Stop & Reflect: 9 Years Well-Spent with Chemistry
Audio Track
Interactive Image
The following is an interactive image, simply click on the pictures within the image to be linked directly to the corresponding blog posts.
The Story
It all started in 2011, I remember casually watching my favourite YouTube Channel - The Periodic Tables of Videos one evening in my dorm room, and in one of the videos by Prof Martyn Poliakoff (now Sir Martyn Poliakof) was where I got to know about the International Year of Chemistry 2011. Having just graduated from the Malaysian Matriculation Programme in May 2011 and waiting to pursue a degree in September that year, I decided to make good use of the "sem break" by participating in one of the many competitions held in conjunction of IYC2011 - IUPAC Polymer Division's International Video and Essay Competition on "A World without Polymers". Little did I know that a simple submission changed the trajectory of my life!
You may have guessed it right, I won my first international competition which came with a chance to present my winning video at a special ceremony held on August 2 at the IUPAC World Chemical Congress, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Thanks to the sponsorship from Institut Kimia Malaysia (IKM), IUPAC Polymer Division, Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) and the Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (MARGMA), I was able to travel all the way there for the award ceremony. For the first time in my life, I traveled for 26 hours, transited at Dubai and New York before reaching San Juan, PR. Many more "firsts" from this point onward.
First time attending a congress, first time presenting in front of profs/assoc. profs/Dr./academics/scientists in a foreign country, first time meeting an american friend - Jess whom I've met on the internet (via YouTube personal messaging) and first time surrounded by so many English native speakers!
A week after returning to Malaysia, I was being interviewed and featured by R.AGE - The Star newspaper (First time having my portrait printed on a whole newspaper page). In mid-September, I headed north to pursue my Bachelors degree in Pure Chemistry at Universiti Sains Malaysia. During the undergraduate orientation week which so happens to coincide with Karnival Kimia Malaysia (K2M - Malaysian Chemistry Carnival), IKM Northern branch gave me an opportunity to speak to my fellow course mates as an invited speaker. It was my first time being formally invited to speak at an event!
The following year, I was also invited by IKM Northern branch to give a talk to secondary school students as an invited speaker at K2M 2012. In my second year, I did an internship at the Department of Chemistry Malaysia (JKM) - Penang Branch under the Forensic Toxicology Department. In Sept 2013, IKM Headquarters invited me to give two talks of 30 minutes at K2M 2013 (National Science Center). I remember the talks were held over the weekend and I had to travel by plane to make it back in time for Monday lectures. Those were very unique experiences to have as an undergraduate. In my final year of undergraduate studies, I got an offer to pursue my PhD in Newcastle University, UK. So I went over to the UK to start my PhD before I had my BSc graduation ceremony. About 3 months into my PhD, I flew back home for a week to attend the ceremony.
While doing my PhD, I have been actively involved in science outreach events/activities. I had the chance to design outreach courses/summer school/speak at events, present posters at the House of Parliaments, etc. If you are interested, I have a separate interactive chart for my PhD as follows (each photo on the timeline would link to a designated blog post).
In August 2018, I successfully defended my thesis (passed my VIVA) and was awarded the title Dr - officially Dr Yvonne Choo Shuen Lann. I came back to Malaysia after my graduation ceremony in December 2018 and took a break to recharge. During that "career break", I have been invited to speak at University of Southampton Malaysia (My first research talk post-PhD!), attended Minggu Sains Negaraand the best thing of all was to be given the chance to contribute back to IKM (the professional organisation who supported my journey to San Juan back in 2011) by preparing the bidding slides for both IUPAC2025 and MACRO2026. IKM won both bids at IUPAC2019 sometime in July 2019. Congratulations IKM! :)
I think I went a bit too fast, forgot to mention that in June 2019, I was awarded an element in the Periodic Table of Younger Chemists in conjunction with the International Year of the Periodic Table (IYPT2019) as Bohrium! All 118 elements were showcased in IUPAC2019, in Paris.
In August 2019, I started my role as a lecturer at Xiamen University Malaysia. The transition from a PhD student to a lecturer hasn't been very easy, but I am glad to say that after looking back at where I started off and compare it to where I am now, I've improved and will continue to improve.
In December 2019, I was given the chance to represent IKM at ACS SEA-GIC event (Another one of my firsts). I joined the Malaysian Young Chemists Network (MYCN) in Jan this year and was appointed as the media ambassador chairperson.
At IKM's recent AGM (end of July), I was given a huge opportunity to serve IKM as a council member for the 2020/2021 term - a role that comes with great responsibilities and requires a lot of commitment. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity and will be sure to do the best I can!
I am going to end this reflect post by expressing gratitude to those who have played a part in supporting my Chemistry journey - both direct and indirectly over the course of 9 years (Thank you very much) along with two #notetoself quotes: “Allow yourself to be a beginner. No one starts off being excellent” – Wendy Flynn “As long as you are learning, you are not failing.” – Bob Ross
Here's to another 9 amazing years with Chemistry! Best of luck, Yvonne! You can do it, just don't give up! :)
P/s: Why 9 years? Well, 9 in Chinese means longevity/eternity and simply because 10 is too mainstream haha