Woman on a mission: Tye seeks to advance understanding of diabetes and its complications.
“A SHIP is always safe at shore, but that’s not what it’s built for.”
This quote, often cited in motivational contexts, has been the rocket fuel that propels Dr Tye Sok Cin forward in her professional pursuits.
It is also a reminder that the recent recipient of the inaugural Andrew P. Goldberg Early Career Award has for aspiring scientists and researchers.
“Growth and innovation often happen when we challenge ourselves. Stay curious, stay passionate, and keep pushing the boundaries of knowledge,” she offered.
She also advised aspirants to “reach out, connect and persevere”.
“Work collaboratively with those who share your passion and values. Stay resilient in the face of challenges, seek out mentors, build supportive networks, and don’t let any self-doubt paralyse you from moving forward,” she added.
Currently a postdoctoral research fellow at the Joslin Diabetes Center at Harvard Medical School in the United States, Tye received the award from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) at its 84th Scientific Sessions, held in Orlando in June.
The annual award seeks to honour an ADA scholar who is an early career professional with a focus on clinical or translational research in the field of diabetes.
Tye, who hails from Durian Tunggal, Melaka, said her current research focuses on precision medicine in diabetes, specifically on “identifying patients who might be at high risk of chronic kidney disease progression or cardiovascular complications at an early stage so that timely interventions can be implemented”.
“Despite the availability of many new diabetes therapies over the last decade, we see that many patients still end up with dialysis or premature cardiovascular complications. This indicates that a significant proportion of patients do not respond optimally to existing drugs and highlights that one size does not fit all,” she told StarEdu.
Underscoring the importance of the precision medicine approach, she said it aims to maximise drug efficacy for responders while preventing unnecessary side effects in non-responders.
A firm believer in continuous learning for personal and professional growth, Tye pursued her bachelor’s degree in pharmacy with honours at AIMST University, earned her master’s degree in clinical pharmacy at Universiti Sains Malaysia, and completed her doctorate in clinical pharmacy and pharmacology at University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation funding programme and the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Cofund.
Her PhD experience, she said, significantly advanced her research capabilities and provided a solid foundation for her work in precision medicine.
On her interest in research, she shared that it was sparked by her early experiences as a pharmacist, particularly during her time serving in a public hospital in Sabah.
“There, I witnessed firsthand the health disparities faced by underprivileged communities.
“This, combined with the personal experience of my grandparents battling diabetes, motivated me to pursue research aimed at improving the quality of life for elderly individuals managing chronic conditions like diabetes,” she said.
She added that engaging in rigorous scientific inquiry and evidence-based medicine is key to contributing more effectively to improving clinical care.
“The field of diabetes research is rapidly evolving, and as healthcare providers, it is crucial to stay updated, remain motivated to explore new areas, and push the boundaries of our understanding,” she asserted.
Tye said her current fellowship, which commenced in January last year, has provided her with the unique opportunity to work alongside some of the brightest minds in diabetes research, fostering her growth as a researcher.
Reflecting on the qualities that have enabled her to stay the course, she cited perseverance and a strong work ethic as crucial for navigating the challenges of rigorous research environments.
“Adaptability and open-mindedness have been essential in embracing new ideas and methodologies, allowing me to continually innovate and improve my research.
“Additionally, a deep commitment to advancing precision medicine and improving patient outcomes has driven my efforts and kept me motivated throughout my journey,” she said.
She also attributed her success to the values of hard work and integrity instilled in her during her formative years in Melaka.
“My parents gave me full freedom to pursue my passions, despite the limited resources and opportunities available.
These early experiences shaped my determination to excel in my field and fuelled my desire to make meaningful contributions to healthcare and research,” she said.
Noting that obtaining research funding is one of the main challenges for researchers, she emphasised the importance of viewing setbacks as opportunities for growth and remaining resilient in the face of adversity.
Tye’s future plans involve continuing to advance understanding of diabetes and its complications at both the molecular and clinical levels.
“I’m working on characterising biomarkers, further refining and validating personalised algorithms so that they can be used to support patient care and improve individual clinical outcomes.
“Additionally, I hope to contribute to bridging the gap between research findings and clinical practice, particularly in addressing health disparities in diabetes care among the underprivileged,” she said.
Lara, 18, a student in Selangor, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to facebook.com/niebrats.
