News (2023 -)

Exploring The Future of Healthcare

Dec 12, 2023

"DNA is an instruction manual for building life. In the Jurassic Park movie, the lead geneticist explains to a group of visitors how they combined dinosaur DNA found in fossilised mosquitoes with frog DNA to bring dinosaurs back to life. Back in the early days of studying DNA and the genome, sci-fi movies such as GATTACA and Jurassic Park brings out all kinds of possibilities of a genomic revolution,” said Dr Li Jingmei, Group Leader, Laboratory of Women’s Health & Genetics, Genome Institute of Singapore, A*STAR."

Understanding the Precision Medicine Reference Case: Insights from the Thailand Workshop

Nov 8, 2023

In this exclusive video, we'll provide an insider look at a recent workshop held in Thailand, where leading health economists and clinical experts collaborated to refine the “PM Reference Case”.

A*STAR Diversity Day

Nov 8, 2023

Science Centre

Nov 4, 2023

A*STAR Research Coverage

Oct 24, 2023

Throwback to the NUS Alumni Mentor Club

Sep 11, 2023

Dedicated Service Award

Aug 30, 2023

DSA ceremony for staff with 5 to 10 years of dedicated service to A*STAR.

AGA Sharing

Aug 24, 2023

A*STAR Graduate Academy organises regular career development sessions to support our young scientists in charting their scientific training and careers. 

Recently, 34 #ASTAR scholars attended a panel sharing and Q&A to learn about the importance of diversity and diversification in scientific training and experience. 

We had the pleasure of hearing from our esteemed panellists: 

🧪 Dr Jingmei Li, PhD – AGS(O) scholar, sharing on her experience in Karolinska Institutet (Sweden 🇸🇪) 

🧪 Dr Qunxiang Ong – NSS (BS-PhD) scholar, sharing on his experience in University of Cambridge (UK 🇬🇧) and Stanford University (US 🇺🇸) 

🧪 Dr Seah Ling Kuan – guest speaker, sharing on her experience in Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Germany 🇩🇪) 

🧪 Mr Simon-Pierre Rhéaume – guest speaker from the High Commission of Canada in Singapore, sharing on postgrad opportunities in Canada 🇨🇦 

Scholar participants were from the National Science Scholarship (BS-PhD) #NSSBS, National Science Scholarship (PhD) #NSSPhD, A*STAR Computing & Information Science Scholarship #ACIS, and A*STAR Graduate Scholarship #AGS. 

Here are some of their takeaways: 

📡 “I liked how the speakers brought their personal perspectives regarding PhD applications so it feels more intimate and personal.” 

📡 “I now have greater insight on the value of diversity in the scholars when they return to A*STAR, as well as what I should look for in a PhD so as to serve my aspirations as well as A*STAR’s.”

 A*STAR Graduate Academy believes that excellent science, collaboration and multidisciplinary thinking are fuelled by different perspectives and contributions of our diverse community of scientists and researchers. People are our greatest asset and we support our scientists’ different perspectives, training, and cultures.

AGA Poster Presentation 2023

Jul 20, 2023

I felt like a salmon fighting its way upstream from Biopolis to Fusionpolis this morning in the downpour. The high quality of the poster presentations by scholars on their one-year attachments perked me up though! Beneath a moody face that matches the gloomy weather outside, I am really glad and honored to have judged the posters with Shigeki Sugii and Shu Zhen Chong! 

National STEM Challenge 2023

Ju1 17, 2023

With fellow judges Dr Lai Changquan from NTU, Dr Wu Yan from A*STAR and Mr Sin Lye Chong from SLA.

Global Forum “The Future of Women and Girls in Science”

Jun 16, 2023

The Global Forum “The Future of Women and Girls in Science” was held on Friday, 16 June 2023, at the UNESCO Headquarters, Paris. It is with immense honor that I find myself participating in this event as a speaker for the roundtable discussion titled "Closing the Gender Gap: Lessons Learned, Challenges Faced, and the Path Forward." 

During the session, Kiara Nirghin posed thought-provoking questions that struck at the heart of gender equality in science and its impact on both scientific quality and progress. One question she raised was the significance of gender equality in science for the advancement of the field and the quality of scientific outcomes. In the context of my research, which centers around breast cancer, Ms. Nirghin inquired whether research conducted by women leads to better outcomes for women. Furthermore, she inquired about the consequences of women's absence in such research. 

Here's an excerpt of my reply: 

Ladies, at some point in your life you will be invited to attend a mammography screening. Evidence shows that mammography screening saves lives from breast cancer through early detection. Men, at some point, the important women in your life will be invited for mammography screening. It could be a wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter, or a friend. They will tell you it is P.A.I.N.F.U.L. If you look at the history of mammography, and I mean His Story, who do you think designed the mammography machines? Men. The technology may save lives. However, if women do not attend screening because of pain or any other reason, then lives will still be lost to breast cancer. 

I want to take a moment to acknowledge and congratulate all of you who have been supporting women in science and contributing to the progress of gender equality. Our joint efforts have yielded great results. It works! I've been fortunate to have supportive PhD supervisors and role models during my scientific journey, four in total, both men and women. They hail from diverse backgrounds - United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Singapore, and Sweden - and possess expertise in mathematics, epidemiology, nuclear physics, human genetics, and radiation oncology. All of them work together on important breast cancer research. They showed me that my background and expertise do not limit my ability to do good for breast cancer patients. 

Furthermore, they have empowered me to have a voice and encouraged me to express my opinions. During vibrant discussions, they would often pause and say, "Jingmei has something to say. Let's listen to her." Growing up in an academic environment that values open dialogue, I have never felt silenced or unheard.

Today, breast cancer research is a joint effort undertaken by both men and women. Just yesterday, I attended a breast cancer meeting in Vienna where brilliant researchers from 85 groups worldwide came together to collaborate on a monumental project: understanding the genetics of breast cancer. This endeavor has resulted in the creation of an invaluable resource comprising half a million breast cancer cases and controls. 

The significance of such collaboration cannot be overstated. As someone from Singapore, a relatively small country with around 2,000 new breast cancer cases diagnosed annually, it would take us 250 years to achieve what the consortium accomplished in ~15 years. With breast cancer incidence on the rise globally, it is crucial for not only men and women but also countries to unite and work collectively to save lives. 

While we still have a long way to go in attaining gender parity in STEM, let us take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the milestones we have already accomplished!

An evening with Breast Cancer Foundation president

May 23, 2023

Interns take the mic!

Apr 13, 2023

It is an incredibly proud moment to see "the kids" take the stage and give a confident talk on what women want. I have watched Kayla Aisha and Jonathan Liow grow and develop their skills, and to see them confidently communicate their findings to their peers and colleagues is truly a rewarding experience. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication they have put into their research, and it is a joy to see them take ownership of their work and present it with such passion and enthusiasm. So lovely to have the rest of the family supporting them at the sidelines too!

Social Sciences & Technology HTCO Seminar Series, 13 April 2023

Talk I: "What is positive mental health to youths? Addressing the question through different network analyses" by Dr. Desiree Phua and Dr. Wong Liang Ze

Talk II: "What do women want? Interim findings from the BREAst Cancer Screening Tailored for HEr (BREATHE) study” by Dr. Li Jingmei, Mr. Jonathan Liow Jun Kit and Ms. Kayla Aisha Kamila Date: 13 April 2023 Time: 3.00pm - 4.30pm 

Dare to dream, dare to lead

Apr 12, 2023

Porsche Asia-Pacific joined hands with Tatler’s Front & Female in honour of UWS’s Girls2Pioneers Programme, hosting an evening of inspiring conversation that saw trailblazing women from the STEM industries discuss what it takes to be a great leader.

Read the article here!

Self-care!

Apr 6, 2023

We are often caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that we sometimes forget to take the time for ourselves. But self-care is important to both our physical and mental health. 

With this in mind, Ngee Ann City, in partnership with Tatler's Front & Female, invited an intimate group of women entrepreneurs and business leaders on a journey of self-care at three beauty and wellness boutiques on the mall's fifth floor: Cheryl W, Oasis Spa and PHS Hairscience. And just in time before the culmination of International Women's Month in March.

Read article here!

National Kindness Conference

Apr 25, 2023

Join us at the National Kindness Conference at Capitol Theatre on 25 April at 12 pm! We are thrilled to have Dr Gerald Ee as our keynote speaker and an esteemed panel of speakers including Mr Barathan Pasupathi, Dr Jingmei Li, PhD, Mr Simon Leow, and Dr. William Wan, moderated by Ms Priscilla Gan.  

We are also honored to have Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health, as our guest of honour. The conference will feature an engaging panel discussion and Q&A session, and an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and be part of the conversation as we look to create happier workplaces through kindness.  

RSVP by 7 April here: https://lnkd.in/gycC_TKS

GIS Brown Bag Lunch

Mar 23, 2023

Brown bag lunch with the academic family at the Genome Institute of Singapore with the amazing Goh Meng Huang, Kayla Aisha, Zi Lin Lim, Jonathan Liow, puay leng lee, Mohua Das, PhD, Adya Shreya, Ghosh Kakaly, Hui Min Vivian Teo, Teo Shi Jie, Mile Sikic and Miao Hui, PhD! #thereisnofreelunch 🤣

Supercomputing Asia 2023 

Mar 1, 2023

Happy Valentine's Day

Feb 10, 2023

1. I like things done yesterday (or many days ago).
2. I like to place undue and irrational emphasis on certain dates like 2.14, 3.14, 4.04, and 5.04.
Here's love from the Women's Health and Genetics team in advance for Valentine's Day!

My love for genes is inherited!

Feb 8, 2023

Just came across an old post from Teacher's Day last year!

USP Alumni Lunar New Year Dinner + Louhei celebration

Feb 1, 2023

Thank you!

Jan 27, 2023

"Surround yourself with good people who encourage and love you. There are always ups and downs, no matter how successful you are." -  Liana Liberato

Came across this Reddit post. Your  words of encouragement make all the difference!

15th International Science Youth Forum (ISYF) 2023

Jan 18, 2023

I am constantly amazed by the young science talents these days!   

Team Project Challenge students at the 15th International Science Youth Forum (ISYF) 2023 hosted by Hwa Chong Institution on Jan 18 had ~8h to build a working prototype of a Rube Goldberg Machine (an intentionally complicated machine to perform a simple task) to either flip a page of a book or throw a bottle cap into a recycling bin.   

A minimum of eight different steps (think Newton's cradle, pendulums, golf balls, dominoes, pulleys, gravity etc) were required, chained together to flawlessly turn a page. All the complicated contraptions were simply beautiful to watch!  

One question I posted to the teams as one of the judges was, "How would you modify the device to turn more than one page?"  

Hands-down out-of-the-box winning answer: "Ma'am, I would tape the two pages together and flip it once!"  Once again, congratulations to the future talents of science!