TECH EXPERTS

Dr Li Xiaodong has been a Research Scientist in Advanced Materials Technology Centre (AMTC), Singapore Polytechnic since 2011. He has more than 10 years of research experience in solar cells, PV module recycling and solid waste management. In AMTC, he leads a technical group that focuses on clean technology and materials recycling research projects. As a Principal Investigator, he supported local SMEs and MNCs in carrying out multiple R&D and industry projects, and actively involved in prototype development. Dr Li specialises in solid waste recycling (photovoltaic (PV) modules, Li-ion battery, e-waste and incineration bottom ash); building materials development from recycled materials (silica aerogel from incineration bottom ash as thermal and acoustic insulator, sand substitute from plastic waste); functional coatings development (thermal insulation, fireproofing and waterproofing paints); and pilot scale process development (PV module recycling plant, aerogel fabrication plant). Dr Li obtained his PhD in Materials Science and MSc in Materials Engineering from the East China Normal University in Shanghai, China.

Dr Lim Zheng Bang is currently Research Scientist and Technology Group Leader of Advanced Materials Technology Centre (AMTC) at Singapore Polytechnic (SP), focusing on built environment projects with SMEs and large local enterprises in the area of green chemistry, electronics, waste recycling, and construction materials. He has led project teams to garner more than 10 externally and internally granted R&D projects worth more than S$2M. He has developed, implemented and managed over 30 industry collaborative projects with MNCs as well as SMEs, involving the above-mentioned research interests. These projects have generated 5 IPs as well as more than 10 technical solutions adopted by industries.

Dr Li Chunxiang is currently Senior Research Scientist and Technical Group Leader in Singapore Polytechnic with a strong academic and engineering background in chemistry and materials (inorganic, organic, nanomaterials and colloids). She has more than 20 years' experience in research and development of active ingredients and delivery system development, nanomaterials synthesis and applications and chemical compound synthesis. With her extensive research experiences in active ingredient extraction, encapsulation, fermentation, cosmetic efficacy testing and product formulation, she has successfully developed several commercial products containing active ingredients extracted from plant sources which were licensed to the industry. She has successfully secured S$17 million of research funds together with collaborators over the past ten years and has extensive experiences in successfully leading and managing the research projects.

Dr Song Sung Do has over 18 years of experience in senior management leadership, strategic development, business development, consulting, as well as sales and marketing. Dr Song has managed research, technology commercialisation and innovation in the agriculture, environmental sciences and chemical technology industries. Dr Song has 30 years of experience in crop science, and 20 years of experience in agriculture, horticulture and phytochemical ingredient science and technology. In addition, he has extensive knowledge in food production and process of agribusiness and environment - soil, weather and water - in both chemical and biological technology applications. Backed by comprehensive and practical working knowledge of Asia Pacific agriculture, bioenergy markets and industry trends, as well as a keen interest in a sustainable bio-based economy, Dr Song has successfully completed projects in agronomic, agro-ecological and land evaluation, farm construction, field evaluation, plant cultivation and optimisation for urban farming around South East Asia and China. Dr Song has a PhD in Agriculture and Environmental Sciences from Yeungnam University, Master of Science in Agronomy from Seoul National University, and an MBA from National University of Singapore.

Oh Tiong Keng is currently manager-in-charge of Autonomous Technology Innovation Centre at Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), focusing on autonomous-related projects with SMEs in the area of logistics, healthcare, facilities management, security and surveillance, hospitality, etc. He leads and develops AI & autonomous system solutions in the area of manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, security, etc. Prior to this, he was manager-in-charge of the Imaging Technology Centre and Machine Vision Centre at NYP, focusing on imaging-based applied R&D projects with industry in the area of machine vision, video analytics and real-time automated inspection, test and measurement systems, etc. He has led project teams to garner 9 externally and internally granted R&D projects worth more than S$1.7M. He has also developed, implemented and managed over 120 industry collaborative projects with SMEs and MNCs such as Seagate, Delphi Automotive, Rolls-Royce, Hoya Medical. Throughout his career, Tiong Keng has led many award-winning project teams such as the development of a patented depth-programmable self-floatation device, and an automatic 2-dimensional semiconductors package inspection system.

Dr. Narasimalu Srikanth is Programme Director and Senior Scientist leading the offshore renewables in ERI@N (Programme Partner - EcoLabs COI). He leads industrial research projects on offshore turbine development as well as floating solar and hybrid renewable energy systems. He also leads a joint industry program on offshore renewables comprising MNCs and SMEs focusing on relevant applied research needs to promote ocean renewables towards remote coastal and islandic regions and in structural health monitoring of assets in marine environment. He has been conducting environmental impact, structural integrity and asset health monitoring studies towards energy system deployment in remote islands of Southeast Asia and tropical belt region. Prior to joining NTU, he was Technical Director and Senior Specialist at Vestas Wind Energy Systems. He has more than 25 years of industrial experience leading research and development efforts in product and technology development at ASM Technology Singapore, Tata Engineering, etc. He has worked in a wide range of equipment and machinery building, product design for automotive, semiconductor packaging and in renewable energy industries. He has published more than 150 journal papers and 30 patents. His areas of research interest are product development, renewable systems, floating systems, advanced composites, additive manufacturing, failure analysis, asset health monitoring, machine learning, IOT system and environmental degradation studies.

Dr Ong Mei Horng is currently Adjunct Professor for the Food Science, Technology Department at NUS, and supporting the IPI Innovation Advisors Programme as a freelance consultant/mentor for Food & Beverage MNC, start-ups and SMEs. She has over 28 years of FMCG industry experience and know-how, having worked in food and beverage companies like Nestlé, Mars, Cadbury, F&N and Vitasoy, in Europe, Oceania and Asia. Dr Ong is also a certified Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI) assessor for digital and advanced manufacturing. Prior to this, she was the Director in the FMCG Cluster at Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre and led in the development and implementation of A*STAR's R&D strategies. She developed the FMCG membership consortium ecosystem with local and global companies to facilitate public-private partnerships in Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering. She was also the principal investigator responsible for designing and curating the world's first Next Generation Hyper-Personalisation Line for Future of Manufacturing (FoM) to offer Industry 4.0, digital, automated and intelligent systems for the food sector. She was Chief Scientific Officer of F&N Ltd, where she focused on R&D and Manufacturing strategies by building R&D/Technical Teams, delivering innovative and sustainable products/services and developing advanced processing, affordable, quality, health and technology platforms. As a recognition for her contribution for food research and industries, Dr Ong was elected as a council member for Singapore Institute of Food Science and Technology 42nd Council in June 2018. She was an active member of the Singapore Standard Development.

A/Prof Jack Wong has over 20 years of experience in regulatory, quality, clinical trial and pharmacovigilance in Asia, for medical devices, pharmaceuticals, nutritional, consumer healthcare and biological products. He has received awards on improving processes, including reducing 20% of time required for a product launch, and grooming people to contribute to their fullest ability. A/Prof Wong plays a leading role among all the regional regulatory professionals in the Asian Harmonisation Working Party (AHWP). He has developed the first Asia Regulatory Affairs Certificate course, which has been held since 2007 with over 2800 students from the industry, government and universities. A/Prof Wong is the founder of ARPA, which was established in 2010 with over 3600 members to date. He also wrote the first Asian regulatory book, ”Handbook of Medical Device Regulatory Affairs in Asia: Second Edition”. A/Prof Wong has a Six Sigma Black Belt certified by International Association For Six Sigma Certification (IASSC); the license as a Qualified Auditor of ISO 13485, Japanese Regulations for Medical Devices; and qualifications as an ISO 9000 Lead Auditor by British Standards Institution (BSI).

With over 30 years of experience in the luxury cosmetics, skincare and personal care industry in Europe and Asia, Domenico Balassi possesses a deep understanding of the industry on a local and global scale. He is now part of a team of consultants, located in Singapore and Milan, that provides companies with support to expand their businesses between Asia and Europe through different segments, such as advising on product regulatory and registration, designing the right strategy and finding the best opportunities. Domenico offers a single point of contact for manufacturers and brand owners in Singapore to help facilitate their product registration in the European Union.