It is hard to believe, but I am now in my tenth year teaching at UMD in Chemical Engineering. There is something about this job that keeps me young – my students never grow old even though I do.
I grew up in Singapore, which is a small island nation situated practically on the equator, where it is summer (and humid!) all year round. 2006 was the year of many firsts for me: my first time stepping foot in the US for college at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, my first winter and snowfall, and my first experience of US culture outside of what I know through Hollywood films. I still remember vividly the expression on my friends’ faces when I called the trunk of a car the “boot”! Apart from a few years where I returned to Singapore to work from 2006 - 2008, Minnesota has since become my home: I spent another five years in graduate school in the Twin Cities before moving up here to Duluth for my job. All of my immediate family still live in Singapore; I am the younger of two siblings, and my brother works as a mechanical engineer for an oil and gas company in Singapore.
I truly love my job as an educator and teacher. Prior to graduate school, I had a taste of working both in the public and private sectors in Singapore and decided I did not like either. I feel very fortunate that I was given opportunities to explore my interests along the way which eventually led me to this teaching profession. There is something immensely satisfying watching eyes light up and light bulbs go off in students when I am in the classroom. And, while I do not have kids of my own, I feel a sense of pride and joy watching our students mature as they progress through the program.
Education
Ph.D.: Materials Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, 2013
B.S.: Chemical Engineering, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, 2006
B.S.: Materials Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, 2006
B.S.: Chemistry, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, 2006
Fun facts and hobbies
As a male citizen of Singapore, I was required to serve in the Singapore military for two and half years prior to college. I was part of a signal platoon that managed communications for an armored brigade (although I can no longer remember all the military phonetic alphabets!)
I enjoy fitness activities, even though I would never consider myself a “gym buff”. My personal goal is to run one half-marathon per year as long as my legs and knees can handle it, so watch out and cheer for me if you are ever at Grandma’s Marathon! I also teach fitness classes at the local YMCA – I consider this my hobby that combines both my passions for teaching and fitness and also provides me with a creative outlet choreographing workout routines!
During tax season, you will also find me volunteering with Community Action Duluth preparing taxes for families in need. I value this volunteering opportunity tremendously because it keeps me grounded and reminds me of how privileged I am as I get to interact with a segment of the local community that I would otherwise never intersect with.
Classes Taught at UMD
Material and Energy Balances, ChE 2211: Foundational Chemical Engineering course that introduces the elementary principles of chemical processes, emphasizing problem-solving using mass balances and energy balances.
Fluid Mechanics, ChE 3111: Transport phenomena concepts applied to fluid flow, with emphasis on understanding types of flows and applying the knowledge to design pumps and piping systems.
Biomedical Engineering, ChE 4711: Broad overview of the field of Biomedical Engineering, with a focus on engineering principles used in medical device design and tissue engineering.
Contact Dr. Lai
238 Engineering Building
[email protected]
+1 218 726 7564