Mr Ernest Tan

Fellow Tembusu College National University of Singapore
Research Engineer Biomedical Engineering National University of Singapore

Ernest Tan received his B.Eng (Mechanical Engineering) from National University of Singapore in 2016, and is currently completing his PhD-MBA programme, where he is developing bio-printing solutions to better print bio-mimetic interface tissues. He is currently a research engineer with NUS Biomedical Engineering, where he is working on developing a silk-based implant to help with ACL reconstruction. He has worked on various medical technology projects, ranging from developing rehabilitation devices, devices to aid hemodialysis and implants for tissue regeneration.

Prior to his teaching appointment in Tembusu College, Ernest was a resident of Tembusu College for 9 years, where he was a Graduate Fellow for 5 of those years. He strongly believes that for one to make the world a better place, a holistic understanding of multiple disciplines is needed. Through his class, he hopes that students will learn to bravely confront the unknown to uncover what they need to tackle challenges of the world.

Outside of research and teaching, Ernest also actively engages in Ultimate Frisbee, and used to play together with the Tembusu IG, Barefoots.

The Tembusu (Fagraea fragrans) is a large evergreen tree in the family Gentianaceae. It is native to Southeast Asia. Its trunk is dark brown, with deeply fissured bark, looking somewhat like a bittergourd. It grows in an irregular shape from 10 to 25m high. Its leaves are light green and oval in shape. Its yellowish flowers have a distinct fragrance and the fruits of the tree are bitter tasting red berries, which are eaten by birds and fruit bats.