Felicia Lim

Course: Doctor of Philosophy (in the area of Organic Chemistry), 2019
Nationality: Malaysian
Current role: Senior Scientist (Chemistry), NuChem Sciences

Please tell us about your postgraduate research.

My research focused on the development of practical methods for the preparation of highly valuable purine isosteres targeting critical parts of chemical space around the druggable purinome. I made a significant impact on my field of research by introducing and exploring the scope of elegantly designed and well-optimised multicomponent reactions (MCRs) and reported the first MCR for the chemo- and regioselective synthesis of 5-aza-9-deaza- and 5-aza-7-deaza-adenines. Some of the prepared compounds were found to be promising molecules, particularly as agents against neglected and tropical diseases, such as Chagas disease.

Why did you choose Monash?

I believe that any organisation is only as good as its people who are working in it. Almost 10 years ago, during my undergraduate studies, I was inspired by an amazing lecturer and advisor, Associate Professor Anton Dolzhenko, which started my research endeavours. I chose to do my postgraduate degree with the same advisor who was at Monash University Malaysia because I knew that he would inspire, guide and build me into the independent researcher that I am today. In the final year of my postgraduate studies, he was awarded the Most Inspiring Supervisor Award by the Monash University Postgraduate Association. A decade later, through the ups and downs, scars, bruises and victories along the way, I am Dr Felicia Lim because of the good people that I met along my journey.

Did you participate in any student activities or opportunities?

While at Monash, I published 15 journal articles and three book chapters with 12 of them as first author. My academic accomplishments and the scientific merit of my research have been acknowledged internationally with my recent selection by the American Chemical Society, Younger Chemist Committee to receive the 2020 Younger Chemist Leadership Development Award, recognised by IUPAC to represent element samarium on the 2019 Periodic Table of Younger Chemists and awarded the 2018 CAS SciFinder® Future Leader.

I have also endeavoured to communicate my research to the scientific community. Besides six oral and two poster presentations at numerous local and international conferences, I have been invited as a speaker to share my experience at various scientific events nationally and internationally. Notably, I was invited by Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN) as a facilitator for the inaugural 2020 C&EN virtual Table Talks. I was also invited as a presider in the Division of Organic Chemistry for the 258th ACS National Meeting, San Diego, CA and Panel Member for the CAS Future Leaders Q&A at the same meeting.

Additionally, I have successfully presented my research work in renowned international competitions for research communication across all fields, namely, the 2017 Falling Walls Lab Malaysia, and the 3-Minute Thesis (3MT), emerging as the winner of the 2017 3MT competition, Monash University Malaysia.

My teaching, leadership and communication skills were proven in the successful laboratory supervision of third-year undergraduate summer research projects in organic chemistry. From 2015-2019 I supervised a total of 27 undergraduate students in the Applied Research Project unit (PAC 3522) School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia. During my graduate studies, I was also a teaching demonstrator in Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry (PAC 1121 & PAC 1142) laboratory and workshop classes. Subsequently, I was selected as a Peer Assisted Study Session (PASS) Leader for Bioorganic Medicinal Chemistry (PAC 1142). My achievements as a PASS leader were recognized internationally by the 2016 Australasian Peer Leader Awards in the Outstanding New Leader category, the first and only in the 20-year history of the Monash Malaysia Campus and all universities in Malaysia.

In February 2019, I led my team in the establishment of the American Chemical Society Monash Malaysia International Student Chapter. As an advisor to the executive committee board, my team is actively involved in the organisation of various scientific events in collaboration with industry and professional bodies across Malaysia.  As a result, we were the first and only student chapter in Malaysia to be awarded the 2019 Outstanding Student Chapter Award, the highest accolade granted by the Society Committee on Education (SOCED) in recognition of the chapter’s efforts and accomplishments.

What did you enjoy most about your student life?

The freedom to conduct my research, to be inspired by the greatest mentor and inspire many students along the way.

What is your career goal?

To quote the 2018 Nobel Laureate in Physics, Professor Donna Strickland “The world works best if we all do what we are good at”. This is everything that I strive to achieve, one day at a time.