Inspiration in Dr. Tan

Recently, I found myself reading Dr. Tan's writings on his juggling lab life, and I have to admit...

"I was impressed!"

There was something about the way he shared his thoughts, his journey, and his experiences that caught my attention. Yes, I rarely get impressed by people, but this time he humbled me down the earth.

Oh, we met at UTM, Johor Bharu. It was an unexpected encounter because he was one of my evaluators during my first-ever participation in an innovation exhibition and competition. 

And I still remember how humble he was while evaluating my work on molecular experiments — especially when discussing biosafety and ethical considerations. My first impression of him... he looked like a very senior researcher — reserved and serious together with the other two evaluators from UTM and UMPSA.

"Alamak habis la...taknak, taknak, taknak"

And I delivered my presentation nervously... knowing that my project was still at an early stage. I didn't have any fancy prototype, or tangible outcome to showcase yet. All I had were carbon steel corrosion demo in vials — something that probably looked ordinary and, BORING.

But what stayed with me was how Dr. Tan approached my project. He didn't judge it simply based on what was physically in front of him. Instead, he looked deeper into the science, asked meaningful questions, and gave attention to the thought process behind the work I done. I actually forgot the exact details he commented. But it mostly on the CRISPR editing methods and how long my primers were designed. Hmm…

After the evaluation session, I asked him for a photograph, which I wanted to share under Dr. Wee’s biosafety committee network.

So yes, that moment of inspiration stayed with me. And honestly, I'll keep growing and carry the same passion that I saw in Dr. Tan’s.