What's the image of a scientist in your head?

If you were to ask someone to draw a scientist, most likely you would get a picture of a man with frizzy hair, crazy expression, wearing a white lab coat, and holding a test-tube.

Something like this:

 

Albert Einstein

Or this:

Charles Darwin

Even well known TV science presenters like physicist Dr Brian Cox and naturalist Sir David Attenborough could not debunk the impression that people have of scientists.

Well, let's set things straight.

Myth #1: Scientists are men

Dr Rosalind Franklin, British Biophysicist and X-ray crystallographer, made critical contribution to the understanding of the structure of DNA.

Myth #2: Scientists are ugly

 

Dr Kevin Eggan, associate professor of stem cell and regenerative medicine at Harvard, was featured in People Magazine as one of the sexiest men alive!

Myth #3: Scientists are geek freaks who only know science

Leonardo Da Vinci was an expert mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, painter, sculptor, architect, botanist, musician and writer. Nuff said. 

One point I can't debunk though, is that scientists are indeed, CRAZY.

Institute christmas party 2006

Institute christmas party 2007

Labmates and I at "bad taste" party 2011

10 years of science scholarship

Today, the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) celebrates its 10th year of giving out scholarships to young Singaporeans.

Guest of honor: Minister for Education Mr Heng Swee Keat giving his speech

I felt rather nostalgic looking at these young scholars receiving their awards.


10 years ago, I received the A*STAR National Science Scholarship, which paid for
1) My undergraduate studies in the US

Freshman year bonfire!

and

2) PhD studies in the UK

Rowing for Cambridge May Bumps

And now I am back in Singapore serving out THE BOND.


Of course, there have been times when I doubted my decision to take up the scholarship. Hey, I was only 19 when I signed my life away! But as the saying goes, "the grass is not always greener on the other side, but greener where you water it". 

This scholarship gave me the chance to study at top universities, let me spend the prime of my youth overseas, and took care of me financially. Importantly, I have an interesting job now and am optimistic about future career prospects.

For all of that, I thank A*STAR (and Singapore taxpayers' money!) for helping me get to where I am today.

So, thank you, and happy 10th anniversary.