departments - national university of singapore - final.pdf• 35th science club management ......

An online publication for NUS Science students and alumni

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

OUTREACH

Faculty Awards Ceremony 2014The annual event recognises Faculty and support staff with outstanding accomplishments and contributions in teaching, research and service

FoS Celebrates 85th AnniversaryThe Faculty of Science commemorated its 85th anniversary with a series of key events

NUS-Dow Surprising Science Fair 2015Undergraduates from 10 student clubs and societies, with support from industry, engaged in unique Science communications and outreach initiative

Launch of Science & Technology 110 ExhibitionFoS showcased poster exhibits in quantum technologies, plant genetics, food science, data science and biosensors

What's Up?Check out the events from

April to September 2015

RESEARCH HEROES

The Science Behind Our Scientists

DEPARTMENTS

• Nobel Laureate for Physics Prof Brian Schmidt Visits the Faculty of Science

• NUSS Professorship Lecture by Prof Manfred Schartl

• 10th PharmSci@Asia Symposium and Annual Pharmacy Research Awareness Symposium 2015

• 8th Singapore International Chemistry Conference

• 9th International Conference on Computational Physics (ICCP9)

• Inaugural Oppenheim Lectures

• Nanotechnology Study Tour in Tokyo

• ASEAN Universities Network in Biology

• The ThinkTank Series

STUDENTS• 35th Science Club Management

Committee : Interview with New President

• Industry Sharing Series

• New ICareILead Student Initiative

• Science Day 2015

• FoS Recognised as CDAC Outstanding Partner

• 11th Singapore National Crystal Growing Challenge

ALUMNI/FRIENDS

• Inauguration of FoS Alumni Groups

• Dr Tan It Koon's Lecture and Performance

• Inaugural Science Sports Games (SSG) 2015

FST Alumni Group Executive Committee with Dean Prof Shen Zuowei (5th from left), guest speaker Mr Alvin Kan (3rd from right, front row) and staff from FST, FoS and OAR

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:: Growing Super Crops for the Future

Scientists at the Department of Biological Sciences collaborated with researchers from the Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory and major international companies on plant genetic research to develop higher yielding crops that are more resilient to climate change. Since 2009, FoS scientists have worked with Sime Darby, one of the world’s largest oil palm companies, to produce a new generation of oil palms with planting characteristics enabling them to achieve new world records in productivity. Oil palm is an important sustainable source of vegetable oil and a potential source of bio-diesel.

:: Protecting Data Privacy

Centre for Quantum Technologies scientists are developing novel ways to keep data safe from hacking. The scientists are experts in quantum cryptography, which harnesses the quantum properties of particles for secret messaging and secure transactions. Scientists have used quantum ‘entangled’ light particles to share a secret key, or a special connection between groups of quantum systems, across NUS. Now they are building a compact, robust source of such photons for deployment in the field and even in space. Such technology could one day bring quantum security to Singapore businesses and homes.

The National University of Singapore (NUS) launched a science and technology exhibition, entitled “Building Our Nation through Science and Technology” on 9 April in celebration of its 110th anniversary and Singapore’s 50th year of independence.

Held at the University Cultural Centre, this was the first time that three faculties - the Faculties of Engineering and Science as well as the School of Computing - came together to organise such an exhibition.

The 10-day (FoS) exhibition featured NUS inventions, with more than 20 projects on five themes: Digital Nation, Healthy Nation, Multimedia Nation, Smart Nation and Sustainable Nation.

Elaeis guineensis palm tree, MalaysiaOur scientists design technology by leveraging the quantum properties of light particles

KEY HIGHLIGHTS An online publication for NUS Science students and alumni

Launch of Science &

Technology 110 Exhibition

FoS showcased poster exhibits in quantum technologies, plant genetics, food science,

data science and biosensors

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:: Developing Better Food Products

Scientists at the Food Science and Technology Programme, Department of Chemistry, partnered food companies worldwide to develop food products that are healthier, safer and more nutritious. These include the development of cranberry proanthocyanidins to prevent and treat urinary tract infection, a healthier version of naturally brewed Kikkoman soy sauce infused with traditional Chinese medicine herbs, and new tropical fruit wines including durian and papaya wines.

:: Detecting Dangerous Substances

Department of Chemistry scientists pioneered the development of the Diversity-Oriented Fluorescence Libraries Approach (DOFLA), the world’s first platform for rapid on-site detection of more compounds to improve the safety of our environment. DOFLA comprises a library of over 10,000 compounds which change their fluorescent properties in the presence of other molecules, ions or substances. This is used to develop fast-response sensors to monitor food and water quality. This technology is also being used to develop biomarker visualisers for cells and tissues which enable tumours to be imaged.

:: Turning Big Data into Smart Data

Scientists at the Department of Mathematics, Department of Statistics and Applied Probability and School of Computing teamed up with engineers, social scientists and medical researchers to develop new mathematical and statistical tools to collect and interpret massive data sets. These new methodologies can find patterns in large data sets, recover clear images from blurry pictures, help doctors in diagnostics and make sense of complex economic data to predict future trends.

KEY HIGHLIGHT An online publication for NUS Science students and alumni

DOFLA for detection of breast tumour Clear images recovered from blurry pictures Our scientists developed new tropical fruit wines like durian and papaya wines

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Every year, the Faculty of Science (FoS) honours academic and support staff who show excellence in their contributions in the areas of teaching, research and service. Their accomplishments include providing quality education, fostering the spirit of enterprise and advancing research and knowledge in Science and Technology in the Faculty.

A total of 185 awards were presented at the Faculty Awards Ceremony 2014, held on 5 December 2014 at the University Hall Auditorium. The ceremony was graced by Prof Bernard Tan, Vice-Provost of Undergraduate Education.

The ceremony commenced with the presentation of the teaching awards. Prof Joyce Lee Yu-Chia from the Department of Pharmacy was among the 23 recipients of the Faculty Teaching Excellence Awards. A student of Prof

Lee said, “Her lectures are always so interesting! Filled with real life examples and applications, she seems to be telling us ‘stories’ rather than lecturing us.” The Faculty also presented the Honour Roll and Teaching Assistant Full-time and Part-time Awards.

The ceremony also recognised professors with exceptional contributions in their respective research domains. Nine professors were presented the Outstanding Scientist and Young Scientist Awards. The former is awarded to researchers who consistently achieve research excellence over a period of time and are acknowledged by the academic community as having achieved significant breakthroughs in their fields. The latter is conferred on researchers below 40 years of age based on the potential impact of their research.

The last segment of the ceremony paid tribute to Faculty and staff who exemplified outstanding service. A total of 54 support staff were awarded the Outstanding Service Awards and Commendation Awards. There were also 79 recipients who were bestowed the Long Service Awards.

Among the Long Service Award winners was Prof Bernard Tan Tiong Gie, who served as the Dean of Science for 12 years from 1985 to 1997. He is currently the Director of the Centre for Maritime Studies. Prof Tan, who joined the University in 1968 and who was also the recipient of the 45 years of Long Service Award, received a rousing burst of applause and cheers from the audience.

For a complete list of award winners, please click here. Prof Joyce Lee Yu-Chia from the Department

of Pharmacy receiving the Faculty Teaching Excellence Award from Vice-Provost (Undergraduate Education) and Guest of Honour Prof Bernard Tan

Prof Bernard Tan Tiong Gie, former Dean of Science, receiving his 45 Years of Long Service Award from Dean of Science Prof Shen Zuowei

KEY HIGHLIGHTS An online publication for NUS Science students and alumni NEXTPREVIOUS

The annual event recognises Faculty and support staff with outstanding accomplishments and contributions in teaching, research and service.

Faculty Awards Ceremony 2014

http://www.science.nus.edu.sg/about-fos/faculty-staff/staff-awards

The Faculty of Science (FoS) collaborated with Dow Chemical Pacific (Singapore), a subsidiary of science and technology firm The Dow Chemical Company, to hold the inaugural NUS-Dow Surprising Science Fair on 21 March at University Town. The event enabled FoS undergraduates to strengthen their science communications skills while promoting science in a fun and exciting way to younger students. The Fair was attended by more than 150 secondary school and madrasah students, as well as beneficiaries from welfare organisations including the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC), Care Singapore, Beyond Social Services and Lakeside Family Centre.

Prof Goh Say Song, the Faculty’s Vice Dean (Outreach and Admissions) said, “This was a unique event which brought together students from the Faculty’s clubs and societies for the first time to organise a science communications project. This programme also nurtures a community

spirit amongst our students, who actively contributed towards the learning of the beneficiaries.”

Prof Goh added, “Education is a long-term enterprise requiring sustained efforts by many parties. We continue to engage our industry partners in our outreach efforts. Dow’s scientists served as advisors on the Fair’s content and execution.”

The carnival-style event involved more than 120 FoS undergraduates from 10 student clubs and academic societies. With guidance from Faculty staff and input from Dow’s industrial scientists, the undergraduates designed booths which featured hands-on experiments to make Science interesting and engaging. Participants were challenged to complete a series of interactive experiments designed to show the relevance of Science in our daily lives. The activities included testing the absorbency of diapers, DNA extraction and analysing sensory perceptions of smell and taste, to name a few.

An FoS undergraduate volunteer walks participants through the process of extracting DNA from cheek cells

Ms Suiniaty Basirun, Country Manager, Dow Chemical Pacific (Singapore) Pte Ltd, delivering the opening speech at the Surprising Science Fair 2015

NUS-Dow Surprising Science

Fair 2015

KEY HIGHLIGHTS An online publication for NUS Science students and alumni

Guest of Honour Mr Sng Chern Wei, Director, Curriculum Planning & Development Division, Ministry of Education (centre); Prof Goh Say Song, Vice Dean (Outreach & Admissions), Faculty of Science (left) and Ms Suiniaty Basirun (right) Country Manager, Dow Chemical Pacific (Singapore) testing their sense of taste and smell at the Food Science and Technology booth.

Undergraduates from 10 student clubs and societies, with support from

industry, engaged in unique science communications and outreach initiative

Ms Suiniaty Basirun, Dow’s Country Manager, said, “Through this collaboration with NUS, we hope to stimulate the intellectual curiosity of our youths about Science and its applications. For the undergraduate facilitators, who are our future Science educators, this event provided them an opportunity to use their domain knowledge to develop the experiments. They also practiced their science communications skills to inspire the school students.”

Our undergraduate volunteers and the participants found the event fun and educational. Year 1 Food Science and Technology undergraduate, Ms Lim Jie Ai said, “I enjoyed the event. I think that coming together to showcase to kids how cool Science can be is awesome!”

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“I find memorable the experiments that showed the formation of bubbles and how diapers absorb liquids. I am now better able to relate science concepts to my daily life.” Abdul Hamizan from Madrasah Al-Arabia,a participant of the NUS-Dow Surprising Science Fair 2015

Alumni Single Night participants work on their mini gardens in a jar

Alumni Singles Night participants work on their mini gardens in a jar

Photo memento of the Mid-Autumn Festival at Science Centre Singapore

To celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, more than 300 Science alumni, staff and students, together with their families and friends packed the Science Centre Singapore’s exhibition halls on 6 September 2014, where they were invited to the exhibition of Alfred Russel Wallace (1823 – 1913), co-discoverer of the theory of natural selection.

The Alumni Singles Night, held on 24 October 2014, attracted close to 40 young Science alumni to the Science Centre Singapore for an evening of networking through ice-breaker games.

The 85th Anniversary Dinner on 8 November 2014 at NUSS Guild House marked the finale of the celebrations. The dinner was graced by President Tony Tan Keng Yam, NUS Board of Trustees Chairman Mr Wong Ngit Liong, NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Prof Tan Eng Chye, current and

past Deans of Science, together with about 300 distinguished guests, alumni, faculty, staff and students. President Tony Tan’s association with the Faculty of Science (FoS) goes way back to 1959 when he was a student at the Department of Physics, and throughout his tenure as a faculty member, Vice Chancellor and now Chancellor of NUS.

For 85 years, the Faculty has provided quality science education to generations of students. As highlighted by President Tony Tan in his speech, “The Science Faculty has remained steadfast in its task of equipping our people with the knowledge and skills needed for Singapore’s development… With a curriculum that provides strong domain knowledge, transferable skillsets, and global perspectives, the Faculty is in a very good position to prepare its students for their future careers.”

Over the years, the Faculty has evolved from primarily a teaching Faculty to a research-intensive Faculty, renowned for its cutting-edge research. Dean of Science Prof Shen Zuowei said, “The Faculty is now ranked among the best in the world…it has played a predominant role in shaping the scientific landscape of Singapore in education and research…and produced scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs who are the drivers of growth in Singapore.”

The Faculty continued its tradition of presenting its prestigious Alumni Awards to 17 distinguished and outstanding Science alumni in recognition of their achievements in national leadership, service and research excellence, as well as contributions towards the betterment and promotion of Science.

FoS Celebrates

Anniversary

KEY HIGHLIGHTS An online publication for NUS Science students and alumni NEXTPREVIOUS

The Faculty of Science commemorated its 85th anniversary with a series of key events.

Cake-‐cutting with former Science deans to commemorate Science’s 85th anniversary. From left: Prof Bernard Tan; NUS Vice President of University and Global Relations Prof Andrew Wee; NUS Provost and Deputy President (Academic Affairs) Prof Tan Eng Chye; Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam; NUS Chairman Mr Wong Ngit Liong; current Science Dean Prof Shen Zuowei Prof Lai Choy Heng; and Dr Gloria Lim

Cake-cutting with former Science Deans to commemorate Science’s 85th anniversary. From left: Prof Bernard Tan; NUS Vice President of University and Global Relations Prof Andrew Wee; NUS Provost and Deputy President (Academic Affairs) Prof Tan Eng Chye; Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam; NUS Board of Trustees Chairman Mr Wong Ngit Liong; current Science Dean Prof Shen Zuowei; Prof Lai Choy Heng and Dr Gloria Lim

85th“The Science Faculty has remained steadfast in its task of equipping our people with the knowledge and skills needed for Singapore’s development… the Faculty is in a very good position to prepare its students for their future careers.” Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam

Going by the motto, “Unity through Participation”, the NUS Students’ Science Club strives to promote the welfare of Science students and create vibrant student life in the Faculty.

35thScience Club Management Committee

STUDENTS An online publication for NUS Science students and alumni NEXTPREVIOUS

Q: What are your goals for the 35th SCMC?A: This year, I will focus on Family, Outreach, Continuity, Unity and Steadfastness. We want to improve our students’ welfare in various aspects, for example, through constant engagement and activities to create a vibrant place for students during the school term. The committee will also explore ways to strengthen alumni relations and build on the strong foundation in freshmen orientation.

Q: What are the memorable experiences from the various events?A: Every event and initiative is unique and creates wonderful memories for everyone. To me, memorable experiences come from seeing the committee’s hard work come to fruition and having students participate and enjoy our events and initiatives.

Q: What have you gained from the experience of leading the SCMC?A: I was previously serving as the Honorary General Secretary in the 34th SCMC. My two years in the management committee taught me invaluable skills such as leadership, time management and interpersonal skills. But the greatest takeaways are the friendships forged in Science.

Q: What are the Committee’s upcoming events or plans?A: In the upcoming summer, the committee will focus on the orientation programmes for freshmen, including Science Camp, Orientation Week, Flag Day, Rag Day and Science Bash. We also have other events such as ALIVE! and Old Items Collection (OIC). We will continue to work closely with the Faculty to address students’ feedback received from the welfare surveys conducted.

The NUS Students’ Science Club elected its 35th Student Science Club Management Committee (SCMC) in September 2014. Sim Hui Min, President of the 35th SCMC, shares on the Committee’s vision and upcoming plans.

Sim Hui Min (front row, third from left), President of the 35th Science Club Management Committee, with her fellow committee members

Sim Hui Min President Environmental Studies/Year 2Goh Kok Hoe Octave Vice President (Internal Affairs) Physics/Year 3Poh Kiat Keong Shawn Vice President (Freshmen Orientation Projects) Statistics/Year 3Tang Yu Ying Honorary General Secretary Chemistry/Year 3Tan Li Ting Honorary Treasurer Life Sciences/ Year 2Sim Jie Lin Alumni Relations Director Chemistry/Year 2Gideon Yosua Purwono Communications Director Life Sciences/ Year 1Chong Wei Yuan Business Director Chemistry/Year 1Yap Qi Tian Science Volunteer Corps Director Life Sciences/Year 2Chong Hur Ling Marcus Science Camp Director Applied Mathematics/Year 4Lim Yu Xiang Jefferson Science Orientation Week Director Chemistry/Year 3Tan Li Jei Cassandra Flag Director Chemistry/Year 2Wong Zi Heng Bash Director Physics/Year 2Peh Pearlyn Welfare Director Life Sciences/Year 2Yong Kenneth Sports Director Physics/Year 3

The 35th SCMC consists of:

To learn more about the NUS Students’ Science Club, visit www.sciclub.nus.edu.sg/

www.sciclub.nus.edu.sg

The carnival style event displayed Science in a fun and vibrant way.

Science Day 2015Highlight of Science Day, the Rodeo Ride

“Vive les Science”, French for “Long Live the Sciences” was the theme for this year’s Science Day event, held on 5 February. From exciting carnival rides to savvy science-related game booths, students were engaged in a day full of activities as they celebrated the wonders of Science.

Students of the NUS Students’ Science Club and the Academic Disciplines Co-ordinating Committee (ADCC), comprising the President and Vice-Presidents of the Science Club and the Science academic societies, worked together to showcase a different, light-hearted side of Science at the event.

From games stalls featuring Rubik’s Cube to Cartesian Fishing, students were shown the more entertaining side of Science and its applications. A carnival-like atmosphere was created with popcorn and candy floss stalls and even a Rodeo Ride. There was also a mural for the students to pen down their hopes and wishes. This mural will be displayed as a permanent feature in the Faculty of Science.

Science Day sought to bring together students from different disciplines and levels by exposing them to various fields of expertise, thereby creating a sense of pride and belonging to the Faculty of Science family.

Science Day also provided an avenue for students to relax from the stress of schoolwork, amidst their busy routines of lectures and tutorials.

Tan Jun Kai, a Year 4 Applied Mathematics student, said, “It warmed my heart to see everyone wearing the Science Faculty tee-shirt, and coming together as one big family. The interesting activities such as the water bottle game by the Physics Society allowed us to learn Science in a fun and interesting manner. This is truly discovering science.”

“University life can become overwhelming if the well-being of students is neglected. Fun events such as Science Day are intended to help students de-stress and enrich their university experience

beyond studying and grades.” Sim Hui Min President of the 35th Science Club Management

Committee, NUS Students’ Science Club

Science students penning down their messages for a mural wall

Participants racing against the clock in the Rubik’s Cube competition


New initiative enables students to engage experts in high impact industries.

The Faculty of Science (FoS) organised the inaugural Industry Sharing Series on 23 March. These sessions provide a platform for students to engage industry players, as part of their professional development to prepare them for the workplace. Faculty members can also dialogue and network with the industry experts.

The session featured talks on opportunities in the clean technologies industry by Dr Adil Dhalla, Director, GE Singapore Water Technology Centre; Dr Sanjay C Kuttan, Director, Clean Technology Centre, DNV GL; Prof Armin Aberle, CEO, Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) and Ms Mouna Benyahia, Director, Strategy & Transformation (SEA), Veolia Water Technologies.

This was followed by a panel session where the speakers encouraged the students to continue learning and to be flexible in their career paths.

Dr Sanjay said, “Academic results alone will not help you break through into a new frontier. For innovation to happen you will also need dedicated passion to get you across the line.” Dr Adil added, “With a sound technical base, the world is your oyster. We have all moved around and done different things, but we keep a link to Science.”

Ms Benyahia encouraged the students to put their learning into practice in the real world of business and the environment. Attesting to the importance of learning on the job, she said, “Internship provides exposure and training which we value.”

Students found the session insightful and relevant. Tee Yu Xun, a Year 2 Life Sciences student, said, “The programme helped me to understand what companies are looking for, that grades alone do not co-relate to work success.”

Nicholas Loo, a Year 2 Chemistry student, shared that the session affirmed his aspiration to create and innovate in the clean energy industry. He said, “The speakers opened my mind to the wide spread of industries and opportunities available for chemists. I was also inspired by the decorated speakers. They were scientists who, through their years of work in the industry, eventually excelled to manage their own companies.”

Industry Sharing Series

The Faculty of Science (FoS) invited JumpTrading, a leader at the forefront of quantitative trading since its founding 15 years ago, to share insights into their trading strategies. The talent recruitment session also explored the possibility of recruiting students from the Departments of Mathematics and Statistics & Applied Probability.

Industry Recruitment Event 18 March 2015


Industry experts address students’ questions on career opportunities in the clean technologies sector

(From left, Dr Sanjay C Kuttan, Dr Adil Dhalla, Prof Armin Aberle and Ms Mouna Benyahia)

“Money is not everything in your first job. Don’t hide in your ivory tower. Be focused. Pursue what you are good at, to build up expertise.” Prof Armin Aberle,CEO, Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS)

The ThinkTank Series New initiative for students to discuss student matters with Faculty and their peers

Student Initiative ICareILead brings together student leaders and representatives from the Science Club and academic societies to discuss students’ non-academic pursuits. Student leaders are given opportunities to hone their leadership and organisational skills by driving events and projects.

New


ThinkTank participants sharing their views on various matters with Prof Chew Fook Tim, Vice Dean

(Undergraduate Studies and Student Life)

The ThinkTank Series is a new initiative by the Faculty of Science (FoS). Each semester, selected students from various levels and majors are invited to participate. These events, which are facilitated by Prof Chew Fook Tim, Vice Dean (Undergraduate Studies and Student Life), provide students a platform to network and discuss student-related topics and concerns with their peers and Faculty members.

The ThinkTank Series also provides the Faculty with opportunities to interact with, and get to know students better. This semester, three topics were covered. These included preparing students for the workforce, for Year 2 students, which ascertained students’ career aspirations, enabled them to meet like-

minded individuals and raised awareness on internship opportunities. Year 1 students participated in a session on coping with university life, which featured discussions on nurturing a supportive and conducive environment for students. This session also opened doors for them to make new friends. Scholarship recipients were invited to share their views with Prof Chew on many topics, including the Science culture, curriculum structure and students’ perceptions of Science as a whole. The scholars’ discussions with Prof Chew were lively and they looked forward to contributing more to the Faculty.

The students were heartened that FoS has “a very caring group of people who are taking it seriously to garner students’ feedback and to work for their interests”. Many participants found the sessions helpful and meaningful, to broaden their perspectives of Science “out of the box” and to build a correct mindset about studies and school life. Others found such focus groups useful, “not only for the Faculty to hear students’ different opinions, but for students to hear what others have to say.” Said one of the participants, “It is great that the Faculty recognises that seemingly small things like stereotypes and the way the curriculum is structured can disrupt students’ confidence and the way we respond to things. That in itself is a first step towards making a difference.”

ALUMNI/FRIENDS An online publication for NUS Science students and alumni



NUS Forensic Science Alumni Group’s inauguration celebration

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On 12 February, more than 100 alumni, Faculty members and students from the FST programme, that started in 1999, celebrated an important milestone at Shaw Foundation Alumni House – the inauguration of the FST Alumni Group.

The evening started with an opening address by Mr Daniel Chia, Founding President of the FST Alumni Group. Daniel, who was keenly active in student life and activities during his undergraduate years, shared his vision to organise activities that would add value to members’ professional careers. Director Office of Alumni Relations, Prof Victor R Savage and Dean Faculty of Science, Prof Shen Zuowei also delivered speeches at this meaningful event.

Said Prof Shen, “Our FST programme is strongly supported by our alumni who are now in the workforce. The establishment of the FST Alumni Group is timely for our graduates to keep in touch with each other and with the activities of the department.”

The highlight of the evening was the professional talk by Mr Alvin Kan, Relationship Manager from LinkedIN, who shared key tips on how to leverage on social media for career opportunities and advancement. Mr Wong Weng Wai and Mr Wong Shen Siung, who graduated in 2012, hoped that more professional talks and networking events would be organised in the future.

NUS Food Science & Technology (FST) Alumni GroupNUS Forensic Science Alumni GroupThe NUS Forensic Science Alumni Group celebrated its inauguration with a Lunar New Year gathering for its members on 28 February. With support from the Office of Alumni Relations, the event brought together more than 40 alumni from the programme’s past 10 years. The event featured a drink-making demonstration, sushi-making competition and the traditional “lo-hei”. Prof Teo Eng Swee and Senior Consultant Mr Peter Wilson from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) also attended the event.

Group President Prof Stella Tan shared the group’s plans for the year, including a forensic skills workshop and social networking get-togethers. The group also plans to support the Faculty’s activities like alumni sharing, public talks and exhibitions at the Open House, Science Week and Alumni-Students networking evenings. The group is actively reaching out to past graduates of the Forensic Science Minor programme and the module GEK 1542. To join as a member, please write to Prof Eugene Lee at: [email protected].

Inauguration of FoS Alumni

GroupsThe NUS Food Science & Technology (FST) and

Forensic Science Alumni Groups are now officially registered under the Office of Alumni Relations (OAR).

mailto:[email protected]


Dr Tan entertained the guests with his performance and inspirational talk.

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On 27 February, Faculty of Science (FoS) alumnus Dr Tan It Koon gave an inspiring lecture cum performance at the Shaw Foundation Alumni House on how he achieves a fulfilling life by balancing his science career, his personal commitments and passion for the arts.

A biochemist by training, Dr Tan graduated with 1st Class Honours and Doctorate degrees from the University of Singapore to embark on a long and successful career at the Singapore General Hospital. An accomplished pianist, he has won several Open Piano Performance and National Music composition competitions in Singapore and Malaysia.

The event was attended by about 100 guests, many of whom are our distinguished alumni, including former NUS Deputy Vice-Chancellor Emeritus Prof Huang Hsing Hua, former Member of Parliament / Cabinet Minister Dr Seet Ai Mee, Prof Leo Tan, Prof Lim Hock, teaching staff, graduate and undergraduate students, as well as two senior leaders from Ngee Ann Kongsi.

Following the well-illustrated and documented talk, Dr Tan gave an inspiring solo piano recital featuring the works of famous composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Charles Gounod, Edward Elgar, Franz Schubert, John Field, Christian Sinding, Jacob

Gade and Edric Cundell. Dr Tan also obliged in responding to an on-the-spot request for a Chinese piece for the Lunar New Year Festive period and to encore requests at the end of his performance.

Dr Tan was glad that the guests enjoyed his performance and hoped that the students would be encouraged to widen their scope of interest and study, and to take every opportunity to observe and enjoy things around them. He said, “It was well worth the time and effort organising and participating in the event.”

Dr Tan It Koon’s Lecture and

PerformanceA balanced and fulfilling life of science, medicine,

administration, music and visual art


Win or lose, we are one Science Family!

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The Science Sports Games (SSG) 2015 is a new initiative introduced by the NUS Students’ Science Club Sports Committee which aims to offer students more avenues to participate in sports activities. It also seeks to foster bonds between students, staff and alumni as part of the Science family. SSG also builds up anticipation towards the NUS Inter-Faculty Games (IFG), the University’s annual sporting event.

Held over two days on 14 and 15 February, SSG saw a total of 111 Science students and 22 Science alumni participating in a myriad of sports events, ranging from futsal to tchoukball. All the participants showed grit and skills while displaying great sportsmanship throughout the competition.

SSG 2015 ended on a high note with two exhibition matches between Team Alumni IFG and Team IFG in basketball and football. The alumni basketballers pushed their younger counterparts all the way to the 4th and final quarter, only for Team IFG to nick the win by a mere six points. On the other hand, the alumni footballers defied all odds and snatched a dramatic win in the dying minutes, winning the game 1-0.

Goh Koon Tong, a current Physics PhD student, enthused: “It gives the alumni an opportunity to be involved in student events and to interact with current students in an informal setting. This also keeps the alumni updated on developments at the Science

Faculty. The current students also get insights from the alumni on life after graduation.” Ong Shao Rui, a Year 3 Chemistry major, said, “SSG is similar to IFG but since we are playing with and against fellow Science students, there is an enhanced sense of familiarity and camaraderie.”

In conclusion, SSG was a huge success and we look forward to greater participation from our students, staff and alumni in the next edition.

Alumni IFG and Team IFG basketballers in action

Alumni IFG and Team IFG footballers : All smiles after an intense match!

“I feel like SSG stands for Super Super Good!” Christopher Martin Phillix,Year 4 Chemistry major

Inaugural Science Sports Games (SSG) 2015The first SSG 2015 scored success in uniting Science undergraduates and alumni in a series of sports events.

The Faculty of Science (FoS) seeks to be among the world’s

best in Science education and research.

Our researchers are realising

this vision in their various fields by breaking new ground,

and gaining acclaim for their work. From cancer research

to mathematical theories, two-dimensional materials,

forest ecology, and more, our researchers are continually

pushing the frontiers of Science.

Some of our researchers share their achievements,

the challenges and rewards of their work and their plans

moving forward.

RESEARCH HEROES An online publication for NUS Science students and alumni

“I have always had an interest in the metabolism of foreign

substances (also known as xenobiotics such as drugs and nutrients) and the endogenous metabolism within the human biological system.

My current research work is greatly influenced by Prof Jeremy Nicholson from Imperial College London, especially his innovative research in the emerging field of metabonomics which holds potential in many clinical and pharmaceutical applications.

I focus on two areas. Drug metabolism allows me to investigate drug-induced toxicity to understand why some people suffer the toxic effects of drugs while other patients do not after consuming the same medication. System biology ‘omics’ modelling allows me to address more complex questions related to diseases and their biomarkers.

Through my research, I hope to optimise pharmacotherapy, also known as therapy using medications, via personalised medicine where each patient is regarded as unique. I also hope to develop biomarkers to diagnose diseases and understand their underlying mechanisms.

While research funding is a challenge, I address this by striving for creativity, staying positive and collaborating actively with other like-minded researchers.

The rewards from the impactful outcomes of research certainly outweigh the challenges. For example, we published the first and subsequently a series of research and review articles on the non-invasive urinary metabonomic diagnosis of human bladder cancer. This concept is currently being developed for the clinical management of bladder cancer patients.

I have an emerging interest in understanding human-gut bacteria interaction in diseases and pharmacotherapy. With our knowledge in biology, chemistry and pharmaceutical science, I believe my research team can contribute to this burgeoning field.

Moving ahead, I would like to invest efforts to nurture the next generation of local scientists who will in turn contribute to Singapore’s growing biomedical industry.”

“L ogic, our area of research, is at the intersection of three disciplines

of human endeavour: mathematics, philosophy and computer science. It appeals to people who are interested in technically challenging problems with fundamental underpinnings of a philosophical nature. A particular area of logic has to do with the idea of computation through the work of Alan Turing. The fact that logic connects all three is fascinating. Our research focuses on questions related to the general concept of computability and definability. Many mathematical questions deal with the existence of mathematical objects. We are interested in knowing how “easy’’ or “difficult” it is to find such objects. This is measured by how one is able to describe or define, in a mathematically rigorous manner, the solutions. We are also interested in looking at problems whose solutions require new tools and ideas. There are a number of challenges one faces in working on a problem. The key one is not knowing where the work will lead to or what the answer is going to be.

Another challenge is to understand and analyse a mathematical problem, to identify the source of difficulties, and

resolve them. It is like looking at a big jigsaw puzzle that has been looked at by many others, and to put the pieces correctly to form a picture. Many times, one experiences repeated failures. Fortunately, you can try different ways or the same way many times while looking at a problem. And it is extremely rewarding when one discovers an idea that works, sometimes after many years of hard work. No word can describe the joy and level of satisfaction when this comes through. The field of mathematical logic is enormous and one can spend a lifetime on it. The main interest in the subject has to do with the desire to understand the concept of infinity, and to see how the idea of computation is explained through that understanding. It would also be interesting to study more closely the connection between logic and other fields of mathematics. There are still many challenging questions in reverse mathematics. There are also many wonderful ideas that are lost because too much attention was paid to technical developments. By tracing the history of the subject, perhaps one could rediscover important ideas that are useful for current and future research.”

NEXTPREVIOUS

Prof Eric Chan Chun YongDepartment of Pharmacy

Prof Chong Chi Tat (left) and Prof Yang Yue (right) Department of Mathematics

Prof Chan has carried out numerous note-worthy research works on metabolism-driven systems biology modelling of diseases and drug-induced toxicity. He was appointed as the Scientific Affairs Committee Member of the International Society for the Study of Xenobiotics (ISSX) in 2014. ISSX is the world leading international association of scientists that promotes the understanding of the interactions of medicines and chemicals with living systems. This appointment is a testimony of his international scientific standing.

Profs Chong and Yang have investigated extensively generalised theories of computation. Their work is showcased in a paper in collaboration with Prof Theodore A Slaman of the University of California at Berkeley. Entitled “The metamathematics of stable Ramsey’s theorem for pairs”, the paper was published in the Journal of American Mathematical Society (2014), acknowledged to be one of the four most prestigious journals in mathematics.

The Science

Behind Our Scientists

RESEARCH HEROES An online publication for NUS Science students and alumni

“When I saw a single layer of graphene (an atomically thin

layer of carbon) under an optical microscope, I was amazed by how stable and robust it was. I had known about graphene but seeing with my own eyes the distinct contrast it makes due to strong interaction with light excited and inspired me.

I study how 2D materials interact with light and respond to electrical signals. In a way, these materials are like kitchen wraps, in that they are flexible, stretchable, and sticky. What is unusual about them is that they can interact with light strongly and conduct electricity very efficiently despite being atomically thin. We believe that these materials will allow electronics and photonics to be realised on soft and curved surfaces such as plastics and textiles. They could be the future wearable electronics and foldable display materials. My research is multidisciplinary, with relevance to many fields. For now, we are focusing on our goal of realising novel optoelectronics with 2D materials.

In research, there are many challenges, accidental findings and disappointments. For instance, for a long time, we had difficulty understanding what happens to the atomic structure of our

materials when they are exposed to alkali metals. We knew that the original crystal structure was destabilised but the changes were so subtle that it was hard to identify them. We solved this problem by collaborating with the right microscopist who could visualise our material using one of the world’s best microscopes.

I enjoy the process of deciphering the “code” that’s hidden behind experimental data. Seeing a coherent picture gradually emerge from seemingly random numbers is exciting. It’s also wonderful to be able to share that experience with students and colleagues.

Occasionally, we also stumble upon exciting problems. It’s fun to imagine what is happening inside the 2D layers and to think of ways to make them behave.

There are many important questions related to the dynamics of charge carriers and excitons (bound electron-hole pairs) to be addressed. We will develop new experimental techniques and integrate our multidisciplinary efforts to tackle these problems. If you are considering a career in research, focus on the topics you are truly interested in and keep questioning.”

“I ventured into theoretical ecology because it was an opportunity to use

my skills in mathematics and computer science to solve important ecological and environmental problems. Many ecologists, including myself, are inspired by spending a lot of time out in nature. Even somewhere like Singapore, a highly developed city-state, has hundreds of species of plants and animals that can inspire us. The complexity of nature is remarkable but it can also be daunting: Can we achieve a rigorous understanding of the workings of these complex ecological systems? With the right combination of field data, mathematical modelling, and careful thought, it is possible.

The goal of ecology is to understand the processes driving the structure and diversity of ecosystems. Why are there more species in tropical places, such as Singapore, relative to temperate places? Do ecosystems with more species perform better, in terms of their ability to store carbon or purify water? In my lab, we use mathematical models to shed light on such questions.

Ecological research is valuable because humans gain satisfaction from a deeper understanding of the natural world. But it is also valuable for applied reasons: better understanding leads to better ecosystem management, healthier ecosystems, and greater benefits for humans in terms of clean water, fresh air, forest products, a stable

global climate, tourism opportunities—just to name a few. This is especially important in the context of widespread threats to ecosystems, including deforestation and climate change. Because ecosystems are inextricably linked with social and economic systems, my research also has synergies with economics and other social sciences.

One of the greatest challenges for students who want to pursue a career in theoretical ecology, or any branch of mathematical biology, is gaining proficiency in both mathematics and biology. Overcoming this challenge takes time and dedication. But it is highly rewarding to know that our research solves problems that are important for society and the future of our planet.

Looking ahead, I plan to train a new generation of mathematically competent Singapore biologists. I see a bright future for theoretical ecology here because students graduating from high school have excellent mathematics skills and can be inspired by the rich biodiversity of the region we live in.

In general, I recommend that a student considering a career in research choose a field that he or she is passionate about. This passion is necessary to sustain long years of work and it ultimately makes the job rewarding. Also, it is important to choose a field suited to the individual’s talents and skills.”

PREVIOUS

Prof Goki EdaDepartment of Physics

Prof Ryan Alistar Chisholm Department of Biological Sciences

Prof Eda has conducted several pioneering studies in the emerging field of two-dimensional (2D) materials. His interdisciplinary work on the physics and chemistry of these materials has shed light on the unique opportunities that this new family of materials offers. His contributions range from chemical synthesis to photo-physics of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides.

Prof Ryan Chisholm is a theoretical ecologist whose passion lies in tropical forest ecology. His research aims to understand the mechanisms responsible for large-scale patterns of tree diversity in tropical forests and to explore how this diversity influences ecosystem function. He is also a research associate at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.

NEXT

The Science Behind Our Scientists

DEPARTMENTS An online publication for NUS Science students and alumni NEXTPREVIOUS

“Be prepared to take risks, to fail. Have

an open mind…you may end up

doing something different from what

you expected.”

- Prof Brian Schmidt

Collaboration in science and knowledge-sharing could unite humanity to address global challenges. This is the belief of Prof Brian Schmidt, a 2011 Nobel Laureate for Physics and an astrophysicist at the Australian National University.

Prof Schmidt, who spoke on “Science : Humanity’s Universal Bridge”, noted that science’s impact on our lives is greater now and humanity must work together to deal with pressing issues such as providing

education, employment and stability for everyone. The lecture, held on 21 January, was part of the “Bridges : Dialogues Towards a Culture of Peace” speaker series, jointly hosted by NUS and Yale-NUS College and facilitated by the International Peace Foundation.

The Physics Department also hosted a visit where Prof Schmidt met faculty members and students and shared his views on various issues. Likening research to “solving a Sudoku puzzle, for real, every day”, Prof Schmidt had

this advice for students considering research careers: “Be prepared to take risks, to fail. Have an open mind…you may end up doing something different from what you expected.”

Prof Schmidt also emphasised the benefits of collaboration. Citing his discovery of an accelerating universe, he said, “We did the final little step. But there were millions of steps before that with thousands of people involved.”

The students were inspired by Prof Schmidt’s passion for science. To undergraduate Chen Siyu, Prof Schmidt “broke many stereotypes of physicists”, while undergraduate Lim Yong Hui shared that Prof Schmidt had broadened her perspective “to see scientific skills as assets we can carry across different fields and disciplines.” Post-graduate student Tan Peng Kian said, “He showed us that winning a Nobel Prize is not the only path. We must be open to new ideas and opinions.”

for Physics Prof Brian Schmidt Visits the Faculty of ScienceProf Schmidt advocates building bridges with Science to address global issues.

Prof Brian Schmidt sharing his experiences with undergraduate and postgraduate students from the Department of Physics


Pre-Event Reception with NUSS Management Committee (MC) members, NUSS CEO and NUS Representatives

(First row, from left): Dean of Science Prof Shen Zuowei; President of NUSS Mr David Ho; Prof Manfred Schartl; Head of

the Department of Biological Sciences, Prof Paul Matsudaira; Prof Christoph Winkler; Immediate Past President of NUSS

Mr Johnny Tan

(Second row): Chief Executive Officer of NUSS Mr Roy Higgs (far right) and Chairpersons of the various Sub-Committees of NUSS

NUSS Professor Prof Manfred Schartl shared during his public lecture on how small fish can help scientists better understand cancer.

Prof Manfred Schartl, NUSS Professor, studies zebrafish and medaka to understand more about human diseases like skin cancer.

At the NUSS Professorship Lecture: “The Basis of Cancer - How Small Fish Can Help to Understand Human Disease”, held on 10 March, Prof Schartl shared how small laboratory fish help in achieving better prevention measures for human cancer. They can also be used by scientists to develop novel therapeutic strategies, with the ultimate goal of giving patients true personalised medicine.

At the lecture, Prof Schartl highlighted that cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, as well as in Singapore. Cancer is also found in plants and animals, even dinosaurs, as shown in fossil samples dating back 72 million years, making it an evolutionary and widespread phenomenon. Although noxious chemicals and exposure to radiation can lead to cancer, cancer

can also occur in “clean” environments. It is a genetic disease and the inheritance of mutations in cancer causing genes is an important factor.

Prof Schartl, a world leading expert in fish genomics and genetics, focuses on melanoma, a highly malignant skin cancer. He has discovered a cancer gene that causes melanoma in natural populations of fish, particularly after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. As the fish are genetically similar to people, this finding has resulted in a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms leading to malignant cell growth. This in turn enables the detection of new diagnostic markers and the design of novel cancer therapy drugs.

During his visit to NUS, Prof Schartl collaborated with Prof Gong Zhiyuan and Prof Christoph Winkler to study the mechanisms that control cell growth in cancer and in regenerating tissues. An experiment with Prof Winkler’s group analysed the mechanism

that allows zebrafish and medaka to regrow an amputated fin to its correct size within 14 days, thereby contributing new insights for regenerative medicine.

Using zebrafish to study liver cancer, Prof Schartl and Prof Gong recognised common features of cancers in fish and humans. They are scrutinising this further to find unifying concepts of cancer development that may open up new methods for diagnosis and therapy.

Prof Schartl is the NUS Society Professor this year. The NUSS Professorship was established in 1996 to enable eminent professors from around the world to share their expertise with the NUS community and the general public. Prof Schartl has been Head for Physiological Chemistry at the University of Wuerzburg, Germany since 1991. He is a member of the German Academy of Sciences and served as President of the German Genetics Society from 2009 to 2011.

NUSS Professorship Lecture by

Small laboratory fish, such as zebrafish and medaka, have become useful models for biomedical research

Prof Manfred Schartl


On 8 April, the Department of Pharmacy held its annual Pharmacy Research Awareness Symposium at Shaw Foundation Alumni House, where pharmacy undergraduates and postgraduates presented their research projects. This event was held in conjunction with the 10th PharmSci@Asia Symposium which was organised by the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) – National University of Singapore (NUS) Student Chapter. The theme of the joint symposium was “Frontiers in Pharmaceutical Innovation and Education”.

Prof Chui Wai Keung, Head, Pharmacy, said, “The symposium provides a platform for final year Pharmacy undergraduates, Doctor of Pharmacy candidates and Pharmacy postgraduates to present the results of their research projects in pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutical technology, pharmacokinetics or pharmacy practice. We also hope to inspire students to pursue research in their chosen careers by exposing them to world-class researchers and educators.”

The Guest of Honour, Mrs Tan Ching Yee, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health (MOH) shared her perspectives on the impact of good research on health policies, thus providing insights to students who are stepping out as pharmacists or scientists.

The symposium also featured winners of the undergraduate research poster competition, as well as several eminent overseas and local plenary speakers. These included a keynote talk by Prof William Beck, Department Head, Biopharmaceutical Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), UIC Distinguished Professor, on

“Splicing factors as novel therapeutic targets in ovarian and breast cancer”.

The 10th PharmSci@Asia Symposium, held on 9 April, helped to promote professional and scientific interactions between experts and graduate students from different universities, research institutes and industries. Prof Ma Xiang from Tongji School of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China and Prof Xiang Xiao Qiang, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, China were the plenary speakers.

10thPharmSci@Asia Symposium and Annual Pharmacy Research Awareness Symposium 2015 Extending frontiers in pharmaceutical

innovation and education

A group photo with Guest of Honour, Mrs Tan Ching Yee, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, invited speakers, guests and the organising committee. A deeply engaged audience during the

keynote lecture by Prof William Beck

Mrs Tan Ching Yee, Guest of Honour, accompanied by Prof Chui Wai Keung, Head of Pharmacy Department (second from right), and Prof Lita Chew (second from left), interacted with FYP students during the poster viewing session.


“It was the simple ideas and explanations that captured the audience’s attention regardless of their knowledge level in the presented topics. I hope to translate this into my teaching, where I will endeavour to teach simple concepts to all students.” Prof Rowan YoungDepartment of Chemistry

Participants were intrigued with the posters displayed at the conferenceThe SICC-8 Organising Committee Members

The 8th Singapore International Chemistry Conference (SICC-8), jointly organised by the Department of Chemistry, NUS, and the Singapore National Institute of Chemistry (SNIC), was held from 14 to 17 December 2014 at University Town.

The SICC is a biennial conference dedicated to promoting advances in chemistry. It serves as a platform for discussions on current and new scientific developments in chemical sciences. The conference featured major themes in

organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, supramolecular and materials chemistry, bioorganic chemistry and green chemistry.

Special sessions were also organised to commemorate the International Year of Crystallography 2014 (IYCr2014) declared by the United Nations to create awareness of the science of crystallography and how it underpins technological developments in modern society.

There were over 150 oral presentations, including six plenary and 16 keynote presentations given by highly-established scientists, and 200 poster presentations. The conference was well-attended by close to 400 participants, including 180 foreign delegates.

Prof Rowan Young, from the Department of Chemistry, learnt that the presentation methods of more experienced presenters made the largest impact on the way he will teach. He said, “It was the simple ideas and

explanations that captured the audience’s attention regardless of their knowledge level in the presented topics. I hope to translate this into my teaching, where I will endeavour to teach simple concepts to all students.”

Miss Poh Si Bei, one of the poster presenters, enjoyed the interactions with fellow graduate students through discussions on chemistry topics. Through these sessions, she learnt how to communicate more effectively to explain and illustrate her research work.

Singapore International Chemistry ConferenceWith close to 400 participants, the conference was a huge success with a high level of scientific discourse.8th


International Conference on

Computational Physics (ICCP9)

Held at NUS, the ICCP9 achieved a record high number of participants.

Professors interacting over tea at the conference Prof Feng Yuan Ping, Chair of the local organising committee, addressing participants of ICCP9

NUS hosted the 9th International Conference on Computational Physics (ICCP9), from 7 to 11 January.

The ICCP9 was jointly organised by the Department of Physics, Department of Mathematics, the Institute of Mathematical Sciences at NUS, the Institute of Advanced Studies at Nanyang Technological University and the Institute of Applied Mathematics and Computational Mathematics in Beijing, China. It aimed to provide a platform for computational physicists, mathematicians, materials scientists and engineers to share and exchange ideas on recent developments in frontiers of theory and numerical methods as well as applications in computational physics.

Over the five-day event, the programme featured daily plenary talks by invited speakers from various countries such as the USA, Switzerland, Germany and more, mini-symposia with invited and contributed oral presentations, as well as poster sessions. Participants also mingled over a banquet dinner, and had the opportunity to tour Singapore on the last day.

On his thoughts as a participant of ICCP9, Prof Gong Jiangbin from the Department of Physics shared that the excellent experimental talks made ICCP9 more than just a traditional conference. Through the conference, he got acquainted with the visiting professors and learnt about frontier research topics such as topological semimetals.

Prof Feng Yuan Ping, Chair of the local organising committee, was heartened by the overwhelming turnout of ICCP9, crediting its success to the members of the organising committee, the voluntary staff as well as the student helpers who were roped in as part of the team.

Prof Feng said, “ICCP9 was a great success in terms of its high scientific quality and record number of participants in the history of the ICCP conference series. It was a challenge organising a conference of this capacity but I am glad that we worked together and did an excellent job.”

9th


Inaugural Oppenheim LecturesThe Oppenheim Lectures is a distinguished lecture series jointly organised by the Department of Mathematics, and the Institute for Mathematical Sciences at NUS.

Students at a special dialogue session with Prof NgoFrom left: NUS Provost and Deputy President (Academic Affairs) Prof Tan Eng Chye; Distinguished Professor Prof Louis Chen, Prof Ngo Bao Chau, and Mathematics Head of Department Prof Zhu Chengbo

This series of lectures is held annually beginning from the Academic Year 2014/2015, in honour of Sir Alexander Oppenheim, who held the position of Professor and first Head of the Department from 1931, at the time of Raffles College, until 1959. Prof Oppenheim was also Vice Chancellor of the University of Malaya (the predecessor of NUS) from 1957 to 1963. He was a well-known number theorist, notably for the Oppenheim Conjecture that concerned representations of numbers by real quadratic forms in several variables. The conjecture was later proven by Gregori Margulis in 1986.

The inaugural Oppenheim Lecture on 28 January was delivered by Prof Ngo Bao Chau from the University of Chicago and Vietnam Institute for Advanced Study in Mathematics. Prof Ngo is best known for proving the fundamental lemma in the Langlands programme which was selected by Time magazine as one of the Top Ten Scientific Discoveries of 2009. He was awarded the Fields medal in the International Congress of Mathematicians 2010, held in India. In conjunction with the Oppenheim Lecture, there was also a Workshop on Representation Theory & Automorphic Forms from 27 to 29 January, with speakers from NUS and various

institutions in the Asia-Pacific region including the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Kyoto University.

Prof Ngo shared his insights with students interested in mathematics and mathematical research at a special dialogue session on 29 January.

Mr Song Xi, Year 2 PhD student said, “Prof Ngo’s lecture has strengthened my belief in the importance of analogy-making in order to be an expert in at least one research area in mathematics.”


The 2015 Nanotechnology Study Tour was held in Tokyo from 26 to 30 January. Eight students from the Faculty of Science (FoS) and 15 La Trobe University students, who are pursuing a specialisation in nanoscience, participated in the study tour.

The inaugural Nanotechnology Study Tour was held in January 2013 and has now evolved into an official module offered at NUS. SP3277 Nano: from Research Bench to Industrial Applications was introduced in Semester 2 of Academic Year 2013/2014.

Taught by lecturers from the Special Programme in Science (SPS), Physics, Pharmacy, the Centre for Language Studies as well as industry players, the module aims to expose NUS students to nanoscience research and the nanotechnology-based industry. This is done through a series of seminars by principal investigators and industry experts in the field and laboratory and through industrial visits. The students also complete nanosynthesis and / or

nanocharacterisation-related mini projects, all of which are conducted locally.

The module culminates in an intensive one-week study tour to Japan, organised in collaboration with La Trobe University’s Bachelor of Science and Master of Nanotechnology programme. The study tour includes visits to the School of Science, University of Tokyo, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and the KEK Photon Factory, Tsukuba.

A highlight of the study tour was the opportunity to participate in the Nano Tech 2015 Exhibition and Conference, one of the biggest events of its type with around 1,000 exhibitors and 50,000 members of the general public visiting over three days. The students attended the seminars held on-site and worked together to answer questions on their choice of case study based on the materials and notes taken during their booth visits. There was also a post-tour presentation of their learning points through Google Hangout, after their return from Tokyo.

The students of both universities, who had been in prior contact via Skype and video conferencing, had a good time of interaction during the study tour.

Seng Leng Kiat, a Year 3 Physics major student, said, “We had the opportunity to experience not only the culture in Japan but their academic and industry research. I was amazed by their 3D printing technologies, where I witnessed the possibility of printing metal! This trip had many takeaways for me, such as seeing a synchrotron up close, getting a glimpse into the nanotechnology products that are offered by different countries and having a better appreciation for new technologies that will appear soon in the various industries. During the trip, we also got to network with the final year Japanese students at the University of Tokyo, which was a really refreshing experience.”

Nanotechnology Study Tour in Tokyo

Eight students from the Faculty of Science and 15 students from La Trobe University participated in the study tour

Clean room laboratory visit to the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)

Researcher showcasing state-of-the-art surface analysis equipment at the KEK Photon Factory

The study group with Prof Roger Tan, Vice Dean (Education and Special Duties), Faculty of Science; Prof Lai Yee Hing, Associate Dean (Education and International Programmes), Faculty of Science, and Prof Paul Pigram, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry and Physics of La Trobe University and Director of the Centre for Materials and Surface Science, at the NanoTech Exhibition and Conference 2015


ASEAN Universities Network in Biology

The ASEAN Universities Network in Biology fosters closer collaboration amongst biologists in ASEAN universities.

In 2012, at the 17th Biology Society Graduate Congress (BSGC) in Bangkok, Chulalongkorn University (CU), University of Malaya (UM) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) mooted the establishment of an ASEAN Universities Network in Biology to promote closer interaction amongst biologists in ASEAN in education and research.

A very successful series of annual graduate congresses is already in place. These are organised by graduate students, and rotated among the three partner universities – CU, UM and NUS. The ASEAN Universities Network in Biology was established in 2013 to promote interactions and the exchange of biologists within the ASEAN community. The Inaugural ASEAN Universities Workshop in Agri-

Biotechnology, focusing on Rice Technology, was held in October 2013 at NUS.

In June 2014, Chulalongkorn University hosted the 2nd ASEAN Universities Workshop in Agri-Biotechnology and in conjunction, the 1st CU-NUS Joint Seminar in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

The 3rd ASEAN workshop on Host-Pathogen Interaction, focusing on the relationship of pathogens to human health, was held on 11 December 2014 in NUS. Speakers included those from Mahidol University, University of Science Malaysia, the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology in Hanoi, University of Philippines, Diliman and the Louisiana State University.

Prof Hew Choy Leong, from the Department of Biological Sciences, and the current coordinator for the ASEAN Universities Network in Biology, said, “The event has resulted in several new collaborations in research projects. We anticipate that more collaborations between biologists in the ASEAN Universities will emerge from this network.”

Prof Hew added that the network also provides training opportunities for visiting staff to NUS. A workshop on Conservation Biology is scheduled to be held in November this year.

The 19th Biological Sciences Graduate Congress was held back to back with the 3rd ASEAN Workshop from 12 to 14 December

2014, and served as an opportunity for participating graduate students to attend both events in Singapore. More than 200 attended the congress, which focused on four themes: Biochemistry & Biophysical Sciences, Biodiversity, Ecology & Environmental Biology, Biotechnology & Computational Biology, and Cell, Molecular & Developmental Biology.

Besides the annual graduate congress, the three partner universities also suggested that ASEAN Universities should organise regular seminars and workshops on selected topics to better integrate different research activities and to facilitate closer research partnerships amongst the youths and early career scientists in the 10 ASEAN countries.

Participants at the 19th Biological Sciences Graduate Congress held in December 2014

The Department of Chemistry has been organising the biennial Singapore National Crystal Growing Challenge since 1997.

This innovative challenge provides secondary school, junior college and polytechnic students in Singapore the opportunity to discover the art and science of growing crystals and to learn the importance and relevance of chemistry techniques. Growing crystals is also a creative way to understand aspects of basic physics, geology and biology.

The event also acts as a platform for students to interact and engage in friendly competition at the national level.

A total of 24 secondary schools and tertiary education institutions participated in the 11th run of the Challenge, held on 27 September 2014. Yishun Secondary School, Republic Polytechnic and Hwa Chong Institution emerged as champions in the Junior, Senior and Open Categories respectively.

One of the participants assembling her team’s crystal display for the judging panel during the 11th Singapore National Crystal Growing Challenge

The Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) conferred the Faculty of Science (FoS)the Outstanding Partner Award at the CDAC Partners Awards Presentation Ceremony on 14 February. This is the highest award given to an organisation that has contributed significantly to CDAC’s efforts in helping less privileged students to realise their potential through education. Since 2009, the Faculty has nurtured secondary school students in science through the CDAC-NUS Science In3 programme as part of its outreach efforts. This initiative is CDAC’s first collaboration with a local university to develop the scientific interest of talented students from low-income families.

Science In3 comprises three phases to progressively deepen students’ experience in science research - ‘Science Inspire’, ‘Science Investigate’ and ‘Science Inquire’. In ‘Science Inspire’, students with an interest and aptitude in science participate in a science camp and workshops to initiate them to science. Said Carmen Lam, previously a Life Sciences undergraduate who developed and facilitated

the Biology workshop, “We build programmes to spark interest in students. We don’t just want students to understand fundamental Biology topics such as microscopy, enzymes and respiration. We also want to present Science as a fun, inquiry-based subject with many real-life applications.”

In the second phase, ‘Science Investigate’, students will acquire hands-on experience with cutting-edge research instruments through short laboratory attachments. Finally, in ‘Science Inquire’, a selected number of promising students will spend about half a year in FoS laboratories to carry out full-fledged research projects under the guidance of faculty members.

Said Prof Tay Seng Chuan, Associate Professor at the Department of Physics, who mentored various student groups, “We impart to students the skills to carry out scientific research. We invest a lot of effort to build the students’ foundational knowledge through focused projects.” The programme has garnered positive feedback. Students find it a fun and eye-opening experience where they discover many interesting aspects of Science.

Said Prof Sow Chorng Haur, Head of the Department of Physics, who was involved in In3 from the beginning, “We are encouraged that our

partnership with CDAC has made a difference to the education of CDAC’s beneficiaries. The programme is a meaningful endeavour in which the Faculty, with its relevant expertise, plays its part for the community.”

OUTREACH An online publication for NUS Science students and alumni NEXTPREVIOUS

11th Singapore National Crystal Growing Challenge

FoS Recognised as CDAC

Outstanding PartnerCDAC-NUS Science In3 programme has benefitted

more than 520 students since its inception. The In3 programme has benefitted more than 520 students since its inception

“I gained many meaningful insights, especially when we are engaged in an intensive project at the final stage. I acquired the knowledge and confidence to operate scientific equipment. More importantly, I learnt the importance of patience, focus and hard work in research.” Matthew Lee Wei Jie Student from School of the Arts (SOTA)

Date(s) Event Name

201530 Mar - 30

AprInstitute for Mathematical Sciences: Programme on Sets and Computation

8 Apr Fifth Singapore Conference on Statistical Science8 - 9 Apr Annual Pharmacy Research Awareness Symposium 2015

and10th PharmSci@Asia Symposium9 - 18 Apr Science & Technology 110 Exhibition:

“Building our Nation through Science & Technology”18 Apr Lee Kong Chian National History Museum Official Opening

Ceremony28 Apr Lee Kong Chian National History Museum Public Opening

4 - 15 May Institute for Mathematical Sciences: Workshop on Stochastic Processes in Random Media

18 - 29 May Institute for Mathematical Sciences: Workshop on New Directions in Stein’s Method

23 May Faculty of Science Open House25 - 28 May Institute for Mathematical Sciences: Conference on 60

Years of Yang-Mills Gauge Field Theories27 May Creative & Heuristic Applications of Science (CHAOS)

Final Competition

Date(s) Event Name

30 May - 6 Jun Chemistry Week 20151 Jun - 31 Jul Institute for Mathematical Sciences: Programme on Networks in

Biological Sciences 5 Jun Statistics Enrichment Camp

8 - 11 Jun Physics Enrichment Camp 2015 4 Jul Homecoming at Bukit Timah Campus “Varsity Showtime 2015”

9 - 10 Jul Commencement 201512 - 13 Jul Department of Mathematics: Singapore-Suzhou Workshop on

Quantitative Finance 20 - 29 Jul 47th International Chemistry Olympiad Singapore

(Jointly organised with Singapore National Institute of Chemistry)21 Jul Faculty of Science Dean’s Welcome Tea

31 Jul 2015 Singapore Statistics Poster Competition Award CeremonyAug – Sep Singapore Junior Physics Olympiad

15 Aug Mathematics Enrichment Camp16 – 18 Sep Singapore Amazing Challenge (Jointly organised with DSO &

Science Centre Singapore)

Editors/ WritersClarissa FongTay Ket LingWith thanks to contributors from Departments and student societies DesignerJames Wee

AdvisorsGoh Say SongPeter HoJanice QuahRoger Tan

For any enquiries, please email: [email protected]

Dean’s OfficeFaculty of ScienceBlock S16 Level 96 Science Drive 2, S(117546) Website:http://www.science.nus.edu.sg

EDITOR’S COLUMN

WHAT'S UP? | COLUMN An online publication for NUS Science students and alumni PREVIOUS

WHAT'S UP Calendar of Events01 April 2015 – 30 Sept 2015

www.science.nus.edu.sg

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