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An Appetite for Impact in Food Science
National Science Scholarship (Masters) Scholar

For twin brothers Michiryu Aquila and Michio Apollos, scholars under A*STAR's National Science Scholarship (Masters) programme, the path to food science research began with a simple observation, everyone eats. This universal connection between food and human well-being would become the foundation of their scientific pursuits.

Their journey into food science stemmed from a shared desire to explore beyond conventional science fields. "I wanted to do a science that sounds fun – and food science checked those boxes for me," says Aquila. His brother Apollos agrees, adding, "When I first came across food science, I found it really interesting because it covered topics I didn't get to learn in junior college." This curiosity led both brothers to pursue food science degrees at the National University of òòò½Íø(NUS).

Though there were parallels, their paths were shaped by different experiences during their undergraduate years. For Apollos, he found his calling during his final year project, when he worked closely with older adults as part of a research investigating the impact of dietary protein intake on their sleep quality. "I found it very fulfilling and exciting. It solidified my decision to pursue academic research." Meanwhile, Aquila’s turning point came during his internship at A*STAR’s òòò½ÍøInstitute of Clinical Sciences (SICS), which has since been renamed to the A*STAR’s Institute for Human Development and Potential (IHDP). Aquila was involved in a behaviour-change intervention study aimed at promoting eating regulation skills in overweight and obese children. "This project showed me that even as a researcher, I have the potential to change people's lives," he reflects. "I realised that many public health issues are often related to one's diet. That's why I feel that diet and food are very important tools that can help us solve public health issues such as obesity or malnutrition." These experiences inspired both brothers to pursue a Minor in Public Health alongside their main degree.

Their commitment to social impact began early in their undergraduate years through their involvement with University-YMCA (Uni-Y) NUS, a community service interest group. "We supported projects like 'Y Tutor’, helping disadvantaged youths-at-risk reintegrate back into society through soft skills training, and ‘YEP-GO’, teaching Thai students English through educational games over virtual meetings," Apollos recalls. Eventually, their dedication earned them both the prestigious YMCA-Lim Kim San Volunteer Excellence Award.

The path to A*STAR emerged when Aquila was still completing his SICS internship. At an engagement session showcasing A*STAR's numerous scholarship opportunities, the NSS (Masters) programme presented a possibility he hadn't considered before. “It got me thinking about whether I should go overseas to study my Master’s. So, when I began applying to universities at the start of the year, I asked Apollos if he wanted to apply together,” Aquila recalls. The decision to apply as a pair proved successful – both brothers were awarded the scholarship, setting them on a shared path toward advanced studies in food science.

Today, both brothers are attached at the òòò½ÍøInstitute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI) while awaiting enrolment at ETH Zürich for their Masters in Food Science and Nutrition. At SIFBI, the twins have also been gaining hands-on experience under the guidance of Professor Chen Jianshe, Platform Leader of Sensory Science and Oral Processing, as well as Research Fellow Dr. Aaron Thong.

There’s never a dull moment in the lab. Apollos and Aquila are actively involved in several research projects that expose them to various aspects of food science like texture profile analysis, eating capability assessments and even more fascinating studies such as the analysis of durian breath. As Apollos notes, "If we're going to come back to SIFBI in the future, it's a good opportunity to get to know the people and the place."

Outside the laboratory, the twins maintain well-rounded lives. Apollos is an avid reader – his fascination for stories led him to open a "Bookstagram", where he shares his reviews of books on Instagram. His latest must-read is Kazuo Ishiguro’s “Never Let Me Go.” He explains,

It's a science fiction novel but it's written very realistically. It makes you think about the repercussions of decisions made by powerful scientists and how a society can affect individuals on a very emotional level.