|
Four researchers clinch inaugural SMF-NUS Research Horizons Award
The inaugural SMF-NUS Research Horizons Award went to four NUS researchers - Prof Kang En-Tang, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; Assoc Prof Gan Yunn Hwen, Department of Biochemistry; Assoc Prof Loh Kian Ping, Department of Chemistry and Dr Barbaros Oezyilmaz, Department of Physics, following much deliberation from an expert panel comprising leading scientists and established entrepreneurs from Singapore and abroad. The Award, which is co-funded by NUS and the Singapore Millennium Foundation (SMF), seeks to accelerate the development of paradigm-changing research ideas from conception to implementation.
The four winners will have one year and funding of up to S$100,000 each to carry out their investigations. At the end of the term, they will compete for the Phase II funding of up to S$1 million over two years if their ideas show promise.
Assoc Prof Loh Kian Ping, who is also Vice Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Science, expressed his excitement about the award. He said: "This scheme provides researchers with the opportunity to experiment with less conventional ideas," A professor in chemistry, Assoc Prof Loh's proposed work may lead to major novel developments in recycling technology.
Working in the area of graphene, Dr Oezyilmaz is extremely enthusiastic about his win. "The award will help me jump start the research in this new field and will give me an important competitive edge over my colleagues in the USA," he said. Talking about the award's accelerated review process, he noted: "The speed at which the proposals are evaluated allows us to take immediate advantage of new ideas, before other groups around the globe realise the importance of a discovery."
As for Assoc Prof Gan, she believes that the award will help diversify research. Working on research that could possibly lead to the discovery of a new class of anti-bacterial drugs, Assoc Prof Gan said "The award gives us a chance to explore a line of research which would otherwise have been impossible."
Prof Kang's research will culminate in environmentally-friendly clean energy storage applications. Humble about his win, he sees the award as an opportunity to "contribute in a small way towards solving the combined problems of energy and environment."
NUS called for proposals during the last quarter of 2009. The University saw close to 80 submissions coming from a wide spectrum of biomedical, physical science and technology areas.
by Ms Candace Lim,Office of Deputy President (Research & Technology) |
.jpg)
.jpg)
