Breaking barriers: How Professor Jackie Ying is shaping the future of science

A trailblazer in nanotechnology and biomedical research, Professor Jackie Ying has transformed industries and advanced modern medicine with her innovations. Some of her most notable inventions include a glucose-sensitive insulin delivery system, which revolutionised diabetes treatment, and nano-encapsulation technology, which enhances the efficacy of drug delivery.

Her work has earned international acclaim, including the King Faisal Prize in Science – often regarded as the Nobel Prize in the Muslim world. In 2023, she was named Her World’s Woman of the Year. These honours highlight her pioneering contributions and enduring influence in science.

For Prof Ying, faith has played a defining role in shaping her leadership. She embraced Islam at 35 – a deeply personal decision that continues to guide her values. Prof Ying explains that she sees scientific innovation as a means of contributing to society – aligning with the Islamic values of seeking knowledge and improving lives. She adds that her faith also informs her leadership style, emphasising integrity, responsibility, and service to others.

Leading a male-dominated industry

Born in Taiwan and raised in Singapore, Prof Ying’s fascination with science led her to the US, where she earned her PhD at Princeton University before joining the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as a professor. She had no idea she was making history.

“I was the first female Asian professor in engineering at the MIT,” she shares. “It wasn’t something I actively thought about, but when I stepped into the lecture hall and couldn’t reach half the blackboard, I realised the space wasn’t built for someone like me.”

At MIT, she became a leader in nanomaterials research, earning tenure and full professorship at 35 – the youngest in her department. She later returned to Singapore and founded the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) under A*Star, driving breakthroughs in drug delivery, diagnostics and regenerative medicine.

Over the years, IBN spun off 13 companies, three of which went public – a testament to her ability to bridge academia and industry. Yet, her journey was not without obstacles. In a male-dominated field, she often felt the pressure to work harder to prove herself. “I had to do extra hard work,” she reflects.

Beyond personal expectations, there were systemic challenges – facilities were rarely designed with women in mind. “Only the first and fifth floors had women’s bathrooms,” she recalls of her undergraduate years. The lack of female role models also shaped her perspective. “I hardly had any female professors during undergraduate and graduate studies,” she notes. “It was a stark reminder of how under-represented we were.”

Rather than feeling discouraged, she used these challenges to her advantage. “It’s not necessarily a bad thing to be underestimated,” she muses. “If people assume you’re not capable, they don’t see you coming.”

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Mentoring the next generation

Beyond her scientific contributions, mentorship has been a defining pillar of her career. She shares that at IBN and A*Star, she has nurtured thousands of students, many of whom have gone on to become accomplished scientists, engineers and medical researchers.

Today, Prof Ying is focused on legacy – not just leaving behind scientific breakthroughs, but ensuring that the next generation has greater opportunities than she did.

“You need to plan, find mentors who believe in you, and bring people along with you,” she advises. “If you’re the only one struggling, while those around you aren’t invested in your success, it’s a lonely road.”

Photography Shawn Paul Tan
Creative Direction Windy Aulia
Art Direction Adeline Eng
Fashion Direction Lena Kamarudin
Styling Adlina Anis & Neo Lirong Assisted by Sabrina Kong
Makeup Sha Shamsi, using Cle De Peau Beaute
Photo Coordination Chelsia Tan

To learn more about the 60 women who have shaped Singapore as we know it today, click here.