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Abstract:
Professor Dim-Lee Kwong to receive the highest Science & Technology award in Singapore for his exceptional contributions to Singapore's science and engineering landscape through his work in A*STAR's Institute of Microelectronics.

Singapore honours four scientific talent for outstanding R&D contributions with socio-economic impact

Singapore | Posted on October 31st, 2012

1. Four outstanding research scientists and engineers will receive the 2012 President's Science and Technology Awards from President Tony Tan Keng Yam at a ceremony on 30 October 2012.

2. The awards are the highest honours in Singapore conferred on exceptional individuals and teams for their excellent achievements in science and technology and their outstanding contributions to the research and development (R&D) landscape in the country.

Advancing Singapore's Semi-Conductor Industry through R&D
3. The most prestigious of the awards, the President's Science and Technology Medal, will be presented to Professor Dim-Lee Kwong for his distinguished, sustained and exceptional contributions to Singapore's science and engineering landscape.

4. The executive director of A*STAR's Institute of Microelectronics (IME) has played a strategic role in Singapore's development, especially in the semi-conductor industry, through his promotion and management of microelectronics Research & Development. He was instrumental in attracting Applied Materials Inc. to set up a joint Centre of Excellence in Advanced Packaging in Singapore in 2012. This US$100 million centre will not only tap IME's research capabilities in complex high value manufacturing, but will also create high value jobs for the local population over the next five years, including technical, operations and managerial jobs.

5. Under Professor Kwong's leadership, IME has fostered partnerships with more than 50 multinational companies ranging from multi-billion dollar Japanese conglomerates to Forbes 500 companies through the innovative and much lauded three-party R&D foundry business model. This model links semi-conductor companies with local foundries that use IME's cutting-edge technologies and expertise. IME first helps semi-conductor companies to conduct prototype small scale pilot runs. When the pilot runs are successful, IME transfers the technologies to the foundries in Singapore which undertake mass production for the semi-conductor companies. This model not only makes it possible for the companies to shorten the product development cycle and bring their products to market quickly, but it also generates new businesses and manufacturing activities for the foundries, which in turn creates employment in and value for Singapore. A case in point is the partnership between Lightwire, Inc., a US-based provider of high-bandwidth interconnects, Globalfoundries and IME to produce Lightwire's ultra-high speed silicon photonic devices.

6. Professor Kwong has also helped to integrate local and international companies across the semiconductor supply chain by establishing and overseeing key consortium programmes in 3-D Through-Silicon Via (3D TSV), Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) and the Electronic Packaging Research Consortium. These consortia, which collaborate in pre-competitive R&D, are vital first-steps in establishing and catalysing new industry value-chains in Singapore. Together, they generate sufficient critical mass for Singapore to be a launch pad for emerging technologies.

7. Said Professor Kwong, "I am honoured to receive this prestigious award. This would not have been possible without the commitment and untiring efforts of my team at IME and our partners in industry. My colleagues in IME have worked hard to build up research capabilities for the microelectronics sector. They have constantly pushed the envelope of scientific excellence and have raised the profile of Singapore R&D internationally. I am very gratified to see that the work we do has reaped success and has contributed to the progress of Singapore's industry, particularly the semi-conductor sector".

Groundbreaking Discoveries to combat Deadly Hospital-acquired Infections
8. The President's Science Award will be presented to Professor Wang Yue from A*STAR's Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB). Professor Wang is honoured for his outstanding research on the human fungal pathogen, Candida albicans, which accounts for a sizable percentage of hospital-acquired infections of the blood in the world, with a high mortality rate of up to 45%.

9. Professor Wang's research was the first in the world to uncover key factors that contribute to the virulence of the fungus. This has opened up new areas of research to better combat infectious diseases as well as pave the way for the development of new therapeutic agents. Translated, all these will significantly reduce the number of hospital acquired infections as well as improve the treatment for those afflicted with the infection. Professor Wang's discoveries have also led to collaborations with both the private and public sectors, which will result in economic benefits to Singapore, as well as further Singapore's reputation as the biomedical hub of Asia.

Innovative solutions to achieve a "no scar surgery"
10. The President's Technology Award will be presented to Associate Professor Louis Phee, research scientist and engineer from Nanyang Technological University, and Professor Lawrence Ho, a clinician from National University Hospital. The duo's groundbreaking research has led to the successful development of the world's first robotic flexible endoscopy system which can carry out surgeries with great precision and still be minimally invasive.

11. Their invention - the Master and Slave Transluminal Endoscopic Robot (MASTER) - has carried out surgical procedures such as removal of gastric tumours without the need for making external incisions. Successful first-in-man trials conducted in India and Hong Kong have also proven that the use of MASTER results in less pain, faster recovery and no scarring. Professors Phee and Ho have since incorporated Endomaster Pte Ltd, a company to commercialise their innovation, which they claimed was a brainwave that hit them while they were eating chilli crab.

12. Congratulating the winners, Mr Lim Chuan Poh, Chairman of A*STAR said, "The award winners today demonstrated that the R&D community is able to make breakthroughs that impact the economy and society through meaningful complementary and translational partnerships within the community and strategic collaborations with industry."

13. Said Mrs Ow Foong Pheng, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Chairman of the PSTA Main Selection Committee, "The quality of the candidates was very impressive. Increasingly, we are seeing more recipients who are able not only to do good science but also apply their excellent R&D work to transform the economy and meet real needs of society."

Young Scientist Awards (YSA)
14. This year's Young Scientists Awards (YSA) will be awarded to three promising research scientists and engineers aged 35 years and below. They have shown great potential to be world-class researchers in their fields of expertise. The awards will be presented by Mr S. Iswaran, Minister, Prime Minister's Office, and Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade & Industry.

15. More information on the winners of PSTA and YSA are at Annex B and E respectively.

Background
16. This is the fourth year that the PSTA is presented. Formerly known as the National Science and Technology Awards launched since 1987, the Awards were elevated to the status of the President's awards in 2009 to highlight and give due recognition to the important role research scientists and engineers play in Singapore's development.

AGENCY FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH

Enclosed:
Annex A - List of PSTA winners
Annex B - Citations of PSTA winners
Annex C - Factsheet on Judging Process and Award Selection Committees
Annex D - Information Sheet on YSA (including list of YSA winners)
Annex E - Citations of YSA winners

For queries and clarifications, please contact:

Ms Evelyn Ho
Deputy Director
Corporate Communications Department
Agency for Science, Technology and Research
Tel: (65) 6826 6103 (Office) / (65) 9682 6922 (Mobile)
Email:

Dr. Sarah Chang KC
Corporate Communications
Agency for Science, Technology and Research
Tel: (65) 6826 6442 (Office) / (65) 9762 7818 (Mobile)
Email:

About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is the lead agency for fostering world-class scientific research and talent for a vibrant knowledge-based and innovation-driven Singapore. A*STAR oversees 14 biomedical sciences and physical sciences and engineering research institutes, and six consortia & centres, located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis as well as their immediate vicinity.
A*STAR supports Singapore's key economic clusters by providing intellectual, human and industrial capital to its partners in industry. It also supports extramural research in the universities, and with other local and international partners.
For more information about A*STAR, please visit www.a-star.edu.sg.

About the President's Science and Technology Awards (PSTA)
The President's Science and Technology Awards (PSTA) are the highest honours bestowed on exceptional research scientists and engineers in Singapore for their excellent achievements in science and technology, and outstanding contributions to the development of the research and development landscape in Singapore.

The PSTA were formerly known as the National Science and Technology Awards (NSTA), which was started in 1987. The elevation of the award to Presidential status in 2009 underpins Singapore's efforts to raise the level of excellence in R&D and strengthen the growing community of scientific talent in Singapore.

The PSTA consists of the following awards:
o President's Science and Technology Medal (PSTM)
o President's Science Award (PSA)
o President's Technology Award (PTA)

President's Science and Technology Medal (PSTM)
The President's Science and Technology Medal is awarded to outstanding individuals who have made distinguished, sustained and exceptional contributions and played a strategic role in the development of Singapore through the promotion and management of R&D. Recipients receive a specially designed gold medal and a citation.

President's Science Award (PSA)
The President's Science Awardis presented to research scientists and engineers in Singapore who have made outstanding contributions in basic research leading to the discovery of new knowledge or the pioneering development of scientific or engineering techniques and methods. Recipients will receive a crystal trophy, a citation and a prize of $50,000.

President's Technology Award (PTA)
The President's Technology Awardgives recognition to research scientists and engineers in Singapore who have made outstanding contributions to research & development resulting in the invention or discovery of significant technology with industrial applications. Recipients will receive a crystal trophy, a citation and a prize of $50,000.

ANNEX A

LIST OF PRESIDENT'S SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AWARD WINNERS

President's Science and Technology Medal (PSTM)

Professor Dim-Lee KWONG

Executive Director of Institute of Microelectronics,
Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)

President's Science Award (PSA)

Professor WANG Yue
Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology,

Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)

President's Technology Award (PTA)

Associate Professor Louis PHEE

School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
Nanyang Technological University (NTU);

Professor Lawrence HO Khek Yu
University Medicine Cluster,
National University Health System

ANNEX B

CITATIONS OF PRESIDENT'S SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AWARD WINNERS

President's Science and Technology Medal 2012

Professor Dim-Lee Kwong
Executive Director of Institute of Microelectronics,
Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)

"For his distinguished, sustained and exceptional contributions to Singapore's science and engineering landscape, particularly in advancing the semiconductor industry through R&D and the forging of strategic research partnerships between industry and public sector agencies."

Professor Dim-Lee Kwong, the Executive Director of the Institute of Microelectronics (IME), has played a pivotal role in developing the science and engineering landscape in Singapore since 2001. An exceptional researcher and research leader, he has contributed extensively to cultivating a vibrant microelectronics research environment that has raised the level of public sector R&D in Singapore. He is instrumental in fostering important industry collaborations, bridging the gap between the laboratory and industry, and between the public and private sectors, as well as developing highly skilled R&D talent for the semiconductor industry. Through his efforts he has reaped significant benefits for Singapore.

Prof Kwong's sustained contributions to Singapore's R&D scene began in 2001 when he was appointed the Temasek Professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Then, he was tasked to set up the Silicon Nano Device Laboratory (SNDL). Under his capable leadership, SNDL was publishing and presenting papers in top journals and conferences respectively in a mere two years. It ranked top three in the world, which greatly boosted the reputation of NUS and Singapore.

When he took the helm at IME in 2005, he worked steadily to transform the research institute into a world class institute. His efforts were recognised internationally by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), which presented him with the prestigious IEEE Frederik Philips Award for his "leadership in silicon technology and excellence in the management of microelectronics R&D".

Prof Kwong believes that R&D has to meet the needs of industry so that the economy of the country can be boosted as a result. He is convinced that the key to attracting industry investments to Singapore is to ensure that the R&D carried out here is the top of the league. To that end, he has been leading IME to constantly push the envelope. He systematically developed multi-disciplinary research programmes that would establish core competencies in emerging areas of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), three-dimensional integrated circuits (3D ICs), silicon photonics, bioelectronics and miniaturised medical devices.

Under his able leadership, IME's research has become leading-edge. IME researchers clinched the coveted IEEE awards such as the IEEE George E. Smith Award, the IEEE Electron Device Society Paul Rappaport Award and the IEEE Roger A. Haken Best Student Paper Award. Winning these prestigious international awards placed IME firmly on the world map. On the home front, IME researchers also won the National Technology Award 2008 and President's Technology Award 2010.

A major outcome of IME's research is the establishment of the US$100 million Centre of Excellence (COE) in Advanced Packaging in Singapore in 2012. This COE is jointly established by IME and Applied Materials Inc., and it is the first R&D facility that Applied set up outside of the United States. The COE will not only tap into IME's research capabilities in complex high value manufacturing, but will also create jobs for locals over the next five years, including high value jobs and other non-technical jobs. That Applied chose to set up a centre here in Singapore is indeed a nod to IME's R&D capabilities and Prof Kwong's leadership and vision.

In addition to Applied, Prof Kwong has also led IME to foster strategic partnerships with more than 50 multinational companies, ranging from multi-billion dollar Japanese conglomerates to Forbes 500 companies, with his innovative three-party R&D foundry business model.

In this model, IME provides these semiconductor companies with access to cutting-edge foundry-compatible technologies developed at IME and helps them prototype small scale pilot runs. Upon the success of the pilot runs, IME also connects these companies with foundries established in Singapore for mass production. This model not only makes it possible for the companies to shorten the product development cycle and bring their products to market quickly, but it also generates new businesses and manufacturing activities for Singapore foundries, which in turn creates jobs. A case in point is Lightwire, Inc., a US-based provider of high-bandwidth interconnects. Lightwire's silicon photonics process was jointly developed with IME and GLOBALFOUNDRIES Singapore to produce ultra-high speed devices of 10 to 100 Gbps. This new silicon photonics process was transferred from IME's development fabrication to GLOBALFOUNDRIES' manufacturing facility, opening the door for GLOBALFOUNDRIES to participate in the high-volume markets for ultra-high speed silicon photonic devices. This new technology would meet the high-speed, low-power and low-cost requirements of high-performance interconnects for computing and communications.
Besides engaging MNCs, Prof Kwong has also devoted much of his efforts in integrating companies across the semiconductor supply chain. He piloted key consortium programmes in 3-D Through-Silicon Via (3D TSV) and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS), as well as strengthened the Electronic Packaging Research Consortium. The consortia integrate key companies across Singapore's semiconductor supply chain and promote pre-competitive collaborations among industry, research organizations and academia. They are vital first-steps to establishing and catalysing new industry value-chains in Singapore and generate sufficient critical mass for Singapore to be a launch pad for emerging technologies. To date, more than 53 companies including Singapore-based companies have benefited from IME's consortia.
A firm believer in the importance of talent development for R&D and industry, Prof Kwong has been relentless in training promising young people for industry. Since 2005, IME has also trained more than 90 PhD students who are cognizant of the latest industry trends and standards, and spun out 15-20% of its staff to the local industry.

For his distinguished, sustained and exceptional contributions to Singapore's science and engineering landscape, particularly in advancing the semiconductor industry through R&D and the forging of strategic research partnerships between industry and public sector agencies, Professor Dim-Lee Kwong is awarded the 2012 President's Science and Technology Medal.

President's Science Award 2012

Professor Wang Yue
Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology
Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)

"For his ground-breaking discoveries in the biology and virulence of the fungus Candida albicans, a leading cause of serious hospital-acquired infections"

Over the past 15 years, Professor Wang Yue's research has significantly advanced the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the human fungal pathogen, Candida albicans. Candida albicans is the most prevalent fungal pathogen in humans, ranking among the top four microbial pathogens in hospital-acquired infections of the blood which has a mortality rate of as high as 45%. Choice of drugs for treating Candida albicans infection is limited, and drug-resistance has emerged worldwide, posing a great challenge to medicine. To effectively combat this pathogen, it is necessary to identify the virulence determinants in both the pathogen and the host that promote the infection. Prof Wang's efforts led to the discovery and functional characterization of several such determinants and opened numerous opportunities for developing new therapeutic agents.
Professor Wang and his group have made many major discoveries, including the following:
(1) Identifying a key virulence gene (FTR1) that is activated only when Candida albicans enter the host tissues. This gene enables Candida albicans to defeat the host's defence mechanism.
(2) Discovering a master regulator (Hgc1) that transforms Candida albicans from a benign to virulent form upon entering the host blood stream.
(3) Solving the long-elusive identity of the molecules in human blood responsible for promoting Candida albicans' virulence. Unexpectedly, these molecules were found to be a universal component of bacterial cell wall (peptidoglycan). Prof Wang further discovered the mechanism of how these molecules enter the Candida albicans cells to activate genes that are responsible for virulence.
Professor Wang's achievement also includes novel discoveries in fundamental biology associated with the transformation of Candida albicans from the benign to virulent form, such as the establishment and maintenance of cell polarity, cell cycle control, and mechanisms of signal sensing, processing and integration. He is a leading authority in this field and his studies have led to dozens of publications in prestigious international journals. Prof Wang has received international recognition in and beyond the Candida albicans field.
For his ground-breaking discoveries in the biology and virulence of the fungus Candida albicans, a leading cause of serious hospital-acquired infections, Prof Wang Yue is awarded the 2012 President's Science Award.

President's Technology Award 2012

Associate Professor Louis Phee
School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering,
Nanyang Technological University

Professor Lawrence Ho Khek Yu
University Medicine Cluster,
National University Health System

"For the development of a novel flexible endoscopic robotic system that enables intricate surgical procedures to be performed without the need for external incisions"

Mechanical engineering research scientist Associate Professor Louis Phee and clinician scientist Professor Ho Khek Yu joined hands to successfully drive a paradigm shift in the field of surgery and endoscopy, to move from �keyhole' to �no hole' surgery.

With their novel invention, the Master and Slave Transluminal Endoscopic Robot (MASTER), the duo is incorporating cutting edge robotics technologies and innovating engineering technologies to push the frontier of endoscopic surgery for the benefit of both patients and clinicians. Their vision is for surgical procedures involving organs in the peritoneal cavity (e.g. liver, pancreas, gall bladder) to be performed using robotic devices like MASTER, entering through natural orifices, without the need of making an external incision. This is particularly pertinent as the future for gastrointestinal cancer is early detection and complete endoscopic resection of the early lesions, and the future of surgery for the aging population is minimally invasive surgery.

MASTER is highly accurate, reliable and easy to use. The tube-like robot snakes its way through natural openings (e.g. mouth, anus) to reach tumours inside the digestive tract. Two miniature robotic arms from the end of the device are carefully controlled by the surgeon, who could be stationed a distant away from the patient. Using these dexterous arms, the surgeon would safely cut away the tumour. For added safety, haptics technology has been implemented to enable the doctor to �feel' the tissue as the robotic arms perform the surgical procedure.

Using the first prototype of MASTER, the team successfully performed first-in-man trials in India and Hong Kong in 2011. The cancer tumors in the stomach of all five patients were removed effortlessly by MASTER. The patients experienced less pain and faster recovery. In addition, no scars were left behind as the surgical procedures were performed without the need for an external incision.

As the trials were novel procedures, the team was rapidly recognised as world leaders in robotic endoscopy, and they were widely covered by local and international media including Reuters, BBC and National Geographic.

To push the technology all the way to commercialisation, the team incorporated EndoMaster Pte Ltd in late 2011. They have successfully filed US patents on this device. In addition, they have proceeded with the national phase filling of a patent in USA, Japan, China, Europe and Singapore since late 2011.

Since 2004, the team has contributed substantially to high impact engineering and medical publications, and made numerous presentations on this project. In recognition of their cutting-edge invention, their robotic paper was featured as the top article in the official newspaper of the American Gastroenterology Association (AGA), which is the world's premier gastroenterology association. Their robot image was selected for the cover of the Clinical Gastroenterology & Hepatology, the official journal of the AGA. The accompanying video-abstract was also broadcasted on Youtube to all journal readers.

For the development of a novel flexible endoscopic robotic system that enables intricate surgical procedures to be performed without the need for external incisions, Associate Professor Louis Phee and Professor Ho Khek Yu are awarded the 2012 President's Technology Award.

ANNEX C

FACTSHEET ON PRESIDENT'S SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AWARD SELECTION COMMITTEES

Judging Process
Nominations for the awards start from January every year, and ends with judging and endorsement of the awards in August. The nominations undergo a rigorous process of selection before being short listed for judging.

Award Selection Committees
The award selection panels comprised key representatives from the industry, academia, defence and research institutes. The main selection committee was chaired by Mrs Ow Foong Pheng, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Professor Ranga Krishnan, Dean, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, and Mr. Jen Kwong Hwa, Managing Director, Micron Semiconductor Asia Pte Ltd, chaired the selection committees for the Presidential Science Award and Presidential Technology Award respectively.

ANNEX D

INFORMATION SHEET ON YOUNG SCIENTIST AWARD

List of Young Scientist Award Winners

� Assistant Professor CHEN Wei
Department of Chemistry & Department of Physics, Faculty of Science,
National University of Singapore (NUS)

� Assistant Professor David LOU Xiong Wen
School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering,
Nanyang Technological University (NTU)

� Dr. Joel YANG Kwang Wei
Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE),
Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)

Young Scientist Award
The Young Scientist Awards recognise young researchers, aged 35 years and below, who are actively engaged in R&D in Singapore, and who have shown great potential to be world-class researchers in their fields of expertise. This award is organised by the Singapore National Academy of Science and supported by A*STAR. Recipients will receive a trophy, a certificate of commendation and a prize of $10,000.

Young Scientist Award Selection Committee

The judging committee for the Young Scientist Awards, which is organised and administered by the Singapore National Academy of Science (SNAS), is chaired by its President, Prof Leo Tan.

ANNEX E

CITATIONS OF YOUNG SCIENTIST AWARD WINNERS

Young Scientist Award 2012

Assistant Professor Chen Wei
Department of Chemistry & Department of Physics,
Faculty of Science
National University of Singapore

"For his research on interface engineering for molecular, organic and graphene electronics"

Dr Chen's research focuses on surface and interface science. He has carried out atomic-scale investigation of the interface problems for molecular, organic and graphene electronics. He has developed rational design approaches to self-assemble molecular nanostructure arrays over macroscopic area with superior multi-functionalities for molecular nano-devices, invented a simple and non-destructive surface transfer method to effectively dope graphene for graphene-based nano-devices, and unravelled the organic donor-acceptor heterojunction interface properties for organic solar cells.

Dr. Chen's achievements have gained international recognition in the surface and interface science communities. He has authored over 110 papers in top international journals, with more than 2000 citations and H index of 26. Four book chapters have also been authored. Dr. Chen is a recipient of the Lee Kuan Yew Research Fellowship (2006), Omicron Nanotechnology Award (2009), Hitachi Research Fellowship (2010), and NUS Young Investigator Award (2010).

Young Scientist Award 2012

Assistant Professor David Lou Xiong Wen
School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
Nanyang Technological University

"For his research on nanostructured materials for energy and environmental applications"

Dr. Lou Xiong Wen (David)'s research focuses on the design and synthesis of novel nanostructured materials for a wide range of applications, such as lithium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, water treatment and photocatalysis. He has published over 110 papers in leading international journals, among them, 7 in Angewandte Chemie-International Edition, 8 in Journal of the American Chemical Society, and 14 in Advanced Materials.

Dr. Lou is a well-known scientist in the fields of lithium-ion batteries and hollow nanostructures. His papers have been cited over 3800 times according to the ISI web of science, with an H-index of 31. He also holds several patents in nanostructured electrode materials for high-performance lithium-ion batteries. He is one winner of 2012 by MIT Technology Review. He is currently an Associate Editor for Journal of Materials Chemistry A.

Young Scientist Award 2012

Dr. Joel Yang Kwang Wei
Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE),
Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)

"For his research on nanolithography and nanoplasmonics"

Dr. Yang leads a research group in IMRE that focuses on the development of high-resolution (sub-10-nm) lithographic processes and their application to create metal nanostructures that act as antennas for light. He has contributed significantly to the development of robust processes for electron-beam lithography to reliably control nanostructure dimensions at sub-10-nm dimensions. These nanostructures have been applied in the guiding of self-assembling block copolymer molecules and metal nanoparticles into ordered arrays, which are useful for data storage applications. His group has recently demonstrated a novel and ultra-high resolution approach for creating colour prints at an unprecedented resolution of 100,000 dots per inch (dpi) by relying on plasmonic nanoresonators as colour elements. The approach that combines high-resolution printing, compatibility for large-volume production, and fade-free colour elements is suitable for applications in high-density optical storage, anti-counterfeit tags, and nano-scale colour filters in digital imaging technologies.

Dr. Yang's impactful work on nanoplasmonics, guided self-assembly, and high-resolution lithography has been published in several Nature Nanotechnology, Science, Nano Letters, and Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology journals. For his cutting-edge research in nanotechnology, particularly in developing a practicable approach to fabricating densely-spaced sub-10-nm structures, Dr. Yang won the inaugural Award this year. Organised by MIT's Technology Review magazine, this award recognizes innovators under the age of 35 in the Asia-Pacific region. He has also been active in promoting research as a career choice to junior college and undergraduate students.