Augustine Koh

Company Overview: Freelance platform for writers and readers.

• Authored articles on narrative media (https://medium.com/@kenzarael) - analyzing characters, thematic depth, and philosophical concepts - to develop and refine skills in clear, engaging, and structured communication, applicable to medical and scientific writing.

• Investigated developing synergistic cell wall antibiotic combinations with Leu10-teixobactin.
• Delivered research presentations at leading conferences, including the ISAP Annual Meeting and ECCMID, demonstrating the ability to distill complex data for expert audiences.
• Co-authored four peer-reviewed publications, three as first author, in reputable biomedical journals (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Augustine-Koh).

• Guided undergraduate students in two pharmacology subjects—How Drugs Work (PHRM20001), and Drugs in Biomedical Experiments (PHRM30009).
• Managed classroom setup and maintenance of equipment for practical sessions.
• Assisted in evaluating student performance and understanding during practical exercises by explaining complex pharmacological concepts and facilitating a clear understanding of biomedical content during laboratory sessions.
• Supported students during hands-on activities, and maintained a safe and inclusive learning environment for all participants.

• Oversaw COVID-19 RT-qPCR diagnostic testing at Stronghold Diagnostics Lab, ensuring timely and accurate reporting of patient results in accordance with clinical and regulatory standards.
• Implemented and monitored quality control procedures to uphold diagnostic accuracy and compliance.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline sample registration, processing, and data handling, enhancing workflow efficiency and result integrity.

• Assisted in the packing of PCR test kits for COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) diagnostics.
• Provided support in handling day-to-day operational issues related to logistics and inventory management.
• Organized storage facilities according to established guidelines.

• Conducted laboratory research under the supervision of Prof. Kimberly Kline and Dr. Irina Afonina, and investigated the composition and function of Enterococcus faecalis membrane vesicles.
• Applied molecular techniques, bacterial culturing, vesicle isolation, and CFU-based functional assays to assess DNA transfer between bacterial populations.
• Contributed experimental findings to a peer-reviewed publication as co-author: The composition and function of Enterococcus faecalis membrane vesicles, FEMS Microbiology Letters, 2021.

• Conducted in vitro enzymatic inhibition assays to test lead compounds targeting flavivirus NS2B-NS3 protease.
• This project aimed to identify potential antiviral drugs with the strongest potency, under the supervision of Asst. Prof. Luo Dahai.

• Performed data entry and administrative tasks at the SMU Living Analytics Research Centre (https://www.smu.edu.sg), supporting research operations during the summer break after Year 1 of undergraduate studies.
• Provided administrative support, including data entry and filing.
• Assisted with data entry into various databases or spreadsheets.