1. Congratulations on receiving the KK Phua Gold Medal! What does this recognition mean to you at this stage of your academic journey?
A: Receiving the KK Phua Gold Medal holds both personal and professional significance for me. In early 2023, I had the honour of meeting Dr. Phua in person at the symposium “50 Years of Physics in Singapore: A Celebration of KK Phua.” Shortly after, through the referral of Prof. Kwek Leong Chuan, I had the opportunity to intern at World Scientific Publishing, which Dr. Phua founded. That experience had a deep impact on me—it showed how the legacy of scientific research and mentorship has been passed down through generations in Singapore and inspired me to contribute to this legacy through my own academic journey.
Coincidentally, my first research publication—resulting from my URECA project under the supervision of Prof. Rainer Dumke—was published in the International Journal of Quantum Information (IJQI), a journal under the World Scientific umbrella. That milestone marked the formal beginning of my research journey. To now receive an award bearing Dr. Phua’s name feels deeply symbolic. It not only affirms the continuity and consistency of my research efforts, but also serves as a reminder to remain humble and intellectually curious. When I found out I had received the award, I felt deeply grateful—towards Dr. Phua and his family for their generous support of young researchers, and to the mentors and institutions that have guided me. As I close this chapter of my undergraduate studies and begin my PhD journey under Prof. Gu Mile and Dr. Jayne Thompson, this recognition gives me the confidence to face the scientific challenges ahead.
2. This award recognises the most outstanding research in Physics or Mathematical Sciences. Could you share a brief summary of your project and what inspired you to pursue that topic?
A: My project focused on implementing a quantum recurrent neural network (QRNN) algorithm that demonstrates unbounded memory advantages for a specific class of classification tasks. The key significance of this work lies in its role as a proof of concept: it provides a concrete example where quantum models outperform classical ones in terms of memory efficiency. This memory advantage also carries practical implications. Since memory is fundamentally tied to energy consumption via Landauer’s principle, the demonstrated quantum memory advantage points to the possibility of significant energy savings for certain tasks when using quantum systems.
What drew me to this topic was a talk by Prof. Gu Mile on FQXi. In it, he discussed how quantum information processing might reduce the amount of “waste” information an agent needs to retain to make accurate predictions. Through further reading and reflection, I became increasingly intrigued by the relationship between computational space and time from the perspective of quantum information theory. That interest led me to pursue this project.
3. What was one of the biggest challenges you faced during the research process, and how did you overcome it?
A: One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced—and continue to face—in research is learning how to break down a broad and abstract problem into manageable subproblems.
At the beginning of a new research direction, especially in a relatively unexplored area, there can seem to be an infinite number of possible paths, and no clear route to the answer. To make progress, I’ve learned to start with the simplest, most manageable problems, and then gradually increase complexity.
For example, in my current PhD project, one of the long-term goals is to identify more complex and practically relevant tasks where quantum agents exhibit memory advantages over classical counterparts. This is a broad and ambitious objective. To move forward, I began by focusing on the simplest known tasks where such advantages are already analytically established. From that baseline, I iteratively modify and extend the task definitions to see whether the advantages hold under increasing complexity.
4. Reflecting on your time at SPMS, what’s one experience—academic or otherwise—that you’ll remember most?
A: One of my most unforgettable experiences at SPMS took place during a final exam that was critical to my academic plans.
At the time, I was going through some personal difficulties that made it hard to concentrate. Despite my efforts to prepare, I was overwhelmed with anxiety during the exam. My mind went blank. I couldn’t focus, and I left one major question completely unanswered. It felt like everything I had worked for was slipping away—that this one moment might derail the plans I had carefully built around doing well in the course.
In that difficult moment, it was my girlfriend who gave me the strength to see things differently. Once I had calmed down, she encouraged me to write out the missed answer—not to ask for extra marks, but to show the professor that I cared deeply about the subject and had the ability to do well under normal circumstances. I followed her advice and sent a thoughtful message to the professor, along with my written solution.
To my surprise, the professor responded with understanding and offered me a chance to work with him on an undergraduate research project.
That experience taught me that even when things seem to go terribly wrong, there are still ways to move forward—especially when you have the support of others and the courage to take initiative. It reminded me that success in academia isn’t just about grades—it’s also about resilience, sincerity, and the relationships you build along the way.
5. What advice would you give to fellow students who are thinking about doing research or working on a major project?
A: My main advice to students considering research or a major project is to stay consistent, take care of your well-being, and remain flexible throughout the process. Research isn’t about quick results—it’s a gradual journey that requires patience, persistence, and regular effort.
Consistency, even when progress feels slow or unclear, is far more valuable than short bursts of intense work. Establish a sustainable routine and trust that small, steady steps will lead to meaningful outcomes.
Equally important is avoiding burnout. It’s easy to feel pressure in research, but overexerting yourself can quickly become counterproductive. Make time to rest, maintain balance, and don’t hesitate to ask for help or take breaks when needed.
Planning ahead helps too—but don’t be overly attached to your original plan. Research often brings unexpected challenges, and some of the most interesting findings come from mistakes or shifts in direction. Be open to adapting your goals and methods as you learn more, and treat setbacks as opportunities to improve your approach. Looking back, I wish I had understood earlier that research progress is rarely linear. Persistence, self-care, and flexibility are just as essential as technical skills. With the right mindset, research can be both deeply rewarding and enjoyable.