Hungry for public health

The love of food led Year 4 student SHI Yifan to pursue a Major in Food Science and Technology (FST) at the Faculty of Science (FOS).

However, when she embarked on her undergraduate journey, Yifan discovered a world of diverse interests beyond the realm of food. For instance, FST’s modules on nutrition and food safety sparked her interest in public health.

Driven by a fascination with the natural world and its geologic systems, she also decided to take up a Minor in Geosciences, offered by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS).

She says, “The geoscience modules made me more aware of my surroundings. Unexpectedly, geoscience provided a way for me to destress - I learnt to appreciate the magnificence and perpetuity of the universe which in turn reduces my worries about the small obstacles I face in daily life.”

While these disciplines have different intellectual traditions, Yifan’s FST Industrial Attachment with the Health Promotion Board (HPB) enabled her to explore their potential synergies on public health policies and interventions.

For instance, food production systems and geologic natural factors (while lesser known) can impact human health and wellbeing.

At HPB, Yifan contributed to its Healthier Dining Programme, where she had the opportunity to translate her knowledge and scientific research from nutrition and public health / diseases into public health practices. Through learning tasks and assignments which were specially customised for her, she gained valuable exposure to the operations and implementation of a nationwide public health intervention programme to improve Singaporeans’ nutritional habits.

The internship also reinforced her conviction to continue “positively impacting population health” in the future.

She says, “The experience has inspired me to delve further into Nutritional Epidemiology, and I am planning to pursue a graduate degree in this field.”