Year 2 Chemistry student Elliot KOK, who also minors in Life Sciences and Forensic Science, was keen on educational outreach even before joining NUS. Joining YES was a natural extension of his interest.

He taught a wide range of science concepts through fun and engaging activities to students from primary to tertiary levels. His teachings extended beyond chemistry to other science disciplines, ranging from the concepts of density and polarity in physics to graph theory in mathematics. Designing interactive activities in response to challenges in engaging students subsequently inspired him to build learning tools using Augmented Reality (AR) to better suit their needs.

Assoc Prof Victor TAN, Department of Mathematics, and Asst Prof KIM Jung Eun, Department of Food Science and Technology, received the Faculty’s Honour Roll Awards (2022) for a sustained record as excellent educators who make lasting impact on our students’ intellectual and personal growth.

Year 2 Data Science and Analytics student Daphne WONG has always been fascinated by design thinking as well as the intricacies of public policy and governance. This led her to select a Second Major in Innovation and Design (iDP), offered by NUS’ College of Design and Engineering, and a Minor in Community Development and Leadership, offered by NUS’ Chua Thian Poh Community Leadership Centre, respectively.  

Both spheres of knowledge, Daphne says, add value to her plans to pursue a career in data analytics. iDP deepened her understanding of innovation and the application of ‘outside the box’ thinking to problem-solving from multiple angles. She gained deeper comprehension of the impact of government policies on individuals and communities through her minor, which ignited a sense of purpose to make a positive impact in society.

Year 2 Environmental Studies (BES) student Regina LAI is an advocate of engaging in intellectual pursuits beyond her major to broaden her intellectual horizons.  

BES gives her a well-rounded view of environmental issues from both science and social science perspectives, while her Minor in Music and Society, offered by the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, allows her to explore her personal interest in classical music in an academic context. She hopes to discover more interconnections between the arts, society and the environment, perhaps eventually finding a way to merge her diverse interests.

Ryan SEOW, a Year 3 Chemistry student, discovered a newfound appreciation of organic chemistry after working on organometallic catalysis research alongside a team with largely different interests. In the process, he learned new laboratory techniques and how to think critically about the mechanisms and potential parameters for synthesis. He also honed his writing and presentation skills. 

Towards becoming a Head Mentor, he gained insights into course planning and development by working collaboratively with students, peers and faculty. This allows him to better structure courses and guide students. Mentorship, Ryan says, is an enriching experience where “I am an advisor, buddy and catalyst all at the same time!” 

Fatty acid esters of hydroxy-fatty acids (FAHFA) are a novel class of bioactive lipids with antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the regulation of FAHFA in humans is not well-understood.

Year 2 student Thaddeus CHEE, who reads Double Majors in Pharmaceutical Science and Life Sciences, investigated FAHFA hydrolysis activity, shedding light on how the malfunction of this process results in the loss of control of fatty acid levels, which leads to metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. His research could contribute to new therapeutic strategies for diabetic patients.  

Year 4 student SHI Yifan, who majors in Food Science and Technology and minors in Geosciences and Public Health, believes that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. She therefore decided to work with a National University Health System (NUHS) team on a mobile application (app) to encourage healthy lifestyles which reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

For her FYP, she conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of apps in modifying CVD risk factors. It is her hope that her research will help healthcare professionals and policymakers to make informed decisions on integrating early digital health interventions into clinical practice.

Year 2 student WEN Feiyang, who reads Double Majors in Statistics and Mathematics and Minors in Psychology and Computer Science, had the opportunity to investigate breast cancer under an internship at the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). Her work contributed to uncovering the association between deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation and breast cancer risk. This newfound knowledge has potential for refining breast cancer risk prediction models. 

She worked on multiple genomic data projects, where she processed and analysed phenotypic data, conducted scientific literature reviews and communicated findings to seminar audiences. She also networked with members of the scientific community and their guidance enhanced the effectiveness of her work in a research setting.

Year 2 student Jaymee Mari Jacobo TIBURCIO, who majors in Quantitative Finance (QF) and minors in Statistics and Management, sees internships as an essential rite of passage towards professional life.

She was an investment analyst at a venture capital firm, where she evaluated investment opportunities and deals for a startup. She also interned at a digital finance platform where she gained hands-on knowledge of financial accounting, which gave her better appreciation of specialised QF courses.

Picking up soft skills such as adaptability and teamwork as well as building up her networks and portfolio were some of her key takeaways.  

Year 4 student Isaac TAY, who majors in Data Science and Analytics and minors in Computer Science, decided to join Residential College 4 (RC4) as he was drawn to the emphasis on systems thinking and its application to various aspects of life.

He had the opportunity to work with a community of peers from diverse backgrounds, cultures and academic disciplines on different programmes and projects that transcend disciplinary boundaries. In the process, he learned how to quantify the impact of intangible factors, analyse interconnected elements and recognise that intrinsic changes can yield diverse outcomes – essential skills to navigate the complex nature of real-world challenges.    

What started as a casual discussion between friends on the frontiers of physics and the intersection between two currently irreconcilable research areas – quantum field theory and general relativity – led a team of four students to develop a DYOC on string theory.

String theory is the leading candidate for Einstein’s dream of a ‘Theory of Everything’, which hypothesises that the most elementary building blocks of nature are not particles but instead, very tiny strings. The DYOC equips students with background knowledge in classical and quantum field theories that are essential to describing the physics of the bosonic string, and ends by acquainting them with cutting-edge ideas behind the new mathematics that the physics suggests.

Year 3 student Marcus LAI, who majors in Mathematics and minors in Japanese Language, enrolled at University of Bath, United Kingdom, to challenge himself in new environments. The completely different learning styles and teaching methods expanded his academic horizons and enriched his learning at the same time – from relearning mathematical notations and symbols to adapting to shorter lessons requiring active engagement. 

The experience also enhanced his personal growth. For instance, the newfound independence, while daunting initially, strengthened his resilience as it hit him that life is about facing real-world challenges. The new friends he made became his support pillars and their time together made his experience “truly worthwhile.”

Duangporn SIRIKULWATTANANON, a Year 2 Data Science and Economics student, has a keen interest in enterprise, especially in the domains of health and nutrition, mental health and sustainability. 

Under NOC Paris, she interned at a financial technology company, where she provided data-driven insights to improve outreach and acquisition efforts. She also attended classes at Université PSL (Paris Sciences et Lettres), France, to learn about different aspects of the startup journey, and had the opportunity to engage entrepreneurs at founder panel discussions which offered insights into different ways of building new ventures.

Year 3 Life Sciences student Saayli Amit PAITHANKAR has always been fascinated with exploring new cities and meeting people from diverse backgrounds. She got to do this, and earned academic credits at the same time, when she enrolled in Summer School at Yale University, the United States.

Saayli was drawn to Yale’s interdisciplinary values, which align with her academic priorities. As courses at Yale typically have a small cohort size, with an emphasis on student-led discussions, Saayli had the opportunity to bring her views to the table and work with students of varied academic backgrounds. Navigating changes to every aspect of life abroad also compelled her to develop independence.

Ms Lucia FENG gained a deeper understanding of financial products with complex structures, especially financial derivatives, from the programme. Its practical emphasis on the valuation of financial products is useful in her current role in the Quantitative Analytics and Treasury Services team at EY, where she works on the valuation of derivatives and private equities. She believes the knowledge she acquired will also broaden her career options in the future.

Mr LIU Mingxuan, who recently graduated from this programme, gained a comprehensive understanding of advanced concepts and theories from this course. He aspires to have a career in research or academia and started his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) studies in NUS Physics this year.

Chemistry doctoral student Mr Glenn QUEK received the Faculty’s Top Graduate Researcher Award (2023) for his contributions to the design and synthesis of advanced organic materials for applications in bioelectrochemical energy conversion and energy storage.

He addressed the longstanding challenge of sluggish electron transfer rates at the electrode-bacteria interface by leveraging his expertise in molecular design to develop a range of organic semiconducting materials. These soft materials interface seamlessly with bacteria to form biohybrids that enable bacteria to be effectively wired up to electrodes. This allows enhanced electrical-to-chemical energy conversions. His work culminated in eight first-author publications in reputable journals such as Advanced Materials (July 2022) and Angewandte Chemie (May 2023).

Conservation scientist Mr Aakash LAMBA received the Best Graduate Researcher Award (2023) from the Department of Biological Sciences for assessing the impact of India’s tiger conservation policy on protecting forests and consequently, reducing carbon emissions.

His research at NUS’ Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions (CNCS) focuses on identifying new paradigms for the adoption of nature-based solutions, which can simultaneously address climate change, conserve biodiversity and enhance local livelihoods. His findings were published in Nature Ecology and Evolution (May 2023), providing evidence of ecosystem services provided by biodiversity conservation. Mr Lamba is also a recipient of the NUS Research Scholarship.

In August 2022, we led an expedition to Timor-Leste in collaboration with Conservation International and the government of Timor-Leste. The Museum’s herpetologist, Dr CHAN Kin Onn, discovered a new species of bent-toed gecko which was named Cyrtodactylus santana, in reference to the Nino Konis Santana National Park, in which the gecko was discovered.