KONG LI XUAN
ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SYSTEMS SCIENCE
CN YANG SCHOLARS PROGRAMME
For many students, university is where they find their perfect match, and for Kong Li Xuan, the CN Yang Scholars Programme is the perfect launchpad to discover her true calling.
The opportunities the programme offers align perfectly with her passion for research, which was ignited in secondary school. This was a major factor in her decision to pick NTU.
And so far, the former Dunman High School student’s time in NTU has exceeded her wildest expectations. Although she’s only in her second year, she has already dipped her toes into the dynamic world of research.
As a freshman, she learnt how to read and write scientific papers – the bread and butter of research. A two-week trip to the Technical University of Denmark, where she visited cutting-edge research facilities and met leading scientists, opened her eyes to the vast possibilities of scientific discovery and global collaboration.
She recently spent a semester investigating meteotsunamis, a phenomenon that is gaining prominence in environmental science, under the mentorship of experts from NTU’s Earth Observatory of Singapore.
“It was truly eye-opening,” says Li Xuan. “We made some interesting findings about anomalies in tides, which makes me eager to continue exploring this. My mentors even encouraged me to write a paper on it.”
However, she might have to put that task on hold for now as she starts her second research attachment this semester. Following that are more opportunities that will refine her research interests, expand her network and nurture her life skills. All her experiences will culminate in a final-year project, where she’ll be attached to an overseas university for up to eight months.
“I can’t wait for it. It’s one of the reasons I was attracted to the programme. Doing research overseas will be a whole different experience,” she says.
“Before coming to NTU, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do in future. Now, after having a taste of life as a researcher, a career in academia is definitely in the equation.”
It’s still early days, but Li Xuan can already see herself pursuing research in hazard forecasting after completing her degree in Environmental Earth Systems Science and second major in Data Analytics.
Fast forward 10 years, there’s a chance we’ll see Li Xuan as one of the “chill, sociable and friendly profs” she describes learning from at the Asian School of the Environment.
Outside the classroom, the extroverted nature lover has found her tribe with friends from the CN Yang Scholars Club, school and hall.
“I’ve initiated mentorship sessions for less privileged children and a kayaking event where we paddled to mangroves to pick up marine debris,” says Li Xuan, adding that such student-organised activities are a refreshing breather from academics.
As her journey continues to unfold, one thing is certain – it will continue to be a perfect blend of curiosity and adventure.
Li Xuan (right) led students in clearing marine debris from the mangroves along the Pasir Ris shoreline.
This story was published in the Jan-Feb 2025 issue of HEY!. To read it and other stories from this issue in print, click here.
