She has received her Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Melbourne in 1988 and Doctor of Science (ScD) jointly from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in 1996. Her research specialisation is in the area of water quality and ecosystem processes. She has been a Principle Investigator of research projects totalling more than $16 m and is a Dean’s Chair at the Faculty of Engineering, NUS. Her research and professional experience includes member of WHO Expert Working Group on Antimicrobial Resistance and Water Safety and Hygiene and Chairman of National Committee of Future Earth (formerly known as International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP)).