Dr Joyce Tay A*STAR Graduate Scholarship
Dr Joyce Tay Jia Xin, A*STAR Graduate Scholarship Receipent
The Profound Influence of Mentorship
Unlike many students with excellent academic records, Joyce had both strong theoretical knowledge and exceptional practical skills. But what truly set her apart was her genuine passion for developing healthcare solutions.
This passion found unprecedented purpose during the COVID-19 pandemic. As Singapore grappled with mask shortages, Joyce joined an emergency A*STAR task force led by Dr Yang to develop and test masks for public use.
Most scientists rarely get to see the immediate impact of their work, scientific discoveries often take decades to reach commercialisation or clinical application. “But when COVID-19 broke out, I was on the front line — conducting experiments and devising solutions, producing data to support COVID-19 response measures. For the first time, I saw the real impact of my work and how it could benefit others. It was a huge motivation for me because that’s really why I chose to do science.”
Dr Yang's leadership during this crisis also left an indelible impression on Joyce. Despite the immense pressures and uncertainties, Dr Yang showed leadership isn't just about getting results, it's about staying composed and supporting your team, even in difficult circumstances.
Joyce Tay first reached out to Dr Yang Yi Yan about pursuing a PhD under A*STAR's Graduate Scholarship (AGS) programme, neither could have predicted how their professional relationship would evolve into one of mutual respect and shared vision. Joyce’s growth under Dr Yang’s guidance exemplifies how A*STARnurtures future leaders in research.
Since then, Joyce has published in prestigious journals like Theranostics and Advanced Healthcare Materials. The AGS programme's comprehensive support, including overseas conference funding and cross-institute collaborations, enabled Joyce to build a strong foundation in research. "A*STAR provides an incredibly multidisciplinary environment," she explains. "You're not restricted to your immediate expertise — you can collaborate and learn across fields, which often leads to the best ideas."
Outside the laboratory, Joyce demonstrates the same discipline that drives her research excellence. An avid runner, she uses daily jogs to unwind and reflect. "Running helps me stay disciplined, both physically and mentally," she explains. "After a long day, when you're tired but still lace up your trainers because it's a goal you've set — that's the same mindset that helps you persist with challenging experiments."
She also finds parallels between her violin playing and scientific research. "In both music and research, you learn to embrace imperfections and adapt to challenges," Joyce reflects. "Things rarely go according to plan, so you develop resilience and creative problem-solving skills — essential qualities for any researcher."
Their story has come full circle, with Joyce returning to Dr Yang's lab next year to work on mRNA therapeutics. Dr Yang particularly values Joyce's expertise in developing molecules and conducting biological evaluations.
