Daphne Ng, Ph.D.

Experience

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  National University of Singapore

  Jan 2007 - Jan 2014

  ● Supervised and mentored more than 10 undergraduate research projects in the Special Programme in Science. Some of the projects which I have mentored received best presentation awards. ● Representative supervised projects-Unphosphorylated SsrB Regulates Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium Biofilms-Understanding the molecular dynamics of bacterial biofilms-Origin of Ionising Radiation Resistant Bacteria● Conducted mentor training workshops and student recruitment interviews in SPS.● Co-supervised several research projects on the bioprospecting of natural compounds from endophytic microorganisms in plants● Published a commentary describing the achievement of improved learning outcomes in Life Science undergraduate research projects Show less

  • Teaching Assistant

    Jan 2010 - Jan 2014

  • Student Mentor

    Jan 2007 - Jan 2014
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  Ministry of Education, Singapore (MOE)

  Jan 2007 - Jan 2009

  Teacher Aide

  ● Conducted science enrichment workshops in Primary Schools.

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  Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory

  Jun 2007 - Jun 2008

  Research Intern

  ● Investigated the role of the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme on the pathogenicity of the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe Grisea● Performed gene knockouts by homologous recombination● Analysed pathogenicity of mutants by fluorescence microscopy and leaf infection assays● Skills-Fungal culture-Genetic engineering-Microscopy

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  Freelance science instructor

  Jan 2014 - Jan 2019

  Freelance Science Instructor

  I conducted science workshops in schools on an ad-hoc basis. In 2018, I designed and conducted a two-day workshop as part of the Temasek Foundation International Specialists' Community Action and Leadership Exchange at Nanyang Polytechnic on design thinking and how microbiology can solve environmental sustainability issues.

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  Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

  Dec 2014 - Feb 2019

  Before swapping the micropipette for the pen/keyboard, I was a researcher for a decade (including PhD). My scientific expertise inspires much of my technical and scientific writing.● Conducted research to investigate the microbiological, physical and chemical interactions which affect water quality in rock cavern water storage● Collaborated with the Singapore Public Utilities Board (PUB) to explore the feasibility of raw water storage in underground caverns in Singapore ● Provided recommendations to PUB on the management of the microbiological and physicochemical quality of water stored in underground caverns● Managed the Twitter account of Water Research, a journal of the International Water Association● Mentored and supervised undergraduate students. Several of my charges won University and School awards for their research projects which I have mentored.● Published research findings in leading journals and write research progress reports● Wrote research grant proposals● Presented research at progress meetings and conferences● Contributed to research grant administration and management ● Skills and expertise-Bioreactor design and construction-Microbiological and physicochemical water quality parameters monitoring-Molecular biology techniques e.g. PCR, qPCR-Microbial physiology and ecology-Production and degradation of microbial metabolites-Microbial culture kinetics-Modelling of microbial growth and decay kinetics-16S rRNA amplicon and metagenomics analyses-RNA sequencing and transcriptomic analysesTeaching and mentoring have always been close to my heart so I volunteered to mentor the next generation of scientists. ● Mentored Secondary School students in the Science Mentorship Programme (SMP). The project won a distinction award at the Youth Science Conference 2016.● Judge at the Singapore Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF) Show less

  • Research Fellow

    Jul 2015 - Feb 2019

  • Project Officer

    Dec 2014 - Jul 2015
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  Biotech Connection Singapore

  Dec 2017 - Dec 2019

  Communications Lead (volunteer)

  Biotech Connection Singapore (BCS) is a non-profit organisation that promotes and supports entrepreneurship in life sciences, biotech, medtech and healthcare. During my term as the founding Communications Lead, I started an article series on biotechnology and bioentrepreneurship (https://www.biotechconnection-sg.org/category/communications/). I also managed the editorial and communications matters in BCS. ● Managed editorial content and article series of BCS● Wrote and edited articles on bioentrepreneurship for the BCS website● Conducted interviews with biotechnology industry partners in exchange for corporate event sponsorship● Wrote post-event reviews for publication on the BCS website● Networked, managed and collaborated with guest writers● Edited official BCS correspondences for clarity as well as accuracy● Designed EDMs (electronic direct mailers) and campaigns to publicise BCS events to more than 2000 members● Prepared meeting minutes Show less

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  Freelance editor/writer

  Sept 2018 - Aug 2020

  Freelance writer and editor

  As a contributing content writer for several online platforms and science magazines, I wrote on a variety of exciting scientific topics. My articles and stories have been published by several science and mainstream media, including Forbes, Bitesize Bio and Asian Scientist Magazine.

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  Vela Diagnostics

  Mar 2019 - Aug 2020

  Technical Writer

  Working with various departments (product management, QARA and R&D) to obtain an in-depth understanding of oncology and infectious disease diagnostic assays, I wrote accurate and easy to understand product related documents (user manuals, product inserts, MSDS and factsheets) as well as managed the editorial content of the company newsletter and website● Wrote, edited and formatted technical documents according to Good Documentation Practices and in line with regulatory standards (e.g. US-FDA, CE-IVD, RUO) for infectious diseases (including COVID-19), and oncology diagnostic assays● Collated company news and managed the editorial content of the company newsletter, website (e.g. press releases), messages from the CEO and social media platforms (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)● Analysed existing and potential content, created and maintained the information architecture (document management system and website content management system)● Analysed and summarised trends in the medical diagnostics market for ease of understanding of researchers and establishment personnel● Reviewed, edited and standardised material prepared by researchers and establishment personnel Show less

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  Nanyang Technological University

  Aug 2020 - now

  Science Communication Lead

  I am always on the lookout for exciting research stories from NTU so NTU researchers in my network, please contact me at researchcomm@ntu.edu.sg if you would like to publicise your research! My stories have been covered by major international and local science and mainstream media outlets. ● Lead NTU's research communication portfolio to help the university engage with key audiences, including prospective students and faculty, the public, the NTU community, its supporters and stakeholders● Managing editor of the NTU Research Hub website that highlights outstanding research from NTU, and staff writer of Pushing Frontiers, NTU's research and innovation magazine● Editor of Quantum Leaps, an EDM that showcases the best of NTU's research, innovations and education initiatives● Unofficial scientific advisor of NTU's Corporate Communications Office ● Assess scientific impact and publicity potential of research publications from NTU, and generate content in line with business objectives● Analyse social media and web analytics to develop strategies and processes to communicate research from NTU● Write and publicise research stories for traditional and digital media, including multimedia packages such as infographics and videos ● Develop contacts with faculty and staff across the university as well as sources outside the university to generate new content ideas that showcase NTU's diverse range of research disciplines● Cultivate relationships with local and international media outlets, including science and trade magazines, and pitch stories to them● Identify trending topics and interview thought leaders to write thought leadership pieces● Contribute science and tech-related lifestyle stories to HEY!, NTU's award-winning student magazine● Conduct workshops on science communication Show less