KATHERINE LIEW-TAN

My academic work centers on protein chemistry, molecular biology and structural analysis. I integrate wet-lab experimentation with computational tools such as AlphaFold2 and ChimeraX to study protein interactions and molecular mechanisms. My scientific interests span biosciences, microbiology and formulation R&D, with a growing focus on how molecular insights translate into real-world applications.

Transition From Industry to Science

After 19 years in FMCG leading innovation, brand strategy and portfolio growth across Asia, I made the decision to return to science and pursue hands-on laboratory research. I never imagined I would enjoy bench work so much—yet it has become a meaningful new chapter for me.

My background in commercial leadership gives me a unique perspective: I am trained to scope problems clearly, understand unmet needs, navigate constraints and think with both scientific curiosity and strategic purpose. These skills now shape the way I approach experiments, research questions and scientific problem-solving.

Mindset

I approach every project with a simple reminder to myself: So what? It keeps me focused on the bigger picture — why the work matters and what it contributes. My FMCG years not only trained me to connect the dots and see the conceptual story, but also to build that story by drawing together different pieces of information and making sense of how they fit. In the lab, this mindset keeps me grounded, whether I’m troubleshooting an experiment or repeating assays to validate a result. I’ve learned to appreciate the incremental, sometimes messy steps, because they’re the ones that eventually lead to meaningful scientific progress.