Olds (2022)
Throwback to TEDxPG Singapore
Dec 14, 2022
Chronicles of Being Away (Part V)
Dec 6-31, 2022
Away to be a full-time treasure hunter among WWII wrecks. Pirate fighting is prioritized. Internet connectivity, if at all available, will be preferentially allocated to sharing my adventure.
Back in 2023!
Underwriters Laboratories-ASEAN-U.S. Science Prize for Women 2022
Dec 1, 2022
ASEAN Member State (AMS) Finalist representing Singapore in the Mid-career Scientist category of the Underwriters Laboratories-ASEAN-U.S. Science Prize for Women 2022
Merry Rexmas at GIS
Nov 24, 2022
The Rec Club put up Tree Rex in 30 minutes! Rock and roar!
NUSMed Postdoctoral LevelUp
Nov 23, 2022
Mentor for Pop-up Mentoring Session at the NUS Medicine Postdoctoral LEVEL UP event to provide postdocs with resources enabling them to thrive during their training!
TEDxP&G Singapore 2022
Nov 15, 2022
My fourth TEDx!
Frontiers in Cancer Science 2022
Nov 9, 2022
Invited speaker for the 14th FCS International Conference.
Chronicles of Being Away (Part IV)
Oct 30-Nov 6, 2022
Hi there, You got this email immediately (classic autoresponder behavior), which means I’m out of the office on vacation until Nov 7.
While I hypothetically could reach my email, while I hypothetically do have my phone on hand, and while I hypothetically do have access to WiFi, I am too stingy to pay US$30 for an unstable internet connection while drifting in the Indian Ocean.
Looking forward to reconnecting once I’m back. Enjoy your work week!
//Jingmei
Their breast cancer stories: Research, advocacy and a “miracle baby”
Oct 27, 2022
Live. Breathe. Grow.
Oct 21, 2022
In my previous updates, you would have seen me share Galacidalacidesoxiribunucleicacid (also known as Homage to Crick and Watson (Discoverers of DNA)), a 1963 painting by Salvador Dalí. If you look hard enough, you will find elements of different cultural backgrounds (Christianity and Guanyin-Ma) and technology (blockchain) way ahead of Dali's time.
Then there was the uncanny resemblance between famous German club Berghain bouncer Sven Marquardt and molecular engineer George Church.
In my latest update, I shared my (hopefully not-so-wacky) visions of precision screening for breast cancer in Singapore.
BREATHE-ing New Life to Cancer Research
Oct 20, 2022
While most research focuses on finding a cure for the big C, Dr. Jingmei Li, a Group Leader at A*STAR’s Genome Institute of Singaore, takes the off-beaten path of investigating how precision medicine and early screening can interact. Her work strongly advocates amplifying the importance of preventative measures in breast cancer screening.
Science Alumni-Student Networking Event
Oct 14, 2022
I once was lost. I never thought about life after graduation. Feeling like a thousand years old after a mad week at work but am so glad I made it down to my alma mater to meet old friends and made new ones! Hope I managed to clear some doubts for the students interested in a life of academia!
Guest-of-honor at Anglican High School
Oct 7, 2022
今天回家了！一日为师，终身为父母。我再遇前辈和老师们还是恐惧多多，做好了准备被骂。 希望毕业生们能不忘老师的苦心，圣中的栽培，饮水思源。也希望他们结交的朋友永远有话讲！个个都是国家的未来。Don't play play!
Citi Private Bank and Tatler Explore How Women Can Navigate the Tech Industry
Sep 30, 2022
In partnership with Citi Private Bank, Tatler Singapore hosted a Front & Female panel that turned the spotlight on the tech industry—and, more importantly, how women can successfully navigate the evolving space.
Read article here.
Chronicles of Being Away (Part III)
Sep 1-6, 2022
Hunting mermen underwater Sep 1-6. Network unavailable.
If your email is not urgent I will in all likelihood still reply within 10 minutes by riding a whale up to the surface to get a signal due to ineffective self-regulation and an inability to maintain work-life balance.
If there is an emergency, call 999.
Inaugural Medical Roundtable at the Breast Cancer Foundation
Aug 31, 2022
Breast Cancer Centre, Sin Ming Court
Rector's Tea at Yale NUS
Aug 25, 2022
Super Star Science Communicators at the 9th NCIS Annual Research Meeting (NCAM 2022)
Aug 19, 2022
Lim Zi Lin
Lim Yu Xian
Jonathan Liow
Dr Ho Peh Joo
Chronicles of Being Away (Part II)
Aug 17-19, 2022
Abducted by aliens on Aug 17. Intergalactic Wifi unstable. If I come back as the same person on Aug 19, I will respond to your very important email.
Chronicles of Being Away (Part I)
Aug 9-15, 2022
I am away to celebrate a significant decade of my life and will have intermittent access to email between Aug 9-15.
Hopefully the only emergency that I must handle is a mid-life crisis.
If your email is not urgent I will in all likelihood still reply within 10 minutes due to ineffective self-regulation and an inability to maintain work-life balance. @AcademicsSay
Women's Health and Genetics Family Portrait
Jun 24, 2022
Singaporeans' trust in science remains high, but misinformation could affect this: Study
Jun 14, 2022
Straits Times coverage of the 3M State of Science Index panel discussion yesterday.
Dr Li Jingmei, a group leader at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research’s Genome Institute of Singapore, thinks social media could bridge this gap and stressed the importance of communicating scientific findings in digestible ways.
She said scientists tend to present their results with language that is "devoid of emotions" so they are not misread. "It's so objective that it becomes a bit boring," she said.
But there are social media and science influencers who are capable of "bringing things to life" because they explain science with fun experiments.
"I get hooked looking at the material," she said. "It's one of my own dreams to be a science stand-up comedian one day, just to introduce science to others."
3M State of Science Index Virtual Panel Discussion
Jun 13, 2022
Organized by global science company 3M and Science Centre Singapore, the discussion unpacked key findings from SOSI, a science perception survey covering 17 countries, including Singapore.
The discussion covered topics that matter to us, including how we can improve trust in science in the age of misinformation, encourage more women in these fields, and how science can bring a greener, inclusive, and brighter future.
Panelists:
Associate Professor Lim Tit Meng, Chief Executive, Science Centre Board
Ms Chan Yen Sze, R&D Operations Leader and Sustainability Leader, 3M Southeast Asia Region
Dr Li Jingmei, Group Leader & NRF Fellow, Women’s Health and Genetics, Genome Institute of Singapore, A*STAR
Mr Irfan Darian, Head of Department, Art, Design, Media & Technology, School of Science and Technology, Singapore
Dr Lee Song Choon, Director, KidsSTOP and Events & Engagement, Science Centre Board (Moderator)
Bookends of Life
Jun 7, 2022
First in-person symposium in a long time!
Stronghold Diagnostic Lab Appreciation Event
May 31, 2022
Singapore Kindness Day
May 20, 2022
Collaborations are common science. However, last evening, I was grinning from ear to ear because I got to collaborate with my childhood idol - Singa the Lion!
May 20, 2022 is Kindness Day. I haven't imagined in my wildest dreams that I would be recognized as one of three Voice of Loving Kindness Ambassadors selected this year to share the stage with Singa!
Thank you Singapore Kindness Movement! #BeGreaterSG #KindnessSG
Blurbs:
1. Tell us about yourself?
I am a woman in science, doing science for woman. I lead the Women's Health and Genetics group at the Genome Institute of Singapore, A*STAR.
2. What inspired you to become a Voice of Loving Kindness?
I want to give a voice to kindness, and to amplify the small acts of kindness that people do that may sometimes be overlooked.
3. How do you foresee yourself promoting kindness within your sphere of influence?
The one other place that we spend more time at than with family at home is the workplace. This is especially true for scientists, as our work demands a great deal of time and commitment. In our circle also, are many friends and colleagues from all over the world. I hope to bring kindness to this second family of mine, and welcome international friends to our Singaporean culture!
4. How would you like to see Singaporeans adopt kindness in everyday life?
It is not enough to be kind. We need to recognize kindness in others also, appreciate it, and honor it. If you see or remember an act of kindness, let that person know. Encourage the seedling of kindness in others to grow!
5. What is your hope for the community?
Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. When in doubt, always be kind!
2022 Science Prize for Women announces finalists
May 17, 2022
JAKARTA, 17 May 2022 – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation (COSTI), the U.S. government through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and Underwriters Laboratories today announced the ASEAN Member States’ finalists who will compete in the Underwriters Laboratories-ASEAN-U.S. Science Prize for Women 2022.
The mid-career finalists (45 years old and below) include: Dr. Nur Fajrini Binti Matjalina of Brunei Darussalam, Dr. Roslidar of Indonesia, Dr. Sysavanh Phommachanh of Lao PDR, Dr. Maxine Yen Ling Tan of Malaysia, Dr. Li Jingmei of Singapore, Dr. Supiya Charoensiriwath of Thailand, Dr. Dao Viet Hang of Viet Nam.
The senior scientists finalists (over 46 years old) are: Dr. Emi Huriyati of Indonesia, Dr. Phonethipsavanh Nouanthong of Lao PDR, Dr. Sok Ching Cheong of Malaysia, Dr. Thein Gi Naing of Myanmar, Dr. Rachel Edita Roxas of the Philippines, Dr. Siriwan Suebnukarn of Thailand.
Female Scientists Pushing Precision Medicine Forward
Mar 28, 2022
See full article here: https://www.npm.sg/female-scientists-pushing-precision-medicine-forward/
In celebration of International Women’s Month, meet seven women who are advancing precision medicine in Singapore: Claire Bellis, Foo Jia Nee, Li Jingmei; second row: Marie Loh, Neerja Karnani, Sonia Davila, Yasmin Bylstra.
Across social, economic and political spheres, diversity and inclusion has led to a flourishing of valuable ideas and even increased revenue. The benefits of diversity are particularly relevant when it comes to healthcare: the perspectives and experiences of women are vital to develop medical advancements that are effective for all people. However, while women make up almost 70 per cent of the global healthcare workforce, they have been historically underrepresented in medical research. Until 1993, women were actively excluded from clinical trials in the United States if they were under 40 years old and considered of childbearing potential. A 2020 study from the University of Chicago found that women tend to be overmedicated and experience excess side effects from medication because clinical drug trials are predominantly carried out on male bodies.
Such research gaps can lead to inefficiencies when treating and diagnosing female patients. Fortunately, precision medicine aims to address these gaps by considering the vast genetic differences between diverse populations for more representative and accurate treatment. In Singapore, several women have been contributing to the precision medicine landscape. In celebration of International Women’s Day, we take a look at seven of them and the impact of their work.
Li Jingmei
Dr Li Jingmei is currently the Group Leader at A*STAR’s Genome Institute of Singapore’s (GIS) Women’s Health and Genetics laboratory. At GIS, Li and her team are committed to driving Singapore’s women’s health research through a variety of efforts—from genetic sequencing to assessing the general public’s attitudes toward breast cancer screening. In particular, Li’s work focuses on the prevention and early detection of breast cancer. Typically, family history remains the primary measurement for breast cancer risk, but Li and her team have noticed that such information is becoming more difficult to obtain. Through her research, she hopes to identify genetic differences that can be found in a person’s genome—pointing to a more accurate indication of risk. Over the course of her career, Li has been awarded the 2017 Singapore Young Scientist Award as well as a 2014 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Fellowship.
Zi Lin clinches Science Communicator prize
Mar 18, 2022
A*STAR bagged this 7 out of the 15 awards at the Asian Scientist Best Lab Tech Award 2021 ceremony today! The Science Communicator Award, clinched by Zi Lin, celebrates the lab tech who is passionate about raising awareness on science-related topics (including their own work).
Each lab tech was awarded with a S$500 cash prize, a certificate of recognition and an Asian Scientist Magazine goodie bag. Their respective supervisors also received S$500 in book vouchers from World Scientific Publishing and S$300 lab vouchers from global life sciences company Abcam. In addition, the five MiRXES COVID-19 Hero awardees won a Banyan Tree Spa gift certificate, courtesy of Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts.
I had the hardest time deciding between nominating Zi Lin for the Science Communicator Award or the Rookie Rockstar Award, because she is well-deserving of both! Zi Lin joined my team as an intern during her last semester at the National University of Singapore.
With immense luck, she agreed to join the team in June 2021 as a Research Officer after she graduated with a Bachelor in Life Sciences. Even as a freshly graduated lab tech, Zi Lin operates at the level of a research post-doc. She is remarkable in the level of independence shown in the multiple projects she is handling. Her potential is electrifying!
Case in point: I invited Zi Lin to submit a poster based on her work during her internship for NCIS Annual Research Meeting. After all, “'Science is not finished until it's communicated.” I remember vividly that after her first presentation of the results to our clinical collaborators that I called her afterwards to ask her how she graded herself. She replied with a 5/10. She came up with areas where she could improve. The edits made it into the poster. What struck me that Zi Li is a Rookie Rockstar and a Science Communicator was that when she registered for the conference, there was no discounted category for her. She was not a PhD student! Yet, her work was one of the three shortlisted for the Best Poster Award. Although she did not win the title ultimately, it must be noted that the majority, if not all, of the other participants were either post-graduates or clinicians!
In addition to her brilliant near-win, Zi Lin’s willingness to engage and share ideas with the rest of the team are shining examples of the traits of an excellent researcher. I would be truly blessed if I could entice her to do a PhD with me. Zi Lin is certainly someone I can envision moving mountains in the fields of science and public policies in the near future.
NUS Overseas Colleges Alumna on #BreakTheBias
Mar 8, 2022
I Saw The Science Through Science Stories
Mar 8, 2022
A Science Centre Singapore feature for International Women’s Day on their blog, [blog.science.edu.sg]ISawtheScience. "Our Chief Executive, Associate Professor Lim Tit Meng highly recommended you for this interview for your leadership in GIS and contributions to breast cancer research." =D
Championing #STEM for girls and women has always been a the Centre's mission. On the occasion of #internationalwomensday2022, inspiring story about Dr Li Jingmei shares her inspiring story, her journey towards making a breakthrough in #STEM and how it was influenced by her visits to SCS as a young #student.
Currently working with A*STAR’s Genome Institute of Singapore’s, Dr Li hopes efforts will continue to help break that glass ceiling for #womeninstem. "My job as a #scientist is to solve problems, big and small, every day. The woman in me celebrates each victory over every challenge conquered!"
Global Young Scientists Summit
Jan 17, 2022
And that is the lab of Women's Health and Genetics. An hour long dinner with the Deputy Prime Minster Heng Swee Keat, Dr Tony Tan, Millenium Prize 2014 Winner Prof Stuart Parkin, and Prof Shaffique Adam!
Dr Li Jingmei, Group Leader at A*STAR's Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), who studies breast cancer prevention, believes that collaboration between key industry players is crucial to research and development. "With support from A*STAR and the National Research Foundation, I have grown from a scientist who was curious into a scientist who is still curious but more aware of what a society needs and what I can do for the people of Singapore," she said.
GIS Internal Newsflash
Jan 6, 2022
PDF available here.
Genes predict what kind of breast cancer will develop.
A study co-led by the National University Health System and the Genome Institute of Singapore revealed that certain genes not only increase the chances of a woman developing breast cancer, but also predict whether the cancers developed are more aggressive. In 8,852 breast cancer patients of Asian descent, the study team members found that carriers ofmutations leading to a loss-of-function in any of nine breast cancer genes examined were more commonly diagnosed with high-grade tumours and breast cancers of the luminal B and triple-negative subtypes.
One in 13 women in Singapore will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Close to 2,000 women are diagnosed with the disease every year, and over 400 die from it. These figures will continue to increase with our existing risk factors, compounded by our ageing population.
Early detection of breast cancers is known to save lives. Routine mammography screening (low-dose breast X-ray) is currently the most reliable tool for finding cancers at an early stage, when treatment is most successful. The knowledge of a person’s risk of getting breast cancer can empower women to take charge of their breast health through regular checks and routine screening. This is especially crucial if they have breast cancer genes.
However, not all breast cancer genes are equal. The more well-known breast cancer genes are BRCA1 and BRCA2, made famous by celebrity Angeline Jolie’s choice to remove both her breasts to reduce the likelihood of her developing the disease. As many as four out of five women carrying a harmful BRCA mutation will get breast cancer at some point in their lives. In addition, some breast cancers have “nicer” features which make them easier to treat, while others have characteristics that make them more deadly. The scientific community has shown that harmful mutations in several other genes (ATM, CHEK2, PALB2, BARD1, RAD51C, RAD51D, and TP53) are also highly predictive of which women in the population will develop breast cancer. The current study continues this line of research and pinpoints nine other breast cancer genes that not only increase the chances of a woman developing breast cancer, but also predict what type of breast cancer will develop.
The breast cancer patients studied are recruited from the Singapore Breast Cancer Cohort study, which comprises six participating hospitals that collectively see over 70% of the breast cancer cases diagnosed in Singapore. Included in this study are also breast cancer patients recruited by collaborators from Malaysia and Korea.
The results from this study forms one of the components of building breast cancer profiles for individuals. Using established breast cancer risk calculators that take into account information from genes and self-reported questionnaires, the study team is leading a new BREAst screening Tailored for HEr (BREATHE) study funded by the JurongHealth Fund. This pilot study identifies women at above average risk of developing the disease. Women predicted to be more likely to develop breast cancer are referred to specialists at study sites, and given breast health recommendations in addition to the prevailing screening guidelines. Overall, the BREATHE study will increase breast cancer awareness, education, and screening adherence.
“A person who is told that he or she has high blood pressure or high blood sugar is likely to make lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of developing stroke or diabetes. We hope to help women appreciate their individual level of breast cancer risk, so that women at high risk can consult breast specialists about interventions (i.e. what they can do to reduce their risks).”
Dr Li Jingmei, Group Leader of the Laboratory of Women's Health & Genetics, GIS
“Earlier detection of aggressive tumours at a lower stage may lead to less extensive treatment and potentially better quality of life.”
Dr Ho Peh Joo, Research Associate at the Laboratory of Women's Health & Genetics, GIS