Young Researcher Award

"Plant research should eventually solve vital problems relevant to our everyday life such as food and medicine supply, and environmental protection."

• Functional Genomics
• Plant Growth Regulation
• Plant Physiology

• Discovered a new genetic model of floral meristem development mediated by transcriptional repression of flowering time genes
• Found a critical gene regulator involved in the integration of flowering time signals
• Identified target genes of a plant hormone called gibberellin in flower development
• Isolated a group of key floral organ identity genes in orchids which will have a significant impact on the orchid industry

• Has a clear vision of the study of plant functional genomics
• Highly competent in techniques required for his research work

• Published 20 papers in international refereed journals including Nature, Nature Genetics and Plant Cell
• Contributed book chapters to Floriculture, Ornamental and Plant Biotechnology (2006) and Transgenic Crops VI (2007)
• His papers have been widely cited and highlighted in the international media and academic journals

• Reviewer for manuscripts submitted to eight international refereed journals including Plant Cell and Plant Physiology
• Editor for three scientific domains – Functional Plant Science and Biotechnology; Genes, Genomes and Genomics; and Horticulture, Floriculture and Ornamental Plant Science and Biotechnology for Global Science Books™, a publisher based in the United Kingdom
• Invited to give talks in international conferences and overseas educational and research institutions such as the Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

• Singapore National Academy of Sciences Young Scientist Award (2006)
• Overseas Postdoctoral Fellowship, NUS (2002 & 2003)
• Gold Medal of International Society of Plant Molecular Biology (2001)