Dear students and colleagues
It was great to start the new semester with two events involving our CDE alums.
Alums Mr Tan Szue Hann, Head of Sustainability, Keppel Land (Architecture alum) and Mr Tan Chee Yong, Associate Director of Sustainability, Incendium Consulting (Environmental Engineering alum), joined Ms Heng Li Lang, Senior Director of Temasek Foundation, as panellists for the forum “How can we build a sustainable future?” held on 11th January. They swapped stories of how their experiences as students inspired them to embark on careers in sustainability. Even as they acknowledged the challenges they faced bringing together professionals from diverse fields towards a common goal, their passion for their chosen work was evident. Seeing alums making their mark inspired many in the audience. Davis Roy, a 4th year ME student, Co-Founder of Student Energy NUS, shared that he had “learned about the vast opportunities students have to change the world”.
On CDE Day, held on the second Wednesday of the semester (18th January), alums joined guests for the sustainability-themed carnival organised by the Student Life Office and the CDE student clubs. They also toured the award-winning SDE4 building and enthusiastically snapped photos of the exhibits of ‘CDE’s Awesome Projects’. It was heartening to see them, a few with their families, queuing for popcorn, trying their hand at the game stalls, and questioning students about their exhibits.
It is through such interactions that we strengthen our ties as a community. I hope that we all continue to reach out and make connections that matter.
Cheers!
Aaron
Dean, College of Design and Engineering
HIGHLIGHTS
EVENTS
FACULTY & STAFF UPDATES
Ms Chong Lai Yeng, Manager, Department of Architecture
In January, Ms Chong Lai Yeng began her role as Manager and Student Support in the Department of Architecture. Working closely with the academic team, she will oversee undergraduate and graduate programmes, and take charge of student matters and liaison. Before NUS, Lai Yeng was with Nanyang Business School, NTU, for several years.
Prof Fung Hsin-Ming, Visiting Professor, Department of Architecture
Fung Hsinming studied under Charles Moore and received a Masters Degree in Architecture at the University of California in Los Angeles. In 1984, she founded Hodgetts+Fung Design Associates as a multi-disciplinary partnership in order to expand the artistic boundaries of the architecture and design professions at that time. Their first two projects were the landmark Blueprints for Modern Living exhibition at the newly formed Museum of Contemporary Art, and the subsequent construction of the award-winning Towel Library at UCLA. While maintaining her practice, her passion for architectural education found an outlet at Sci-Arc, where, as Director of Graduate Programs and subsequently Provost, she nurtured a famously diverse faculty to help turn Sci-Arc into one of the highest-ranked schools of architecture in the world, and assumed a pivotal role in the ongoing global discussions about the future of architecture. Awarded the Rome Prize and a recipient of the Gold Medal from the American Institute of Architects and the 2021 National Design Award by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, she has continued to break new ground with the new Hollywood Bowl and the recent construction of the Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville, Tennessee. Throughout her career, she has held positions as President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the AIA (the American Institute of Architects), ACSA (Association of the Collegiate Schools of Architecture) and was appointed by President Clinton to the Council of the National Endowment of the Arts.
Mr Ng Yong Chong, Laboratory Executive, Department of Architecture
In the ongoing development of our digital fabrication potential, the Dept of Architecture has engaged Mr Ng Yong Chong as Laboratory Executive. Amongst many operational tasks in meeting student needs, such as creating an online instructional manual and materials library, Yong Chong will be strategic in developing the workshop to the level of aspirant schools and assisting staff who can be advantaged by digital fabrication machines in research production.
Dr Jin Yueming, Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering
Dr Jin Yueming joined the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering as an Assistant Professor. Before that, she is a senior research fellow at the Department of Computer Science at University College London. She received her PhD degree in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Her research interests are developing artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques for healthcare, with an emphasized application to robotic surgical data science and medical image analysis. She obtained Hong Kong PhD Fellowship in 2015. She received several premium awards, including the Best Paper Award of MedIA-MICCAI in 2017, the NIH Award in MICCAI 2020, Young Scientist Publication Impact Award Finalist in MICCAI 2021, Best Paper Award in Medical Robotics in ICRA 2021. She also led the team to win four international grand challenges about robotic surgical data science. She has published 40+ papers in top-tier conferences and high-impact journals in this area. She serves as Area Chair of IPCAI’23, Session Chair of ICRA’21, and Workshop and Challenge Organizer of ICLRW’23, MICCAI’22. Her current Google Scholar citation is 2000+, with an h-index of 18.
Ms Felicia Lee Si Yit, Executive, Department of the Built Environment
Ms Felicia Lee joined the Department of the Built Environment as an Executive, and she will be managing the department’s social media platforms and outreach activities with her colleagues. She developed her interests in social media design and photography from her work experience as an intern and trainee project executive supporting publicity for events.
Ms Asmidah Binte Jaffar, Management Assistant Officer, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Ms Asmidah Binte Jaffar joined the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering as a Management Assistant Officer on 3 Jan 2023. She supports the administration of postgraduate research students, finance related to postgraduate students and research outreach. Asmidah has extensive experience working in corporate services and administration at institutes of higher learning and private industries.
Ms Chia Xin Ying, Teaching Assistant, Division of Industrial Design
Ms Chia Xin Ying joined the Division of Industrial Design (DID) as a Teaching Assistant. She works closely with the Design Thinking programme coordinator to facilitate the Design Thinking workshops.
Dr Goh Shu Ting, Lecturer, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Dr Goh Shu Ting was appointed as Lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in October 2022. Dr Goh joined the Satellite Technology and Research (STAR) Centre, ECE, as a Research Fellow in 2017 and was the satellite mission designer and analyst for Lumelite satellite programs at STAR centre. Dr Goh received his PhD degree at the Mechanical Engineering–Engineering Mechanics Department, Michigan Technological University, in 2012. Before joining NUS, he was a Research Fellow at the Satellite Research Centre, Nanyang Technological University. His research interests include formation flying navigation and control, attitude determination, estimation algorithms, and space-based solar power system design and applications. He has published more than 18 peer-reviewed publications in journals. He also received the best paper award from IEEE WiSEE conference in 2021. Currently, he is a member of AIAA Small Satellite Technical Committee.
Mr Ng Chee Hong, Assistant Senior Manager, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Mr Ng Chee Hong was transferred from the Office of Student Affairs to the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) as an Assistant Senior Manager. Chee Hong, who is also an EE alum, will focus on alumni/industry-related matters as well as other activities in the external relations and outreach office.
Mr Akmal Danial Bin Mohamed Nor, Laboratory Technologist, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Mr Akmal Danial Bin Mohamed Nor joined the NUS Department of Mechanical Engineering as a Laboratory Technologist on 12 December 2022. He graduated from Singapore Polytechnic with a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering specializing in “Product Realization”. He has experience in AutoCAD, INVENTOR, and also has hands-on experience in designing products for 3D printing for personal projects & school projects. He will be supporting the department in ensuring a smooth laboratory operation.
Associate Prof Li Bingbing，Visiting Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Dr Li Bingbing joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering as a Visiting Associate Professor. He will develop the new curriculum in Smart Manufacturing and teach ME6601 Research Topics in Manufacturing. He will be working with the AM.NUS centre on collaborative research in additive manufacturing and smart manufacturing. Dr Li is an Associate Professor (on sabbatical) of Manufacturing Systems Engineering at California State University Northridge (CSUN), and serves as the Associate Director of NASA Autonomy Research Center for STEAHM (ARCS), Co-Director of DOE Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) at University of California Irvine and CSUN (Satellite), and the Affiliate Faculty at the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation. His research is mainly funded by NASA, DOD, DOE, NSF, CEC and industrial partners in the United States.
Dr Wu Mengfei, Assistant Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Dr Wu Mengfei joined the Department of Materials Science and Engineering as an Assistant Professor in January 2023. She is on a joint appointment at NUS and concurrently employed with the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering at A*STAR, where she leads the Excitonics Group at the Department of Advanced Optical Technologies. She received her B.A. in Engineering and M.Eng. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Cambridge in 2012, a PhD in Electrical Engineering from MIT in 2018, and postdoctoral training at the University of Toronto in 2019 under the Banting Fellowship. Mengfei’s research lies at the intersection of materials science, optics, and device engineering. She seeks to understand and exploit the unique properties of excitons in organics and colloidal nanocrystals and to complement these materials with photonic structures in pursuit of novel and efficient optoelectronic devices.
Dr Zhang Zhuang, Instructor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Zhang Zhuang has been appointed as an instructor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering since 15 January 2023. He graduated with a PhD Degree from Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Nanyang Technological University in 2020, majoring in chemistry. His research experiences include design and synthesis of novel polymers applied on energy storage, conductive polymers and composites with thermoelectric properties, and photoluminescence research of layered double hydroxides nanoparticles.
Dr Yan Jiaxin, Instructor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Yan Jiaxin has been appointed as an instructor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering since 1st January 2023. Previously, he was a research fellow in Assoc Prof Daniel Chua's group. His research experience includes the study of novel low dimensional materials with chemical vapor deposition, where both theoretical calculations (e.g., DFT calculation through Quantum Espresso) and practical experimentations were employed as research methodologies. He is also interested in setting up home-built testing platforms, integrating both software and hardware, to examine the materials for their promising applications such as thermoelectricity and field emission. Yan Jiaxin graduated with a PhD degree from NUS in the year 2021, and a bachelor's degree with first class honors in the year 2016 from the same institution.
Ms Amulya Dhulipala, Instructor, Dean’s Office (NUS Cities)
As an innovative urbanist embracing an interdisciplinary approach, Amulya Dhulipala championed sustainable development at the local, state, and national government levels during her non-profit and campaign work in the United States. She published a children’s book on environmental degradation and conducted data science projects to glean insights from environmental politics, election outcomes, and the liveability of a city. She also worked on the production of a sustainable design podcast. These experiences have been guided by her goal to shape cities that are regenerative to the environment and the well-being of its denizens. She holds a Master of Science (Integrated Sustainable Design) from NUS. She also holds degrees in Political Science, and Sustainability & Built Environment, both from the University of Florida. Through these diverse educational experiences, she has come to believe that the most powerful solutions to complex issues exist at the intersection of multiple disciplines.
Ms Law Mei Ting, Teaching Assistant, Dean’s Office (NUS Cities)
Ms Law Mei Ting joined the Dean's Office (NUS Cities) as a Teaching Assistant. Before joining NUS, she was a Research Associate at the Earth Observatory of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, under the Sea Level Research team. She obtained a Master of Science (Biodiversity Conservation & Nature-Based Climate Solutions) from NUS, and she has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. Her Master’s thesis is to understand the impacts of sea-level rise on turbid and urbanised reef communities in Singapore. Her research interest includes a multidisciplinary approach to integrating marine, urban and climate science.
Mr Ong Chong Xuan Joshua, Teaching Assistant, Dean’s Office (NUS Cities)
Ong Chong Xuan Joshua is a recent graduate from the Bachelor of Arts in History programme at SOAS University of London. He has interned at Singapore Sports Museum, Singapore Heritage Society and NUS Press. He is excited to take on a new role as a Teaching Assistant for NUS Cities in a new area of study. He hopes that he can bring historical perspectives to bear on his work. He also hopes to be able to encourage the students to be curious and healthily critical about what they are studying and to use what they learn as lenses through which they use to understand and shape the world around them. In his free time, he enjoys visiting museums, reading books and watching documentaries about history, science and art.
Ms Sanjana Mugeraya, Instructor, Dean’s Office (NUS Cities)
Ms Sanjana Mugeraya’s research interests focus on sustainability-driven design solutions and strategies like system-based thinking and nature-based solutions at both building and urban scales. Motivated by her teaching assistantship for the Liveable Cities module during her graduate studies, she now joins the NUS Cities team as an Instructor. She received her Bachelor of Architecture from K.R.V.I.A, Mumbai, India, after which she worked professionally as an architect in India for five years on a myriad of projects from design competitions, interior design, architectural design to exhibition design under Case Design Studio, an international design practice based in Mumbai. Inspired by projects in her office, she pursued a Master of Science (Integrated Sustainable Design) from NUS. She is keen on improving her cooking skills during her free time, and she enjoys cycling, trekking and travelling.
Ms Yeung Lee, Instructor, Dean’s Office (NUS Cities)
Yeung Lee (surname: Yeung) has more than a decade of experience in designing and managing projects across the built environment. She executed infrastructural and planning projects to provide environmental and social benefits while incorporating appropriate designs and technologies to achieve optimal outcomes for the public. She is passionate about imparting knowledge in her various roles and volunteering endeavours, spanning from working with students, helping vulnerable populations, to being a museum docent. She obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Civil Engineering from Purdue University and holds a professional engineering license from California, USA. Her past experiences include lead roles at multinational consultancy firms and governmental agencies in Singapore. She is a long-time practitioner of Chen Style Tai Chi and an avid learner with varied interests, most recently in Eastern philosophies and health principles.
Ms Lim Ai Choo, Sharine, Senior Executive, Dean’s Office (Strategic Initiatives & Operations)
Ms Lim Ai Choo Sharine joined the Dean’s Office as a Senior Executive on 3 Jan 2023. She supports the Strategic Initiatives & Operations team in enhancing college-level administrative processes, event management and administrative support. For the last ten years, she has been a WDA-certified trainer cum assessor in coaching and training corporates, business owners and individuals in the F&B industry. With certified professional accreditation and comprehensive business/industrial knowledge in training & development, R&D/Quality Assurance, HR, talent acquisition and administration, she hopes to share her diverse experience, skill sets and strengths with the local and regional community.
Ms Chua Min Han, Chloe, Executive, Dean’s Office (Office of Student Life)
Ms Chua Min Han Chloe joined the Office of Student Life as an Executive. She recently graduated from Yale-NUS College with a major in urban studies and a minor in arts & humanities. She will support the team on internship matters, student life events and social media. Before joining NUS, she worked in the arts and publishing industry.
Prof Chow Gan Moog, Professor, Materials Science and Engineering, last day of service is 31 December 2022.
- Associate Professor Chai Kah Hin was appointed as the Vice Dean of the newly merged Office of Graduate Programmes with effect from 1 Jan 2023. Professor Wong Nyuk Hien has stepped down as Vice Dean of the Office of Graduate Research Programme with effect from 1 Jan 2023. We thank Professor Wong for his service.
- Department of Architecture
Professor Heng Chye Kiang has been appointed as Acting Head-designate for the Department of Architecture (DoA) on 1 December 2022 and will be appointed as Acting Head of DoA effective 1 January 2023. Chye Kiang will lead the department while the search for the new Head is in progress and he will continue to serve as Deputy Dean (Research and Innovation) at the College of Design and Engineering.
This follows Professor Ho Puay Peng’s successful tenure as DoA head for the past six years. We would like to thank him for his invaluable service and contributions to CDE. - Division of Industrial Design
Associate Professor Reppard Brian Stone has been appointed as the Acting Head-designate for the Division of Industrial Design (DID) on 1 December 2022 and will be appointed the Acting Head of DID effective 1 January 2023. Brian will lead the division while the search for the new Head is in progress.
This follows Associate Professor Christian Gilles Boucharenc’s successful tenure as DID head for the past six and a half years. We would like to thank him for his invaluable service and contributions to CDE.
- Professor Xie Jianping (Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering) is promoted to Full Professor effective 1 Jan 2023.
- Professor Gupta Manoj (Department of Mechanical Engineering) is promoted to Full Professor with effect from 1 January 2023.
| Name of staff | Department | Promotion to (wef 1 January 2023) |
| Charles Lim Ci Wen | Electrical and Computer Engineering | Associate Professor (with tenure) |
| Christopher Moy Shin Lee Lan Chong | Electrical and Computer Engineering | Instructor |
| Wan Chee Yuen | Dean's Office | Associate Director |
| Low Zhiqi | Dean's Office | Associate Director |
| Chin Yuen Yee | Industrial Systems Engineering and Management | Associate Director |
| Toh Lay Geok | Electrical and Computer Engineering | Assistant Senior Manager |
| Thng Leng Li | Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering | Manager |
| Ong Hui Tian | Dean's Office | Manager |
| Nur Nadirah Binte Haron | Division of Industrial Design | Manager |
| Muhammad Farid Bin Alias | Biomedical Engineering | Senior Executive |
| Fan Jing | Dean's Office | Senior Executive |
| Hephzibah Arun Dasse | Electrical and Computer Engineering | Senior Executive |
| Muhammad Riza Marhaban | Industrial Systems Engineering and Management | Senior IT Architect |
| Wong Kah Wai | Civil and Environmental Engineering | Laboratory Technologist Grade 1 |
| Xiao Yun | Electrical and Computer Engineering | Laboratory Technologist Grade 2 |
| Poh Ka-Inn, Sharon | Dean's Office | Management Assistant Officer Grade 2 |
| Ong Lay Hoon Jane | Industrial Systems Engineering and Management | Management Assistant Officer Grade 2 |
| Nguyen Thi Huong | Biomedical Engineering | Management Assistant Officer Grade 3 |