FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AsianScientist (Jan. 28, 2015) – Although Singapore has made significant gains in science since its founding in 1965, not many can name individual scientists and fewer still understand their contributions. Come August this year, a book celebrating the nation’s scientific pioneers hopes to change this situation by putting a human face to the country’s research achievements.
Supported by a grant from the SG50 Celebration Fund, the book titled Singapore’s Scientific Pioneers will feature at least 25 profiles, each drawn from in depth, one-on-one interviews and accompanied by portrait photography. Two hundred hard cover copies and 2,000 soft cover copies will be printed for distribution to schools, libraries and scientific institutions. A free PDF copy will also be made available online.
“We initiated this project to celebrate those who have established the rich scientific landscape that we see today,” said grant awardee Dr. Juliana Chan, Nanyang Assistant Professor at the Nanyang Technological University and the founder and editor-in-chief of Asian Scientist Magazine.
“Beyond that, we also hope that this project will serve to inspire the next generation of scientists and help to establish Singapore as a country with a respectable scientific heritage.”
Co-awardee Dr. Rebecca Tan, managing editor of Asian Scientist Magazine, added, “We were very interested in the personal stories of our scientific forebears, what were the struggles they faced and how they overcame them. At the same time, their individual narratives also help us piece together the story of science in Singapore, something we hope to share with a wider audience.”
The team is currently looking for venue sponsors for the launch party slated to be held in August in conjunction with Singapore’s 50th birthday. Members of the public are also encouraged to nominate scientists who have made a significant contribution to science in Singapore.
Background on SG50 grant recipients
Juliana Chan is a Nanyang Assistant Professor at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) and the NTU School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering (SCBE). She is also the founder and editor-in-chief of Asian Scientist Magazine, a print and online science & technology magazine that provides breaking news and feature stories about R&D in Asia.
Rebecca Tan did her PhD at the National University of Singapore where she studied how macrophages integrate multiple signals from the Toll-like receptor system. As the managing editor of Asian Scientist Magazine, she enjoys helping great science also become popular science, and believes that scientific perspectives have much to contribute to society at large.
To suggest a scientific pioneer you think should be featured, drop us an email at:
[email protected] or [email protected]
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Media contact information:
Dr. Rebecca Tan
Managing Editor
Asian Scientist Magazine
Tel: (+65) 6466 5775 ext 293
[email protected]
About Asian Scientist Magazine:
Asian Scientist Magazine is the definitive source of science and research news in Asia. Founded in 2011 as a weekly online magazine, it launched its flagship quarterly print magazine in 2014. Notable people to have appeared between the pages of Asian Scientist Magazine include Nobel Laureate Shinya Yamanaka and Dr. Wang Jun, executive director of BGI. It has more than 60,000 fans on Facebook. For more information about Asian Scientist Magazine, visit https://www.asianscientist.com/
