Prof GONG Zhiyuan

Prof Gong has aligned his research focus areas with the national agenda at different times, successfully acquiring research funding from different grant agencies such as the Ministry of Education, the Biomedical Research Council, the National Medical Research Council and the Environment and Water Industry Programme Office. He has published 175 research papers and 22 review / book chapters from NUS. His NUS publications received a total of 6,530 citations according to Web of Science. Prof Gong was awarded the Faculty of Science Outstanding Scientist Award 2017.

“Over my long research career, I have made research contributions in different areas, including aquaculture, developmental biology, environmental toxicology and biomedical research using the zebrafish model.

I take pride especially in two accomplishments. One is the development of GloFish technology, which has established a new and growing industry for generating novel varieties of fluorescent ornamental fish through genetic modification. I am very gratified that our technology has become an established tool to develop novel varieties of ornamental fish and how it created a new and growing industry in the pet market. I am even prouder that the GloFish has become part of the teaching material in classrooms, museums and aquariums for public education in topics ranging from classical genetics to modern biotechnology.

The second is my contribution to the national NEWater project. Our fish tests have provided scientific data for the government to make critical decisions to address Singapore’s efforts to overcome water shortage and attain water independence. Both projects have high social impacts on society. Currently, I am focusing on translational research by collaborating with industry partners, to translate my research findings and technology to products that benefit society. I was amongst the fortunate generation to be able to develop my research career in an environment with relatively abundant resources and less stringent regulations. I could initiate my experiments immediately after an exciting research idea. This is important for research creativity and productivity. Now the landscape is different. The new generation of scientists has to find their own way to succeed. My advice for scientists is to be open-minded in research topics and to stay abreast on national research priority areas. Since I joined NUS in the mid-1990s, my research interests have undergone several changes according to the national research agenda.”