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A*STAR opened doors to a career in cancer research
National Science Scholarship (Masters) Scholar

“I think all my life I’ve been interested in biology – just learning how life works.” reflects Lim Yong Shan, an A*STAR National Science Scholarship (Masters) recipient.

Yong Shan found out about A*STAR when her secondary school teacher nominated her for the A*STAR Science Award. This gave Yong Shan her first insight into A*STAR’s research ecosystem in Singapore.

The next encounter was during her junior college studies, when she was recognised yet again with the A*STAR Science Award (JC). This was followed by a 5-week internship at the laboratory of Comparative Genomics at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB).

However, it was not until her second year at the National University of òòò½Íøthat Yong Shan discovered her true calling. Initially pursuing a degree in Life Sciences, she found herself drawn to the world of programming. She discovered the best of both worlds in the study of computational biology.

I realised there was an intersection between both fields of programming and biology that was very intriguing for me. So, I switched my major in my second year and I just never looked back.

In her quest to gain more practical experience in bioinformatics, Yong Shan's journey with A*STAR continued through multiple summer internships at the Genome Institute of òòò½Íø(GIS) and the Bioinformatics Institute (BII). Her choice to repeatedly intern with A*STAR also speaks volumes about the agency's culture for nurturing scientists.

During her internships, she was impressed by A*STAR’s willingness to invest resources on their interns, alluding to the agency’s commitment to fostering growth in young scientists like herself. From cancer research to evolutionary biology and microbiology, A*STAR's expansive research portfolio offers opportunities for bioinformaticians to apply their skills across various domains.

The wealth of resources and the number of labs that A*STAR has, is mind-blowing. You will definitely be able to find something that you're interested in.

Given her positive experience with A*STAR and the willingness to study overseas to advance her research in bioinformatics, Yong Shan decided to pursue a master's degree with the National Science Scholarship (Masters) scholarship. She chose the Imperial College of London for its global reputation in STEM, and the small intake of students, which would ensure a more individualised learning experience for each student. Her decision proved fruitful, as Yong Shan graduated from her class with the prestigious Eurofins Foundation Postgraduate Prize, which is awarded to the top-performing students in MRes Life Sciences.

Outside of her studies, Yong Shan fully embraced art scene life in London. The vibrant cultural landscape, coupled with the city’s renowned pub culture, remains a fond memory from her time in London.

As Yong Shan prepares to return to Singapore, she's set to embark on a new chapter at GIS with the SCISSOR/TISHUMAP programme which is based on spatial omics technology.

We’re trying to map gene expression and cellular interactions on the tissue itself. When you have diseased tissue, you can determine its location, what kind of biomarkers are indicated and develop drugs according to cell-to-cell interactions identified.

Yong Shan explains, as she goes on to highlight the potential impact of this research on cancer diagnosis and treatment. The programme is backed by a substantial grant, enabling large-scale research with real-world clinical data from thousands of patients across several cancer types. It’s an exciting opportunity for scientists to immediately begin making impactful discoveries in the field.

For aspiring bioinformaticians, Yong Shan's journey with ASTAR serves as an inspiring roadmap. Her story exemplifies how A*STAR's comprehensive support system nurtures scientific talent from an early age, guiding promising individuals towards impactful careers in research.

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