From Doubt To Dominance: Kion’s Journey of Growth Through Case Competitions

When Thu Ta (Kion) first began his studies in Singapore, he was not the type to speak up in class. English was not his strongest language, and in classrooms filled with confident voices, he often chose to stay in the background. Today, he carries himself with a quiet confidence that speaks volumes about how far he has come. Kion is no longer the quiet student who kept to himself, but someone who has stepped into the spotlight of Life Sciences, making his mark not only in the classroom but also on stage.

Building a Foundation at PSB Academy

Eager to pursue his passion for science, Kion enrolled in the Foundation Diploma in Life Sciences before progressing to La Trobe University’s Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology and Molecular Biology) programme. The decision was shaped by the fact that he hopes to become a scientist through research on disease and develop innovative treatments that improve the lives of others.

“I was drawn to La Trobe University’s Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology and Molecular Biology) because of PSB Academy’s strong student support and affiliation with La Trobe University. I particularly love hands-on laboratory work, as these skills will be valuable for my future career,” he explains.

Learning Beyond The Classroom

Kion’s Life Sciences journey has been shaped by his desire to go beyond the classroom and laboratory. To push himself outside his comfort zone, he actively took part in case competitions, which provided the exposure and experience that went beyond standard academic learning.

He started with the Singapore Life Sciences Case Competition 2025, a case competition that requires both consulting and business acumen paired with knowledge research skills in life sciences. “There are a lot of things I have to learn from scratch, from understanding structured business case study frameworks to market research, which is something that was not typically taught in the usual curriculum of a life sciences degree,” he mentions. “However, the research and academic skills I gained through my degree programme equipped me with the foundation to carry out my case research more effectively.”

Together with the support of Life Sciences lecturer, Dr Marcus Phua, Kion got shortlisted into the participant list together with other participants that came from different backgrounds with some of them coming from autonomous universities and even postgraduate level. “Being shortlisted as a finalist, I see it as an opportunity to grow out of my comfort zone and learn how to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds.”

“It came as a surprise when my team’s proposal was one of the few to be selected to present to the panel of judges. This was my first presentation where I truly felt that the stakes were high. I found myself more nervous than the other times that I presented before,” Kion highlights. “Nevertheless, it was an enriching and rewarding experience overall.”

However, his competitive streak did not end there. This time, he teamed up with fellow Bachelor of Biomedical Science students from La Trobe University to tackle a pressing real-world issue: how to encourage more young people aged 16–25 to donate blood.

The challenge called for creativity, teamwork, and practical problem-solving. Rising to the occasion, the team developed innovative ideas to make blood donation more accessible and appealing to young people. Their hard work paid off when they emerged as Top 3 Finalists and received a S$3,000 grant to turn their plans into reality.



For Kion, these competitions have been more than just extracurricular activities. They represent moments where he stepped beyond the laboratory and classroom to test himself in real-world scenarios, gaining invaluable experiences that will shape his future in science and beyond. “At first, I was nervous and tended to overthink a lot before giving a presentation, as I’m an introvert. But with more exposure, I became more comfortable speaking to a crowd,” he reflects.

Leadership and Community

Kion’s involvement at La Trobe University extended far beyond academics. He is also an Executive Committee member of the Leadership Development Club and actively volunteers at PSB Academy’s Open Houses. He played an active role in events run by Health and Life Sciences Club (HLSC), where he connected with like-minded peers and contributed to building a vibrant student community.

“Working with different people actually trained my communication and social skills,” he reflects. “It gave me the chance to step out of my comfort zone and grow personally while contributing to a vibrant student community.”

Becoming His Best Possible Self Through Education

The culmination of three years of hard work led him to one of his proudest achievements, being named the Valedictorian for the Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology & Molecular Biology), Class of 2025. 

Having just graduated, Kion is now pursuing a career in research consultancy for life sciences and plans to continue to work in the research or consulting industry for life sciences. 

His advice to juniors? “Spend time researching your field so you know exactly what you’re signing up for. Prepare a few backup options in case you don’t get your first-choice course, but don’t give up; keep persevering. Most importantly, start consistently and stay dedicated from your Year 1 studies. And for any PSB Academy student, don’t be afraid to join co-curricular activities along the way, as they’ll not only enrich your experience but also help you grow beyond the classroom.”

Thu Ta Soe (Kion)
Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology and Molecular Biology)
La Trobe University
Class of 2025