Singapore, April 4, 2013 –IBN Executive Director Professor Jackie Y. Ying was recently selected as a 2013 Materials Research Society (MRS) Fellow for her distinguished contributions to the synthesis of advanced nanostructured materials with unique functionalities for catalytic and biomaterial applications and for her distinguished service to the materials community. MRS is the world’s largest organization of materials researchers from academia, industry, and government that promotes communication for the advancement of interdisciplinary materials research to improve the quality of life.
Professor Jackie Y. Ying shared, “I’m delighted and honored to be elected as a Materials Research Society Fellow. The field of materials science is exciting and holds great promise. In particular, with the latest advancements in nanotechnology, we are in a unique position to develop new materials that can solve many biomedical, energy and environmental problems. This fellowship will motivate me to continue pushing the limits of materials science for the benefit of society.”
This recognition honors MRS members who are notable for their distinguished accomplishments and their outstanding contributions to the advancement of materials research, worldwide. Founded in 1973, MRS now comprises over 16,000 members from 80 countries around the world. This distinction is highly selective as the maximum number of new fellow appointments each year is limited to 0.2% of the current MRS membership.
Professor Ying’s laboratory has developed a variety of novel approaches that create nanoporous and nanocomposite materials that are important for catalytic, fuel cell, bioimaging and biosensing applications. Her research group has designed nanostructured biomaterials and miniaturized biosystems for drug delivery, tissue engineering, and molecular diagnostic applications. Professor Ying has authored over 310 articles, and presented over 360 invited lectures on this subject at international conferences. She has over 130 primary patents issued or pending. She is the Editor-in-Chief of Nano Today, which has an impact factor of 15.355 and ranks 2nd among the 66 journals in the ISI Nanoscience and Nanotechnology category.
For interviews, queries and photo requests, please contact:
Elena Tan
Phone: 65 6824 7032
Email: elenatan@ibn.a-star.edu.sg
Nidyah Sani
Phone: 65 6824 7005
Email: nidyah@ibn.a-star.edu.sg
About the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology
The Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) was established in 2003 and is spearheaded by its Executive Director, Professor Jackie Yi-Ru Ying.
Professor Ying was a Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1992 - 2005). She was recognized as one of “One Hundred Engineers of the Modern Era” by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers in 2008 for her groundbreaking work on nanostructured systems, nanoporous materials and host matrices for quantum dots and wires.
Under her direction, IBN conducts research at the cutting-edge of bioengineering and nanotechnology. Its programs are geared towards linking multiple disciplines across engineering, science and medicine to produce research breakthroughs that will improve healthcare and our quality of life.
IBN’s research activities are focused in the following areas:
Nanomedicine, where functionalized polymers, hydrogels and biologics are developed as therapeutics and carriers for the controlled release and targeted delivery of therapeutics to diseased cells and organs.
Cell and Tissue Engineering, where biomimicking materials, stem cell technology, microfluidic systems and bioimaging tools are combined to develop novel approaches to regenerative medicine and artificial organs.
Biodevices and Diagnostics, which involve nanotechnology and microfabricated platforms for high-throughput biomarker and drug screening, automated biologics synthesis, and rapid disease diagnosis.
Green Chemistry and Energy, which encompass the green synthesis of chemicals and pharmaceuticals, catalytic conversion of biomass, utilization of carbon dioxide, and new nanocomposite materials for energy applications.
IBN’s innovative research is aimed at creating new knowledge and intellectual properties in the emerging fields of bioengineering and nanotechnology to attract top-notch researchers and business partners to Singapore. Since 2003, IBN researchers have published over 850 papers in leading journals.
IBN also plays an active role in technology transfer and spinning off companies, linking the research institute and industrial partners to other global institutions. The Institute has a portfolio of over 555 active patents/patent applications, and welcomes industrial and clinical partners to collaborate on and co-develop its technologies. IBN has successfully commercialized 46 patents/patent applications, and has established 6 spin-off companies.
IBN’s current staff and students strength stands at over 150 scientists, engineers and medical doctors. With its multinational and multidisciplinary research staff, the institute is geared towards generating new biomaterials, devices, systems and processes to boost Singapore’s economy in the medical technology, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, consumer products and clean technology sectors.
IBN is also committed to nurturing young talents. Besides the training of PhD students, IBN has a Youth Research Program (YRP) for students and teachers from secondary schools, junior colleges, polytechnics, and universities. Since its inception in October 2003, IBN’s YRP has reached out to more than 61,300 students and teachers from 289 local and overseas schools and institutions. Over 1,680 students and teachers have completed research attachments at IBN for a minimum period of four weeks.
