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Cynthia Sin Nga Lam
Consultant, World Health Organisation
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Look for mentors and friends who can guide and inspire you to do better.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
I am an agile certified innovator working in digital health and health communications. As a contract consultant working at Global Coordination Mechanism on Noncommunicable Diseases (GCM/NCD) at WHO, I support the development of a digital portal to accelerate the exchange of knowledge in NCDs. I also recently took on a new role working with the United Nations Global Pulse supporting COVID-19 data-driven infodemic response.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS FIELD?
I come from a medical academic background, and innovation has been critical in my life since I was 16 when I created my first invention H2prO and took it to Google Science Fair representing Australia. As for communications - I've always loved designing beautiful and effective materials for all kinds of purposes (from designing the logo of my first band to infographics for an advocacy project). So where I am at right now is a combination of my passions for STEM, health and communications.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK AT & THINK, "I WISH YOUNGER ME WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS WAS POSSIBLE?"
1. Working in roles that are the perfect combination of all my seemingly unrelated passions.
2. Having spoken to hundreds of others through opportunities like TEDxYouth@KL when I was 17 about STEM and potentially making a difference as a young female.
WHY DO YOU LOVE WORKING IN STEM?
1. You are always solving a problem, big or small, and it's so much fun!
2. There is always so much more to learn.
3. You get to work with so many different other people and learn from them.
BEST ADVICE FOR NEXT GENERATION?
Look for mentors and friends who can guide and inspire you to do better. Don't take kindness for granted and always be kind to others. Prepare yourself for more work and new opportunities!
INSPO / FUN FACT
"If your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough." (a bit cheesy, but it's what I had on my wall when I was 17!)