Singapore
I like to wear many hats. Not the literal kind (I was never bold enough sartorially to venture beyond a cap). But I thrive on holding multiple roles and linking them together to accomplish a goal. As a research scientist, I’m project manager, resource manager, data analyst, technical expert, programmer, writer, presenter, recruiter, and team developer. This has resulted in publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at conferences, and the development of new devices and control systems. When I was younger, this manifested as multiple hobbies. I played different sports, learned to play the guitar, was into gaming, and dabbled a little in acting while in secondary school. It took me surprisingly long to realize that I liked, and was good at, learning. My 2 and a half years in the Singapore Military, along with leadership and discipline, taught me how to be part of a team and combine my skills to achieve a common outcome. In college, while studying for my degree in Applied Science, I was the Vice-Marketing manager for the business committee of the Student Council. After college, I turned my joy of learning into a passion for education. I got my postgraduate diploma in education and taught in a Singapore secondary school. As educators, we are teachers, counselors, role models, leaders, and entertainers. When it came time to upgrade my skill set, grad school seemed like a great match. I was drawn to research not only because I could use those skills to investigate the secrets of nature but also because of its collaborative component. That success drove me to where I am now. I am excited to manage the trajectory of a program to answer questions that will help move us forward.
• Project management of an NIH clinical trial grant with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) examining the neural basis of sensory and motor learning, and adaptation, leading 3 graduate and 7 undergraduate students resulting in 1 peer-reviewed publication, 4 conference presentations, and 3 scientific protocols to date. • Project management of a research study, including keeping up with current industry trends, external collaboration, and data management, using computational models to investigate multisensory integration in the brain resulting in 1 conference presentation, and 1 original scientific methodology. • Technical expertise in neuroscience techniques including transcranial magnetic stimulation, EMG, and robotic control using Matlab, Simulink, and Stateflow.
• Project management, including data analysis, interpretation, and write-up, of 2 research studies involving the sensorimotor control of the hand in healthy adults and an NIH randomized clinical trial examining children with Cerebral Palsy resulting in 3 peer-reviewed publications.
• Project management of a research study involving 3 graduate students, 1 postdoctoral fellow, and 1 external collaborator, examining sensory integration in the brain using the human hand as a model, resulting in 5 publications, 1 research grant, 3 presentations and talks, and 3 new research devices. • Team leader and mentor for a research lab comprised of 5 graduate students resulting in the discovery of 3 new scientific methodologies. • Guest lecturer, and teaching assistant for 3 graduate level courses with 1 lecture recorded for use as online learning material.
• Technology liaison between IT department and faculty assisting faculty in the use of technology resources (Moodle, Adobe Connect, Prezi, Qualtrics, SmartBoard) on the technical end and in utilizing technology in their pedagogical choices.
• Educator at 2 Singapore Secondary Schools teaching Physical Education and English. • 2 years as a mentor to beginning teachers • Project manager for 2 school-wide events
• Reservist duty continuing in the leading and management of a 10-person team resulting in the Platoon receiving a letter of commendation from the Army Training Evaluation Centre.
• Led and coordinated daily operations for a 10-person team including strategic planning, mission training, and logistical management as part of the unit’s mission goals resulting in the unit winning the Best Combat and Best Infantry unit awards for that cycle.