Cover image shows Phua Shin Zert (left) and Dr J. Lemuel Martin (right) as the CARES-nominated participants at Global Young Scientists Summit 2025.
The annual Global Young Scientists Summit (GYSS) is a multi-disciplinary summit hosted by the National Research Foundation, Singapore that brings together bright young researchers and top scientific minds to discuss science and technology trends, future game changers, and how research can address major global challenges.
Two scientists from CARES joined the 2025 event that drew over 340 researchers and 18 distinguished speakers including recipients of the Nobel Prize, Fields Medal, Millennium Technology Prize, and the Turing Award.
As the only international gathering in Asia for young scientists to engage with experts in various fields, CARES is delighted the event continues to draw strong participation from our researchers.
Phua Shin Zert is a Software Developer at CARES working on The World Avatar project.
There is no question in science that should be considered a complete lost cause, and we should always try to achieve a greater understanding. – Prof Joan Rose
“I left GYSS with a refreshed and profound worldview and a new perspective that my work can have impact and potentially make a difference.
At GYSS, I met young scientists from all over the world in various fields where we shared and bounced ideas on each other’s research, embodying the true spirit of interdisciplinary research.
I also had the first-hand opportunity to discuss and understand the perspectives of Nobel Laureates and Turing award winners on humanity’s challenges for the future. Through these great men and women of science, I am inspired to do good research and reminded that our work in science is of service to the greater humanity.”
Phua Shin Zert and Prof Louis Ignarro, the 1998 recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine.
Dr J. Lemuel Martin is a Research Fellow at CARES under the C4T carbon reduction programme.
“During the site visits, I gained a healthy appreciation of the research ecosystem in Singapore, which balances basic and applied research and helps keep the country at the forefront of innovation and development.
What left the strongest impression on me, however, was the humility of many of the speakers when reflecting on their successes. Despite acknowledging the difficulties of research and the breakthroughs they have achieved, they were quick to emphasise the role of luck in their careers, recognising that they were fortunate to have found themselves in environments that allowed them to thrive.
This perspective helped me further appreciate how a supportive research ecosystem can provide the tools necessary for talent to flourish and drive scientific progress.”
CREATE site visit for GYSS
In addition, CARES hosted a half-day CREATE site visit together with CNRS@CREATE for close to 100 GYSS participants. Prof Subodh Mhaisalkar, Executive Director of the CREATE programme, provided an introduction to Singapore’s research ecosystem. CARES and CNRS@CREATE both shared a short overview of our respective research programmes before moving participants to the research demo area.
Photo credits: GYSS Singapore.
The CARES demos included a lab tour highlighting equipment for the new decarbonisation projects and visual demos of the more computer-based research. This ranged from the simulation of marine engines and gas turbines for low and zero-carbon combustion technologies, air quality sampling using drones, and a series of use-cases from The World Avatar project for city resilience and building management, to name a few.
We hope the GYSS visit has inspired young researchers to find new ideas for their careers and drawn a fond memory of Singapore as a place for research excellence.
