19 Aug, 2025 | Events, Feature
The Outreach Portfolio organised its first industry visit of the year to Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Bioprocess Design Centre (BDC). Thermo Fisher Scientific is one of the leading suppliers of products used by researchers and manufacturers worldwide. Thermo Fisher Scientific also runs its own Bioprocess Design Centre in Singapore to provide training and offers the opportunity for scientists and engineers to experience proprietary products. This industry visit aimed to provide scholars with the opportunity to be exposed to state-of-the-art equipment in the BDC and the accompanying Customer Experience Centre (CEC). The scholars also learned about the different biochemical methods and equipment used to analyse and purify biological samples. Our visit began with an introduction to the manufacturing process for biologics, as well as various career prospects and roles available in the biologics industry. Thereafter, the scholars received a guided tour of the laboratories used for product testing. Through the tour, the scholars learned more about current technologies used in the manufacturing industry, such as single-use technology for aseptic manufacturing and important tools for drug processing, such as chromatography columns.
After the laboratory tour, the scholars were then invited to visit the CEC, which displayed some of Thermo Fisher Scientific’s latest products. At the CEC, the scholars gained exposure to cutting-edge proprietary instruments and learned about the latest technologies available in the field of biological research, which could prove useful in their future research endeavours. After a series of enriching tours, the scholars reconvened with the BDC representative for a brief Q&A session to clarify any doubts about what they learned during the tours. The scholars were able to have candid conversations with the scientists, where they gained career advice and heard personal anecdotes about their professional and academic trajectories.
19 Aug, 2025 | Events, Feature
The Outreach Portfolio organized its final industry visit to Duke-NUS Medical School. Widely recognized as a global research hub, Duke-NUS is known for its cutting-edge work in biomedical and translational research. The school offers well-rounded MD and PhD programmes, complemented by its signature research programmes that focus on addressing some of the most pressing challenges in medicine and healthcare. This industry visit aimed to expose scholars to cutting-edge research in stem cell biology and neuroscience while providing insights into advanced laboratory techniques. This experience sought to inspire curiosity, broaden perspectives, and encourage future roles in biomedical research. The visit kicked off an introductory session with the Duke-NUS team, during which they shared the various academic pathways offered at the institution. Specifically, our scholars learned more about the three main programmes: the MD, PhD, and MD-PhD tracks. Additionally, representatives from the Duke-NUS team provided an overview of the different PhD specialisations available.
Our scholars then toured the Cancer and Stem Cell Biology (CSCB) and Neuroscience and Behavioural Disorders (NBD) laboratories, guided by PhD students from each lab. At the CSCB lab, our scholars were introduced to advanced instruments, such as the fluorescence confocal microscope for cell screening and the cryostat used in tissue sample preparation. During the visit to the NBD lab, our scholars learned about various animal models utilised in neuroscience research. A PhD student also shared her research: identifying genetic causes of seizures in small mammals like mice. This sharing provided insights into the practical applications of neuroscience studies. After the lab tours, a MD-PhD student shared her experience at Duke-NUS, focusing on the MD component, which takes place in the first two years of the programme. Through this sharing, our scholars gained insight into the daily life of MD-PhD students, including laboratory sessions and clinical rotations. Afterwards, our scholars had the chance to interact with students from the CSCB, NBD, Emerging Infectious Diseases, and MD-PhD programmes, where they got the opportunity to ask questions to deepen their understanding of the various academic paths and career opportunities.
19 Aug, 2025 | Events, Feature
The Outreach Portfolio organised its second visit to SpeQtral. Even as a smaller company, SpeQtral has major achievements working with organisations and governments around the globe to implement secure communication networks via Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). SpeQtral also continuously innovates to improve its products to make them functioning satellites. This industry visit aimed to provide scholars with an opportunity to explore quantum research facilities and the advancements that shape the field. It also bridged the gap between theoretical learning and real-world applications by exploring the intersection of quantum science and other disciplines. Firstly, the staff at SpeQtral shared the company’s terrestrial and satellite QKD projects. Scholars were given a brief introduction to the concept of QKD and its importance. Through this, scholars learned the shortcomings of current technologies and how they result in potential data leakages, thereby causing the need for a more secure communication method.
Scholars then toured the labs at SpeQtral. Here, lab scientists explained the various factors that were considered when developing the technology. For example, the size of the satellite had to be minimised to efficiently bring it into orbit as a satellite. Thus, the scientists worked on miniaturising existing technology to reduce the size of the payload. Lastly, scholars interacted with SpeQtral’s co-founder and CEO Chune Yang Lum. During this informal session, scholars gained insight into Singapore’s quantum science industry. Scholars learned about the different types of technology developed in Singapore and the various paths that could be taken after graduation.
11 Aug, 2025 | Events, Feature
On 15 July 2025, the Community Engagement portfolio brought together 18 volunteers for Heart to Home, a collaborative effort with Loving Heart Multi-Service Centre aimed at supporting seniors living alone. The event combined hands-on service with heartfelt conversations, reminding us that simple acts can go a long way in building connection.
The day began with a briefing at the centre, followed by home visits where volunteers, grouped in pairs and trios, helped clean and tidy up the seniors’ living spaces. More than just chores, these visits were opportunities to offer warmth, presence, and care.
Afterwards, everyone gathered for a kopi session — a casual, meaningful chance to chat with the seniors and check in on their well-being. We ended the day with a debrief back at the centre, reflecting on what we saw, heard, and learned.
Small in scale but rich in impact, Heart to Home reminded us that community begins with showing up with open hands, listening ears, and full hearts.
1 Aug, 2025 | Events, Feature
What happens when a bunch of CN Yang Scholars take a break from research and academics? You get CN Yang Champions: a night of gaming, bonding, and a whole lot of laughter (screaming). Inspired by Valorant Champions, this event brought together scholars from different batches to participate in three very different games: Valorant, Stardew Valley, and Jackbox.
The night began with some free bubble tea drinks to be enjoyed by our scholars before splitting off into their game areas.
At the Valorant side of the venue, games were intense, tactical, and full of classic team comms and incoherent muffled screaming. Scholars showed off some serious aim and coordination, with a few clutch plays that had everyone hyped. The commitment was unreal, where one dedicated player even brought his entire gaming setup to perform at his best. Respect.
Meanwhile, things were a lot more wholesome over in Stardew Valley. Scholars traded in their weapons for watering cans and pickaxes, working together to build up their farms, catch fish, and vibe with the townspeople. It was calm, cosy, and stress-free all around.
And then came Jackbox, where chaos reigned. From cracking jokes in Quiplash to trying to defuse a series of bombs in Bomb Corp, everyone let loose and had a blast! The unpredictability of the games and the opportunity to showcase their creative joke-making talents made it a great time for everybody.
By the end of the night, there were no losers — just a bunch of tired but happy CN Yang Scholars who got to relax, laugh, and bond over games. Whether you were top-fragging, farming blueberries, or making the silliest joke of the night, you were a champion in your way.
Big thanks to everyone who showed up and made CN Yang Champions such a fun and memorable night! Same time next semester?
28 May, 2025 | Events, Feature
As the semester wraps up, our scholars are busy wrapping up assignments and preparing for their final examinations. This also signalled the arrival of their much-anticipated welfare packs!
Presented with an array of tasty snacks thoughtfully selected to give them a little boost, scholars were all smiles. The event concluded with cheerful faces and hands filled with treats, as students departed feeling appreciated and better equipped to take on the challenges ahead.
With special thanks to our sponsors,
Itsbubblin for providing us with vouchers for their mouth-watering drinks!
Udders for the icy cool ice cream treats!
and Pokka for the refreshing bottles of coffee!
A big thank you for making this first year memorable! We hope the welfare packs brought you some joy this semester!
About our sponsors:
Itsbubblin’s menu features a range of beverages, including vibrant layered teas and milk-based drinks topped with chewy pearls and other toppings. The shop caters to both individual customers and larger groups, offering bulk orders, party sets, and even live station services for events. Don’t forget to drop a follow on their Instagram page @itsbubblin !
Udders Ice Cream is a homegrown Singaporean brand established in 2007. The brand is known for its cheeky personality and commitment to quality, using natural ingredients without added flavorings or colourings. Don’t forget to follow @uddersicecream on Instagram or check out their website for more information!
POKKA is a leading beverage company in Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region. POKKA is renowned for its commitment to quality, offering products brewed from specially selected premium ingredients. With a presence in over 50 countries, POKKA continues to innovate and adapt to consumer preferences, introducing health-conscious options like their No Sugar Added (NSA) variants. Do follow them on Instagram at @pokkasg or check out their website for more information!
