Julian Sng: Bridging research and industry

For Julian Sng, biotechnology is more than a discipline – it’s where curiosity meets real health impact. As a Research Assistant in the Short Lab at The University of Queensland, Julian’s work focuses on understanding respiratory viruses, including long-COVID and avian influenza.

“I joined Associate Professor Kirsty Short’s lab because of the diversity of research,” Julian explains. “She works with AI and big data, while also conducting in vivo studies – something I’ve always been interested in.” His journey into viral research began with his Honours year in 2019–2020, where he studied mosquito-borne viruses such as Zika and Dengue under Professor Alexander Khromykh. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Julian found himself at the forefront of virology research.

At the time, UQ was one of the first institutions in Queensland to establish a dedicated COVID-19 research facility. “There was a lot of red tape and rigorous training. Normally, only postdoctoral researchers were accepted, and I didn’t even have my Honours degree yet, but I got in,” he recalls. “I was just a Bachelor’s student working at the forefront of this infectious pandemic.” This opportunity paved the way for his transition into long-COVID research with Associate Professor Short, where he now contributes to both viral diagnostics and public health research.

Looking ahead, Julian is preparing to start his PhD with Associate Professor David Muller, focusing on vaccine technology in partnership with biotech company Vaxxas. “I’ll have one foot in research and one in industry,” he says, highlighting his interest in the intersection of academic discovery and commercial application.

Supporting public health and emerging scientists

Julian sees his research as a way to influence public health policy. “We’re trying to establish definitive criteria for long-COVID, which is crucial for diagnosis and treatment,” he says. He believes that for science to be meaningful, it must be translated into real-world solutions.

“If our research doesn’t reach the general public in a tangible way, then it’s not truly impactful.”

Beyond the lab, Julian is passionate about mentoring emerging scientists. “I recently had my first undergraduate student,” he shares. “Teaching isn’t my strong suit yet, so it was a challenge, but she ended up receiving a grant to present her research in Spain. Seeing her excitement made me realise that I want to help shape future scientists.”

His commitment to fostering connections within the biotech community dates back to his undergraduate days. Through the Student-Staff Partnership program in 2019, Julian collaborated with faculty members to strengthen ties between students, staff, and industry. “Biotech is such a unique field where collaboration is key. That experience made me realise how much the faculty genuinely cares about student success.”

The future of biotech: RNA technology and industry growth

When asked about the most groundbreaking biotech development of the past 25 years, Julian is quick to highlight RNA technology. “It’s been around for a while, but its potential has exploded recently with vaccines and therapies. We’re now seeing RNA-based treatments entering clinical trials for Alzheimer’s, cancer, and even Parkinson’s.”

He’s also optimistic about biotech’s growing role in the global economy. “There’s a 20–30 per cent annual increase in biotech investment worldwide. Australia is growing steadily at around 5–10 per cent per year, but there’s so much potential for expansion,” he says. He believes that biotech’s influence extends far beyond pharmaceuticals.

“From vaccine development to the reagents we use in research, biotech is everywhere. Sometimes, we get so focused on specific projects that we forget to step back and see the bigger picture.”

The power of community (and food trucks)

Among his favourite memories at UQ, Julian recalls the unexpected joy of discovering campus food trucks during exam periods. “In Singapore, we’re big foodies, so coming to Australia as an undergraduate with limited dining options was an adjustment,” he laughs. “But during exams, UQ would bring in food trucks – Vietnamese, Italian, crepes. That moment of excitement when I saw them for the first time felt like exactly what I needed.”

From then on, he and his biotech study group made it a tradition to gather at the food trucks every semester. “It was a short but important moment to breathe and re-energise.”

Advice for future biotech students

Julian’s biggest advice for students? Don’t be afraid to ask questions. “When I first started at UQ, I was shy. I remember asking what I thought was a silly question in a lecture – whether a certain bacterium was gram-positive or gram-negative. It was basic, but I hadn’t revised it in years because of my time in the army,” he recalls.

“But my friends encouraged me to ask. Now, having worked in multiple research labs, I know that questioning things is crucial. Independent thinking is everything in research and industry.”

From groundbreaking viral research to mentoring future scientists, Julian’s journey showcases the power of curiosity, collaboration, and perseverance. “In biotech, the opportunities are endless,” he says. “You just have to be willing to take them.”