Gan Wen Cong, an alumnus of IMU’s Medical Biotechnology programme and a recipient of multiple scholarships throughout his time in IMU University, continues to shine in his academic journey — this time as a budding environmental scientist pursuing his PhD.
Now in the final stretch of his fast-track PhD at IMU under the supervision of A/Prof Ts Dr Wong Chiew Yen, Wen Cong has made significant strides in his research on the Ecotoxicological Joint Effects of Nanoplastics and Herbicide Atrazine on Microalgae. His project, which explores the underlying impacts of these pollutants on aquatic ecosystems, is not only relevant in today’s climate-conscious world but also cutting-edge in its use of transcriptomic approaches to study gene expression in microalgae.
“This research has opened my eyes to how deeply human activities can affect even the tiniest of organisms. Microalgae may be small, but they are key players in aquatic food chains and global oxygen production. Studying their responses to pollutants gives us insights into the wider ecological impact,” Wen Cong explained.
Since embarking on his PhD, Wen Cong has presented his findings at several research conferences, earning praise for his articulate presentations and the scientific merit of his work. He was recently awarded the Best Poster Award at the International Conference of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Laboratory Medicine 2025.
Despite his growing list of achievements, Wen Cong remains grounded. “I’m still learning every day. Research is full of unexpected results and dead ends, but that’s part of the journey. The critical thinking skills I learned during my time in Medical Biotechnology really help me navigate through the complexities of this work.”
Balancing laboratory work, data analysis, and academic writing hasn’t been easy, but Wen Cong credits the IMU research community and the guidance of his supervisor for helping him stay on course.
“Dr Wong has been a tremendous mentor — always encouraging but also pushing me to think independently. Our community of postgraduate students is also incredibly supportive, where consistently peer support and intellectual discussions often contribute to our mutual success.”
Beyond his own project, Wen Cong also consistently cultivates next-generation scientists by mentoring junior students in laboratory practical classes and undergraduate research projects. He is also a common presence as an exhibitor in outreach programmes, sharing his passion in hopes of igniting someone else’s passion towards science.
“Education goes both ways. We always receive when we give. We are able to learn as much as we are able to teach.”
With one more year to go before completing his PhD, Wen Cong has already set his sights on postdoctoral research in environmental genomics or joining a multidisciplinary team working on sustainable environmental solutions.
“Ultimately, I want my work to have real-world impact — whether it’s informing environmental policy or developing new tools for pollution monitoring. Science should always serve society.”
As he forges ahead, Wen Cong remains a testament to IMU’s commitment to nurturing not just high-achieving students, but purpose-driven individuals ready to take on global challenges.
From scholarship recipient to scientific contributor, Gan Wen Cong exemplifies what it means to truly grow through education. His story continues — one discovery at a time.
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