I was initially unfamiliar with engineering concepts and technical jargon. With guidance from my supervisors, I gradually developed an understanding of the work I was doing – beyond what I learnt as an Applied Chemistry student. I also operated 3D printers, optimised printing parameters, and performed mechanical and materials characterisation using techniques such as tensile testing, rheology, and polarised optical microscopy.

I did not always produce immediate experiment results at the start of my internship too, and troubleshooting could take days or weeks. With encouragements from my supervisors and colleagues, I practised thinking critically and approached setbacks as learning opportunities. Working alongside researchers and fellow interns from diverse backgrounds, I also gained a lot from their generous exchange of knowledge and interpretations.

Besides experimental work, I also contributed to manuscript writing – and am excited that one of the papers would be published in Advanced Functional Materials, a highly reputable scientific journal publication! This is an achievement for any science student! These experiences, be it presenting my research or solving complex problems, strengthened both my hard and soft skills and gave me insight into the rigour, responsibility, and discipline required in a professional research setting.

My internship at A*STAR IMRE challenged me intellectually, pushed me beyond my comfort zone, and affirmed my ability to contribute meaningfully as a young researcher. I am now more resilient, independent, and confident in my abilities. I also learnt that impactful research is rarely a one-man show. What truly matters is not one's individual intelligence or accolades, but the ability to collaborate and work effectively with others.