I am an engineer, design thinker and leader of innovation.

I hail from Singapore, a tiny country in the heart of South East Asia. I grew up in a culture that is steeped in both western and eastern influences. My background has inculcated in me a respect for diversity of all kinds.

Ever since I watched the video feature “The Deep Dive” about IDEO and their approach to product design and engineering, I’ve been a passionate practitioner of human-centered design. One of my favorite pastimes is to just observe how people interact with their material landscape. When it comes to teams, I love working with people from other design disciplines and appreciate the differences in perspective and new insight they bring to the table.

I hope to use my engineering knowledge to create impact in this world, be it through business to business products in automation and manufacturing to more consumer-facing fields such as product design. This drive to create impact has deeply influenced my student involvement on campus and how I carry myself as a leader.

In my spare time, I enjoy playing sports such as field hockey and golf. I also practice Krav Maga, an Israeli form of self defense. In the home sphere, I am a coffee geek. From marveling at the PID controllers on the espresso machine, to the experimentation to achieve the perfect balance in a grind, every aspect of the experience speaks to the engineer in me.

Education

Stanford University

2017 – Present
M.S Mechanical Engineering

University of Illinois

2011-2015
B.Sc Mechanical Engineering

Victoria Junior College

2007-2008
G.C.E “A” Levels

Experience

Yaskawa America

Product Engineer
Jun 2015 – Jun 2017

As a product engineer, I design of power electronics enclosures to meet thermal and electrical clearance requirements through use of CFD and FE analysis. I interface with eCAD data, realizing the ideas of the electrical engineering team in 3D.  I also design of add-on kits for UL/NEMA Type 4 and 12 enclosure qualification.

Human Dynamics and Control Lab

Undergraduate Research Assistant
Aug 2014 – Mar 2015

As an undergraduate research assistant, I assisted in analyzing data from gait studies done in the lab. This required me to engage in mechanical design, microcontroller programming, motion capture and kinematic analysis. I also aided in the design of sensors for biomechanical measurements. These devices were utilized in the study of a portable pneumatic ankle-foot orthoses and an improved loftstrand crutch.

Yaskawa America

Product Design Engineering Intern
Feb 2014 – Jul 2014

In my semester internship at Yaskawa, I assisted in the custom modification of existing variable frequency drive products from Japan. I also assisted in-house design projects in support of the testing, research and manufacturing departments. Prior to the launch of a new product line, I was tasked with assisting with the UL qualification of the drives.

Lightcraft Private Limited

Mechanical Design Intern
May 2013 – Aug 2013

During this summer internship, I assisted in the mechanical design and drafting of various lighting fixtures. I also communicated with manufacturers in China to ensure that the designs were correctly interpreted for the production of first articles. I also had the opportunity to perform factory visits and partake in the Guangzhou International Lighting Fair.

Singapore Armed Forces

Platoon Commander, Motorized Infantry
Jan 2010 – Nov 2010

In Singapore, military service is compulsory for all males. While there I was selected for Officer Cadet School and was trained in the weapons and tactics for an armored infantry platoon. I was then posted to the 2nd Singapore Infantry Regiment where I served a platoon commander in the Motorized Support Company which provides armored support for infantry. It was here that I learned how to shoulder the responsibility of ensuring the wellbeing and safety of those under my purview. I also honed my planning and logistical skills, to the point where I could plan and organize a training for 400 men.

Activities

Design for America

President
Aug 2013 – Mar 2015

As the president of the local chapter of Design for America, I lead a multidisciplinary, student run design studio that uses human-centered design to solve problems in the Champaign-Urbana community. As part of the organization’s core mission of developing leaders of innovation, I also coach the individual student teams and run design thinking workshops on campus. To help start new projects I develop relationships with external community organizations such as the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, an elderly daycare, the local walking school bus program and the John St Watershed Steering Committee.

Haiti Clean Stove Project

President
Aug 2011 – Mar 2013

As a president of the Haiti Clean Stove Project I led a group of engineers in the research, design and testing of clean, affordable and eco-friendly stoves for Haiti. As part of the research, I led a group of 5 undergraduates on a 2 week long trip to Haiti that I planned and executed myself using much of the experience I gained in the military. After the 2 weeks, I stayed for another 2 to help teach artisans in the community how to construct rocket stoves. I then assisted in writing a successful EPA grant application for $15,000 to develop our ideas. These ideas were field tested in Haiti and presented at the National Sustainable Design Conference in Washington D.C in 2013

Field Hockey

School Team Captain
Jan 2007 – Nov 2008

My involvement in hockey extends past my captaincy of my high school team. Due to the fact that we failed to secure a coach for one semester, I had to also take on coaching duties. This involved me planning and running thrice weekly training sessions. Outside of school I was selected to represent Singapore in the regional schools tournament where I got international exposure to teams from, among others, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Thailand.  I was also a 1st team player for the Singapore Cricket Club in the Premier League, the country’s highest domestic league.

Skills