One North Stories

This is One North Stories, an A*START CENTRAL PodcastOne North Stories, an A*Start Central Podcast, was at SWITCH 2024.  To wrap up this early season interlude, we have a brief retrospective from the A*STAR Booth.Did you miss SWITCH 2024?  Listen to our 10 micro-episodes to get a flavour.  Want even more, get in touch and we can connect you.Learn more about A*STAR, A*Start Central and this episodes guests: A*STAR (Website)A*Start Central (Website)Anthony Chong (LinkedIn)Jiah Shin Chin (LinkedIn)Joel Chow (LinkedIn)Malay Singh (LinkedIn)Germaine Shalla (LinkedIn)Dennis Quek (LinkedIn)Faulyne Tan (LinkedIn)Cheng Kai Lim (LinkedIn)Thank you for listening. If you like what you’ve heard, please share with a friend. After that, please subscribe and review us wherever you get your podcasts.Check out A*START CENTRAL (Website, LinkedIn)If you have future episode ideas, segments ideas or want to partner with us on this exciting journey, please get in touch: onenorthstories@a-star.edu.sg

This is One North Stories, an A*START CENTRAL PodcastAmol Amrute and Liu Yan from the Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE²) join to share about the technologies they’re working on towards our net zero future. Amol and team are working on catalyst discovery leveraging AI.  Leveraging AI, automation and high throughput experimentation, they’ve significantly sped up the process.  One of the first outcomes of the program is now undergoing scale-up to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel from CO2.Liu Yan and team are working on resource circularity from industrial desalination.  They are able to capture CO2 from the process while also recovering valuable minerals from the leftover brine.Visit the A*STAR Booth at SWITCH 2024 to find out more.  If you cannot make it, reach out and we will put you in touch.Learn more about A*STAR ISCE², Amol, Liu Yan and the amazing work they are doing: Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment (ISCE²)Amol Amrute (LinkedIn)Liu Yan (LinkedIn)Thank you for listening. If you like what you’ve heard, please share with a friend. After that, please subscribe and review us wherever you get your podcasts.Check out A*START CENTRAL (Website, LinkedIn)If you have future episode ideas, segments ideas or want to partner with us on this exciting journey, please get in touch: onenorthstories@a-star.edu.sg

This is One North Stories, an A*START CENTRAL PodcastErnest Tan of the Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (ARTC) joins to share about optimizing 5G networks for Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT).  They have developed a web based tool to evaluate a physical space and optimally design a wireless connectivity network fit for purpose.Visit the A*STAR Booth at SWITCH 2024 to find out more.  If you cannot make it, reach out and we will put you in touch.Learn more about A*STAR ARTC, Ernest and the amazing work they are doing: Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (ARTC) (Website)Ernest Tan (LinkedIn)Thank you for listening. If you like what you’ve heard, please share with a friend. After that, please subscribe and review us wherever you get your podcasts.Check out A*START CENTRAL (Website, LinkedIn)If you have future episode ideas, segments ideas or want to partner with us on this exciting journey, please get in touch: onenorthstories@a-star.edu.sg

This is One North Stories, an A*START CENTRAL PodcastNicholas Ng, CTO and Co-Founder of BotMind joins to introduce his new start-up endeavor.  Botmind works to integrate robotics and fleet management into company workflows.  They have integrated a cut-edge navigation stack to optimize resource management while reducing errors and thus costs.Visit the A*STAR Booth at SWITCH 2024 to find out more.  If you cannot make it, reach out and we will put you in touch.Learn more about Botmind, Nicholas and the amazing work they are doing:Nicholas Ng (LinkedIn)Thank you for listening. If you like what you’ve heard, please share with a friend. After that, please subscribe and review us wherever you get your podcasts.Check out A*START CENTRAL (Website, LinkedIn)If you have future episode ideas, segments ideas or want to partner with us on this exciting journey, please get in touch: onenorthstories@a-star.edu.sg

This is One North Stories, an A*START CENTRAL PodcastDoris Ng and Weiguo Chen of the Institute of Microelectronics (IME) join to share about their AI trained gas sensor. They’ve developed a gas channel on a silicon chip and leverage a non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) measurement technique to quantify CO2.  This can also be used for CH4.  Through wafer-based fabrication, the device can be manufactured at scale.Visit the A*STAR Booth at SWITCH 2024 to find out more.  If you cannot make it, reach out and we will put you in touch.Learn more about A*STAR IME, Doris, Weiguo and the amazing work they are doing: Institute of Microelectronics (IME) (Website)Doris Ng (LinkedIn)Weiguo Chen (LinkedIn)Thank you for listening. If you like what you’ve heard, please share with a friend. After that, please subscribe and review us wherever you get your podcasts.Check out A*START CENTRAL (Website, LinkedIn)If you have future episode ideas, segments ideas or want to partner with us on this exciting journey, please get in touch: onenorthstories@a-star.edu.sg

This is One North Stories, an A*START CENTRAL PodcastSun Xianchong of the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) joins to share about a novel method to fabricate cooling structures for energy storage systems (aka battery packs).  In partnership with the Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (ARTC), they fabricate stainless steel micro port tubes (SS-MPT) to efficiently carry coolant away from the heat source.Visit the A*STAR Booth at SWITCH 2024 to find out more.  If you cannot make it, reach out and we will put you in touch.Learn more about A*STAR SIMTech, A*STAR ARTC, Sun Xianchong and the amazing work they are doing: Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) (Website)Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (ARTC) (Website)Sun Xianchong (LinkedIn)Thank you for listening. If you like what you’ve heard, please share with a friend. After that, please subscribe and review us wherever you get your podcasts.Check out A*START CENTRAL (Website, LinkedIn)If you have future episode ideas, segments ideas or want to partner with us on this exciting journey, please get in touch: onenorthstories@a-star.edu.sg

This is One North Stories, an A*START CENTRAL PodcastLiangli Zhen of the Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC) joins to share about leveraging AI to help patients with eczema better manage their condition.  This disease affects 20% of children and 10% of adults worldwide. They have developed an app to help diagnosed patients better monitor their condition and seek appropriate treatment.Visit the A*STAR Booth at SWITCH 2024 to find out more.  If you cannot make it, reach out and we will put you in touch.Learn more about A*STAR IHPC, Liangli and the amazing work they are doing: Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC) (Website)Liangli Zhen (LinkedIn)Thank you for listening. If you like what you’ve heard, please share with a friend. After that, please subscribe and review us wherever you get your podcasts.Check out A*START CENTRAL (Website, LinkedIn)If you have future episode ideas, segments ideas or want to partner with us on this exciting journey, please get in touch: onenorthstories@a-star.edu.sg

This is One North Stories, an A*START CENTRAL PodcastChayaporn Suphavilai (Nok) of the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) joints to share about a new infectious disease diagnostics test kit.  Based on genomics, the kit enables both precision and speed.  This can be a game changer for immunocompromised patients who need accurate and timely diagnostics.Visit the A*STAR Booth at SWITCH 2024 to find out more.  If you cannot make it, reach out and we will put you in touch.Learn more about A*STAR GIS, Nok and the amazing work they are doing: Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) (Website)Nok (LinkedIn)Thank you for listening. If you like what you’ve heard, please share with a friend. After that, please subscribe and review us wherever you get your podcasts.Check out A*START CENTRAL (Website, LinkedIn)If you have future episode ideas, segments ideas or want to partner with us on this exciting journey, please get in touch: onenorthstories@a-star.edu.sg

This is One North Stories, an A*START CENTRAL PodcastHuang Weimin of the Institute of Infocomm Research (I2R) and Zhong Liang of the National Heart Centre Singapore, join to share about Apollo, a ground breaking AI enabled physician assist to read and interpret 3D medical images.  This was developed in partnership with the Bioinformatics Institute (BII).Visit the A*STAR Booth at SWITCH 2024 to find out more.  If you cannot make it, reach out and we will put you in touch.Learn more about A*STAR I2R, A*STAR BII, National Heart Centre Singapore, Zhong Liang, Huang Weimin and the amazing work they are doing: Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R) (Website)Bioinformatics Institute (BII) (Website)National Heart Centre Singapore (Website)Zhong Liang (LinkedIn)Huang Weimin (Google Scholar)Thank you for listening. If you like what you’ve heard, please share with a friend. After that, please subscribe and review us wherever you get your podcasts.Check out A*START CENTRAL (Website, LinkedIn)If you have future episode ideas, segments ideas or want to partner with us on this exciting journey, please get in touch: onenorthstories@a-star.edu.sg

This is One North Stories, an A*START CENTRAL PodcastJiah Shin Chin, from the A*STAR Skin Research Labs joins to share about the hydrogel they’ve developed to accelerate the healing of chronic wounds.  This could be a game changer, especially for those facing amputation for non healing wounds.Visit the A*STAR Booth at SWITCH 2024 to find out more. If you cannot make it, reach out and we will put you in touch.Learn more about A*STAR Skin Research Labs, Jiah Shin and the amazing work they are doing: A*STAR Skin Research Labs(Website)Jiah Shin Chin (LinkedIn)Thank you for listening. If you like what you’ve heard, please share with a friend. After that, please subscribe and review us wherever you get your podcasts.Check out A*START CENTRAL (Website, LinkedIn)If you have future episode ideas, segments ideas or want to partner with us on this exciting journey, please get in touch: onenorthstories@a-star.edu.sg

This is One North Stories, an A*START CENTRAL PodcastJake Berber and DJ Tan join to share a brief introduction and update on Prefer Coffee.  Their bean free coffee start-up has come a long way over the past year.  One North Stories had previously hosted Jake and DJ for episode 13 (Apple and Spotify).Visit the A*STAR Booth at SWITCH 2024 to try it out.Learn more about Prefer, Jake, DJ and the amazing work they are doing: Prefer Coffee (Website)Prefer Coffee (LinkedIn)Jake Berber (LinkedIn)DJ Tan (LinkedIn)Thank you for listening. If you like what you’ve heard, please share with a friend. After that, please subscribe and review us wherever you get your podcasts.Check out A*START CENTRAL (Website, LinkedIn)If you have future episode ideas, segments ideas or want to partner with us on this exciting journey, please get in touch: onenorthstories@a-star.edu.sg

This is One North Stories, an A*START CENTRAL PodcastOne North Stories, an A*Start Central Podcast, the A*STAR Booth at SWITCH 2024.  We have 10 micro-episodes for you to meet the scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs working hard to bring tomorrow’s technology to market today.  We hope you enjoy!To learn more, visit the A*STAR Booth at SWITCH 2024.  Registration is free.If you cannot make it, reach out and we will put you in touch.Thank you for listening. If you like what you’ve heard, please share with a friend. After that, please subscribe and review us wherever you get your podcasts.Check out A*START CENTRAL (Website, LinkedIn)If you have future episode ideas, segments ideas or want to partner with us on this exciting journey, please get in touch: onenorthstories@a-star.edu.sg

This is One North Stories, an A*START CENTRAL PodcastMeet Doreen Chai, Deputy Director at co11ab Noventa.Recorded at SWITCH 2025, this episode features Peiling in conversation with Doreen as they explore Co11ab’s mission to accelerate biomed tech innovation through strategic partnerships with NHG Health, NTU, Singapore’s research institutions and of course, the startups they support.Doreen shares how Co11ab’s state-of-the-art facilities and collaborative community create a launchpad for local and global startups—spotlighting why cross-collaboration matters and how Singapore’s ecosystem gives innovators a competitive edge.The discussion dives into the role of connected networks in scaling health tech ventures and why building bridges between academia, healthcare, and industry is key to driving growth.Learn more about Co11ab, Doreen and the amazing work they are doing:Co11ab (Website)Co11ab(LinkedIn)Doreen Chai(LinkedIn)Thank you for listening. If you like what you’ve heard, please share with a friend. After that, please subscribe and review us wherever you get your podcasts.Check out A*START CENTRAL (Website, LinkedIn)If you have future episode ideas, segments ideas or want to partner with us on this exciting journey, please get in touch: onenorthstories@a-star.edu.sg

This is One North Stories, an A*START CENTRAL PodcastMeet Pauline Tay, Director, National Health Innovation Centre, Singapore (NHIC)Recorded at SWITCH 2025, this episode features Pei Ling in conversation with Pauline as they unpack the evolving landscape of healthcare innovation.Pauline shares how NHIC empowers clinicians to turn ideas into impactful solutions—spotlighting breakthroughs like robotic surgical tools and novel eczema treatments.The discussion dives into precision medicine, and why collaboration between researchers, clinicians, and tech partners is key to transforming patient care.You’ll also hear Pauline’s personal journey from A*STAR researcher to leading NHIC, and her vision for a future where clinician-led innovation drives better health outcomes.Learn more about NHIC, Pauline and the amazing work they are doing: NHIC (Website)NHIC (LinkedIn)Pauline(LinkedIn)Please note that as of 1 July 2025, National Healthcare Group has been rebranded to NHG Health.Thank you for listening. If you like what you’ve heard, please share with a friend. After that, please subscribe and review us wherever you get your podcasts.Check out A*START CENTRAL (Website, LinkedIn)If you have future episode ideas, segments ideas or want to partner with us on this exciting journey, please get in touch: onenorthstories@a-star.edu.sg

This is One North Stories, an A*START CENTRAL PodcastMeet Rafael Alate Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) EntrepreneurshipRecorded at SWITCH 2025, this episode features Reuben in conversation with Rafael as they explore his decade-long journey championing entrepreneurship across different Singapore institutions and his current role at SUSS.Rafael shares how SUSS is driving programs for social good and impact—spotlighting initiatives like dementia care services and inclusive education. The discussion dives into a 12-week intensive venture-building program, a 2.5-year partnership with Alibaba Cloud, and how these efforts empower aspiring entrepreneurs.They also examine the urgent need to address an aging society and why collaboration with technology partners is critical to amplifying impact.Learn more about SUSS, Rafael Alzate and the amazing work they are doing: SUSS Entrepreneurship (Website)SUSS Entrepreneurship (LinkedIn)Rafael Alzate(LinkedIn)Thank you for listening. If you like what you’ve heard, please share with a friend. After that, please subscribe and review us wherever you get your podcasts.Check out A*START CENTRAL (Website, LinkedIn)If you have future episode ideas, segments ideas or want to partner with us on this exciting journey, please get in touch: onenorthstories@a-star.edu.sg

This is One North Stories, an A*START CENTRAL PodcastMeet Jay Chandran from Singapore Management University (SMU) Institute of Innovation and EntrepreneurshipRecorded at SWITCH 2025, this episode features Reuben in conversation with Jay as they explore his journey leading SMU’s innovation ecosystem and shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs. Jay shares how SMU’s Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship operates on three pillars—cultivate, coach, and convene—to empower students and startups.The discussion dives into flagship programs like Protégé Ventures, Global Innovation Immersion, and the Business Innovations Generator, which help founders gain real-world experience and scale their ventures.They also spotlight the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition, attracting global startups to tackle pressing challenges, and explore trends in tech transfer and deep tech commercialization. Plus, Jay shares his vision for future opportunities, including the rise of venture studios and the need for entrepreneurial talent.Learn more about Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at SMU, Jay and the amazing work they are doing: SMU Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Website)SMU Institute ofInnovation and Entrepreneurship (LinkedIn)Jay Chandran (LinkedIn)Thank you for listening. If you like what you’ve heard, please share with a friend. After that, please subscribe and review us wherever you get your podcasts.Check out A*START CENTRAL (Website, LinkedIn)If you have future episode ideas, segments ideas or want to partner with us on this exciting journey, please get in touch: onenorthstories@a-star.edu.sg

This is One North Stories, an A*START CENTRAL PodcastMeet Anuj Jain from NTU’s National Graduate Research Innovation Program (National GRIP).Recorded at SWITCH 2025, this episode features Reuben in conversation with Anuj as they explore his dynamic career journey—from FMCG to entrepreneurship and venture capital—leading to his current role at NTU running National GRIP.Anuj shares how National Grip is driving the commercialization of deep tech research and nurturing science entrepreneurs to bridge academia and industry. The discussion highlights strategic partnerships, including a recent collaboration with Activate US, aimed at helping scientists scale innovations globally.They also dive into the challenges of shifting research-focused mindsets toward entrepreneurial thinking and the opportunities for Singapore to build globally disruptive companies.Learn more about National GRIP, NTU, Anuj and the amazing work they are doing: National Grip (Website)NTU Venture Building (Website)NTU Innovation and Entrepreneurship (LinkedIn)Anuj Jain (LinkedIn)Thank you for listening. If you like what you’ve heard, please share with a friend. After that, please subscribe and review us wherever you get your podcasts.Check out A*START CENTRAL (Website, LinkedIn)If you have future episode ideas, segments ideas or want to partner with us on this exciting journey, please get in touch: onenorthstories@a-star.edu.sg

This is One North Stories, an A*START CENTRAL PodcastMeet Professor Benjamin Tee from NUS Enterprise.Recorded at SWITCH 2025 at the A*STAR booth, this episode features Reuben in conversation with Professor Tee as they explore his entrepreneurial journey, cutting-edge research in AI and sensor technology and guiding NUS Enterprise.Professor Tee is a serial entrepreneur, founding multiple startups. He shares insights from his first venture, Preview Medical, and subsequent companies, highlighting the importance of turning ideas into market-ready solutions.The discussion dives into his current role at NUS Enterprise, the National Grip Program, and the latest innovations shaping the Singapore startup ecosystem—along with why cultivating versatile talent is critical for the future.Learn more about NUS Enterprise, Benjamin and the amazing work they are doing: NUS Enterprise (Website)NUS Enterprise (LinkedIn)Benjamin Tee (LinkedIn)Thank you for listening. If you like what you’ve heard, please share with a friend. After that, please subscribe and review us wherever you get your podcasts.Check out A*START CENTRAL (Website, LinkedIn)If you have future episode ideas, segments ideas or want to partner with us on this exciting journey, please get in touch: onenorthstories@a-star.edu.sg

This is One North Stories, an A*START CENTRAL PodcastMeet Winston from LG Nova, the venture studio of LG Electronics.Recorded at SWITCH 2025, this episode features Reuben in conversation with Winston as they explore LG Nova’s mission to incubate and launch new software businesses in clean tech, health tech, AI and beyond that become subsidiaries of LG.Winston’s journey took him from Malaysia to Silicon Valley, via Canada and Singapore.  He has been coming back to Singapore a bit more recently, looking for partnerships and technology synergies.The discussion dives into LG Nova’s current and future initiatives.  Winston shares about two of the businesses, Primefocus Health, working on transitionary care at home and Pado, AI-powered energy management for neoclouds.Learn more about LG Nova, Winston and the amazing work they are doing: LG Nova (Website)LG Nova(LinkedIn)Winston Choe(LinkedIn)Thank you for listening. If you like what you’ve heard, please share with a friend. After that, please subscribe and review us wherever you get your podcasts.Check out A*START CENTRAL (Website, LinkedIn)If you have future episode ideas, segments ideas or want to partner with us on this exciting journey, please get in touch: onenorthstories@a-star.edu.sg

This is One North Stories, an A*START CENTRAL PodcastMeet Kiewai from Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), a Japanese government-related organization that promotes trade and investment.Recorded at SWITCH 2025, this episode features Gus in conversation with Kiewai as they unpack the growing synergy between Singapore and Japan’s Deep Tech ecosystems. Discover how JETRO is driving innovation by supporting both Japanese and global companies, and learn what it takes to collaborate effectively with Japanese firms.The discussion explores JETRO’s role in opening Japan’s market to international startups, key focus areas such as life sciences, healthcare, semiconductors, sustainability, and smart city solutions, and the structured support that helps early-stage ventures and mature companies succeed in Japan.Learn more about Kiewai, JETRO and how they are bridging Singapore and Japan’s deep-tech ecosystem: JETRO (Website)JETRO(LinkedIn)Kiewai(LinkedIn)Thank you for listening. If you like what you’ve heard, please share with a friend. After that, please subscribe and review us wherever you get your podcasts.Check out A*START CENTRAL (Website, LinkedIn)If you have future episode ideas, segments ideas or want to partner with us on this exciting journey, please get in touch: onenorthstories@a-star.edu.sg