MAKING THE LEAP: Dr Andy Tan left a career as a physics teacher to pursue his dream of immersing himself in biomedical research. He is currently working with the Singapore Immunology Network. -- ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM

Coming from jobs in sectors as varied as banking, teaching and engineering, they now want to be 'second-career' research scientists.

Most held mid-career jobs and some do not even have a science background.

In 2004, investment banker Cecilia Tong decided to prepare for a switch to the life sciences after nine years at an investment firm.

She enrolled in the University of Western Australia and will soon be completing a Bachelor of Science degree.

'I've always loved the sciences,' said Ms Tong, 47, who had obeyed her parents' wishes by majoring in business and finance for her first degree.

Ms Tong's husband, a civil servant, is more than supportive. He wants to be a scientist too.

The couple will be moving to Perth in February.

Ms Tong will pursue her honours degree there while her husband, who has a master's in bioinformatics, will start on his bachelor's degree in life sciences.

'It was a difficult decision to make,' said Ms Tong. 'But we are passionate about it and that will sustain us.'

Also making the switch to pursue his passion in research is Dr Andy Tan, 36.

The former National Junior College physics teacher has taken up a scholarship with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, where he is currently working on immunology research.

The father of two had put his dream of becoming a scientist on hold as he had felt that there were 'limited opportunities' in the field in the 1990s.

'Things have changed quite a bit,' he noted, with the Government's push to become a biomedical powerhouse opening up more doors.

As for Mr Lim Kheng Choon, 31, the fact that he was more familiar with ohms and amperes did not deter him from embarking on the road to becoming a scientist-clinician.

Mr Lim, an electrical engineer, remembered struggling with the basics of biology when he began his medical course at the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School last year.

He quickly overcame any obstacles with the help of classmates and teachers.

'It took a lot of hard work, but I think it's worth it in the end,' said the father of one.

One strategy he uses to help cope is 'playing hard' with leisure activities or spending time with his family during the weekends.

'I make sure that I do not touch my studies during the weekends,' said Mr Lim. 'That's strictly family time.'

Second-career scientists can bring a new dimension to the research front, said Dr Too Heng Phon of the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.

Dr Too mentored Ms Tong during a research attachment project in 2006.

By applying what they know from their previous areas of expertise to their research, second-career scientists can often make for better science, he explained.

For example, string theorist Tan Meng Chwan spotted mistakes in a scientific publication written by a Nobel laureate. String theory is a branch of quantum physics which uses complex mathematics to explain how the universe works.

Dr Tan, a former electrical engineer, had spent 51/2 years pursuing a doctorate in theoretical physics and was recently offered a position at Princeton.

'It's a dream come true,' he said.

taniat@sph.com.sg