Collaboration is the heartbeat of innovation – Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology

Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) shared about The IMCB PI Retreat. Read the post on LinkedIn below:

“Collaboration is the heartbeat of innovation.

At last week’s IMCB PI Retreat, we were excited to welcome our joint investigators and see how their collaborative efforts are driving forward cutting-edge research.

Participants shared ongoing and new projects, sparking partnerships across different research areas. We were particularly excited about the new collaborations forming between our core and joint investigators, paving the way for future breakthroughs.

A key highlight was the Fort Canning Pitch Competition, where our investigators showcased their innovative ideas and took it up a notch with creative skits and engaging storytelling.

Congratulations to all three winning teams for their outstanding efforts, walking away with well-deserved recognition and prize money! We’re excited to see how these projects flourish and lead to new partnerships.

• Derrick Ong, Jonathan Loh, Hai Yan, Shi Yan Ng, and Radoslaw Sobota
• John Jia En Chua, Weiping Han, Yu Fu, Caroline Wee, and Sarah Xinwei Luo
• Yee-Joo Tan, Sherry Aw, Yan Chuan, and Boon Seng Soh

The retreat wasn’t just about scientific exchange—it was also an opportunity to bring some creativity into the mix. During the Art and Science Intersection team-building activity, our investigators crafted food art representing cells from the CNS/BBB to unipolar PNS cells, bringing an artistic twist to the science!

We also took a moment to appreciate the importance of mentorship. Our PhD committees honored PIs with personalized thank you gifts, acknowledging their invaluable role in shaping the next generation of scientists. These heartfelt gestures reflected the deep gratitude students have for their mentors.

The retreat wrapped up on a high note with a talk by Prof. Kah-Leong Lim, IMCB’s distinguished alumnus, who reflected on the importance of community and collaboration. His words, ‘This place always brings me back’ struck a chord, reminding us all of the strong connections that make IMCB such a special place.

To more exciting collaborations and discoveries ahead!”