When Professor Jackie Yi-Ru Ying and her team discovered a material that would help diabetic patients autoregulate their intake of insulin, it caught the attention of the medical and scientific communities worldwide.
The material (stimuli-responsive polymeric nanoparticles) led to a technology that autoregulates the release of insulin based on the patient’s blood glucose levels – allowing it to be delivered orally or by nasal passage without the need for injections. In turn, this would help prevent hyperglycemic and hypoglycemic conditions in diabetic patients.
Scientists are a “rebellious” bunch, quips the 57-year-old, who is the founder of A*Star’s Nanobio Lab. Having a mindset that challenges conventional wisdom is vital to innovative research, says Prof Ying. “To break new grounds, scientists need to explore novel ideas and pursue what may be deemed by most as unattainable. It requires a fearless ‘can do’ spirit, and lots of passion and perseverance.”
At Nanobio Lab, she oversees a team of over 25 research staff across various disciplines at the research incubator, which develops solutions for medicine, energy and food security.
Prof Ying’s research in nanotech spans biomaterials (for drug delivery systems and stem cell culture), diagnostic assays (such as rapid test kits for infectious diseases), safer and better energy storage, and agritech (for improved seed germination and plant growth), among others.
Brilliance, passion and dedication – the all-important trinity of success – has been integral in establishing Prof Ying as one of the world’s leading scientists. But what truly makes her revolutionary is her unflinching determination in challenging the status quo.
This story is from the October 2023 edition of Her World Singapore.
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This story is from the October 2023 edition of Her World Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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TREASURE ISLAND
When plans to demolish the Merlion Tower on Sentosa were announced in 2019, some Singaporeans were sad to see one of the island's most iconic attractions go. After all, the quirky creature – with the head of a lion and the body of a fish – had been a significant part of their memories of Sentosa.The 37m-tall, 12-storey structure, completed in 1996 and designed by Australian sculptor James Martin, was a focal point for laser light shows and projections that transformed its ivory facade into a vibrant display of colours.The Merlion Tower was a popular attraction for families. Singaporean couple Anand and Vrunda Patel would often take their children there for outings. Vrunda, now 50, fondly recalls climbing the structure and admiring the views of Sentosa from the Merlion's mouth. “Outside the Merlion, there was a beautiful step garden with flowing water. I used to love walking there,” she shares.Years later, the statue, covered in dirt and grime, required a refresh. The demolition was not only part of a larger vision to connect Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) in the north to the three beaches (Palawan, Tanjong and Siloso) on the island's south, it was also the start of a massive rebranding project to transform Sentosa from a recreational family destination to a premier lifestyle attraction.Today, Sentosa Sensoryscape stands in its place. Set within a lush landscape, the 30,000 sqm attraction features a 350m-long connector that leads visitors to six sensory gardens – where they can explore the gardens’ massive vessel-like sculptures, observe the various flora and fauna inhabiting the space, and interact with Instagrammable light displays through an augmented reality app after nightfall.“To attract younger visitors, our additional focus is on creating more authentic and immersive experiences, recognising that this demographic seeks deeper, more engaging interactions with the places they visit,” says Thien Kwee Eng, CEO, Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC).Just as Sensoryscape is designed to create an otherworldly atmosphere after dark, the Sentosa Night Mode campaign, launched in August, aims to introduce the island as a day-to-night destination for both locals and tourists, who would typically only make day trips to Sentosa. In addition to more nightlife events – such as the recent Waterbomb Festival, which saw about 10,000 revellers partying to a live K-pop line-up – the initiative includes extended operating hours at key attractions, along with street performances and dining promotions.It’s a move that has boosted visitorship to the island, with total numbers reaching 16 million this year.“This is a 20 per cent increase in the number of visitors as compared to the same period last year,” reveals Kwee Eng.
TAKING THE LEAP
It’s 10 am on a Monday, and Gan Guoyi, 40, walks into Jigger & Pony with a set of dry-cleaned clothes – a picture of calm amid the aftermath of last night’s chaos. The Singapore bar recently secured a spot in the Top 5 of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024 list, announced in Madrid on Oct 23. To celebrate, she threw a three-night promotion from Nov 10, where customers enjoyed five premium cocktails for just $5 each at select bars like Gibson, Live Twice, Sugarhall, Como Pony Jakarta, and Jigger & Pony.Naturally, the event was a hit, and Guoyi, who was manning the guest list at Sugarhall, only managed a few hours of sleep the night before. Still, she arrives promptly to our photo shoot without complaints.
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LENNARD & ANN YEONG
Taking risks, and staying the course
