Tell us about what you do at IHPC?I am currently a Principal Scientist from the Electronics and Photonics department in A*STAR’s Institute of High Performance (IHPC), focusing on research & development in Computational Electromagnetics and Electrification. Some of the projects that I am working on include R&D of an electric power drivetrain for electromobility applications (EVs and E2Ws); wireless charging for EVs and healthcare; high frequency eddy current sensor for aerospace and high voltage cable insulation design.
What are your motivations for getting into this field of research?I developed a passion for physics during my early years, particularly delving into topics such as the Milky Way, black holes, multiverse theory, electromagnetic wave. Intriguingly, my childhood fascination led me to dream of becoming an astronaut as I grew older. 😊 Consequently, when pursuing my PhD, I chose computational electromagnetics as my research topic, merging my love for physics with a specialised area of study.
How do you handle stress and pressure?•
Take a break. Do sport. Active lifestyle is a key to keep stress away.
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Ask for help whenever necessary. Believe in teamwork: Doing research is not a one-man show.
What is your most outstanding achievement(s) to date?My notable contributions would be to the Women in Engineering where I dedicated in promoting women engineers and scientists and mentoring inspiring girls to follow their academic interests in a career in engineering and science.
I am also impassioned in driving gender diversity and leadership in STEM. During my committed involvement in IEEE Women in Engineering, I was elected as a Chair (2015-2016), Vice-Chair (2017-2018), Executive Committee Member (2019-till date), to promote the profile of women scientists and engineers for better recognition in the workplace and empower for career advancement.
Share something about yourself – favourite pastimes outside of work.
I love travelling hence I hope to plan to go on road trips till my retire age. 😊
How does some of your research work create impact to industry or societal benefits, or help companies improve products / process / services?Currently, I am leading as a Research Institute Team Principal Investigator (PI) in the “Development of High-Performance electric power drive train for electromobility applications”. The project is funded by A*STAR under the industry alignment fund- Preposition Programme (IAF-PP), to develop industry-ready capabilities in power drive train technology for Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Electric Two-Wheelers (E2W). The outcome of this research is expected to improve electric drivetrain efficiencies with regenerative capabilities that are increasingly deployed in electric vehicles (EVs) and other renewable energy generation systems such as wind turbines and industrial automation systems. The development of this technology will accelerate local, ASEAN region as well as global push for greater electrification of the transportation systems and making the renewable energy sector more economically viable.
What advice would you have for young people, especially women who aspire to be a leader in their field(s)?
Keep dreaming. Don’t give up!
Stay being curious and be able to always learn something new and fascinating. Lifelong learning is key to adapt to a rapidly changing world. By embracing continuous learning, individuals stay updated on new research trends, broaden perspectives, enhance problem-solving abilities and remain relevant in their fields.