Scientist starts magazine focusing on Asian research

SINGAPORE - An award-winning Singaporean scientist has started what could be Asia's first science magazine, which aims to showcase research done in this part of the world.

Dr Juliana Chan, 30, an assistant professor at Nanyang Technological University, has roped in other full-time scientists and doctors from around the world - from Singapore, the Philippines and India to the United States and Britain - to contribute to the quarterly magazine, Asian Scientist.

"From the very start, my goal has always been to publicise the excellent science coming from Asia, and there was no such magazine on the market focusing on the region," she said.

The magazine is aimed at both casual and industry readers, with an initial circulation of 6,000 copies.

Dr Chan has won several awards such as the Singapore Youth Award last year for her work in nano-medicine and tissue engineering, and for founding and editing an online version of the magazine for the past two years.

She decided to launch a print version of the magazine, which is now on sale for $8 at major bookstores, such as Kinokuniya and Popular, because she wanted to expand readership.

Dr Chan also plans to develop an iPad app for the magazine.

Each edition will have feature articles on one topic, as well as sections highlighting the latest research and development news, interviews with scientists and quirky, fun science.

The first issue focuses on biomedical sciences, with articles on stem cells, the fight against infectious diseases such as dengue and influenza, and the race to stay ahead of bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics.

Future issues will take on topics like medical technology, nanomedicine and personal care and nutrition.

The three other editors, apart from Dr Chan, are Dr David Tan, an Agency for Science, Technology and Research scientist; Dr Tang Yew Chung, a research scientist with the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School; and Dr Rebecca Lim, a medical doctor in Australia.

Aside from bookstores, the magazine will also be distributed free at regional science conferences, including upcoming ones in Japan and Bangkok.

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