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CELLULAR AGRICULTURE
TALENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 2026
The field of cellular agriculture (cultivated meat & seafood, and precision fermentation) is hungry for new talents; scientists, engineers, and innovators. We are thrilled to announce the Cellular Agriculture Talent Development Programme 2026 spearheaded by APAC-SCA (Student Chapter) supported by Good Food Institute APAC and SGInnovate as sponsors, is now live! This unique initiative is designed to nurture the next generation of talents in cellular agriculture. In the next few months, four experienced professionals and leaders in the cellular agriculture field will serve as mentors for seven mentees across the higher learning institutes of Singapore, bringing a wealth of knowledge to guide and inspire them throughout the programme. Join us on 15 October 2026 as the mentees present their research findings at SGInnovate, 32 Carpenter Street.
participation is free with a small reception of food & drinks provided.
Schedule
2 winners shall emerge. Alongside a panel of judges, you, the participant of the event, will be part of the judging panel to grade how well the four mentees have done. Join us on 15 October 2026 at SGInnovate to vote for your favourite presentation.
Registration
5.30PM - 6.00PM
SGInnovate Ticket Confirmation
Please show your SGInnovate ticket confirmation email at the registration counter. With limited slots, please make sure you are registered for the event.
Introduction & Safety Briefing
6.00PM - 6.30PM
Co-organisers
An introduction from APAC-SCA (Student Chapter), Good Food Institute APAC, & SGInnovate
Mentee: Lee Enci, Pharmaceutical Engineering, Singapore Institute of Technology
Mentee: Hidayat Akasah, Agritech Researcher, Phum
Mentee: Lauren Lin Thada, Bachelor of Science (Hons), National University of Singapore (NUS)
Poster Research Showcase
6.50PM-7.50PM
Competition Showcase by 3 Mentees
Look forward to the presentations by seven mentees as they share their key learnings from the past 3 months - 2 winners shall emerge from the competition. (1) Panel of Judges, (2) Vote By You!
Networking + Refreshments
7.50PM-8.15PM
Poster Walk-around Session
This is your chance to network and interact with the seven presenters and to decide who you wish to vote as the winner. Take your chance to ask questions and network in the meantime.
Winners Reveal
8.15PM-8.20PM
2 Winners of the Cellular Agriculture Talent Development Programme will be announced following the decisions by (1) the panel of judges and (2) compilation of the popular votes.
Each winner will receive:
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Lecture sessions with the Good Food Institute
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A learning journey to FoodPlant Pte. Ltd.
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A Grab gift card, generously sponsored by an advisor of APAC-SCA Student Chapter
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A certificate of achievement
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All mentees will receive a $30 Starbucks gift card, sponsored by Peter from APAC-SCA, in appreciation of their participation in the Cellular Agriculture Talent Development Programme.
Judge: Dr. Rufaihah Abdul Jalil, Domain Chair of Future Foods, Senior lecturer, Temasek Polytechnic
Judge: Dr. Wong Kak Ming, Lecturer, School of Applied Science, Republic Polytechnic
Judge: Maanasa Ravikumar, PhD, Senior Science & Technology specialist, Good Food Institute APAC
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Judge: Wilma Heng, Manager, Young Talent, SGInnovate
Judge: Dr. Du Juan, Associate Professor, Singapore Institute of Technology
AY25/26 Programmes Announcement
8.20PM-8.30PM
Announcement of upcoming activities under APAC-SCA (Student Chapter)
APAC-SCA (Student Chapter)'s AY26/27 President and Vice-Presidents will announce the upcoming activities for students in AY 2026/2027. Stay tuned!
Networking + Refreshments
8.30PM Onwards
Thank you for joining us!
This is your last chance to network and get your final refreshments.
Guided by the professional industry and academia mentors, the mentees successfully completed the programme.
The Cellular Agriculture Talent Development Programme 2026 is a unique initiative is designed to nurture the next generation of innovators in cellular agriculture. This is an incredible opportunity to advance your skills, knowledge, and career prospects in a fast-growing field that is shaping the future of food and sustainability.
Mentor: Mr David Cheng (Cell AgriTech), Seasoned Food Industry Leader with over 20 years of experience in the global food packaging and ingredients industry
Mentor: Dr Louis Ong Jun Ye (Temasek Polytechnic), Biomedical Engineer & Educator specialising in Tissue Engineering, Organ-on-Chip Technologies & Food Safety
Mentor: Dr Leung Chak Ming (Meatiply), Head of Cell Line & Media Development
What you'll gain
Mentorship and Networking
Gain invaluable insights and mentorship from seasoned professionals and fellow aspiring innovators in the field of cellular agriculture.
Research and Presentation Skills
Gain experience working on cutting-edge projects and presenting your findings in a professional setting. Strengthen your scientific and problem-solving skills and tackle real-world challenges in the field of cellular agriculture.
Certificate of Participation & Winner Benefits
Present your findings to a panel of industry experts during the final presentation and poster judging session in mid-October 2026, and conclude your journey with us as a winner of the competition, with exclusive opportunities to enjoy one-on-one sessions with the Good Food Institute (GFI) and embark on a learning journey to FoodPlant Pte. Ltd.
Programme Overview
The talent programme spans six months, from 2nd April to mid-October 2026. As a mentee, you will:
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Work closely with one of our seven mentors as an individual on case studies or research projects related to cellular agriculture (no literature reviews).
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Dive into scientific discovery for the cellular agriculture field and problem-solving to prepare a poster for presentation to showcase your results.
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Engage in a combination of on-site and virtual activities to maximise learning and collaboration.
Programme Structure
Mid-March 2026
Receive your confirmation email in the 3rd week of March 2026, attend the physical briefing session on 2nd April 2026 to meet your mentor and discuss the scope of your research project (come prepared!).
April - September 2026
Mentorship attachments that include a minimum of:​
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Six non-consecutive days of on-site engagement in Singapore (dates to be arranged between you and your mentor).
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Four non-consecutive virtual meetings (dates to be arranged between you and your mentor).
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Meeting minutes with photos to be updated after each meetups.
End-September 2026
Submission of presentation slides and A3 research poster by mentee.
Mid-October 2026
Poster presentation and judging session, where you will present your research findings to an audience of experts and stakeholders.
Week of 26 October 2026
Winner of the poster presentation and judging session will join GFI APAC on a curated learning journey at the Singapore International Agrifood Week (starting from 27 October 2026) filled with networking opportunities.
Eligibility
Join us as a mentee if you are:
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Students aged 18+ currently enrolled in a Singapore academic institution.
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Interest in cellular agriculture, biotechnology, food science, or related fields.
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Availability to fully commit to the programme schedule, including on-site engagements in Singapore.