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The High Impact Thesis Podcast is a platform that hosts PhD students, Researchers, and Professors, from Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore), to talk about their research and share their work experience.
Brought to you by NTU World of Wisdom.
Email: hitpod.wow@gmail.com
Brought to you by NTU World of Wisdom.
Email: hitpod.wow@gmail.com
42 Episodes
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In this episode, we speak with Zhou Qinrou, a PhD student from NTU School of Social Science, whose research is challenging the foundational assumptions of how we understand bureaucracy. Qinrou takes us to walk through her thesis that discusses "What truly drives public servants to be good beyond simply doing well?" We dive into the critical Chinese concept of "zuoren" and "zuoshi". At the end, Qinrou also gives her personal understandings of the commitment, which supported her throughout her impactful PhD journey.
In today's episode of "High Impact Thesis," we sit down with Alka Luqman, a final-year PhD student at NTU's College of Computing and Data Science. Before starting her PhD, Alka spent seven years in an industrial company, where she worked on machine learning projects and natural language processing in the pre-LLM era. Alka shares her motivation for leaving the corporate world, to create new technology rather than just use it. Her current research focuses on peer-to-peer federated learning, a form of distributed machine learning that allows data to remain on individual devices, improving privacy and security. We discuss the challenges of implementing this technology in the real world, including data distribution shifts and communication efficiency, which is a core focus of her research.
In this episode of High Impact Thesis, we talk to Dr. Pritish Mishra, who recently completed his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering at NTU. Pritish shares how his fascination with nanotechnology led him to explore computational material science, culminating in his research on designing single-photon emitters using perovskite quantum dots. He discusses how simulations, machine learning, and experimental synthesis come together in the search for highly efficient quantum materials, which is essential for secure quantum communication. We also dive into the challenges of interdisciplinary work, unexpected turns in his PhD journey, and his experience leading TEDxNTU.
In this episode of High Impact Thesis, we speak with Nicole Yao, a PhD student from NTU’s School of Humanities, whose research explores the representation of ruins in contemporary Chinese literature and film. Nicole discusses how abandoned spaces—urban and rural—symbolize the human cost of modernization in post-1990s China. She also reflects on the challenges of interdisciplinary research, the role of sincerity in representing marginalized lives, and what it means to pursue meaning in the humanities. Recommended works include The World by Jia Zhangke and The Song of Everlasting Sorrow by Wang Anyi.
In this episode, we welcome Wu Tong, a Ph.D. candidate in Leadership, Management, and Organisation at NTU, whose research explores the family-work interface and the future of work. Tong shares insights from his current study on the social and psychological impact of "sharing good news"—why we do it, how others respond, and what it means for both personal and workplace relationships. He discusses the benefits for both sharers and receivers, highlights the influence of workplace culture and personality on disclosure, and outlines potential directions for future research. Tune in to learn how a simple act like sharing a success story can shape our connections at home and work.
In this episode, we speak with Michael Yuhas, a Ph.D. candidate in the Interdisciplinary Graduate Programme at Nanyang Technological University, whose research at the Energy Research Institute focuses on assured safety systems for autonomous vehicles. Michael shares how his industry experience at Apple and NIO shaped his academic path, and explains key concepts such as out-of-distribution detection and the challenges of validating AI-driven systems under unpredictable conditions like heavy rain. He also offers a glimpse into his daily Ph.D. routine and what it’s like doing research at the intersection of engineering, AI, and safety.
Dr. Suhas is a recent graduate from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from NTU. His research work focuses on preparing versatile wearable robots for rehabilitative purposes using metamaterials which give more control over its structure. He also discusses about robotics and various sensors utilized in his domain, the interesting application and relative ease provided by 3D printing prototypes and various state-of-the-art methods practiced in the area of rehabilitation. Tune in to experience his unique scholarly journey.
Dr. Ellice Wu is a recent graduate from the School of Humanities at Nanyang Technological University. Her research delves into the life and works of the renowned artist, painter, and academician Angelica Kauffman. In this episode, Ellice discusses how Kauffman’s self-portraits during her London period (1766–1781) reveal a complex interplay of identity, professionalism, and gender. She also touches on challenges encountered during the COVID-19 era and shares valuable methods for exploring and understanding artists like Kauffman and appreciating their contributions. Tune in for an inspiring insight into Ellice’s scholarly journey.
Lin Shicong (Vera) is a PhD candidate from the School of Humanities at Nanyang Technological University. Her research focused on children's literature and picturebooks, exploring early literacy, narratology, and book art. Specifically, she investigated how unconventional picturebooks, such as pop-up books and those with special materials or bindings, stimulate children's multisensory learning through the physicality of the book. Vera's approach involved collecting and categorizing novelty books from the global children's book market to examine their narrative devices. Apart from her PhD journey, she also discussed the challenges in understanding children's learning experiences in the digital era and their long-term impacts. Outside of her research, Vera shared her involvement with the TEDx community and her enjoyment of various sports. Join our discussion of Vera's journey throughout her PhD.
Dr Malik was a PhD candidate from the school of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at NTU. His research was on developing a high-performance Raman spectrometer using the less explored Raman excitation spectroscopy technique. This improved spectrometer essentially flips the operation of the excitation and detection modules for greater flexibility and optimization on both sides compared to conventional systems. Apart from his PhD journey, he also talks about his time as a host of this podcast and his interest with rock-climbing and generally staying fit.
Dr. Chan Wen Kiat is a PhD graduate from the School of Chemistry, Chemical and Biotechnology Engineering (CCEB). Dive deep into his groundbreaking research on perovskite superstructures and heterostructures for enhanced optical performance. Discover how his innovative work on hybrid perovskite materials and LnNP@perovskite heterostructures is paving the way for the next generation of high-efficiency solar cells and display technologies. Plus, get a glimpse into Dr. Wen Kiat's personal journey and perspective on the technology translation journey. Tune in for an episode that blends cutting-edge science with an inspiring personal narrative – it's one you won't want to miss!
Pak Hui Ying is a PhD candidate from the Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI), which is part of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Programme. With prior experience in water monitoring, her current research work delves on water turbidity monitoring using hyperspectral imagers mounted on drones. She discusses with us the practical issues of conducting field experiments in large water bodies, a necessary part of her prior and current research works. She also talks about several other topics including the sharing of research data to the public, “mental” blocks where new research ideas are difficult to materialize and methods to maintain work-life balance.
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Reach out to the HIT Podcast Team on: hitpod.wow@gmail.com
Ahmed Hussein graduated with a PhD from the school of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE). He talks to us about the need and development of power converters that use multi-level switches that can convert power with several inputs and outputs in the same package at lower cost. He discusses factors such as circuit optimization, minimizing losses, and boosting power. We also go over the inception of this podcast and how to start your own successful student initiative with the school's support.
Follow the HIT Podcast on twitter @wowhitpod Reach out to the HIT Podcast Team on: hitpod.wow@gmail.com
Dr. Christoper Luwanga is a PhD graduate from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) and one of the founders of HIT podcast. Embark on a cosmic journey with Dr. Christopher Luwanga' research in space weather and ionosphere irregularity modeling. Discover how his work with machine learning is shaping the future of satellite communications. Plus, delve into Dr. Luwanga's personal journey and his mission to unveil the 'why' behind PhD research of students that translated into the HIT podcast. Tune in for a captivating blend of science and storytelling – it's an episode you won't want to miss!
Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim, a PhD graduate from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE), shares his research journey focused on enhancing the performance and efficiency of perovskite solar cells. Through innovative device modifications and optimizations, he strived to push the boundaries of solar cell technology. Additionally, Dr. Ibrahim discusses his novel approach to characterizing losses in these solar cells, offering valuable insights into the bottlenecks limiting their performance. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of solar energy research with Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim, who also reflects on his experience as one of the original founders of this podcast.
Hasnain graduated with a PhD from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE). He talks to us about building machine learning models from past airport traffic data to minimize delays in real-time. He also discusses the challenges and hesitance in the adoption of such tools. We also gain some insight into his experience finding a higher purpose while doing research.
Follow the HIT Podcast on twitter @wowhitpod Reach out to the HIT Podcast Team on: hitpod.wow@gmail.com
Jwala graduated with a PhD from the School of Computer Science and Engineering (SCSE). She talks to us about assessing Natural Language Processing (NLP) models that specialize in translation between different languages, compiling useful datasets for training, and some of the current pitfalls. She also shares her experience learning different languages from shows, books, and apps.
Follow the HIT Podcast on twitter @wowhitpod Reach out to the HIT Podcast Team on: hitpod.wow@gmail.com
Gopi is a post-doctoral researcher at the school of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE). She was a PhD student from the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program @ NTU (IGP), working on using microbes to de-stain water contaminated by fabric dyes. She also talks about her time at NTU's Toastmasters chapter and her unique experience representing Singapore in Google's Connect Live (2019) event for her contributions to their Maps platform.
Alvin Chua Sern Hao is a Ph.D. candidiate at the School of Humanities (SOH) at NTU. He studies earthenwares from different archaeological sites in
Southeast Asia. In this episode he talks to us about the history of ceramics in the region, where are they found, what were they used for, and how they spread from one area to another.
Follow the HIT Podcast on twitter @wowhitpod
Reach out to the HIT Podcast Team on: hitpod.wow@gmail.com
Syed is a Ph.D. student at Nanyang Technological University's School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (CCEB - formerly SCBE). He talks to us about his research into carbon capture technology, what it can do to mitigate emissions, and how far it is from large scale implementation. He also shares his experience working with TEDxNTU and being a residential mentor.
Follow the HIT Podcast on twitter @wowhitpod Reach out to the HIT Podcast Team on: hitpod.wow@gmail.com
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