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MAKE YOUR MARK IN SINGAPORE –
THE RESEARCH HUB OF ASIA
“With lots of new
scientists arriving here,
there would be new
ideas and mentors.”
Dr. David Coomber
A conversation with his old supervisor Professor Sir
David Lane sparked off Dr. David Coomber’s interest
in Singapore. Professor Lane, one of the world’s
most respected scientists in cancer research, was
setting up a laboratory at the Institute of Cell and
Molecular Biology (IMCB) in Singapore and he
asked David to join him in his research effort.
“It was a great opportunity. The research
environment here is well-funded and wellresourced,”
said Dr. Coomber, 40, a molecular
biologist who was working in Cambridge in the
United Kingdom. “And I would be closer to Australia
where my family is.“
In 2005, he joined ICMB and became part of
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in Singapore. The government had launched
bold initiatives – cutting edge research facilities,
generous grants and research funds – and was
wooing the world’s top scientists to live and work
here.
“With lots of new scientists arriving here, there would
be new ideas and mentors,” he said.
Research Scientist
Experimental Therapeutics Centre
Photo courtesy of the Singapore Tourism Board
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the Experimental Therapeutics Centre (ETC), a
new organisation that was set up to focus on the
commercialisation of science in A*STAR (Agency for
Science, Technology & Research) and the training
of young scientists.
So far, he has found Singapore an easy place to
live but still muses at the national preoccupation
with property prices, food and shopping. That,
and getting used to the heat was about the most
challenging part of the transition.
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Singapore is a modern city. In fact, I had moved
from Cambridge in the UK, which was much smaller,
so it felt good to be back in a city.”
The best perk for him is that Singapore is a few
hours away from all the major cities in Asia and
has a well connected airport. Since moving here,
he has visited Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam,
Indonesia and Thailand.
Having settled comfortably in Singapore, Dr.
Coomber has bought a place of his own in
Tiong Bahru, a heritage district of 50s-era low-rise
apartment blocks.
“Tiong Bahru is interesting because it still has that
‘village-like’ feel, and it is well known around the
island for having good local food,” he chuckled.
“My family have visited, and they love where I live.”