#UniPsych
UniPsych Symposium 2016
Speakers
Our speakers for the events include both NTU and NUS Alumni, as well as professionals in various areas of Psychology-related fields.
*The list of speakers here are non-exhaustive.
DR ANDY H.Y. HO, PHD, MFT, FT
CO-FOUNDER @ LIFELAB
Assistant Professor at Nanyang Technological University
Andy is an award-winning psychologist, educator and researcher who specializes in life and death education, palliative and end-of-life care, holistic interventions and expressive therapies. He is a Professor of Psychology at Nanyang Technological University, an Elected Member of the prestigious International Work Group on Death Dying and Bereavement (IWGDDB), a Fellow in Thanatology of the Association of Death Education and Counseling (ADEC)), and a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT). With deep passion to empower those less fortunate, Andy has devoted his research and teaching for the promotion of social participation, creative engagement, art and mindfulness, population and community building. He has authored over 50 books, chapters, and academic articles in prominent journals. His innovative work has also been presented in over 100 keynote, invited, and conference presentations across the globe, informing health and social care practices in local and international communities.
MS GERALDINE TAN-HO, MSOC.SC
CO-FOUNDER @ LIFELAB
Executive Director
Geraldine holds a Masters of Social Science in Professional Counselling (Msoc.Sc) and is Certified in Thanatology (CT) for her professional and educational achievements in the field of death, dying and bereavement. A passionate advocate for quality of life and quality of death, Geraldine has a rich experience in community work and social change, serving as a Medical Social Worker and Counsellor for low-income families, sick elderly, terminally ill children and caregivers. Currently a Counsellor in Singapore’s biggest paediatric palliative home care team, she leads the restructuring and development of standards of excellence in bereavement care for the caregivers and families of children and young adults who have died. Geraldine aims to abolish the taboo of death and encourage meaningful dialogue on life and death issues through LifeLAB Institute.
DR YEO LAY SEE, PHD
EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Associate Professor at National Institute of Education
Yeo Lay See, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Psychological Studies Academic Group, National Institute of Education (NIE), Nanyang Technological University (NTU). She is a Registered Psychologist in Singapore and a Nationally Certified School Psychologist in the U.S. She is the Programme Leader for the Master of Arts in Applied Psychology Programme at NIE/NTU. Her current work includes teaching, research, and clinical supervision. She teaches courses in educational psychology, psychological assessment, and cognitive-behavioral interventions. Her research interests include cognitive-behavioral therapy, school readiness, early literacy development, inclusive education, and interventions for children and adolescents who have learning and/or behavioral difficulties.
DR LEE BOON OOI, PHD
COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGIST
Senior Lecturer at National Institute of Education
Dr. Lee Boon Ooi is a Senior Lecturer at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University. He holds a Ph.D. in Psychology, and has received post-doctoral training in Social and Transcultural Psychiatry at the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University in Canada. In addition to his current role as the Programme Leader for MA in Counselling and Guidance, he teaches a number of courses in counselling psychology. His passion for teaching won him the Excellence in Teaching Award in 2012 and 2013. For research, Dr. Lee is interested in the relationship between culture and mental health, particularly, indigenous psychology, indigenous healing systems, cultural psychopathology, health beliefs, and illness representations. His research is interdisciplinary combining psychology, cultural psychiatry, and medical anthropology. Besides teaching and research, Dr. Lee has practised psychotherapy for more than 20 years. Currently, he maintains an active private practice, and provides consultation at the Department of Psychosocial Oncology at the National Cancer Centre.
DR PAUL ENGLERT, PHD
FOUNDER @
OPRA CONSULTING GROUP
Director
Dr Paul Englert is the Singapore-based founder and Director of OPRA Consulting Group, a company that works with businesses to help recruit, develop, and retain high performing staff through customised HR solutions, coaching and psychology applied to work. Established in New Zealand in 1997, OPRA has 7 offices in 3 countries, and is considered the premium I/O psychology business in Asia-Pacific with clients like Microsoft, Nokia, PepsiCo and Starwood Hotels. Born and educated in New Zealand, Paul has over two decades of experience in the field of I/O psychology. In addition to his ongoing role with OPRA, Paul is the Asia-Pacific Director of Psytech International, one of the world’s leading developers of psychometric tests and software for the workplace, including the GeneSys Assessment system and 15FQ+.
Besides his professional career delivering solutions on the front-line, Paul remains active academically. Paul received his Ph.D from Victoria University of Wellington in 2002, focusing his thesis on unemployment. Through the years he has undertaken lectureships on I/O psychology related topics at Massey University, University of Waikato and Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, and at Singapore Institute of Management and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.
Paul is a Registered Psychologist with the New Zealand Psychological Society, and is a Supervisor on the New Zealand Psychologist Board Registration. Paul is also a member of the Australian Institute of Directors, British Psychological Society and New Zealand Psychological Society, and was also formerly the Chairperson of the Industrial and Organisational division of the New Zealand Psychological Society. Paul is a certified EFPA (European Federation of Psychologists' Associations) accreditor.
Paul is widely published in academic and industry publications, such as Industrial and Organizational Psychology, International Journal of Selection and Assessment, and New Zealand Journal of Psychology, and is also regarded as a thought leader in his field by the wider HR and I/O community.
MR BRIAN POH
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Psychologist at Institute of Mental Health
Brian Poh is a Clinical Psychologist in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH). He graduated with an Honours Degree in Social Science (Psychology) from National University of Singapore and also holds a joint Clinical Psychology Master’s Degree from University of Melbourne and National University of Singapore. He works with young persons with mood and anxiety disorders in IMH’s Child Guidance Clinic, and enjoys doing sports and reading in his free time.
MS LEUNG HOI TING
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Psychologist at Institute of Mental Health
Hoi Ting has six years of experience in psychology work. Prior to her career as a clinical psychologist in the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), she worked as a psychologist with the Singapore Police Force (SPF) after graduating from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor in Social Sciences (Psychology). During her work with the SPF, she provided psychological support to individual officers, as well as developed and conducted workshops and seminars on individual and organisational resilience.
Her interest in clinical work prompted her to take a leap of faith. She left the SPF and pursued her Masters in Clinical Psychology. Hoi Ting joined IMH as a clinical psychologist after receiving her Masters in Social Sciences (Clinical Psychology) from the University of Hong Kong. During this time, Hoi Ting worked with adults with a variety of mental health issues, providing one-to-one and group psychological intervention. Due to her interest in crisis work, she became the coordinator for the crisis intervention team for
the Psychology Department and was activated for both local and overseas critical incidents involving Singaporeans. She is also part of the IMH corporate crisis training team.
MS JOYLYNN QUEK
PSYCHOLOGIST
Psychologist at Singapore Prison Service
Joylynn is a psychologist from the Psychological & Correctional Rehabilitation Division in the Singapore Prison Service. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology from SIM University in 2013. Joylynn currently works with offenders who have been convicted of violent and sexual crimes. She previously worked with a team of psychologists, specialists and uniformed officers to set up an enhanced drug rehabilitation regime in the Singapore Prison Service. She is also a member of the Singapore Psychological Society.
MS JERALDINE TAN
CORRECTIONAL REHABILITATION SPECIALIST
Specialist at Singapore Prison Service
Jeraldine joined Singapore Prison Service in 2014 as a correctional rehabilitation specialist. She is currently working with youth offenders at the Reformative Training Centre. Since her graduation in 2009, she has been working with offenders in various settings. She graduated from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor’s degree (Hons) in Social Science (Sociology). Subsequently, she obtained a Graduate Diploma in Social Work with the NUS.
MR TAN WEI JIE
PSYCHOLOGIST
Psychologist at Singapore Civil Defence Force
Wei Jie has been working as a Psychologist with the Ministry of Home Affairs for 3 years. He is currently with the Emergency Behavioural Sciences and CARE Unit and had a stint with the Police Psychological Services Division in 2013.
His research interest includes various areas within Organisational Psychology and Personnel Selection. In addition, Wei Jie is also interested in the field of psychophysiology as applied to the public safety officer population.
Wei Jie obtained his Bachelor of Social Sciences in Psychology with Honours from the National University of Singapore and has a Master of Science in Health Psychology from University College London. In addition, Wei Jie is also a member of the British Psychological Society.
MR EDGAR K. THAM
PSYCHOLOGIST
Sport & Performance Psychologist at Sport Psych Consulting
Edgar K. Tham is Singapore's pioneer Sport & Performance Psychologist; he has worked with more than 40 different performance domains (e.g. academic, sports, business, sales, etc) from schools to world championship levels. He was team consultant and traveling psychologist to numerous national teams preparing for the SEA Games, Asian Youth Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Youth Olympic Games, Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, World Championships, and ASEAN Armies Rifle Meets.
Edgar is a full-time sport & performance psychologist in private practice (www.fb.com/sportpsych.consulting) and co-owns a corporate training consultancy and a pre-school mind/body coaching programme for kids through sport. He is a Registered Psychologist (since 2002) and Approved Supervisor (for SRP registration) with the Singapore Psychological Society. He is also a Certified Mental Toughness Coach and Master Trainer with the Mental Toughness Research Institute, USA. He is a published author of Mental Toughness Strategies of the World's Greatest Athletes (2010) and In the Zone: The Mindset for Peak Performance in Sport (1997).
MS DAWN CHIA
PSYCHOLOGIST
Psychologist at ICA Psychological Services Branch
Dawn is a psychologist with the ICA Psychological Services Branch (IPSB). On top of her core area of work which revolves around personnel selection and assessment, Dawn also provides counselling and conduct training/workshops for ICA officers. She also oversees and coordinates the internship programme that is run by IPSB.
MDM LOURDES MARIA
ALLIED EDUCATOR @ MOE-AD
Allied Educator at Jurongville Secondary School
As an Allied Educator (Learning and Behavioural Support) in Jurongville Secondary School, Mdm Lourdes Maria plays a key role in helping students with mild special educational needs integrate well in a mainstream school. Since joining the service in 2009, her wealth of experience has given her many insights into this profession. Come listen to her sharing of her personal journey as an AED(LBS), including the challenges and rewards of the profession.
MS GOH MEI FANG
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Clinical Psychologist at Ministry of Social and Family Development
Mei Fang is a clinical psychologist at the Ministry of Social and Family Development, Clinical and Forensic Psychology Service (CFPS). She graduated from University College London, and obtained her Masters in Clinical Psychology with the National University of Singapore – University of Melbourne. She has been with MSF since 2013, and has been recently specialising in the provision of assessments and treatments for victims and families who have experienced intra-familial sexual abuse. Mei Fang’s experience has extended to working with multiple systems within child welfare and its partners to provide trauma-informed care for her clients. She also contributes to service delivery improvements, and is currently heavily involved in the programme evaluation of trauma focused interventions at CFPS.
MR STEPHEN LEW
FOUNDER @
THE SCHOOL OF POSTIVE PSYCHOLOGY
Executive Director
Stephen Lew is the Founder and Executive Director of The School of Positive Psychology (TSPP), a Singapore-based higher education institute that offers psychological centric training programmes for professional and corporate development. A professional graduate in psychotherapy and clinical hypnotherapy, Stephen is also a certified psychotherapist, clinical supervisor and fellow with the National Council of Psychotherapists in the United Kingdom.
A local expert in the field of positive psychology with 12 years of experience in the higher education industry, Stephen has been interviewed and featured by media such as Channel News Asia, 938LIVE, The Straits Times, Harper’s Bazaar, and 8 Days about positive psychology-related topics. He is regularly invited to speak at events: he was a panellist at the “Give the Gift of Happiness – Restore a Smile” conference organised by Nestle in support of Operation Smile children’s charity in 2012; a presenter at the “Innerpositiveness” conference organised by HR Net and TSPP in 2011.
Stephen’s growing public profile has also led to him being selected to be featured in the ‘Think Big Case Study – The Psychology of Entrepreneurs’ by Canon in 2012. In March 2014, Stephen was invited as a topic expert to speak about happiness in Singapore for Coca Cola’s “Movement is Happiness” initiative. From 2014 to 2016, he has been championing Positive Psychology training to several governmental agencies, business organisations and communities.
A strong believer in giving back to society, Stephen actively volunteers his personal time for community projects; be it giving talks to community and religious groups, or providing free psychology training to welfare organisations.
MS POH PING QI
PSYCHOLOGIST
Psychologist at Ministry of Social and Family Development
Ping Qi has been a Psychologist with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), Clinical and Forensic Psychology Service since 2014. She specialises in the assessment and treatment of youth and adult offenders who have committed violent or sexual crimes, and works closely with community partners to assist her clients in their rehabilitation. She graduated with a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Psychology) from National University of Singapore and holds a Master’s Degree in Psychology from New York University. During her time in New York, she is involved with reintegration work and works primarily with adults with substance abuse and/or mental disorders.
MS DESIREE PHUA
PHD STUDENT @ NBS
Pioneer Batch of NTU Psychology
Desiree has worked at A*STAR as a research coordinator in a neuroepigenetics lab which exposed her to a multidisciplinary field involving cognitive psychology, genetics and neuroscience. This inspired her to start PhD training under Prof Hong Ying-yi to do research which integrates her original interest in social identity and her newfound fascination with neurogenetics and neuroepigenetics. She is interested in how humans are shaped by their social environment, the processes of which she seeks to understand by combining sociocultural psychology with biology.
DR JOYCE PANG SHU MIN
PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGIST
Associate Professor at Nanyang Technological University
Joyce received her undergraduate training in psychology at Smith College, MA, USA, and PhD in personality psychology from The University of Michigan, MI, USA.
As a personality psychologist, Joyce is interested in the assessment of individual differences and in making finer distinctions between personality dimensions in order to increase theoretical understanding of how personality affects behavior. She is particularly interested in the implicit motives for achievement, power, and affiliation. Specifically, how to measure them, make differentiations between them, and determining how individual differences in these motives affect performance, health, and well-being.
Joyce has been teaching in NTU since 2006 and is currently an Associate Professor in the Division of Psychology, NTU. She has received numerous teaching awards and mentored several batches of students till graduation. For this symposium, she will be sharing more about postgraduate studies.
MS EMILY ORTEGA
SPORT PSYCHOLOGIST
Research Associate at National Institute of Education
Emily is a Research Associate at the National Institute of Education, researching on mental skills training programs for peak performance. An experienced sport psychologist from Singapore, she has worked with Singapore’s best athletes over the last ten years, supporting them through world championships and major games such as the Olympics. Emily also has extensive teaching experience, having taught in various psychology modules at undergraduate level. She is a member of the ASPASP Managing Committee, a member of the Singapore Psychological Society, and also spearheads the Singapore Sport Psychology Network.
Emily graduated with a BA in Psychology from the National University of Singapore and obtained her MSc in Sport Psychology from the University of Western Australia. She is currently completing her PhD in Sport Psychology from Nanyang Technological University, where she is researching on integrative biofeedback and mental skills training for performance enhancement in sport.
MS SUJATHA NAIR
PSYCHOLOGIST
Assistant Director (Quality Assurance) at Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS)
Sujatha is an Assistant Director (Quality Assurance) with the MOE-Aided DAS Literacy Programme (MAP) Division in the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS). She holds a Master of Education from the University of Adelaide. Since joining the DAS in 2006, Sujatha has taken on various roles such as Educational Therapist and Learning Centre Manager. She still provides educational therapy and remediation to students with dyslexia, in addition to her current duties as an Assistant Director. Sujatha is also a Fellow with the Register of Educational Therapists (Asia) [RETA].
MS TAN SHI JIA
PSYCHOLOGIST
Senior Specialist Psychologist at Dyslexia Association of Singapore
Shi Jia joined the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS) in 2010. She is currently a Senior Specialist Psychologist with the MOE-Aided DAS Literacy Programme (MAP) Admissions Division. Shi Jia conducts psycho-educational assessments with children who are suspected of having learning difficulties. Besides assessments, she also carries out intervention, research as well as workshops and awareness talks for parents and educators.
Shi Jia graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) from National University of Singapore and holds a Master of Psychology (Education & Development) from Monash University. In terms of professional affiliation, she is a Registered Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia and a member of the Singapore Psychological Society.
And many more..
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We will update the site regularly to include new speakers, so stay tuned!