Assistant Professor Tedrick Lew (Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering) has been awarded the Next ASEAN Innovator Award 2025, part of the ASEAN–ROK Excellence in Science, Technology and Innovation Awards.
Supported by Government of the Republic of Korea, the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), the Science and Technology Policy Institute and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the award recognises exceptional early-career ASEAN researchers whose work strengthens scientific and technological collaboration between ASEAN member states and South Korea.
The award ceremony was held on 25 November 2025 and was graced by Mr Koo Hyuk Chae, First Vice Minister at the Ministry of Science and ICT.
This year’s awards saw the highest competition to date, with 94 applicants across the region. Asst Prof Lew was selected for his contributions to implantable nanoscale plant sensors and nanoparticle-based delivery systems, technologies designed to monitor plant health conditions to improve plant stress tolerance and support climate-resilient agriculture. His research addresses urgent challenges in food security and environmental sustainability by advancing how plant health can be assessed and managed in real time.
A NUS Presidential Young Professor, Asst Prof Lew collaborates actively with several South Korean universities, forming multidisciplinary partnerships that bring together expertise in nanotechnology, materials science, plant biology and agricultural systems. These collaborations reflect the ASEAN–ROK programme’s mission to cultivate long-term scientific exchange and joint research networks.
Asst Prof Lew said, “I’m honoured to receive this award, which reflects not only our research but the collective effort of many students and collaborators who believe in building climate-resilient agriculture. Our work on plant nanotechnology aims to bridge communication between humans and plants, so we can understand their needs more quickly and respond more sustainably. This recognition motivates us to keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible.”
His award highlights the strength of Singapore’s and CDE’s research contributions at the intersection of engineering and sustainability, and underscores the importance of global partnerships in addressing regional and global challenges.
