TECH EXPERTS

Dr Mabel Wang has more than 20 years of R&D experience in food science & technology, gaining substantive academic and industry expertise in functional food product and process development. She published approximately 10 peer-reviewed international scientific journals and book chapters. Having worked in food & beverage companies like ADM Cocoa and Yeo Hiap Seng (YHS), her R&D expertise is proven by many successfully commercialised products, which range from healthier Asian drinks, calcium-fortified soymilk and industry chocolates for Singapore, China, Asia Pacific countries, Europe, Middle East, Canada and USA markets, etc. She set up an in-vitro glycemic index (GI) assessment facility in Temasek Polytechnic in 2013. As Domain Chair (Food Technology), she led a R&D team to develop functional food products, especially low GI food products (e.g., noodles, breads, steamed buns and beverages), and conducted sensory evaluation and shelf life study projects for food industry. Having worked closely with local food SMEs, she was recognised and appointed by Enterprise Singapore (ESG) as SkillsFuture Mentor from Nov 2018 to July 2019. 

Dr Sun LingLing heads the Healthcare Engineering Centre at the School of Engineering in Temasek Polytechnic. She leads a multi-disciplinary R&D team on developing innovative healthcare devices; such as microfluidic and biosensor based point-of-care systems for disease diagnosis, flexible and wearable sensors for healthcare monitoring, and novel devices and materials for antimicrobial applications. As a Principle Investigator, Dr Sun has been awarded numerous R&D funds by National Research Foundation, Ministry of Education and Tote Board, and has completed more than 10 R&D projects together with the team since 2012. Under her leadership, the team has been awarded IES Prestigious Engineering Achievement Awards 2016, MOE-Innergy Award (Silver) 2017, MOE-Innergy Award (Gold) 2018, and MOE-Innergy Award (Bronze) 2019. Dr Sun received her PhD in Microelectronics from Nanyang Technological University in 2003. Prior to joining Temasek Polytechnic, she worked as a senior engineer at System on Silicon Manufacturing Company and a research fellow at Nanyang Technological University.

A/Prof Daniel Blackwood has more than 30 years of experience in corrosion and electrochemistry research and development. His current research focus areas include localised pitting corrosion, corrosion modelling and microbial-influenced corrosion. He is currently Associate Professor and Deputy Head for Education in the Department of Materials Science & Engineering, National University of Singapore, where he has been since 1996. A/Prof Blackwood obtained his PhD degree in Electrochemistry under Prof Laurie Peter at University of Southampton in 1986. He was a postdoc at University of Utah where he worked on developing FTIR techniques for exploring the electrochemical interface. In 1989, he received an Alexander von Humboldt fellowship to work at Bundeswehr University Munich on conducting polymer vapour sensors. In 1990, he joined the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority at Harwell Laboratories as a project manager in the aqueous corrosion section, where he worked on a number of industrial projects for both government agencies and commercial companies. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, and a member of the National Association of Corrosion Engineers and the International Society of Electrochemist. He was also Chairman of the Corrosion Association Singapore from 2000 to 2009.

Samuel Aw currently heads the Formulation & Nutrition Science Technology Centre at Republic Polytechnic. He possesses both academic and industrial expertise in food formulation, processing and packaging. He has worked with many food companies for the past 25 years in the area of product, process and packaging development. Samuel had set up the Food Packaging Laboratory for Singapore Polytechnic and was instrumental in the training of food packaging technologists in Singapore and ASEAN countries. He also worked in Nestle R&D Centre and Alfa Laval South East Asia, Convenience Foods & Packaging Division.   Samuel obtained an MSc in Packaging Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology, New York, USA. He was also a Kikkoman Award Prize winner under the Advanced Diploma in Food Technology, Singapore Polytechnic.  

Dr Susmita Bandyopadhyay is currently Senior Lecturer (Industry) at the School of Applied Science in Republic Polytechnic, leading a dynamic research team in her department. She has over 20 years of research experience in synthesis, analysis and formulation of novel chemical compounds for various applications such as antimicrobial, insecticidal, feed, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, with special interest in the development of light-activated compounds. Her research interests include natural antimicrobial agents for various applications including food, packaging, paint, coating, fabric, and other consumer products; formulation of feed from agro-biproducts; formulation of pharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals; and functional product development for applications such as mosquito larvae control, insect repellent. As Principal Investigator, she has secured numerous research grants and is actively involved in scientific research addressing global and national issues related to public health, such as creating a more affordable treatment for cancer for the public, more effective and safer control of mosquitoes to fight against the mosquito-borne diseases, and novel disinfection technology for high contact surfaces. Her invention was granted a PCT patent in Singapore and Australia. Dr Susmita shares her knowledge and expertise with local SMEs to help them develop innovative products or solutions through consultancy projects and technology licensing. Her projects have won several external and internal awards such as MOE Innergy Award and Republic Polytechnic’s Most Innovative Project Award. She is also a recipient of “Outstanding Innovator Award 2018” from MOE. Dr Susmita holds a PhD in Chemistry and has postdoctoral research experience at University of California (Santa Barbara).

Dawn has over twenty years of experience working in various industries including chemical industries, semi-conductor component assembly as well as flexible electronic circuits manufacturing prior to her teaching career with Republic Polytechnic. Having graduated with a Master’s Degree in Materials Science and Engineering from the National University of Singapore, she wishes to impart her knowledge and experience to inspire the young in the School of Applied Science. Her areas of expertise include product development of new materials, adhesive formulations, additive manufacturing of polymers and cementitious materials, fabrication of silk fiber reinforced composites and electrolytic and electroless surface passivation and electroplating. As a Conexus Senior Manager, Dawn works with various industry sectors to collaborate on projects related to sustainable materials, functional materials, additive manufacturing, and specialty chemicals as well as supporting students for industry immersion programs. Together with her students, she aims to solve problems by applying their knowledge and developing skills necessary to support industry partners.

Dr Sun Guang Wen is Lecturer at School of Applied Science, Republic Polytechnic with 15 years of experience in biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, immunology and microbiology. His current research interests include regulation of antibody response, production of recombinant antibodies, and development of quality assurance assays. In addition to education, Dr Sun is also an industrial consultant and provide advice in product development and quality assurance.  Prior to joining Republic Polytechnic, Dr Sun was Research Fellow at National University of Singapore and was involved in cutting edge research in emerging infectious diseases. His PhD and postdoctoral research were on the molecular and genetic basis of bacterial pathogenesis. His research experience also includes antibody engineering; gene knockout using CRISPR-Cas9; product quality analysis based on biochemical and molecular assays; and development of real-time PCR based human DNA detection method.  Dr Sun obtained his PhD in Microbiology and Immunology and BSc in Biochemistry from National University of Singapore.  

Dr Gabriel Lee is currently Senior Lecturer in the School of Applied Science at Republic Polytechnic (RP). He is actively involved in the New Materials Technology Centre (NMTC), where extensive research work is carried out on various aspects of materials and coatings innovation. He leads industrial research projects on the development of tunable surface solutions as well as smart materials to increase sustainability and functionality for the built environment.  He has more than 20 years of experience leading research and development efforts as well as product and technology development. His areas of research interest include nanostructured materials, carbonaceous materials, advanced composites, 2D materials, smart coatings, chemometrics, sustainability in the built environment and environmental degradation studies.  

Yashna M. Harjani is currently the Founder and Director of  VeVeva Nutrition Pte Ltd, a nutrition consultancy in Singapore. She works closely with the food and beverage industry in the Asia Middle East and North Africa region, to guide nutrition innovations from ideation to launch phase and beyond. She supports concept development; guides product design, claims and communication; chalks out research and communication road maps; and defines influencer and advocacy strategy. She is also collaborating with other food industry experts to roll out training programs, to support capability building in the nutrition food and beverage space.  With more than 25 years of experience with NGOs, the food industry and the consultancy world, Yashna brings to the table considerable experience. Prior to setting up her consultancy in Singapore, Yashna worked with PepsiCo for 14 years in Bangkok, Shanghai and Dubai. She led internal nutrition innovation, product design, product renovation strategy; defined claims & communication road maps; and drove research and external influencer strategy for Pepsico in Asia, Middle East and North Africa markets. Having lived and worked in different countries, Yashna thinks multi-country opportunities. Yashna has worked with multiple big brands e.g. Pepsi, Lays, Quaker, Tropicana, Gatorade, Sunbites, Aquafina, Sting and Herbalife, supporting a wide portfolio of food and beverage products - carbonated beverages, snacks, grain-based foods especially oats, sports drinks, juices, dairy, soy milk and other soy products, energy drinks, weight loss supplements, tea, tuna, vitamin and herbal waters. She is especially passionate about plant-based nutrition and the power of beans.