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Published 20 June 2025 by Ulrike Böhm

Women in Research #LINO25: Emily Tan Xi

Emily aims to foster interdisciplinary collaborations. All Photos/Credits: in courtesy of Emily Tan Xi

Emily from Singapore is a Postdoc at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

She uses spectroscopy, chemometrics, and data-driven modeling to explore how molecules behave at nanoparticle interfaces. Her work bridges chemistry, materials science, and machine learning to uncover insights relevant to sensing, catalysis, and diagnostics.

Emily participates in the 74th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting.

Enjoy the interview with Emily and get inspired:

What inspired you to pursue a career in science / in your discipline?

Curiosity has always been my compass; in Singaporean terms, I’m very “kaypoh.” Especially when it came to understanding how “invisible” forces drive visible change. Chemistry offered me a lens to decode the world at a molecular level, and spectroscopy felt like a kind of language for that hidden world. The idea that light scattering could reveal so much about structure and behavior captivated me early on, and that fascination never faded.

Who are your role models?

I’m deeply inspired by researchers who bridge disciplines and challenge scientific silos – people like Prof Mildred Dresselhaus, who brought physics into the world of carbon nanomaterials, and Nobel Laureate Frances H. Arnold, whose work in directed evolution has reshaped biochemical engineering. Closer to home, my PhD supervisor, Prof Ling Xing Yi, whose quiet persistence and steadfastness shaped not only how I do science but why I do it. My parents taught me the importance of education, public service, and being kind, as well as giving back to Singapore and our society.

How did you get to where you are in your career path?

My journey started with a strong foundation in chemistry during my undergraduate studies at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, followed by specialized training in spectroscopy and nanomaterials during my PhD at the same university. Along the way, I became increasingly drawn to data science and machine learning as tools to extract more chemical meaning from complex systems. Important mentors, such as Professor Ling Xing Yi, Professor Phang In Yee, and Professor Pun Chi Seng, gave me the intellectual freedom to explore the intersection of chemistry and data science. Like most people, I’ve faced obstacles – imposter syndrome as a first-generation graduate in the family, paper rejections, and failed experiments, but each setback pushed me to sharpen my ideas and voice in this field.

What is the coolest project you have worked on and why?

One of the most exciting projects I’ve worked on involved developing a COVID-19 breath-based sensing platform using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and machine learning to non-invasively detect infectious diseases. It was incredibly rewarding because it combined fundamental science with real-world impact, especially during a time when rapid, accessible diagnostics were urgently needed. For that, I was featured in the Singapore local newspaper, The Straits Times.

What’s a time you felt immense pride in yourself / your work?

I felt really immense pride when I successfully defended my PhD thesis. I also feel thrilled when my works get published and recognized as important stepping stones in the nanoscience and nanotechnology field. There’s also a unique kind of pride that comes not just from publishing a paper or receiving a grant but from seeing your ideas empower others, whether it’s a mentee getting excited about spectroscopy for the first time or a collaborator telling you that your model gave them new insight into their data. Those moments remind me that science is a shared journey, and there are many heartwarming moments to savor.

What is a “day in the life” of you like?

Emily Tan Xi
Emily Tan Xi

No two days are exactly alike. Some days are spent on deep-dive sessions into experimental design, data analysis, machine learning modeling, and writing; others are consumed by mentoring students in the lab and conducting experiments for many hours on end. Once I start, I cannot stop or step away until I’m done (a little obsessive, I know). I often split time between my desk, the lab, and the occasional bubble tea run to get some fresh air.

What are you seeking to accomplish in your career?

I aim to develop generalizable sensing platforms that can adapt to a wide range of chemical environments (even in humans!), pushing forward the concept of intelligent and living sensors. More broadly, I aim to contribute to the scientific community not only through publications and innovation but also by fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and mentoring the next generation of scientists.

What do you like to do when you’re not doing research?

I enjoy hiking with my dog (a husky named Haru), baking, and traveling to different cities to take trains and eat local food! Because I’m kaypoh, I also enjoy reading the news and new journal articles (geek!). There’s something refreshing about stepping away from the data and into a different mode of thought, whether it’s while baking, reading, or just getting lost in nature.

What advice do you have for other women interested in science / in your discipline?

Find mentors and also peers who support and uplift you. Don’t wait for permission to take up space. Your perspective is important, valuable, and precisely what science needs.

In your opinion, what will be the next great breakthrough in science / in your discipline?

I believe the next major leap will come from integrating quantum-informed simulations with real-time, adaptive experiments using machine learning in self-driving laboratories. This fusion could enable us to predict and control molecular behavior at interfaces with unprecedented precision, transforming how fast we can design and apply sensors, catalysts, and materials.

What should be done to increase the number of female scientists and professors?

It begins with systemic support, inclusive mentorship, equitable and transparent funding, and pathways for advancement. Representation matters, but retention matters even more – especially during career inflection points, such as postdoc-to-faculty transitions. Many seniors and peers turn away from academia at this juncture because they don’t see hope. We need to normalize diverse leadership styles and create academic cultures that value balance, empathy, and collaboration as much as brilliance and meeting KPI/results.

Further Interviews

Ulrike Böhm

Ulrike Boehm is a physicist and science enthusiast. She works as an optical scientist at ZEISS in Oberkochen, Germany. Previously, she did her Ph.D. studies at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Göttingen in the Department of NanoBiophotonics of Nobel Laureate Stefan Hell, followed by research stays in the US at the National Institutes of Health and HHMI’s Janelia Research Campus, developing tools for biomedical research. She is generally passionate about designing and building (optical) instruments to image, probe, and manipulate (biological) structures. Furthermore, she is passionate about science communication and open science and is a huge advocate for women in science.