OF KNOWLEDGE AND DEFENCE TECHNOLOGIES

NAME: Chan Luo Qi

DEGREE: SUTD-SMU Dual Degree Programme in Technology and Management (SUTD-SMU DDP), 2021

ROLE: Research Engineer

EMPLOYER: DSO National Laboratories

Growing up, I aspired to be a researcher as I thought it was cool. My internship at DSO was fulfilling, where I had an enriching time working with like-minded peers and mentors on interesting research topics such as molecular structure elucidation. Thereafter, I decided that I wanted to do research for the long term and joined DSO after graduation. For all aspiring researchers, I strongly advise you to try for an internship at DSO to better understand their work and culture!

THE HIGHS AND LOWS

Research is a field that is grounded in both theoretical and applied fields. It demands us to continuously update our knowledge and be cognisant of its potential applications. We need to be creative and at the same time, technically grounded, in order to come up with unique solutions that outdo state-of-the-art models. Challenging as research is, it is also very fulfilling. The thrill of trying out new solutions and the satisfaction of getting a solution to work is unrivalled. My colleagues also motivate me in my work, where the exchange of ideas and knowledge is open and dynamic.

My Happiest Moment At Work

Generally, research is a never-ending process; there are always more improvements to be made, or more solutions to try. However, it is always fulfilling to hit project milestones and watch a solution developed with your own hands. The culture at DSO allows us to direct our own research direction within project goals. The ability to take ownership of our work also accords a sense of accomplishment in our day-to-day work.

Some Advice

Start broad. In the beginning, it is more helpful to have an open mindset to learn and expand your areas of interest. As research is a fastmoving field, the ability to learn and apply quickly is important – picking up this habit early in your career is important.