Safer food saves lives. Billions of people are at risk and millions fall ill every year; many die as a result of consuming unsafe food. According to the estimation of WHO (2015), of the approximately 600 million cases of illness caused by the 31 foodborne hazards in 2010, diarrhoeal-causing infectious (thus microbiological) agents accounted for the vast majority.

Our research focuses on advancing food microbiology, food safety, and translational health sciences through an interdisciplinary approach. We investigate human norovirus, including its detection, control, and pathogenesis. In parallel, we develop antimicrobial and sustainable solutions for modern food systems, encompassing food processing and preservation, hydroponic farming, and cultivated meat. We are also interested in anti-inflammatory strategies targeting gastroenteritis as well as gut–brain axis- and gut–skin axis-associated health conditions. Across these research areas, a unifying theme is the application of beneficial microbes and bioactive fermentation substrates to promote human health and drive innovation in food systems. 

Research scope in short:

• Understanding, detection, & control of foodborne viruses & harmful bacteria in food systems

• Beneficial bacteria ferment in bioactive substrates for food system & human health protection

• Influence of food & food microbiome on chronic inflammation & associated diseases

Current and past projects:

1.     The Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein at the National University of Singapore (NUS). 2024-2029.

2. AIMA R&D Funding (AIMA-2024-WP4) A value offering based on nutrition, safety, and sustainability. Safety evaluation of plant growth-promoting bacteria in hydroponic systems. 2024-2028

3. Singapore Food Story Theme 3. Proactive mitigation of microbial contamination in hydroponic farming systems. 2022-2025.

4. Singapore Food Agency fund. Study of imported vs. local leafy vegetable produce. 2022.

5.     Singapore Food Story Theme 1. Improving the shelf-life and nutritional quality of kai lan and lettuce using 405 nm LED illumination and moisture-responsive antimicrobial packaging. 2023-2025.

6. JSPS-NUS Joint Research Project. Study of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Transmission in the Biofilms of Hydroponic Farms. 2022-2024.

7. National University of Singapore reimagine research scheme. Development of novel probiotics-carrying foods for human health promotion. 2022-2024.

8. Asian Universities Alliance- Zayed Bin Sultan Center for Health Sciences Funds. Toward health risk assessment of Campylobacter in chicken meat at retail in the United Arab Emirates: Baseline surveillance and genomic insight into resistance to critically important antimicrobials. 2021-2022.

9. Industrial project “Validation study on CystainTM BacCount Total & CystainTM BacCount Viable on Cube 6 V2m in monitoring water quality”. Sysmex Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. 2021.

10.   Industrial project “Study the antimicrobial effects of fragrances”. INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS & FRAGRANCES GREATER ASIA PTE. LTD. 2019.

11.   AME Young Individual Research Grant (YIRG). Microbial surveillance of “plant factories” in Singapore and the associated mechanisms of human pathogen occurrence on leafy green vegetables. 2019-2022.

12.   MINISTRY OF EDUCATION ACADEMIC RESEARCH FUND (AcRF) TIER 1. Study of Important Foodborne Viruses from Relevant Foods in Singapore. 2019-2022.

13.   National University of Singapore Start-up Fund. Microbial safety study of leafy greens produced by emerging urban agriculture systems. 2018-2022.