Jean Yong

Born in Singapore, Dr Jean Yong (aka “John”), 52, is working at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) as a Professor of Horticulture since 2018. He obtained his PhD in biochemistry and plant physiology at the Australian National University (ANU), and worked in various universities in Singapore (NTU, SUTD), United States (Brown University, MIT) and Australia (ANU, University of Western Australia, Curtin University). With a multi-disciplinary mindset, he operated successfully across the triple realms of academia, governmental and commercial sectors. Pragmatic and yet learned in his approach towards innovation and problem solving, Jean provides effective solutions and inspires many staff and students under his charge, to meet contemporary scientific and societal challenges with clarity. After 25 years of research, teaching and consultancies, a major theme emerges over time: developing sustainable cultivation approaches for horticultural, agricultural, architectural and ecological applications.

As a multi-disciplinary minded Professor, Jean Yong spearheads the revolutionary transformation of cultivation and incredibly sustainable food production in Sweden and internationally through the science-based use of Defined Organics – Biostimulants.

Education

• PhD The Australian National University (1996 — 2000)
• Master of Science (MSc) National University of Singapore (1995 — 1996)
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) National University of Singapore (1993 — 1994)
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) National University of Singapore (1989 — 1993)

Companies

• Group Leader, Horticultural Production Physiology, Department of Biosystems and Technology SLU - Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (2020)
• Faculty Professor & Professor of Horticultural Production System SLU - Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (2018)
• Associate Professor (Visiting), Department of Environment and Agriculture Curtin University (2016 — 2021)
• Senior Research Fellow (Level C), ARC Centre of Mine Site Restoration, School of Biological Sciences The University of Western Australia (2016 — 2018)
• Associate Professor Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) (2010 — 2016)
• Visiting Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2011 — 2012)
• Research Associate, Institute of Advanced Studies Nanyang Technological University (2007 — 2010)
• Assistant Professor (Biology), Natural Sciences and Science Education Academic Group, NIE, NTU. National Institute of Education, Singapore (2002 — 2010)
• Director of Research and Development (Independent) Guangzhao Industrial Forestry Biotechnology Limited (2005 — 2009)