Get to know our speakers and panelists!
Plenary Speakers
Professor John Sterman
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Professor John Sterman is the Jay W. Forrester Professor of Management at the MIT Sloan School of Management and a Professor in the MIT Institute for Data, Systems, and Society. He is also the Director of the MIT System Dynamics Group and the MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative. Prof. Sterman’s research centers on improving decision-making in complex systems, including corporate strategy and operations, energy policy, public health, environmental sustainability, and climate change. He is the author of many scholarly and popular articles on the challenges and opportunities facing organizations today, including the book, Modelling for Organizational Learning, and the award-winning textbook, Business Dynamics.
Prof. Sterman is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and received an honorary doctorate from the Università della Svizzera italiana, Switzerland. He has twice been awarded the Jay W. Forrester Prize for the best published work in system dynamics; has won an IBM Faculty Award as well as the Accenture Award for the best paper of the year published in the California Management Review. He received the Best Application Award from the System Dynamics Society for his work on climate change policy.
At MIT, he has been recognized with the Samuel E. Seegal Faculty Prize, given to a professor who “inspires students in pursuing and achieving excellence,” the Jamieson Award for Excellence in Teaching, numerous other awards for teaching excellence; and was named one of MIT Sloan’s “Outstanding Faculty” by the BusinessWeek Guide to the Best Business Schools. His research has been featured in media around the world including the New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Public Television’sNews Hour, National Public Radio’s Marketplace, WGBH, and other media for his innovative use of interactive simulations in management education and policymaking, particularly in climate change and energy policy.
"Congratulations to NUS RC4 on its 10th anniversary! I fondly recall visiting with you all back in 2018, hosted by Prof Laksh, during which my wife and I had a chance to meet faculty and students and learn about the great work you all are doing. What stood out, besides the warm hospitality and friendship, was the way RC4 has embedded system dynamics and systems thinking into the curriculum and educational experience. I cannot overstress how important this is. So many universities continue to pursue the reductionist program of ever-finer specialization. Though often leading to deep and useful knowledge, the reductionist program also narrows the boundaries of our mental models, leading to policy resistance and new problems.
This is not just a problem for universities. Businesses and governments also divide the world into departments and ministries and try to solve critical problems in isolation. But not RC4. You all understand that we don’t have financial problems, social problems, people problems, and community-relations problems — we just have problems. And you know that solving them requires a holistic approach, grounded in evidence and the scientific method.
Congratulations again on successfully integrating systems thinking and system dynamics into a wonderful, rigorous educational experience!"
Professor Peter S. Hovmand
Case Western Reserve University
Prof. Peter S Hovmand is Pamela B. Davis MD PhD Professor of Medicine, Center for Community Health Integration, School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University. Prof. Hovmand is an internationally recognized leader in developing and applying participatory methods in system dynamics and systems science in public health and medicine. He founded and led the Brown School’s Social System Design Lab at Washington University in St. Louis from 2009 to 2020, authored Community Based System Dynamics and led the creation of Scriptapedia as a knowledge common for group model building scripts. Prof. Hovmand serves as an associate editor for System Dynamics Review.
Dr. Hovmand’s work has been supported by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Lupina Foundation, SkipNV, US Department of Agriculture, St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, Administration for Children & Families, Ohio Department of Mental Health, Economic and Social Research Council United Kingdom, Wellcome Trust, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, YMCA, RegionWise, Save the Children UK, Wellesley Institute, Google (now Alphabet), and Government of Singapore.
Panelists
Bernise Ang
Fellow, Residential College 4
Bernise Ang is a fellow at RC4. As a practitioner in systems thinking and international development, she has conducted qualitative and quantitative research from the field to inform the decision making of government leaders in social policy domains such as rapid urbanisation, youth unemployment, and others. In her role as Principal at Zeroth Labs, a systems research firm, she developed the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Asia Pacific’s first systems research approach. Her teaching experience includes co-teaching a summer programme on complexity and systems thinking (CAST) since 2020 at Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at NUS, capstone advisory for the Master of Tri-Sector Collaboration at the Singapore Management University, among others.
She studied psychology at the University of New South Wales, and her work now involves bringing together methods from behavioural science, anthropology, applied mathematics and others to make complexity science more applicable and useful to addressing the grand challenges facing the world today. Her research interests include the application of network theory to advancing quantitative ways of understanding phenomenon in fragile states and social systems with high economic inequality. Her notable achievements include staring down a foreign minister and making 3 ambassadors cry while arguing for fossil fuel energy transition as a youth activist at UN climate negotiations.
Dr Corinne Ong
Fellow, Ridge View Residential College
Dr. Corinne Ong is a Fellow of RVRC, teaching several modules for the new RVRC Programme being launched in AY21/22. She is an environmental and urban sociologist by training, obtaining her Masters and Doctoral degrees in Sociology from the University of North Texas (UNT), USA. Since graduating with her doctorate, Corinne has been actively engaged in teaching and applied research. Corinne began her career as an Assistant Professor in Sociology in a teaching college in the United States, before working in Singapore’s higher educational institutions and a government ministry. In particular, Corinne’s research interests broadly lie in understanding the role of the social context in accounting for human actions and its structural impacts on the natural environment. After office hours, Corinne enjoys practising yoga in its gentle forms, caring for her pet turtle, reading Doraemon, and being in the company of her family.
Tan Qing Heng
Student, Residential College 4
Qing Heng is a Year 3 Business Administration student who is interested in research and entrepreneurial ventures as part of Residential College 4 (RC4). As part of his research, he is currently focused on investigating the role of migration as an adaptation to social-ecological changes in the Kumaon Hills of the Indian Himalayan Region. He is also a key member of the social enterprise "The STEER Challo," a web/mobile application that has emerged from the RC4 STEER Himalaya 2022 and 2023 trips, to help promote responsible ecotourism involving local community stakeholders.
Dr. Lynette Tan
Director of External Programmes, Residential College 4
Lynette is Director of External Programmes at Residential College 4 and Fellow of the NUS Teaching Academy. In her teaching, Lynette navigates the potential of systems thinking in intersection with film as well as community engagement. Her other teaching and research interests include AI and technology in education, Hollywood and Singapore Cinema, Gender Studies, and Post-colonial Studies. In recognition for excellence in teaching, Lynette won multiple teaching awards at the university level and has been placed on both the ATEA (Annual Teaching Excellence Award) and RCTEA (Residential Colleges Teaching Excellence Award) honour rolls at NUS.
Martha H. Soetedjo
Residential College 4
Martha is a third-year Data Science and Economics student and an alumni of Residential College 4. Her passion lies in data-driven analyses and generating insights from experiential research. She hopes to utilise her skills and knowledge to contribute to the community through creating holistic solutions in the future.
Dr. Toh Tai Chong
Director of Residential Life, College of Alice & Peter Tan
Dr. Toh Tai Chong is a marine biologist and he holds teaching positions in the College of Alice & Peter Tan (CAPT) and the Chua Thian Poh Community Leadership Centre (CTPCLC). For the past decade, he has been working with local communities in Southeast Asia to conserve and restore coral reefs. Outside of work, he is the co-founder of Our Singapore Reefs and he works closely with private and public sectors to reduce the impacts of marine debris. He leads students on overseas studies trip to Botswana and will be initiating one to Timor Leste soon.
Daniel Lee
NLP Algorithm Engineer, Shopee
Daniel Lee, an RC4 alumnus, is currently an NLP Algorithm Engineer at Shopee. He graduated in 2024 with degrees in Data Science and Analytics, and Computer Science. During his time at RC4, Daniel led various initiatives, including the Freshmen Orientation Camp, Mentorship Program (one of the founders), and Student Life Analysis Research. He is dedicated to fostering a supportive community and believes that effective stress management is crucial for resilient mental health. This conviction inspired his independent study project under the supervision of Dr. Naviyn Prabhu Balakrishnan, which engaged the RC4 community in discussions about stress through Participatory Systems Thinking.
Dr. Justin Choo
Founder and CEO of Knorex Group
Dr. Justin Choo is the Founder and CEO of Knorex Group, where he provides strategic leadership and vision for the company's growth and innovation. With a wealth of expertise in adtech and business, he plays a key role in driving Knorex's global commercial expansion. With over 14 years of experience in the digital marketing industry, Dr. Choo possesses deep knowledge of advertising and marketing technologies. His direct experience working with advertising agencies, brands, and media publishers spans entities ranging from small enterprises to multinational corporations. His multi-disciplinary skill set and operational experience have been instrumental in delivering cutting-edge solutions and driving business success. In 2004, Dr. Choo co-founded FiNEX Solutions Pte. Ltd., which specialized in providing an innovative real-time stock charting and trading system named ChartNexus to the retail community and stock brokerages. After a successful exit, he joined the data mining department, conducting research in Bioinformatics using AI/ML technology at Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), a globally renowned research institution. Dr. Choo holds a Ph.D. in Bioinformatics and a Bachelor's degree (Honors) in Computer Science, both from the National University of Singapore.
Leon Toh
Managing Partner, Damson Capital
Leon Toh is an impact investor and social entrepreneur with over eight years of experience in supporting purpose-driven startups in Asia. He is the Managing Partner of Damson Capital, an impact investment holding company and business advisory that focuses on developing social enterprises that can deliver strong financial returns and scalable social impact. With a vision to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through enterprise-based solutions, Leon leads Damson's strategy, portfolio management, and stakeholder engagement across Asia. He also co-founded EDEN + ELIE, a design-led, socially conscious jewellery brand that empowers and supports individuals from communities in need. Additionally, he serves as the Chairman of Westbike Messenger Service, a zero-emission bicycle courier that employs marginalized youth in Indonesia's inner cities.
Cheng Huimin
Founder, Vilota
Cheng Huimin is the founder of Vilota, a tech-driven startup focused on delivering innovative solutions in the space of robotic visual perception. An alumnus of Residential College 4 (RC4) at the National University of Singapore, Huimin began his entrepreneurial journey during his colleague days. Most prominently, he and his colleague mate found RC4’s first cognitio pod RC4Space, and actively operated it. His experiments and projects during his time at RC4 laid the groundwork for his early career as researcher and staff supervisor, and eventually founding of Vilota as a venture, which is on its 4th year since founding in 2021. Huimin’s journey reflects the power of innovation and perseverance, as he continues to inspire others through his passion for technology and entrepreneurship.
William Tok
RC4 Alumni (NUS Sociology)
William was a student at RC4 from 2020 to 2024. He has a keen interest in public policy and societal behavior, which led him to pursue a degree in Sociology. To deepen his understanding of public policy, he took RC4’s Project module under the supervision of Dr. Naviyn Prabhu Balakrishnan in 2021, focusing on modeling techniques. He is currently serving as a Staff Officer at MINDEF, where he handles National Service Affairs. During his time at RC4, William has been an active student leader, serving in various capacities, including Director of Clubs & Societies in the 7th College Students’ Committee, Resident Assistant, and key founder of the RC4 Mentorship Program.
Toh Chin Howe
RC4 Alumni (NUS Psychology)
Chin Howe graduated from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences in 2023, majoring in Psychology. He currently works in Human Resources, Singapore General Hospital. As an inquisitive individual, his interests span across diverse areas. Systems thinking has been an interesting tool for him to dissect and examine life's curiosities. Chin Howe worked on the project, "Modelling the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus", under the supervision of Dr. Bellam Sreenivasulu in 2020. With Dr. Bellam Sreenivasulu's support, the project was presented at the 39th International Systems Dynamics Conference. Together, they proudly share their research findings, hoping to inspire further exploration of a highly relevant topic.ing Director of Clubs & Societies in the 7th College Students’ Committee, Resident Assistant, and key founder of the RC4 Mentorship Program.
Ernest Cuong
RC4 Alumni (NUS Computing)
Ernest is an alumnus of Residential College 4 and NUS School of Computing. Inspired by Edwin and Dr Navarun Varma’s project on Jakarta Flood, he created a flood game to make learning system dynamics more fun and intuitive.
Edwin S. Sugeng
RC4 Alumni (NUS Mechanical Engineering)
Edwin is an alumni of Residential College 4. During his stay, he worked with Dr Navarun Varma to understand the flood in Jakarta, Indonesia using systems thinking and system dynamics modelling. He is currently a PhD candidate at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, NUS.
Winnie Tan
Winnie is a Year 2 business student at the National University of Singapore. She is actively engaged in the course 'Societal Collapse and Resilience' at Residential College 4, where she explores global examples of societal breakdown. Winnie is passionate about innovative approaches to business solutions and aims to apply her knowledge in addressing complex challenges.
Ho Sze Yuan
RC4 Student (NUS Engineering Science)
Ho Sze Yuan is a second-year student pursuing a degree in Engineering Science at the National University of Singapore's College of Design and Engineering (CDE). He is passionate about Impact Driven Innovation and hopes to pursue a career in MedTech in the future.
Pierre Ng
RC4 Student (NUS Chemistry)
Pierre Ng is a second-year student at the National University of Singapore’s College of Humanities and Science (CHS), where he is pursuing a degree in Chemistry and a minor in Physics. Upon graduation, he intends to further his studies at the National Institute of Education (NIE) to pursue a career in teaching.
Sky Wong
RC4 Student (NUS Business)
Sky Wong is a second-year Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) student at the National University of Singapore. As an avid strategist with a strong commitment to social impact, Sky consults for non-profits as an Associate Consultant at Thrive Social Consulting, presenting insights and strategies for the social sector in Singapore.
See you on 19 Oct 2024!
For any enquiries, please contact rc4@nus.edu.sg.
