The People Behind SMART DiSTAP: Amanda Ngoh Si Yi, Research Engineer

While the world races ahead with innovations in agriculture and sustainability, it's people like Amanda Ngoh who are quietly powering the breakthroughs behind the scenes. As a Research Engineer at the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) Disruptive & Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision (DiSTAP) interdisciplinary research group (IRG), Amanda spends most of her day at the lab bench — designing and testing silk microneedles that could one day transform how we grow and preserve food.

At work, she juggles data analysis, experimental design, and biological observations with quiet determination. Outside of the lab, she carves out time to recharge through table tennis, mahjong, and the occasional weekend sleep-in.

In this behind-the-scenes look, Amanda shares what drives her research, how she handles the unpredictable nature of lab work, and why her bucket list includes a road trip into the wilderness.

1. How do you typically start your day before work?

I typically start my day with a few stretches in bed to wake my body up before preparing for the day. I am not the biggest fan of coffee, so I will usually have a quick milo before heading out and grabbing something light from a bakery on the way to work. While commuting to work, I will usually be listening to music or scrolling through social media to keep myself updated with the latest news around the world.

2. What’s the first order of business when you get to SMART?

I will head straight to my desk to leave my things and proceed to the lab to check on the previous day’s or week’s experiments. After which, I will return to my desk to finish my breakfast before going through work emails and settling any outstanding administrative tasks needed for the day.

3. Take us through your work day at SMART. How much of your day is spent in your office vs. the lab?

Depending on the workload for the day, I usually spend at least 60% of my time in the lab, fabricating various types of silk microneedles for experiments, testing them on plants and collecting the relevant data & measurements needed. As these experiments concern the biological and physiological changes of the plant, the run-time is usually determined by the lifespan of the plant, and I find myself returning to the lab often throughout the week to check on them & take measurements accordingly. 

When I am not in the lab, I spend my time in the office processing & analysing data from ongoing experiments or reading journal articles for future experiments. I will then discuss the analysed data and findings with my colleagues for better evaluation of the results. This would help determine whether the data collected is sufficient or if further testing is required to obtain more conclusive results.

4. As a layperson, we often see scientists depicted in popular media having their ‘aha’ moments where they work on incredible technologies that change the world. Have you ever had an “aha” moment? 

Having joined without any background in plant biology and material science, my first ‘aha’ moment was during my first project where I was introduced to the concept of using microneedles to deliver compounds into plants to extend their shelf-life. This idea of using microneedles was novel to me and the ‘aha’ moment struck when I realised how much longer the plants could last with this new technology and the potential that it had in the field of food preservation.

5. Research can be unpredictable, with setbacks and challenges along the way. How do you handle obstacles or unexpected issues that arise during your workday?

I will take the time to go through the issue from start to end to better understand what went wrong and take the appropriate steps to correct the issue and prevent it from happening again. For more complex cases where I am unable to find a solution on my own, I will seek help from senior colleagues who may be more experienced or well-versed in the matter and apply their advice accordingly.

6. What advice do you have for young scientists beginning their careers?

I would say that while it is exciting and rewarding being at the forefront of novel discoveries and technologies, it is important to realise that such innovations are often the result of numerous trials & setbacks faced by others in the industry, and to not be discouraged if you ever find yourself in a similar situation. After all, research is a never-ending process of learning from past failures to drive future progress.

7. Where/what is your go-to lunch option during the workdays?

My usual go-to lunch options would either be the Thai food at the food court next to the office or the scrambled egg rice stall at the other food court at University Town (UTown), located within the National University of Singapore (NUS). If I had the time to travel outside of Utown for lunch, the chicken rice stall at the engineering food court would also have to be one of my favourites in NUS.

8. What are your weekends usually like? How do you spend your time outside of work?

Outside of work, I play table tennis weekly to keep myself active and enjoy an occasional mentally stimulating game of mahjong with friends and family. Other than spending time with friends and family, I will also aim to catch up on the much-needed sleep over the weekend to ensure that I am prepared and well-rested for the subsequent week’s activities.

9. How do you strike a balance between work, family/friends/close ones, and me-time?

I aim to ensure that my body is well-rested both mentally and physically to have sufficient energy to handle work, my social circle and me-time. Being an introvert, it is important that I allocate sufficient time for each activity in my schedule to prevent the risk of burning out and facing exhaustion throughout the week. With many priorities at hand, it is easy to feel overwhelmed, which is why I make it a point to dedicate at least one day each week entirely to myself, just to recharge.

10. If you had an extra hour in your day, what would you spend it doing?

I think I would spend it on reading. I still have quite a few books left on the shelves from when I was still a student and have not yet found the time to finish reading them. With my current schedule, it is hard to find a chunk of uninterrupted time to allow myself to be fully immersed in the content of the book. That extra hour would be the perfect opportunity to finally catch up on the stories and knowledge I’ve been meaning to read.

11. Can you share one thing that you’d love to do on your bucket list?

I would really love to be able to experience going on a scenic road trip with a campervan — just once, at least. Having lived in a city all my life, I haven’t had the opportunity to truly experience life outdoors in the wilderness and get the chance to explore lesser-known places. I recall going on trips to Genting Highland in Malaysia with my family when I was younger, and it was fun stopping by other cities, like Malacca & Kuala Lumpur, to be able to experience the local food and culture before reaching our destination. I’d love to relive that sense of adventure, but this time with an even more remote and nature-filled destination in mind.

12. What is one thing you can’t live without and why?

As cliché as it sounds, I’d have to say my phone. It helps me stay connected with friends and family through calls, messages, and social media, while also keeping me updated on what’s happening around the world. With countless apps at my fingertips, it’s become essential for everything from navigation — especially in unfamiliar places — to making payments on the go. In today’s world, leaving home without my phone feels like leaving behind a vital source of convenience, connection, and information.