#StoriesBeyondScience

There’s much more to the school than just the Science that you learn at SBS. Inspire others with your sharing your stories and experiences at SBS! Write in to [email protected] if you would like to share your #StoriesBeyondScience. 

Last update: 13 October 2022

Chiu Wei Yeow, Emile, BS'22

"My experience in SBS is life changing as I meet people from different walks of life and interests. Met a few good friends who are still in contact till today and enjoyed the memories created along the way :)"

Currently:
Management Associate,
Enterprise Singapore

Phua Tze How, BSFST'22

"As one of the undergraduate students from the batch of 2018, I am glad that NTU SBS has implemented internships as a compulsory module for students to complete in order to graduate. This has allowed students to apply the academic knowledge to the real world job settings. Besides, SBS has many research-relevant modules that would allow students to learn how research works and adapt to environment in research laboratories, which would pave the way for students who would have the passion for research in life science. In addition to that, by joining Final Year Project (FYP), it provides a platform for me to apply all sorts of knowledge learnt during university to solve real life problem. FYP has indeed helped me to learn the nuances of research, and of course, it has also landed me in my current working position, which is research assistant in a pharmaceutical company."

Currently:
Research Assistant,
Chugai Pharmabody Research Pte Ltd

Mok Chin Yi, BMS'21

"My experience in SBS have been the best, learning from the experts in both Biomedical Sciences as well as TCM. Overseas exchange experiences have also broadened my view of the world, meeting people from all walks of life. University friends have also accompanied me on this journey, staying well beyond graduation. Thankful to everyone I’ve met, overseas or local, profs, mentors, and friends alike."

Currently:
Teaching Staff,
Singapore College of TCM

Kong Teck Chuan, BMS'19

"Despite the rigorous and jam-packed curriculum in SBS Biomed & TCM, overall I still enjoy my five years in NTU and Beijing, especially as we support one another along the journey. I cherish the memories and friendship forged, and the foundation plus exposure to Beijing’s Hospital (Integrative medicine of Western + TCM) has definitely helped me as a TCM physician today."

Currently:
TCM Physician,
Eu Yan Sang Integrative Health

Felicia Devina, BSFST'19

"After graduating from Singapore Polytechnic Diploma in Biomedical Science, I wanted to pursue Food Science & Technology for degree.

After knowing that NTU offered Biological Sciences with 2nd Major in Food Science & Tech, I signed up for it knowing it was a sweet blend of both specializations and the rest was history.

Throughout a series of internships, I realise my passion is to be in commercial line, but within healthcare and food industry.

My training in bio and food science have allowed me to understand sciences better in the areas of food and health, which led me to where I am today."

Currently:
APAC Marketing Specialist (Food & Nutrition),
Azelis

Tay Weili Vicki, BSA'17

"My experience in SBS was definitely a memorable and fulfilling one. I am always grateful for the fond friendships and learnings. Although I am not working in the science field now, but the soft skills and trainings I had as an undergraduate aided me to where I am today. As a researcher in the lab in my early days, it trained me to be detail-oriented and logical, always to reflect back what went right or wrong in the steps taken in each experiment. With multiple and varied project works, the experiences taught me the importance of teamwork and communication skills. Thank you SBS for all the great learnings!"

Currently:
Global Accounts Manager,
Tiktok, Global Accounts

Yvonne Lim Xinyi, BSA & MSc'16

"I was among the first batch to graduate from the Integrated Programme in BSc (Hon) and MSc (Res). This programme is research-intensive, comprising of a 3year accelerated BSc (Hons) programme with a one-year graduate research. I learnt a lot while participating in various research projects in SBS, and that was what led me to my research career today.

I like it that SBS really strives to provide multiple opportunities for students to grow and venture. I remembered a module that was taught together with lecturers from Duke NUS medical school (the NTU-Duke NUS premedical scholars' program). In this module, I explored literatures from multiple disciplines such as virus and cancers, and was immediately interested in the multidisciplinary perspectives that various professionals/experts can bring to solve research/medical questions. This was what led me to choose the Integrated Sciences and Engineering Programme in NUS for my PhD training.

Currently, I am in my postdoctoral training at University of Michigan, USA, where I use several cutting-edge techniques to solve cancers, today with professionals from pathology, AI, bioinformatics and public health. I would not have come to this point without my education at SBS."

Currently:
Postdoctoral Research Fellow,
University of Michigan

Fursham Hamid, BSA'12, PhD'16

"I first joined the School of Biological Sciences in 2009 as a young undergraduate student. I vividly remember the interesting lectures I attended and the thrill I had during practical sessions. The rigorous curriculum and numerous internship possibilities provided me with a strong foundation in molecular and cell biology, as well as the confidence to perform scientific research.

In 2012, I stayed on to pursue a PhD degree supported by the prestigious Nanyang President Graduate Scholarship program. I expanded my technical skills in experimental and computational biology and deepened my passion for biomedical research under the supervision of Dr Eugene Makeyev. The support I received from the SBS research community and the state-of-the-art core facilities were critical to my research success. I am also humbled by the teaching experiences gained and the friendships established as an academic tutor. These valuable skills in conducting basic research and experience in maintaining collaborative projects have served me well in my current position as a Research Fellow at King’s College London.

Looking back, I am deeply grateful to NTU SBS for the training I received in conducting high-quality scientific research and the friendships I formed along the way."

Currently:
Research Fellow (Data Analyst),
King's College London, Centre for Developmental Neurobiology

Choo Wen Rui, BMS'14

"The double degree programme allowed me to advance my interest in health, specifically in preventive care. While it was a demanding programme, the 'sacrifice' was definitely worthwhile. The twoyear stint in China was certainly an eyeopener and I really enjoyed the learning experience.

My experience in the programme solidified my aspiration to pursue a career in the health sector, and I am grateful to have a role in building a healthier Singapore (#HealthierSG). This is also a shout out to all to stay active and eat a sustainable healthy diet!"

Currently:
Masters of Medical Science (Nutrition Science) Student
Karolinska Institutet

Zun Pwint Aung, BS'14

"After obtaining the Diploma in Bioelectronics from Singapore Polytechnic, I wanted to pursue my passion in Biology studies. Unfortunately, NUS did not accept my diploma as a prerequisite. So, I came to NTU and it turned out to be a great experience.

NTU SBS faculty comprises highly qualified and diverse professors and my learning experiences from them landed me a summer internship and a final year project at A*STAR. Another reason I loved studying there was that the SBS building was modern and so beautiful. The labs were also fully equipped with high technologies and the teaching assistants were so helpful.

After graduation, I joined NTU SBS research lab (protein structural studies) as Project Officer where I was responsible for purchasing lab equipment and consumables. Talking and negotiating with the Sales Reps inspired me to join the business side of science. So, I moved to a family medical distribution company and then spearheaded building the new team in Myanmar. To gain international exposure, I joined OMRON Healthcare as a Sales Manager to develop home blood pressure monitoring in Myanmar.

My studies at NTU SBS led me to this path of bioentrepreneurship. My experiences from academic and professional work are part of UN Sustainable Development Goal #3 (Good Health & Wellbeing) and it enabled me to win the Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professional (SISGP). For the next two years (until 2024), I'll be studying MSc. Bioentrepreneurship at Karolinska Institutet (Stockholm) under the SISGP scholarship."

Currently:
Country Sales Manager,
Omron Healthcare Singapore Pte. Ltd., Myanmar Representative Office

Ang Koon Hwee, BMS'13

"The inspiration I've received from SBS and BUCM professors propels me to where I am today. Really appreciative of the effort put into this unique programme."

Currently:
Research Fellow,
Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology

Ignacio Asial, PhD '13

"My biotechnology company, DotBio, would never have gotten its start without NTU SBS. In 2009 I joined NTU SBS as a PhD student. It was thrilling for me to be part of this young university which was fast making its mark as one the top academic and research institutions in the world. It had gathered leading professors from Singapore and abroad and provided excellent teaching combined with cutting-edge science.

During that time, I expanded my scientific thinking and technical skills. It gave me room to carry out my own scientific projects under the supervision of two remarkable scientists, Dr. Tobias Cornvik and Prof. Pär Nordlund. Our hard work paid off with a publication in Nature Communications! I continued my post-doctoral research within the same laboratory, to further develop our discoveries towards translational research.

This also gave me the opportunity to gain valuable project management experience. When the technology we were working on was sufficiently mature, NTUitive, the commercialization arm of NTU, supported our efforts to patent it and further validate it with a translational “SPARK” grant. It also propelled us to start a company to bring the technology to market. Today DotBio is on track to securing more partnerships for our work in translating new antibody technologies towards cancer drug development, and bringing new superior therapies to patients.

From PhD student to founding a biotech company in 8 years – it has been a truly amazing experience!"

Currently:
Founder & CEO of DotBio,
Adjunct Asst Prof at NTU School of Biological Sciences

Liew Pei Ling Joanna, BMS'10

"The multidomain learning experience in our programme allows us to expose to clinical practises and also research works. With a 2years overseas placement in an integrated TCM hospital opened our eyes to how TCM and modern western medical can synergistically complement each other to provide the best clinical outcome for patients. The programme helps shape us to be more versatile preparing for the future."

Currently:
Senior Assistant Director, Healthcare
Perennial Holdings Pte Ltd

Ku Chee Wai, BSA'09

"I was from the NTU Class of 2009 when I graduated with an Accelerated BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences. I have always been passionate about medicine and science; and the idea of translational medicine and bringing discoveries from bench to bedside has always been my dream.

After my rejection from the NUS School of Medicine, one of the comments that I never forgot was that if I was truly passionate about science, perhaps I should pursue that first, and so I did, and I am very glad looking back in time now. Even though NTU School of Biological Sciences (SBS) was a very new school (I was their third batch of students), I had no doubt that this was where I wanted to be.

The curriculum was contemporary, and the faculty were doing cutting-edge research. I was fortunate enough to be given plenty of opportunities to explore research in the Undergraduate Research Experience on CAmpus (URECA) Program, working with A/Prof Andrew Tan Nguan Soon and Mr Tan Ming Jie. SBS has prepared me well for a career in medicine, and I graduated in Duke-NUS Medical School and started my residency with the SingHealth OBGYN Residency Programme. The scientific rigor, hypothesis generation and grant and manuscript writing skills that I have learnt more than 10 years ago has served me well as I pursue a Clinician Scientist Resident Residency Track, leading up to the PhD that I am pursuing currently.

I am grateful to my friends and mentors who helped me achieve my dream of doing translational medicine, many of whom are still active collaborators today, including Andrew and Ming Jie."

Currently:
Associate Consultant, Department of Reproductive Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital
Clinical Assistant Professor, Duke-NUS Medical School

Fairoz D'Cruz, BS'09

"It was a wonderful experience at SBS. At the time, I was offered to pursue both NUS's Life Science and NTU’s Biological Sciences degree courses. However, what attracted me to NTU was that we had our own personal Life Science building, unlike NUS, which shared the Chemistry and Med school faculties.

I could recall how happy I was about selecting NTU as my ultimate choice. Being a technological school, the course was already directed into more hands-on application-based learning. The highlight of the course was sincerely my Final-Year Project as I had the opportunity to tie up with Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) for a polymorphic genetics research study.

Although I am no longer in the research field, my experience has allowed me to pass the skills and knowledge I have learnt in the lab to international schools in Morocco, Germany, London and South Korea as I taught Biology and experimental technique skills for the American Advanced Placement (AP) Programme and the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculums.

I still genotyped and teach students how to create agar block: skills that I honed during my time as an undergraduate at NTU. Sadly, I am no longer a teacher but have moved up to become a School Administrator and yet, I am finding ways to encourage my students in Korea here to head over and take up either a degree or PhD program with NTU. I had good memories especially the amazing friends and eccentric yet talented Profs that I had. Thanks NTU!"

Currently:
Dean of Students,
Asia Pacific International School

Kang Congbao, PhD'07

"I was the first batch of PhD students in SBS in 2002. I was very lucky and honored to be a student under supervision of Professor Ho Sup Yoon. It made me feel excited and proud to see the rising of SBS building from the ground, the growth of the faculty team, admission of many graduate and undergraduate students and diversity of state-of-art equipment.

I had the fortune to work closely with my supervisor, professors, technicians and managers to set up labs, explore strategies and shape certain procedures. The close interaction and discussion with professors let me know the importance of patience, critical thinking, teamwork and careful planning in research. Being a teaching assistant was a special journey for me as well.

My study and research in SBS not only resulted in a Ph.D. degree in 2007 but also armed me with techniques related to experimental design, result analysis, writing a scientific paper and giving a fascinating presentation. In addition, the invaluable experience includes the positive attitude towards job assignment, responsibility, life, career, friends and family members.

The training in SBS transformed me from a student to a staff specified in structural biology and gave me passion to learn new things, which is indispensable for my current career. I deeply appreciate the profession training in research and teaching provided by SBS. I enjoyed my training in SBS and I am still working closely with professional colleagues at SBS."

Currently:
Head, Experimental Drug Development Centre,
A*STAR

Luo Dahai, BS'06, PhD'10

"Being one of the pioneer batch students with SBS, I vividly remember the close ties between faculty and students and among students. Professors and staff from the General Office are always there whenever I needed help and advice. My undergraduate time was full of fun. The graduate years trained me to be a young scientist who thinks critically, works hard, and dreams big. My passion for biomedical research and education grew stronger with the constant care and nurturing from the school. Since I joined LKCMedicine as a faculty, I have enjoyed the close connection with SBS on teaching and research collaborations! I look forward to being connected with SBS for many years to come."

Currently:
Assoc Prof & Provost's Chair in Medicine
Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine

Cherry Chia, BS'06, PhD'11

"NTU provided me with a strong foundation in biological sciences and a stepping stone to ignite my interest to become a successful scientist."

Currently:
Founder and CEO,
ErleaDx Pte Ltd