I2R researcher wins Singapore Youth Award for Science and Technology

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Dr Victor Tong Joo Chuan is recognised for his ground-breaking research to ‘custom’ design vaccines

Singapore, 1 July 2009 – Dr Victor Tong Joo Chuan, a researcher at A*STAR’s Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R), has won the “Singapore Youth Award” for his research work on computational immunology in the Science and Technology category. This is the third time that an I2R researcher has clinched the Singapore Youth Award since 1999.

Dr Tong’s expertise in immunoinformatics, an emerging area where computational methods are applied to problems in immunology, has earned him national recognition in the Life Sciences field. He has also been recognised globally by being the recipient of 2008 MIT’s TR35 award in August 2008. He has reviewed and edited scientific papers for more than 10 scientific journals and publications, and was invited to speak at 17 conferences and symposiums.

As a passionate scientist, Dr Tong has mentored 51 students from the Ministry of Education’s Science Mentorship Programme, A*STAR’s Young Researchers Attachment Programme and Polytechnics’ Industrial Attachment Programme, National University of Singapore (NUS)’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program in Science (UROPS) and Honours Year Project out of which 12 went on to receive awards. Dr Tong’s dedication is also evident through his voluntary provision of guidance and training through online delivery mechanism to more than 300 international and regional students.

Professor Lye Kin Mun, Deputy Executive Director (Research) said, “Congratulations to Dr. Tong on being so greatly honoured! I2R is jubilant that Dr. Tong is recognised for his contribution to the betterment of the quality of life in Singapore by way of his outstanding research. This further reinforces the quality of research from I2R especially from its younger staff. The local and global recognition accorded to our work in finding practical solutions to everyday problems is very gratifying.”

The National Youth Service Award was instituted in 1975 to acknowledge young men and women with the drive and commitment to look beyond themselves, to strive for personal excellence and contribute significantly to the quality of life in Singapore. These young people are opening new horizons for all young Singaporeans and hence deserve commendation. These five categories were community development and youth services, science and technology, arts and culture, sports and adventure, entrepreneurship.

Dr. Tong will be receiving his award at a ceremony in the Istana on 5th July.

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Background

About Institute for Infocomm Research
The Institute for Infocomm Research (I²R - pronounced as i-squared-r) is a member of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) family. Established in 2002, our mission is to be the globally preferred source of innovations in `Interactive Secured Information, Content and Services Anytime Anywhere’ through research by passionate people dedicated to Singapore’s economic success.
I²R performs R&D in information, communications and media (ICM) technologies to develop holistic solutions across the ICM value chain. Our research capabilities are in information technology, wireless and optical communication networks, interactive and digital media; signal processing and computing. We seek to be the infocomm and media value creator that keeps Singapore ahead. Website: www.i2r.a-star.edu.sg

About Singapore Youth Award
The SYA is the highest national youth accolade conferred upon youths in Singapore who have excelled in their fields of endeavour and have contributed significantly to the community. Instituted in 1975 by the government, the SYA, formerly known as National Youth Service Award, seeks to acknowledge inspiring young achievers with the drive and commitment to look beyond themselves, to strive for personal excellence and who by doing so, contribute significantly to the community in Singapore. A member of the Public Service Commission heads the SYA Selection Panel to give the award national prestige. http://sya.sg