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Curiosity & Schrödinger's Cat: How Philosophy Intersects with Quantum Physics
Dr. Clive Cenxin Aw, Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore
Since its very conception, the tapestry of quantum physics has always had a philosophical thread woven into its fabric. While being indispensable in modern technologies, the quantum paradigm has also brought forth fascinating philosophical questions about freewill, multiverses, and causation. In this broad, informal introduction, we consider some notable ways philosophy and quantum theory intersect. In particular, we give bird's eye overviews of analytic philosophy and quantum physics before zooming into the philosophical options surrounding specific notions like entanglement and wavefunctions.
Advancing Healthcare using Artificial Intelligence
Dr Lee Hwee Kuan, Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR, CFAR
Advancements in AI has transformative impact in the area of healthcare. In this seminar, we will discuss three areas of applications in cellular image informatics, cardiac imaging and drug discovery. In cellular image informatics, our focus is on cancer diagnostics and drug discovery using spatial omics and histology imaging data. In cardiac imaging, we focus on CT coronary angiography and the diagnosis of coronary artery diseases. We will also discuss innovations in drug discovery and drug design. In this seminar, the speaker will share his expertise and personal journey on how a scientific perspective has enriched his life.
Chemistry The key to unlocking secrets of life.pdfChemistry: The key to unlocking the secrets of life
Prof Loh Xian Jun, Executive Director, Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), A*STAR
Chemistry is omnipresent in our lives. We have chemical reactions going on in our bodies. We eat foods that undergo a chemical reaction. We live, sleep and play with chemistry around us. Just what is chemistry and how do you go about equipping yourself with this wonderful knowledge? Is there physics in chemistry? Or is there chemistry in physics? Bio in chemistry or vice versa? How does mathematics play in this equation? What about AI? What about robotics? This talk is about the latest and potentially greatest developments in chemistry - the weird, the wonderful and the wild.
(Due to technical issues, there is no recording for this webinar. You may access the slides shown on the left.)
30 April Ascher bee presentation reduced size.pdfHow can biogeography, life history, and community science inform conservation of Asian bee species?
A/P John Stoskopf Ascher, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore
Declines in bees and their pollination services are reported worldwide, but the conservation status of Asian bees is uncertain due to lack of data. To overcome Linnean (taxonomic) and Wallacean (biogeographic) shortfalls in knowledge of bees we need more fieldwork, digitization, and data sharing. This talk will discuss the cutting edge of bee research in Asia highlighting ongoing discovery of species new to science, including in Singapore itself. Examples of integrative taxonomic work show how combining DNA and morphology allows us to recognize cryptic species and to infer their life histories. With contributions from community science image datasets we can then map and model bee species and predict how they will respond to urbanization and climate change.
Nature-based Climate Solutions: Helping an Ailing Mother Earth
A/P Adrian Loo, Centre for Nature-Based Climate Solutions, National University of Singapore
Scientists have in the past decades sounded the alarm of the triple threat of Climate change, Biodiversity Loss and Pollution. In 1987, a report entitled Our Common Future was released by the UN in response to how humans have unsustainably utilised natural resources, resulting in extreme weather changes, unhealthy soil conditions that caused famines along the Sahel region. That set the stage for the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 where the United Nations launched a series of conventions that would address this on a global scale, namely, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Sustainable Development was a concept that was ultimately refined to 17 Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. How have we fared thus far?
Nuclear Not Cheem Lah - Slides.pdfRecording (Nuclear, Not Cheem Lah).mp4Nuclear? Not Cheem Lah!
Dr Tan Zi Liang, Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute (SNRSI), National University of Singapore
Have you ever wondered about what is nuclear energy and how does it work? Regionally and internationally, there is increasing interest in nuclear energy as a potential solution for meeting energy security and sustainability goals. However, public awareness of the workings of nuclear technology is oftentimes low, which can contribute to higher perceptions of risk and lower public acceptance of nuclear energy.
Electrons, Atoms & Molecules: A Peek into Quantum Chemistry
Dr Chee Chong Hian, Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore
Get ready to explore the fascinating realm of subatomic phenomena and unlock the secrets behind chemical behaviour. In this webinar, you will discover how electrons and their wave-like nature form the foundation of atomic structure and molecular bonding. By exploring thought-provoking experiments such as double-slit electron diffraction and the Stern-Gerlach experiment, you will gain firsthand insights into quantum mechanical concepts. Expect not only to deepen your grasp of standard pre-university curricula, but also to experience curiosity about potential applications of quantum mechanics to chemistry.
webinar.pdfSustainability Video- Presentation.mp4Sustainability Video- Q&A.mp4Sustainability Video- Conclusion.mp4Why Sustainability is Difficult and What Science Can (and Can't) Do
Dr Tristan Tan, Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR
In this talk, we will unpack what sustainability really means and why our current way of life fails to meet even the most basic definitions. We will then zoom in on one of the most visible and urgent sustainability challenges today, the plastics waste crisis. The plastics industry consumes vast amounts of non-renewable resources and creates persistent, hard-to-manage pollution, from microplastics to toxic additives. Despite this, plastics production is actually increasing.
We will look at the chemical, economic and logistical reasons behind why recycling has largely failed and explore alternative solutions beyond recycling. The talk will end with a frank look at why scientific ideas often struggle to make it out of the lab.
Students and teachers may visit this SLS module for more content related to this webinar: https://vle.learning.moe.edu.sg/moe-library/module/view/8bf31adb-d258-4a37-88c4-ae0faa4ec162
Dr Alan Russell Amgen.mp4From Curiosity to Cure: A Scientist’s Journey and the Future of Medicine
Dr Alan J. Russell, Vice President, Research, Therapeutic Discovery, Amgen
What happens when a passion for science becomes a purpose to heal?
In this webinar, Dr. Alan Russell—global biotech leader and Vice President at Amgen—shares his journey from a curious student to a pioneer at the forefront of biomedical innovation.
Currently leading research and innovation in one of the world’s most advanced biopharmaceutical organizations, Dr. Russell’s career has spanned academia, biotech entrepreneurship, and executive leadership in large-scale research and development. Students will hear how early interests in biology and engineering, combined with a drive to solve real-world problems, led Alan to a career developing cutting-edge therapies—from tissue regeneration to next-generation cancer drugs. He’ll highlight the pivotal decisions, challenges, and opportunities that shaped his path, and offer practical advice for those beginning to explore their own future in science, technology, engineering, or medicine.
This session is designed to ignite imagination and will also open a window into the fascinating world of drug discovery—how scientists identify disease targets, design precise molecules, and increasingly harness the power of AI and data to accelerate innovation. With real examples from the lab to the clinic, Dr. Russell will show how science is not just a subject—it’s a tool for impact.
Along the way, Dr. Russell will reflect on the challenges, decisions, and moments of inspiration that shaped his path—from the university classroom to leadership in one of the world’s most advanced biopharmaceutical companies.
Whether you're drawn to solving complex puzzles, imagining new technologies, or making a difference in people’s lives, this talk will illuminate the possibilities that STEM careers can offer—and how to start building that path today. The future of medicine is being built by those bold enough to ask the right questions. Your journey could start today.
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