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Why do countries sometimes hesitate to work more closely with powerful allies, even when regional security threats are growing? In this episode, we speak with Anthony Toh Han Yang, a PhD student at NTU’s Public Policy and Global Affairs programme, about his research on US alliances and alliance cohesion in the Asia-Pacific. Anthony explains why rising threats alone cannot fully account for alliance behaviour, highlighting the importance of strategic value, bilateral relationships, domestic politics, and public opinion. Drawing on cases including South Korea and the Philippines, we explore why alliance commitments can strengthen or weaken over time and what these dynamics mean for regional security. Beyond his research, Anthony also reflects on staying objective while studying geopolitics, communicating international relations to the public, and his PhD journey.

What does it take for AI-generated images and videos to do more than simply look real? In this episode, we speak with Ziqi Huang, a Ph.D. candidate at NTU’s MMLab, about her research on making generative AI more controllable, reliable, and aligned with human understanding. She introduces ReVersion, which helps diffusion models learn relationships between objects; VBench and VBench++, which evaluate video-generation models across multiple human-aligned dimensions; and VChain, which enables models to reason through visual steps before generating a final video. We also discuss why realistic-looking outputs can still violate physics or common sense, how generative models could support robotics and physical AI, and Ziqi’s journey from an undergraduate interested in art and technology to an award-winning AI researcher.

In this episode, we sit down with Kethmi Hettige, a Ph.D. candidate in Computing and Data Science at NTU, whose research focuses on spatial-temporal prediction and reasoning. Kethmi shares how her work combines AI, graph neural networks, physics-guided learning, and large language models to tackle real-world challenges such as air quality prediction, traffic forecasting, and environmental monitoring. We explore her research contributions, including the importance of interpretable and trustworthy AI systems, and integration of scientific knowledge into machine learning models. Beyond the technical discussion, Kethmi also reflects on her experiences throughout the Ph.D. journey.

How do we measure the value of a smile? Dr. Hilary Ma joins us to discuss her research on participatory arts and the aging experience. From the galleries of the National Museum to the heart of Singapore's neighborhoods, learn how her initiative, Project ARTISAN, uses intergenerational storytelling to combat loneliness and build resilience in seniors. It’s a story of art, heritage, and the powerful "kampong spirit" that emerges when we create together.

Welcome back to High Impact Thesis! This episode dives beneath the surface, exploring the 70% of our planet that remains largely hidden. We speak with Abu Bakr Azam from the Interdisciplinary Graduate Programme, whose doctoral work is challenging the million-dollar price tag of deep-sea access. His thesis, "Acoustic Aided Localization and Perception for Low-Cost Underwater Robotics," shows how to explore the oceans without breaking the bank. We discuss how his novel systems achieve centimeter-level localization accuracy using affordable sensors, overcoming challenges like murky water and the complete failure of GPS. Join us to explore the future of low-cost autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), the drive for new solutions like non-contact cleaning, and how this work opens doors for conservation, energy, and scientific discovery. Abu Bakr also shares a candid look at the personal journey of completing this complex and impactful PhD.

In this episode, we speak with Zhou Qinrou, a PhD student from NTU School of Social Science, whose research is challenging the foundational assumptions of how we understand bureaucracy. Qinrou takes us to walk through her thesis that discusses "What truly drives public servants to be good beyond simply doing well?" We dive into the critical Chinese concept of "zuoren" and "zuoshi". At the end, Qinrou also gives her personal understandings of the commitment, which supported her throughout her impactful PhD journey.

In today's episode of "High Impact Thesis," we sit down with Alka Luqman, a final-year PhD student at NTU's College of Computing and Data Science. Before starting her PhD, Alka spent seven years in an industrial company, where she worked on machine learning projects and natural language processing in the pre-LLM era. Alka shares her motivation for leaving the corporate world, to create new technology rather than just use it. Her current research focuses on peer-to-peer federated learning, a form of distributed machine learning that allows data to remain on individual devices, improving privacy and security. We discuss the challenges of implementing this technology in the real world, including data distribution shifts and communication efficiency, which is a core focus of her research.

In this episode of High Impact Thesis, we talk to Dr. Pritish Mishra, who recently completed his PhD in Materials Science and Engineering at NTU. Pritish shares how his fascination with nanotechnology led him to explore computational material science, culminating in his research on designing single-photon emitters using perovskite quantum dots. He discusses how simulations, machine learning, and experimental synthesis come together in the search for highly efficient quantum materials, which is essential for secure quantum communication. We also dive into the challenges of interdisciplinary work, unexpected turns in his PhD journey, and his experience leading TEDxNTU.

In this episode of High Impact Thesis, we speak with Nicole Yao, a PhD student from NTU’s School of Humanities, whose research explores the representation of ruins in contemporary Chinese literature and film. Nicole discusses how abandoned spaces—urban and rural—symbolize the human cost of modernization in post-1990s China. She also reflects on the challenges of interdisciplinary research, the role of sincerity in representing marginalized lives, and what it means to pursue meaning in the humanities. Recommended works include The World by Jia Zhangke and The Song of Everlasting Sorrow by Wang Anyi.

In this episode, we welcome Wu Tong, a Ph.D. candidate in Leadership, Management, and Organisation at NTU, whose research explores the family-work interface and the future of work. Tong shares insights from his current study on the social and psychological impact of "sharing good news"—why we do it, how others respond, and what it means for both personal and workplace relationships. He discusses the benefits for both sharers and receivers, highlights the influence of workplace culture and personality on disclosure, and outlines potential directions for future research. Tune in to learn how a simple act like sharing a success story can shape our connections at home and work.

In this episode, we speak with Michael Yuhas, a Ph.D. candidate in the Interdisciplinary Graduate Programme at Nanyang Technological University, whose research at the Energy Research Institute focuses on assured safety systems for autonomous vehicles. Michael shares how his industry experience at Apple and NIO shaped his academic path, and explains key concepts such as out-of-distribution detection and the challenges of validating AI-driven systems under unpredictable conditions like heavy rain. He also offers a glimpse into his daily Ph.D. routine and what it’s like doing research at the intersection of engineering, AI, and safety.

Dr. Suhas is a recent graduate from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from NTU. His research work focuses on preparing versatile wearable robots for rehabilitative purposes using metamaterials which give more control over its structure. He also discusses about robotics and various sensors utilized in his domain, the interesting application and relative ease provided by 3D printing prototypes and various state-of-the-art methods practiced in the area of rehabilitation. Tune in to experience his unique scholarly journey.

Dr. Ellice Wu is a recent graduate from the School of Humanities at Nanyang Technological University. Her research delves into the life and works of the renowned artist, painter, and academician Angelica Kauffman. In this episode, Ellice discusses how Kauffman’s self-portraits during her London period (1766–1781) reveal a complex interplay of identity, professionalism, and gender. She also touches on challenges encountered during the COVID-19 era and shares valuable methods for exploring and understanding artists like Kauffman and appreciating their contributions. Tune in for an inspiring insight into Ellice’s scholarly journey.

Lin Shicong (Vera) is a PhD candidate from the School of Humanities at Nanyang Technological University. Her research focused on children's literature and picturebooks, exploring early literacy, narratology, and book art. Specifically, she investigated how unconventional picturebooks, such as pop-up books and those with special materials or bindings, stimulate children's multisensory learning through the physicality of the book. Vera's approach involved collecting and categorizing novelty books from the global children's book market to examine their narrative devices. Apart from her PhD journey, she also discussed the challenges in understanding children's learning experiences in the digital era and their long-term impacts. Outside of her research, Vera shared her involvement with the TEDx community and her enjoyment of various sports. Join our discussion of Vera's journey throughout her PhD.

Dr Malik was a PhD candidate from the school of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at NTU. His research was on developing a high-performance Raman spectrometer using the less explored Raman excitation spectroscopy technique. This improved spectrometer essentially flips the operation of the excitation and detection modules for greater flexibility and optimization on both sides compared to conventional systems. Apart from his PhD journey, he also talks about his time as a host of this podcast and his interest with rock-climbing and generally staying fit.