To improve the lives of its citizens and become an economic powerhouse in Asia, Singapore recognized early on the value of a thriving research and development (R&D) scene. The city-state sprung into action to build an ecosystem ripe for nurturing diverse scientific talents through the establishment of the National Science and Technology Board (NSTB) and forward-looking research and development plans. Now, Singapore’s first generation of visionary scientists has grown into mentors themselves, creating a chain reaction that continues to deepen the nation’s talent pool and contribute to economic and societal progress.
To sustain this pipeline of talent, the A*STAR Graduate Academy (A*GA) launched several scholarship initiatives over the years, supporting Singapore’s best and brightest in their early careers and accelerating their personal and professional growth.
While scholarship grants may come in a variety of forms, all rest on the core of providing a combination of formal education, research experience and network building. For example, recipients of the A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (Singapore) commence their PhD degrees at a local partner university while undertaking industry-focused R&D at an A*STAR Research Institute. Meanwhile, the National Science Scholarship covers a one-year research attachment at A*STAR followed by up to five years of PhD training overseas. At the same time, the Singapore International Graduate Award attracts overseas talent to study at the nation’s leading academic and research institutions.
A*GA’s numerous alumni continue to carry the character-building experiences from their student days that have helped shape the foundations of their careers. Many now excel beyond university hallways and laboratories, with others also making waves in industry and public service.
In this feature, seven recipients of the A*STAR scholarships reflect on the opportunities that their scholarships provided them, and how their experience as scholars empowered them to not only take their research to greater heights but also to pay it forward by nurturing the next generation of scientific talent.
Xian Jun Loh
A*STAR Graduate Scholarship, 2002
Executive Director, Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), A*STAR
1. What impact did the A*STAR scholarships have on your career?
I have been well supported by A*STAR scholarships throughout my education. During my undergraduate degree, the scholarship offered an eight-week research attachment at A*STAR that opened my horizons to research. For my postgraduate studies, the scholarship provided opportunities to attend international conferences where I got to listen to renowned scientists and interact with the top researchers in my field. In my postdoctoral years, being fully sponsored by A*STAR allowed me to enhance my research training even further at the University of Cambridge in the UK.
2. How did your training prepare you for your current career in materials science?
When I returned from my postdoctoral training in 2012, I was tasked to lead the Personal Care program in A*STAR and work with companies. This was an eye-opener for me as I had no prior training on industrial projects. I learned that practicality is as important as the scientific merit of the research project. The commercialization timeline is different for different types of products.
I also noticed that Singapore’s materials science sector is rich in talent, thus providing us with many opportunities to nurture the next generation of local scientists. Doing so would not only turn Singapore into an attractive hub to draw in top international talent but also maximize the potential of our homegrown capabilities and talent.
3. What advice do you have for aspiring A*STAR scholars?
At every opportunity I’ve had, I have always encouraged scholars to remain humble and continue learning. A research career is a marathon and not a sprint. Simply put, the research career is a long one. During this time, there could be numerous awards and grand accolades. However, it is important for scholars not to get carried away by the glamor and fame that comes with it. It is important that scholars appreciate the value of hard work and be dedicated to the course. They must also stay humble and take the advice of seniors, peers and juniors at every instance.
A*STAR today is a very nurturing place for scholars. I hope that the scholars will pay it forward. Having received support, the best way for scholars to give back to society and A*STAR is to help train the next generation who can take on leadership positions in the R&D ecosystem.
Jingmei Li
A*STAR Graduate Scholarship, 2006
Group Leader, Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), A*STAR
1. What did receiving the A*STAR Graduate Scholarship mean to you?
My PhD journey with A*STAR was the product of an arrangement between Singapore and Sweden, a shining example of how international collaboration is the way forward for science. My project combined the most advanced genomics technology available in Singapore at that time, with the incredible amount of clinical data available in Sweden. Each country alone would have taken a lot longer to accomplish the same results should the research have been done separately.
To put things in perspective, about 2,000 breast cancers are diagnosed in Singapore every year. During my PhD training, one project I was involved in combined data from all over the world to achieve a data pool of over 100,000 breast cancer cases. It would have taken Singapore 50 years to collect the same data set if we did not collaborate.
2. How did your experiences as a scholar impact you?
I have matured from a scientist who was once just curious, to one who is curious but also aware of societal needs and who I am doing science for.
For my PhD thesis, I looked for genetic markers correlated with developing breast cancer. While it was scientific progress, it wasn’t going to move the needle in improving public health. But my co-supervisor, now Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) Deputy Executive Director Professor Jianjun Liu, illustrated that if we combine the effects of all the markers that we find, at some point we will make a difference. That helped me recognize the future that I couldn’t see with my limited experience and exposure to science. Working in an environment with such insightful scientists opened my mind.
I asked my main PhD supervisor, Professor Per Hall, why he gave up a high-paying clinical job to take up a university position. His answer was, “As a clinician, I help one patient at a time. Doing what we do now, our results can potentially help millions of breast cancer patients.” That conversation gave meaning to my research.
3. What message would you like to share with aspiring A*STAR scholars?
For science to advance, we need to hear the voices of our young scientists! A*GA provided a safe place for me to learn from the best in the field, and to bring my ideas to life. Through the scholarship, I have found peers, friends, mentors and many of my best collaborators. I hope to welcome you to the A*STAR family!
Benjamin Tee
National Science Scholarship, 2007
Associate Professor, National University of Singapore
1. How did being an A*STAR scholar expand your network for collaborative research?
A*GA has been extremely helpful in building my professional network. Being an A*STAR scholar immediately connects you to a group of like-minded go-getters. Each scholar brings with them their international network, effectively growing the A*GA network exponentially. I was able to connect with top scientists, venture capitalists and many other disciplines and industries when trying to translate technologies. The A*GA network was also helpful in the early stages of company formation for a startup I co-founded, Privi Medical, which has been successfully acquired.
2. How did the scholarship prepare you to pursue high-impact research?
With the scholarship, I could pursue topics that I have tremendous interest in with the flexibility of exploring widely. This enabled me to think big and work on groundbreaking ideas that might not have been possible if we were constrained by research topics. It also allowed me to pursue the degree at nearly any top university of my choice, and I chose Stanford University because it has a good track record of providing a mix of deep science and translational research in the heart of Silicon Valley.
There were plenty of opportunities at Stanford to develop design-thinking skills through programs at the business school or Stanford Biodesign, an ecosystem for health technology innovation. I learned how to design programs from a needs-driven perspective, while at the same time work on challenging research problems. This shaped my approach as a scientist to keep a very open mind about what could be possible.
3. Can you share a word of advice for aspiring A*STAR scholars?
Be open to new areas that you might not be familiar with or interested in and try them out. This is especially important as it is not easy to predict the future in three to five years. Look for areas that might not be as well-studied and determine if it is a good fit for your interests. Develop a broad-based experience during your PhD and take modules outside of your comfort zone. The scholarship is an excellent platform for you to launch your career through PhD training at the highest levels.
Marvin Lee
National Science Scholarship, 2002/2007
Vice President, Semiconductors, Economic Development Board
1. How did the A*STAR scholarship help in your career?
The scholarship gave me a head start in my academic pursuit and provided me with the resources and the opportunity to interact with the brightest minds at Imperial College London and the University of Oxford in the UK. The deep appreciation that I have gained for science and technology laid the foundation for scientific research during my post-doctoral years and my career in public service.
Beyond lab experiments, I broadened my horizons to see how policymakers create the right kind of environment for research activities to thrive in Singapore. I am now doing investment promotion with the semiconductors team at Singapore’s Economic Development Board. Compared to my previous planning and strategy portfolio where I looked across a spectrum of industries, I now dive deep into an industry vertical. The learning curve has been steep. Although the work that I do now has little relevance to my background in biomedical sciences, the new knowledge and skillsets I have picked up in my current portfolio have been phenomenal!
2. What influenced your transition from research to public service?
While at Oxford, I always wondered about what goes on behind the scenes in research strategy. How do researchers get funding? How does Singapore decide what research areas to invest in and double down our bets on? What is our talent strategy?
A*STAR also often organizes care trips to touch base with the scholars and keeps us abreast of the latest developments in Singapore. These sessions sparked my curiosity about the key policy considerations and shifts in focus areas as the nation transitioned into the next Research, Innovation and Enterprise strategy.
When I joined the Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI), I had a coffee chat with Professor Sze Wee Tan, Assistant Chief Executive, Enterprise. We talked about how exciting things can be when you deal with policy planning day in and day out. It was a turning point for me—I decided since I’ve always had all these questions and a strong conviction to give back to A*STAR and Singapore, I should just jump into it myself!
3. What lessons from your time as a scholar have shaped your approach to leadership and policymaking?
Our R&D ecosystem today is vibrant and complex with many stakeholder interests at play. This is what makes Singapore an increasingly exciting innovation hub. As an A*STAR scholar, I had the opportunity to be exposed to this wide spectrum of activities and stakeholders, but it is the authenticity in the way you manage your working relationship with people that allows you to venture further in your career and leadership journey.
As a strategist, it is important to not just formulate policies in an ivory tower. We also have to engage researchers, academic institutions, as well as industry players to make sure that our thinking and expectations are well-aligned so that any policy implemented would truly benefit the R&D ecosystem.
Tuan Le Mau
National Science Scholarship, 2009/2014
Scientist, Innovation Lead, Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), A*STAR
1. How has being a scholar shaped your career and current research directions?
I have always been interested in how the human mind works and how we can apply this knowledge to create devices to help people. This interest drove me to pursue my undergraduate degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and engage in robotics projects at Imperial College London in the UK. During my PhD studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US, I investigated brainwaves and facial movements during emotions. My PhD work led me to the Social Cognitive Computing (SCC) department at A*STAR’s Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC).
At SCC, I supported the commercial development of an emotion analytic engine called CrystalFeel, which is related to my facial emotion studies from my PhD. I also helped build the back-end system for a multi-institutional program developing brainwave systems for healthcare applications as co-Principal Investigator.
2. How did your overseas training influence your approach to collaborative research and innovation?
Studying, working and living in three places with exposure to a diversity of cultures, ideologies and perspectives helped me grow tremendously. I brought all these learnings back to A*STAR. I applied the project management framework acquired during my studies together with different software tools into the projects that I helped manage at IHPC. This has significantly improved our R&D speed, work transparency and quality of results. I also learned to provide freedom and space for exploration to my teams to promote individuality, original thinking and productivity.
3. What advice can you share with aspiring A*STAR scholars?
I would encourage aspiring A*STAR scholars to speak to senior scholars at different points in the A*GA journey to gain more diverse perspectives. I also strongly encourage scholars to build relationships with the A*GA team and keep in close contact with them throughout their journey.
The A*GA team is approachable and supportive, and I am especially grateful to Prof Alfred Huan, then A*GA Executive Director while I was pursuing my PhD degree. He spent time learning about my passion and encouraged me to gain experience with tech startups. He even connected me with researchers working on related projects in A*STAR for potential collaboration. This strong support system will help scholars in charting their career path and experiencing a fulfilling scholarship journey.
Benjamin Toh
A*STAR Graduate Scholarship, 2006
Principal Business Analyst, Technology and Innovation, Advanced MedTech
1. What impact did the A*STAR scholarship have on your professional development?
Receiving the scholarship opened the door to a career in R&D and beyond. The scholarship was a stepping stone into the world of science and innovation which, at the time, I knew I was passionate about but did not know much about. I had the opportunity to work in a multinational team during my PhD, which equipped me with skills that were applicable not only in the lab but also in moving to public service administration.
2. How did supervising students during your PhD shape your current leadership style?
Working with MSc and undergraduate students was always a fun experience because they bring a lot of energy into the team. One thing I have always said to them was that a negative result is still a result. Trying, failing and trying again is normal; what is important is the learning that takes place to plan the next experiment. The continual process of learning fostered a growth mindset in me that I have tried to inculcate in the teams I have led. Being comfortable with failure and learning from it is even more relevant now as innovation cycles shorten, meaning that we have to test and iterate new ideas more frequently.
3. How has your scientific training and network at A*STAR benefited your transition to an industry role at Advanced MedTech?
I am privileged that A*STAR has provided me with multiple avenues for professional growth. Being seconded to Advanced MedTech was one of them and it has allowed me to experience first-hand what it is like to work in a business development role in a private enterprise. My training at A*STAR helped me understand the science and ask the right questions when assessing the technology behind each product. The networks I have built over the years as a scientist and as Director of Planning at A*STAR’s Biomedical Research Council have also served me well when I needed to ask questions and seek independent opinions. The learning curve was steep and took me awhile to adapt, but I am thankful that I was part of a great team that helped me to transition into my current role.
Astrid Irwanto
Singapore International Graduate Award, 2009
Chief Operating Officer, Nalagenetics
1. How did the Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) help you grow?
I have always wanted to study biomedical sciences and create an impact in this field. Studying at the National University of Singapore (NUS), one of the top universities in the world, through SINGA has been such a privilege and honor. I never imagined that I could contribute knowledge by publishing in the top medical and scientific journals—all thanks to the quality of work, the extent of international collaboration and the access to state-of-the-art facilities in A*STAR and Singapore.
SINGA also provided an allowance for us to attend three overseas conferences where we could present our work. This led to my personal growth, expanding my network of scientists and key opinion leaders. Little did I know that this network would prove useful now that I am leading a startup and no longer in academia.
2. What were your most memorable and challenging experiences as an international scholar?
The most memorable aspect would be the friendships I have built in Singapore. The community here is friendly and supportive and everyone is highly responsible. I was able to adapt easily to the culture here as it was similar to my life principles.
The most challenging experience I faced was meeting the publication requirements at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (SSHSPH) at NUS. SSHSPH required four papers as first or second authors as prerequisites for completing a PhD degree. However, if not for this prerequisite, I would not have four impactful papers, one of which led to my startup.
3. Can you share a word of advice for aspiring A*STAR scholars?
Approach many people and talk to them about your career direction. You may not know that your discovery means a lot to the community if you do not step out of the lab. Make as many friends and engage in as many collaborations as possible.
At the end of the day, it is all about passion. If scholars network widely, work hard and publish well during their studies, they will have easier choices when advancing their careers, whether in academia or beyond.
