Teo Jian Ming
[BSc (Hons) 2021]
Having read my fair share of alumni interviews, I noticed that it is common for graduates to express how a world-class education and opportunities have been instrumental in shaping their time at NUS—and I completely agree! I would like to add that in retrospect, a university education is also a part of our journey in personal development. To me, the people we meet along the way play the biggest role in shaping this journey. NUS, being the melting pot of people with diverse backgrounds and experiences, has provided me the opportunity to cross paths with many amazing individuals.
To begin with, the lecturers at the Department of Physics had been a source of encouragement and inspiration to me. In every consultation I had as an undergraduate, I always walked away with my doubts resolved while also picking up new insights for the material covered in class. I think most physics majors would also vouch for the brilliant technologists in the laboratories. I could recall many occasions when the lab technologists would start seemingly random conversations with us. Such communications would sometimes end up providing eureka moments for me to complete my experiment on hand in a more efficient manner.
To me, the people we meet along the way play the biggest role in shaping this journey.
Without a doubt, I have made many new friends during my time as an undergraduate, and I wish to express my thanks to them. In particular, I would like to give a shout-out to Ravin, Neville and Wen Chuan. I look back most fondly on the numerous wide-ranging conversations we have shared over the past few years. They have since graduated and gone on to pursue their dreams.
I took up Physics with the intention to be a researcher. During matriculation, I was not sure which field of research I would go into. It was through the countless interactions, experiences and discussions with faculty and peers that finally led me to the field of Medical Physics.
To all the prospective and current students at NUS Physics—make friends and enjoy the academic journey!
Very soon, I will embark on my PhD studies in Medical Physics at the MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. I look forward to learning about and exploring how medical imaging can be used to guide the diagnostic, prognostic and treatment plan decisions for patients.
Presently, at the forefront of everyone’s mind seems to be the COVID-19 pandemic and its daily spill-over effects. It is natural to point the upheaval unleashed by the pandemic to be responsible for the numerous challenges we encounter. I was not spared either, having missed an internship opportunity due to safety restrictions.
In his book called “Outliers”, Malcolm Gladwell made an interesting case for how the seemingly inexplicable accomplishments of certain individuals in each generation can be attributed to the circumstances of their time. Since Covid-19 is here to stay, I dare say this is the circumstance of our time. Cliché as it may seem, but I do believe that when one door closes, another opens. The pandemic has closed many doors, but many new ones are opening. It now falls onto us to seize the opportunity when it comes.