Tributes for Professor Peter Ng as he steps down as Head of LKCNHM

Prof Peter Ng (Photo by Daniel Tan)

Prof Peter Ng is a man who will certainly leave an impression on you. As the pioneering Head of Singapore’s first and only natural history museum, those who work with him will know that he is a man of vision and courage, is strong-willed and full of wit, and essentially larger than life.

After seven years at the helm of the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) and 18 years as Director of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research (RMBR), LKCNHM’s forerunner since 1998, Prof Ng finally stepped down as Head earlier this month. Those familiar with him would know that he is not one to appreciate others listing his achievements. So, we will not!

For example, we won’t tell you about:

• His bold leadership in spearheading the Museum since the beginning, especially during the early days of seemingly impossible fundraising and outreach for the establishment of LKCNHM;
• His dedication in fostering research collaborations with other natural history museums and established and highly respected research institutions, both internationally and locally [he was the main driver behind our iconic South Java Deep-Sea (SJADES) Biodiversity Expedition in 2018!];
• His steadfastness in nurturing diplomatic relations to expand the Museum’s institutional ties; and
• His passion for research and exploration as a world-class carcinologist (crustacean scientist) which have resulted in hundreds of notable discoveries and scientific papers published to date;

Yes, we won’t because frankly we are scared to do it!

Prof Ng holding a coconut crab [left], and examining a specimen with Dr Philippe Bouchet, former head of the Malacology Laboratory and the Taxonomy Collections Unit from the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle in Paris, on board the PANGLAO 2005 expedition [right].

Prof Ng with VIPs during the LKCNHM groundbreaking ceremony in 2013.

Instead, we are doing something better. We got a few of his close friends and colleagues to share their unforgettable memories while working with him, what they learned from him and how this has left an indelible mark in their lives:

Prof Leo Tan, Advisor to LKCNHM

Peter never does things by half. He may be unconventional in his ways, but he is always one to do the right thing. The Museum journey was daunting, but Peter more than rose to the challenge. The fact that he kept the Museum in the black for the past seven years, continuing to build its research strength and community outreach, speaks volumes for the man (of course, not without the support of his wonderful team).

Peter’s commitment to professionalism and leadership is best exemplified in an incident from many years ago. I went with him to Labrador Nature Reserve, descending over a hundred steep steps down to the beach, where we found a stone fish. Somehow, its poisonous spine struck Peter’s foot. He was in agony (and later described it as someone turning a screwdriver in the wound). Yet, he calmly told me to catch the fish and bring it back to the lab. He hobbled up the steps to my car in great pain and we went to A&E for treatment. Peter sat calmly despite the pain, reminding me to keep the fish alive. It survived comfortably in his marine tank for a very long time. He forgave the fish. Later, he used it to teach others about safety on field trips. Such is the man Peter is. I salute him for his leadership, courage and most of all, friendship.

Prof Leo Tan and Prof Ng having a meal together during the Christmas Island expedition.

Assoc Prof Darren Yeo, Head of LKCNHM

Peter Ng noun

leader, fire-fighter, fund-raiser extraordinaire (whether he likes to admit it or not), hilariously politically incorrect (but fantastically politically astute), loyal Singaporean/boss/colleague/friend, wise, big-picture, tolerant, generous, fair, ta

I learned much about (and from) Peter over the years—as his student, his research staff, and his colleague. However, it was during my time as his Deputy Head of LKCNHM that I got to see the man behind the un-officious and laid-back leadership style (“Aiyah… Peter, he’s such a maverick.”–Anon). One hidden aspect I witnessed is in his management of staff issues. While Peter might project a gruff and hands-off persona (“Aiyah… You folks go and talk to each other and work it out over a cup of coffee.”), he is quite the opposite—more a concerned ‘parent’. He understands his staff far better than one might realise and is always quietly looking out for their well-being. Peter engenders a fierce loyalty and appreciation from all his Museum staff, something I rarely see for someone in his position. Oh…and he hates honours and accolades for himself, so he’s just going to “love” this post I’m sure.

Assoc Prof Darren Yeo with Prof Ng and his standee.

Iffah Iesa, Curator of Cnidarian, Echinoderm & Microscope Slide Collection

Christmas Island expedition in 2016, the museum team was roughed up by the sea on Merrial Beach, scratched up by high energy waves against the cliff face. While recovering myself from a pool of water, the first frantic thought was whether my collected specimens were safe on me or still in my bucket. I internalised how easily we could lose our efforts if we were not diligent in securing the specimens during collection. As luck would have it, I did not lose anything but my breath (and some blood). I began observing how other researchers kept their specimens in the field. I then noticed how Prof Ng kept his crabs safe—in a bag, slipped between the buttons of his tucked shirt, right between his belly and clothed human decency. He could be swept away by a cyclone, tossed around in the wind, and his specimens would still be safe at his core. On that day, some wits were lost, and Prof Ng’s beloved hat was washed out into the blue, but a valuable reminder stays with me—sometimes the simplest way is the best way.

Prof Ng wearing his beloved hat before it got blown away during the Christmas Island Expedition in 2016 [left], and looking for potential specimens hiding in the waves along the coast [right].

Foo Maosheng, Curator of Biorepository (Cyro) & Entomology

With Boss, field trips are always exciting. I often feel like a little kid going out into the world, discovering new animals I have never seen/known before. Boss is always supportive of different biodiversity projects and ideas, encouraging the documentation of various species for the Museum, with the sentiment that it is not just for the Museum but for posterity. *Cues Aladdin’s ‘A Whole New World’*

Prof Ng with entomologists including the Museum’s honourary research affiliates, Dr Francis Seow-Choen (far left) and Mr Khew Sin Khoon (beside Prof Ng) [top] (photo by Dr Francis Seow-Choen) and Foo Maosheng with Prof Ng taking a break while on an overseas expedition [bottom] (photo by Khew Sin Khoon).

Kelvin Lim, Senior Manager & Curator of Vertebrates

The one attribute of Boss that I most appreciate is his trust in his staff. I was given the freedom to work in ways I was comfortable with. He encourages his staff to engage in research and publish regardless of their formal educational qualifications. I have not known him to be aloof or insecure; he is always open and approachable.

Mr Kelvin Lim (middle) standing next to Prof Ng, along with Dr Tan Heok Hui (far left) and visiting researchers, Dr Rohan Pethiyagoda (far right) and Hiranya Sudasinghe (second from left), from Sri Lanka.

More good times with Prof Ng and the rest of the museum:

Prof Ng with the team in-charge of dissecting the sperm whale which appeared off the coast of Jurong Island in 2015.

LKCNHM staff with Prof Ng (middle) at a gathering.

Prof Ng with the Museum’s Outreach and Education Unit.

Staff with Prof Ng at the launch of the Book “Voyageurs, Explorateurs et Scientifiques: The French and Natural History in Singapore”.

Prof Ng and the team during the South Java Deep-Sea (SJADES) Biodiversity Expedition in 2018. (Photo by Rene Ong)

Prof Ng with Prof Dwi Listyo Rahayu, Senior Researcher at Indonesian Institute of Sciences, during the SJADES 2018 expedition. (Photo by Rene Ong)

Prof Ng with Senior Minister Mr Teo Chee Hean and NUS President Prof Tan Eng Chye at the launch of the Wallace & Ali Statue in 2019.

Thank you, Boss, for all your contributions to the museum and the memories shared with friends and colleagues. LKCNHM will certainly miss you!

All photos taken by LKCNHM, unless otherwise stated.