Have you ever tossed away an innovative idea just because you thought you couldn't afford to carry it through? Don't let it happen again. The next time you experience a burst of creativity, don't zap it! Give your bright ideas a chance to shine! Take The Enterprise Challenge! Launched in 1999, The Enterprise Challenge (TEC) is a pioneering approach by the Singapore government to "instill in the P...
At the recent GREAT group meeting (see accompanying article for more information), administrators from medical colleges and postdocs from across the country gathered to discuss issues pertaining to graduate education. During the course of the discussions, it became clear that institutional administrators, faculty members, and postdocs themselves all have different perceptions and expectations of ...
From the shamans and physician-philosophers of antiquity to contemporary naturopaths, healers of all kinds offer a multitude of cures for all sorts of ailments. In many parts of the world, these practices are accepted without reservation and remain the primary vehicle for medical care. However, although some of these practices--acupuncture, for example--have gained limited acceptance by Western m...
BACK TO THE FEATURE INDEX Editor?s note: Joyce Wong shares her experiences, career goals, and a typical day as an intern in Japan as part of the Co-op Japan Program at University of Victoria. Earlier in this series on Japan, Frances Leung wrote about her experiences as part of this same program. I?ve always wanted to live in Japan and explore its language and culture. In addition, Japan is a worl...
Undergraduate Valerie Lim dreams of becoming a scientist--for as long as she can remember she has been passionate and inquisitive about the intricacies of science. But given the enormous financial and opportunity cost involved in higher education and training, the possibility that she'll be able to pursue her studies beyond the bachelor's degree level is so remote that she dare not aim too high. ...
Have you ever dreamed of pursuing a career in industry but never knew how best to prepare for it? Do you want to know more about a particular job or career track within industry? Are you a university scientist who, having invested a few years in academic R&D, wonders whether it would be feasible to create a niche for yourself in industrial research? Whatever the reason for your curiosity, if you ...
Last week, from 12 to 13 November 2001, more than 200 life scientists, clinicians, postgraduate students, and teachers gathered at the Clinical Research Centre at the National University of Singapore to share their research findings and to discuss science funding, education, and training. The meeting is hosted each year by three societies: the Singapore Society for Microbiology and Biotechnology,...
It was a black Monday. After a terrific weekend partying with friends, I woke up late, missed my usual bus, and arrived at the lab 40 minutes late. Still unable to get into the working mood, I was dilly-dallying at my desk, flipping over my notes as my laboratory's research officer shouted over the partial partition of my study cubicle, "Lynn! Lynn! Get your stuff ready! The boss has been looking...
Singapore's burgeoning biomedical sciences industry stood firm against last year's global economic slowdown and remains on track toward achieving its growth target for the coming years. So said the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Agency for Science, Technology & Research (A*STAR), both of which are sponsors of Next Wave Singapore, at a recent industry briefing. The manufacturin...
BACK TO THE FEATURE INDEX From the shamans and physician-philosophers of antiquity to contemporary naturopaths, healers of all kinds offer a multitude of cures for all sorts of ailments. In many parts of the world, these practices are accepted without reservation and remain the primary vehicle for medical care. However, although some of these practices--acupuncture, for example--have gained limit...
button_community.gif Drug Discovery's New Arrival button_community.gif Boost to Biomedicine Eminent Biotech Personality Joins Singapore's First Drug-Discovery Venture S*BIO Pte Ltd., Singapore's first fully integrated genomics and small molecule-based drug-discovery venture, announced 10 April that it had appointed Stephen Runnels, an eminent biotech personality, as its chief executive officer....
Asian pharmaceutical and health care students and professionals who are hoping to acquire some specialized training have much to look forward to. Come early 2003, they will not need to travel all the way to Europe or the United States for that training. That's when the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE; see box) will begin delivering its world-class courses, which current...
Amidst gleaming state-of-the-art facilities at the heart of Singapore's Science Park, a team of engineers and scientists hovered excitedly over a new prototype of a biomedical device they have built and tested. Hardly the size of the smallest computer chip, the futuristic nanoscale device could be a huge money-spinner--that is, if they manage to bring it to market. Like scientists elsewhere, scie...
Are you one of those unfortunates who, despite knocking around for a job for several months now, still sees no promising prospects ahead? Whether you are a fresh graduate hunting for your first "real" job or a recently axed mid-level professional looking for your next one, securing that ideal position in the current employment climate could be a real test of patience. Like most job seekers, your ...
During this age of rapid changes in economic structure and employment trends, more and more people are being forced to make mid-career transitions. Many are caught quite unprepared by a company's downsizing, relocation, or even closure. Others may find their careers stagnating or that they are not sustainable over the long haul due to lack of new developments in their sector or a gradual phasing ...
You invested close to a quarter of a million dollars on equipment that could quantitate target gene expression not too long ago. At the time it was a state-of-the-art technology that few could afford and a jewel for your laboratory. It has helped you tremendously with your research, but of late, vendors have been bombarding you with announcements about upcoming newer, more powerful versions with ...
In this age of superb Internet connectivity, online resources are becoming more and more important for all professions, including scientists. In contrast to physical libraries, online resources are much more convenient to access and browse, as long as you have an Internet account. Having been a researcher for quite a number of years, I have learnt to take considerable advantage of these cyberspac...
B ioMed-Singapore is a one-stop shop for information on biomedical sciences in Singapore. Hosted by Singapore's Economic Development Board and the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (both of which are sponsors of Next Wave Singapore), the site serves as a portal for information on government initiatives, fellowships and funding resources for scientists, scholarships for students, job of...
The National University of Singapore (NUS) recently concluded a deal with Singapore-based life science upstart Asia Pacific Genomics (AP Genomics), giving the company exclusive rights to exploit its proprietary type-specific dengue fever diagnostic primers. The DNA-based multiplex diagnostic test will enable rapid diagnosis and confirmation of dengue, as well as identify the specific serotype of ...
