Faculty of Science Symposium 2024

Join us at the Faculty of Science 95th Anniversary Symposium, a flagship event organised to celebrate the contributions and achievements of our faculty, alumni and students in research, education, entrepreneurship and social impact!

About

The programme will feature exciting talks by our distinguished faculty members, covering innovative educational practices and research discoveries in the life, physical, and mathematical sciences. Our alumni and students will share on wide-ranging topics of interest, including their entrepreneurial adventures, and the impact of student-led activities and programmes, to name a few. There will also be poster presentations and networking opportunities.

Date: Saturday, 28 September 2024

Time: 8.30 am – 3.30 pm

Venue: Lecture Theatres 27, 28 and 29

Faculty of Science

Programme

Explore the frontiers of science through our specially curated programme!

Click to learn more about the speaker

Research

Teaching

Student

Alumni

TimeProgramme
8.30 amRegistration
Breakfast and coffee
9.00 amWelcome Remarks
(Lecture Theatre 27)
Prof Sun Yeneng
Dean of Science
9.10 amKeynote 1
(Lecture Theatre 27)
Prof Koh Lian Pin
Realising the potential of nature-based solutions for biodiversity and carbon conservation
9.35 amKeynote 2
(Lecture Theatre 27)
Assoc Prof Stella Tan
Where technology meets innovation: The power of Technology-Enhanced Learning
10.05 amParallel Session 1
Life Sciences

(Lecture Theatre 27)
Parallel Session 2
Physical Sciences

(Lecture Theatre 28)
Parallel Session 3
Mathematical Sciences

(Lecture Theatre 29)
Assoc Prof Sun Ji
Molecular insights for targeting Parkinson’s disease
Assoc Prof Koh Ming Joo
Sustainable carbohydrate synthesis
Assoc Prof Chen Ying
AI + quantum technologies for quantitative finance
Dr Liu Mei Hui
Creating ways for self-regulated learning through peer feedback designs
Asst Prof Brandon Morinaka
New approaches for antibiotic discovery
Ms Joyce Tay
Stumbling into startups and entrepreneurship
Asst Prof Shruti Bhatt
Decoding cell death priming mechanisms in blood cancer therapy resistance
Dr Francis Chong
Empowering students: Personalised and inclusive education
Assoc Prof Cai Zhenning
Numerical simulation of open quantum systems
Mr Kit Yong
Life after Life Sciences: Entrepreneurship and everything else
Prof Ariando
Nickel age of high-temperature superconductivity
Ms Sneha Kumar
Fostering mathematical engagement
Prof Antonia Monteiro
Butterfly wing surfaces: Different colours and patterns
Mr Lum Chune Yang
From physics to entrepreneurship
Assoc Prof Vik Gopal
Teaching data science in practice
11.15 amLunch and Poster Competition
1.05 pmParallel Session 4
Life Sciences

(Lecture Theatre 27)
Parallel Session 5
Physical Sciences

(Lecture Theatre 28)
Parallel Session 6
Mathematical Sciences

(Lecture Theatre 29)
Assoc Prof Ho Han Kiat
Is graded class participation good? (Taking a Socratic response to the question)
Assoc Prof Lu Jiong
Atomic-scale chemistry, physics and future materials
Asst Prof Wang Wanjie
The era of complex data
Assoc Prof Lau On Sun
How plants control their breathing for growth and resilience
Dr Chan Taw Kuei
Motivation and workload in teaching and learning
Ms Hien Mai Thanh
A joint call for action on climate change
Ms Sam Shu Qin
Engaging communities in conservation
Ms Teo Shin Rei
Overseas volunteering: Giving back to the community
Assoc Prof Yao Yao
Understanding fluid dynamics and collective behaviour with partial differential equations
Ms Tay Rui En
BES Drongos: 10 years of community outreach
Asst Prof Yvonne Gao
Probing quantum effects with superconducting electrical circuits
Prof Goh Say Song
Some reflections on the evolving pedagogies of teaching mathematics
Dr Kim Jung Eun
Healthy diets for healthy hearts
Dr Jin Xiaoxuan
Learning on the go: A startup journey
Prof Li Jialiang
Efficient auxiliary information synthesis for cure rate model
2.30 pmKeynote 3
(Lecture Theatre 27)
(Student Life Impact)
Ms Kwok Jing Lin
Empowering student innovation: The NUS FoodTech Challenge
2.50 pmKeynote 4
(Lecture Theatre 27)
(Alumni / Entrepreneurship)
Dr Goh Wei Jiang
The Craft Health journey
3.20 pmClosing Remarks and Presentation of Poster Prizes
(Lecture Theatre 27)
3.30 pmEnd of Event
Afternoon Tea

Download our comprehensive booklet for detailed programme information and the abstracts of our poster competition participants.

8.30 am

Registration and coffee

9.00 am

Welcome Remarks

Prof Sun Yeneng
Dean of Science

9.10 am

Keynote 1 (Research)

Prof Koh Lian Pin
Associate Vice President and Chief Sustainability Scientist, NUS
Vice Dean (Research), Faculty of Science (FOS)
Director, Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions

9.35 am

Keynote 2 (Teaching)

Assoc Prof Stella Tan
Assistant Dean (Undergraduate Studies), FOS
Associate Provost (Student Conduct), Office of the Senior Deputy President and Provost, NUS

10.05 am

Parallel Session 1

Life Sciences

Lecture Theatre 27

Assoc Prof Sun Ji
Department of Biological Sciences
Molecular characterization of the Parkinson protein, LRRK2, provides insights into drug design

FoS Charity Golf

Platinum Donors

Andrew Wee Research Group
Bao Research Group
Bioinorganic Chemistry Research Group
Chen Wei Research Group
Chong Siak Ching and Seah Cheng San
Choo Chiau Beng
Daniel Chan
Family & Friends of Ang Hao Gee
Family of Tay Chwee Lian
Feng Yuan Ping Research Group
Foo Siang Heng
Hycan Holdings (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Kimly Limited
KP Loh Research Group
Kong Yuet Peng and Yeo Keng Joon
Kumar Research Group
Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum and Friends
Li Qingying and Xie Yidong
Lee Quan Hui and Lim Li Ying
Liu Jian Hong

Lu Yixin Research Group
NanoLab Research Group
NUS Department of Biological Sciences and Friends
NUS Department of Mathematics and Friends
NUS Department of Physics and Friends
NUS Department of Statistics & Data Science
NUS Science Deanery
Siddhartha Centre
Tai Hua Food Industries Pte Ltd
Tan Eng Chye
Tan Ngee Tian
Tan Sok Kiang
Teo Kee Meng
Vazyme Biotechnology Singapore Pte Ltd
Wong-Mah Jia Lan
Yee Kai Cheong

Angles World Pte Ltd
Ballyhoo Exhibitions & Events Pte Ltd
Bernard Toh
Chemicals & Machinery Pte Ltd
Chua Hung Meng
Cornerstone Global Partners
Daniel Chia
Eu Capital Pte Ltd

George Lee
Johnny Tan
Lim Peng Hong
Mitsubishi Electric Asia Pte Ltd
Singapore Power Ltd
Visionics Engineering Pte Ltd
Vivien Tan
Wrise Wealth Management (Singapore) Pte Ltd

Thank you for your generous support, which will go a long way in making a positive impact, enabling our students to realise their potential to the fullest.

Asst Prof Shruti Bhatt
Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Decoding Fate Priming Mechanisms in Blood Cancer Therapy Resistance

Parallel Session 2

Physical Sciences

Lecture Theatre 28

Assoc Prof Koh Ming Joo
Department of Chemistry
Sustainable carbohydrate synthesis via glycosyl radical functionalisation

Parallel Session 3

Mathematical Sciences

Lecture Theatre 29

18

May 2024

Saturday, 8.30 am - 5.00 pm

Faculty of Science Homecoming @ Bukit Timah Campus

Join us in celebrating our 95th anniversary! Reunite with your classmates, friends and professors at a specially curated event where we will guide you through the buildings at Bukit Timah Campus that once housed our Science departments.

Faculty of Science Homecoming @ Kent Ridge Campus

Come for a day of fun at Kent Ridge Campus and discover how the faculty has transformed over the years !

22

March 2024

Friday, 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm

Pushing Boundaries: Achieving Gender Diversity in STEM

Despite advancements in various sectors, women remain underrepresented in these industries. We delve into the critical and timely discussion surrounding gender diversity within the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields and explore the challenges, opportunities, and strategies necessary for achieving greater inclusivity.

Pushing Boundaries: Achieving Gender Diversity in STEM

Pushing Boundaries: Achieving Gender Diversity in STEM

Dr Geraldine Wong

Statistics and Mathematics (2004)
Adjunct Associate Professor
Department of Statistics and Data Science
Group Chief Data Officer
GXS Bank (GXS)

Professor Lok Shee Mei

PhD (2004)
Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Provost Chair Professor
Duke-NUS Medical School

Ms Lim Chin Chin

Chemistry (1991, 1994)
Director, Forensics Centre of Expertise
Home Team Science & Technology Agency (HTX)

Associate Professor Giorgia Pastorin

Assistant Dean (Research and Development)
Faculty of Science

Watch this space for updates!

Don’t miss this opportunity to dive into the world of scientific discovery!

An event organised by National University of Singapore, Faculty of Science

Watch this space for updates!

Dr Geraldine Wong

Dr Geraldine Wong

Dr Geraldine Wong is Group Chief Data Officer at GXS Bank (GXS), one of the two successful digital full bank licence applicants in Singapore. GXS is backed by a consortium comprising Grab and Singtel.

At GXS, Dr Wong is responsible for driving and building the bank’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data strategy with the goal of leveraging ecosystem data assets, promoting data-driven financial inclusion and reimagining the way customers engage and experience the digital economy. Her career spans across industry and academia, where she has led teams in developing and executing regional AI initiatives across the public, transport and infocommunications sectors.

Dr Wong was named in the SG100 Women in Tech list (2021) by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) in recognition of her contributions to Singapore’s technology industry. For her data analytics achievements, she was recently named one of the global top 100 Innovators in Data and Analytics by Business of Data (2022).

She is currently part of the Technology Advisory Committee at Synapxe, Institute of Banking and Finance (IBF) Future-Enabled Skills workgroup and an Adjunct Associate Professor at NUS’ Department of Statistics and Data Science. She also seeks to inspire and nurture the next generation, through her active mentoring for Girls in Tech and NUS’ Uplift mentorship programme, as well as being an ExCo member of the Free and Open source software group at the Singapore Computer Society.

Dr Wong holds a PhD in Statistics from the University of Adelaide, Australia.

Professor Lok Shee Mei

Prof Lok Shee Mei is a Provost’s Chair Professor in the Emerging Infectious Diseases programme in Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore. She was also a National Research Foundation (NRF) fellow (2009 to 2014) and an NRF Investigator (2016 to 2021).

Prof Lok is a structural virologist specialising in X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy. Her research focuses on the structural and therapeutics aspects of flavivirus such as dengue and zika viruses.

Her laboratory made significant discoveries in the morphological diversity of dengue virus particles, neutralisation mechanisms of potent antibodies against flavivirus particles, the flavivirus assembly process and also the structures of the secreted dengue NS1 - an important factor that causes severe dengue disease.

Prof Lok obtained her MSc and PhD in NUS and did her postdoctoral training in Purdue University, United States, under the supervision of the late Hanley Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences Michael Rossmann.

Associate Professor Giorgia Pastorin

Assoc Prof Giorgia Pastorin received her PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 2004 from the University of Trieste, Italy. After a research fellowship at the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) in France, she joined NUS where she is currently an Associate Professor at NUS’ Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Assistant Dean (Research and Development) at the Faculty of Science and Director of the NUS Pharmaceutical Innovation and Research Centre.

Her main research interests include production, characterisation and evaluation of cell-derived nanovesicles (CDNs) as novel biocompatible and targeted drug delivery systems of bioactive molecules such as Pt-based anticancer complexes.

She is the editor of two books related to drug delivery and author of > 160 articles of internationally peer-reviewed journals. She has received both university-level and international awards for the work performed by her BioNanotechnology group.

Box Story

New bent-toed gecko species in Timor-Leste

“We have barely scratched the surface of Timor-Leste’s biodiversity. New discoveries can have profound impacts on conservation and policy-making.”

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.