Our PESS Faculty
Asst Prof Zheng Jinming （郑锦明）
National Institute of Education jinming.zheng@nie.edu.sgJinming's research interests reside in Olympic and elite sport success-related studies, with primacy given to qualitative methods-focused strategic management (e.g., nations' priority sport selection/evolution and the establishment and maintenance/vi ...
Appointments:
Assistant Professor, National Institute of Education - Physical Education & Sports Science
Keywords: Business and Management
Dr Lee Kok Sonk
Designation: Teaching Fellow
Email : koksonk.lee@nie.edu.sg
Dr Lee Kok Sonk is a Senior Teaching Fellow in the Physical Education and Sports Science (PESS) Department at the National Institute of Education (NIE), Nanyang Technological University (NTU). He received his PhD in Human Movement Studies from the University of Queensland, Australia. His research interests include Talent Identification and Development in Sport, Physical Activity and Health, and Sports Test Development.
Prior to this, he was a school leader in two primary schools and held the appointment as Head and Senior Specialist in Talent Development, in MOE HQ. He has also published 10 papers in various peer-reviewed journals and presented more than 30 International and local conferences. On 9 August 2023, he was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Bronze) by the President of the Republic of Singapore for his dedication and commitment toward furthering the cause of education in Singapore.
Mr Ho J Yen Louis
Designation: Teaching Fellow
Email: louis.ho@nie.edu.sg
Louis has about 18 years of experience teaching Physical Education (PE) at both Junior College and Secondary School levels. He also teaches O Level Exercise Sports Science (formerly O Level PE) in Secondary School.
With a diverse background, Louis has successfully held leadership roles, including his most recent appointment as Head of Department for PE/CCA, where he played an essential role in utilizing Sports and Outdoor Adventure to nurture character development as part of the school's distinctive programme in learning for life (LLP), titled Building Character through Sports and Outdoor adventure.
Louis' interest in Physical Education and Sports science led him to be actively involved in the Singapore Physical Education Association, where he has served as a committee member since 2018. Currently, he serves as the editor of the SPEA newsletter, a platform he envisions as a safe space for sharing insights and best practices in PE, Sports, and Outdoor Adventure.
Committed to continuous improvement, Louis actively engages in professional development, frequently participating in workshops and conferences and contributing to courses for Physical Education Sports Teacher Association. His belief in the value of sharing and serving the PE fraternity is reflected in his involvement in action research projects, presentations at workshops and various international conferences.
Louis' interests are PE pedagogy, curriculum design, assessment literacy, and affective learning. He welcomes collaboration in assessment, feedback literacy, game-based pedagogy, and affective learning. Contact louis.ho@nie.edu.sg to explore research opportunities or contribute to the PE fraternity in other ways.
Dr Saravana Pillai s/o Arjunan
Designation: Teaching Fellow
Email: saravana.pillai@nie.edu.sg
Dr. A. Saravana Pillai is an educator with over 25 years of experience in Physical Education and Sports Science. He has served in the Ministry of Education (MOE) in various capacities, including Teacher, Head of Department (HOD), Curriculum Specialist and Subject Head.
With extensive experience teaching and coaching students across Primary, Secondary, and Junior College levels, he is committed to nurturing 21st-century competencies and values through sports and play, fostering both recreational and competitive engagement.
Academically, Dr. A Saravana Pillai holds a PhD in Exercise Physiology from Loughborough University, United Kingdom. His pioneering research explored the effects of exercise on cardiovascular disease, comparing South Asians versus White Europeans.
Beyond his tenure in MOE schools and headquarters, he also contributed as a Teaching Fellow at the Physical Education and Sports Science department at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, from December 2012 to December 2017.
Mr Zaid Bin Rasid
Designation: Teaching Fellow
Email: zaid.rasid@nie.edu.sg
With a robust commitment to knowledge sharing and mentorship, Zaid is dedicated to fostering meaningful experiences within the academic community. As a Teaching Fellow, he drives self-motivated and engaging sessions, imparting valuable insights to peers, interns, and students. Drawing on his nine-year tenure as the Head of Department (HOD) for PE, CCA, and Aesthetics, he exemplify a Servant Leadership style in leading diverse teams.
With 25 years of experience in the teaching profession, education is an intrinsic aspect of his career. Holding a Masters in Sports Science for Physical Education, he is particularly passionate about Strength Training and collaborate actively to promote its principles.
Zaid’s research endeavors focus on values education in PE, Non-linear pedagogy (NLP), leveraging ICT for enhanced student performance (Blended Learning), Youth Health, and the Games Concept Approach. Zaid thrives on contributing to the advancement of education through innovative methodologies and a commitment to excellence.
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Mr Harrie Desianto Bin Mohamed Hussien
Designation: Teaching Fellow
Email: harrie.hussien@nie.edu.sg
Harrie has about 20 years of experience teaching PE across Primary & Secondary Schools, and Junior College level. Before joining PESS, NIE he was the school’s key personnel for PE in a Junior College and Primary school. His experience includes teaching of PE, Sports & Games to diverse background of learners. With a passion in integrating technology into teaching methodologies, he seeks to create engaging and innovative lessons that resonate with diverse learning styles.
A rugby and football player in his youth, his interest is in the transformative power of PE & Sports in fostering positive character traits, where holistic student development extends beyond the curriculum. Obtaining PGDE & Master of Education (Developmental Psychology) in NIE, he believes in sharing and having professional conversations that propel the teachers’ competencies in delivering authentic teaching and learning experiences.
With Harrie’s interest in PE Pedagogy, curriculum design, Psychology in Sports and Physical Activities and Youth Health, he welcomes any collaboration work and research opportunities in supporting the growth of the education fraternity in developing active & healthy future-ready learners. Kindly contact harrie.hussien@nie.edu.sg for any research and potential collaborative work.
Dr Yap Heng Yeow
Designation: Teaching Fellow
Email: hengyeow.yap@nie.edu.sg
Heng Yeow received his BBA from NUS and MBA from the University of Leicester. In addition, he completed his Diploma in PE, PGDE, Master of Education and Doctor in Education in NIE.
Research interest: Learning and Motivation, Programme Evaluation
Mr Darron Goh
Designation : Teaching Fellow
Email : darron.goh@nie.edu.sg
Darron is a trained Physical Education (PE) teacher with more than 15 years of experience in the field. Over the years, he has also taken on various leadership and mentoring roles in the different organisations he has been with. His stint at MOE HQ saw him extensively involved in the PE curriculum, Sports Education, and the National School Games among others. Darron was also previously a basketball teacher-coach in his early years as an educator, leading the school to outstanding achievements during his time there. He has vast experience driving the curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment in PE as well as Co-Curricular Activities and Aesthetics. He has actively spearheaded various cluster level PE professional development initiatives and was also involved at various stages in the development of the latest PE curriculum.
Darron first graduated with a Diploma in Physical Education from Physical Education and Sports Science (PESS). After crossing over to the degree programme, he graduated with a first-class honors degree in the Bachelor of Science (Education), and received four awards, including the Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal. Darron’s passion in curriculum and teaching led him to take a sabbatical to pursue his Master of Education (Curriculum and Teaching). Darron’s interests are also in the areas of Authentic Assessment, the Self-determination Theory of Motivation, the professional development of teachers as well as Teaching and Learning in PE. He welcomes collaboration in any of the areas mentioned above and do feel free to contact him at darron.goh@nie.edu.sg.
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Mr Soon Woo Sin
Designation: Senior Teaching Fellow
Email: woosin.soon@nie.edu.sg
Woo Sin is a Senior Teaching Fellow with extensive experience in Physical Education (PE), teacher education, and curriculum leadership. He obtained a Diploma in Physical Education with Distinction in practicum in 1991 and later earned an MSc in Exercise & Sport Studies from Nanyang Technological University in 2010.
He has held key leadership appointments as Head of Department (PE/CCA) and Vice-Principal at several primary schools. In these roles, he led curriculum development, staff professional learning, and cluster-level collaboration, and contributed at the national level as Advisor to the Cluster PE Collaboration Group and as a Steering Committee Member of the East Zone Centre of Excellence for Sports. At the national level, Woo Sin played a significant role in advancing gymnastics education as National Convenor for the National Inter-Schools Gymnastics Championships (1997–2001) and as an Artistic Gymnastics judge.
He was seconded to the National Institute of Education, Physical Education and Sports Science (NIE/PESS) from 2012 to 2018 and again from 2026, and served on the design team for the Physical Education Syllabus 2014. His sustained contributions to education and public service have been recognised through the SPEA Outstanding PE Teacher Award (1998) and multiple National Day Awards, including the National Day Commendation Medal (2012) and the Public Administration Medal (Bronze) (2020).
Dr Yang Yifan
Designation : Education Research Scientist
Email : yifan.yang@nie.edu.sg
Dr YANG Yifan is a faculty member (Research Scientist) at the Science of Learning in Education Centre, as well as the Physical Education and Sports Science Department at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University.
3. Evaluating nutritional ergogenic aids.
Dr Yang uses an integrative and multi-disciplinary approach in her research. Her expertise ranges from whole-body to cellular physiological measurements, including human skeletal muscle biopsies, gene expression, and stable isotope infusion. She welcomes inter- and multidisciplinary collaboration with other researchers, clinicians, and industry partners. Dr Yang has extensive human research experience and has worked with participants of varying ages from young adults to the elderly in both acute and long-term studies.