Experience

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  Bioinformatics Institute, A*STAR

  • Singapore

  • Director

    • Sep 2020 - Sep 2023
    • Singapore

    As a key member of the administration team at the Bioinformatics Institute (BII) within the Biomedical Research Council (BMRC), I worked closely with the Research Entity Head to ensure alignment with the policy direction and priorities set by senior management. I successfully took on a complex role at BII, quickly adapting to the responsibilities and reorganizing various aspects of the institute, including restructuring roles within the small admin, business, and research teams, and gaining the trust and confidence of the team members as a director of corporate.I managed diverse aspects of administration, including finance, HR, operations, legal and compliance, grants, communications, export control, and risk management, in collaboration with different corporate divisions at the headquarters. I also effectively managed the administrative aspects of office space, wetlab research space, a compute cluster with a dedicated data centre, and clinical data rooms for secure data access.In addition, I oversaw strategic planning and project management, facilitating the transition to a new corporate structure with a broader distribution of roles and involving domain experts. My proficiency in handling multiple tasks and managing the interplay between various corporate divisions ensured smooth operations and adherence to established procedures.

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  LEE KONG CHIAN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE (LKCMEDICINE), NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, SINGAPORE

  • Singapore

  • Project Lead- Translation Neuroscience-Center for Neuroimaging

    • Sep 2014 - Aug 2020
    • Singapore

    In this role, I have successfully managed the operations and scientific services of CoNiC, overseeing a team of radiographers, physicists, and engineers. I have been responsible for budget preparation, procurement processes, and management of tender and license documentation.My responsibilities also include preparing and managing Institutional Review Board (IRB) documentation, collaborating with the NTU IRB, and overseeing internal documents such as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). I have played a crucial role in research grant applications, as well as managing various documents related to grant progress reports, Research Collaboration Agreements (RCA), Memorandums of Understanding (MOU), Data Transfer Agreements (DTA), Material Transfer Agreements (MTA), and patent and intellectual property (IP) documentation. Additionally, I have acted as the Secretariat for the CONIC-COVE Steering Committee and CONIC Access Committee, facilitating meetings and ensuring effective collaboration.Throughout my tenure, I have established strong collaborations and partnerships with internal and external users and scientific partners. I have liaised with relevant NTU offices and departments, vendors, collaboration partners, research agencies, and Singaporean authorities. I have also managed the NTU CONIC and COVE websites, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information.My contributions have been instrumental in the development of CoNiC's state-of-the-art neuroimaging centre. I have successfully implemented advanced imaging modalities, such as Siemens Prisma 3T MR scanner, Siemens 0T MR scanner, Elekta TRIUX MEG scanner, and other neuroimaging equipment. I have also played a significant role in the development of RCAs, MOUs, and expertise in IRB, IACUC, and radiation regulations. Additionally, I have developed an operational model for running the cognitive neuroimaging center and ensuring the provision of clinical imaging services.

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  RESEARCH SUPPORT CENTER (RSC), (PREVIOUS NAME: BIOPOLIS SHARED FACILITY (BSF)), A*STAR,

  • Singapore

  • Head Scientific Services/Operations Manager

    • Jul 2010 - Aug 2014
    • Singapore

    I oversaw the overall operations of scientific services, including Microarray, NGS (Next-Generation Sequencing), Confocal Microscopy, Proteomics, Genomics, Flow Cytometry, Endotoxin Testing, and Structural Biology. I managed centre budgets and finance, as well as operations at the CNRC (Core Research Facility). I also handled BSF industry liaison activities, initiating and facilitating agreements, and leading project management after contract execution. Additionally, I planned, coordinated, and facilitatedevents for BSF, both on-site and off-site, including hosting VIP visitors and ensuring BSF's participation in scientific activities.I led a dedicated team focused on providing top-notch scientific services to researchers utilizing 15 technological platforms, empowering A*STAR's scientific technology platforms and supporting research operations. I provided comprehensive support to biomedical researchers from A*STAR, academic institutions, and businesses, including SMEs in the biotech industry, fostering collaboration and advancing scientific research within the Singapore research ecosystem. I also engaged in collaborative projects and private projects for industries, utilizing molecular biology, protein expression and production facilities, crystallization facilities, and the X-ray generator platform as a structural biologist. Additionally, I organized data collection in-house and at synchrotron radiation facilities for projects and end-users, ensuring efficient data acquisition and analysis.To ensure smooth operations of research activities within BSF, I developed and implemented best administrative practices. I also prepared grants, reports, and dashboards for review by senior management and submission to funding and institutional authorities

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  Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Science, Singapore

  • Singapore

  • X-ray Manager

    • Jun 2006 - Jun 2010
    • Singapore

    Structural Biology, Protein Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, X-ray Crystallography, computational biology, Biophysical studies and Bioinformatics

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  School of Biological Sciences, NTU, Singapore

  • Singapore

  • Research Fellow

    • Dec 2004 - Mar 2006
    • Singapore

    Structural Biology, Molecular Biology, protein biochemistry, biophysics, Bioinformatics and lifescience

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  Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR

  • Singapore

  • Research Fellow

    • Dec 2001 - Nov 2004
    • Singapore

    Structural Biology, Protein Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, X-ray Crystallography, computational biology, Biophysical studies and Bioinformatics

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  Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center & University of Connecticut

  • New York, USA

  • Research Fellow

    • Dec 2000 - Dec 2001
    • New York, USA

    Structural Biology, Protein Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, X-ray Crystallography, computational biology, Biophysical studies, Immunology and Bioinformatics

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  All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India

  • New Delhi Area, India

  • Research Associate (under Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR))

    • Aug 1997 - Nov 2000
    • New Delhi Area, India

    Structural Biology, Protein Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, X-ray Crystallography, computational biology, Biophysical studies, natural product chemistry and Bioinformatics

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  Annamalai University

  • Annamlai Nagar, India

  • Resource Person/Teaching

    • Jul 1991 - May 1992
    • Annamlai Nagar, India

    Teaching Physics