• Analysed and optimised current lab protocols to improve the efficiency of high
throughput screening of field samples
• Developed standard operation procedures to ensure safe operation of lab
instruments
• Liaising with product suppliers to purchase assets and consumables for
laboratory use
• Successfully executed arbovirus vector surveillance through high throughput
screening of over 23,000 mosquito field samples using real time RT-qPCR
• Successfully identified more than 20,000 field caught mosquitoes up to species
level through morphological means
• Performed nucleic acid (DNA/RNA) purification, extraction, and sequencing of
over 100 field samples
• Planned and implemented field work operations and logistics to facilitate the
collection of field samples
• Volunteered to support the quality control and field surveillance of Project
Wolbachia, a nation-wide dengue prevention initiative, through screening over
2000 samples of production and field samples using RT-qPCR
• Collaborated with the Vector Borne Diseases Control Department to plan and
automate mosquito screening protocols for Wolbachia quality contro

Successfully cloned over 10 recombinant genes using PCR techniques
• Developed and executed protocols to produce over 10 novel recombinant
proteins using HPLC AKTA systems (affinity, ion-exchange, gel-filtration)
• Successfully designed and performed transfection of recombinant genes into
insect cell lines for protein expression
• Successfully expressed and purified over 10 recombinant proteins using
bacterial and baculovirus insect cell culture systems
• Investigated novel protein-ligand binding kinetics using ligand binding assays
such as Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) and Microscale Thermophoresis
(MST) methods
• Improved productivity and scalability of 5 low yield proteins through protein
sequence design
• Resolved and analysed 3 novel molecular structure of recombinant proteins
through X-ray crystallography
• Screened more than 1200 chemical compounds as potential drug candidates
to inhibit protein function in vitro
Graduate Researcher 2016 – 2021
• Collaborated with graduate researchers from molecular biology and
biochemistry laboratories to co-author two peer-reviewed research articles.
Both articles have been published under PLOS Biology and Journal of
Biological Chemistry.
• Guided 2 penultimate year students with their thesis writing, both of whom
scored an “A” grade.
• Distilled key insights from journals and research data for monthly presentations
to Principal Investigators, Postdoctoral Fellows, and graduate researchers
• Analysed scientific literature on fungal infection, cell adhesion and DNA repair
to guide research direction and generate new hypothesis
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore
• Mentored undergraduate students on experimental protocols and subsequent
data analysis.
• Trained undergraduate students to be competent in basic microbiology-related
laboratory techniques
Residential Mentor Singapore
• Appointed as co-leader for NTU’s Residential Education fitness programme
“SPARTAN”
Jul2017–Jul2018
• Organised bi-weekly fitness programmes and workshops led by professionals
for more than 80 NTU students and staff
• Designed and implemented new layout for NTU Hall 7 gym
• Facilitated the renovation of NTU Hall 7 gym
• Handled the procurement of gym equipment for NTU Hall 7 gym with budget
constraint of $9000
PATENTS
NTUitive, Innovation and Enterprise (I&E) Company of NTU Singapore
Inventor (patent pending)
• Collaborated in the research of repurposed drug candidates that inhibits
pathogenic fungal growth
• Resolved molecular structure of novel protein targeted by experimental drugs
PUBLICATIONS
Lim, M.J., Loh, Z.Y., Yeo, H.L., Yenamandra, S.P., Kong, M., Pang, H.Y., Lee, M.H., Humaidi, M., Chua, C., Griffiths,
J. and Ng, L.C., 2022. Isolation and Genetic Characterization of Japanese Encephalitis Virus Two Decades after Its
Elimination in Singapore. Viruses, 14(12), p.2662.
Xie, Y.#, Loh, Z.Y.#, Xue, J., Zhou, F., Sun, J., Qiao, Z., Jin, S., Deng, Y., Li, H., Wang, Y., Lu, L., Gao, Y. and Miao,
Y., 2020. Orchestrated actin nucleation by the Candida albicans polarisome complex enables filamentous growth.
Journal of Biological Chemistry, pp.jbc-RA120.
#: These authors contributed equally
Bu, W., Levitskaya, Z., Loh, Z.Y., Jin, S., Basu, S., Ero, R., Yan, X., Wang, M., Ngan, S.F.C., Sze, S.K., Gao, Y. and
Tan, S.M., 2020. Structural basis of human full-length kindlin-3 homotrimer in an auto-inhibited state. PLoS biology,
18(7), p.e3000755.