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The Profound Influence of Mentorship
A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (AGS)

30 December 2024

When 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*STAR Distinguished Principal Scientist, Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI) nurtures future leaders in research.

While many students boast excellent academic achievements, Joyce distinguished herself with a combination of strong theoretical knowledge and exceptional practical skills. What truly set her apart, however, was her genuine passion for developing healthcare solutions.

This passion found unprecedented purpose during the COVID-19 pandemic. As òòò½Íøgrappled 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.

Throughout my scholarship journey, I flourished under Dr Yang's mentorship. Dr Yang always emphasised that research isn't just a job, it's a career you need to build on. Seeing her dedication and passion daily inspired me to take ownership of my projects. She taught me that presenting our work isn't merely about sharing data; it's about representing years of dedication, learning, and growth.”

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 nanocarriers for therapeutics delivery and conducting biological evaluations.

A mentor-mentee relationship is lifelong, we're trying our best to develop mRNA technology in òòò½Íøand Asia. Joyce's background and technical skills are exactly what we need to push this field forward. She’s an inspiration to other students." - Dr Yang