I grew up in Singapore, born to an average family and possessing merely average ambitions. While I had some talent for science and math, I was never a particularly motivated student, nor a particularly remarkable one. My life really changed only in college, when I got a job with one professor who was willing to hire a freshman with no experience. I was given the chance to work on a really difficult project, but I relished the challenge, enjoyed the work, and developed a lifelong love for science. I loved it so much, I continued working for that professor throughout college: juggling daytime classes, evening practices with an a cappella group (that I started together with Yin), and late nights in the lab.
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with several degrees in Chemistry and Materials Science, I worked briefly for a research lab in Singapore, then went on to receive a PhD in Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology. After that, I started a company to continue the work I did at Caltech. Today, we are commercializing energy harvesting technology to convert heat into electricity, in order to power everything from consumer wearables to industrial sensors. My college professor's bet on me taught me that opportunity is the most valuable gift that one can receive, and I've since wanted to give back in any way I can. I'm looking forward to helping young engineers and scientists develop their own lifelong passion for science and technology. |