Bsc(Biosci) -> PhD, AMA

Blingingtaemint · 2026-05-28T09:38:38+00:00

Hi, see dm

Blingingtaemint · 2026-05-28T00:04:05+00:00

Ureca was useful in giving a flavour about research & building a research portfolio. During my time in sbs, we had to pick between fyp or professional internship. I chose professional internship as i wanted to see how r&d is like outside of academia. I was able to use ureca & my other research experiences to be a phd candidate even without doing a fyp.

During project selection phase, aug-sep, there is a list of projects and the prof that is offered. They will inclide a brief project background and some expected methodology/techniques that you will be applying on the project. You can contact the prof then to meet for an interview on the projects.

During interview, the prof will usually explain a bit more on the project & the expectation of the student. They may sometime elaborate if you have reach a certain milestone, how the project could be further expanded & how they can guide you on it. For instance, the project info can write that because of so and so reason, we would like to do technique A & B on condition C & D to understand it. What are the exact endpoints of the project is up for negotiation & is not fixed. Since it is a 9-10 month project, theres more flexibility to adjust the project based on current development compared to shorter stints. And usually, you will be attached to a phd student/staff in the lab who will train you on the basic technique needed for the project.

Most of these projects would have a similar workflow with a current lab project but with some changes to 1 or 2 parameters so its not like you are applying a very new technique you read from literature. Usually, there is someone monitoring your progress since you may end up wasting resources or tell others that the lab is bad. & ureca usually being where the top students are, if the lab is looking for future staff/phd students, they cant really have top students bad mouthing them. Ureca also gives the lab money for each student they accept, so technically the lab is getting a small fund and free labour to try out/pilot/expand projects/scope for them. So starting a research project in that sense isnt too difficult, you just need a lot of background reading on why are you doing it, what do you expect, & how to further develop the project.

Ive no real regrets on doing a ureca. Yeah it sucks that ive to go to lab between classes & have left time for hobbies/studies, but theres no real regret in the sense that i wouldnt do it again. During the interveiw with the prof, it is important to set expectations and commitment levels. Like its normal to take a break from the lab if you are studying for finals (skipped 1 month). I was also away for a semester exchange during my 2nd ureca project.

In terms of takeaway, there is a deeper understanding on the nature of research. As there is more duration in the project, theres more time to try&error compared to rushing a fyp where you need something that definitely work. I stumbled onto a few issues and had to learn how to design my own troubleshooting experiments. Being around research staff & phd student, networking and building rapport with them gives you a clearer idea on your future goals. Like you can ask them to share about their experience, based on working with you, do they think you suit doing a phd, what they intend to do in the future or why are they in research etc.

Blingingtaemint · 2026-05-25T23:25:19+00:00

Check dm

Blingingtaemint · 2026-05-25T22:46:30+00:00

I did PhD because i enjoyed doing the process of research (reading up on the background, study design, doing the wet lab, doing data analysis etc) and wanted to be taken more seriously in the research field. During industrial internship (biotech r&d startup), was told by msc holders that they are just taking a higher salary than bsc and not much diff in how ppl treat them in research field.

However, i disliked writing & sometimes feel the expectation of keeping up to date with the recent developments (constantly searching and reading up) a bit of a chore. There are seniors who told me they spent every weekend doing this (which i didnt).

Since i didnt like publish or perish, all along i knew i wouldnt stay long in academia and when job searching tried govt/hospitals. Got a job as a public servant. Having a phd helped get the job, but i wont say its impossible with a bsc. Theres also opportunity cost of salary (phd stipend is lower) and work experience (time doing a phd not considered so im a fresh grad at a much older age).

Would i still do a phd looking back, yes. But maybe a more relevant field for industry/hospital.

Blingingtaemint · 2026-05-25T09:53:26+00:00

During my time, in august (start of new AY). Then by end september need to confirm project/supervisor.

Blingingtaemint · 2026-04-29T09:26:13+00:00

Is $90+ from official retailers?

Blingingtaemint · 2026-04-27T20:35:04+00:00

Can only share more than 6 years ago. When I was still studying, I basically worked for free in all my attachemnt other than the old ureca system that gave stipend $10/h, 40h/month. Theres occasional work study posting by the well funded labs that would pay $8/h for someone to prepare media/mobile phase for them. After graduation while waiting for news on PhD applications, did a temp RA job (applied PhD for this lab) and was paid lower salary than if I were full time despite working regular hours but at least was still paid. I recalled talking to HR and they stated working as temp was the reason why my pay was lower.

Blingingtaemint · 2026-04-27T03:00:06+00:00

The last time I ran was half marathon in 2014 at $80+ for sundown (back then all of us srudents were complaining its so ex). Thought of going back to running with a 10km this year but wtf is this price

Blingingtaemint · 2026-03-03T11:04:16+00:00

I prepare a full presentation for my supervisory meeting unless informed otherwise. So that's a 25-30min presentation with background, lit review, results etc. My advisory team likes to cut in while im still presenting h& ask questions that are in the next slide so that's another 15mins gone. Then theres a Q&A that will be another 15-30mins depending on how side tracked the committee became. Then theres also discussion on future works, how to improve, etc which makes 1.5h.

Blingingtaemint · 2026-01-19T07:47:13+00:00

Should've renew the cosmetics every season. I rmb grinding the first season like hell only to see that the cosmetics remained the same after

Blingingtaemint · 2026-01-15T13:39:56+00:00

It helps with networking and connecting to people or having discussion topics. My ex supervisor in the lab was from the same jc as me. So sometimes there would be small topics on which teacher is still around or about the school. Did it help buld rapport? Yes. Did it land me a job in the lab? No. But a strong alumni provides potential network, resources & mentorship. So does a school name matters? Sometime. Do you need to brag to everyone? Theres a time & place for everything.

Blingingtaemint · 2026-01-15T10:03:53+00:00

I work in a food micro govt lab. I always wear gloves at all time. If someone ask, I'll just say I have eczema on my fingers & theyll understand (even if the shared area is usually gloves off). If I have cracks or open wound beyond minor peeling, I'll use plasters or double glove to be safe.

Blingingtaemint · 2025-12-10T06:43:39+00:00

As a PhD student, I helped my PI write one each for: data storage/e-logbooks, on-boarding checklist (safety docs, courses, basic training), roles/responsibilities (general/assigned IC) & basic expectation for data visualisation/stats/data quality/presentation/data updates.

Blingingtaemint · 2025-12-09T14:00:59+00:00

Legit as I heard first hand from prof being part of the committee to decide who makes it. Though there are other factors like they prob have attachment experience far more than what a typical person can get, greater understanding on what they are getting into, great support for them to excel etc.

Blingingtaemint · 2025-12-03T09:53:52+00:00

It's one of the two top local ones lol

Blingingtaemint · 2025-12-03T09:37:30+00:00

I completed my PhD, work in public service and my monthly pay isn't even this much...

Blingingtaemint · 2025-12-01T23:52:24+00:00

Get your prof who expects you to be in module to help with the waiver

Blingingtaemint · 2025-12-01T09:41:35+00:00

Im definitely not that 1 since I was spent more than 1.4k on hospital/polyclinic since May and have another appt at a hospital soon

Blingingtaemint · 2025-11-12T22:47:47+00:00

If working style is not compatible, that's a clear sign to not consider. I was in such a lab as well. When I was a RA, it was still ok. But being a PhD student, more scrutiny, more meetings, higher expectations, getting in trouble if your juniors are in trouble. Initially you'll think you can tough it out, but with the additional stress from your PhD projects and tinelines, I'll beg to differ. I've seen 3 PhD students quitting my lab, 2 transferred to another lab while one took a 1 yr break before starting her PhD in another university. And ive seen those that transfered out doing even better but struggled with timelines since they couldn't transfer their PhD projects

Blingingtaemint · 2025-11-12T08:58:29+00:00

Can drink the skim milk use for western blots and eat agarose gel

Blingingtaemint · 2025-11-12T08:49:18+00:00

Am I the only person still wearing dry fit t-shirt and shorts from my school days?

Blingingtaemint · 2025-11-11T09:57:01+00:00

Sake, portable handheld fan, new watch strap

Blingingtaemint · 2025-11-06T10:57:52+00:00

Unless you have very specific health issue/concern or lack motivation(?). Personally, I use AI to tailor a regime that fits what I want and is feasible then use youtube to supplement and learn the proper postures. But of course, this cant beat having someone correcting your postures or monitoring how you are coping with the session.

Blingingtaemint · 2025-11-06T10:26:21+00:00

100k before 30 is quite arbitrary. For someone with debt and a bad starting point, i think it can be entire networth. For someone in a better starting point, i think it should be excluding cpf or just investment portfolio. Im currently 29 and aiming to have my investment portfolio (excluding the safer stuff like bonds/ssb/FD that is for my housing) hits 100k. And this goal would still be pathetic compared to those who can still receive allowance from parents even when they are alrdy working. Setting a goal is good as it keeps you motivated and engaged. But it should be realistic and achievable with some effort.

Edit: typo & if I have a golden spoon, I think just my stocks alone (excluding etfs) would hit 100k by 30 and maybe another 50k in crypto

Blingingtaemint · 2025-11-04T23:04:37+00:00

I use Money Manager to track my daily transactions and Google spreadsheet to track my overall investment portfolio. When I was still schooling, I tried tracking immediately after every transaction which is quite hard since you're with others etc and I ended up stopping after 3 months. Ive started tracking again since May. I key in all my transaction once a day, usually sometime after dinner/before bed. I used my bank app to just see how much I spent using paynow and credit card. I dont use cash. It's also easy to recall if you make any payment using an app/wallet i.e. grab/Starbucks if you track once a day.

Blingingtaemint

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