biotechnology

Science and Research Have Trends Too. I Think It's Problematic. This is Why.

In view of the current pandemic, I imagined that there would be a surge of interest in the fields of microbiology and immunology.

And there was. To a certain extent.

Unfortunately, unlike about 15 years ago, biology and biotechnology are no longer ‘trendy’.

It’s most visible in the way the term STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is used by schools (in Singapore) today.

Today, it is almost always used to refer to AI, programming, and robotics.

And if this is what the students grow up with, they will continue to automatically associate STEM with these areas.

There is no doubt that these are important fields to advance in and educate the next generation in.

At the same time, I wonder why there is so much focus on them and so few resources dedicated to other areas of STEM - chemical sciences, biological sciences, etc.

And then, I heard a comment on a program on TV that mentioned that science, like all other fields, goes through trends. And this happens because the scientific landscape is heavily influenced by the mighty dollar.

Whatever makes money becomes what the scientific community is pushed towards.

This is why I have great respect for scientists who work in fields that are “non-money-making”.

Think scientists deep in the rainforests collecting and cataloguing beetles, or out for weeks at a time on research vessels peering at fuzzy screens for signs of elusive denizens of the deep, or maintaining and attempting to grow endangered plants.

They may be poking into the quantum mysteries of the universe, tinkering with substances to come up with better insulating material for jackets, even testing new ways of preparing bouncy, sustainable fishballs.

Some research seems mundane, others feel incomprehensible.

Whatever the case, I feel that science should really be less about money and more about exploration and testing.

Yes, by all means bolster efforts to advance in the "current" things, but give some coverage and attention to the other areas of science as well.

There are so many, you'll never run out of things to be awed by and fascinated with.

I Started My Training Journey in the Life Sciences. I Intend to Continue the Journey.

In the numerous networking events I've attended, after telling others what I do now, many of them have asked how I started as a trainer.

I tell them that I started by training in the topic I studied - Biotechnology - in the Secondary School I graduated from - Chung Cheng High School (Main) [CCHMS].

Life Sciences in Schools - Singapore - Microbiology 01
Life Sciences in School - Singapore - Microbiology 02

And I'm still teaching it in different schools across Singapore for two simple reasons: I love the subject and I love what I do - inspiring minds (especially young ones) through a complicated-sounding topic introduced in an easy-to-digest way.

Yes, doing public workshops, conducting corporate training, and having speaking engagements are all fantastic and well-paying.

Life Sciences in School - Singapore - Heart Dissection 01

That said, I want to stay rooted to my beginnings, especially considering how 'perfect' the combination was. As long as there is a demand for education in the life sciences, I want to be a part of it.

Life Sciences in School - Singapore - DNA and Genetics 01