Testimonials

Hear from your seniors...

Lydia Loh Eng Neng

NUS Science Research Programme
A*STAR Science Award

Subject Combination:
H2 Physics
H2 Chemistry
H2 Mathematics
H2 Economics

CCA/SIG:
NY Singularity
NYAstro

For the past three years, it has been my aspiration to become a physicist. The NUS Science Research Programme gave me the chance to conduct original and novel research which allowed me to experience significant personal growth. Because my project had not been done before, there was no established method or “correct” answer to follow. I had to rely on my own ideas to decide what to try next.

Through this process, I learnt that my ideas are worth testing, that I can trust myself more, and that being wrong is not failure but the chance to gain new information. This experience changed how I see myself, from someone seeking existing answers to someone capable of developing new ones.

The attachment also gave me a clearer view of what it is like to work as a physicist in a university, including both its rewarding and challenging aspects. Although the challenges made me pause and reflect on whether this was truly the path for me, they also allowed me to test my interest in a real-world setting. I realised that my interest in physics research was not fleeting, but a genuine and lasting passion, and that I am willing to pursue it even when it becomes difficult.

Tran Luu Anh Kiet

NUS Science Research Programme

A recipient of:
2025 Singapore Chemistry Olympiad − Silver medal
2025 Singapore Physics Olympiad − Silver medal

Subject Combination:
H2 Physics
H2 Chemistry
H2 Mathematics
H2 Economics
H3 Physics

CCA/SIG:
Choir (Secretary)
Singularity (President)

The NUS Science Research Programme (SRP) allowed me to further my interest in STEM by doing research on topics beyond the school syllabus. With one teammate from another school, I explored possible modifications done on a novel class of materials using simulation software.

The SRP journey, while not free of obstacles and setbacks, has enriched me in many ways. I honed crucial research skills like forming a research hypothesis, planning experiments, data analysis and report writing, with my mentors guiding and providing support along the way. I learnt the essential ability of effective communication and presentation as I coordinated worked with my partner and updated my mentors with the progress of the project throughout the year.

Besides the skills I acquired, I also gained knowledge about materials science from this research experience. Particularly, I was fascinated by the physical laws that dictate a material’s properties and the phenomena that arise when such material is modified. They have sparked an interest in me to pursue Physics for my higher education, where I can learn more about the laws of Physics in materials in order for me to eventually do research on discovering materials with useful novel properties.

Overall, SRP has been a valuable and enriching experience. It further refined my abilities as a researcher, reaffirmed my interest in the sciences and inspired me to pursue a career in research.

Ong Xin Yi

NUS Science Research Programme

Subject Combination:
H2 Biology
H2 Chemistry
H2 Mathematics
H2 Economics

CCA/SIG:
Student Council

Being in the NUS Science Research Programme (SRP) was a valuable experience that not only allowed me to step out of my comfort zone but also broadened my horizons in the field of science.

Growing up, I’d always been interested in discoveries and Science in general, but I never knew where to start. My idea of Science was confined to Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, as taught in school. Upon joining SRP, I was exposed to many scientific disciplines beyond the curriculum, including material sciences, earth sciences, and interdisciplinary fields such as bioinformatics, which became my field of research.

Bioinformatics was a new field for me. Even though I had prior knowledge in Biology, I had no experience in computing or coding. However, SRP helped to prepare me for research by equipping me with the necessary skills to write reports and analyse research papers. Doing my research under the SRP also honed my resilience, as I had to diligently read articles as well as learn how to code in my free time.

Despite the initial hurdles faced, I gained a lot of valuable insights through my experience and the guidance of my mentor, who provided me with steppingstones to learn coding. Overall, SRP was a learning opportunity I’d take up again in a heartbeat.

Francis Ang Zhao Xiong

DSTA JC Scholarship

A recipient of:
CSIT Computing Scholarship
2024 National Olympiad in Informatics – Silver medal
2025 Australian Informatics Olympiad – Gold medal
2025 Singapore Informatics League – Silver medal
2025 Singapore Chemistry Olympiad – Bronze medal

Subject Combination:
H2 Chemistry
H2 Mathematics
H2 Computing
H1 Economics
H3 Chemistry

CCA/SIG:
Nanyang Competitive Programming (President)
Nanyang Robotics and Computer Science Club (Training Head)

Participating in the DSTA Internship Attachment was one of the highlights of my JC1 year. As someone with a deep passion for computing, it was incredibly exciting to see how computing is applied in real-world R&D settings.

Though I am not allowed to provide specifics, working on a project with real impact was both challenging and rewarding. The internship pushed me to learn new skills and explore different areas of knowledge, stretching my abilities in meaningful ways. I especially enjoyed refining ideas through experimentation and experiencing the satisfaction of seeing each improvement take shape.

The attachment also gave me a clearer glimpse of what a future in computing might look like. It reaffirmed my desire to pursue this field and showed me that this is the kind of work I’d be happy doing every day.

All in all, taking up this opportunity was one of the best choices I’ve made. If you’re thinking about applying, I really encourage you to go for it! You’d never know how far one decision can take you.

Teo Kai Zhe, Zenden

MOE Overseas Student Attachment Programme – International Science School

A recipient of:
Zhong Zheng Ren Scholarship

Subject Combination:
H2 Biology
H2 Chemistry
H2 Mathematics
H2 Economics
H3 Biology

CCA/SIG:
Student Council (Head of Welfare Committee)

Through this journey in the MOE Overseas Student Attachment Programme (International Science School), I had gained invaluable academic and personal growth that extended beyond the classroom learning. With the opportunity to interact with delegates from different countries, I had learnt to keep an open mind and learn about diverse cultures, education systems, and social norms, broadening my horizons. The conversations with my peers from various backgrounds were also especially enlightening, as they exposed me to different perspectives and ways of thinking shaped by their unique backgrounds.

Academically, the programme broadened my understanding of various scientific research fields. One particularly fascinating topic was how technology is used to visualise protein folding, enabling scientists to better understand protein structures and providing crucial insights for the development of medicines and treatments for diseases such as cancer. The hands-on activities were equally impactful, allowing me to witness theories that only exist in books blooming into the present reality, strengthening my appreciation for experimental science and its real-world applications.

On a personal level, the programme  had challenged me to step out of my comfort zone. This experience taught me how to interact confidently with people from diverse backgrounds, while also emphasising the importance of cultural sensitivity, respect, and thoughtful communication. The programme had also allowed me to further develop my passion in science, affirming my interest in pursuing science-related university courses, particularly those that emphasise research, critical thinking, and real-world applications. This programme has given me greater confidence in taking the next steps toward a future in science!

Gareth Goh Yu Heng
NUS Science Research Programme
A*STAR Science Award
Engineering and Tech Programme Scholarship

A recipient of:
2024 Singapore Physics Olympiad − Gold medal
2024 Singapore Mathematics Olympiad − Silver medal
2025 Singapore Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF) – Bronze
2025 International Elementz Fair - Gold

Subject Combination:
H2 Physics
H2 Chemistry
H2 Mathematics
H2 Economics
H3 Physics

CCA/SIG:
Biz Club
Mathematics Club (Vice-President)

Being a part of SRP was a transformative experience that deepened my appreciation for the −research process. I learned to craft thoughtful questions and systematically test them, often leading me to unexpected findings that resulted in meaningful conclusions. This journey highlighted the beauty of exploration and curiosity, showing me how each step builds upon the last. It strengthened my passion for discovery and gave me a deeper respect for scientific inquiry.

As for the Engineering Tech Programme Scholarship, it greatly enhanced my understanding of engineering. When we were first tasked with building a device that combined a heart rate sensor and a glucose concentration detector using photoplethysmography and UV-Vis spectrometry, I initially thought it was an impossible task. The idea of fitting both functions into such a small box seemed overwhelming. Yet, through hours of experimentation, troubleshooting, and refining, we succeeded in bringing the project to life. I gained hands-on experience with coding and Arduino, and I learned that engineering is all about persistence, creativity, and constant iteration to solve problems. The moment the device worked as intended was incredibly rewarding. This experience not only intensified my interest in engineering but also inspired me to pursue it further at the university level.

Yee Aik Seng
NUS Science Research Programme
A*STAR Science Award
Engineering and Tech Programme Scholarship

A recipient of:
2024 Singapore Chemistry Olympiad − Silver medal
2025 Singapore Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF) – Bronze
2025 International Elementz Fair - Gold

Subject Combination:
H2 Physics
H2 Chemistry
H2 Mathematics
H2 Economics
H3 Chemistry

CCA/SIG:
Interact Club
NY Alchemy

Since childhood, I have been captivated by the STEM field. Therefore, upon joining NYJC, I eagerly enrolled in the NUS Science Research Programme (SRP) to further my passion. Along with two teammates, I embarked on a project that involved harnessing crab shells and graphene oxide to generate electricity.

My SRP experience was enriching and incredibly rewarding. Under the guidance of my esteemed mentors, I learned essential research skills, such as laboratory techniques, data analysis, and report writing. While we encountered many setbacks along the way, these challenges helped me build resilience and made our final breakthrough more fulfilling. This journey allowed me to truly understand the essence of research.

Under the Engineering and Tech Programme Scholarship (ETPS), I attended a five-day Healthcare Technology workshop at the National University of Singapore (NUS). This exciting experience involved learning new skills such as Arduino programming, circuitry, and 3D printing. We also applied what we had learned by building an integrated glucose and heart rate monitor, which was both fun and eye-opening.

In a nutshell, SRP and ETPS not only made my first year at NYJC memorable and enjoyable but also strengthened my aspiration to pursue a career in the STEM field. I am grateful for these opportunities and encourage anyone interested in STEM to give SRP or ETPS a try.

Supanwassa Pannawit

NTU Nanyang Research Programme

A recipient of:
2024 Singapore National Olympiad in Informatics – Silver medal
2024 Australian Informatics Olympiad – Gold medal
2024 Singapore Mathematics Olympiad – Bronze medal
2024 California Informatics Competition (organised by UC Berkley) – Gold medal
2024 Oxford University Computing Challenges − 6th place & Distinction award
2024 Computational and Algorithmic Thinking Competition − Distinction award
2024 Singapore Physics Olympiad – Gold medal
2024 CS2 Course Final Contest: Introduction to Data Structure and Algorithms − Distinction award
2025 International Elementz Fair - Gold

Subject Combination:
H2 Physics
H2 Computing
H2 Mathematics
H1 Economics
H3 NTU Semiconductor Physics and Devices

CCA/SIG:
Nanyang Robotics and Computer Science Club (Training Head)
Nanyang Competitive Programming Club (President)

The NRP project allowed me to explore extracurriculars and be innovative in a makers/startup setting, fulfilling my inquisitiveness in science.

Once I identified my research interest in cybersecurity, I was directed to experts in the field who were eager to teach and advise us on our research. NRP not only taught me computer science (CS) knowledge, but it also helped me develop the skills to be an independent learner and problem-solver. Although the problem seemed daunting at first, my journey was enriching and smooth thanks to their guidance.

NRP also empowered me through hands-on work experience. In an NIE-MOE research project, I was given the opportunity to volunteer in conducting a mid-scale experiment as well as presenting the results to school teachers. In addition, I had the chance to represent NTU in a regional AI seminar, being one of the youngest delegates.

I was initially new to research, but by the time NRP concluded, it had taught me immense skills and truly sparked my interest in cybersecurity and scientific research.The NRP project allowed me to explore extracurriculars and be innovative in a makers/startup setting, fulfilling my inquisitiveness in science.

Once I identified my research interest in cybersecurity, I was directed to experts in the field who were eager to teach and advise us on our research. NRP not only taught me computer science (CS) knowledge, but it also helped me develop the skills to be an independent learner and problem-solver. Although the problem seemed daunting at first, my journey was enriching and smooth thanks to their guidance.

NRP also empowered me through hands-on work experience. In an NIE-MOE research project, I was given the opportunity to volunteer in conducting a mid-scale experiment as well as presenting the results to school teachers. In addition, I had the chance to represent NTU in a regional AI seminar, being one of the youngest delegates.

I was initially new to research, but by the time NRP concluded, it had taught me immense skills and truly sparked my interest in cybersecurity and scientific research.

To Vu Nguyen Trang

NTU Nanyang Research Programme

A recipient of:
2024 Singapore Biology Olympiad − Gold medal

Subject Combination:
H2 Biology
H2 Chemistry
H2 Mathematics
H2 Economics
H3 Biology

CCA/SIG:
Choir (Quarter-mistress)

Bionat
NY Alchemy
NY Crochers
NY Threads

The Nanyang Research Programme (NRP) was one of the highlights of my JC1 year. As someone who has always wanted to pursue research in molecular biology, I was over the moon when I was offered a spot in NRP to work on a project involving gene editing.

My lack of research experience made the journey very challenging at the beginning. However, the close guidance and constant support from my supervisors allowed me to quickly pick up essential skills, such as working with cells and recombinant DNA, as well as other techniques required for my project. Over the course of my research, I developed a deep appreciation for the intricacy of science and its power in addressing real-world problems. My project focused on using prime editing to model human diseases, which can provide valuable insights into disease treatments. This experience motivated me to further explore different molecular biology innovations and their applications in medical treatments.

Aside from gaining valuable knowledge about molecular biology, NRP also helped me grow holistically as a person. Juggling academics, CCA, and research forced me to improve my time management skills, while interacting with my partner and supervisors honed my communication skills.

Overall, NRP has been a valuable and enriching experience. It gave me a glimpse into the hectic yet fulfilling life of a researcher and has reaffirmed my decision to pursue a career in research.

Brandon Kok Zhi Ren
NUS Science Research Programme
Subject Combination:
H2 Physics
H2 Chemistry
H2 Mathematics
H2 Economics
H3 Chemistry

CCA/SIG:
Student Council (President)
NY Musicians Club
NY Crescendo
NY ShuFa

I’ve always been incredibly fond of all things science, so when NYJC gave me the opportunity to experience actual research through the Science Research Programme (SRP), there was no way I could refuse!

The Science Research Programme offers a wide range of subjects to explore, and even allows you to conduct your own research! My teammate and I went through the entire process of scientific research with the guidance of an NUS professor, from literature reviews to designing the experiment from scratch, delving into computer programming and human psychology, and conducting our experiment in an NUS office. It was truly an eye-opening and hands-on experience, unlike any other research programme I’ve participated in before.

Despite the challenges, it was both immensely fun and educational, sparking my enthusiasm and aspiration to continue science research in the future. My teammate and I grew closer throughout this experience, and we may continue collaborating on research in the future! If STEM is something you’re passionate about, I strongly encourage you to sign up for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Seah E-Ket
DSTA JC Scholarship

A recipient of:
CSIT Computing Scholarship
2024 National Olympiad in Informatics – Silver medal

Subject Combination:
H2 Physics
H2 Computing
H2 Mathematics
H2 Economics
H3 Mathematics

CCA/SIG:
Nanyang Robotics and Computer Science Club (Training Head)
Nanyang Competitive Programming Club (Vice-President)
Mathematics Club

In December, the Centre for Strategic Infocomm Technologies (CSIT) organised a 5-day workshop aimed to enhance our skills in the four main areas of technology that CSIT specializes in: cybersecurity, data analytics, cloud infrastructure, and software engineering.

As someone with a burning passion for computer science, this was an incredible opportunity to learn more about the field and gain hands-on experience with some of the common frameworks and concepts used in the real world. I particularly enjoyed the cybersecurity sessions, where we learned about common techniques used in malware analysis and reverse-engineered a malicious application.

Additionally, I had the chance to meet industry professionals who shared their journeys and experiences in the tech field, offering insightful career advice. This gave me a glimpse into their day-to-day lives and broadened my understanding of various career paths.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the workshop—it was certainly one of the highlights of my JC1 year! For those considering applying for scholarships or other programs, go for it! Use these two short years to pursue your interests, learn new skills, and gain the experience and knowledge that you can't obtain in the classroom.

Chen Yeu Jiunn
NUS Science Research Programme

Subject Combination:
H2 Mathematics
H2 Further Mathematics
H2 Physics
H1 Economics
H3 NTU Semiconductor Physics and Devices

CCA/SIG:
Nanyang Robotics and Computer Science Club
Mathematics Club
Singularity

I have always been driven by curiosity. I love to experiment with different things to observe their outcomes, whether it be through movement, combustion, or manipulation. When I joined NYJC, I made a personal vow to infuse in my JC1 journey with excitement and memorable experiences. The NUS Science Research Programme became a pivotal part of achieving that goal.

This programme allowed me to experience the research cycle from the inception of formulating research questions to the culmination of producing a research report. It gave me deeper insights into research at a university level, which was a significant departure from my previous experiences.

Teaming up with another student, our project focused on investigating the acoustic properties of watermelons, specifically examining their sweetness and detecting internal damage that is not visible externally. Over the course of working on the project, I came to appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of research. While our project centred on physics, our literature review underscored the significance of other natural sciences in this domain, in addition to requiring programming skills to navigate the complexities of our investigation.

Participating in this programme left me with a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. It has motivated me to contemplate delving further into the realm of science and technology research whenever the opportunity arises. Moreover, it provided me greater clarity on my choices of university courses that I wish to pursue. Initially torn between pursuing a degree in applied mathematics or physics, my involvement in the research project and my coursework helped me realise my deeper interest in the sciences, particularly physics.

In all, it was an electrifying experience with much to learn and take away from. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I wholeheartedly recommend to any aspiring researcher.

Oliver Alexander Wang

NUS Science Research Programme

A recipient of:
2023 Singapore Biology Olympiad − Gold medal
2023 Singapore Chemistry Olympiad − Silver medal

Subject Combination:

H2 Biology
H2 Chemistry
H2 Mathematics
H2 Economics
H3 Chemistry

CCA/SIG:

Tchoukball (Vice-President)

Nanyang Musicians Club

From a young age, my ambition has always been geared towards becoming a researcher. Naturally, I found myself drawn to the Science Research Project (SRP). This programme provides aspiring researchers like me, the prestigious opportunity to work with leading researchers in top universities, such as NUS and NTU on a 6-month long attachment, giving us a taste on the hectic, yet rewarding and fulfilling life of a researcher.

Being part of SRP not only exposes us to the challenges of the research world but also allows us to reap the rewards of our hard work. Interacting with like-minded individuals from other JCs has been a highlight, fostering invaluable friendships along the way. On a personal note, navigating through the lengthy and challenging SRP journey has been a lot of fun for me, especially when we get to see the fruits of our labour when we participate in competitions.

SRP really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I strongly encourage you to sign up, especially if you have keen interest in STEM or research!

Inchara Praveen

MOE Overseas Student Attachment Programme – International Science School

Subject Combination:
H2 Physics
H2 Chemistry
H2 Mathematics
H2 Economics
H3 Physics

CCA/SIG:

Floorball

I had the privilege of attending the International Science School (ISS), a two-week programme at the University of Sydney featuring workshops and lectures spanning all branches of science. As someone inherently curious with questions that extend beyond our standard curriculum, the experience was truly eye-opening. Exploring researcher’s breakthroughs was fascinating, with my favourite revelation being in the realm of quantum computing.

Quantum computing, a unique fusion of theoretical science (quantum physics) and contemporary computing, captivated me. It tackles immensely complex problems that classical computers cannot solve. The application of quantum computing in cryptography, with its potential to address modern-day cybersecurity issues, particularly resonated with me as a self-taught programmer, deepening my interest in computing as a whole.

From learning about ongoing research in different fields along with the process of scientific inquiry, the ISS helped me solidify my passion for a Computer Science course in university. Not only was it educational, the programme was also extremely enjoyable. Exploring diverse scientific branches like marine science and genetic fingerprinting broadened my understanding and sparked further enthusiasm.

Inspired by the ISS experience, I decided to take up the academic challenge of H3 physics to delve deeper into the science I had been learning within my curriculum. However, perhaps the most impactful aspect of the ISS was the opportunity to socialise with students from around the world, resulting in the formation of lifelong friendships.

Ng Ling Kai

Engineering and Tech Programme Scholarship

Subject Combination:

H2 Physics
H2 Computing
H2 Mathematics
H2 Economics

CCA/SIG:

Dragon Boat

Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) hosted a 5-day workshop for Engineering and Tech Programme Scholarship (ETPS) recipients on 15th of January this year. The workshop featured two parallel tracks: AI robotics and drone, aimed to equip students with essential engineering skills.

In the AI robotics track, we delved into various aspects, including computer-aided design (CAD) for designing camera links, programming the robot using AI to detect humans and animals, robot assembly, and discussions on ethics and design thinking through the double diamond framework. These skills culminated in preparing us for the competition held on the final day, which involved pitching our projects and test-driving the robots equipped with AI.

All in all, it was an enjoyable and fruitful experience, enriched by the camaraderie with new friends made along the way. Looking forward to applying these skills and knowledge in future endeavours!

Gabrielle Marcya Joan

A*STAR Science Award
NUS Science Research Programme
NYJC Zhong Zheng Ren Scholarship

A recipient of:
2023 Singapore Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF) − Bronze award and Loreal Special Award for Innovation in Sustainability

Subject Combination:

H2 Biology
H2 Chemistry
H2 Mathematics
H2 Economics
H3 NTU Molecular Biology

CCA/SIG:

Interact Club
Nanyang String Ensemble (President)
BioNat

The NUS Science Research Programme (SRP) is definitely one of the top highlights of my first year in JC. I have always found research to be inspirational and was inclined to try it out, but there were no opportunities available earlier. Thus, I am grateful for being able to finally gain some research experience through the SRP.

My interest lies in topics related to health issues in general. Hence when deciding the research topic, I knew I wanted to work on something linked to solving health issues. The focus of the project I was working on with my SRP partner, was the suppression of amyloid fibril formation which can occur in the brain. However, things did not turn out as well as thought and we did not manage to achieve very promising results. As we continued to soldier on to find the breakthrough, we encountered a formulation that resulted in a gel-like consistency, which we later identified as a hydrogel. This was the turning point - our research focus pivoted towards the formation of hydrogels for the application of wound-healing. The unexpected change of the research focus, two months into the programme, presented a significant learning point for me: while perseverance is important when met with hurdles, we should also be open to opportunities that present themselves in the process.

Although I am not entirely sure of the specific aspect of research I wish to embark on in the future, the programme has most definitely solidified my passion in research. The programme took quite a lot of time and energy to complete, and I admit that it was challenging trying to balance schoolwork, extra-curricular commitments and the programme. It took some time to adjust, but eventually I was able to schedule all my commitments properly every day and dedicate enough time to each commitment.

Overall, the programme has made my JC 1 year an enriching and rewarding one.

Goh Wen Yang

Research attachment at NUS Materials Science and Engineering

A recipient of:
2023 Singapore Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF) − Bronze award
2022 Singapore Chemistry Olympiad − Bronze medal

Subject Combination:

H2 Physics
H2 Chemistry
H2 Mathematics
H2 Economics
H3 Chemistry

CCA/SIG:

Interact Club

In November, I had the opportunity to conduct research on a silver-based fibre. I took up this program as I had some interest in the workings of materials and was unsure of whether material science and engineering would be a good fit for me in university.

In the lab, the experiments I conducted revolved around the synthesis of the fibre, and the exploration of its properties using various machines such as an electron microscope. The analysis of the fibre under the electron microscope was actually the most memorable part of my research as I was able to see the changes we made to the fibre physically and not through experimentation of its properties.

Although balancing research, academics and CCA was initially a concern, my mentor understood that this program was more geared towards exposing us to various faculties and gave us a free and easy schedule. Thus, with the prioritisation of work according to deadlines, the balancing of these commitments was actually quite manageable.

From this program, my main takeaway was that I do enjoy material science and engineering but beyond that, it gave me a clearer idea of what I may not enjoy which can help shape my other choices. For example, I was involved in significant amounts of data processing in this program which was honestly quite mundane to me and hence I may not choose courses that are more analytical in nature for university. Overall, participating in this research has helped to shape my perspective on labwork and I strongly encourage research for students who are unsure of what they wish to pursue as research will help open their perspectives (provided that one is not struggling with academics).

Yang Lihan

Scientist-in-School Programme at Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC) ‒ A*STAR

A recipient of:
2022 Singapore Mathematics Olympiad − Silver medal
2021 Singapore Mathematics Olympiad − Bronze medal

Subject Combination:

H2 Mathematics
H2 Further Mathematics
H2 Physics
H2 Economics
H3 Mathematics

CCA/SIG:

Chinese Cultural Society
NY Chinese Debate (President)
NY Voices
Nanyang Law Society

In 2021, I had the opportunity to conduct a research under the guidance of a researcher from the Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), together with two other teammates. This has been one of my most memorable experiences in JC1.

With some previous experience on programming and having taken a course on machine learning (of course, neither were compulsory, as you will be well-equipped soon after the research begins), I was very glad to find this programme that allowed me to work on something that I am passionate about.  Eager to have a hands-on experience doing a real scientific research, I did not hesitate to sign up.

The research we were offered included using machine learning to categorise regions in Singapore, in order to draw a connection between public transport passenger volume data and land use compositions of these regions. This is indeed a niche and challenging direction in the field, and it is not surprising that our research did not go smoothly all the time.

However, we were lucky to be mentored by our researcher, who himself is doing research in this field. We were able to approach our mentor whenever we met difficulties, and he would always provide valuable advice. In the interim, we developed our ability to solve problems independently and learned to value not only the results but also the process – both were important takeaways from our project. There were times that we seemed to have come to dead ends but by reading past research papers, testing new methods and occasionally changing our approach while not losing hope, we eventually managed to complete this rewarding journey.

Having a research project alongside with curriculum subjects, activities in my CCA, SIGs and other competitions required a rather delicate balance. It is vital to bear in mind the long-term vision for our education and career, and carefully manage conflicts between different commitments. Meanwhile, it really helped a lot that my teachers have been very flexible with tutorials and assignments so that I was never under too much pressure.

The Scientist-in-School programme taught me many things I could not have learned in theories. For example, starting with advanced methods may not always be a good choice due to various restrictions regarding the data, and real-life data does not guarantee meaningful outcome like the ones I would get in a Kaggle contest. These are part of a precious experience that helps me understand more about what it is like to be a data scientist. Of course, you may choose a very different subject to research on but I am sure your experience will be no less rewarding.

So, if you have a research programme in mind, go for it. Find out about a new field, take up new skills, build up friendships and most importantly. Have fun!

Lee Rui Xuan

NUS Science Research Programme

A recipient of:
2022 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair – 4^th position
2022 Singapore Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF) − Gold award

Subject Combination:
H2 Biology
H2 Chemistry
H2 Mathematics
H1 Economics

CCA/SIG:
Dance Society
Korzy (Secretary)

I have always wanted to pursue a career in the Sciences, however I was unsure of the specific course or what exactly interests me. The experience of taking on project that encompassed material science and food science as part of the NUS Science Research Programme, I was exposed to the inter-disciplinary nature of research and found myself drawn to it.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were unable to go to the lab until mid-November. I learnt how to adapt with the guidance of my mentor and adjusted the project to one that can be partially conducted at home. Through the Research Methods Module (RMM) and the research project, I have learnt various data collection and organisational methods and lab-related skills that I would have otherwise not known.

l was initially concerned about the workload and the impact on my school work, however, by reading up on my research topic consistently, I was able to spend sufficient time on both areas, without compromising on my social life.

I am extremely thankful for this learning experience. The programme allows me to apply what I have learnt in school, as well as to give me an introduction to Science research at the tertiary level.

Lee Wen Xuan, Karel

A*STAR Science Award and Research Attachment at Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) ‒ A*STAR

Subject Combination:

H2 Biology
H2 Chemistry
H2 Mathematics
H2 Economics
H3 Biology

CCA/SIG:

Chinese Orchestra (Section Leader)
Paws on Parade
Nanyang String Ensemble
Nanyang Astronomy
Nanyang Pianists

Last year, I was awarded the A*STAR Science Award (JC). Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the attachment opportunities at A*STAR were cancelled. Fortunately, the situation eased in the second part of the year, and I had the opportunity to do a 5-week research attachment at Genome Institute of Singapore during the year-end school holidays.

Besides the exciting experience of working in a research lab, I had the chance to meet people of diverse backgrounds. I got to talk to research mentors who were studying for their PhDs, university students and polytechnic students who were in the midst of completing their final-year project. The advice they gave was truly useful and informative to help me decide on my future university courses and career choices.

I was anxious about juggling my commitments while working throughout the December holidays. However, I found out that all it took was good time management and sufficient preparation done prior to the attachment. Any spare time I had in the office could be used to finish my schoolwork, revise, or take a break.

There was no doubt that the attachment has made my December holidays one of the most meaningful yet. The values, connections and knowledge I acquired would truly be beneficial to me in the years ahead.

Thanakorn Sripratak

Scientist-in-School Programme at Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R) ‒ A*STAR

Subject Combination:

H2 Mathematics
H2 Further Mathematics
H2 Physics
H2 Economics
H3 SMU Game Theory

CCA/SIG:

Student Council
Mathematics Club (Head of Publicity and Logistics)

In 2020, I had the privilege to be part of A*STAR Scientist-in-School Programme, working with my schoolmate Carmen Lim and our mentor Mr. Zheng Yang Chin from A*STAR's Institute for Infocomm Research. Our project aims to investigate changes in electroencephalogram (EEG) scalp brain signals during mental arithmetic under varying conditions.

Throughout the duration of the programme, we had meetings with our mentor over Zoom regularly to learn new skills, review literature and discuss research plans. I had picked up many important and interesting skills like coding through Python, signal processing and elementary machine learning. The programme allowed me to apply information I had learnt in my classes, like statistics and linear algebra, to real-life applications.

Importantly, it was an opportunity for me to explore an area of interest of mine, which is computer science. The programme gave me a deeper understanding and appreciation of computer science and gave me a glimpse into what computer science is like at the university level and beyond.

The most memorable experience during my research attachment was visiting Mr. Chin at the Institute for Infocomm Research at Fusionopolis. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, it was difficult for us to meet our mentor out of college in the initial stage. Fortunately, during our December holidays, the restrictions were eased. During the meeting, we discussed our research plans and learned how to operate the EEG machine. We also had the chance to explore the A*STAR’s Institute for Infocomm Research.

The programme took up a significant amount time and was taxing but what I learnt from the programme was definitely worth it! My mentor was understanding of my CCA commitments (Student Council) and school work, giving my partner and me sufficient time to revise for our examinations. Balancing my other commitments with the programme was difficult but manageable through proper planning and scheduling.

This programme has been a wonderful experience and has allowed me to learn so much!

Xin Wenkang

Scientist-in-School Programme at Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC) ‒ A*STAR

A recipient of:
2020 ST Yau High School Science Award (Asia) – Gold medal
2020 Singapore Physics Olympiad − Gold medal

Subject Combination:

H2 Mathematics
H2 Further Mathematics
H2 Physics
H2 Economics
H3 Physics

CCA/SIG:

Robotics Club

I was given the opportunity of research attachment at A*STAR research institute for my JC1 academic year. With two schoolmates, we worked under the guidance of a researcher from the Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC). The whole experience was very challenging yet rewarding.

We chose to work on the topic of applying computer vision techniques in the field of material science. We had to quickly familiarise ourselves with many computer vision techniques that we had never heard of previously. Looking back at the entire learning process, the most valuable part were the skills I picked up. Although I had some prior experience with Python, it is only through this research experience that I became comfortable with using Python to solve scientific problems, a skill truly invaluable for anyone interested in STEM-related areas.

The process of literature review, coming up with a hypothesis, writing our own research paper and presenting it in front of others is something vastly different from the JC curriculum, but something that is of immense importance.  It gives us a glimpse of research at the undergraduate level. This experience has allowed me to see how challenging it is to contribute to academia and how rewarding the results can be.

The team participated in an international competition (ST Yau High School Science Award) and we had to spend many nights refining our report and rehearsing our presentation as the deadline was in September which coincided with the busy Term 3. Things got slightly exhausting when my preparation for Physics Olympiad coincided with that for the Yau Award, but I managed to pull both of them off eventually. Looking back at that period of time, I would say it requires a lot of dedication to do well in the research project, definitely no less than the effort one should put in to excel in school subjects.

In short, I would recommend anyone who can manage JC schoolwork to try out a research project. It gives you a taste of working in the scientific community and allows you to pick up many important skills for your future academics and career.

Yew Chin Siang

Research attachment at Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R) ‒ A*STAR

Subject Combination:

H2 Biology
H2 Chemistry
H2 Mathematics
H1 Economics
H3 NTU Molecular Biology

CCA/SIG:

Judo
BioNat (Head of Session Planning)

I had the opportunity for a 1-month research attachment at A*STAR, Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R) in the December holidays last year where I had a chance to design an artificial intelligence software to detect lesions in medical scans.

One of my most memorable experiences was visiting A*STAR research institute with my fellow group members to utilize the more advanced equipment. Fortunately, both my team members were very patient in teaching me how some of the more technical computing aspects function, as I was not as proficient in computing as both of them. Going to A*STAR also allowed us to meet up in person with our supervisor, Dr. Huang, to ensure that we were on the right track through meetings and discussions.

This attachment helped solidify my decision that research is the right path for me, albeit not in this particular sector, as the collaboration required and excitement from making progress are some of the aspects a research career can offer, both of which I find intriguing. Apart from the raw technical skills, a key takeaway for me was to not feel intimidated from seeking advice or help as if it weren’t for our mentors' guidance, it would have been extremely challenging to complete our objective since all the required expertise is extremely advanced.

Although the attachment was very rewarding, it was still challenging as I had to juggle academics and other commitments at the same time. Thus, I had to have good time management and consistency in my work - not just during the holidays, but across the whole year to cope with all these activities.

Bernice Teo Wei Shan

NUS Science Research Programme

Subject Combination:

H2 Physics
H2 Chemistry
H2 Mathematics
H2 Economics
H3 NUS-MOE Science Research Programme

CCA/SIG:

Chinese Orchestra
Hanja (President)
Economics Society

As a proud Science Research Programme (SRP) participant, I am always eager to share my experience whenever someone asks me about my time there. My field of research was on Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically deep learning. As I had only dealt with basic programming during my lower secondary days, what I had to familiarise myself with for the research were rather niche and foreign. However, my worries were soon dispelled as my mentor was very patient and thorough when guiding me, and was also very forgiving whenever I made mistakes in the initial stages. Gradually, I became more independent in my research. During my time there, I was tasked to take up an online course to understand more about deep learning, and read up on various research papers in order to deepen my understanding. With my new found knowledge, I went on to use the artificial intelligence networks to segment MRI prostate images, and subsequently optimise them such that they achieve higher accuracies. When I witnessed my experiments picking up pace and yielded satisfactory results, my contentment was beyond words and this motivated me to achieve more during the research.

The writing of the actual research paper is, I believe, a part of research that is often overlooked. To produce a thorough research paper, I had to learn how to present my findings in the most comprehensible way, amongst the plethora of diagrams and infographics which I can use. I had to be concise in documenting my whole research as well, so that the readers can, more easily, sieve out and highlight valuable information for themselves. My mentor also imparted a lot of knowledge and tips which were instrumental in my successful completion of the research paper by the stipulated deadline. The end results were indisputably gratifying as I see all my hard work being translated into words and diagrams. Fortunately for me, my mentor has also published an edited version of my research online, and I could share with my close friends and family, a titbit of my understanding gained during the programme.

Tracey Tay Yee Hsin

NUS Science Research Programme

Subject Combination:

H2 Physics
H2 Chemistry
H2 Mathematics
H1 Economics
H3 Chemistry
H3 NUS-MOE Science Research Programme

CCA/SIG:

Nanyang Debaters and Orators (Vice-President)
Nanyang String Ensemble
Nanyang Musician Club

"Junior College is the last opportunity for me to explore different fields and stretch my academic capabilities before specialising in university!" With that in mind, I embarked on my journey to take up H3 MOE SRP Research project and H3 Chemistry.

Picking a research project was difficult as I felt that most of the topics were very niche. I decided to take on a project that interests me and exposes me to an unfamiliar field and I decided on a project about artificial intelligence and biomedical imaging.

Given that this was my first exposure to computing, I had to be ready to learn a lot of foreign concepts, and that, I found fascinating. My H3 research project started with me attending various Coursera lessons, before learning to conduct visual assessments on PET scans for my data collection. Fortunately, I had a patient professor who was willing to answer my questions and guide me through the research process. Through it, I was able to pick up different knowledge and research skills including data analysis.

I admit that balancing my commitments was difficult, but it was not impossible either! Being intentional to set aside time to relax, strategically planning my time to maximise my efficiency and having a good support system, enabled me to thrive.