Leon Seet Kiang Yeow

Q: Share something about yourself.

Hello, I am Leon, a Senior Research Engineer working in the Autonomous AI group under the Computing and Intelligence department at A*STAR’s Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC). I graduated with a Master's degree in Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering from the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) in 2020, right amidst the challenges of the Covid pandemic. While working on my Capstone Project, I gained hands-on experience with machine learning and programming, where I focused on optimising air conditioning systems in buildings.

During that time, the construction industry was experiencing a significant decline, which affected on job prospects in my field of expertise. However, I was fortunate to have come across a Research Associate role offered by IHPC to support a project focusing on anomaly detection in lifts using machine learning, with a one-year contract supported by the SGUnited Programme in 2020. 

Q: Tell us about what you do at IHPC? 

During my early days at IHPC, my primary focus revolved around anomaly detection in lifts. While I did acquire machine learning experience from my capstone project, transitioning to working with real-world data was quite an eye-opener for me. Real-world data often introduced unexpected noise and inconsistencies. Furthermore, the process of translating a business problem into a viable machine learning solution turned out to be far more challenging than expected. Despite my dedication, I found myself conducting countless experiments and delving into various machine learning techniques, often encountering setbacks due to my relatively limited experience. 

Following the completion of my SGUnited Programme, I was elated to be converted into a full-time position as a Research Engineer. My experience there took an even more rewarding turn when I was given the opportunity to lead a software development project in collaboration with a local healthcare institution under the AI in Medical Transformation (AIMx) Programme. The project aims to create a web application, called the AIMx Sandbox, to streamline the evaluation of AI models using hospital datasets. In collaboration with the healthcare institution and the national petascale facility, the AIMx Sandbox’s backend processes will be driven by the healthcare institution’s supercomputer to enable accelerated AI evaluations and offer scalability for future AI integrations.

Q: What/Who is your inspiration in life?

My inspiration comes from my personal experiences and the support of my colleagues at IHPC. The trials brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic as I entered the working world taught me the importance of resilience and adaptability. These challenges serve as a valuable lesson in the value of venturing into new territories, even beyond one's field of expertise.

Taking on projects where I had to start with limited knowledge initially felt daunting. However, it was exactly this challenge that fuelled my passion for learning and innovation. The thrill of acquiring fresh skills, delving into unfamiliar domains, and eventually making meaningful contributions is what motivates me every day. This experience has taught me that with dedication and a supportive environment, boundaries could be expanded, and challenges could be conquered.

Within IHPC, the passion of my colleagues has been a constant driving force. Their unwavering support, combined with their deep expertise and collaborative spirit, have been vital in my professional growth. These interactions not only honed my technical skills but also taught me invaluable lessons in teamwork and leadership.

Q: Describe a typical work week.

In a typical week, most of my time is occupied with conducting AI experiments and developing applications. My tasks span a wide range from training AI models to building web applications. Depending on the current stage of a project, the nature of my tasks would involve building new features for applications, debugging code, fine-tuning algorithms, or analysing experimental results.

In addition to the hands-on work, I regularly engage in project team meetings where we brainstorm and synchronise our ideas. It is also common practice for me to keep stakeholders informed through dedicated meetings, ensuring that our project remains in sync with its objectives and allowing for valuable feedback.

What truly enriches my professional journey is the series of workshops and webinars offered by A*STAR. These sessions delve into the latest advances in AI and software development practices and played a pivotal role in my continual learning process. I am deeply appreciative to A*STAR for facilitating such programmes, providing a platform for growth and interaction with colleagues across various institutes within the organisation.

Q: How has this 3-year journey benefitted you – career exploration, gain practical experience, networking, professionalism etc?

As I embark on the next phase of my career as a software engineer, I am deeply thankful to IHPC for the invaluable experiences I have gained over the past three years. Without this chapter in my journey, I might never have uncovered my passion for AI and software engineering, nor would I have explored the myriad opportunities now apparent to me.

The real-world industry projects at IHPC have provided me with the confidence to tackle future challenges ahead. Through numerous research and industry presentations, I've honed my capacity to articulate ideas with clarity, a skill that would undoubtedly be an asset in any future roles. Furthermore, IHPC’s diverse community, encompassing domain experts spanning from AI and blockchain to quantum computing, has been an intellectual goldmine. Engaging with such a varied pool of talents has broadened my horizons and equipped me with the breadth of knowledge to tackle problems from different perspectives.

In conclusion, my tenure at IHPC has exceeded my expectations. I am truly grateful for the opportunities and friendships forged throughout this journey. This experience has shaped me both professionally and personally, granting me the confidence to confront any challenges the future might hold.