deeply appreciative of her mentors, who guided and shaped her academic and professional journey, instilling in her the importance of creativity, perseverance, and interdisciplinary thinking. These qualities have proven to be crucial to her research.

Recognising the importance of mentorship in shaping the next generation of STEM leaders, Asst Prof Tan aims to provide the same support and encouragement her mentors gave her, helping future engineers and scientists realise that creativity and collaboration are essential for progress in both STEM fields and society.

“STEM fields thrive on diverse perspectives, and by encouraging more women to contribute their unique insights, we can drive innovation that would benefit society. My goal is to continue breaking stereotypes and contribute to a future where women in STEM are no longer the exception, but the norm,” said Asst Prof Tan.

Offering some wise advice to young girls and women considering a career in STEM, Asst Prof Tan said, “Seek out mentors who can guide and encourage you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and dive deeply into the topics that spark your curiosity.

“And most importantly, believe in yourself. If STEM is where your passion lies, pursue it with confidence. The world needs your creativity, your perspective, and your innovative ideas – it’s waiting for you to shape it in your own unique way,” she added.

This year, to commemorate Evolution Day, we shine the spotlight on researchers from the Department of Biological Sciences at the NUS Faculty of Science who are building on Darwin’s legacy, exploring the mechanisms of evolution and its impact on biodiversity in the region and beyond. Their work underscores the enduring relevance of evolutionary theory in addressing modern challenges, from conservation to climate change.

Learning from insects: Understanding biodiversity through reproductive evolution research

Evolution is often synonymous with the phrase ‘survival of the fittest,’ but in evolutionary biology, ‘fitness’ refers to an organism’s ability to survive, reproduce and pass on its genes to the next generation. Reproductive evolution, which focuses on how mating behaviours and reproductive strategies evolve across species, plays a crucial role in shaping population dynamics, speciation, and biodiversity.

Assistant Professor Nalini Puniamoorthy from the Department of Biological Sciences at the NUS Faculty of Science, together with her team at the Reproductive Evolution Lab (ReproLab), are exploring how sexual selection – a mechanism of natural selection – affects reproductive traits and influences population differentiation and speciation, the process by which new species emerge.

“Since reproductive processes directly influence a species’ adaptation and resilience to environmental variability, studying reproductive evolution can support biodiversity conservation by shedding light on how species evolve and adapt to changes to their habitats, especially in the face of climate change and habitat loss,” said Asst Prof Nalini.

The ReproLab studies micro- and macro-evolutionary processes of various insects: From ecosystem service providers like dung beetles, disease vectors like mosquitoes, and even to food waste recyclers like black soldier flies.

For instance, a recent study published by Asst Prof Nalini’s team in Ecology and Evolution, investigated how resource constraints affect dung beetle fitness in secondary rainforests. Dung beetles are important for nutrient recycling and forest health but are often sensitive to habitat changes and resource variations. Asst. Prof. Nalini’s team found that parental provisioning is crucial and that there was a trade-off between early offspring fitness and resource quality. This discovery documents genotype by environment interactions that are relevant for understanding dung beetle ecology in the face of climatic and environmental changes.

Seeking sustainable solutions to challenges

The ReproLab also investigates the interactions between insects and their bacterial symbionts, like gut microbes in black soldier flies that aid in breaking down food waste as well as the reproductive bacteria Wolbachia in mosquitoes. Their study on Aedes albopictus documented that the dispersal of this secondary dengue vector was not limited to green spaces, and that urban and forest populations of Ae. albopictus are naturally infected with more than one strain of Wolbachia. “Untangling these interactions has implications for vector management and combating disease transmission in a city with heterogenous landscapes like Singapore,” explained Asst Prof Nalini.

Shaping biodiversity of tropical ecosystems: The role of fruit-eating animals

In tropical ecosystems, plant-frugivore interactions — where animals help disperse seeds of fruiting plants — play a critical role in maintaining biodiversity. Approximately 90 per cent of woody plant species in tropical forests rely on animals to disperse their seeds. Assistant Professor Lim Jun Ying and his team from the NUS Department of Biological Sciences are investigating how these interactions shape plant biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics. This is especially pertinent as human activities such as habitat loss and hunting are threatening these crucial relationships.

“The loss of fruit-eating animals or frugivores can disrupt plant populations, preventing them from migrating to new areas in response to climate change. Understanding how plant-frugivore interactions evolve is important for quantifying the long-term effects of human activities on tropical ecosystems,” said Asst Prof Lim.

In a recent study published in Global Ecology and Conservation, Asst Prof Lim and his team studied large-bodied birds known as hornbills, which are essential for dispersing large-fruited plants. Many of these birds are under threat from habitat loss and hunting. As the gapes – mouth-openings – of these hornbills are larger than most birds, plants with large fruits and seeds depend on them for seed dispersal.

Asst Prof Lim noted, “Evolution in fruits is shaped by a complex web of interactions with various animals and other factors, suggesting that co-evolution between plants and frugivores must be understood at a community level. This broader perspective is essential for grasping the full complexity of ecological evolution in tropical forests and helping to conserve their biodiversity.”

Understanding fungi: From a billion-year evolutionary journey to addressing environmental challenges

Fungi represent one of the most diverse and ancient groups of organisms on Earth, with an evolutionary history spanning over a billion years. Despite their widespread presence and ecological importance, our understanding of fungal diversity is still limited.

“Less than 10 per cent of the estimated fungal diversity has been documented. The challenge lies in the fact that many fungi remain microscopic throughout their life stages, and a vast majority cannot be cultured in laboratories, hindering direct observation and experimentation,” said Assistant Professor Chang Ying from the NUS Department of Biological Sciences.

At Asst Prof Chang’s lab, her team is dedicated to finding the hidden diversity of fungi, with a focus on marine and coastal environments. Their research tackles two key aspects of fungal ecology: reconstructing the evolutionary history of fungal adaptations using genomic tools, and exploring fungal diversity in natural habitats through metagenomics. By studying the genetic, structural, and ecological traits of existing fungal species, Asst Prof Chang and her team are able to infer a fungi’s common ancestor and understand the traits that allowed ancestral fungi to diversify and adapt to a range of ecological and environmental conditions.

An ongoing project by Asst Prof Chang and her team, in collaboration with the One Thousand Fungal Genomes (1KFG) consortium, investigates the evolution of digestive enzymes across the fungal kingdom. This study could help to predict the ecological capabilities of unknown or newly discovered fungi, as well as entire fungal communities.

“Insights from this research also has practical applications, particularly in the field of bioremediation, where fungi are increasingly valued for their potential to break down environmental pollutants,” added Asst Prof Chang.

By analysing the distribution of hydrocarbon-degrading enzymes across a large set of fungal genomes and mapping their evolutionary trajectories, NUS researchers could identify fungal groups that are especially suited to utilising petroleum hydrocarbons as nutrient sources, making them strong candidates for bioremediation strategies.

The Highly Cited Researchers 2024 list features NUS researchers whose publications rank in the top 1 per cent by citations for their respective fields and publication year in the Web of Science over the past decade. These NUS honourees have made significant contributions to diverse fields including, Chemistry, Clinical Medicine, Computer Science, Economics and Business, Engineering, Immunology, Materials Science, Microbiology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Physics, Psychiatry and Psychology and more.

This year, 6,636 researchers from 59 countries and regions have been named Highly Cited Researchers. In the list, 3,560 researchers have been recognised in specific fields and 3,326 researchers for cross-field impact, with 238 researchers being named in two or more fields.

Professor Liu Bin, NUS Deputy President (Research and Technology), said, “NUS is incredibly proud of our exceptional researchers, whose dedication to excellence and groundbreaking discoveries continue to push the frontiers of knowledge. Their meaningful contributions have had a profound impact in addressing real-world issues and paving the way towards a better future for all.”

David Pendlebury, Head of Research Analysis at the Institute for Scientific Information at Clarivate, said, “The Highly Cited Researchers list identifies and celebrates exceptional individual researchers at NUS whose significant and broad influence in their fields translates to impact in their research community. Their pioneering innovations contribute to a healthier, more sustainable and secure world. These researchers’ achievements strengthen the foundation of excellence and innovation that drives societal progress.”

The Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) at Clarivate creates a new list of Highly Cited Researchers each year based on a rolling 11-year window of citation evaluation by applying a rigorous editorial selection process to identify trusted journals in the Web of Science.

The 46 highly cited NUS researchers in their respective fields are:

Organised by the National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF), the President’s Science & Technology Awards (PSTA) honours the exceptional contributions of researchers based in Singapore who have also helped to advance the country’s strategic research priorities.

At a ceremony held on 27 September 2024, President of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam presented the President’s Science Award to Professor Liu Bin, Tan Chin Tuan Centennial Professor as well as Deputy President (Research and Technology) at NUS. The PSA recognises accomplishments generally acknowledged by other Science and Technology (S&T) practitioners as being significant and impactful to their field.

Professor Ho Teck Hua, NUS University Professor and President of the Nanyang Technological University, was conferred the President’s Science and Technology Medal (PSTM) by President Tharman. This prestigious award is presented to individuals who have made distinguished, sustained and exceptional contributions, and play a strategic role in advancing Singapore’s development through the promotion and management of S&T.

Three research stars at NUS received the Young Scientist Award (YSA) from Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of NRF. These highly accomplished scientists are:  Associate Professor Lu Jiong from the Department of Chemistry at the NUS Faculty of Science; Associate Professor Daniel Ting Shu Wei from the Singapore National Eye Centre, Duke-NUS Medical School, and the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the College of Design and Engineering; and Assistant Professor Li Qianxiao from the Department of Mathematics at the NUS Faculty of Science.

The YSA is awarded to researchers aged 40 years and below who are actively engaged in R&D in Singapore, and who have shown great potential to be world-class researcher in their fields of expertise. It is administered by the Singapore National Academy of Science and supported by NRF.

These awards, won by individual researchers and administrators in fields as diverse as organic functional materials and ophthalmology, demonstrate the strength of NUS’ research communities and commitment to scientific excellence.

The five award-winning scientists, with the support of their colleagues and institutions, have helped to push the boundaries in their respective fields, creating profound value and impact for both NUS and Singapore.

2024 President’s Science Award Recipient: Professor Liu Bin

NUS Tan Chin Tuan Centennial Professor Liu Bin is this year’s sole winner of the President’s Science Award (PSA). She received this prestigious accolade for her team’s breakthrough discovery of the role of carbazole isomers in room temperature phosphorescence of carbazole, an organic semiconductor, resolving a 95-year debate in the field.

The findings on carbazole isomer subsequently inspired Prof Liu’s team to develop an iso-structural doping strategy that captures and uses triplet state excitons efficiently to produce new materials with bright luminescence and long-lasting emission. This approach opens up possibilities in naked-eye sensing, afterglow devices, optical data encryption, and advanced medical diagnostics and treatments.

“I take great pride in the training I received at NUS,” said Prof Liu who received her PhD in Chemistry from NUS before her postdoctoral training at the University of California at Santa Barbara. She joined the University as an Assistant Professor in late 2005. She became a full professor in 2016 and is currently NUS Deputy President (Research and Technology). She is also a faculty member of the University’s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in the College of Design and Engineering.

“I am fortunate to work alongside very talented PhD students and postdoctoral fellows in my research group. I am grateful for their strong contributions to our success and deeply appreciate the unwavering support of my colleagues and international collaborators. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to my mentors for their invaluable coaching and guidance, which have inspired me to pursue excellence in both research and administration.”

An internationally acclaimed leader in the field of organic functional materials, Prof Liu has been highly recognised for her contributions in polymer chemistry and applications of organic nanomaterials for biomedical, environmental and energy research.

In honour of her exceptional performance in research, education and service, Prof Liu has been elected to the US National Academy of Engineering, Singapore National Academy of Sciences, Asia-Pacific Academy of Materials, the Academy of Engineering Singapore and the Royal Society of Chemistry. She has also received many prestigious awards, both locally and overseas.

Prof Liu is especially passionate about nurturing the next generation of research leaders and encouraging more women to pursue careers in science and engineering. As the first female individual winner of the PSA since it was first given out in 2009, Prof Liu is conscious that receiving the nation’s highest honour for scientific achievement represents a milestone not just for herself or the University, but for everyone in the scientific field.

“Being a scientist is great,” she said, “but life is more rewarding if we can elevate others. I am motivated to build a more conducive research environment to help my colleagues excel.”

Read the full citation here.

2024 President’s Science & Technology Medal Recipient: Professor Ho Teck Hua

NUS University Professor Ho Teck Hua and current President of the Nanyang Technological University was awarded the President’s Science and Technology Medal (PSTM) for his profound impact on the science and technology landscape in Singapore especially in nurturing a pipeline of top talent, fostering interdisciplinary research, and building national R&D ecosystems.

At NUS, Prof Ho served two roles, as the Deputy President of Research and Technology from 2015 to 2018, and later, Senior Deputy President and Provost from 2018 to 2023. The university saw remarkable growth and expansion during these years. In 2016, he was appointed the founding Executive Chairman of AI Singapore, to lead the nation’s nascent efforts in artificial intelligence. In 2023, Prof Ho assumed the role of the fifth president of NTU.

An NUS alumnus, Prof Ho’s most significant contribution to Singapore was the creation of a strong pipeline of talent in science and technology. He is also a strong believer in interdisciplinary research, having led the creation of the College of Design and Engineering (CDE) at NUS through a merger of the Faculty of Engineering and the School of Design and Environment. Today, CDE champions research that cuts across multiple disciplines and offers an enriching interdisciplinary education.

“Our universities work very hard to attract and embrace both young talent and stars from around the world,” said Prof Ho. “Our goal is to support and empower our researchers to create solutions that will make the world a better place and improve the lives of Singaporeans.”

“My dream,” he added, “is to produce some Nobel prize and Turing Award winners for Singapore.”

Read the full citation here.

2024 Young Scientist Award Recipient: Associate Professor Lu Jiong

Assoc Prof Lu Jiong, from the Department of Chemistry at the NUS Faculty of Science, received the YSA for developing novel catalysts that significantly advance sustainable chemical manufacturing processes. 

Assoc Prof Lu, who is also a Principal Investigator at the NUS Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials and an NUS alumnus, works at the forefront of next-generation materials and catalytic technologies, focusing on achieving atomic-level precision and high sustainability. His pioneering work promises significant economic and environmental benefits, particularly in transforming manufacturing processes in the fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals industries.

These industries are major sources of air pollution, with some studies showing that the carbon footprint of the pharmaceutical industry surpasses that of the automotive industry. Currently, the catalysts used in these industries face several challenges, including high production costs, difficulties in separation and reuse, and the risk of harmful metal contamination.

Under Assoc Prof Lu’s leadership, his team developed advanced catalysts that not only achieved significantly higher yields and greater efficiency, but also saw a remarkable 10-fold reduction in environmental impact and production cost compared to conventional options.

Assoc Prof Lu is also dedicated to nurturing the next generation of researchers. Several members of his team have since established successful careers in other prestigious institutions, emerging as influential leaders in their respective fields. 

“I am deeply grateful for the PhD training I received at NUS, which provided a solid foundation for my academic career and helped me gain a deeper understanding of the research ecosystem here,” he shared.

“Being closely connected with NUS, I feel a strong sense of responsibility to contribute to its research excellence and global impact. I am also truly honoured to receive this award, which recognises my team’s efforts and encourages me to continue driving innovation to position NUS – and Singapore – as a leader in the field.”

Read the full citation here.

2024 Young Scientist Award Recipient: Associate Professor Daniel Ting Shu Wei

Assoc Prof Daniel Ting, from the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) and Duke-NUS Medical School, received the YSA for his work in harnessing artificial intelligence in ophthalmology to prevent blindness.

Assoc Prof Ting’s approach to research combines cutting-edge AI technologies with practical clinical applications, seeking to reduce the global burden of eye and systemic vascular diseases. His AI research innovations have extended to pixel-based imaging areas such as diabetic eye diseases, myopia, chronic kidney disease, generative AI for structured data, medical imaging, and large language models for electronic health records. He is also a strong advocate for safe and responsible AI, data and AI safety using privacy enhancing technologies, and AI thought leadership and community practice building. These advancements are not only implemented in clinical, research and educational settings but are also transitioning into new start-ups and licensing agreements, broadening their impact.

His current passion is to develop resource-efficient consumers centric generative AI agents for clinical care, clinical trials matching, remote monitoring, and AI-based health coach, to help manage sick care and well care for Singaporeans and global populations.

Assoc Prof Ting aims to position Singapore’s research, innovation, and startup ecosystems at the global landscape, particularly in AI and digital health. This is reflected in his complementary roles in research, clinical, and policy at Duke-NUS, SNEC, and as the Director of the AI Office at SingHealth. He currently holds other appointments at the Department of Biomedical Engineering in the College of Design and Engineering at NUS, as well as Stanford University.

Assoc Prof Ting also prioritises mentoring the next generation of researchers, with a particular emphasis on fostering innovation and collaboration across scientific, healthcare, and academic institutions.

Read the full citation here.

2024 Young Scientist Award Recipient: Assistant Professor Li Qianxiao

Asst Prof Li Qianxiao, from the Department of Mathematics at the NUS Faculty of Science, was awarded the YSA for his innovative work on the mathematical foundations of deep learning, its connections with dynamical systems, and applications in AI for science.

Asst Prof Li pioneered the understanding of how expressiveness – the ability to learn arbitrary relationships – arises in deep neural networks. Together with his research team, they revealed the intricate connections between this modern technology and classical mathematics. This has not only improved our understanding of how and when deep learning works, but also how to systematically improve its performance in new application settings.

“Machine learning research is a fast-moving field, and we have witnessed rapid developments in the last 10 years, from classical supervised learning to modern foundation models. Yet, some fundamental questions remain unsolved, and many of them are mathematical in nature,” said the Presidential Young Professor who joined NUS in 2019. Asst Prof Li is also a Principal Investigator at the NUS Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials.

Asst Prof Li’s work is highly interdisciplinary, and he has published in leading journals spanning the fields of mathematics, computer science, and the sciences. “One important advice I have received was from my PhD advisor, Prof E Weinan, from Princeton University. He held the firm view that applied mathematics research must be connected to the broader scientific community,” he shared.

“This principle has driven my research since, and reminded me that I must constantly learn from and talk with scientists from other fields to formulate good research questions,” he said. “NUS has provided me with the opportunity, resources, and freedom to pursue research in my areas of interest, for which I am very grateful.”

Read the full citation here.

The 35 honourees were introduced and conferred their awards at the Meet TR35 Summit 2024 during the 17th Pujiang Innovation Forum held on 9 September 2024. The TR35 Asia Pacific list recognises these young science and technology trailblazers who have shown exceptional innovation and entrepreneurial acuity, and whose discoveries are expected to have profound impact in their respective fields.

These luminaries were honoured under five categories: Inventors who develop new technologies and startups; Pioneers who advance fundamental research; Entrepreneurs who launch tech ventures; Humanitarians who use technology to enhance opportunities or advocate policies; and Visionaries who discover new applications for existing technologies.

Assistant Professor Tan Yong Zi: Pushing the boundaries of protein structure imaging for potential drug targets

Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is a remarkable tool that allows scientists to view the intricate landscape of the microscopic world. It provides detailed 3D images of the molecular components of the cell, such as its DNA, RNA, and proteins. Capturing these snapshots can reveal key information about how these components interact and function in different diseases.

Using innovative cryo-EM methods, Assistant Professor Tan Yong Zi and his team from the Department of Biological Sciences under the NUS Faculty of Science constructed and revealed the protein atomic structure models that are the key to understanding the evolution of organisms, how diseases spread, and how to design targeted drugs against these diseases.

Asst Prof Tan earned a spot on this year’s TR35 Asia Pacific list as an Inventor for his cutting-edge discoveries that helped to refine cryo-EM methods for protein structure analysis.

Asst Prof Tan and his collaborators pioneered the tilted data collection strategy to capture more views of protein samples with preferred orientation problems. This strategy allowed him to solve the structures of 14 different bacterial ribosomal intermediates that can be targeted for antibiotic development. To diagnose the degree of preferred orientation present in a protein sample, Asst Prof Tan and his collaborators also developed a software, called 3DFSC, which is now an online web server widely used by structural biologists around the world.

Asst Prof Tan co-developed Back-it-up, a novel open-source cryo-EM grid freezing device that can be built at a fraction of the cost of conventional freezing device and is able to do time-resolved cryo-EM experiments. He and his collaborators also demonstrated that applying a mathematical correction called the Ewald diffraction sphere curvature correction was crucial for achieving high resolution in cryo-EM images of an adenovirus capsid sample.

“I am deeply honoured to receive this award, and I would like to acknowledge the continual support from my lab members, collaborators, mentors and NUS that has made this possible. I am also heartened to see that methods development is being recognised as an important pillar for advancing scientific progress,” said Asst Prof Tan.

Assistant Professor Zhu Di: Innovating the future of scalable quantum computing

Quantum information processing exploits the laws of quantum physics and can potentially revolutionise modern society by solving complex problems in areas such as cybersecurity and drug discovery. However, building practical-scale quantum systems to solve real-world problems still faces formidable challenges.

Asst Prof Zhu Di, who holds appointments in both the Department of Materials Science and Engineering under the College of Design and Engineering as well as the Centre for Quantum Technologies at NUS, is dedicated to developing scalable hardware for photonic quantum information processing. He was recognised on this year’s TR35 Asia Pacific list as an Inventor for his important contributions in two technical platforms, superconducting nanowire detectors and lithium niobate photonics, to promote the construction of practical-scale quantum processors.

The advancements made by Asst Prof Zhu and his team have significantly expanded the functions and performance of these two technical platforms which have a direct impact on a wide range of photon applications in quantum processing.

Asst Prof Zhu plans to lead his team to continue developing new integrated photonic devices and collaborate with chip manufacturing platforms to explore new material systems and achieve wafer-level fabrication of quantum photonic integrated circuits.

Asst Prof Zhu said, “I’m honoured to be named on the MIT TR35 Asia Pacific list and would like to thank my mentors, collaborators, and team members who have made this possible. My team and I will continue developing innovative solutions to address critical challenges in quantum technologies.”

Adjunct Assistant Professor Ady Suwardi: Revolutionising thermoelectric technology for sustainable and renewable energy sources

Finding alternative energy sources and reducing energy consumption have become top priorities for many countries globally, owing to the negative environmental impacts of traditional energy sources, such as fossil fuels and oil. Thermoelectric technologies, a culmination of efficient, clean and sustainable methods to achieve renewable energy from heat, have garnered growing attention from the scientific community.

Working at the forefront to improve the performance of thermoelectric materials is Adjunct Assistant Professor Ady Suwardi from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering under the College of Design and Engineering at NUS. He has achieved a spot on this year’s TR35 Asia Pacific list as a Visionary for his research focusing on discovering ways to recycle discarded electronic products and devices, such as solar panels, into useful thermoelectric materials and devices to harness heat to produce electricity.

Adj Asst Prof Suwardi and his team proposed an innovative method to convert recycled non-purified silicon solar cells into valuable thermoelectric materials. By introducing phosphorus and germanium doping, they achieved materials with high thermoelectric performance. This breakthrough facilitates the development of sustainable thermoelectric devices as a source of renewable energy.

Adj Asst Prof Suwardi also holds a position as Assistant Professor in the Department of Electronic Engineering at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Adj Asst Prof Suwardi said, “Being commended on the TR35 Asia Pacific list has provided me a platform to spread awareness on the potential of thermoelectric technology and exchange ideas with peers across the region. I am very honoured and fortunate to be among the 35 young innovators recognised in this year's list, and I look forward to contributing more impactful works in the years to come."

Established in 1976, SNAS is an independent institution that promotes technological advancements and disseminates scientific knowledge in Singapore. It has been awarding the prestigious SNAS Fellowships to outstanding scientists since 2011.

Among this year’s NUS awardees are scientists who have contributed significantly to the development of novel diagnostics and vaccine strategies in Singapore’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, pioneering scientists in the field of pharmaceutical sciences and biomedical engineering, and distinguished experts leading research in cutting-edge technology such as materials science, computing, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Professor Chen Xiaoyuan (Shawn)

Prof Chen holds joint appointment at the Department of Diagnostic Radiology under the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine) and the Department of Biomedical Engineering under the NUS College of Design and Engineering.  He is also Research Director of the Nanomedicine Translational Research Programme and the Clinical Imaging Research Centre at the NUS Medicine.

Prof Chen is a world-renowned imaging scientist who is highly acclaimed for his work in molecular imaging, nanomedicine, radiopharmaceuticals and theranostics. His research covers a range of topics from nanomedicine for gene and drug delivery to molecular imaging probe development to creating ultrasensitive nanobiosensors for biomarker detection. His work has significant implications on the advancement of basic science and has translational and clinical applications.

He is founding editor of the journal Theranostics and co-founder of Yantai Lannacheng Biotechnology Co., Ltd. In recognition of his breakthrough achievements, Prof Chen was elected as a Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences and a member of the Academia Europea.

Prof Chen has been elected as SNAS Fellow for his significant contributions to the fields of molecular imaging and nanomedicine.

Professor Chua Tat Seng

Prof Chua is the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple (KITHCT) Chair Professor at the NUS School of Computing (NUS Computing) and he was also the founding Dean of NUS Computing from 1998 to 2000.

Prof Chua is an AI Scientist renowned for his work in exploring and researching unstructured data analytics, recommendation systems, trustable AI, as well as emerging e-commerce and Fintech applications. His research interests include multimedia information retrieval and social media analytics, focusing on extracting and retrieving text, video, and live media from the Web and social networks. He is active in the international research community through his service on editorial boards of scientific journals and as the chair of the steering committee of the International Conference on Multimedia Retrieval. In 2015, he received the ACM SIGMM Technical Achievements Award.

Prof Chua has been elected as SNAS Fellow for his outstanding contributions to research in multimodal data analytics, neural recommendation and causal reasoning towards robust and trustable AI.

Professor Loh Kian Ping

Prof Loh, a materials scientist and physical chemist from the Department of Chemistry under the NUS Faculty of Science, has achieved world recognition for his work on two-dimensional (2D) materials, including graphene, covalent organic framework and hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites. Several of his patents on the growth and processing of graphene have been licensed by companies. He won the President’s Science Award in 2014 for his breakthrough research in graphene chemistry. Prof Loh also mentors PhD students and has trained more than 30 academics worldwide.

Prof Loh has been elected as SNAS Fellow for his pioneering 2D materials research in Singapore, his academic leadership and his grooming of many young talents for Singapore.

Adjunct Professor Loh Xian Jun

An Adjunct Professor with the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the NUS College of Design and Engineering, Prof Loh is a pioneer and recognised global expert in the area of biodegradable thermogels. He develops these materials for applications such as biomedical, engineering, cosmetics, personal care and food.

Prof Loh’s research interests primarily lie in the area of soft materials, with underlying themes, including modification of naturally available biodegradable polymers for the synthesis of soft materials, characterisation of the soft materials properties, and development of simple fabrication techniques to fabricate these soft material constructs.

He is the current President and member of the Executive Committee of the Singapore National Institute of Chemistry, and he is also the co-founder of Vitreogel Innovations, a spin-off company that develops thermogels for clinical applications.

Prof Loh has been elected as SNAS Fellow for his seminal work in the field of thermogelling polymers, from molecular understanding to clinical applications.

Professor Wang Linfa

Prof Wang is from the Programme for Emerging Infectious Disease at Duke-NUS Medical School, and he is also the inaugural Executive Director of the Programme for Research in Epidemic Preparedness and Response, a national programme set up by the Ministry of Health.

Nicknamed “batman”, Prof Wang is internationally renowned the field of emerging bat-borne zoonotic viruses and bat immunology. During the response to COVID-19, he played a key role in developing novel diagnostics and vaccine strategies as well as providing advice for policymakers at both national and international levels by serving on multiple World Health Organisation committees.

In recognition of his scientific contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, he received the President’s Science Award in 2021 and the Public Administration Medal (Silver) (COVID-19) in 2023. Prof Wang was also elected Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology in 2021 and of the Australian Academy of Science in 2023.

Prof Wang has been elected as SNAS Fellow for his pioneering work on bat-borne viruses and bat immunology, and his scientific leadership in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Professor Wong Limsoon

Prof Wong is KITHCT Chair Professor at NUS Computing, and he is also Deputy Dean and Director for the Integrative Sciences and Engineering Programme for NUS Graduate School.

Prof Wong is a renowned computer scientist and computational biologist and has made significant contributions to both fields. In computer science, he is known for fundamental theorems on the expressive power of modern query languages, solving the Kanellakis Conjecture which led to the field of embedded finite model theory, and developing the Kleisli system for integrating large-scale distributed data.

In computational biology, Prof Wong has pioneered the method for gene expression profile analysis for paediatric leukaemia treatment, protein function prediction without sequence homology, and protein complex-based methods to improve proteomic mass spectra analysis.

He has received several accolades, including being named a Fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery for his contributions to database theory and computational biology and the FEER Asian Innovation Gold Award in 2003 for his work on treatment optimisation of childhood leukaemias.

Prof Wong has been elected as SNAS Fellow for his innovative and fundamental contributions to database theory and computational biology.

The Royal Society of Chemistry’s prizes have recognised excellence in the chemical sciences for more than 150 years. The Centenary Prize, first established in 1947, is an award granted annually to outstanding chemists, who are also exceptional communicators, from outside the United Kingdom and Ireland. Winners are given a £5000 cash prize and a medal. This year’s winners join a prestigious list of past winners in the Royal Society of Chemistry’s prize portfolio, 60 of whom have gone on to win Nobel Prizes for their work, including 2022 Nobel laureate Carolyn Bertozzi and 2019 Nobel laureate John B Goodenough.

Prof Liu said, “I was both surprised and thrilled to receive this award. It’s truly humbling and an immense honour to be associated with the many previous winners of this award, all of whom I hold in great respect.”

Prof Liu’s research focuses on luminescent nanomaterials: tiny particles that emit light under specific lighting conditions. These particles are so small that thousands of them could fit across the width of a single hair.

One of Prof Liu’s most notable contributions is the development of new nanomaterials that glow in visible colours when exposed to invisible near-infrared light. This has profound implications, especially in the medical field. For example, these materials serve as advanced molecular probes that can track cancer cells, offering a more selective, sensitive, and cost-effective alternative to traditional biomarkers for cancer diagnosis.

In medical imaging, his team has devised new and safer X-ray imaging techniques that significantly enhance diagnostic and treatment guidance. They have also developed a prototype interactive mouthguard embedded with pressure-sensitive optical nanomaterials. By integrating these sensors into a flexible mouthguard, they have created a user-controlled device that operates through simple biting actions. This is a valuable advancement in assistive technology, making it easier for people with a disability or impairment to operate a computer, smartphone, or wheelchair.

Dr Helen Pain, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said, “Our prize winners come from a vast array of backgrounds, all contributing in different ways to our knowledge-base, and bringing fresh ideas and innovations. We recognise chemical scientists from every career stage and every role type, including those who contribute to the RSC’s work as volunteers. We celebrate winners from both industry and academia, as well as individuals, teams, and the science itself. Their passion, dedication and brilliance are an inspiration. I extend my warmest congratulations to them all.”

Held from 7 to 10 June at the Singapore Science Park this year, 32 talented students demonstrated, through their capstone projects, the role of design and innovation in meeting real-world needs. Their wide-ranging projects reflected a deep appreciation of human behaviour, community well-being, and environmental sustainability.

From an app that leverages existing digital infrastructure to monitor older persons who may be at risk of falling, to a special test-kit to check the health status of one’s kidneys, to an AI-assisted therapeutic tool for people with dementia – the varied projects presented at the DID Gradshow 2024 illuminated how a deeply considered, human-centred design approach to different challenges can help to shape a better world for Singapore and society.

FallGuard: Tracking falls among older persons

Joseph Liew’s paternal and maternal grandmothers had suffered falls in recent years, but they fortunately avoided serious injuries as they were attended to in the nick of time. The twin scare, however, led the NUS Industrial Design student to think about how other older persons in Singapore might not fare as well especially if they live alone or do not have access to help when needed.

Joseph decided to tackle this issue for his final year project. He found that existing services to monitor falls were surprisingly few and ineffective. For example, a wall-mounted fall detector has to be installed in every room – from the kitchen to the bedroom to the toilet and the yard. This would raise the cost exponentially, as well as result in privacy concerns. A floor mat with motion sensors to detect falls may be less invasive, but is clearly inadequate.

Currently, about 1 out of every 5 Singapore citizens are 65 years old and older, and this translates to more than 689,000 older persons. And the numbers are increasing rapidly – by 2030, the elderly population is set to increase to 24.1 per cent, or 1 out of every 4 citizens.

“I felt there was an opportunity to improve the simplicity and accessibility of fall detection systems, which ultimately led me to create FallGuard for my thesis project,” Joseph said.

He added, “I spoke with professionals such as medical social workers to better understand the digital world that older persons may encounter, as well as the many complex and private caregiver arrangements they had observed from their patients.”

“The emergency doctors and experts in related services like Singapore Civil Defence Force first responders provided practical guidance in the form of key medical information for emergencies, guidance on lead times, and how to best alert emergency services in the event of incapacitated fall victims.”

“I realised that introducing new tech might not be necessary for an effective fall detection system. Instead, I should think out-of-the-box using existing technology to find a solution that cuts cost and maximises accessibility. This was a key objective I had in mind as I developed FallGuard.”

FallGuard, a fall detection system for seniors residing in Singapore, is unique in its simplicity – it leverages the existing digital infrastructure and publicity of the Health Promotion Board’s (HPB) National Steps Challenge (NSC). The NSC fitness tracker has been extensively rolled out on a massive, nation-wide scale for the past 10 years.

Capitalising on HPB's Healthy365 app, which is widely used in Singapore, FallGuard can seamlessly integrate with the NSC fitness tracker and immediately notify caregivers or service centres in the event of a fall or extended periods of motionlessness.

Joseph has reached out to potential partners for a possible collaboration.

Rememo: Leveraging AI to spark memory and ignite conversations for individuals with dementia

A card-based story telling activity – Rememo – developed by Celeste Seah, aims to bridge the gap in reminiscence therapy for individuals with dementia. Traditional methods of therapy using personal or stock photos can either be too specific or general, often lacking the personal touch that resonates with older persons. Celeste recognised this gap and developed Rememo, a prototype that produces AI-generated images created from specific prompts provided by people with dementia.

During the research and development process, Celeste worked closely with PCF Sparkle Care and ECON Healthcare to conduct user testing to gather insights from both eldercare professionals and individuals with dementia. The project also benefitted from collaborations with various organisations and experts in the field.

The working prototype of Rememo includes a card holder that scans the cards selected by the older person, creating a customised prompt that is sent it to an AI engine for image generation. The resulting image is then printed as a polaroid, providing a tangible and personalised memento for the individual with dementia as well as a conversation starter. This innovative approach empowers older persons, giving them autonomy over the therapy session while facilitating communication with care staff.

“For my thesis project, I knew I wanted to work on a project related to memory and lived experiences. During my six-month exchange to the University of Technology Eindhoven in the Netherlands, I had the opportunity to work on a design research project to improve communication for people with dementia. As I learned more about this debilitating condition, I hoped to do more for people with dementia,” she said.

Celeste decided to pursue this topic when she returned to Singapore. What started as a relatively simple but broad direction soon transformed into a full-fledged product that thoughtfully incorporated the needs of multiple stakeholders while taking advantage of the benefits of emerging generative AI technology.

Rememo stands as a testament to the power of technology and human-centred design in improving the well-being of older persons as well as addressing the challenges of caregivers.

Projek Ginjal: Raising awareness about kidney disease through an exhibition and novel urine test kit

Syafiq Bin Rahim’s project was inspired by his late uncle, Mansor, who passed away in 2023 due to kidney-related complications. Mansor suffered from stage 4 chronic kidney failure and had to undergo permanent dialysis for six years until his passing.

Syafiq’s personal experience of losing a loved one from this chronic condition, coupled with his rigorous Industrial Design training at the NUS College of Design and his passion for service design, gave him a unique perspective to identify where the possible locus of intervention could be.

After speaking to various experts and service providers to gather insights, he collaborated with the National Kidney Foundation Singapore to develop a targeted community outreach programme to raise awareness about the risk of kidney disease. He also worked with a senior consultant from a local hospital to design a user-friendly packaging for a urine test kit that can identify early signs of kidney disease.

His thesis project, called Projek Ginjal (which means ‘kidney’ in Malay), took the form of an exhibition that was user-tested and placed at two neighbourhood mosques. “The Malay community in Singapore has the highest rates of kidney disease due to hypertension, obesity, smoking and diabetes, so it is important that they are made aware of the risk factors and be vigilant,” said Syafiq.

“Projek Ginjal was developed as a travelling exhibition that aimed to highlight the real risk of kidney disease. Visitors could self-administer a specially-designed, 2-minute urine test kit to check the health status of their kidneys.”

“The mosque was chosen as a first step in engaging the Malay community as it is a place where they usually congregate. We can explore extending it to the wider public at community centres or housing estates in the future.”

Syafiq believes that more user research is needed to shed light on the prevention and management of chronic conditions like kidney disease, and is contemplating further education to develop Projek Ginjal and other healthcare intervention strategies.

Prof Li has the rare distinction of being the first ASCB member from Singapore to serve as President, and she is also the first member from an institution outside of the United States to take on the role. The ASCB president serves three consecutive, one-year term positions: President-Elect; President; Past-President. The position of President, the highest elected officer of the society, provides leadership to staff and volunteers to advance the mission and vision of the ASCB.

First established in 1960, the ASCB aims to serve as a platform for a diverse, global and multidisciplinary scientific community focused on the cell, the basic unit of all life. Now comprising 9,000 members worldwide, 32 past or current ASCB members have won Nobel Prizes in medicine or in chemistry.

Prof Li said, “Serving as ASCB’s President will be a great honour because ASCB is one of the most acclaimed international scientific associations in basic biological research, and my election as President confers the highest vote of respect and confidence by my peers and colleagues around the world. I also feel a great sense of responsibility, as well as pride, to serve this organisation that has historically played an important role in the advancement of cell biology.”

“Cells are the smallest, yet most complete and self-replicating, building blocks of life. Cell biology is the foundation to diverse disciplines of biological research and holds the key to the treatment of virtually all human diseases. As ASCB President, I hope to put a strong effort to help the Society to expand its impact and outreach globally and fulfill its mission to be a diverse and multidisciplinary scientific community,” she added.

Prof Li has received accolades from ASCB previously, marking a testament to her ongoing commitment and contributions to the field. In 2022, she was elected as an ASCB Fellow; in 2019, she received the Sandra K Masur leadership award. The Sandra K Masur leadership award, in particular, recognises outstanding scientific achievements, along with a record of active leadership in mentoring women and individuals from underrepresented groups in their scientific careers.

Prof Li has served as the Director of MBI since 2019. She joined NUS from Johns Hopkins University where she was a Bloomberg Distinguished Professor serving as the Director of the Center for Cell Dynamics in the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. A globally respected leader in her field, Prof Li has 30 years of independent research on cellular dynamics and mechanics employing interdisciplinary approaches. 

Elevating Singapore’s global standing in the field of cell biology 

Prof Li’s election as the next President of ASCB reflects her trail-blazing career and contributions as a pioneering researcher, leader and mentor to the global cell biology scientific community. This is also a big boost for MBI’s role as a world leader in the field of mechanobiology, which intersects greatly with cell biology, and further enhances Singapore's international scientific reputation.

The MBI is a Research Centre of Excellence hosted at NUS, as part of Singapore’s bold effort to build world-class investigator-led research centres with a global impact and aligned with the long-term strategic interests of the country. MBI’s scientific approach is highly interdisciplinary and focused on the dynamical and mechanical aspects of biological functions. Central to MBI’s research is understanding the forces transmitted through molecular machines that drive the function and morphogenesis of cells and tissues.

In December 2023, MBI secured a seven-year, S$49 million funding grant from the National Research Foundation to promote research aimed at advancing the field of mechanobiology and turning scientific breakthroughs into action by developing novel diagnostic technologies and therapeutic approaches for the treatment of age-related ailments such as infertility, chronical inflammatory diseases, muscle atrophy and cancer.

Please refer to the ASCB announcement here.

By harnessing the capabilities of Microsoft's cutting-edge AI technologies and platforms, participating start-ups gained unprecedented access to tools, support, and opportunities that enable them to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation. As part of the programme offered since March 2024, participants received expert advice on their integration and optimisation needs to build a sustainable technology stack for Gen AI, networked with mentors, investors and founders who are passionate about growing Gen AI in the region, and immersed themselves in the region’s vibrant start-up ecosystem through a four-month incubation period at BLOCK71’s Southeast Asian nodes.

Associate Professor Benjamin Tee, Vice President (Ecosystem Building) at NUS, explained, “The Generative AI Accelerate Programme seeks to identify and accelerate the growth of promising pre-Series A start-ups working on generative AI models with a unique intensive eight-week programme and 16-week support in our BLOCK71 Southeast Asian ecosystem. Working with Microsoft, we hope to nurture Asia’s next generation of AI start-ups through this programme.”

One of the start-ups selected for the programme is Lingosnap, an education technology app that was nurtured from the NUS ecosystem. Founded by two NUS graduates, Mr Phang Wei Jun and Mr Francis Lee, the start-up has greatly benefitted from several NUS Enterprise initiatives, including the Graduate Research Innovation Programme (GRIP), THE HANGAR, and BLOCK71. As an educational app, Lingosnap has also leveraged the University's resources and expertise, drawing on advice from established professors.

A visual-based language learning app, Lingosnap enables users to learn new languages by taking photos of objects and landmarks. This innovative method provides an engaging and interactive way to acquire practical language skills on the go, teaching words, phrases, and sentences through the camera of a mobile device. These capabilities demand sophisticated generative AI technologies, and through the Generative AI Programme, Lingosnap has significantly augmented its platform's capabilities and enhanced user experiences.

Lingosnap’s co-founder Mr Francis Lee found the programme to be very useful, sharing that it has equipped Lingosnap with the essential resources and knowledge to innovate and market its products. “The programme's technical expertise in AI, machine learning, and NLP (natural language processing) have been instrumental in helping Lingosnap refine our language learning products. Their guidance on business development, particularly in market research and go-to-market strategies, have also been invaluable in ensuring our products reach the right audience,” he said.

The Generative AI Accelerate Programme is also designed to be highly adaptable and responsive to the evolving needs of participants. It offers tailored support and guidance every step of the way. From refining business models to accessing funding opportunities, participants receive comprehensive assistance to help them realise their goals and drive sustainable growth.

Start-up Pebblely, which uses generative image technology to create attractive product photos and turning flatlay apparel to AI model shoots benefitted from the mentorship of Mr David Kwok, a seasoned professional within Microsoft's expansive network. As Pebblely’s designated mentor, Mr Kwok played a pivotal role in providing invaluable advice, strategic direction, and introductions to potential customers; helping Pebblely navigate the intricacies of the AI-driven innovation landscape with finesse.

“The adjustable market for Pebblely is significantly larger than they thought and Pebblely’s potential in terms of market size and valuation is considerably greater,” noted Mr Kwok.

Central to the Generative AI Accelerate Programme's success is the strong emphasis on collaboration and community building. Through Microsoft's extensive network of experts, and BLOCK71’s network of mentors and industry leaders, participants gained invaluable insights and guidance, and the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals; fostering a dynamic ecosystem of innovation and knowledge exchange. This collaborative spirit not only accelerates the development of groundbreaking AI technologies but also cultivates a supportive network that extends beyond the duration of the programme.

Another participating start-up is Librarian, which is developing an AI-powered Personal Assistant capable of managing the user’s calendar, summarising lengthy email threads, and locating files on the user’s device drive, among other functionalities. It has used feedback from the programme mentors to introduce new features, such as WhatsApp integration, distinguishing it from competitors.

Tapping into the extensive network of BLOCK71, it recruited numerous beta testers, gaining invaluable feedback that was instrumental in refining its product. By engaging beta testers early in the development process, Librarian has also established a sense of ownership and investment among its user community—a crucial foundation for long-term success and sustainability.

The Generative AI Accelerate Programme has played a pivotal role in accelerating the growth and development of Lingosnap, Pebblely and Librarian. Through mentorship, resources, and access to Microsoft's AI technologies, these start-ups have been able to enhance their platform's capabilities, refine their business models, and scale their operations to reach a wider audience.

As they continue to evolve and expand their footprint within their respective industries, the mentorship by NUS Enterprise and Microsoft remains indispensable assets for these start-ups, guiding them through the complexities of scaling operations, navigating market dynamics, and seizing new opportunities for innovation and growth.

Lingosnap, Pebblely and Librarian will feature their solutions at the Generative AI Accelerate Programme Demo Day taking place on the first day of InnovFest x Elevating Founders 2024. They are among 200 innovative start-ups that will be showcasing their groundbreaking technologies at the event – Asia’s largest university start-up showcase, held from 29 to 31 May 2024 at Singapore Expo Hall 5. Register or find out more at the InnovFest website.

By NUS Enterprise

The Royal Society is the world's oldest and most esteemed scientific academy in continuous existence, as well as the United Kingdom’s national academy of sciences. Fellows are elected annually, and candidates are evaluated based on their exceptional achievements in science. This year, the Royal Society elected 70 new Fellows.

Fellows of the Royal Society are elected for life and they are distinguished by the use of the post-nominal letters FRS. Among the illustrious list of past Fellows include renowned individuals such as Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill, Stephen Hawking, Elon Musk as well as over 280 Nobel Laureates, whose ground-breaking discoveries have shaped the course of scientific history.

Sir Adrian Smith, President of the Royal Society, said, “I am pleased to welcome such an outstanding group into the Fellowship of the Royal Society. This new cohort has already made significant contributions to our understanding of the world around us and continue to push the boundaries of possibility in academic research and industry.”

Exceptional contributions to the advancement and application of science and technology

Prof Lim's ground-breaking contributions to mechanobiology and biomedical engineering are world-renowned. His pioneering research, exemplified by innovative applications of engineering principles to address health challenges, demonstrates his exceptional academic distinction in the scientific and healthcare community.

Prof Lim, who is also with the Department of Biomedical Engineering under the NUS College of Design and Engineering, is internationally recognised for his leadership in promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and facilitating the translation of research into tangible outcomes. A prolific inventor and technopreneur, he co-founded six deep tech companies, including one IPO in 2018. His commendable work has led to significant advancements with profound implications for healthcare and medical technology, bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and real-world applications.

This recognition by the Royal Society goes beyond celebrating Prof Lim’s achievements, as it underscores Singapore's growing influence and contribution to the global scientific landscape. Prof Lim was previously honoured with the Nature Lifetime Achievement Award for Mentoring in Science. His commitment to research excellence and his influential role as a mentor to the next generation of scientists will inspire Singapore's scientific community to achieve greater heights.

Prof Lim said, “I am extremely honoured and humbled by the election to the Royal Society. I am grateful for the trust and confidence placed in me by my nominators, peers and colleagues. I am also thankful to NUS for the years of amazing support and encouragement. Finally, I would like to share this honour with my past and present lab members as well as collaborators, without whose contributions this would not have been possible.”

 Please refer the Royal Society’s announcement here, and Prof Lim’s Royal Society Fellow profile page here.

Asst Prof Sriram received the IADR Periodontal Research Group Award for innovative approaches to the prevention and non-surgical treatment of periodontal and peri-implant diseases; a group of very common diseases affecting tissues surrounding teeth or surrounding the dental implants that replace missing teeth. The award acknowledges his team's recent breakthroughs in applying microfluidic organ-on-chip technologies to periodontal research and, notably, for creating the first 'gingival crevice-on-chip' and 'gingiva-on-chip' devices that were published in the journal, Advanced Healthcare Materials in 2023.

The miniature 'gingival crevice-on-chip' and 'gingiva-on-chip' devices, ranging in size from a thumb drive to a credit card, replicate gum tissues in the laboratory. Asst Prof Sriram and his team use these devices to explore interactions among gum tissues, bacteria (both healthy and disease-producing), and oral-care products like mouthwash. By studying bacterial invasion into gum tissues and blood vessels, they uncover links between periodontal disease and systemic disorders like cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and metabolic diseases.

Additionally, Asst Prof Sriram who is affiliated with the NUS Department of Biomedical Engineering is at the forefront of developing microfluidic organ-on-chip systems for dental, oral, and craniofacial research. Combining his expertise in dentistry and biomedical engineering, he has pioneered the use of microfluidic platforms as viable alternatives to animal testing making significant strides in dental research.

“The IADR Periodontal Research Group Award is a testament to our team's dedication towards advancing periodontal and peri-implant disease prevention and treatment. Our breakthroughs in microfluidic organ-on-chip technologies have the potential to revolutionise dental research by providing more physiologically relevant models for studying oral diseases, advancing drug discovery, and improving our understanding of oral health and disease mechanisms,” Asst Prof Sriram shared.

Asst Prof Nileshkumar Dubey clinched 2nd place in the IADR Joseph Lister Award for New Investigators, which recognises new researchers who contribute to fields of oral disease prevention or oral health promotion. Among 10 finalists from North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia and Asia-Pacific, Asst Prof Dubey distinguished himself for his research on the development of a novel hybrid bioink for use in dental tissue engineering and nanomedicine, such as regenerating teeth, bone, and gum tissue.

Conventional nanocomposite bioink used for dental regeneration contains gold, but our bodies quickly remove it, making it less effective for tissue repair. Asst Prof Dubey's team created a new type of material using safe gold particles coated with a special substance and put into a gel. These new materials can be easily 3D printed, stay stable, and are suitable for loading with biomolecules in applications related to tissue engineering of oral and craniofacial regions.

Asst Prof Dubey shared, “The IADR Joseph Lister Award for New Investigators is a tremendous honour. This is a great encouragement for me and my team to pursue cutting-edge research that will eventually benefit patients with dental and craniomaxillofacial traumatic injuries and bone defects.”

The Award, which was presented to 50 winners from 13 countries, seeks to inspire and empower the next generation of female tech leaders while underscoring gender diversity in fostering human capital development in the rapidly growing tech industry. The NUS winners were selected from a total of 126 nominees who have excelled in diverse tech careers, such as software engineers, hardware experts and cybersecurity specialists.

These outstanding women were honoured at a ceremony held on 8 March 2024, to coincide with International Women’s Day.

Pioneering new machine learning techniques for real-world applications

Prof Wynne Hsu
Director, NUS Institute of Data Science; Provost’s Chair Professor, Department of Computer Science, NUS School of Computing

Professor Wynne Hsu who helms the NUS Institute of Data Science and serves as a Provost’s Chair Professor in the Department of Computer Science at NUS School of Computing was lauded for her contributions in developing new machine learning techniques for real-world applications.

Her notable work includes SELENA+, a deep learning-based solution for the screening of eye disease from retinal images. She is also the lead principal investigator in the AI Singapore Health Grand Challenge, an outcome-driven challenge funded by AI Singapore to address health-related issues with artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and innovations. Collaborating with public healthcare provider SingHealth, Prof Hsu and her team will be creating AI algorithms and models to transform chronic care for diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia.

Prof Hsu’s approach focuses on improving the management of chronic disease through technologies like risk stratification and personalised medication algorithms, aimed for practical use in clinical settings. She fosters collaborations with healthcare institutions and brings together clinicians and data scientists for innovative healthcare solutions.

Contributing to information systems in Singapore and across the world

Prof Atreyi Kankanhalli
Provost’s Chair Professor, Department of Information Systems and Analytics, NUS School of Computing

Provost’s Chair Professor Atreyi Kankanhalli from the Department of Information Systems and Analytics at the NUS School of Computing was recognised for her accomplishments in the areas of online communities, digital collaboration, human-AI collaboration, digital transformation in healthcare, and open innovation.

A world-renowned researcher and innovator, Prof Kankanhalli has several innovations under her belt. She co-developed a patented container number recognition system which has been licensed to ports such as PSA Singapore, and co-designed the first video-shot detection algorithm which is used by major technology companies such as Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft.

Having worked with small and medium-sized enterprises on digital transformation, Prof Kankanhalli is planning to leverage her expertise in AI to accelerate progress in preventive healthcare by partnering healthcare providers to develop mobile apps that help to encourage people to adopt healthier behaviours. She hopes to be remembered not only for her scientific research and contributions but also as a supportive mentor to her colleagues, students and women professionals in the information technology industry.

Leveraging technology to fight myopia

Prof Saw Seang Mei
NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health; Wallace Foulds Professor, Eye Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School; Singapore Eye Research Institute

Professor Saw Seang Mei, who is from the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, Duke-NUS Medical School and Singapore Eye Research Institute, was honoured for her contributions in using digital platforms and AI to predict high myopia in children.

She invented the FitSight tracker, a patented myopia lifestyle tracker designed to slow down myopia progression in children, and led in the development of a novel AI technique for early detection of myopia patterns in fundus image photos - a tool potentially useful worldwide, particularly in rural areas.

Prof Saw, a renowned physician epidemiologist and innovator, aspires to be remembered as a compassionate technology pioneer who continuously challenges the norm and develops advanced solutions for high myopia in the community.

Advancing patient care by harnessing science and engineering

Assoc Prof Shao Huilin
Department of Biomedical Engineering, NUS College of Design and Engineering
 

Associate Professor Shao Huilin from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the NUS College of Design and Engineering was commended for her achievements in biotechnology.

Her work, which integrates advanced science and engineering, has significantly advanced personalised patient care. Key technologies that she has developed include molecular switches for detecting COVID-19 and a rapid blood test for early-stage Alzheimer's detection. These innovations have transformed clinical practices and methodologies. She holds a portfolio of over 15 patents, with six licensed, and has founded a venture-backed technology spinoff, Sunbird Bio.

Assoc Prof Shao aspires to be remembered for enhancing patient care through technological innovation, fostering an inclusive culture, and nurturing young talents in her field.

Fostering positive advancements in the financial sector 

Adj Assoc Prof Geraldine Wong
Department of Statistics and Data Science, NUS Faculty of Science; Chief Data Officer, GXS Bank


 

Adjunct Associate Professor Geraldine Wong from the Department of Statistics and Data Science at the NUS Faculty of Science and Chief Data Officer (CDO) at GXS Bank, was recognised for her role in shaping the future of fintech.

As the CDO at GXS, Adj Assoc Prof Wong adeptly bridges the gap between academia and industry, spearheading transformative AI Initiatives. She co-developed an auto-adaptive reinforcement learning model that optimised GXS’ operations, showcasing her prowess in innovation and harnessing technology and data.

In her role at NUS, she actively fosters diversity, encouraging women to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Leveraging her position to promote gender diversity in STEM, she aspires to serve as an inspiration, challenging others to explore and break the glass ceiling in their professional pursuits.

Grooming women tech leaders

NUS provides diverse and inclusive learning opportunities for women to pursue fulfilling careers and leadership roles in STEM. The University’s contributions to nurturing this talent pool is evident from the achievements of 12 NUS alumnae who are also among the 50 winners of the inaugural Asia Women Tech Leaders Award.

Associate Professor Sacha Epskamp received the Janet Taylor Spence Award for Transformative Early Career Contributions, which honours particularly creative and promising APS members who embody the future of the field. As part of the win, Assoc Prof Epskamp will automatically receive APS Fellow status in the review cycle following his award.

Assistant Professors Adela Isvoranu, DongWon Oh, and Steven Pan were named APS Rising Stars, recognising outstanding APS members in the earliest stages of their research careers post-PhD. The designation is conferred on early-career researchers whose innovative work has already advanced the field, signalling great potential for their continued contributions.

The Association for Psychological Science is an international association headquartered in Washington, DC, with over 25,000 members globally. Its awards are conferred on members who have contributed significantly to the field of psychology at various stages in their careers, and recipients hail from a broad range of prestigious institutions including Ivy League universities.

The four Psychology researchers join other NUS faculty members who have been recognised by APS in the past including Assoc Prof Eddie Tong from FASS, Prof Sam Yam and Asst Prof David Peter Daniels from NUS Business School, and Asst Prof Reuben Ng from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS.

Janet Taylor Spence Award for Transformative Early Career Contributions: Assoc Prof Sacha Epskamp

Assoc Prof Epskamp said he was thrilled to receive the Janet Taylor Spence Award, noting: “APS is a world-leading association with thousands of members, active in every subdiscipline of psychological science. To this end, this is a very prestigious and highly selective award to receive. It is a great honour to have my early career contributions recognised as such.”

The award recognised Assoc Prof Epskamp’s contributions to transforming network psychometrics, which involves exploring relations in large psychological datasets through the use of network models. He laid the foundations for this new methodological framework by researching novel statistical methods, developing free software programs, and making educational materials available to increase accessibility for applied researchers.

Seeing his work applied in both psychological research and clinical practice inspires him to continue with his research. He explained: “A strong motivating factor behind my work is that I believe methodological innovation should be paired to empirical and practical applications. That is, I aimed for my work to be translational and not merely academic.”

Assoc Prof Epskamp has set up a lab on psychological methods in FASS, which he hopes will become “a hub for methodological innovation in psychological research and other social sciences.” He describes the Department of Psychology as an “exciting and stimulating environment” to continue his work to improve methods and set up collaborations that will lead to new empirical insights in diverse fields of study.

APS Rising Star: Asst Prof Adela Isvoranu

A long-held interest in well-being and mental health was what led Asst Prof Isvoranu to pursue psychology as a degree and continues to motivate her today, as she aims to improve well-being and clinical practices in mental health through her research.

On receiving the APS Rising Star designation, she said, “I am very humbled, happy, and grateful to be listed alongside such extraordinary and talented young researchers worldwide, and I am highly encouraged by the award to continue pursuing my early career research goals.”

Employing a multidisciplinary approach that straddles psychological methods and clinical psychology, Asst Prof Isvoranu’s line of research investigates risk and protective factors for mental health, with a focus on a symptom perspective as opposed to a syndrome perspective. The many stimulating collaborations she has set up and enjoyed as an early career researcher have proved especially inspiring to her, and she sees NUS as an excellent base for pursuing her interests and goals.

APS Rising Star: Asst Prof DongWon Oh

The intricacies of first impressions and how people respond differently to social stimuli have been a lifelong fascination for Asst Prof Oh. His research on social perception explores the influence of individuals’ biases and experiences on how they recognise and try to understand others. Ultimately, his goal is to mitigate the impact of initial biases and improve interpersonal relations, as these factors have great potential to foster a positive change in society.

“This work is crucial for understanding and enhancing group harmony and interpersonal interactions, particularly in diverse and multicultural contexts like Singapore,” said Asst Prof Oh. “It aims to contribute to a more equitable and understanding society by dissecting the dynamics of social biases.”

To him, the APS Rising Star designation validates his dedication to his research and reinforces his commitment to excellence in his field as a mentor and researcher. He said: “Receiving this award is both an honour and a humbling experience… Sharing this recognition with two esteemed colleagues from our department underscores the exceptional environment at NUS Psychology. This makes this moment even more significant for all of us.”

Asst Prof Oh’s future research will investigate the origins and development of variability in social perception. Specifically, he is collaborating with peers at NUS and beyond to study the cultural (such as personal values) and developmental factors (such as early life growth) that impact how our perceptions of others form and evolve.

APS Rising Star: Asst Prof Steven Pan

Echoing the sentiments of his colleagues, Asst Prof Pan said he was “very honoured” by the APS recognition and added: “Being named an APS Rising Star alongside a select group of talented and successful researchers from around the world – including two wonderful colleagues from the Department of Psychology here at NUS – is very humbling.”

His research programme was inspired by observations from his teaching and life experiences of certain strategies or approaches that enhance learning outcomes. “These strategies can yield longer-lasting memories, better understanding, and/or higher levels of skill. In some cases, they are transformative for one's learning,” he explained.

Currently, Asst Prof Pan is investigating a series of promising learning strategies like prequestioning or pretesting, where a learner makes guesses about information before learning it formally. In future, he plans to explore the conditions where such strategies would be beneficial for learning and the cognitive mechanisms they engage, providing insights into how learning occurs in the human brain.

Launched in 2019, this programme supports group leaders with an excellent scientific track record and who have been leading their own research group for no more than six years.

Asst Prof Kappei’s research focuses on telomeres, the ends of linear chromosomes, which in healthy tissue limit how often cells can divide and prevent fusions between different chromosomes. To study what happens when these processes go haywire, his research group leverages on their expertise in quantitative mass spectrometry to analyse changes in the protein composition of telomeres upon induction of various genomic insults. Overall, this work aims to further understanding of how tumours emerge and maintain their unlimited proliferative potential.

Asst Prof Kappei said, “Especially as an European who has found a home away from home, being an EMBO Global Investigator is a great honour and a fantastic opportunity to connect with this impressive community.”

Adj Asst Prof Chen’s research harnesses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse single-cell and spatial omics for precision immunology. As a computational biologist with background in spatial and single-cell omics analysis and AI, she studies precision immunology to investigate the intricate details of the immune system at a personalised level. She works closely with her team to leverage AI to analyse the microenvironment of tumour cells to understand their heterogeneity, with the goal of advancing the development of therapeutics that can effectively target the malignant cells within the tumour.

Articulating her vision, Adj Asst Prof Chen said, “I aim to bring AI and immunology together to create an AI for Immunology (AI2) network in Singapore.”

EMBO is an international organisation of life scientists and directs funding from member states towards research fellowships, courses, workshops, conferences, and science policy initiatives. Over a period of four years, EMBO Global Investigators will receive funding to support them in building and expanding their network and research portfolios, as well as establishing collaborations with scientists in their region and in Europe. They will also join a growing international network of more than 700 current and former EMBO Global Investigators, Installation Grantees, and Young Investigators.

The NUS team was also the best performing team from Asia, in a crowded field that received entries from 167 undergraduate teams, including those from other top universities in the world.

The team’s project leveraged the momentum generated from two leading innovations in recent times: RNA vaccines and breakthroughs in machine learning technologies. Their winning submission, named OTTER (Optimised Technique for swiTch Engineering and Ranking), is an AI-empowered platform that is designed to predict how RNA molecules interact with each other in the cell. It can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of different classes of RNAs, such as RNA switches, and identify RNA sequences that can inactivate or deactivate specific genes with greater precision.

This project was an extensive collaboration between the disciplines of artificial intelligence, engineering and biology, and it required students with diverse skillsets in coding or wet lab experiments to work closely with one another. The NUS team interviewed various experts and specialists for their domain expertise, and honed their presentation skills by giving talks to other NUS students and kindergarten students on the topic of genetic engineering.

Their efforts paid off on all fronts. The team successfully developed and trained a deep learning model that allows users to automate the design and analysis of RNA tools. Their project, which took shape over the course of the year, was also conferred the ‘Best Foundational Advance’ prize and the Gold Medal Award. The project was also nominated for Best Wiki, Best New Composite Part, Best Presentation and Best Model.

“This is a showcase of our world-class multi-disciplinary education and research. The students have worked very hard the whole year and their work has impressed the judges. The students have competed with the best in the world and have done us very proud,” said Associate Professor Poh Chueh Loo from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at CDE, the NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), and the Lead PI for this project.

The NUS team was also mentored by Associate Professor Jimmy Chih from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at CDE, with support from scientists at SynCTI, including Associate Professor Matthew Chang, Associate Professor Yew Wen Shan, and Assistant Professor Julius Freden. The team was also supported by BioMakerSpace@CDE and NUS iGEM alumni.

“This Award from Novartis is a strong recognition of our past research work in sustainable catalysis and chemical synthesis. It also demonstrates that Singaporeans and Singapore-based research can make a positive impact on the global arena,” he said. “I hope to make use of the award to fuel the next phase of my research programme, where we seek to develop transformative chemical reactions that directly modify small-molecule pharmaceutical and crop-protection active ingredients in unprecedented ways. This will provide access to new chemical structures and bring enormous benefits to various chemical industries.”

Assoc Prof Koh is not only committed to developing sustainable chemical reactions and catalyst systems, but is also motivated by a strong desire to put Singapore’s chemistry research on the world map. “After spending almost 6 years in Boston, I returned to Singapore in June 2018 since this is my home, where I grew up and where my family is. I also have a strong sense of purpose to prove that Singaporeans and Singapore-based chemistry research can shine on the international stage,” he said.

As a child, Assoc Prof Koh was fascinated by the natural world, a curiosity that eventually led him to the field of chemistry. And he eventually found his calling in academic research. "Through research, I have the opportunity to discover new chemistry that can potentially shape the world and make a positive impact on society and the environment,” he shared.

His academic journey was also shaped by the mentorship of various professors who inspired him to pursue a career in research. During his time at Boston College in the American east coast, he completed his PhD and post-doctoral fellowship in Professor Amir Hoveyda’s lab. He also collaborated with Professor Richard Schrock’s group from the nearby Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The role of chemists in a changing world

Assoc Prof Koh observed that the world is transitioning towards sustainable development so that we can continue to live, work and play on a resource-limited Earth. Singapore is contributing its part by investing in research towards sustainability, and to address pressing problems such as global warming and climate change caused by anthropogenic activities and excessive carbon emissions.

“I believe chemistry is one of the central solutions to address many of the challenges we face,” he said.

“Chemists are largely responsible for creating many of the commodities we use and consume, including food, medicine, energy, polymers and materials. In this vein, I think chemists, in collaboration with scientists from other disciplines, should come together and lead efforts in conceiving solutions for decarbonisation and reduction of environmental footprint.”

Advice for early career researchers

The chemical pathway to access a particular molecule for medicine or material science can be a tricky and complex enterprise. Likewise, the pathway of an early career researcher can be subject to many twists and turns.

“No matter which career path we choose, I believe challenges and failures are bound to happen. The question is how we deal with these challenges, so that we can grow and improve,” shared Assoc Prof Koh. “For me, I learn to accept failures along the way, and to be patient, resourceful, open-minded and willing to learn new things outside my comfort zone. If we embrace challenges and failures positively, it is only a matter of time before we get to enjoy success and the fruits of our labour.”

Assoc Prof Koh firmly believes in the role of chemistry in addressing global issues such as climate change and global warming, and is hopeful that through collaboration, chemists can lead the way in reducing environmental footprints and promoting sustainability. His message is clear: the challenges we face are significant, but by recognising the pivotal role of chemistry in our lives, we can all play a part in overcoming them.

The Highly Cited Researchers 2023 list comprised NUS researchers from a diverse range of fields including, Agricultural Sciences, Chemistry, Clinical Medicine, Computer Science, Economics and Business, Immunology, Materials Science, Microbiology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Physics, Psychiatry and Psychology and more.

This year, Clarivate issued 7,127 Highly Cited Researcher designations to 6,849 researchers from 68 countries and regions, with 3,795 researchers from specific fields and 3,332 researchers from cross-field impact.

The Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) at Clarivate prepares the list yearly by adopting a complex and comprehensive strategy that combines available inter-related information from highly cited papers. ISI creates a preliminary list based on citation activity and refines it using qualitative analysis and expert judgement.

NUS Deputy President (Research and Technology) Professor Liu Bin said, “NUS is immensely proud of our outstanding researchers who are making a profound impact through their exceptional work and ground-breaking discoveries. Their dedication to pursuing excellence and pushing the boundaries of research is truly inspiring. As they continue to make significant contributions as scientists, their remarkable accomplishments across diverse fields will play a crucial role in tackling the intricate challenges of our world, paving the way for a brighter tomorrow.”

David Pendlebury, Head of Research Analysis at the Institute for Scientific Information at Clarivate, said, “The Highly Cited Researchers list identifies and celebrates exceptional individual researchers at NUS whose significant and broad influence in their fields translates to impact in their research community and innovations that make the world healthier, more sustainable and more secure. Their contributions resonate far beyond their individual achievements, strengthening the foundation of excellence and innovation in research.”

The 45 highly cited NUS researchers in their respective fields are:

Simple, everyday activities like using the phone can become increasingly difficult over time. As there is currently no cure for muscular dystrophy, patients will have to continuously adapt to their deteriorating condition.

With the support of the Enabling Lives Initiative Grant from SG Enable, a research team from the NUS Institute for Health Innovation & Technology (iHealthtech) and the College of Design and Engineering set out to develop an assistive device to help muscular dystrophy patients use smartphones and tablets even in advanced stages of the disease.

After rounds of user testing and research involving patients, caregivers, physiotherapists, and medical professionals, the team created a working prototype known as the FUNction Device.

This device uses a soft, thin, and stretchable sensor that translates minute finger movements into software controls. It is designed to be user-friendly and functions like a computer mouse, with adjustable sensitivity.

“Current assistive device – such as touch-screen devices keyboards, glidepads and the computer mouse – require a considerable amount of strength in wrists, hands and fingers to be used. These devices lose their usefulness in the later stages of muscular dystrophy. Therefore, the objective of the FUNction Device is to provide an adaptable interface that can be activated by miniscule finger movements for various computer functions,” said Professor Lim Chwee Teck, Director of NUS iHealthtech, who led the research team.

He added, “We also intend to build gaming software to motivate the user to perform exercises to monitor their functional strength.”

The team is currently working with seven patients to test the device, and has plans to recruit 20 more to further refine the technology before commercialising it in Singapore. The team also plans to adapt the device for individuals with other neuromuscular disorders and neurological disabilities.

Read more about it here.

Announced on 3 November 2023, the TR35 Asia Pacific list recognises 35 honourees for their pioneering work in cutting-edge technologies in various fields, from computer science to biomedicine. Aside from acknowledging their academic research achievements, the list also highlights the work of these 35 luminaries in making a profound impact on technology implementation, social responsibility, and sustainable development.

This list commends these remarkable trailblazers under five categories: Inventors who build the stuff of the future; Entrepreneurs who hope to turn innovations into disruptive businesses; Visionaries who find powerful new uses of technology; Humanitarians who take unconventional routes to bring about a healthier, cleaner, and more adaptable world; and Pioneers who push the edge of science to create new approaches to tackling technology challenges.

Assistant Professor Denis Bandurin: Pioneering a future for quantum communications

Semiconductors are key components of electronic devices used in various sectors such as communication, computing, healthcare and transportation. The movement of electrons from one end to another in a semiconductor accounts for the flow of electrical current. Understanding the properties of these electrons and how they flow to carry electric charges across a semiconductor is essential to developing new quantum materials for high-performance semiconductors.

Presidential Young Professor Denis Bandurin from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering under the NUS College of Design and Engineering focuses on understanding how electrons move in novel quantum materials. He was named in this year’s list as a Pioneer for his seminal work on the behaviour of graphene electrons, which revealed the first measurements of electron viscosity in solid-state devices. His work demonstrated mechanisms that govern this phenomenon from the free-electron state.

Asst Prof Bandurin also made significant contributions to the discovery of the plasmonic Fizeau drag effect and developed novel principles of terahertz detection using graphene. He and his team are currently conducting unique radiation-driven magneto-transport experiments on advanced materials that aim to unveil new fundamental phenomena in the quantum flatland while simultaneously developing practical devices for future quantum electronics.

His group also developed sensitive light detectors for infrared and terahertz frequency domains using novel quantum materials with unique electronic properties. This innovative approach facilitates robust photo-response, which will have significant applications in the future of quantum communications.

Asst Prof Bandurin said, "I hope that being honoured under the MIT TR35 Asia Pacific 2023 list will enhance the international recognition of our research group at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering under the NUS College of Design and Engineering. And in turn, with increased visibility, will attract top-tier students and researchers to study and conduct cutting-edge research at NUS and Singapore."

Assistant Professor Iris Yu: Striving for a sustainable circular economy

Food waste is one of the most significant waste streams in Singapore, and the amount of food waste generated has increased by around 20 per cent over the past 10 years. Food waste is commonly discarded in landfills or incinerated with other waste streams. However, this method of disposal has adverse impact on the environment, in the form of carbon emissions and other pollutants. Despite policies to minimise food wastage, novel solutions to treat food waste are needed for Singapore to achieve its decarbonisation goals.

Striving for a sustainable, net-zero future is Assistant Professor Iris Yu from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering under the NUS College of Design and Engineering. Her ground-breaking research on using a microwave-assisted biorefinery for energy-efficient conversion of bioresources into useful chemicals and materials through innovative engineering solutions earned her a spot on this year’s list as a Humanitarian.

Asst Prof Yu is working towards gaining a better understanding of the effects of microwaves within catalytic systems to achieve greener and cleaner synthesis of chemicals. She envisions that leveraging the effects of microwaves in biorefineries can create a circular economy by upcycling food waste into renewable products.

Asst Prof Yu said, “It is a great honour to be listed in the MIT TR35 Asia Pacific 2023. My deepest gratitude goes to my mentors, colleagues, friends, and family, who have supported me through different means along the journey. My research team and I will continue our best efforts to foster scalable chemical upcycling of food waste and biomass.”

Dr Yi Luying: Pioneering the next generation of optical fibre sensors

Traditional optical sensors pose several challenges such as limited wavelength and restricted angular measurement range, making them less effective. To overcome these challenges, Dr Yi Luying, a Research Fellow from the Department of Chemistry under the NUS Faculty of Science, aims to combine optical engineering and the fundamental science of luminescent materials to develop innovative and intelligent optical sensors to support applications such as virtual reality, self-driving cars, and biological imaging.

Dr Yi was lauded in this year’s MIT TR35 Asia Pacific 2023 list as a Pioneer for her ground-breaking discoveries and innovations in developing new optical fibre sensors.

Dr Yi and her team developed a 3D imaging sensor to cover broader range of wavelengths and a wider angular measurement range with higher angular resolution. Further to this invention, Dr Yi developed a dual-tapered fibre array that extends the response wavelength of optical imaging sensors beyond X-rays to gamma rays. This breakthrough led to the successful fabrication of imaging sensors using large-area and high-density X-rays and gamma-rays.

The optical fibre sensors developed by Dr Yi and her team have wide-ranging applications, such as 3D scanning and medical imaging for more accurate and precise imaging.

Dr Yi said, “I believe the goal of any form of innovation is to enhance productivity, and my career in research and innovation has been defined by a relentless quest for knowledge and a deep passion for pushing the boundaries to solve pressing issues of the world with technology. I am grateful for the recognition accorded by the TR35 Asia Pacific list, providing an important source of support for my unwavering commitment to advancing research in the field and harnessing technology to improve lives.”

The President’s Science & Technology Awards, the highest accolade for research scientists and engineers in Singapore, celebrates the achievements of its winners as they create impact through their research excellence and as role models for their peers and aspiring researchers.

Adjunct Professor Quek Gim Pew from the NUS College of Design and Engineering was conferred the prestigious President’s Science and Technology Medal, which is awarded to researchers who play a key role in advancing Singapore’s development through the promotion and management of science and technology. 

Associate Professor Qiu Cheng-Wei from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering  under the NUS College of Design and Engineering received the President’s Science Award, which recognises the distinguished contributions of researchers who had a transformative effect on science and technology.

Assistant Professor Tan Yong Zi from the Department of Biological Sciences under the NUS Faculty of Science clinched the Young Scientist Award (YSA), which is awarded to researchers aged 35 and below who are actively engaged in R&D in Singapore and have shown great potential to be world-class researchers. The YSA is administered by the Singapore National Academy of Science and supported by the National Research Foundation, Singapore.  

Adj Prof Quek and Assoc Prof Qiu received their awards from President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at a presentation ceremony held at the Istana on 20 October 2023. Asst Prof Tan was presented the award by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat at the same event.

2023 President’s Science and Technology Medal Recipient: Adj Prof Quek Gim Pew

Adj Prof Quek was recognised for his dedication to shaping Singapore’s Research, Innovation, and Enterprise (RIE) ecosystem. His distinguished contributions include developing local capabilities in science and technology, particularly in space technology, quantum engineering, artificial intelligence, and high-performance computing, as well as championing STEM-related initiatives to nurture the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Adj Prof Quek has dedicated over four decades of sterling service to the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), where he played a pivotal role in advancing many critical initiatives. As Chief Defence Scientist, he was instrumental in establishing innovative programmes to merge MINDEF with the local RIE ecosystem, elevating Singapore’s defence capabilities.

Adj Prof Quek is currently the Senior R&D Consultant of MINDEF and sits on various boards of agencies, organisations, and Institutes of Higher Learning.

Adj Prof Quek has also made significant contributions in building up the nation’s capabilities in quantum technologies. He served as Chair of the Centre for Quantum Technologies, where he coordinated the shift of quantum research from a primarily fundamental science-focused approach to a nationwide initiative. He later went on to Co-Chair the National Quantum Steering Committee, and drove the Quantum Engineering Programme for applications, including securing communication systems and financial services networks.

Adj Prof Quek’s influence on Singapore's quantum capabilities was exemplified by his active promotion of partnerships and collaboration between local and international entities, bolstering Singapore’s reputation as a global quantum research hub.

Additionally, Adj Prof Quek was a champion for STEM education and played an active role in nurturing the next generation of STEM talent. During his time at the DSO National Laboratories, he launched the Young Defence Scientist Programme and initiated a series of competitions to engage students through valuable hands-on learning opportunities. As Deputy Chair of the Office for Space Technology & Industry, Adj Prof Quek continues to steer outreach and student engagement through the Integrated Space Programme.

Read the full citation here.

2023 President’s Science Award Recipient: Assoc Prof Qiu Cheng-Wei

Assoc Prof Qiu was recognised for his pioneering research in topological thermal materials and diffusion physics to develop green tech solutions for emerging challenges such as global warming, the energy crisis and heat waste. His work has established new frontiers in classical fields of thermal diffusion, drastically changing the landscape of thermal science.

Assoc Prof Qiu’s seminal work in the field of quantum thermal diffusion has led to the development of innovative technologies in areas such as microelectronics, chip technologies, thermal imaging, and carbon neutrality. His recent breakthrough in materials science can enhance thermal conduction better than silver and gold, as well as potentially cool a room down without using any extra energy.

Assoc Prof Qiu’s pioneering research in the field has led to a series of innovations, which has helped to overcome pressing issues of heat dissipation, over-heating, and low-grade heat upcycling in integrated chips, computing servers for IoTs and other related industries.

Assoc Prof Qiu has published over 480 papers with more than 39,000 citations. He is also a recipient of many prestigious awards, such as the Engineering Researcher Award in NUS (2021) and the World Scientific Medal presented by Institute of Physics, Singapore (2021). He was most recently conferred the Achievement in Asia Award 2023 by the International Organization of Chinese Physicists and Astronomers in the US, and was also named by Clarivate as one of the Highly Cited Researchers from 2019 to 2023.

Beyond pursuing academic excellence, Assoc Prof Qiu is a dedicated mentor, with many former members of his lab becoming prominent figures and scientists who are making waves in science and technology.

Read the full citation here.

2023 Young Scientist Award Recipient: Asst Prof Tan Yong Zi

Asst Prof Tan was recognised for his outstanding work on developing cryogenic electron microscopy methods to analyse the structures of biologically relevant proteins at high resolution.

Through his research, Asst Prof Tan shed light on the structures of various proteins involved in diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, COVID-19, and cancer. Having a molecular snapshot of these proteins is essential to understanding how biological processes work as diseases progress, to identify potential targets for developing new treatments.

Asst Prof Tan developed cutting-edge methods and tools to help unveil the roles and architecture of disease proteins to help the international research community advance their knowledge in this field.

His research has been published in prestigious journals like Nature, Cell, Nature Methods, Molecular Cell and Nature Communications. To date, Asst Prof Tan has a total of 2,335 citations, a testament to his scientific influence and research excellence. He was awarded the George Palade Award in 2021 by the Microscopy Society of America, demonstrating international recognition for his significant contributions to microscopy and biology.

Asst Prof Tan holds a joint appointment with the Disease Intervention Technology Laboratory at A*STAR.

As a budding world-class researcher, Asst Prof Tan strongly believes in cultivating the future of Singapore’s STEM talent pool. He actively teaches various modules at NUS and trains students across different levels. He also runs the International Biology Olympiad training for the Singapore representatives, in collaboration with trainers from the National Institute of Education and the Singapore Institute of Biology. The Singapore team he had mentored for the 2022 International Biology Olympiad emerged 4th in the world, achieving 2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medals.

Read the full citation here.

A lightweight vest for open-heart surgery rehabilitation designed by NUS alumnus Mr Siew E Ian was named the 2023 Singapore winner, while an innovative device co-developed by second-year computer engineering student Mr Sparsh to efficiently converts solar-thermal energy into electricity, won the national runner-up.

The annual James Dyson Award is an international design award that aims to inspire budding design engineers. This year, the competition received 1,969 entries from 30 countries.
 

Auxobrace: A design that stems from the heart

Mr Siew E Ian has had his chest sawed open not once, but twice.

Born with a heart defect, the 24-year-old recent graduate from the Division of Industrial Design (DiD) at the NUS College of Design and Engineering (CDE) first underwent open-heart surgery when he was just two weeks old, and again in 2021.

By his own account, he had to endure a long and painful period of recovery following his most recent procedure, “due to the slow fusion of the sternum bone. Simple movements and activities required assistance from caregivers, and the available solutions proved ineffective.”

But the downtime and discomfort he experienced while convalescing at home was the impetus he needed. “This experience sparked my motivation as a designer to reimagine sternal and cardiac rehabilitation,” he said.

He decided to train his focus in this area of healthcare innovation for his thesis project, and cycled through various prototypes. After several rounds of iteration with surgeons, nurses, and physiotherapists, E Ian developed a model that could expand and contract based on certain forces applied, in effect, redesigning the sternal brace from the ground up.

His efforts paid off.

Auxobrace, an extremely light-weight rehab device that relies on the principles of dynamic compression and ‘particle jamming’, was named as the national winner of the 2023 edition of the James Dyson Awards on 13 Sep 2023. Earlier this year, his invention had also received a patent and the NUS-JTC Medal and Prize.

Ingenious idea sparked by a trip to the supermarket

The sternum, a narrow flat bone in the front of the chest, takes about three to four months to heal post-surgery. Patients typically wear a sternal brace to facilitate the recovery process following their discharge from the hospital. However, conventional braces can be cumbersome. The constant pressure around the chest, from the elastic band, can feel too compressive.

Sweat also tends to pool under the material whenever the conventional brace is worn, especially in Singapore’s humid climate. This is not ideal and could complicate recovery. “Moisture near such big and fresh wounds increases the risk of infection, which could be more harmful than the surgery itself,” E Ian said.

The young designer also observed that “conventional elastic braces rely on the patient's own brute strength,” he said, “and some elderly might find this challenging.” He knew that he wanted potential users to easily adjust the tightness of the brace – perhaps with the push of a button.

The initial idea came to E Ian during a visit to a supermarket. He observed how a loose sack of rice, when vacuum-packed, could be transformed into a solid, rigid slab. Intrigued, he thought about it further, and found himself asking, “How can I apply [this concept] on the human body?”

The seed of that idea germinated. Instead of rice grains, he experimented with lightweight polystyrene beads at first. He discovered that by encapsulating the beads in an airtight bladder made from TPU fabric, he could replicate some of the effects whenever a vacuum was applied. However, he found that the compression was more pronounced on the sides of the chest, which caused greater discomfort.

Further research led him to the field of ‘soft robotics’, which uses flexible materials to mimic the movements of living organisms. He developed 3D-printed cube-like internal structures that can provide more consistent and inward pressure on the sternum.

E Ian brought successive iterations of the product to healthcare professionals for their comments and evaluation. He continued testing various designs on himself too, deploying force resistive sensors to ensure that the maximal pressure applied was within safe limits.

“There is much potential for this technology to break into other areas of rehabilitation and fashion as a whole. Further developments are underway,” said E Ian who will soon be joining NUS as a Design Researcher.

He also credited the University for offering a “secure and stimulating atmosphere that facilitated the exploration and expression of my creative abilities and conceptual thoughts. I am very appreciative for the opportunity to have received mentorship from a distinguished group of educators who have provided invaluable guidance throughout my education in the world of design.”

E Ian is working with experts from NUS and the National University Health System to refine the product for commercialisation.

Thermal Floater: A boost for green energy

NUS student Mr Sparsh, together with his friend, Mr Shivansh Anand, who is from the Indian Institute of Technology, created a unique device that can convert heat energy from the Sun into electricity efficiently. Called Thermal Floater, the device has a hollow modular casing that enables it to float on bodies of water, and is designed to be robust to withstand waves. This frees up a significant amount of land space, especially in densely-populated urban areas like Singapore.

Sparsh, a second-year computer engineering undergraduate in NUS, said that “we were driven to solve the problem of frequent blackouts and unreliable electricity supply in our hometown, which only worsened during lockdowns.” The duo intends to file a patent and seek further funding for research and development efforts.

“NUS has provided me with invaluable opportunities to expand my knowledge and explore my passion for innovation, both as a student and as an inventor,” he said. “My journey at NUS has been nothing short of transformative. I owe a debt of gratitude to my supportive friends, School of Computing, College of Design and Engineering, and the entire college community for nurturing my passion for innovation and guiding me towards the creation of the thermal floater.”

The winners from Singapore will now compete with the national winners from across 30 participating countries. The top 20 international entries – selected by Dyson engineers from around 90 finalists – will be announced in October 2023. From these, one overall international winner, two runners-up, and one sustainability winner will be announced in November.
 

NUS inventions making their mark at the James Dyson Awards

NUS teams have consistently done the University proud at the James Dyson Awards, clinching the top national prizes almost every year since 2016.

NUS students or graduates were the national winners in 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018, and 2016. In 2021, the NUS inventors of HOPES, a wearable device for glaucoma patients, were the first Singapore team to win the top prize of the international edition of the James Dyson Award.

These were the NUS-affiliated start-ups recognised for making significant environmental, social or sustainability-related impacts at the iGnite Award, organised by Alpha JWC Ventures in partnership with NUS Enterprise. The iGnite Award is the flagship start-up support programme of Alpha JWC Ventures, designed to nurture the next generation of impact-driven founders. Through their partnership with NUS, the award now extends its support to recognise and empower promising early-stage impact start-ups affiliated with NUS, enabling them to create a lasting positive impact on communities.

“At NUS Enterprise, we strive for our start-ups to be more than just doing something good; we also want them to excel and do what is right. With the iGnite Award, our NUS-affiliated start-ups will get the support to improve their solutions and extend their positive impact on the environment, communities and the world,” said Mr Brian Koh, Director of Ecosystem Development, NUS Enterprise.

When the call opened in May this year, the iGnite Award received many impact start-up applications from diverse industries, all with a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Out of these, six start-ups advanced to the grand finals on 26 July 2023, where they presented their transformative solutions to a distinguished panel of judges representing pioneers in the start-up space: Mr Brian Koh, Director of Ecosystem Development, NUS Enterprise; Mr Jefrey Joe, Managing Partner, Alpha JWC Ventures; and Mr James Tan, Chairman, Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE).

ArmasTec, Bell Living Lab and Nanomatics were crowned winners of the iGnite Award, each receiving up to US$40,000 in prize money. They will also benefit from added support and mentorship from NUS Enterprise, gaining access to diverse resources, networking opportunities and the guidance of experienced mentors.

Learn more about how these three winning start-ups of the iGnite Award are making an impact from driving sustainability to revolutionising the way people move and work:

ArmasTec is a start-up founded by NUS alumni Rainier Natividad and Serene Wong. Hailing from the NUS Graduate Research Innovation Programme (GRIP), the company specialises in comfortable and efficient body-assistive apparel. Their flagship product, the AireLevate™ base suit, features a state-of-the-art fabric powered by air-regulated muscles designed to assist with manual handling activities in the logistics and healthcare industries. The innovative suit reduces the lower back effort required for lifting objects by up to 55 per cent.

Incubated at BLOCK71 Bandung, Bell Living Lab is dedicated to recycling agro-waste such as fruit waste and coconut fibre using microbe technology. What sets their process apart is its simplicity, efficiency and scalability, making it suitable for implementation in both laboratories and homes. Beyond being eco-friendly, the venture also embraces a social business approach. By partnering with local villagers in Cidaun, Cianjur, West Java, who have faced inconsistent earnings, the start-up provides them with essential training on material production. These eco-friendly materials then serve as substitutes in the textile industry, currently dominated by non-environmentally friendly products that often harm the environment during production.

Nanomatics, an alumnus of PIER71’s Smart Port Challenge, takes on the complex task of addressing the challenges in plastic recycling. With over 90 per cent of plastics being non-recyclable due to contamination and processing complexities, recycling has remained economically unviable. However, this start-up aims to make a positive sustainability impact through advanced thermal technologies. Unlike conventional chemical recycling, their innovative thermal process converts plastic waste into high-value products like oil, solid carbon and hydrogen, enabling more effective recycling and contributing to sustainability efforts.

Mr Andrei Veksha, Director of Nanomatics, said, “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to NUS Enterprise and Alpha JWC Ventures for organising this fantastic programme, offering start-ups like ours a platform to showcase our vision and efforts. These funds will play a pivotal role in advancing our research, and the development and implementation of innovative solutions to tackle the global issue of plastic waste.”

While the inaugural NUS Enterprise and Alpha JWC Ventures iGnite Award has concluded, the possibilities that lie ahead for future editions are boundless. The grand finals are just the beginning of the engagement with the start-ups. Discussions with the six finalists have already started, with the aim of exploring avenues for support and collaboration, including investment opportunities and market access to magnify their impact.

By NUS Enterprise

The nanosatellite was conceptualised in 2017 by around 20 multidisciplinary Final Year Project (FYP) students from Innovation and Design Programme (iDP) and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering under the NUS College of Design and Engineering. The project is supported by the Engineering Design and Innovation Centre (EDIC), Satellite Technology And Research Centre (STAR), and the Centre for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing (CRISP) at NUS.

Galassia-2 aims to conduct remote sensing for agriculture and environmental change using a multispectral camera on board.

The satellite is expected to remain operational for between six months and a year.

Read more here.

Compiled by the Asian Scientist Magazine, this annual list recognises the efforts and achievements of Asia’s exceptional scientific talents. This year’s honourees should have either received been awarded a national or international prize in 2022, achieved a significant accomplishment such as a scientific discovery, or demonstrated leadership that advances scientific enterprise.

Professor Liu Bin

A multi-hyphenate, Prof Liu’s career is one that is much revered by her peers. As a trailblazing scientist, she has made outstanding achievements and effort in pushing the boundaries of science to make innovative discoveries in the fields of chemical and biomolecular engineering as well as sustainability and alternative energy research.

In 2022, she was elected to the US National Academy of Engineering (US NAE) as an international member for her outstanding work in bringing organic electronic materials into aqueous media, opening new doors for biomedicine, environmental monitoring, sensors and electronic devices. Prof Liu’s election to the US NAE for her revolutionary research earned her a place on this year’s Asian Scientist 100 list.

Prof Liu is an internationally acclaimed researcher and is a recipient of multiple accolades, including the President’s Technology Award (2016) and the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Centenary Prize (2021), and ranks among the World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds and the top 1 per cent Highly Cited Researchers by Clarivate, with over 450 publications and 30 patents to her name.

Aside from being a prolific researcher, Prof Liu takes on leadership roles such as founding director of the NUS Centre for Hydrogen Innovations, which aims to discover innovative strategies for commercialising hydrogen as a green energy source. Prof Liu also assumed the role of Deputy President (Research and Technology) from 1 April 2023, taking charge of NUS’ research strategies.

Professor Hong Wan Jin

Prof Hong is a dedicated researcher of over 30 years, supporting the development of Singapore’s biomedical research ecosystem. He is an Honorary Joint Professor at the Department of Biochemistry at NUS Medicine and the Executive Director of A*STAR’s Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology.

He has been honoured under this year’s Asian Scientist 100 list for being awarded the President’s Science and Technology Medal in 2022. Prof Hong was conferred this prestigious award for his extraordinary work in establishing Singapore’s biomedical sciences research ecosystem through forging strong partnerships between the public sector, academic and clinical research institutes, and promoting innovation to support Singapore’s economic development.

Prof Hong has a distinguished career in molecular and cell biology research, and has contributed significantly to the global scientific community’s understanding of membrane transport in the secretory and endocytic pathways and the Hippo signalling pathway in human cancer. His research has resulted in more than 300 peer-reviewed publications, which have garnered over 27,000 citations internationally.

Apart from excelling in research, Prof Hong has also been commended for his active role in grooming young scientists. A stalwart leader, Prof Hong has held leadership positions in various scientific associations, such as the President of the Science Council of Asia, and member of the Board of Trustees for the Human Frontier Science Program.

Assistant Professor Koh Ming Joo

Asst Prof Koh is a rising star, as evident from the impressive accolades he has received for his exceptional research in the field of Chemistry. His research focuses on sustainable catalysis and radical chemistry by developing technologies derived from abundant and non-precious materials such as base metals.

He received the Young Scientist Award 2022 presented by the Singapore National Academy of Science for his research in sustainable base metal catalysis and radical-based chemical technologies that revolutionise chemical synthesis. This recent achievement earned him a spot as an honouree of this year’s iteration of the Asian Scientist 100 list.

Asst Prof Koh is also a recipient of many prestigious awards for research and teaching, including the Innovators Under 35 (TR35) Asia Pacific Award (2021), Excellent Young Teacher Award (2019 – 2020), and Thieme Chemistry Journals Award (2022). Last year, he was also honoured as one of the Talented 12 class of 2022 by Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN) for his work on sustainable catalysis.

Nurture is in his nature as he grooms the next generation of researchers to give back to society. He participates in local and international science forums and outreach programmes to share his research work and experiences with young science enthusiasts, inspiring them to pursue their interests in science.

Currently in its ninth run, GRIP is one of NUS Enterprise’s flagship innovation programmes. It provides comprehensive step-by-step guidance to the best and brightest NUS postgraduate students and researchers, cultivating these budding entrepreneurs to translate NUS’ world-class research in deep technology into their own start-ups.

Held in a hybrid format, the event marked a return to in-person engagement following the resumption of physical events after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Inspiring the next generation of deep tech entrepreneurs

In his opening speech, NUS Associate Vice President (Enterprise) Associate Professor Benjamin Tee, emphasised the programme's core mission, "The ultimate goal of GRIP is to nurture university talents in their quest to become successful deep tech start-up entrepreneurs.”

At the event, Assoc Prof Tee also introduced a new programme, GRIP Prime, that offers early exposure for applicants to explore product-market fit and enable them to avoid the most common pitfalls at an early stage. The programme will also increase the scale and accessibility in deep tech entrepreneurial training across the University, said Assoc Prof Tee.

Unveiling revolutionary innovations

The pitching session took centrestage at the GRIP Lift-Off Day, where the start-ups showcased their innovative solutions in a bid to secure funding as well as partnership and collaboration opportunities.

Among the notable start-ups, Circrete stood out with its mission to decarbonise the construction industry and reduce its environmental impact. By revolutionising the carbon-intensive cement production process, Circrete produces durable green cement from upcycled local waste marine clay. This breakthrough technology reduces the carbon footprint by up to 70 per cent and transforms waste clay into a valuable resource, revolutionising traditional cement production methods.

Another remarkable start-up was the return of GRIP alumni, ArmasTec™, which specialises in fabric-based exoskeletons. Their flagship product, the AireLevate™, reduces the physical strain on workers who regularly lift heavy loads, without compromising comfort and flexibility.

ArmasTec's proprietary fabric technology reduces back muscle load by close to 50 per cent, providing an ergonomic and comfortable experience for users. The start-up launched their first paid deployments in June 2023. They are also finalising a partnership with a major healthcare provider to develop an AireLevate™ suit for nursing, followed by deployments in hospitals.

Fostering collaborations and connections

Through their captivating pitches, the start-ups demonstrated the remarkable progress and deep determination honed, in part, due to the nurturing and guidance provided by GRIP.

The participating start-ups also showcased their innovations at the event booths. Additionally, they had the opportunity to further engage and explore potential collaborations with fellow entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, incubators, industry players, and other stakeholders at a networking lunch and a one-on-one online networking session.

To aid the GRIP founders as they build the next tech unicorn, the teams will continue to receive incubation support for a further nine months through mentorship, co-working spaces and other forms of assistance after Lift-Off Day.

Ms Karen Wai, a seasoned industry veteran and commercial champion to the GRIP team Picopoint Genomics who has been involved in the programme’s previous editions, offered her observations of how teams have evolved over the years. "The teams have become savvier in terms of their expectations. They come into the programme with clear expectations, and these expectations are met as the programme provides a well-structured framework."

Reflecting on the success of the ninth run of GRIP Lift-Off Day, Mr Kevin Leung, Acting GRIP Director, shared that in the upcoming runs of GRIP Lift-Off Day, attendees can expect “a powerful convergence of deep tech innovation and sustainability-driven solutions that deliver societal impact”. “We are committed to empowering start-ups that are not only disrupting industries but also driving positive change for a sustainable and inclusive future.”

By NUS Enterprise

Breaking the silence on legacy planning

When it came to selecting a topic for their Field Service Project (FSP), Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) students Koh Ngiap Seng, Chiu Yu Xuan, Jonathan Chin and Mandy Tay jumped at the opportunity to collaborate with legacy, retirement, and eldercare planning start-up Immortalize.

The task? Improve or create a new game to spark interest in end-of-life planning.

Ngiap Seng, a Year 4 BBA student and President of NUS Board Games, said the brief by Immortalize immediately caught his eye. “I’ve ample experience playing board games, from simple games like Codenames to complex ones like Nusfjord. This [project] about creating a game was perfect for my skillset, and I’m glad my teammates were receptive to it.”

Jonathan, a Year 4 BBA student, shared that end-of-life planning used to be a difficult subject for his family to talk about, with his parents broadly stating that everything was “taken care of” whenever the topic was broached. “Looking back, I realise that having a way to break the ice and make everyone feel more comfortable when discussing death and end-of-life planning would have been appreciated,” he added.

The Immortalize project is one of 214 FSPs in Academic Year 2022/2023. The team embarked on the project in Semester 1, with a designated timeframe of 13 to 15 weeks for completion. They strategically divided this period into distinct phases, including research, ideation, game creation, user testing, and evaluation, allocating one to two weeks for each stage.

The team play-tested Immortalize’s existing concept of a conversational drinking game, but found it awkward and difficult to play. They eventually decided to build a game from scratch, with the objective of making it fun, engaging and repeatedly playable. 

To aid the brainstorming process, the team conducted extensive research into the subject matter as well as popular board games. Ngiap Seng said, “We decided to make it a card game to make it easier to play, and also to simplify our game development so that we could easily make changes using a print-and-play format.”

Named ‘Will of Fortune by Immortalize’, the game went through the critical phase of testing with industry practitioners including a doctor, lawyer, financial specialist and funeral planner.  

To make the game interesting, the team created a unique backstory centred around ‘Peter Devan’ – a tycoon diagnosed with a terminal illness who needs help to make plans for his assets. Players assume personas of Devan’s family members, each possessing distinct abilities that can be strategically employed during the game. The objective is to collect as many legacy cards as possible, across insurance plans, estate planning tools and funeral arrangements. The game ends when a player draws the “Peter’s Last Breath” card, and scores are totalled to determine the victor.

Jonathan reflected that the play-testing phase of the card game was one of the most rewarding moments of the project. “I recall the four of us trying to print, cut, and assemble the cards in school. When we finished, it struck me that this was the culmination of many weeks of game development, ideation, card design and planning,” he said.  

This was a sentiment echoed by Ngiap Seng, who play-tested the game at NUS Board Games sessions to gather feedback from experienced and casual gamers. “The positive feedback and laughter we shared while playing the game was extremely gratifying for me. I could see that the team’s hard work paid off, and we had finally created a game about legacy planning that was fun and interesting to play,” added Ngiap Seng.  

Harnessing diverse skillsets to navigate real-world challenges

Both students shared that the interdisciplinary education and learning experience at NUS have played a pivotal role in the project, where flexibility and adaptability were essential. The duo explained that the team applied business concepts and ideas when conducting market research and target group analysis, while design thinking and project management skills came in handy during the game development process.

Having complete creative freedom in game design presented both advantages and challenges. Initially, the team faced difficulty in consolidating their numerous ideas into a cohesive concept, prolonging the ideation phase.  “Fortunately, our team dynamic allowed us to overcome this. As good friends who know each other well, we were able to communicate openly and honestly… This allowed us to better refine our ideas, resulting in a better quality and more focused concept,” added Jonathan.

The team also encountered an additional challenge related to creating a prototype for play-testing and implementing subsequent gameplay adjustments. Fortunately, they came across nanDECK, a software for creating card decks. Ngiap Seng said, “We had to learn how to use and code it, but this was very useful for us to create a print-and-play version of our game for easy play-testing.”

Associate Professor Chaithanya Bandi, a faculty mentor from the Department of Analytics & Operations at NUS Business School, said, “Despite these hurdles, I was extremely impressed with their ability to think creatively and collaboratively. Their commitment to overcoming obstacles and willingness to learn from each other were truly commendable.”

Assoc Prof Chaithanya expressed that collaborative initiatives, like the Immortalize project, are not only unique to NUS Business School, but are an integral part of NUS’ approach to education. “We are committed to offering our students practical opportunities that allow them to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world settings, ultimately preparing them for successful future careers.”

Their design journeys involved fundamentally reframing problems as creative opportunities. It entailed asking a lot of questions – and conducting extensive research – to understand the systems and environments in which users operate, and eventually, bring about fresh products, services and experiences.

Here, we highlight four exciting projects by NUS’ promising designers.

Commemorate – An immersive game to learn about our cultural heritage

Created by Claira Chiw, Commemorate is a project that explores Gen Z’s perceived ambivalence and uncertainty with ancestor worship, a practice that dates back to the late 19th century and reflects the centrality of the family in Chinese society.

Based on interviews conducted with her peers and older practitioners of this tradition, Claira discovered that Gen Z’s lack of knowledge and appreciation stemmed from a lack of adequate exposure and engagement. Learning about traditional cultural practices, in other words, tended to be quite boring. This propelled her to explore different mediums and methods that might better appeal to youths. She eventually decided to provide participants with a physical platform to appreciate the richness and diversity of cultural practices in Singapore.

“Further research and prototyping led me to develop an immersive card game for people to learn about Chinese traditional practices in a fun and informal setting,” she said. “I integrated the abstracted symbolisms, gestures, items and verbal expressions of the actual ritual into the game mechanics to create an enlightening experience for people of all ages.”

Claira hopes that more Gen Zs can experience this game to learn about the practices of our elders, and appreciate the different cultural traditions in Singapore. “It could be through means of making this card game available in exhibitions, or even to produce it for students and families,” said the young Singaporean who intends to pursue a career in experiential design.

Operation Paws – Alleviating perioperative anxiety for paediatric patients

Having to go under the knife is an uncertain and daunting experience for everyone, especially so for a young child. Drawing from her personal experience, Valeska Tan embarked on a mission to discover ways to help paediatric patients better cope with anxiety prior to surgery.

“I began to explore the topic of perioperative anxiety due to my experience with a surgery as a child. The fear I felt then is a memory that has stayed with me since, and I realised that more could be done to help alleviate the anxiety paediatric patients face around their operation,” said Valeska.

An initial survey of patients and healthcare workers allowed Valeska to understand that the pre-operation period was the best touchpoint for Child Life therapists to intervene and help to allay any fears the parents or child may have about the operation.

Valeska developed a holistic medical play programme called Operation Paws that Child Life therapists can use to better prepare paediatric patients aged four to nine for surgical procedures, by teaching them what happens during surgery using interactive gameplay.

The game uses a hybrid digital and physical set-up to engage the child in role-play as a doctor performing surgery on a patient. Paediatric patients will first select and name their animal patient avatars, forming a more personalised connection. Throughout the storyline, they will explain to their animal patients what to expect for the operation, and in the process, understand why they must undergo certain procedures in the hospital. Apart from 3D printed medical tools, augmented reality is also used to enhance the playable experience where the patient can simulate a simplified medical procedure.

To design the game, Valeska ensured that the narrative was medically accurate through consultations with therapists, paediatricians and anaesthetists. She also referenced current videos and children story books about surgery to understand how to compose a child-friendly, engaging story.

Valeska then conducted user testing with paediatric patients in hospital settings and at home to assess the usability and efficacy of the programme, which garnered much enthusiasm from patients and parents. Therapists noted that anxious paediatric patients who played the game displayed less anxiety during the surgery.

Valeska is open to further refining and improving the game, and she is also considering pursuing research in design, especially in the healthcare sector.

DIP (Drowning Intervention and Prevention) – An anti-drowning device  

Drowning is a quick and silent killer. It is the third leading cause of accidental death in children, according to the World Health Organisation. Despite the presence of lifeguards, it can be challenging to identify signs of drowning, particularly during peak periods at the pool, with only seconds to spare.

Edwind Tan experienced a near-drowning incident during a swimming class conducted by his primary school. This incident inspired him to develop an effective way to assist lifeguards and parents in keeping children safe while enjoying a dip in the pool. He also shared that being exposed to the day-to-day sights and sounds from living near a swimming pool motivated him to devise a way to help boost water safety for the children who swim there every day.

Edwind designed a child-specific wearable device called Drowning Intervention and Prevention (DIP), as a potential solution to ensure quick and timely drowning detection and intervention. The DIP band can detect early signs of drowning by accessing the child’s vitals, such as heart rate and blood oxygen levels, and secondary indicators of drowning, such as hand trashing.

The DIP band is programmed to detect nine different trigger conditions, for example, drastic changes in heart rate and lack of movement, to generate an alert on the mobile app or matching wearable for the parent to intervene in the event of a drowning incident.

Edwind interviewed officials from Sport Singapore to develop and iterate the product. Through conversations with swim coaches, lifeguards, and pool management staff, he learnt that distractions, lack of awareness, and complacency were the three main factors in drowning incidents. “I hope that through the development of the DIP band, I will be able to empower lifeguards and parents to enhance water safety among all child swimmers,” he added. 

There are plans to expand the use DIP to other sports, and even for fall detection. “I hope that through my project, I can help keep Singaporeans active and for everyone to enjoy sports safely,” said Edwind.

CoolerConnect – A cool way to strengthen neighbourly relations  

How do we encourage communication among neighbours? A two-way water cooler called CoolerConnect designed by Jonathan Lau reimagines how everyday objects can be made ‘friendlier’ to encourage social interaction amongst people in a residential estate or building.

“As a young student, I was struck by Edward Hopper’s portrayal of urban isolation and loneliness in his oil paintings,” he said. “Singapore society can appear quite cold in its pragmatism and efficiency. I wanted to address this in my project.”

His project is part of a broader movement that recognises the ‘strength of weak ties’, and how regular, low-stakes interactions can help to build a stronger sense of community.

“During my exchange programme in France where I studied spatial design, I became acutely aware of the concepts of ‘convivialité’ and ‘sociabilité’ of spaces. While visiting different districts in Paris and cities, I saw first-hand how the French were very intentional in creating liveable and sociable spaces within their cities for everyone. Where I lived, neighbours would acknowledge one another with a simple ‘bonjour’ and a smile.”

Armed with this vision, Jonathan knew that he wanted to design interventions that could catalyse spontaneous interactions in daily life. After conducting several rounds of experimentation in different locations in the neighbourhood, he decided on the watercooler because it showed the most promise.

Jonathan hopes to continue his work in social innovation, and he is undeterred by the complexities of re-designing an existing product from scratch. “Having no experience in wiring electronics and water pipes, I relied heavily on Google and YouTube to quickly pick up basic electronics and plumbing on my own”, he said.

Jonathan is actively seeking like-minded collaborators to accompany him on the journey of further refining the design and constructing prototypes of higher fidelity. He aims to place CoolerConnect in even more locations to realise his vision. Ultimately, he plans to apply similar principles to create a series of objects that could bring about a friendlier Singapore. “For instance, what if the simple act of collecting your mail can also become a moment of spontaneous friendly interaction with your neighbours?”

Established in 2022 by the NUS Office of the Deputy President (Research and Technology), the NUS Emerging Scientist Fellowship is a three-year programme aimed at attracting research fellows with less than six years of postdoctoral experience to work with, and move between, multiple institutes, faculties, and schools within NUS.

Recipients of the scheme are provided with benefits to kick-start their research careers. Such benefits include funds to support the recipients’ academic and research travel and publications.

Dr Tang Chi Sin

Dr Tang Chi Sin is a Research Fellow at the Singapore Synchrotron Light Source (SSLS), a university-level Research Centre at NUS.

Dr Tang’s research focuses on synchrotron-based techniques to study the fundamental properties of materials. By accelerating electrons within 99.999 per cent of the speed of light, we can produce electromagnetic radiation over a broad spectral range and utilise it for research in many scientific disciplines ranging from nanotechnology to pharmaceuticals, catalytic materials to biological imaging.

Studying a material’s fundamental properties, such as superconductivity, could shed light on certain questions like how electrons behave in two-dimensional materials.

In a recent study, Dr Tang and his team discovered insights into the new Kagome superconductor, CsV₃Sb₅. Superconductors are materials that can conduct electricity without any resistance and they typically occur at very low temperatures. Apart from the unique superconductive properties, the exquisite atomic arrangements into a basket weaving pattern known as the Kagome superconductor has added artistic elegance to the scientific investigation on the origin of the superconductive properties in this system.

By unravelling how the constituent atomic components in the Kagome lattice interact and distort the structure to form periodic patterns (charge density waves) at low temperatures, these findings could provide important clues on how the patterned lattice and charged particles interact at the atomic level. This in turn could reveal the mystery as to how superconductivity is induced not just in Kagome superconductors, but also other types of high-temperature superconducting systems. The findings were published in Advanced Materials.

On receiving the Fellowship Dr Tang said, “The Fellowship allows for greater collaboration and it gives me a greater latitude to study fundamental properties of quantum systems and how we could possibly translate them into applications related to next-generation electronic systems, computing devices and even highly-efficient clean energy applications.”

Dr Tang is also particularly interested in scientific communication, stemming from his previous days as a teacher.

“Scientific communication plays a key role in letting the public understand what we are doing. In the case of the synchrotron, it is the ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of scientific research and both the scientific community and the community at large must understand that it is a vital scientific tool that propels Singapore forward as a multi-disciplinary research ecosystem,” he said.

Dr Nicholas Yap

Dr Nicholas Yap is a Research Fellow at the St John's Island National Marine Laboratory, which is managed by the NUS Tropical Marine Science Institute (TMSI).

Dr Yap’s primary research is focused on the taxonomy and systematics of sea anemones and jellyfish, in which the identities of these enigmatic animals are notoriously difficult to ascertain positively.

Without knowing their identities, our understanding of the distribution, prevalence and ecology of these animals in Singapore and the neighbouring regions remain poor. Looking to rectify this, Dr Yap is undertaking efforts to put missing faces to known species names, and vice-versa, in the region.

In one recent publication, Dr Yap led a team to clarify the identity of a sea anemone that, for more than half a century, was known as two different species. They examined morphological, historical, and molecular evidence gathered from over 150 specimens that was collected across the Indo-West Pacific, from Egypt to Australia. It was revealed that the reason it was thought to be two different species was a result of the way it reproduced asexually. Providing an accurate delimitation of this species’ identity will pave the way for future, robust ecological studies. The findings were published in Contributions to Zoology.

Presently, he is part of an ongoing study that investigates the impact of climate change on tropical jellyfish blooms. With the number of rising incidents involving humans being stung by jellyfish, especially in local waters, findings from this project will be useful to formulate strategies to mitigate such events.

Dr Yap is pleased to be awarded the NUS Emerging Scientist Fellowship. “It is certainly exciting, and I am also grateful to be part of this pioneer batch. I think that this fellowship provides an essential scaffold to kick-start, and aid in developing the professional pathways of early career researchers like myself,” he said.

Funding from the NUS Emerging Scientist Fellowship will support Dr Yap’s research at NUS and abroad, and at the same time, present new opportunities to build collaboration.

Dr Zeng Yiwen

Dr Zeng Yiwen holds a joint appointment as a Research Assistant Professor at the NUS TMSI and Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions (CNCS).

“It is an enormous honour to be part of the pioneer batch that is awarded the NUS Emerging Scientist Fellowship. I feel incredibly thankful and appreciative that I have been given this chance to further my research on forest conservation within Southeast Asia with this award. Awards like this are especially important to early career researchers like myself because it gives us the opportunity to continue exploring exciting research frontiers and make an impact,” he said.

A spatial-ecological modeller, Dr Zeng is focused on finding ways to scale up conservation efforts across Southeast Asia, that are both socially responsible and ecologically sound. His goal is to develop research that can directly inform and shape conservation and sustainability policies.

Southeast Asia’s forests are some of the most biodiverse habitats in the world. They store large amounts of carbon in their aboveground biomass, however, they also experience high rates of deforestation. Finding better ways to protect these forests will have huge implications not only for biodiversity conservation, but also our ability to combat climate change. Dr Zeng’s work aims to better understand how land-use management and conservation policy decisions can impact species and ecological processes.

A big part of this is through the reduction of barriers to implement nature-based carbon projects, which can be achieved by improving maps of forest carbon stocks in the region. Additionally, understanding how various forest management strategies can lead to differing biodiversity conservation outcomes is also important.

Recently Dr Zeng led a study on the potential and limits of carbon markets in supporting the conservation and protection of mangrove forests around the world. His research found that approximately 20 per cent of the world’s mangrove forests can be protected by funding through carbon financing. This work was published in Current Biology. 

For more information on the NUS Emerging Scientist Fellowship, please contact dprbox46@nus.edu.sg

Unfortunately, few would consider biodiversity conservation important or necessary within urbanised and densely populated cities such as Singapore. But even in cities, species’ biodiversity significantly impacts and benefits our lives, and understanding how urbanisation affects their populations can allow us to conserve them better.

To increase the understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues, the United Nations declared 22 May of each year “The International Day for Biological Diversity”. This year’s theme is “From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity”, to draw attention to the urgency of what must be done to restore biodiversity loss.

To commemorate this year’s International Day for Biological Diversity, NUS News highlights three of NUS’ champions of biodiversity conservation who are fighting the good fight to prevent biodiversity loss through research and education.

Education: The gateway for biodiversity conservation

Dr Amy Choong, Senior Lecturer from the NUS Department of Biological Sciences under the Faculty of Science, is a passionate educator and fungi-enthusiast. She believes that education is essential for sustaining and conserving the biodiversity of Singapore’s plant and fungi species.

“To understand how highly dependent we are on plants and fungi, we just have to dig a little deeper and think about where our food is coming from,” said Dr Choong, as she explained our heavy reliance on plants and fungi - from the food we eat to even the development of modern-day medicines such as cyclosporin, an immunosuppressant drug used to prevent organ rejection in people who have undergone organ transplant, and statin, a common cholesterol-lowering drug which are made from fungi sources.

She shared how it is vital to “look back at the fundamentals” to understand how each component of nature is essential to support all living things.

Trees, for example, provide oxygen to breathe, a cool spot for respite, and a soothing view to rest our tired eyes. Within each tree is an ecosystem where various flora, fauna, and fungi can thrive. Every part, from the trunk to the leaves to the roots, plays an essential role in supporting the survival of these organisms.

The mycorrhizal fungi are one such organism that demonstrates the need for biodiversity due to its symbiotic relationship with trees. Fungal mycelium – root-like structures – absorb nutrients from trees, and at the same time, trees depend on such fungi for essential minerals and bioactive compounds that are important for protection from pathogens and pests.

 Dr Choong explained that despite our dependence on plants and fungi, the global trend of “plant and fungi blindness” – an apathy towards plants and fungi in everyday life – is a growing issue resulting from the lack of awareness and exposure to plant and fungi biodiversity.

In Dr Choong’s recent publication, “Education on plants and fungi in Singapore: An urgent call”, she emphasised the importance of teaching the value of botany and mycology to students, starting from the preschool level, to potentially encourage students to take up courses in botany and mycology when they reach tertiary education.

It is then through education can the knowledge of botanical and mycological skills be passed down for future generations to be equipped with the skills to take up jobs in management, conservation, and restoration of biodiversity in Singapore.

To boost the learning opportunities in botany topics for undergraduate students at NUS, the Department of Biological Sciences and the National Parks Board will be launching a new Botany Minor in August 2023. Dr Choong will coordinate the programme at NUS and teach some courses, such as Tropical Horticulture.

“I hope to inspire my students through my classes on Singapore’s biodiversity, then they can take the knowledge about botany and mycology to make a change when they enter the workforce,” said Dr Choong.

Impact of human activities and climate change on marine biodiversity

Associate Professor Huang Danwei, who is from the NUS Department of Biological Sciences and the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, dives deep together with his team from the Reef Ecology Lab to study how interactions between climate change and urbanisation pressure, such as land reclamation and coastal degradation, can cause a decline in marine biodiversity in natural ecosystems.

“Our work focuses on predicting the changes in specific species and their diversity as climate change intensifies with differing levels of human-caused habitat loss due to land reclamation and coastal degradation,” said Assoc Prof Huang.

Additionally, he and his team develop and test methods to monitor species and habitats efficiently by using autonomous monitoring devices, and by analysing environmental DNA, that is, trace DNA released from organisms into the environment.

Assoc Prof Huang’s research is primarily on coral reefs “mainly because they are undergoing severe declines worldwide due to climate change”. In a recent study published in Climate Change Ecology, his team found that rising sea levels can potentially result in the loss of coral reefs and the species that live on and around them.

He added that it is essential to conserve biodiversity even in urbanised cities like Singapore because of the natural connectedness of ecosystems across national boundaries.

“It is common to consider conservation as protecting species or habitats. However, protecting the corridors of animal and plant dispersal is also critical,” he said, explaining that the interconnectedness of ecosystems is most overlooked in biodiversity conservation.

Assoc Prof Huang used an example of the waters off Singapore which connects the South China Sea with the Strait of Malacca and the broader Indian Ocean. “When disturbances to any of the habitats in these regions occur, Singapore's habitats may serve as refuges and stepping stones where populations could recover and generate larvae to seed the impacted areas,” he explained.

Urbanisation and its effect on Singapore’s insect biodiversity

Assistant Professor Eunice Tan Jingmei from the NUS Department of Biological Sciences is an insect lover, and she is passionate about understanding the ecological interactions of insect species and their environment.

“I want to understand what insect biodiversity is in my neighbourhood and understand how, through research, the impact of urbanisation on Singapore’s insect biodiversity, so that we can better plan and manage of urban spaces to help conserve these insect species,” said Asst Prof Tan.

Up to 90 per cent of wildlife interact with insects in the ecosystem; globally, there has been a mass decline in insect populations, which can disrupt the food chains and result in a corresponding decrease in the populations of other organisms in the ecosystem.

“Much of conservation is focussed on large, charismatic animals, while most overlook the conservation of insects. However, insects are an integral part of the ecosystem for these animals,” said Asst Prof Tan.

Since December 2021, Asst Prof Tan and her team have been performing long-term sampling of spiders and insects on Sentosa Island to understand the biodiversity on the island and build a database. The team set out on this ecological survey to understand biodiversity in urban spaces with human activity.

“We sampled the insects and spiders to get an idea of their abundance and diversity of species present in Sentosa Island to build a database. We can then use this database to identify what factors are affecting their populations, and consider these factors in the management, conservation, and planning of urban spaces to help protect these species,” said Asst Prof Tan.

Asst Prof Tan and her team are working on a separate project to understand the effect of artificial light at night (ALAN) on the biology and ecology of insects. Through observations of the mating behaviours of the stick insect, Marmessoidea rosea, the researchers found that these stick insects mate more frequently in the absence of ALAN. This study will help us understand how ALAN can affect insect mating behaviour and, ultimately, their populations.

Research can only bring biodiversity conservation so far if more is done to apply the evidence. Therefore, research and education are needed to help raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity and encourage everyone to prioritise species conservation in our actions and planning.

The Nature Awards for Mentoring in Science is rotated annually amongst different countries. The 2022 edition marks the first time that the Awards was hosted by Singapore – or a Southeast Asian nation – since it was first introduced in 2005.

Editor-in-Chief of Nature and chair of the judging panel, Dr Magdalena Skipper, said, “The Nature Award for Mentoring in Science recognises those mentors who dedicate their time to supporting and enhancing the careers of young researchers. This is an opportunity for mentors to play an integral part in the professional development of their mentees – adding support and experience to knowledge. I am delighted that through this award we can recognise the importance of those that are empowering researchers in the early stages of their careers and the value this adds in both the short and long term to the whole research community.”

Leaving a positive legacy

Lifetime Achievement Award: Professor Lim Chwee Teck

Prof Lim's indefatigable support for his students and peers was evident in the profusion of comments he received on LinkedIn when he shared the good news of his award on 11 May 2023. 

Professor Terence Ow, a former classmate and now a Professor in Information Systems at Marquette University in Wisconsin, US, described Prof Lim as "the same person I met when we were students at NJC. Humble and intelligent human being. Full of good ideas." He wrote that without Prof Lim's coaching and guidance, he would not have "passed his exam in Computer Science and make it to university".

Prof Lim’s commitment to the growth and development of those around him is a recurring theme in his decades-long journey as a researcher and educator. To date, he has mentored more than 30 Masters and 50 PhD students, as well as 20 postdoctoral fellows. “Serving as a mentor to others is itself a gratifying experience that provides opportunities to make a difference and positive impact on someone’s life,” Prof Lim reminisced.  

When asked to highlight a few of his more prolific mentees, he felt that all his mentees have been prolific and successful in their own ways. For example, some have become academic members in universities around the world, some are corporate executives and a number are even entrepreneurs starting up their own companies.

The judging panel for the Nature Awards noted that apart from his holistic approach and embracing of diversity as well as his outstanding support during the peak of COVID infections and restrictions, Prof Lim's focus on entrepreneurial and tech-transfer mentorship also stood out as a key form of support for his mentees. A serial entrepreneur, Prof Lim has co-founded six startup companies which commercialised technologies developed in his lab. This prolific researcher and inventor from the Department of Biomedical Engineering under the NUS College of Design and Engineering as well as the Mechanobiology Institute at NUS has also received more than 120 awards and honours together with his team.

As the Director of the NUS Institute for Health Innovation & Technology (iHealthtech), which aims to develop healthcare solutions and technologies and bring them from bench to bedside, Prof Lim understands the need for translational research – iHealthtech has incubated and spun off five start-ups to date.

Dr Ramesh Ramji, who received a PhD in Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering from NUS in 2012, and is currently a co-founder of a biotech start-up based in California, said that Prof Lim had always “been an inspiration for translational science”.

And the importance of finding the right mentors cannot be overstated. Prof Lim encourages early career researchers to seek out those "who will not only provide guidance or impart knowledge, but also is an inspiring role model, pillar of support and advocate for the mentee so that they can achieve their full potential."

Prof Lim also acknowledged the University’s role in fostering the right environment for both students and educators. “My sincere gratitude to NUS for all the support given so that I can better mentor our next generation of researchers, engineers and entrepreneurs.”

For those looking to mentor others, Prof Lim observed that “we can do this not only by offering guidance, support and encouragement, but also building relationships based on trust, respect and mutual learning that can last a lifetime. In fact, many of my mentees and their family members have become my lifelong friends."

"In the end, it’s about leaving a positive legacy." 

Building life-affirming relationships

Mid-career Award: Professor Koh Woon Puay

Prof Koh understands the importance of resilience and the socio-cultural factors that allow us to live longer and healthier lives.

Earlier this year, the senior scientist in the Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, together with her team, discovered that better psychological adaptation to declining health may offset the impact of ageing. The study found that elderly Singaporeans who were defined as ‘frail but resilient’ had a significantly lower mortality risk than who were ‘frail and dejected’. In other words, those with poor physical health but reported high levels of happiness with life and social engagements lived longer than those who didn’t.

These lessons are also woven into Prof Koh’s approach to mentorship, which centres on building authentic and mutually-affirming relationships with those around her. “Solving problems together with them teach me to make new discoveries and create innovative ideas; encouraging them to overcome failures reinforce resilience in me; celebrating their success with them, in turn, gives me joy beyond my own success; and being able to develop personal and authentic relationship with them gives me a deeper appreciation for friendship and enriches my own life.”

“A mentor for life” is how those who nominated Prof Koh described her. The judges were impressed by her caring, constructive and candid style of mentoring. Her focus on the importance of collaborations as well as women in scientific leadership stood out as two highlights of her mentoring approach.

Prof Koh, who holds a concurrent appointment with the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, draws inspiration from the grit and resilience demonstrated by her students, some of whom faced considerable constraints and challenges while pursuing their studies. She shared that “a few had to juggle first-time motherhood and research work” while the clinician-scientists that she mentors “pursued their challenging research endeavours with unwavering commitment, despite facing limited resources in time and support”.

As a society, we are often socialised to talk about our successes, but Prof Koh believes that our struggles and setbacks can be instructive too. “I strive to help my mentees develop attributes such as resilience, humility and integrity, as well as professional skills such as collaboration, leadership and team-building. I share my life experiences and lessons with my mentees with the intent of saving them from hardknocks and blindspots in their paths.”

Prof Koh credits the University for fostering a rigorous yet supportive environment that served as a catalyst for her personal and professional development. "NUS is the place where I have met several mentors who have influenced and taught me what it really means to be a mentor.”

She added that she is a better mentor today because of her own mentors – Emeritus Professor Lee Hin Peng (NUS) and Professor Mimi Yu (USA). “They shaped my academic path and imbued in me their compasses and value systems which have helped me through my own challenges. They are models I take after, even as I carve out my own mentoring styles for my mentees now. I hope that I am able to positively influence my mentees to bring out the best in them, just as my mentors have done for me.”

Broadening the definition of success

Mid-career Award: Professor Tai E Shyong

Prof Tai, who is from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at NUS, has a healthy regard for failure. In the dual pressure-cooker environment of Singapore and academia, Prof Tai regularly reminds others that "they need to measure their lives 'as a whole', and not... through the narrow lens of success as defined by their current job."

Applying this principle to himself as well as those whom he mentored, Prof Tai is not worried that those who learn under him would surpass him one day. “I have no fear that those I mentor will become better than I am at my job, or even end up as my boss (as has already happened) because that is not how I measure my own life. In fact, I see their success as a measure of my own success,” he said.

The judges for the Nature Awards were impressed by Prof Tai’s tailor-made approach to each mentoring opportunity which leverages their unique skill sets that complement those of others. His style, they’ve noted, focuses on creating an environment that enables others to thrive and providing encouragement to stretch his mentees’ abilities.

Dr Khoo Chin Meng can attest to this. The Senior Consultant Endocrinologist from the National University Hospital describes how Prof Tai's gentle counsel was instrumental in reframing how he handled the detours, curveballs and roadblocks that marked his journey as a clinician-scientist.

"There have been failures in my research career, but E Shyong’s mentorship transformed how I look at each of them. I changed the direction of my PhD project in the middle of my graduate studies and re-started my research direction in nutrition and food science. I have learned to look at these events as not an end but an opportunity to learn to do things differently from the rest."

The image of a lone scientist labouring in the dimly lit lab is an outdated one. Prof Tai understands the value of communication and collaboration, and encourages those he mentors to deepen their engagement with the wider community, to develop the skills "that will allow them to understand others around them, build their own network, and influence others".

"In today’s world, some of the most impactful science is not done in an individual lab, but through large consortia, and these skills are a key part of success," said Prof Tai.

As a mentor, Prof Tai does not attempt to make anyone in his own image. "I see it as my role to ask the questions that will allow them (and me) to understand what drives them, and what they hope to achieve in life. Only then can I offer advice to help them achieve these goals," he recounted.

It is not a coincidence that all three recipients of the Nature Awards for Mentoring in Science are from the University. Prof Tai believes "that NUS provides us with the environment where we have access to some of the brightest minds in the world, and gives us the time and space to help them develop to their full potential."

The highly-regarded endocrinologist and scientist also encourages those he had mentored to be equally generous of their own time and resources in mentoring others. “As we progress in our own careers, the legacy we leave is often not in the science, but in the quality of individuals who follow (and overtake) us,” he said.

The goal of the IDM is to highlight the value of mathematics and mathematics education in scientific research and in everyday life. This year, the IDM seeks to do so through its theme, Mathematics for Everyone, which is meant to prove that mathematics isn’t an arcane body of knowledge accessible only to geniuses and people adept at arithmetic.

For IDM this year, the National University of Singapore (NUS) is spotlighting three of its eminent academics. From information theory to group testing and fluid dynamics, these scholars are proving that mathematics is not merely an abstract field of study but is a diverse area with a wide variety of potential applications.

Associate Professor Vincent Tan: Discovering the elegance of mathematics

As a kid, Assoc Prof Vincent Tan gravitated toward puzzles that, though challenging, had particularly elegant solutions. He couldn’t have known it at the time, but this eye for elegance would be a major driving force behind his career.

In school, Assoc Prof Tan’s excellent track record in mathematics and science won him a scholarship to study engineering at Cambridge University. In his third year, taken by the “elegance of the algorithms and theorems in signal processing”, he decided to specialise in electrical engineering as it was “the most mathematical of the engineering disciplines”. He went on to pursue a PhD degree in electrical engineering and computer science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

He returned to Singapore to do part of his post-doctoral training at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and later took on a tenure-track position as an Assistant and then Associate Professor at the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at NUS. Along the way, however, his passion for elegance would bring him to one of his biggest career moments.

All forms of electronic and wireless communication occur over channels that are inherently noisy and, as a result, have fundamental limits on the amount of information that they can transmit. In 1948, American mathematician Claude Shannon defined this maximum amount of information—known as the capacity—which has since served as a theoretical target for research groups to strive for.

 “While elegant, Shannon’s channel capacity is a so-called asymptotic notion,” Assoc Prof Tan explained, adding that very long codes are needed to achieve it, which can be highly impractical in real-world settings.

With fellow ECE Associate Professor Marco Tomamichel, Assoc Prof Tan significantly extended Shannon’s theory to “provide a more refined benchmark for communication engineers and code designers”. Their work has already served as a benchmark for new families of codes and could lead to better communications technologies in the future.

As with elegance, this drive for applicability also underpins much of Assoc Prof Tan’s career. “Most, if not all, of my work is theoretical and mathematical in nature,” he said. However, his research questions almost always stem from real-world needs and potential applications.

 Mathematics, after all, is the foundation on which the applied sciences are built on. Citing ChatGPT as an example, he elaborated, “The inner workings of ChatGPT is machine learning, and specifically generative models. The amount of mathematics that goes into designing such a complex model that can give us such high-quality text is simply mind-boggling!”

In fact, mathematics is also responsible for safeguarding our transactions when we use our credit cards. They rely on secure data transmission enabled by “the practical difficulty of factoring a large number into prime numbers,” Assoc Prof Tan explained.  

“Thus, an area as esoteric as number theory has immense practical applications,” he said. “Mathematics is all around us.”

Associate Professor Yao Yao: Aiming for applicability

The inclination towards practical applications is also an important driving force behind the career of Assoc Prof Yao Yao from the NUS Department of Mathematics.

Since young, she had always enjoyed mathematics puzzles, which made mathematics an easy choice for her undergraduate programme.

Getting through university, however, was not as simple. “I actually struggled with it during my undergraduate years,” Assoc Prof Yao said. “Abstract algebra was difficult for me, but analysis is more natural to me since one can visualise things to gain intuitions.”

This factored in her decision to pursue partial differential equations (PDE) research, a branch of mathematics that lends itself to applications in physics and other sciences.

At first, Assoc Prof Yao found the area a bit too technical. After she had spent time familiarising herself with the field’s central equations, she started seeing the central ideas behind the technical details.

“Whenever I finally connect the dots to see the big picture – these are the moments that bring me great joy and sustain my drive,” she said, and in chasing these professional highs, Assoc Prof Yao arrived at one of her most pivotal career moments to date.

While fluids are very common in nature, their movement and dynamics remain as some of mathematics’ most complex and enigmatic phenomena. Pinning down fluid mechanics equations are so difficult that some questions have remained unanswered for centuries.

Together with collaborators, Assoc Prof Yao was able to devise various mathematical techniques to study fluid equations. Though still hypothetical, her work could deepen the understanding of how fluids move at small scales, and help other research groups advance their own analyses.

“These findings may have applications in developing more accurate numerical simulations and understanding the behaviour of real-world fluids,” she said.   

Aside from her research work, Assoc Prof Yao’s drive to anchor mathematics in concrete, practical scenarios also shape much of her teaching. In her classrooms, she grabs her students’ interest by relating the course material to real-life examples and problems. She uses playground swings, for instance, to make forced vibration in differential equations more relatable.

“I personally find these examples a lot of fun, and I hope my students enjoy them as much as I do,” she said.

Assistant Professor Jonathan Scarlett: Bridging theory and application

Like Assoc Prof Tan and Assoc Prof Yao, Asst Prof Jonathan Scarlett, who has appointments in the Department of Computer Science, Department of Mathematics and Institute of Data Science at NUS, was captivated by the elegance of mathematical theory and the breadth of its applicability.

Mathematics was also an early academic favourite for Asst Prof Scarlett, as he had always been more comfortable with “logical and rigorous” areas of study, as opposed to those that were more subjective. Later, in university, he was drawn to the field of information theory “because it gave a unique combination of being very mathematically elegant and also very practically useful.”

Eventually, however, Asst Prof Scarlett found himself in the field of data science. One of the reasons that the field appealed to him is that its inspirations and rationales for research are often grounded in real and practical problems. “There can of course still be quite sizeable gaps between theory and practice, but at least in terms of motivation, things have usually been concrete right from the start,” he said.

One of his topics of primary interest is group testing, which has proven valuable for maximising the efficiency of public health testing strategies in earlier decades and also in recent years, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The idea is to pool the samples of individuals together and test the entire combined sample using just a single test,” Asst Prof Scarlett explained. “If the test is negative, then we can classify all of the pooled individuals as being healthy. If the test is positive, then additional testing can be performed to resolve the remaining uncertainty.”

During the early days of the pandemic, countries like the US, China and India employed group testing because this approach could help get the most out of the limited resources available.

For his work in group testing, Asst Prof Scarlett was recognised in the 2021 MIT Technology Review Innovators Under 35 Asia Pacific List.

Moving forward, he hopes to continue bridging the most important gaps in group testing theory and practice by focusing on its more practical aspects, such as testing constraints and application-specific prior knowledge. On a grander scale, however, Asst Prof Scarlett wants his work to shape the field of data science at large.

“I hope to strengthen ties between the mathematical foundations and practical developments of problems in data science. I believe that information theory has a lot of potential to benefit these areas in the same way that it originally impacted communication,” he said.

The ASEAN Biodiversity Hero Award recognises the work of individuals who have contributed significantly to biodiversity conservation in their respective countries. This is the second edition of the Award since it was first introduced at the 50th anniversary of ASEAN in 2017.

Prof Chou has made significant contributions to marine research and is the founder of the Reef Ecology Lab and the Tropical Marine Science Institute at NUS.

In an interview with The Straits Times, Prof Chou recounted how he used to go snorkelling with his friends and fellow students from the then University of Singapore. “The water was so clear we could see so many different things”. This was in the late 1960s.

This changed however, when intense urban development in subsequent decades resulted in increased sedimentation in Singapore’s waters which affected the health of coral reefs. Prof Chou reflected that there was a lack of containment measures to reduce the impact on marine wildlife for development projects at that time. However, with advocacy and research by conservationists, there are more protections in place regarding the landscape of coastal development.

While Prof Chou believes that Singapore’s move towards better valuing of nature is heartening, he does not think that the state’s relationship with nature ends there. “Our present strategies of mitigating damage to nature are the consequence of viewing nature as part of us... But I still believe that we can go one step further, of beginning to view ourselves as part of nature,” he said.

Read more about Prof Chou’s journey here.

Born in Sri Lanka and an intellectual heavyweight in the field of international law, Prof Anghie is only the second Asian to receive this prestigious accolade. The NUS Law professor joins the ranks of legal luminaries who have received the award such as Judge Stephen Breyer, former Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court; Sir Robert Jennings and Dame Rosalyn Higgins, former Presidents of the International Court of Justice; renowned transnational law academic Prof Philip C. Jessup; and pioneering human rights scholar Prof Louis Henkin.

Prof Anghie is a pioneering and leading authority on Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL) – an important field of scholarship which studies the inequalities of the international legal order. His work argues that the peoples of the Global South have been historically and systematically excluded from international law-making, resulting in ongoing inequality and justice.

A cornerstone of his research is his highly influential book “Imperialism, Sovereignty, and the Making of International Law” which examines the relationship between colonialism and international law. His groundbreaking work has allowed younger generations of scholars to address the enduring legacies of colonialism and imperialism.

Prof Anghie said, “This is a very unexpected honour because my arguments were viewed as radical and challenging at the time I first made them. It was a struggle to get my book published. But I was fortunate to be able to take time over my scholarship.”

Congratulating Prof Anghie, NUS Law Dean and Professor of Law Andrew Simester said, “The Manley O. Hudson Award is a major honour, one that recognises Tony’s unwavering commitment and outstanding contribution to international law.”

“Tony is unquestionably one of the finest academics globally in his field…The American Society of International Law has honoured a lifetime of achievement, and NUS Law is very fortunate to have Tony as one of our colleagues,” Prof Simester added.

Based at NUS Law for the past six years, Prof Anghie has taught a variety of courses in the Public International Law curriculum, including “Current Problems in International Law”, “Developing States in a Changing World Order”, and “International Economic Law and Globalisation”. In addition, he is Head of the “Teaching and Researching International Law in Asia” Programme at the NUS Centre for International Law.

Prof Anghie practised law in Melbourne, Australia after qualifying as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria. He then earned his Doctor of Juridical Science degree from the Harvard Law School, where he was appointed Senior Fellow in its graduate programme. He still teaches at the S.J. Quinney School of Law, University of Utah, where he previously served as the Samuel D. Thurman Professor of Law, and he was also a visiting professor at distinguished schools including Cornell Law School, the London School of Economics and Harvard Law School.

The law academic’s most recent published work is an essay on the concept of “security” in international law titled “Introduction to the Symposium on J. Benton Heath, “Making Sense of Security” published in the American Journal of International Law. Prof Anghie is now working on the history of the rights of aliens − which explores how developments in that field are related to the emergence of international human rights law.

Click here for the full ASIL Honors committee report and citation for Prof Anghie.