Career Goal: “To make a significant contribution towards our understanding of plants.”

Research Interests: Plant molecular systematics, phylogenetics, the evolution of higher plants, plant morphology.

Experience & Skills

• Author/co-author of 25+ peer reviewed journal papers and book chapters.
• 20+ years laboratory bench experience in molecular and cell biology. Familiar with many molecular and non-molecular techniques including: manual/automated and radioactive/non-radioactive DNA sequencing; commercial (e.g. Affymetrix, Illumina) and spotted microarrays; use of RAPD markers and starch gel electrophoresis of isozymes for studying population genetics; PCR, cloning, and recombinant DNA techniques; scanning and transmission electron microscopy.
• 10+ years experience in the set up and management of various molecular biology laboratories. In-depth knowledge of current biosafety guidelines and practices including the use of laboratory animals.
• 8+ years teaching experience in undergraduate/graduate/public education. Specializing in the teaching of Introductory Biology/Botany courses and labs. Revised and updated the Plant Diversity lab exercises in the Introductory Biology 1B Lab Manual used at the University of Californa, Berkeley (required reading by 500+ biology majors each semester).
• 4+ years software/hardware experience mainly in the Apple Macintosh environment. Comprehensive knowledge of current computer and information technology usage. Able to troubleshoot/maintain Macintosh/PC hardware/software/networks and provide software/hardware technical support and instruction. Competent in BASIC, C, COBOL, Pascal, and HyperCard/SuperCard programming languages. Working knowledge of webpage design and development.

• Ph.D. Integrative Biology (2000), University of California, Berkeley. Dissertation: Molecular systematics of the goldfield genus Lasthenia (Compositae: Heliantheae sensu lato). Supervised by Dr. Bruce Baldwin & Dr. Robert Ornduff.
• M.S. Biology (1994), The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. Thesis: Molecular phylogenetic relationship of Hawaiian Tetramolopium species (Compositae) using DNA sequence data from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. Supervised by Dr. Timothy Lowrey & Dr. Donald Natvig.
• Graduate Dip. Systems Analysis (1990), Institute of Systems Science, National University of Singapore. Internship project: Performance and Evaluation of Personnel (PEP) System.
• B.Sc. Biology (1989), National University of Singapore. Final year zoology project: Aquatic macrofauna in the leaf axils of Alocasia macrorrhiza (Araceae) with special emphasis on Phytohelea grandis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).

• Laboratory Manager, Adigenics Pte. Ltd. Singapore (spinoff from KOOPrime). 2013–present.
• Scientific Consultant, KOOPrime Pte. Ltd. Singapore. 2012–2013.
• Associate Professor (Contract), Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. 2008–2009.
• Application Specialist, Microarray Centre, Biopolis Shared Facilities, Biomedical Sciences Institutes, Singapore. 2005–2008.
• Senior Research Scientist, Department of Experimental Surgery, Singapore General Hospital. 2004–2005.
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Botany, University of Hawaii at Manoa. 2001–2003.
• Lecturer, Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley. 2001.
• Graduate Student Instructor (Step IV), Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley. 1995–2000.
• Research Assistant, Department of Biology, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. 1993–1994.
• Teaching Assistant, Department of Biology, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. 1992.
• Software Engineer, Institute of Systems Science, National University of Singapore. 1990–1992.
• Research Technician, Department of Botany, National University of Singapore. 1989.
• Served two and a half years National Service in the army. 1984–1986. Outstanding Certificate of Service upon completion of service.

• Research Associate, Department of Botany, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. 2003–present.

• Short Term Visitor Fellowship, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. 2005.
• National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship, Department of Botany, University of Hawaii at Manoa. 2001–2003.
• Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor Teachign Award (Biology 1B), University of California, Berkeley. 2002.
• Summer Research Fellowships, Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley. 1997–99.
• Research grants from the Lawrence R. Heckard Endowment Fund, Jepson Herbarium, University of California, Berkeley. 1996 & 1998.
• California Native Plant Society (East Bay Chapter) Scholarship. 1996.
• Arthur Andersen Book Prize for Best Internship Project, Institute of Systems Science, National University of Singapore. 1990.

• Botanical Society of America. 2001–present.
• The International Compositate Alliance. 2000–present.
• American Society of Plant Taxonomists. 1998–present.
• California Botanical Society. 2000–2001.
• Completed Workshop on Molecular Evolution: Special Session on Phylogenetics by the Smithsonian Institution. 2009.
• Completed Biohazard Containment: Biosafety Level 3 Principles and Practices Training Course by the American Biological Safety Association. 2004.
• Conducted Jepson Herbarium Weekend Public Workshop on Basic Plant Morphology. 1999.
• Completed Radiation Safety Training conducted by The University of New Mexico. 1992.

• Admissions & Fellowships Committee, Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley. 1998.
• Computer Committee, Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley. 1996–98.
• Graduate Policy Committee, Department of Biology, The University of New Mexico. 1993–94.
• Computer Use Committee, Department of Biology, The University of New Mexico. 1992–94.
• Completed Junior Outbound School Course. Singapore. 1981.

Hobbies: N scale model railroading, classical music audiophile, and freshwater aquaria.

References: Research, teaching, and/or personal referees available upon request.