ZACHARY KOH

13 May 2021

I had the privilege of conducting my final year honors thesis in the Laboratory of Microbial biofilms for the period of August 2020 to April 2021. Choosing to work in this laboratory was without a doubt, the best decision that I have ever made in my undergraduate life. I believe a big reason would be the immensely welcoming and encouraging working environment that have been constructed by the Principal Investigator (PI), Dr Ch’ng Junhong, and was actively perpetuated by his staff and colleagues. Dr Ch’ng was an excellent teacher and mentor to me who had the heart big enough to accommodate my constant mistakes and misconceptions and yet a mindset so flexible that allows me to learn and improve in my own ways. He is never one to hand-hold but is always there as a beacon that I can comfortably approach should I have any difficulties or problems that I was incapable of solving. Throughout the entire final year project (FYP), I was faced with many difficulties and obstacles that, given my experience and knowledge as an undergraduate, were too much to handle. It was times like these where Dr Ch’ng would provide insightful advice without imposing his views onto me because he knew that this was very much his project as it is mine and wanted me to come to independent decisions on my own after reasonable considerations. This happened many times throughout the eight months and personally, I value this style of teaching that gives me the autonomy and space to think innovatively and to logically deduce on my own what the best course of actions would be which is where the real learning takes place. One unique experience of working in this laboratory is the close relationship that us students have with our PI. Based on anecdotes presented by my peers, most of them worked closely with their mentor who is usually a phD student whilst others barely even seen their PI in-person before. However, in this laboratory, I am proud to say that I actually see my PI at least once every week. Dr Ch’ng has an open-door policy that encourages me to ask questions whenever I want to and to be frank, has made me more comfortable with admitting that “I do not know”. Many a times in our society and especially through our education system, we are expected to know everything and to look up on everything ourselves, which I personally find is ridiculous because it is impossible to know everything especially if you do not know that you do not know it in the first place. Therefore, as an undergraduate student who has little prior knowledge on microbial biofilm or bacteria, I greatly appreciate this culture that Dr Ch’ng has created in the laboratory where we are not afraid to admit our mistakes and shortcomings, and to focus on our own learning and self-improvement. 
This FYP experience was undoubtedly one of the toughest things that I have ever went through thus far in my education. I went into it expecting to get a taste of working in a laboratory where I would have to plan and execute experiments independently. I would say that I did get the experience that I was looking for and way more, but it was certainly more difficult than I had imagined it to be. The amount of stamina, determination and perseverance that is required to repeat the same experimental protocols which were arguably mundane as per any repetitive action, was certainly enormous. Most importantly, this entire process taught me the value of patience. We fail more than we actually succeed in life and this is just amplified more in science where results are more concrete and actualised. I have made many mistakes throughout these eight months, ranging from pure carelessness to ignorance and at times unexplainable, but what kept me going throughout this period was my mentor, Mugil, who was always there to answer any doubts that I have (no matter how ridiculous) and to provide me with quick-fixes and calm-me-downs. I often forget that Mugil is a student like me because of the vast knowledge that she has under her belt and I really look up to her a lot for her passion and dedication that she has to science. Nalini was the gears that kept the laboratory moving and without her, the laboratory would probably have collapsed before I could start my FYP. Ultimately, this entire journey was borne with blood, sweat and tears but I would not have traded these eight months for anything else because I emerged as someone who has developed a greater level of curiosity and patience, as well as one who is more determined to face any trials to come in the future. Working in Dr Ch’ng’s laboratory has certainly been a privilege and I am very fortunate to have been able to learn so much from him, Mugil and Nalini. Lastly, a mention of my fellow undergraduate laboratory partner, Tan Qing, is necessary for she had literally been by my side throughout the entire process where we have nothing but shared pain and happiness under our belts.