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Staff Profile

Dr Yen Nee Tan

Reader in Advanced Materials and Nanobiotechnology; Associate Professor (Chemical Engineering); Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

  • Telephone: +65 6908 6016
  • Address: Newcastle University
    537 Clementi Road #06-01
    SIT Building at Ngee Ann Polytechnic
    Singapore 599493
Background

 

Academic Appointments

  • Reader in Advanced Materials and Nanobiotechnology, Newcastle University, 2022-present
  • Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering, Newcastle University in Singapore (NUIS) and Newcastle Research & Innovation Institute (NewRIIS), Singapore, 2018-present
  • Program Manager, Biomimetic and Biomedical Materials, Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, 2016-2018
  • Head, Bioinspired Materials Laboratory, IMRE, A*STAR, Singapore, 2013-2016
  • Faculty Member (PhD Supervisor), NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, 2015-2019
  • Assistant Professor of Chemistry (Adjunct Appointment), National University of Singapore (NUS), 2011-2019
  • Principle Investigator and Group Leader (Joint Appointment), IMRE, A*STAR, Singapore, 2008-present

Academic Qualifications

  • 2005-2008: Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, National University of Singapore (NUS) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Singapore-USA. Awarded  Singapore-MIT Alliance Graduate Fellowship
  • 2004-2005: Master of Science in Molecular Engineering of Biological and Chemical Systems, NUS and MIT, Singapore-USA. Awarded Singapore-MIT Alliance Scholarship
  • 2000-2004: Bachelor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (Hons) with Specialization Certificate in Biopharmaceutical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore. Awarded ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship

Awards and Accolades

  • 2022: Top cited article 2020-2021 https://doi.org/10.1002/ppsc.202000027 in Particle & Particle Systems Characterization, Wiley 
  • 2022: Asian Scientist-Elsevier Foundation Salon for 100 Women Leaders in STEM 
  • 2021: Fellow of Higher Education awarded by Advance HE, UK
  • 2021: Newcastle Teaching Award, Newcastle University, UK
  • 2020: Emerging Investigator, Molecular Systems Design & Engineering (MSDE) journal jointly published by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), UK
  • 2018: Nano-Micro Science Innovation Award, Korea for innovative research in Nano-Micro Science and excellent presentation on “Multifunctional Bio-Plasmonic and Luminescent Nanomaterials for Smart Biosensors and Theranostic Applications” at the 2nd Nano-Micro Conference, awarded by Springer Nano-Micro Letter (NML) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), UK
  • 2018: International Association of Advanced Materials (IAAM) Scientist Medal, Sweden for notable and outstanding contribution in the field of "Advanced Materials and Technology", awarded by the IAAM at the Advanced Materials World Congress.
  • 2018: Best Poster Award at 3rd Food Safety Analysis Conference, Singapore for innovative work on “Bioinspired Carbon Dots for Ultrasensitive Bacteria Sensing and Broad Spectrum Antimicrobial Applications in Food Safety”, awarded by Separation Science and Shimadzu
  • 2017: Award for Encouragement of Research in Advanced Nanomaterials and Applications, Japan at International Conference of Advanced Materials (ICAM), Kyoto, awarded by International Union of Materials Research Societies (IUMRS).
  • 2017: Runner-up of L’Oreal-UNESCO for Women in Science Singapore National Fellowship (Physical and Engineering Sciences), awarded by L’Oreal Singapore.
  • 2016: Young Giants of Nanoscience Early Career Award, Hong Kong for high levels of excellence and distinction in the fields of “Nanoscience and Nanotechnology” and presented award lecture at 2nd Young Giants of Nanoscience conference.
  • 2016: Best Poster Award at 9th Singapore International Chemistry Conference for presentation on “Protein-Templated Metal Nanoclusters for Photodynamic Cancer Treatment”, Singapore
  • 2015: Best Presenter Award at 11th Asian Conference on Chemical Sensors, Malaysia for presentation on “Metallic Nanosensors for Biological Analysis and Cancer Diagnostics”, Penang.
  • 2014: APSMR Material Research Contribution Award, China, for outstanding achievement and contribution in materials research, awarded in International Conference for Leading and Young Materials Scientists, Sanya by Asia Pacific Society for Materials Research (APSMR).
  • 2014: Winner of INNOVENT Product Pitch on “Bio-Clusterile Suture” voted by SMEs for new product ideas on developing biocompatible, bio-absorbable, sterile and colored surgical suture, awarded by Materials Center of Innovation, SPRING (Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board), Singapore.
  • 2014-2016: Finalist of Singapore Young Scientist Award (Biological and Biomedical Science), selected by Singapore National Academy of Science (SNAS), Singapore.
  • 2013: A*STAR JCO Career Development Award, $750,000 research grant for leading cutting-edge multidisciplinary research on “New Generation Metal Nanoparticles Assays for Anticancer Drug Screening and New Cancer Therapy Development”, awarded by Joint Council Office (JCO), A*STAR
  • 2012- 2013: Top 3 Finalists of L’Oreal-UNESCO for Women in Science Singapore National Fellowship (Material Science), awarded by L’Oreal Singapore.
  • 2012: Tan Kah Kee Young Inventors’ Award, Singapore for inventing “Simple, Fast, Safe and Cost-effective DNA Diagnosis with Metallo-Gold Nanoparticles and (Bio)Polymer”, awarded by Tan Kah Kee Foundation
  • 2011: Biomedical Engineering Society Best Technical Presentation Award, Singapore on “Rapid Colorimetric Biosensors Based on Non-crosslinking Aggregation of Gold Nanoparticles”, Award by Singapore Biomedical Engineering Society
  • 2011: JENESYS Award for Visiting Scientist to Institute of Molecular Science, Japan for collaborative research on “Application of Gold Nanocluster Catalyst to Green Chemistry” awarded by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).
  • 2010: AsiaNANO 2010 Young Researcher Award, Japan for excellent research work on “Gold Nanoparticles-based Biosensor: A Generic Platform for Nucleic Acids and Proteins Analysis in Homogenous Solution”, awarded by RIKEN, Japan
  • 2010: Best Poster Award at MRS-S Trilateral Conference on Advances in Nanomaterials – Energy, Water and Healthcare, awarded by Material Research Society, Singapore
  • 2009: A*STAR Chemistry Symposium Outstanding Poster Award on “Colorimetric Detection of Protein-DNA Interaction using Unmodified Gold Nanoparticles”, A*STAR, Singapore

Professional Appointments (Editorship/Chairmanship/Examiner/Reviewer/Judge)

  • Topic Editor and Guest Editor for Special Issue on "Recent Advances of Nanoparticles in Biomedical Applications", Molecules (IF: 4.927), 2021-present 
  • Invited Guest Editor for Special Issue on "Biosensing Applications and Cancer Cells Diagnosis/Treatment" in Biology (IF: 3.79), 2020-2021 
  • Associate Editor, Sensors International, jointly published by Elsevier and Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2019-present
  • Invited Guest Editor for Special Issue on "Materials Engineering for Batteries and Nanobiosensors" in the Journal of Material Science for Energy Technologies (MSET), jointly published by Elsevier and Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2019-2020
  • Invited Session Chair (Nanoparticles and Nanopowders), 3rd Annual World Congress of Smart Materials, Bangkok, Thailand, 16-18 March 2017
  • Editorial Board Member of American Journal of Materials & Applied Science, since 2018
  • Editor of Book (co-edit with Prof Pranjal Chandra and Prof Surinder Singh)  on “Next Generation Point-of-Care Biomedical Sensors Technologies For Cancer Diagnosis”, Springer, 2016-2017
  • Invited Lead Guest Editor for Special Issue on “Molecular Engineering of Bioinspired Materials and Applications”, Journal of Molecular and Engineering Materials (JMEM), World Scientific, 2015-2016
  • Invited Session Chair (Sensors Technology and Application), 11th Asian Conference on Chemical Sensors (ACCS), Penang, Malaysia, 16-18 Nov 2015
  • Editorial Board Member of Austin Journal of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Austin Publishing Group, since 2014
  • Chairperson of FUTURESCAPE 2025 Panel (co-chair with Dr Shawn Hoon, MEL) for the emerging research theme on "Convergence of Engineering, Physical and Life Sciences", Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC), A*STAR, 2014.
  • Organizing Committee Chair, International Conference for Leading and Young Materials Scientists (IC-LYMS 2014), Sanya, China, 21-25 Dec 2014.
  • Organising Committee and Session Chair (Materials for Healthcare & Lifestyle), 4th Molecular Materials Meeting (M3) - An International Conference on "Sustainable Materials and Technologies", Singapore, 14-16 Jan 2014.
  • Invited Session Chair (Biomimetic and Biomaterials), 7th World Congress on Biomimetics, Artificial Muscles and Nano-Bio (BAMN2013), Jeju Island, South Korea, 26-30 Aug 2013.
  • Invited Session Chair (Nanomaterials-based Biosensors and Bio-analytical Systems), 15th Asian Chemical Congress (ACC) on “Chemistry at the Centre of Molecular Science & Nanotechnology”, Singapore, 19-23 Aug 2013.
  • FusionWorld Advisory Committee, A*STAR, Singapore, 2013-2015
  • Invited International Research Grant Reviewer, Croatian Unity through Knowledge Fund (UKF)’s Research Cooperability Program, Crossing Borders Grant, Croatia, 2013
  • Invited Expert Reviewer for Book Proposal on Bio-inspired Nanomaterial, Versita Book Publishing Program in Engineering, Industry, Transportation, 2013, United Kingdom
  • External Examiner for PhD Thesis, Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 2013
  • Invited Scientific Judge for Singapore International Science Challenge, 2013
  • Chairperson of Cell Factory Thematic Workgroup for A*STAR Leadership Advanced 2012.
  • Public Sector Research Funding Grant Reviewer, SERC, A*STAR 2015 & 2012
  • A*STAR Special Taskforce on Promoting Science and Engineering, SERC, 2012
  • Organising Committee and Session Chair (Nanobiotechnology), 1st IUMRS-International Conference of Young Researchers on Advanced Materials (ICYRAM), Singapore, 1-6 July 2012.
  • Invited Judge for Poster Award, 1st IUMRS-International Conference of Young Researchers on Advanced Materials (ICYRAM), Singapore, 1-6 July 2012.
  • Organising Committee and Session Chair (Materials for Imaging and Sensing), 2nd Molecular Material Meeting - An International Conference on "Frontiers in Material Science, Chemistry and Physics", Singapore, 9-11 Jan 2012.
  • Research Mentor for National Medical Research Council (NMRC) Fellow: Dr Agrawal Rupesh (co-supervise with Prof David T. Shima, University College London, IRIS, UK), 2012-2014
  • Scientific Mentor for National Junior College STaR Programmes, 2012-2015
  • A*STAR Graduate Academy (AGA) Approved PhD (Main) Supervisor for AGA Scholars, since 2011
  • Scientific Committee, 1st Molecular Material Meeting - An International Conference on “Big Ideas in Molecular Materials”, Singapore, 7-9 Jan 2011.
  • Invited Judge for Poster Award, 1st Molecular Material Meeting - An International Conference on “Big Ideas in Molecular Materials”, Singapore, 7-9 Jan 2011.
  • Invited Judge for Singapore Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF), since 2010
  • Invited Reviewer for International Refereed Journals: American Chemical Society Journals (e.g. ACS Nano, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces), Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Journals, Springer Nature Journals (e.g., Scientific Report), Royal Chemical Society Journal (e.g., RCS advance), Wiley Journal (e.g., Adv. Health. Mater.), Elsevier (e.g., Colloids and Interfaces B: Bioinferfaces –outstanding reviewer 2017; Journal of The Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers –recognized reviewer 2018), etc.

 

 

 

Research

Research Group Website: coming soon…

Bioinspired materials is an emerging area seeing growing academic and commercial interests. My research focuses on deciphering the synthetic design principles of biological building blocks to direct the (1) synthesis, (2) functionalization and (3) assembly of nanomaterials for the development of innovative ‘bio-smart’ technology to solve problems of an increasingly interdisciplinary nature such as water pollution, energy shortage and overloaded healthcare system.

Theme 1: Building biomolecular ‘toolbox’ for customizable synthesis of metal/magnetic/carbon  nanomaterials - focusing on establishing the fundamental design rules of biomolecular templates for the synthesis of intricate inorganic nanostructures with unique biological and tunable physiochemical properties, which processes result in low energy use and environmental impact. See Representative Publications below (* corresponding author):

  • Xu, H.V.; Zheng, X. T.; Zhao, Y., and Tan, Y. N.*, “Uncovering the Design Principle of Amino Acid-Derived Photoluminescent Biodots with Tailor-Made Structure–Properties and Applications for Cellular Bioimaging.” ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2018, 10, 19881–19888 (Impact Factor-IF: 8.097)
  • Yu, Y.; Zheng, X.; Yee, B. M.; Tan, Y. N.*, “Biomimicking Synthesis of Photoluminescent Molecular Lantern Catalyzed By In-Situ Formation of Nanogold Catalysts”. Mater. Sci. & Eng.: C, 77, 1111-1116, 2017 (IF: 3.42)
  • Yu, Y.; Mok, B. Y.L.; Loh, X.J.; Tan, Y. N.*, “Rational Design of Biomolecular Templates for Synthesizing Multifunctional Noble Metal Nanoclusters towards Personalized Theranostic Applications”. Adv. Health. Mater. 2016, DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201600192 (IF: 5.797) (selected to be included in Virtual Issue that highlight recent cutting-edge research in Nanotherapeutics)
  • Zheng, X. T.; Xu, V. H.; Tan, Y. N.* “Bioinspired Design and Engineering of Functional Nanostructured Materials” in Advances in Bioinspired and Biomedical Materials Vol 2, ed. Yoshihiro Ito, Xuesi Chen, and Inn-Kyu Kang, American Chemical Society (ACS) Book, 1253, 123-152, 2017(Invited Book Chapter)
  • Tan, Y. N.; Lee, J. Y.; Wang, Daniel. I. C. “Uncovering the Design Rules for Peptide Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2010, 132, 5677-5686. (IF: 13.85)

Theme 2: Nanomaterial-based sensors for simple and fast biomedical diagnostics, food safety analysis, as well as environmental and at-line/on-line industrial processes monitoring. Innovative assay design by coupling highly specific molecular recognition elements onto nanoparticles sensing probes to convert ‘invisible’ biological responses into easily measurable /observable (e.g., color change) outputs for point-of-care diagnostics and on-site detection for various technological applications. See Representative Publications below (* corresponding author):

  • Zheng, X.; Goh, Walter L.P.; Yeow, P.; Lane, P. D.; Ghadessy, Farid J.; Tan, Y. N.*, “Ultrasensitive Dynamic Light Scattering Nanosensor to Detect Drug-modulated DNA-binding Activities of Tumor Suppressor Proteins for Cancer Therapy Development”, Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 279, 79-86, 2019 (IF: 5.667)
  • Assah, E.; Goh, Walter L.P.; Zheng, X.; Lane, P. D.; Li, J.; Lim, T. X.; Ghadessy, Farid J.; Tan, Y. N.*, “Rapid Colorimetric Detection of p53 Protein Function using DNA-Gold Nanoconjugates with Applications for Drug Discovery and Cancer Diagnostics”, Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces,169, 214-221, 2018
  • Song, J.; Tan, Y. N.*; Jańczewski, D.; Hempenius, M. A.; J. Xu, W.; Tan, H. R.; Vancso, G. J. * “Poly(ferrocenylsilane) Electrolytes as Gold Nanoparticle Foundry: Two-in-One Redox Synthesis, Electrosteric Stabilization, and Sensing Applications”, Nanoscale, 9(48):19255-19262, 2017 (IF: 7.367).
  • Geng, J.; Goh, Walter L.P.; Zhang, C.; Lane, David.; Liu, B.*; Ghadessy, Farid J.*; Tan, Y. N.*, “A Highly Sensitive Fluoresce Light-up Probe for Real-Time Detection of Endogenous Protein Target and its Antagonism in Live Cells”. J. Mater. Chem. B. 3, 5933-5937, 2015 (IF: 6.626) (selected as 2015 Journal of Materials Chemistry B Hot Papers)
  • Tan, Y. N.; Lee, K. H.; Su, X. “Study DNA Design Dependency of Segmented DNA-Induced Gold Nanoparticle Aggregation towards the Design of Bioassay for Detecting DNA-Binding Proteins” RCS Advances, 3, 21604-21612, 2013 (IF: 3.84)

Theme 3: Design of multifunctional and programmable assembly of biohybrids for biomedical and other technological applications. Our efforts in this area are focused on developing bio-functionalization and -directed assembly strategies to build multifunctional bionanomaterials and smart sensors with improved performance for medicine (e.g., theranostic agent: diagnostic therapeutic functions), energy (peptide-assembled solar cell), and electronic (e.g., DNA logic gate). See Representative Publications below (* corresponding author):

  • Xu, H.V.; Zheng, X. T.; Wang, C., Zhao, Y., and Tan, Y. N. *, “Bioinspired Antimicrobial Nanodots with Amphiphilic and Zwitterionic-like Characteristics for Combating Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria and Biofilm Removal.” ACS Appl. Nano Mater., 1, 2062–2068, 2018
  • Yu, Y.; Geng, J.; Yong, E.X.O, Chellappan, V.; Tan, Y. N.*, “Bovine Serum Albulmin Protein-Templated Silver Nanocluster (BSA-Ag13): An Effective Singlet Oxygen Generator for Photodynamic Cancer Therapy”, Adv. Health. Mater. DOI:10.1002/adhm.201600312, 2016. (IF: 5.797)
  • Xu, V. H.; Zheng, X. T.; Mok, B. Y.L.; Ibrahim, S.A.; Yu, Y.; Tan, Y. N.*, “Molecular Design of Bioinspired Nanostructures for Biomedical Applications: Synthesis, Self-Assembly and Functional Properties.” J. Mol. Eng. Mater. 04, 1640003 [33 pages], 2016 (Invited Review).
  • Seow N.; Tan, Y. N.*; Su, X.; Lanry Yung*, “DNA-Directed Assembly of Nanogold Dimers: A Unique Dynamic Light Scattering Sensing Probe for Transcription Factor Detection”, Scientific Report-Nature, 5:18293, doi: 10.1038/srep18293, 2015. (IF: 5.578)
  • Tan, Y. N.; Su, X.; Zhu, Y.; Lee, J. Y. “Sensing of Transcription Factor through Controlled-Assembly of Metal Nanoparticles Modified with Segmented DNA Elements.” ACS Nano, 4, 5101–5110, 2010 (IF: 13.92)

Research Projects (as PI or co-PI):

  • Functional Nanoparticles for Bacterial Separation and Detection (collaboration with Kikkoman)
  • Engineering Biomimetic Nanoalloys for Antimicrobial and Sensing Applications (collaboration with IMRE).
  • Bioinspired Synthesis of Bio-Dots: Towards the Understanding of Materials By Design from Biomolecular Building Blocks (collaboration with IMRE)
  • New Generation Metal Nanoparticles Assays for Drug Screening and Cancer Therapy Development (collaboration with A*STAR p53 lab)
  • Development of highly efficient siRNA-conjugated nanoparticle delivery system for high throughput reverse genetic screens in epidermal stem cells (collaboration with Institute of Medical Biology)
  • Nanoparticles Antibody Titer Assay (collaboration with Bioprocessing Technology Institute)
  • Development of Ultrasmall Biogenic Photoluminescent Metal Nanoprobes for Biomedical Applications (collaboration with National University of Singapore)
  • Next Generation Fluorescent Probes for Bioimaging (collaboration with National University of Singapore)

Research Innovations (Patent/Know-how/Licensing):

  1. Hybrid Nanodots for Bacteria Staining and Antimicrobial Applications (Inventors: Xinting Zheng, Yen Nee Tan and Victor Xu Hesheng), SG patent 10201708588Y; US Patent Application No.16/166,017; SG Patent Application No. 10201809275W, 2018.
  2. A Simple, High-throughput Ultrasonic Device for Contactless Cell Lysis (Inventors: Ten It Wong, Xiaodong Zhou, Xinting Zheng and Yen Nee Tan), Singapore Provisional Patent Application No. 10201811713W, 27 Dec 2018.
  3. Dynamic Light Scattering Nanoplatform for High-Throughput Drug and Disease Screening (Inventors: Yen Nee Tan, Xinting Zheng, Walter Goh, Farid Ghadessy, Sir David Lane and Lanry Yung),   US Patent Application No 15/382,570 and SG Patent No. 10201610586Q.
  4. A Quantitative Colorimetric Method for Diseases and Small Molecule Detection (Inventors: Yen Nee Tan, Enock Assah, Xinting Zheng, Walter Goh, Farid Ghadessy and Sir David Lane), SG Patent Application No 10201703919T
  5. Hybrid Dye-Metal Nanocomposite With Opposite Fluorescent Aggregation Principles and Method of Preparation Thereof (Inventors: Yong Yu and Yen Nee Tan), US Patent 15/836,784, 2017.
  6. Enzymatic Metal Nanoparticle Sensor for Detecting DNA Binders (Inventors: Yen Nee Tan and Xiaodi Su), US Patent Application No. 13/968,930; SG Patent Application No. 201306257-5
  7. An Antimicrobial Polynucleotide-Templated Metal Nanocluster (Inventors: Yen Nee Tan, Jason Lim Yuan Chong, Chao Wang and Lianhui Zhang), US Patent 2015/0110845 A1 and SG Patent Application No. 10201406540V.
  8. Water-Induced Multicolor Switching Security Ink for Dual Level Encryption and Anti-counterfeiting Applicatoins. (Inventors: Yen Nee Tan, Yong Yu and Wei Peng Goh), Know-how Technology Disclosure: IMRE/TD 2018004, 2018)
  9. Contactless Printable Optical Sensors for Alcohol and Temperature Detection in Enclosed System (Inventors: Yen Nee Tan, Yong Yu and Wei Peng Goh), Know-how Technology Disclosure: IMRE/TD 2018003, 2018)
  10. Methods for Detecting DNA-Binding Proteins (Inventors: Yen Nee Tan and Xiaodi Su), US Patent No. US8709722 B2 and SG Patent No. 188068 (Granted and Licensed)
  11. Rapid Immunoglobulin G Assays using Gold Nanoparticles (Inventors: Laura Sutarlie, Yen Nee Tan, Yong Yu, Xiaodi Su, Dave Siak-Wei Ow, Say Kong Ng and Yuan Sheng Yang ), PCT Patent Application No. PCT/SG2016/050025 and SG Patent Application No. 10201500466S (Licensed)
  12. Method for Detecting Oxidants and Reductants in A Sample (Inventors: Yen Nee Tan, Jason Lim Yuan Chong and Xiaodi Su), Singapore Patent Application No. 10201403483U (Granted).
  13. Biomolecule-Based Metal Nanoclusters as Biosensors (Inventors: Yen Nee Tan, Siu Yee New and Xiaodi Su), Singapore Patent Application No. 10201405426S (Granted).

 

 

Teaching

Courses Taught in Newcastle University 

  • CHE1011: Engineering Mathematics 1 (Module Leader)
  • CHE2013: Reaction Engineering 1 (Module leader)
  • CHE2015: Engineering Practice (Process Materials)
  • CHE2031: Integrated Work Study Programme (IWSP)
  • CHE3025: Renewable Energy Technologies and Clean Technology Applications (Module Leader)
  • CHE3021: Process Control 2 (Process Analytical Technology)
  • CHE3031: Final Year Plant Design Project
  • NUS8104: Research Methods (MSc Program in Process Safety and Risk Assessment)

Other Professional & Teaching Certifications

  • Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Studies in Academic Practice (CASAP) by Newcastle University, UK, 2019 (on-going).
  • Certificate in Project Management Professional (PMP)® by Project Management Institute (PMI), Pennsylvania, USA, 2018
  • Certificate in Science Communication Training by A*STAR Office of Science Communications and Archives, Singapore, 2017
  • Certificate in Developing A Risk Management Implementation Plan (MF-COM-402E-1) by Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), 2014
  • Certificate in Managing a Research Group by Imperial College, London, UK, 2013

Mentorship and Student Awards

  • Newcastle University Education Awards 2021- shortlisted for Outstanding Contribution to Teaching -Global Campuses Faculty
  • National Junior College (NJC) Partner Award, 2012-2015- In recognition of my mentorship and contribution to the A-level H3 Science Research projects for the College.
  • Gold Award, Singapore Science and Engineering Fair, 2015. Student: Preston Ching (co-supervision with Dr Yu Yong) for research project on “Green Synthesis of Luminescent Noble Metal Nanoclusters for Biological Applications.”
  • Bronze Award, Singapore Science and Engineering 2012 and A*STAR JC Awards 2012. Student: Alexa Lai Jia Yi for research project on “Interrogating Cooperative Interactions of Transcription Factors with Composite DNA Elements using Metal Nanoparticles”.
  • Distinction Poster Award at Biomedical Engineering Society 5th Scientific Meeting, 2011. Student: Kwai Han Lee for industrial attachment and Final Year Research project on “Controlled-Assembly of DNA-linked Gold Nanoparticles for Biosensing”
  • Silver Award, Singapore Science and Engineering Fair 2010, A team of 3 students for research project on “Optimizing Production of Plasmon Rulers Made from Gold Nanoparticles Coupled with DNA”
  • Third Prize in Final Year Research Award 2007, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, NUS. Student: Si Ting Lim (co-supervision with Prof Jim Yang Lee) for FYP on “Interactions between Biomolecules and Inorganic Materials”

 

 

Publications