The 37th
Science Research Congress

Programme for 26th April 2025

Welcome Address

Mdm Diane Goh

Director, Gifted Education Branch, Curriculum Planning and Development Division 1

Ministry of Education

Panel Discussion

Professor Deng Zeyu

Assistant Professor, NUS Department of Material Science and Engineering

Professor Ou Pengfei

Assistant Professor, NUS Department of Chemistry

Professor Meng-Chwan Tan (moderator)

Assistant Dean, Science, NUS Faculty of Science

Associate Professor, NUS Department of Physics

VIP Presentations

Wu Tongyu Belinda, Dunman High School

Teo Shen Han, River Valley High School

Tricia Tan Hui Xin, Raffles Institution 

Closing Remarks

Dr Lee Wee Siang Vincent

NUS College of Design and Engineering

Concurrent Sessions

The Science Research Programme (SRP) was established in 1988 and is a longstanding collaboration between the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Gifted Education Branch of the Ministry of Education (MOE). Over the years, this initiative has provided Junior College (JC) and Integrated Programme (IP) students with invaluable opportunities to deepen their scientific knowledge, hone their research skills and enhance their ability to communicate their findings. Many SRP alumni have gone on to make significant contributions to research and innovation, in Singapore and beyond.

The SRP is one of the premier research attachment programmes for students from JCs and IP schools, thanks to MOE’s support and the commitment of our SRP mentors who provide guidance to talented students seeking to work on projects in a real research environment.

Over the past nine months, our SRP mentors provided insights into research topics and practices, enabling students to develop their knowledge and skills within the STEM community. Despite their demanding academic commitments, our aspiring researchers approached their projects with enthusiasm and perseverance, gaining in confidence as they navigated through the challenges of research. This vibrant and intellectually stimulating learning environment in turn contributes to a stronger and more inclusive culture of learning in STEM fields. 

The 37th Science Research Congress Proceedings showcase the exceptional work of 116 JC2 and Year 6 IP students from 15 esteemed institutions, namely Anderson Serangoon Junior College, Anglo-Chinese Junior College, Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), Catholic Junior College, Dunman High School, Eunoia Junior College, Hwa Chong Institution, Nanyang Junior College, National Junior College, Raffles Institution, River Valley High School, St Andrew's Junior College, St Joseph’s Institution, Temasek Junior College and Victoria Junior College.  

The year’s presentations, ranging from automation to climate change and food security, among many others, are a result of young, inspired minds becoming engaged and invested in STEM research and the meaningful contributions they can make in this field - what SRP aspires to achieve. 

I extend my sincere appreciation to the mentors, research assistants and the Ministry of Education for your unwavering support in shaping the next generation of scientists. To all SRP participants, may this experience ignite your passion for scientific discovery and inspire you to push the boundaries of knowledge. Wishing you every success in your future endeavours!

Sun Yeneng

Xu Foundation Dean and Professor

Dean, Faculty of Science

National University of Singapore

The future of research lies not in gathering data, but in connecting dots that were previously invisible to us.

~ David Weinberger,

American author and technologist

The advent of the generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) age has fundamentally transformed how we conduct research, analyse data, and push the boundaries of scientific discovery. Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and big data analytics are not just research tools, but catalysts reshaping the very foundation of scientific inquiry.

In recent years, AI has evolved from performing routine calculations to discovering patterns in complex datasets that might take human researchers decades to uncover. Machine learning algorithms are now predicting protein structures and accelerating climate modelling at high accuracies. The ability to process and analyse vast amounts of data has enabled evidence-based decision-making at unprecedented scale, transforming industries such as healthcare and finance.

As we look to the future, we must embrace these technological advances while remaining mindful of their ethical implications. The questions we face are no longer just about what technology can do, but what it should do. This Congress provides a crucial platform for discussing these challenges and opportunities.

Incepted in 1988, the Science Research Program (SRP) has remained true to its mission to nurture STEM talents who are innovative and socially responsible. The immersion in a scientific research culture has allowed SRPians to gain valuable authentic learning experiences in deep inquiry and develop vital 21st century competencies. The investigation of authentic real-world problems has allowed SRPians to hone their critical, creative and inventive thinking skills, along with soft skills, as they co-construct knowledge with their peers and mentors through critical questioning and exploration. 

Under the guidance of capable and dedicated SRP mentors, our SRPians have applied their scientific understanding and skills to new contexts and problems and made progress in pushing the frontiers of knowledge. They have also used a range of technological tools in their research, ranging from AI to machine learning. Their mentors have ensured that while leveraging new technologies, the core principles of scientific rigour, ethical conduct, and sound reasoning remain at the forefront of the research and learning processes. Some examples in this year’s projects include:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Inspired Eye Testing using Image Processing and Virtual Reality

• Automated 3D head and neck reconstruction for medical examinations

• Recycling titanium powders for sustainable metal 3D printing

The 37th Science Research Congress showcases a wide range of projects which show potential for making positive impact on the community. The fruit of our SRPians’ labour in this mentorship is cause for celebration and hopefully also a source of motivation for them to continue their research endeavours. 

For making all this possible, I would like to thank 2024/25 mentors from the following participating institutions who have offered strong support for the SRP:

• National University of Singapore

Faculty of Science, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, and the College of Design and Engineering

• A*STAR

Bioinformatics Institute (BII), Bioprocessing Technology  Institute (BTI), Infectious Disease Labs (IDL), Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R), Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN)

• Defence Science Organisation (DSO) National Laboratories

• Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) 

• Raffles Science Institute (RSI)

• SingHealth - MED

I would also like to record my sincere appreciation to our sponsors, participating agencies and the teacher liaison and mentors from the participating colleges and schools. Together, they form a robust eco-system, enabling our students to appreciate the process and the value of scientific inquiry.

Finally, let me congratulate the 116 SRPians who have successfully completed SRP 2024/25. I hope that you will continue to pursue your interest in scientific inquiry at higher academic levels and consider a career in the STEM fields, and I wish you continued success in all your future endeavours.

Mdm Diane Goh

Director

Gifted Education Branch