Singapore
Hello! I am Nicholas, a Postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in the National University of Singapore. My research area is in Enzyme Engineering, where we modify these biocatalysts to be able to perform chemical reactions with improved activity and selectivity. This allows for important molecules (such as pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals) to be produced in a more sustainable manner as compared to traditional methods. Daily hobbies includes bribing E.coli to produce the enzymes I want, and killing them afterwards. Connect with me, if you have similar hobbies. ;)
• Enzymatic CO2 utilization
• Engineered enzymes via directed evolution, with the development of microfluidic-based ultrahigh-throughput screening methods for rapid screening of enzyme variants.
• Investigated behaviour of company’s excipients in freeze-drying applications using analytical methods such as Karl Fischer Titration, Differential Scanning Calorimetry and X-Ray Powder Diffraction, with results showcased in the AAPS 2019 PharmSci 360 Conference. • Collaborated with Application Scientists to conduct application studies on company’s excipients to obtain product characteristics essential to sales and marketing team, such as flow properties and particle size distribution.
• Experimented with different specifications of nanofiltration membrane in the laboratory to analyse the effect of different additives on the permeability of the membrane. • Compared the effectiveness of different nanofiltration membranes in the separation of amino acids from glucose. • Mentored a group of NUS High School students on techniques of preparing nanofiltration membranes for their research project.
• Supported the Animal Nutritionist in daily operations by preparing food catered to the specific diets of the various species of animals in the Singapore Zoological Gardens, Night Safari and River Safari.
• Awarded the Commanding Officer’s Coin in recognition of efforts in leading the day-to-day operations of the Unit and taking charge of various trainings, such as the SG50 National Day Mobile Column. • Influenced a platoon of 30 men to recognise importance of working together by demonstrating teamwork during daily training and activities, leading to a receipt of the Best Commander Award for the month of January in 2015.