The repro Lab crew
Principal Investigator
Dr. Nalini Puniamoorthy
PhD. MSc. BSc.(Hons)
Academic qualifications
2017- Asst. Professor (National University of Singapore, NUS)
2013-2017 Postdoc (Syracuse University, University of Zurich)
2008-2013 PhD (University of Zurich)
2006-2008 MSc (NUS)
2002-2006 BSc (Hons) (NUS)
Contact information
Tel: +65 65162852
Email: nalini@nus.edu.sg
Google Scholar page
2017- Asst. Professor (National University of Singapore, NUS)
2013-2017 Postdoc (Syracuse University, University of Zurich)
2008-2013 PhD (University of Zurich)
2006-2008 MSc (NUS)
2002-2006 BSc (Hons) (NUS)
Contact information
Tel: +65 65162852
Email: nalini@nus.edu.sg
Google Scholar page
Following her undergraduate education in Singapore, Nalini spent 10 years in Europe, Central and North America pursuing her graduate and postdoctoral research in evolutionary biology. She has been a recipient of funding from various organizations, including NUS, the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and the University of Zurich. She is now back home as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biological Sciences, NUS and is leading the research in the Reproductive Evolution Lab. She is also part of NERI - the NUS Environmental Research Institute.
Nalini has always been interested in sexual selection and the not-so-private lives of insects. She has published several well cited papers in high quality scientific journals on the evolutionary diversification of reproductive characters across lineages. Her current research focuses on how selection on pre- and postcopulatory traits can vary among widespread populations and the consequences such variation can have for speciation.
Nalini has also been actively involved in outreach and science education throughout her career. She has given talks to young students and the larger public, aimed at engaging more people in scientific discourse. She is also passionate about teaching and has been the recipient of the Faculty Teaching Excellence Awards twice. She is currently the course coordinator for LSM 1301 (General Biology), LSM 2107 (Evolutionary Biology) as well as LSM4259 (Evolutionary Genetics of Reproduction). Additionally, she is a regular guest lecturer for BL5313 (Food Security and Sustainability) and SP2201 (Agri-Science in Japan and Singapore).
Nalini has always been interested in sexual selection and the not-so-private lives of insects. She has published several well cited papers in high quality scientific journals on the evolutionary diversification of reproductive characters across lineages. Her current research focuses on how selection on pre- and postcopulatory traits can vary among widespread populations and the consequences such variation can have for speciation.
Nalini has also been actively involved in outreach and science education throughout her career. She has given talks to young students and the larger public, aimed at engaging more people in scientific discourse. She is also passionate about teaching and has been the recipient of the Faculty Teaching Excellence Awards twice. She is currently the course coordinator for LSM 1301 (General Biology), LSM 2107 (Evolutionary Biology) as well as LSM4259 (Evolutionary Genetics of Reproduction). Additionally, she is a regular guest lecturer for BL5313 (Food Security and Sustainability) and SP2201 (Agri-Science in Japan and Singapore).
Research Fellows
Academic qualifications
2022- Senior Research Fellow (NUS)
2015-2022 Research Fellow (NUS)
2012-2015 Post-Doctoral Research Associate (Univ. of Rochester)
2007-2012 PhD (Bangor University)
2022- Senior Research Fellow (NUS)
2015-2022 Research Fellow (NUS)
2012-2015 Post-Doctoral Research Associate (Univ. of Rochester)
2007-2012 PhD (Bangor University)
Contact information
Email: dbsmrin@nus.edu.sg
Email: dbsmrin@nus.edu.sg
Dr. Mrinalini Walter | PhD. MSc.
Mrinalini is a Senior Research Fellow specializing in bioinformatics and integration of multiple ‘omics fields. She is an evolutionary ecologist and works on genomics, functional genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics of diverse animals. She joined NUS after completing her first postdoctoral position at the University of Rochester. She provides expert consultation for high-throughput sequencing projects and has substantial experience in teaching in these areas.
Mrinalini has received several awards and grants throughout her career. When she’s not wrangling data, she is a field biologist and has conducted field expeditions all over the world. She is also an avid wildlife photographer and traveller.
Mrinalini has received several awards and grants throughout her career. When she’s not wrangling data, she is a field biologist and has conducted field expeditions all over the world. She is also an avid wildlife photographer and traveller.
Academic qualifications
2025- Research Fellow (NUS)
2021- 2025 PhD (NUS)
2017-2020 MSc. (SDU, China)
2017-2013 BSc. (SDU, China)
Contact information
zqihui@nus.edu.sg
2025- Research Fellow (NUS)
2021- 2025 PhD (NUS)
2017-2020 MSc. (SDU, China)
2017-2013 BSc. (SDU, China)
Contact information
zqihui@nus.edu.sg
Dr. Zhang Qihui | PhD.
Qi-Hui, one of Reprolab’s proud alumni, is returning as a Research Fellow and joining a joint New Zealand–Singapore collaboration with Scion, Plant & Food Research, A*STAR, and NUS to advance black soldier fly bioconversion for high-value bioactives. She is also gaining experience in developing automated larvae-rearing units and looks forward to connecting with others in related fields. She has a strong interest in evolutionary biology and reproductive behaviours, which formed the core of her PhD research.
Outside of work, she stays active through rock climbing and workouts with friends, and she never misses a chance to join a card game.
She had also won best poster award for SSC 2025.
Outside of work, she stays active through rock climbing and workouts with friends, and she never misses a chance to join a card game.
She had also won best poster award for SSC 2025.
Research AssistantS
Academic qualifications
2024- Research Assistant
2022- 2024 - MSc (Forensic science), NUS
2018 - 2022 BTech( Bioinformatics), SASTRA University (India)
2024- Research Assistant
2022- 2024 - MSc (Forensic science), NUS
2018 - 2022 BTech( Bioinformatics), SASTRA University (India)
Contact information
Email: g_priyaa@nus.edu.sg
Email: g_priyaa@nus.edu.sg
Govindhapriya Muthukumar | MSc. BTech
Priya started out decoding proteins and mutations during her undergrad as a bioinformatics major, before crime documentaries lured her into a Master’s in Forensic Science at NUS.
As a Research Assistant at ReproLab, she develops Oxford Nanopore-based methods and bioinformatics pipelines for insect metabarcoding, microbial screening, and insect microbiome studies, combining wet-lab techniques with bioinformatics to tackle challenges in species identification and biosurveillance.
Outside the lab, Priya can usually be found frolicking by the beach or hunting for new cafés. She has an unapologetic coffee obsession—if you spot her in the lab with her third cup, it’s best to admire from a safe distance.
As a Research Assistant at ReproLab, she develops Oxford Nanopore-based methods and bioinformatics pipelines for insect metabarcoding, microbial screening, and insect microbiome studies, combining wet-lab techniques with bioinformatics to tackle challenges in species identification and biosurveillance.
Outside the lab, Priya can usually be found frolicking by the beach or hunting for new cafés. She has an unapologetic coffee obsession—if you spot her in the lab with her third cup, it’s best to admire from a safe distance.
Academic qualifications
2021- Research Assistant
2010 - 2013 BSc.
Contact information
Email: dbspu@nus.edu.sg
2021- Research Assistant
2010 - 2013 BSc.
Contact information
Email: dbspu@nus.edu.sg
Phira Unadirekkul | BSc.
Phira has always been interested in conservation and sustainability, that is what led him to pursue a degree in life science. After graduating, he worked at Gardens by the Bay as a researcher focusing on horticultural pests and urban biodiversity for four years. He later joined NUS as a research assistant working with black soldier flies, where he hopes to learn more about these amazing insects and how they can help address food-waste and food security issues in Singapore.
During his spare time, Phira enjoys exploring nature trails and parks with his wife and two children. He also pursues other interests such as nature photography, making terrariums, breeding ornamental fish and shrimp, and keeping ant farms. He is currently trying to learn the basics of 3D modelling, so that he can 3D-print nests for his ants in the future.
During his spare time, Phira enjoys exploring nature trails and parks with his wife and two children. He also pursues other interests such as nature photography, making terrariums, breeding ornamental fish and shrimp, and keeping ant farms. He is currently trying to learn the basics of 3D modelling, so that he can 3D-print nests for his ants in the future.
Academic qualifications
2025 - Research Assistant
2021- 2025 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Contact information
Email: Yong_Xun_Liang@nus.edu.sg
2025 - Research Assistant
2021- 2025 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Contact information
Email: Yong_Xun_Liang@nus.edu.sg
Yong Xun Liang | BSc. (Hons) Dip.
Xun Liang joined the lab as a 2nd year undergraduate majoring in Life Sciences. After completing his UROPS in sepsid flies, he continued staying in Reprolab as a Research Assistant working on mosquitoes.
He likes to spend his free time walking around parks and being around nature with his friends. At home, he enjoys watching documentaries with his family. He has a weird habit of staring at ants as they interact with each other and go about their lives. Unfortunately, ant keeping is out of his ability because his parents will scream at him to throw them away.
He likes to spend his free time walking around parks and being around nature with his friends. At home, he enjoys watching documentaries with his family. He has a weird habit of staring at ants as they interact with each other and go about their lives. Unfortunately, ant keeping is out of his ability because his parents will scream at him to throw them away.
Clara Chiang | BSc. (Hons).
Clara completed her Final Year Project (FYP) in the lab, investigating polyandry rates in wild Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus populations in Singapore. Her work involved dissecting over 200 mosquitoes to isolate spermathecae and female tissue, followed by capillary electrophoresis (CE) and Geneious-based analyses to quantify polyandry rates. She graduated in 2025 with a major in Life Sciences and a minor in Aquatic Ecology.
Clara subsequently joined the lab as a Research Assistant. Her current research focuses on black soldier flies, including the characterization of antimicrobial peptides in their gut microbiome and the nutritional profiling of larvae across developmental stages and dietary treatments.
When not in the lab, Clara will be off the grid, and into the mountains, where she will become one with nature, and contemplate the workings of the universe.
Academic qualifications
2026 - Research Assistant
2021- 2025 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Contact information
Email :clarachiang@nus.edu.sg
graduate Students
Academic qualifications
2022- PhD. (NUS)
2020-2022 Research Assistant
2016-2020 BSc.(Hons) Distinction in Life Sciences (NUS)
2022- PhD. (NUS)
2020-2022 Research Assistant
2016-2020 BSc.(Hons) Distinction in Life Sciences (NUS)
Contact information
Email: e0030862@u.nus.edu
Email: e0030862@u.nus.edu
Tyrone Tan Ren Hao | BSc. (Hons)
Tyrone is a Life Science Graduate from NUS and is embarking on the next step of his research journey. Having taken a UROPS in studying how aggressiveness of jumping spiders affected their sexual selection, it reignited his interest in arthropods and insects. He went on to carry out his final year project in forensic entomology where he charted the developmental rate of blow flies to predict the minimum time of death of a body.
He yearns to develop his laboratory skills further and raise awareness of our need for biodiversity and especially insect biodiversity. In his free time, he takes care of his pet ant colony and gets enthralled watching them go about their day.
He had also won second best poster award for the ESA-ESC Conference.
He yearns to develop his laboratory skills further and raise awareness of our need for biodiversity and especially insect biodiversity. In his free time, he takes care of his pet ant colony and gets enthralled watching them go about their day.
He had also won second best poster award for the ESA-ESC Conference.
Ding Huicong | BSc. (Hons)
Huicong’s undergraduate final-year project on Wolbachia in wild-caught mosquitoes sparked his interest in insect vector research and the use of genetic approaches to understand vector biology and disease transmission. After completing his bachelor’s degree, he took on a research officer position at the National Environment Agency (NEA), where he further developed his entomological research skills. During his time at NEA, he documented the biodiversity of sand flies in Singapore and became aware of how limited biological and ecological knowledge of these medically important insects can constrain disease surveillance and control efforts.
Now returning to academia, he intends to further his research on sand flies under the supervision of Dr Nalini Puniamoorthy (Singapore) and Dr Jérôme Depaquit (France). His research aims to integrate genomic approaches and laboratory comparative experiments to clarify their disease transmission roles in Southeast Asia.
Academic qualifications
2026- : PhD
2016-2020: BES (Hons) (NUS)
Email: ding.huicong@u.nus.edu
Ding Huicong | BSc. (Hons)
Huicong’s undergraduate final-year project on Wolbachia in wild-caught mosquitoes sparked his interest in insect vector research and the use of genetic approaches to understand vector biology and disease transmission. After completing his bachelor’s degree, he took on a research officer position at the National Environment Agency (NEA), where he further developed his entomological research skills. During his time at NEA, he documented the biodiversity of sand flies in Singapore and became aware of how limited biological and ecological knowledge of these medically important insects can constrain disease surveillance and control efforts.
Now returning to academia, he intends to further his research on sand flies under the supervision of Dr Nalini Puniamoorthy (Singapore) and Dr Jérôme Depaquit (France). His research aims to integrate genomic approaches and laboratory comparative experiments to clarify their disease transmission roles in Southeast Asia.
Academic qualifications
2026- : PhD
2016-2020: BES (Hons) (NUS)
Email: ding.huicong@u.nus.edu
Huicong’s undergraduate final-year project on Wolbachia in wild-caught mosquitoes sparked his interest in insect vector research and the use of genetic approaches to understand vector biology and disease transmission. After completing his bachelor’s degree, he took on a research officer position at the National Environment Agency (NEA), where he further developed his entomological research skills. During his time at NEA, he documented the biodiversity of sand flies in Singapore and became aware of how limited biological and ecological knowledge of these medically important insects can constrain disease surveillance and control efforts.
Now returning to academia, he intends to further his research on sand flies under the supervision of Dr Nalini Puniamoorthy (Singapore) and Dr Jérôme Depaquit (France). His research aims to integrate genomic approaches and laboratory comparative experiments to clarify their disease transmission roles in Southeast Asia.
Academic qualifications
2026- : PhD
2016-2020: BES (Hons) (NUS)
Email: ding.huicong@u.nus.edu
Undergraduate Students
Isaac Lung Jia Cheng
Isaac is a final-year undergraduate majoring in Life Sciences with a minor in bioinformatics. He is interested in insect evolution and speciation. For his Final Year Project, Isaac will use DNA barcoding and geometric morphometrics to resolve species limits in closely related and/or cryptic sandflies in Southeast Asia. In his spare time, Isaac enjoys reading fiction and staying healthy.
Academic qualifications
2023 - BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Isaac is a final-year undergraduate majoring in Life Sciences with a minor in bioinformatics. He is interested in insect evolution and speciation. For his Final Year Project, Isaac will use DNA barcoding and geometric morphometrics to resolve species limits in closely related and/or cryptic sandflies in Southeast Asia. In his spare time, Isaac enjoys reading fiction and staying healthy.
Academic qualifications
2023 - BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Academic qualifications
2023- BES. (Hons) (NUS)
2023- BES. (Hons) (NUS)
Leo Tan Yong Kang
Leo is a third year undergraduate student currently majoring in Environmental Studies, with a minor in Life Science. Having initially entered the lab with a budding interest in the diversity of insects (Diptera in particular), he was introduced to the intriguing world of evolutionary biology through his UROPS project, where he focused on delimiting the species boundaries of a widespread dung fly, Sepsis punctum. Here, he learnt that uncovering intraspecific differences between populations can paint a picture on how species evolve over time. Currently, he maintains the dung fly cultures in the lab, and is working actively on pursuing his research interests on morphometrics and sexual selection in sepsids.
For his FYP, he will be focusing on the mechanisms of sexual selection in Sepsis thoracica, where males experience strong disruptive sexual selection. Outside of science, he is interested in keeping himself active through running and the gym, as well as enjoying (too many) nice cup(s) of iced coffee from the Frontier canteen!
For his FYP, he will be focusing on the mechanisms of sexual selection in Sepsis thoracica, where males experience strong disruptive sexual selection. Outside of science, he is interested in keeping himself active through running and the gym, as well as enjoying (too many) nice cup(s) of iced coffee from the Frontier canteen!
Chin Wei Ling
Wei Ling is a third-year Life Sciences undergraduate with a second major in public health. With her 1-year experience in technical ceramics and emotional research, she hopes to provide sincere assistance and contributions to Reprolab. Beyond labwork, she's on a quest to unlock as many hobbies as she can and go on walks with her dog!
Academic qualifications
2023- Bsc. (Hons) (NUS)
Wei Ling is a third-year Life Sciences undergraduate with a second major in public health. With her 1-year experience in technical ceramics and emotional research, she hopes to provide sincere assistance and contributions to Reprolab. Beyond labwork, she's on a quest to unlock as many hobbies as she can and go on walks with her dog!
Academic qualifications
2023- Bsc. (Hons) (NUS)
Zhang Ziyu Joanna
Joanna is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Life Sciences. She has always been curious about lives and the creatures leading them on this planet in general and over the course of her studies, she has developed interest particularly in evolution and animal behaviours. Outside school, she takes part in theatre performances and also spends what she claims to be an atrocious amount of time staring into space.
Academic qualifications :
2023 - BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Joanna is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Life Sciences. She has always been curious about lives and the creatures leading them on this planet in general and over the course of her studies, she has developed interest particularly in evolution and animal behaviours. Outside school, she takes part in theatre performances and also spends what she claims to be an atrocious amount of time staring into space.
Academic qualifications :
2023 - BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Spencer Lee Ye Xian
Spencer is a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in Life Sciences. He developed an interest in evolutionary biology through an appreciation for its concept-rich nature and the way it encourages questioning established ideas and probing the limits of current understanding. In particular, he is interested in evolutionary genetics and how genetic processes shape patterns of evolution across organisms. Rather than focusing on any specific species, he is broadly fascinated by evolutionary biology as a whole. For his Final Year Project at the Reproduction & Evolution Lab, he looks forward to exploring evolutionary questions in greater depth. Outside of science, he enjoys reading, watching interesting (and often random) YouTube recommendations, and playing mahjong.
Academic qualifications
2023 - Bsc. (Hons) (NUS)
Spencer is a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in Life Sciences. He developed an interest in evolutionary biology through an appreciation for its concept-rich nature and the way it encourages questioning established ideas and probing the limits of current understanding. In particular, he is interested in evolutionary genetics and how genetic processes shape patterns of evolution across organisms. Rather than focusing on any specific species, he is broadly fascinated by evolutionary biology as a whole. For his Final Year Project at the Reproduction & Evolution Lab, he looks forward to exploring evolutionary questions in greater depth. Outside of science, he enjoys reading, watching interesting (and often random) YouTube recommendations, and playing mahjong.
Academic qualifications
2023 - Bsc. (Hons) (NUS)
Tan Chin Qi Braden
Braden is a final year undergraduate at the National University of Singapore pursuing a concurrent degree in Life Sciences and a Master’s programme in Smart Industries and Digital Transformation. His interests lie in bioinformatics and microbial ecology, and he has previously gained experience in cloud infrastructure, genomic data processing, and bioinformatics workflows through an internship at Illumina. For his Final Year Project, Braden is conducting a metabarcoding study to compare microbial communities in wild-caught and laboratory-reared mosquitoes using Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencing, with the aim of establishing baseline microbial profiles to support vector biology and symbiont-based research. Outside of the lab, he speaks Swedish and is kept busy splitting his time between Stockholm and Singapore.
Academic qualifications
2022- Bsc, concurrent degree -Msc (Smart Industries and Digital Transformation) (NUS)
Braden is a final year undergraduate at the National University of Singapore pursuing a concurrent degree in Life Sciences and a Master’s programme in Smart Industries and Digital Transformation. His interests lie in bioinformatics and microbial ecology, and he has previously gained experience in cloud infrastructure, genomic data processing, and bioinformatics workflows through an internship at Illumina. For his Final Year Project, Braden is conducting a metabarcoding study to compare microbial communities in wild-caught and laboratory-reared mosquitoes using Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencing, with the aim of establishing baseline microbial profiles to support vector biology and symbiont-based research. Outside of the lab, he speaks Swedish and is kept busy splitting his time between Stockholm and Singapore.
Academic qualifications
2022- Bsc, concurrent degree -Msc (Smart Industries and Digital Transformation) (NUS)
Sebastian Lee
Sebastian is a third-year student majoring in the Life Sciences who is currently taking on a Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme in Science (UROPS) in the lab. His project focuses on the rearing environment’s impact on the feeding and growth of black soldier fly adults and larvae.
He is interested in all kinds of insects and thinks their biodiversity and ecology are broadly underappreciated. As a result, he likes working on foundational questions so future research of understudied species is easier. Having outreach experience, he also aims to reach out to the public to help them understand the significance of their relationship with the natural world.
Academic qualifications
2023 - Bsc. (Hons) (NUS)
Short term attachments
Tan Yue Hee
Yue Hee first got to know about Reprolab when Prof gave a lecture to her biology class in JC2, and decided to join the lab as an intern while (anxiously) waiting for her A-level results. During her time in the lab, she will be assisting in a few projects and is excited to hone various skills, including mosquito dissections, PCR, and metabarcoding. In her free time, Yue Hee volunteers at Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) where she gets to interact with horses while providing equine-assisted therapy sessions to children with disabilities. She also loves to cook/bake for her family and friends, with her favourite recipe being brookies (brownie + cookies!)
Yue Hee first got to know about Reprolab when Prof gave a lecture to her biology class in JC2, and decided to join the lab as an intern while (anxiously) waiting for her A-level results. During her time in the lab, she will be assisting in a few projects and is excited to hone various skills, including mosquito dissections, PCR, and metabarcoding. In her free time, Yue Hee volunteers at Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) where she gets to interact with horses while providing equine-assisted therapy sessions to children with disabilities. She also loves to cook/bake for her family and friends, with her favourite recipe being brookies (brownie + cookies!)
Soon Huilin
Huilin is a fresh A-Level graduate from Hwa Chong Institution with a budding passion for biological research! Her interest in molecular biology was sparked through hands-on research experiences at NUS and NTU, and she’s excited to bring her energy to ReproLab by helping with mosquito dissections and microbial screening of mosquitoes. When she’s not in scientist mode, Huilin zooms around go-kart tracks and unleashes her creative side through sketching and clay sculpting.
Huilin is a fresh A-Level graduate from Hwa Chong Institution with a budding passion for biological research! Her interest in molecular biology was sparked through hands-on research experiences at NUS and NTU, and she’s excited to bring her energy to ReproLab by helping with mosquito dissections and microbial screening of mosquitoes. When she’s not in scientist mode, Huilin zooms around go-kart tracks and unleashes her creative side through sketching and clay sculpting.
Collaborators
Dr. Jaime Bridson | Bioeconomy Science Institute, New Zealand
Dr. Christian Hermansen | A*STAR, SG
Dr. Cai Yu | Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory,
Prof. Stephen Cairns | Future Cities Lab, SG
Prof. Alexander Mathys | ETHZurich, Switzerland
Prof. Roman Carrasco | National University of Singapore, SG
Dr. Liu Mei Hui | National University of Singapore, SG
A/P Eleanor Slade | Nanyang Technological University, SG
Prof. Scott Pitnick | Syracuse Univesity, USA
Prof. Stefan Luepold | University of Zurich, Switzerland
Prof. Wolf Blanckenhorn | University of Zurich, Switzerland
Prof. Sanjay Swarup | National University of Singapore, SG
Dr. Christian Hermansen | A*STAR, SG
Dr. Cai Yu | Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory,
Prof. Stephen Cairns | Future Cities Lab, SG
Prof. Alexander Mathys | ETHZurich, Switzerland
Prof. Roman Carrasco | National University of Singapore, SG
Dr. Liu Mei Hui | National University of Singapore, SG
A/P Eleanor Slade | Nanyang Technological University, SG
Prof. Scott Pitnick | Syracuse Univesity, USA
Prof. Stefan Luepold | University of Zurich, Switzerland
Prof. Wolf Blanckenhorn | University of Zurich, Switzerland
Prof. Sanjay Swarup | National University of Singapore, SG
Interested students, interns or postdocs should contact our lab or our PI directly.
Click here for more information on graduate admissions.
Click here for more information on graduate admissions.
ALUMNI (staff)
Academic qualifications
2018-2019 Research Assistant, Reprolab
2017 Research Officer, NEA
2012-2016 BSc.(Hons) Distinction in Life Sciences
2018-2019 Research Assistant, Reprolab
2017 Research Officer, NEA
2012-2016 BSc.(Hons) Distinction in Life Sciences
Contact information
Email: qiaz.qh.hua@gmail.com
Email: qiaz.qh.hua@gmail.com
Hua Qian Hui, Qiaz | BSc. (Hons)
Qiaz was Reprolab's first Research Assistant from 2018-2019. Upon completion of her degree in NUS Life Sciences, Qiaz had a short stint at NEA as a Research Officer, studying the dietary and behavioural aspects of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia.
With an assiduous thirst for knowledge, her spare time is spent on an endless list of activities including: photographing landscape and wildlife (with a special interest in birds); mastering languages, French in particular; reading science textbooks and other fiction; as well as volunteering with animal working groups and environmental organisations to raise awareness about conservation and sustainability.
An avid fan of cephalopods, she has now dived into the world of Marine Biology where she now investigates the effects of climate change on octopuses such as the Blue-ringed Octopus. She hopes to combine her hobbies of photography and diving to conduct research and protect the environment against climate change.
With an assiduous thirst for knowledge, her spare time is spent on an endless list of activities including: photographing landscape and wildlife (with a special interest in birds); mastering languages, French in particular; reading science textbooks and other fiction; as well as volunteering with animal working groups and environmental organisations to raise awareness about conservation and sustainability.
An avid fan of cephalopods, she has now dived into the world of Marine Biology where she now investigates the effects of climate change on octopuses such as the Blue-ringed Octopus. She hopes to combine her hobbies of photography and diving to conduct research and protect the environment against climate change.
Academic qualifications
2021-2024 Research Assistant
2016-2020 BSc.(Hons) Distinction in Life Sciences
2021-2024 Research Assistant
2016-2020 BSc.(Hons) Distinction in Life Sciences
Contact information
Email: yongjen@nus.edu.sg
Email: yongjen@nus.edu.sg
Tang Yong Jen | BSc. (Hons)
As a life science graduate from NUS, Yong Jen was a research assistant working with Black Soldier Flies (Hermetia illucens) and delving into a sustainable future where nutrients from food waste will be recycled.
Yong Jen is also as a member of the Herpetological Society of Singapore and is very fascinated by snakes. His favourite genus of animal is the Draco and he can be found staring at trees along science. Yong Jen is also an avid nature guide, bringing members of the public to nature areas to introduce them to the local flora and fauna. He is keen on learning fascinating new information every day and appreciates a good pun at any time of the day.
Proudest pun, submitted for LSM4257 Aquatic Vertebrate Diversity: "What's the difference between the tail region of a fish that swims quickly and my obese male relative who touches me? One is a fat peduncle and the other is a fat pedo uncle."
Yong Jen is also as a member of the Herpetological Society of Singapore and is very fascinated by snakes. His favourite genus of animal is the Draco and he can be found staring at trees along science. Yong Jen is also an avid nature guide, bringing members of the public to nature areas to introduce them to the local flora and fauna. He is keen on learning fascinating new information every day and appreciates a good pun at any time of the day.
Proudest pun, submitted for LSM4257 Aquatic Vertebrate Diversity: "What's the difference between the tail region of a fish that swims quickly and my obese male relative who touches me? One is a fat peduncle and the other is a fat pedo uncle."
Academic qualifications
2023-2024 Research Assistant
2019-2022 BSc.(Hons)
2023-2024 Research Assistant
2019-2022 BSc.(Hons)
Contact information
Email: fxy@nus.edu.sg
Email: fxy@nus.edu.sg
Hong Xin Yue | BSc. (Hons)
XY majored in life sciences where her fascination for biology stems from its broadness and the fact that there is so much we still do not know. She loves the diversity of nature, its frequent exceptions to the rules and undiscovered stories, which she hopes to one day unearth through research.
She is also interested in learning more about the practical applications of science. She worked with the other RAs on DNA barcoding of farm pests and also learnt how Black Soldier Flies can be used to upcycle food waste. In future, she desires an opportunity to work with animals.
She is also interested in learning more about the practical applications of science. She worked with the other RAs on DNA barcoding of farm pests and also learnt how Black Soldier Flies can be used to upcycle food waste. In future, she desires an opportunity to work with animals.
Lee Li Ying Nicole | BSc. (Hons) Dip.
Academic qualifications
2019- 2024 Research Assistant
2015-2019 BSc.(Hons) Distinction in Life Sciences
2012-2015 Diploma in Biotechnology (Singapore Polytechnic)
2019- 2024 Research Assistant
2015-2019 BSc.(Hons) Distinction in Life Sciences
2012-2015 Diploma in Biotechnology (Singapore Polytechnic)
Contact information
Email: caramelniko@gmail.com
Email: caramelniko@gmail.com
Having graduated from NUS with a degree in Life Sciences, Nicole is embarking on her next step in life in the Reproductive Evolution Lab, after gaining an interest in insect mating behaviour while photographing dragonflies for a pet project.
Nicole spends her spare time pursuing various hobbies, including digital illustrations, nature photography (dragonflies in particular), and enjoying the great outdoors. She also volunteers with environmental organisations for citizen science and nature outreach programmes, so as to contribute to the understanding of Singapore’s biodiversity and raise awareness about our need for conservation.
Nicole spends her spare time pursuing various hobbies, including digital illustrations, nature photography (dragonflies in particular), and enjoying the great outdoors. She also volunteers with environmental organisations for citizen science and nature outreach programmes, so as to contribute to the understanding of Singapore’s biodiversity and raise awareness about our need for conservation.
Academic qualifications
2019- 2024 Research Associate
2017-2019 MSc. Life Sciences
2012-2016 BSc. (Hons) Distinction in Life Sciences
2019- 2024 Research Associate
2017-2019 MSc. Life Sciences
2012-2016 BSc. (Hons) Distinction in Life Sciences
Contact information
Email: rebeccaloh@nus.edu.sg
Email: rebeccaloh@nus.edu.sg
Rebecca Loh Ker | MSc. BSc. (Hons)
Since her master's degree Rebecca's projects primarily revolve around building the bioassessment capabilities for Singapore's freshwater habitats, using environmental DNA. She is also fortunate to have worked alongside many inspiring biologists on projects which employ DNA metabarcoding methods for interesting purposes, such as surveying forest vertebrates from dung and carrion fly excretions (iDNA) and elucidating the diet of dragonflies. At Reprolab, she hopes to apply her skillset to other areas of biology and to expand her knowledge on reproductive evolution.
Rebecca has a broad interest in biology and the natural environment. She took up research projects related to snails as an undergraduate, where she studied the reproductive anatomy of Nerites and assessed the congruence between minibarcodes and taxonomy in marine gastropods. She has also made many great memories whilst pursuing an internship at the Singapore Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey.
In her spare time, Rebecca likes to go on nature walks and do art and crafts.
Rebecca has a broad interest in biology and the natural environment. She took up research projects related to snails as an undergraduate, where she studied the reproductive anatomy of Nerites and assessed the congruence between minibarcodes and taxonomy in marine gastropods. She has also made many great memories whilst pursuing an internship at the Singapore Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey.
In her spare time, Rebecca likes to go on nature walks and do art and crafts.
Loh Jia Hao Sean | BSc. (Hons) Dip.
Sean has always had a profound passion for food and a relentless desire to learn and develop innovative solutions that can enhance global food security. Since childhood, Sean has been fascinated by insects. This early passion for entomology has grown over the years, fueling his interest in how insects can be integrated into sustainable food production and waste management systems. This interest subsequently led him to join the Reproductive Evolution Lab, where he could delve deeper into the potential of insects, particularly black soldier flies, in mitigating food waste.
Sean's passion for living ecosystems extends into his leisure pursuits, where he engages in hobbies such as ant farming, poultry rearing, and small-scale aqua-sculpting. These activities not only reflect his love for nature but also provide him with a deeper understanding of ecological interactions and biodiversity.
Academic qualifications
2025 - Msc (Food science)
2024 - 2025 Research Assistant
2020 - 2024 BSc. (Hons)
Contact information
Email: loh.sean@nus.edu.sg
Sean has always had a profound passion for food and a relentless desire to learn and develop innovative solutions that can enhance global food security. Since childhood, Sean has been fascinated by insects. This early passion for entomology has grown over the years, fueling his interest in how insects can be integrated into sustainable food production and waste management systems. This interest subsequently led him to join the Reproductive Evolution Lab, where he could delve deeper into the potential of insects, particularly black soldier flies, in mitigating food waste.
Sean's passion for living ecosystems extends into his leisure pursuits, where he engages in hobbies such as ant farming, poultry rearing, and small-scale aqua-sculpting. These activities not only reflect his love for nature but also provide him with a deeper understanding of ecological interactions and biodiversity.
Academic qualifications
2025 - Msc (Food science)
2024 - 2025 Research Assistant
2020 - 2024 BSc. (Hons)
Contact information
Email: loh.sean@nus.edu.sg
Alumni (phd graduates)
Adrian Julius Fuhrmann | PhD. MSc. BSc.
Adrian is a doctoral student with a background in agricultural science fascinated by the interconnection of knowledge and experts beyond the borders of disciplines and cultures to make use of untapped potential. He investigates the integration of black soldier fly larvae rearing on food waste into urban environments to enhance the sustainability performance of food systems in cities. Developing automatized larvae rearing units he combines current knowledge in biology, sensor technology and computer science. Adrian is looking forward to your approach if you are interested in the topic no matter which background or expertise you have. He likes to spend his free time outdoors playing basketball, cycling, walking or just observing things.
Academic qualifications
2022 - 2026 PhD (ETH Zurich)
2018-2022 MSc. (ETH Zurich)
` 2014-2018 BSc. (TU Munich)
Contact information
Email: adrian.fuhrmann@sec.ethz.ch
Adrian is a doctoral student with a background in agricultural science fascinated by the interconnection of knowledge and experts beyond the borders of disciplines and cultures to make use of untapped potential. He investigates the integration of black soldier fly larvae rearing on food waste into urban environments to enhance the sustainability performance of food systems in cities. Developing automatized larvae rearing units he combines current knowledge in biology, sensor technology and computer science. Adrian is looking forward to your approach if you are interested in the topic no matter which background or expertise you have. He likes to spend his free time outdoors playing basketball, cycling, walking or just observing things.
Academic qualifications
2022 - 2026 PhD (ETH Zurich)
2018-2022 MSc. (ETH Zurich)
` 2014-2018 BSc. (TU Munich)
Contact information
Email: adrian.fuhrmann@sec.ethz.ch
Shaktheeshwari Silvaraju | PhD. BSc. (Hons)
Shakthee is a graduate student who is passionate about animals and nature. After graduating, she entered the world of Epigenetics in A*Star. Following a life changing dive in Bali, she found her passion for nature and decided to dedicate her life to helping the environment and animals. She took a position in Wilmar International as an RA working on potential probiotics for weaning piglets based on the gut microbiome of wild boars. She was presented with an irresistible opportunity to embark on a journey in the world of BSF, understanding their gut microbiome, and how it can be taken advantage of to reduce our carbon footprint.
During Shakthee’s spare time, she loves adventuring Singapore with her dog, and exploring mountain bike trails. Soaking up the tropics in SEA, diving and climbing pinnacles and getting frostbite in the northern hemisphere hunting aurora borealis
Academic qualifications
2021- 2025 PhD (NUS)
2017-2020 BSc. (Hons)
Contact information
Email: e0669591@u.nus.edu
Shakthee is a graduate student who is passionate about animals and nature. After graduating, she entered the world of Epigenetics in A*Star. Following a life changing dive in Bali, she found her passion for nature and decided to dedicate her life to helping the environment and animals. She took a position in Wilmar International as an RA working on potential probiotics for weaning piglets based on the gut microbiome of wild boars. She was presented with an irresistible opportunity to embark on a journey in the world of BSF, understanding their gut microbiome, and how it can be taken advantage of to reduce our carbon footprint.
During Shakthee’s spare time, she loves adventuring Singapore with her dog, and exploring mountain bike trails. Soaking up the tropics in SEA, diving and climbing pinnacles and getting frostbite in the northern hemisphere hunting aurora borealis
Academic qualifications
2021- 2025 PhD (NUS)
2017-2020 BSc. (Hons)
Contact information
Email: e0669591@u.nus.edu
Ong Xin Rui | PhD. BSc. (Hons)
Xin Rui is a PhD candidate at NTU ASE., being co-supervised by Dr. P (Check out my lab in NTU here!) She was introduced to the fascinating world of dung beetles during her undergraduate years in NUS. For her PhD, she is studying the interaction network between dung beetle and mammal communities in the rainforest canopy, which will be constructed using a novel method of DNA metabarcoding of dung beetle gut contents for mammal DNA.
She will also assemble a database of distribution, traits and molecular barcodes of Southeast Asian dung beetles, which would help in overcoming the current taxonomic impediments of dung beetle research in the region.
In her spare time, Xin Rui enjoys travelling, exploring places of nature, and jamming songs on the guitar. Her favourite tea is bubble tea.
Academic qualifications
2021- 2025 PhD (NTU)
2010-2014 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Contact information
Email: ongxinrui001@e.ntu.edu.sg
Xin Rui is a PhD candidate at NTU ASE., being co-supervised by Dr. P (Check out my lab in NTU here!) She was introduced to the fascinating world of dung beetles during her undergraduate years in NUS. For her PhD, she is studying the interaction network between dung beetle and mammal communities in the rainforest canopy, which will be constructed using a novel method of DNA metabarcoding of dung beetle gut contents for mammal DNA.
She will also assemble a database of distribution, traits and molecular barcodes of Southeast Asian dung beetles, which would help in overcoming the current taxonomic impediments of dung beetle research in the region.
In her spare time, Xin Rui enjoys travelling, exploring places of nature, and jamming songs on the guitar. Her favourite tea is bubble tea.
Academic qualifications
2021- 2025 PhD (NTU)
2010-2014 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Contact information
Email: ongxinrui001@e.ntu.edu.sg
Academic qualifications
2018-2023 PhD (NUS)
2012-2015 BSc (Hons) (NUS)
2018-2023 PhD (NUS)
2012-2015 BSc (Hons) (NUS)
Contact information
Email: huiqing_yeo@u.nus.edu
Email: huiqing_yeo@u.nus.edu
Yeo Huiqing | PhD BSc. (Hons)
Huiqing was a graduate student who was curious about how species evolve, and was particularly fascinated by how parasites and symbionts shape the evolution of their vectors and hosts. Previously, she worked at the Environmental Health Institute (National Environment Agency) which sparked her interest in the life history of mosquitoes and vector evolution. She studied the reproductive endosymbionts of mosquitoes and avian blood parasite systems to help shed light and provide an evolutionary approach to pathogen transmission.
Her undergraduate project was on the assassin bugs (Reduviidae) of Singapore, where she used morphological and molecular methods to identify them, and metabarcoding to elucidate the diet of termite-feeding assassin bugs.
In her spare time, Huiqing likes to be outdoors in the forest or the sea, observing life and just enjoying nature in an otherwise overly urbanised landscape.
Her undergraduate project was on the assassin bugs (Reduviidae) of Singapore, where she used morphological and molecular methods to identify them, and metabarcoding to elucidate the diet of termite-feeding assassin bugs.
In her spare time, Huiqing likes to be outdoors in the forest or the sea, observing life and just enjoying nature in an otherwise overly urbanised landscape.
Zhang Qihui | PhD. MSc. BSc.
Qihui’s undergraduate major was biology, then she focused on ecology for three years to complete her master's degree. Now she has started a new journey in NUS as member of the Black soldier fly (BSF) project, working on BSF bioconversion of food waste. Qihui is proud of participating in this meaningful project, yet she still hopes that in the future the problem of food waste can be solved from the source (awareness). She is currently a post-doctoral fellow under Dr. P. as she continues to strive for her goals.
Qihui has abundant experience of both laboratory and field work. She likes music. She is a good singer, albeit a shy one. She is always singing when she is in open field or an empty laboratory. Qihui likes animals and has the belief that every life deserves to be cared. In the future, she dreams of keeping diverse kinds of pets in her house.
Academic qualifications
2021- 2025 PhD (NUS)
2017-2020 MSc.
2017-2013 BSc.
Contact information
Email: zqihui@u.nus.edu
Qihui’s undergraduate major was biology, then she focused on ecology for three years to complete her master's degree. Now she has started a new journey in NUS as member of the Black soldier fly (BSF) project, working on BSF bioconversion of food waste. Qihui is proud of participating in this meaningful project, yet she still hopes that in the future the problem of food waste can be solved from the source (awareness). She is currently a post-doctoral fellow under Dr. P. as she continues to strive for her goals.
Qihui has abundant experience of both laboratory and field work. She likes music. She is a good singer, albeit a shy one. She is always singing when she is in open field or an empty laboratory. Qihui likes animals and has the belief that every life deserves to be cared. In the future, she dreams of keeping diverse kinds of pets in her house.
Academic qualifications
2021- 2025 PhD (NUS)
2017-2020 MSc.
2017-2013 BSc.
Contact information
Email: zqihui@u.nus.edu
Academic qualifications
2018-2022 PhD (NUS)
2013-2017 BSc (Hons) (NUS)
2018-2022 PhD (NUS)
2013-2017 BSc (Hons) (NUS)
Contact information
Email: seanyapzs@gmail.com
Email: seanyapzs@gmail.com
Sean Yap | PhD BSc. (Hons)
Sean was a graduate student who has a keen interest in the natural world, the vast diversity of species and the fascinating lives they lead. He is particularly fond of insects and has a love-frustrate relationship with beetles - too diverse to keep track of, but also a tantalising challenge to work with. For that reason, Sean chose to survey the beetle diversity of Singapore with DNA barcoding and Next-generation Sequencing for his undergraduate honours project with the Evolutionary Biology Lab in the NUS. Going forward, he hopes to explore possible explanations for the hyperdiversity of beetles in Southeast Asia by focusing on sexual selection in beetles for his PhD.
In his spare time, Sean contributes to science outreach in Singapore through groups such the Entomological Network of Singapore and NUS Toddycats, giving talks and leading guided walks and workshops. Sean is also an avid fan of Pokemon, to which he attributes part of his passion for biodiversity to. He believes that the popularity of fictional work based on real-life biodiversity has great potential for outreach, using real-world inspired creatures and stories to, in turn, inspire kids to learn more about the natural world.
In his spare time, Sean contributes to science outreach in Singapore through groups such the Entomological Network of Singapore and NUS Toddycats, giving talks and leading guided walks and workshops. Sean is also an avid fan of Pokemon, to which he attributes part of his passion for biodiversity to. He believes that the popularity of fictional work based on real-life biodiversity has great potential for outreach, using real-world inspired creatures and stories to, in turn, inspire kids to learn more about the natural world.
alumni (master's graduate students)
Academic qualifications
2017-2021 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
2021-2022 MSc. (NUS)
2017-2021 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
2021-2022 MSc. (NUS)
Hillary Yee | MSc. BSc. (Hons)
Hillary was a master's student studying polyandry in mosquitoes.
She has an avid interest in how and why animals behave the way they do, and possess the traits they have. Having worked as an Undergraduate Research Assistant for Reprolab, she picked up an interest in dung beetles, and pursued a UROPS project with Reprolab during her second year, looking at sexual size dimorphism and male horn allometry across different species in Singapore. As a final year student, she embarked on a FYP looking at beetle nematodes, and graduated with a major in Life Sciences, specialising in Environmental Biology with a minor in Geosciences.
She has an avid interest in how and why animals behave the way they do, and possess the traits they have. Having worked as an Undergraduate Research Assistant for Reprolab, she picked up an interest in dung beetles, and pursued a UROPS project with Reprolab during her second year, looking at sexual size dimorphism and male horn allometry across different species in Singapore. As a final year student, she embarked on a FYP looking at beetle nematodes, and graduated with a major in Life Sciences, specialising in Environmental Biology with a minor in Geosciences.
Toh Kai Xin | MSc. BSc. (Hons)
Kai Xin joined the lab in her fourth and final year of undergraduate studies, majoring in Life Sciences with specialization in environmental biology.
From an early age, she was fascinated with animals and more recently developed a greater admiration and interest for the much under-appreciated insects. As such, she embarked on a FYP studying the effects of substrate on reproduction trait variation in dung beetles in Singapore.
She then continued her dung beetle research as a graduate student, during which she studied the condition-dependent expression of reproductive traits in Onthophagus cf. babirussa.
Academic qualifications
2019-2020 MSc. (NUS)
2015-2019 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Lin Jielin | MSc. BSc.
Jielin is a Masters' by coursework student with a major in Biodiversity Conservation and Nature-based Climate Solutions (BCNCS), and her undergraduate major is marine biotechnology. Since she wants to try a new field and is interested in BSF, she joined Reprolab to learn more about black soldier fly reproduction. She hopes to gain more knowledge and experience in the field of insect research and make a small contribution to biodiversity conservation and food sustainability.
Academic qualifications
2022-2023 MSc. (NUS)
Contact information
Email: e0950128@u.nus.edu
Yang Disheng | MSc. BSc.
Disheng majored in ecology during his undergraduate, and joined the Biodiversity Conservation and Nature-based Climate Change Solutions (BCNCS) as a master's student. He loves nature and micro world, and is passionate about working with genes. As a master's student, he worked on discovering novel genes in Sepsis punctum, a widespread fly, and their expression patterns in multiple populations of this species. Besides this, he likes data analysis and hopes he can become a guru of data analysing.
In his spare time, you can always find him in the gym or on the basketball court.
Academic qualifications
2022-2023 MSc. (NUS)
Contact information
Email: e0950218@u.nus.edu
Disheng majored in ecology during his undergraduate, and joined the Biodiversity Conservation and Nature-based Climate Change Solutions (BCNCS) as a master's student. He loves nature and micro world, and is passionate about working with genes. As a master's student, he worked on discovering novel genes in Sepsis punctum, a widespread fly, and their expression patterns in multiple populations of this species. Besides this, he likes data analysis and hopes he can become a guru of data analysing.
In his spare time, you can always find him in the gym or on the basketball court.
Academic qualifications
2022-2023 MSc. (NUS)
Contact information
Email: e0950218@u.nus.edu
Alumni (Undergraduates)
Kris Chua Siang Teng
Kris is a final year undergraduate majoring in Life Sciences with a second major in Public Health, with a broader interest in disease prevention and community health. An athlete for most of her life, she currently plays varsity handball. This semester, Kris will be working on her UROPS project – a behavioural study examining reproductive interference between Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.
Academic qualifications
2022 - 2026 Bsc. (Hons) (NUS)
Kris is a final year undergraduate majoring in Life Sciences with a second major in Public Health, with a broader interest in disease prevention and community health. An athlete for most of her life, she currently plays varsity handball. This semester, Kris will be working on her UROPS project – a behavioural study examining reproductive interference between Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.
Academic qualifications
2022 - 2026 Bsc. (Hons) (NUS)
Loh Zi Xin
Zi Xin is a final-year Life Sciences major working on reproductive parasites for her FYP. A lifelong fascination with animals began in childhood, when she found animals easier (and often more enjoyable) to engage with than people. Inspired by Sir David Attenborough’s documentaries, Zi Xin developed a deep interest in animals and biodiversity. Meeting Sir Attenborough remains a dream, and even has a small collection of his books. Beyond Attenborough, Zi Xin also admires Charles Darwin, not for his scientific contributions but for his enthusiasm toward his work and his candid reflections on life (it makes him relatable). Outside of science and academics, Zi Xin enjoys lounging with her pet cat, relaxing to rock music or fantasizing about her next travel destination.
Academic qualifications
2022 - BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Zi Xin is a final-year Life Sciences major working on reproductive parasites for her FYP. A lifelong fascination with animals began in childhood, when she found animals easier (and often more enjoyable) to engage with than people. Inspired by Sir David Attenborough’s documentaries, Zi Xin developed a deep interest in animals and biodiversity. Meeting Sir Attenborough remains a dream, and even has a small collection of his books. Beyond Attenborough, Zi Xin also admires Charles Darwin, not for his scientific contributions but for his enthusiasm toward his work and his candid reflections on life (it makes him relatable). Outside of science and academics, Zi Xin enjoys lounging with her pet cat, relaxing to rock music or fantasizing about her next travel destination.
Academic qualifications
2022 - BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Lee Jiaxin Charlotte
Charlotte joined the lab as a final year undergraduate with a major in Life Sciences and minor in Computer Science. She enjoys going on hikes, travelling and rock climbing with friends. She is eager to discover how she can merge her knowledge from Life Sciences and Computer Science into her research project. Hence, during this semester, she will be working on a bioinformatics-focused UROPS pertaining to the reproductive microbiomes of Black Soldier Flies
Academic qualifications
2021- 2025 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Hanis Batrisyia Binte Nursalihin Tohaputra
Hanis is a final year undergraduate student who is majoring in Life Sciences and taking up a minor in Human Services. She has a keen interest in the sustainability sector and a passion for giving back to the society. One insect that has always fascinated Hanis are black soldier flies, and how their larvae act as decomposers and transform food waste into valuable agri-products . For her Final Year Project, she will be investigating the effects of polyandry in black soldier flies. She hopes that through her research, she can better understand the mating nature of the flies, such that they can be further utilised in Singapore as a way to combat our food waste problem.
Academic qualifications
2021- 2025 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Hanis is a final year undergraduate student who is majoring in Life Sciences and taking up a minor in Human Services. She has a keen interest in the sustainability sector and a passion for giving back to the society. One insect that has always fascinated Hanis are black soldier flies, and how their larvae act as decomposers and transform food waste into valuable agri-products . For her Final Year Project, she will be investigating the effects of polyandry in black soldier flies. She hopes that through her research, she can better understand the mating nature of the flies, such that they can be further utilised in Singapore as a way to combat our food waste problem.
Academic qualifications
2021- 2025 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Chiang Wei Lin
Wei Lin is currently an undergraduate student majoring in Life Sciences with a minor in Aquatic Ecology. She has a passion for trying new things! Some of her recent endeavours include the completion of a research internship with the Environmental Health Institute (EHI) on Project Wolbachia and the completion of a volunteer project that focused on sustainability as part of the Youth Corps Leaders Programme (YCLP). She was comparing polyandry between wild Aedes mosquito species as part of her Final Year Project (FYP)
Academic qualifications
2021- 2025 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Wei Lin is currently an undergraduate student majoring in Life Sciences with a minor in Aquatic Ecology. She has a passion for trying new things! Some of her recent endeavours include the completion of a research internship with the Environmental Health Institute (EHI) on Project Wolbachia and the completion of a volunteer project that focused on sustainability as part of the Youth Corps Leaders Programme (YCLP). She was comparing polyandry between wild Aedes mosquito species as part of her Final Year Project (FYP)
Academic qualifications
2021- 2025 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Janelle Tan Yi Shyan
Janelle is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Life Science. She spends most of her time outside of studying at MPSH 6 practicing judo (which she has dedicated 8 years of her life to)! She has a fascination with wildlife and nature and can spend hours poring over the exhibits at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum or watching the animals at wildlife parks. This interest has led to her taking up an internship at NParks involving a mix of field work and data organisation in the summer of AY 23/24. She will be investigating the potential effect of volatile organic compounds derived from sepsid fly species on agricultural crops and its efficacy in repelling agricultural pests for her UROPS project this semester.
Academic qualifications
2022- BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Janelle is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Life Science. She spends most of her time outside of studying at MPSH 6 practicing judo (which she has dedicated 8 years of her life to)! She has a fascination with wildlife and nature and can spend hours poring over the exhibits at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum or watching the animals at wildlife parks. This interest has led to her taking up an internship at NParks involving a mix of field work and data organisation in the summer of AY 23/24. She will be investigating the potential effect of volatile organic compounds derived from sepsid fly species on agricultural crops and its efficacy in repelling agricultural pests for her UROPS project this semester.
Academic qualifications
2022- BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Tan Geng Suen Agabus
Agabus is a final year undergraduate student who is majoring in Life sciences and taking up a minor in Chemistry. As a personal victim of dengue fever himself, Agabus has developed a fervent and burning (literally) passion for mosquitos. Agabus, who is fascinated about nature and animals, also loves to go on nature hikes in his free time and hopes to influence his passion for biology to his students as a future educator! Agabus will be embarking on his final year project screening for reproductive endosymbionts of forest mosquito species in Singapore and its phylogenetic implications.
Academic qualifications
2021- 2025 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Chu Chiao Xuan
Chiao Xuan is a year 3 undergraduate majoring in Life Sciences and minoring in Forensic Science. She loves studying evolution! As for insects, she became involved in entomology as she took ecology and forensic entomology. She worked with Bicuclys anynana in the Monteiro Lab, and forensically important flies under prof Stella Tan and prof Heo Chong Chin. She worked with Adrian on optimising rearing of black soldier flies.
Academic qualifications
2021- 2025 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
2021- 2025 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Germaine Kwek Yan Han
Germaine is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Life Sciences and minoring in Nutrition and Economics. Since a young age, she has had a profound love for animals and has aspired to become a veterinarian in the future. During the school holidays, she works at the zoo as a Quarantine Keeper and is currently interning at a veterinary clinic. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her pet dog and engaging in any physical activities such as hiking and recreational sports. She also volunteers at the SPCA, where she can interact with many cats and dogs. Recently, she has developed an increased interest in insects after having significant interaction with them at the zoo. For her UROPS project in her third year, she investigated the polyandry mating system of Aedes mosquitoes.
Academic qualifications
2021- 2025 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
2021- 2025 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Janae Luah Yng Shin
Janae is a second-year undergraduate majoring in Life Sciences. She loves working with animals and developed an interest for studying reproductive evolution while attending Dr. Puniamoorthy's evolutionary biology course. She worked with sepsid flies to investigate the process of cross-continental speciation for her UROPS project.
Academic qualifications
2022- BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
2022- BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Ng Keng Hee
Keng Hee is a third-year undergraduate majoring in Life Sciences and is also enrolled in the NUS Concurrent Degree Programme for life sciences. From a young age, he has been an avid animal lover and jumps at any opportunities where he gets to interact with them, from working at a day care centre for dogs to working in a veterinary clinic. During his free time, he likes to play his guitar and jam to his favourite songs and if he's feeling a little restless, he also likes to go out for short runs or hit the gym. In the coming semester, he will be looking into the effects on plasticity of black soldier fly reproductivity when exposed to various food wastes during the larvae stage.
Academic qualifications
2021- 2025 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
2021- 2025 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Wells Chin Shijian
Wells is a third-year undergraduate majoring in Life Sciences and is pursuing the concurrent degree program with the University of Melbourne’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. And while golden retrievers will always have a spot in his heart, he hopes to work with more wildlife in the future. This semester, he will be exploring the effects of plasticity in black soldier fly reproductivity when exposed to various food wastes during the larvae stage.
Outside of school, Wells is a music educator and freelance classical percussionist. And in his free time, you’ll often find him upside down on a yoga mat.
Outside of school, Wells is a music educator and freelance classical percussionist. And in his free time, you’ll often find him upside down on a yoga mat.
Academic qualifications
2021- 2025 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
2021- 2025 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Lam Hoyan | BSc. (Hons)
Hoyan joined the lab as a fourth year Environmental Studies major specialising in biology, with a minor in Communications and New Media.
She became interested in insects during her time in the residential college, where charismatic beetles and mantids often visited her room. For her FYP, she studied mosquito biodiversity in mangroves, as well as surveillance of avian blood parasites.
Hoyan is an avid amateur musician and can usually be found jamming with her orchestra buddies or creating a cappella covers in her free time.
She became interested in insects during her time in the residential college, where charismatic beetles and mantids often visited her room. For her FYP, she studied mosquito biodiversity in mangroves, as well as surveillance of avian blood parasites.
Hoyan is an avid amateur musician and can usually be found jamming with her orchestra buddies or creating a cappella covers in her free time.
Academic qualifications
2018-2022 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
2018-2022 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Yeoh Tze Xuan | BSc. (Hons)
Tze Xuan majored in Life Sciences with a minor in Aquatic Ecology.
She is fascinated by biodiversity and animal behaviour. Having gained passion in macro photography a few years ago, her interest in insects grew and she decided to join the lab. She worked on a UROPS project with Reprolab during her second year, regarding the effects of environmental factors on Singapore’s mosquito composition. She continued on with Reprolab as a final year student, mosquite wing venation as an extension of her UROPS project
Academic qualifications
2018-2022 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
She is fascinated by biodiversity and animal behaviour. Having gained passion in macro photography a few years ago, her interest in insects grew and she decided to join the lab. She worked on a UROPS project with Reprolab during her second year, regarding the effects of environmental factors on Singapore’s mosquito composition. She continued on with Reprolab as a final year student, mosquite wing venation as an extension of her UROPS project
Academic qualifications
2018-2022 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Ding Huicong | BSc. (Hons)
Huicong was a graduate from NUS's Bachelor of Environmental Studies Programme. During his student exchange programme in Alberta, he enrolled in a class on parasitism and became intrigued by the field of study. During his third year in NUS, he embarked on a FYP project that screened various reproductive endosymbionts in mosquitoes, and did a short stint in Reprolab after graduation as a Research Assistant focusing on molecular & bioinformatics projects.
Huicong expressed his love for the great outdoors through photography and scuba diving, as well as exploring nature spaces during his free time.
Huicong was a graduate from NUS's Bachelor of Environmental Studies Programme. During his student exchange programme in Alberta, he enrolled in a class on parasitism and became intrigued by the field of study. During his third year in NUS, he embarked on a FYP project that screened various reproductive endosymbionts in mosquitoes, and did a short stint in Reprolab after graduation as a Research Assistant focusing on molecular & bioinformatics projects.
Huicong expressed his love for the great outdoors through photography and scuba diving, as well as exploring nature spaces during his free time.
Academic qualifications
2020 Research Assistant
2016-2020 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
2020 Research Assistant
2016-2020 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Ita Liana Abdul Rahman | BSc. (Hons)
Ita joined the lab as a third year undergraduate majoring in Life Sciences (Environmental Biology). After taking the Entomology module in her previous semester, her prior indifference towards insects has since turned into admiration and fascination. She pursued a FYP on arboreal dung beetle species.
In addition to insects, she also had a deep interest in marine biology. Being concerned about ecology and conservation, she enjoyed volunteering for citizen science programmes in her free time.
Academic qualifications
2016-2020 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
In addition to insects, she also had a deep interest in marine biology. Being concerned about ecology and conservation, she enjoyed volunteering for citizen science programmes in her free time.
Academic qualifications
2016-2020 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Toh Yi Peng | BSc. (Hons)
As a final-year student majoring in Life Science and specialising in environmental biology, Yi Peng worked on remating and fertility of dung flies as her FYP. She liked to observe her surroundings and through observation, identify patterns and formulate questions. She was especially interested in behavioural research and also worked on a UROPS related to courtship behaviour of dung flies.
Academic qualifications
2016- 2020 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
2016- 2020 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Tan Jia Wei | BSc. (Hons)
Jia Wei was a final-year student in the Bachelor of Environmental Studies programme with a specialisation in Environmental Biology and minor in Public Health.
She was especially fond of studying insect behaviour, including alternative mating strategies and male-female conflict. For her FYP, she studied the effects of stress on sperm length of sepsid flies.
She was especially fond of studying insect behaviour, including alternative mating strategies and male-female conflict. For her FYP, she studied the effects of stress on sperm length of sepsid flies.
Academic qualifications
2015-2019 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
2015-2019 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Charlotte Goh | BSc. (Hons)
Charlotte was a final year student from the Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Biology) Programme. She studied the reproductive isolation and trait variation in the Black Soldier Fly ( Hermetic illucens) for her final year project.
She was interested in studying insect mating signals & behaviour. Driven by a passion for biodiversity and conservation education, she is particularly interested in understanding how insects may be a solution to certain anthropogenic problems in the future. If she's feeling particularly adventurous, she also loves exploring the lesser known sights in Singapore.
She was interested in studying insect mating signals & behaviour. Driven by a passion for biodiversity and conservation education, she is particularly interested in understanding how insects may be a solution to certain anthropogenic problems in the future. If she's feeling particularly adventurous, she also loves exploring the lesser known sights in Singapore.
Academic qualifications
2015-2019 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
2015-2019 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Tiffany Lum | BSc. (Hons) Dip.
Tiffany graduated 2nd in cohort from Ngee Ann Polytechnic with a joint NAP-NUH Diploma in Biomedical Science with a specialisation in Clinical Laboratory Technology.
She had a personal interest in animals and insects, particularly with a soft spot for praying mantids. As a final year student majoring in Environmental Biology at NUS, she studied the effects of temperature and diet on polyandry in the ant mantid Odontomantis planiceps.
She had a personal interest in animals and insects, particularly with a soft spot for praying mantids. As a final year student majoring in Environmental Biology at NUS, she studied the effects of temperature and diet on polyandry in the ant mantid Odontomantis planiceps.
Academic qualifications
2015-2019 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
2012-2014 Diploma (Ngee Ann Polytechnic-NUH)
2015-2019 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
2012-2014 Diploma (Ngee Ann Polytechnic-NUH)
Shaylie Yu Shihui
Shaylie joined the lab as a Year 2 Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES) undergraduate, also pursuing minors in Life Sciences and Geosciences. In her free time, she plays the cello in the NUS Chinese Orchestra and enjoys going on nature walks with her friends. She has a pet Adanson's House Jumper (Hasarius adansoni) called Wilburta, who lives off a variety of unfortunate insects that visit their residential college room. Every week, you can find her feeding the cats in Utown as a NUS Cat Cafe feeder and her favourite Utown cat is Plum (but don’t let Putu hear that). In the coming semester, she will be testing the efficacy of fly-derived volatile organic compounds in repelling agriculture pests as part of her UROPES.
Academic qualifications
2021- 2025 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
2021- 2025 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Quah Shao Yang
Shao Yang joined the lab as a third-year undergraduate majoring in Life Sciences. Since young, he was fascinated by insects as their behaviours were very fascinating to observe. A few years back, he started keeping ants as he was inspired by the Youtube channel 'AntsCanada'. He worked on a 2 semester UROPS project on black soldier flies, focusing on their oviposition.
Academic qualifications
2020-2024 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
2020-2024 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Lin Jiawei
Jiawei joined the lab as a first year student majoring in Life Sciences with a minor in forensic science.
She is fascinated by nature and biodiversity. Some of her interests include hiking and kayaking. Currently she is still exploring different fields to find something she is passionate about. She worked on a UROPS project with Reprolab investigating intra- and inter-specific wing variation in mosquitoes
She is fascinated by nature and biodiversity. Some of her interests include hiking and kayaking. Currently she is still exploring different fields to find something she is passionate about. She worked on a UROPS project with Reprolab investigating intra- and inter-specific wing variation in mosquitoes
Academic qualifications
2020-2024 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
2020-2024 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Wang Yi Bo | BSc. (Hons) Dip.
Yi Bo graduated with a Diploma in Biomedical Science from Singapore Polytechnic in 2015. He joined Reprolab as a year 3 NUS undergraduate, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences with focus on developmental biology.
Ever since Yi Bo graduated from secondary school, he developed a deep interest in both developmental biology and general science. He believed that the development of interest came from him being fascinated by insects and aquatic animals, such as mealworms and terrapins. With his biomedical science background, he took a step further to pursue a major in NUS Life Sciences, and investigated the effect of temperature on the fertility of Sepsis punctum through a UROPS. In future, Yi Bo wishes to apply his research knowledge and share his interest to benefit both human and animal society.
Ever since Yi Bo graduated from secondary school, he developed a deep interest in both developmental biology and general science. He believed that the development of interest came from him being fascinated by insects and aquatic animals, such as mealworms and terrapins. With his biomedical science background, he took a step further to pursue a major in NUS Life Sciences, and investigated the effect of temperature on the fertility of Sepsis punctum through a UROPS. In future, Yi Bo wishes to apply his research knowledge and share his interest to benefit both human and animal society.
Academic qualifications
2018-2022 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
2013-2015 Diploma in Biomedical Science (Singapore Polytechnic, A*STAR)
2018-2022 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
2013-2015 Diploma in Biomedical Science (Singapore Polytechnic, A*STAR)
Tan Hui Min Steffi | BSc. (Hons)
Steffi was an undergraduate from the Bachelor of Environmental Studies programme in NUS. She found her way into the lab under the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme in Environmental Science (UROPES) due to her interest in the practical application of Black Soldier Flies in recycling food waste in Singapore. Her research looked at the optimisation of their reproduction in Singapore's context.
Her concern for Singapore's food waste grew from her love for food. It saddened her to see food being thrown away while it still had value. Her other passion was for the sea, and she often dreamed of her next visit to a whole other world underwater.
Her concern for Singapore's food waste grew from her love for food. It saddened her to see food being thrown away while it still had value. Her other passion was for the sea, and she often dreamed of her next visit to a whole other world underwater.
Academic qualifications
2017-2021 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
2017-2021 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Cher Wei Yuan | BSc. (Hons)
Wei Yuan took UROPS in the lab for two semesters in AY17/18 as a Year 2 undergraduate, and is now a Life Science degree holder with a minor in Aquatic Ecology. A Life Sciences Society member, Wei Yuan partook in developing biology workshops for younger students to pique their interest in science.
Academic qualifications
2016-2020 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
2016-2020 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Ramu Naresh Nachiappan | BSc. (Hons)
Nachi joined the lab as a Year 3 NUS Student in the Academic Year of 2018/19 majoring in Life Sciences and Psychology and intends to specialise in Environmental Biology or Evolutionary Psychology.
Since young he was always interested in animals and conservation ever since he was a young fan of Steve Irwin. He is involved with NParks and WRS through various platforms to immerse himself into the Singapore Conservation Scene. He took up a UROPS project working on dung beetles to find out about morphometrics, sexual dimorphism and species variation to further develop his knowledge in this field.
Academic qualifications
2018-2022 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Since young he was always interested in animals and conservation ever since he was a young fan of Steve Irwin. He is involved with NParks and WRS through various platforms to immerse himself into the Singapore Conservation Scene. He took up a UROPS project working on dung beetles to find out about morphometrics, sexual dimorphism and species variation to further develop his knowledge in this field.
Academic qualifications
2018-2022 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
Pamela Kuan | BSc. (Hons) Dip.
Pamela joined the lab as a second year undergraduate majoring in Life Sciences. Keen in behavioural biology, she looked at the mating behaviour and traits of dung flies under predation in her UROPS project. She was also a dog enthusiast and volunteered at a local dog shelter on weekends.
Academic qualifications
2016-2020 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
2013-2015 Diploma in Molecular Biotechnology (Ngee Ann Polytechnic)
2016-2020 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
2013-2015 Diploma in Molecular Biotechnology (Ngee Ann Polytechnic)
Denise Nastaya Harjoko | BSc. (Hons)
Denise joined the lab as a second-year undergraduate majoring in Life Sciences. Having an interest in animals and being curious about the natural world, she investigated sexual selection in Black Soldier Flies for her Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme in Science (UROPS) project. Through this experience, she gained valuable skills and knowledge through collaborative lab work while striving to make a contribution.
Academic qualifications
2016-2020 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)
2016-2020 BSc. (Hons) (NUS)