High Impact Thesis

In this episode, we welcome Wu Tong, a Ph.D. candidate in Leadership, Management, and Organisation at NTU, whose research explores the family-work interface and the future of work. Tong shares insights from his current study on the social and psychological impact of "sharing good news"—why we do it, how others respond, and what it means for both personal and workplace relationships. He discusses the benefits for both sharers and receivers, highlights the influence of workplace culture and personality on disclosure, and outlines potential directions for future research. Tune in to learn how a simple act like sharing a success story can shape our connections at home and work.

In this episode, we speak with Michael Yuhas, a Ph.D. candidate in the Interdisciplinary Graduate Programme at Nanyang Technological University, whose research at the Energy Research Institute focuses on assured safety systems for autonomous vehicles. Michael shares how his industry experience at Apple and NIO shaped his academic path, and explains key concepts such as out-of-distribution detection and the challenges of validating AI-driven systems under unpredictable conditions like heavy rain. He also offers a glimpse into his daily Ph.D. routine and what it’s like doing research at the intersection of engineering, AI, and safety.

Dr. Suhas is a recent graduate from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from NTU. His research work focuses on preparing versatile wearable robots for rehabilitative purposes using metamaterials which give more control over its structure. He also discusses about robotics and various sensors utilized in his domain, the interesting application and relative ease provided by 3D printing prototypes and various state-of-the-art methods practiced in the area of rehabilitation. Tune in to experience his unique scholarly journey.

Dr. Ellice Wu is a recent graduate from the School of Humanities at Nanyang Technological University. Her research delves into the life and works of the renowned artist, painter, and academician Angelica Kauffman. In this episode, Ellice discusses how Kauffman’s self-portraits during her London period (1766–1781) reveal a complex interplay of identity, professionalism, and gender. She also touches on challenges encountered during the COVID-19 era and shares valuable methods for exploring and understanding artists like Kauffman and appreciating their contributions. Tune in for an inspiring insight into Ellice’s scholarly journey.

Lin Shicong (Vera) is a PhD candidate from the School of Humanities at Nanyang Technological University. Her research focused on children's literature and picturebooks, exploring early literacy, narratology, and book art. Specifically, she investigated how unconventional picturebooks, such as pop-up books and those with special materials or bindings, stimulate children's multisensory learning through the physicality of the book. Vera's approach involved collecting and categorizing novelty books from the global children's book market to examine their narrative devices. Apart from her PhD journey, she also discussed the challenges in understanding children's learning experiences in the digital era and their long-term impacts. Outside of her research, Vera shared her involvement with the TEDx community and her enjoyment of various sports. Join our discussion of Vera's journey throughout her PhD.

Dr Malik was a PhD candidate from the school of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at NTU. His research was on developing a high-performance Raman spectrometer using the less explored Raman excitation spectroscopy technique. This improved spectrometer essentially flips the operation of the excitation and detection modules for greater flexibility and optimization on both sides compared to conventional systems. Apart from his PhD journey, he also talks about his time as a host of this podcast and his interest with rock-climbing and generally staying fit.

Dr. Chan Wen Kiat is a PhD graduate from the School of Chemistry, Chemical and Biotechnology Engineering (CCEB). Dive deep into his groundbreaking research on perovskite superstructures and heterostructures for enhanced optical performance. Discover how his innovative work on hybrid perovskite materials and LnNP@perovskite heterostructures is paving the way for the next generation of high-efficiency solar cells and display technologies. Plus, get a glimpse into Dr. Wen Kiat's personal journey and perspective on the technology translation journey. Tune in for an episode that blends cutting-edge science with an inspiring personal narrative – it's one you won't want to miss!

Pak Hui Ying is a PhD candidate from the Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI), which is part of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Programme. With prior experience in water monitoring, her current research work delves on water turbidity monitoring using hyperspectral imagers mounted on drones. She discusses with us the practical issues of conducting field experiments in large water bodies, a necessary part of her prior and current research works. She also talks about several other topics including the sharing of research data to the public, “mental” blocks where new research ideas are difficult to materialize and methods to maintain work-life balance.

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Ahmed Hussein graduated with a PhD from the school of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE). He talks to us about the need and development of power converters that use multi-level switches that can convert power with several inputs and outputs in the same package at lower cost. He discusses factors such as circuit optimization, minimizing losses, and boosting power. We also go over the inception of this podcast and how to start your own successful student initiative with the school's support.

Follow the HIT Podcast on twitter @wowhitpod Reach out to the HIT Podcast Team on: [email protected]

Dr. Christoper Luwanga is a PhD graduate from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) and one of the founders of HIT podcast. Embark on a cosmic journey with Dr. Christopher Luwanga' research in space weather and ionosphere irregularity modeling. Discover how his work with machine learning is shaping the future of satellite communications. Plus, delve into Dr. Luwanga's personal journey and his mission to unveil the 'why' behind PhD research of students that translated into the HIT podcast. Tune in for a captivating blend of science and storytelling – it's an episode you won't want to miss!