Speakers

Speaker's Profile:

Ambrose Chia is Managing Director of 144 Ventures and Science Bridge Communicator at Leave a Nest Singapore, where he supports deep-tech commercialisation, cross-border venture development and innovation ecosystem building across Southeast Asia and Japan. He is a PhD candidate in Engineering at Nanyang Technological University, researching how circular-economy data, indicators and governance can better guide design, strategy and investment decisions. With an MSc in Technopreneurship and Innovation from NTU, Ambrose brings together research, entrepreneurship and investment to help scientists and founders translate ideas into societal impact. His work reflects a commitment to connecting knowledge, people and resources across borders.

Speakers

Trainer's Profile:

John Kickhofel is Managing Partner at Apollo Plus, where he leads the firm's work related to the codes and standards that underpin nuclear power plant safety, alongside supply chain localisation and the licensing of nuclear power plants and small modular reactors (SMRs). His expertise bridges the technical and the regulatory, informed by research into the evolution of reactor pressure vessel manufacturing codes and the harmonization of national safety frameworks. He also contributes to international convergence efforts as a member of the IAEA Harmonization and Standardization Initiative and IAEA Technical Working Group on SMR on behalf of ISO/TC 85/SC 6. John holds a doctorate in Nuclear Engineering from ETH Zurich and a Diplôme universitaire in International Nuclear Law from the University of Montpellier 1.

Trainer's Profile:

Natalia Amosova is a Principal Consultant at Apollo Plus, advising clients on commercial due diligence, business development, and the licensing of nuclear power plants and small modular reactors (SMRs). Her work spans nuclear industry trends and markets, stakeholder engagement, and the policy and international-relations dimensions of building and operating modern nuclear fleets. An active voice in the European nuclear community, Natalia served as a Board Member of the European Nuclear Society (2022-2023) and is a current Board Member of the Swiss Nuclear Forum (Nuklearforum). She is a mechanical engineer (Dipl.-Ing.) and holds a certificate of advanced studies in Electric Utility Management from the University of St. Gallen. This blend of technical training and commercial acumen drives her ambition to connect sound engineering with the market and policy conditions a sustainable nuclear sector requires.

Trainer's Profile:

Matthew Chew is the Nuclear Competency & Strategy Lead for HY, spearheading the firm’s nuclear energy consulting, Digital Twin portfolio, and OT Cybersecurity initiatives to advance future energy systems. Previously, Matthew served at the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) in the CBRNE Detection unit. He specialized in radiological-nuclear detection and radiation-based imaging, where he implemented AI, networked imaging systems, and deployed enterprise-level platforms for automated reporting. An alumnus of MIT’s Leaders for Global Operations (LGO) program, Matthew holds dual degrees: an MBA and a Master of Science in Nuclear Science and Engineering. This multidisciplinary foundation drives his ambition to cultivate a robust nuclear ecosystem in Singapore, strategically positioning the nation at the forefront of the global nuclear renaissance.

Speakers

Moderator's Profile:

Emily Xu is Head of XNode Singapore, specializing in cross-border innovation and corporate partnerships. With 15 years of experience in venture building and innovation, she has supported over 100 startups in achieving business growth across international markets. Emily is highly skilled in designing and executing acceleration programs, with a strong background in early-stage investment management, innovation education, and community development.

Speakers

Speaker's Profile:

John Kickhofel is Managing Partner at Apollo Plus, where he leads the firm's work related to the codes and standards that underpin nuclear power plant safety, alongside supply chain localisation and the licensing of nuclear power plants and small modular reactors (SMRs). His expertise bridges the technical and the regulatory, informed by research into the evolution of reactor pressure vessel manufacturing codes and the harmonization of national safety frameworks. He also contributes to international convergence efforts as a member of the IAEA Harmonization and Standardization Initiative and IAEA Technical Working Group on SMR on behalf of ISO/TC 85/SC 6. John holds a doctorate in Nuclear Engineering from ETH Zurich and a Diplôme universitaire in International Nuclear Law from the University of Montpellier 1.

Speaker's Profile:

Natalia Amosova is a Principal Consultant at Apollo Plus, advising clients on commercial due diligence, business development, and the licensing of nuclear power plants and small modular reactors (SMRs). Her work spans nuclear industry trends and markets, stakeholder engagement, and the policy and international-relations dimensions of building and operating modern nuclear fleets. An active voice in the European nuclear community, Natalia served as a Board Member of the European Nuclear Society (2022-2023) and is a current Board Member of the Swiss Nuclear Forum (Nuklearforum). She is a mechanical engineer (Dipl.-Ing.) and holds a certificate of advanced studies in Electric Utility Management from the University of St. Gallen. This blend of technical training and commercial acumen drives her ambition to connect sound engineering with the market and policy conditions a sustainable nuclear sector requires.

Speaker's Profile:

Matthew Chew is the Nuclear Competency & Strategy Lead for HY, spearheading the firm’s nuclear energy consulting, Digital Twin portfolio, and OT Cybersecurity initiatives to advance future energy systems. Previously, Matthew served at the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) in the CBRNE Detection unit. He specialized in radiological-nuclear detection and radiation-based imaging, where he implemented AI, networked imaging systems, and deployed enterprise-level platforms for automated reporting. An alumnus of MIT’s Leaders for Global Operations (LGO) program, Matthew holds dual degrees: an MBA and a Master of Science in Nuclear Science and Engineering. This multidisciplinary foundation drives his ambition to cultivate a robust nuclear ecosystem in Singapore, strategically positioning the nation at the forefront of the global nuclear renaissance.

Speakers

Speaker's Profile:

Belle Lim is a prominent ecosystem and venture capital professional based in Singapore. She currently works at Microsoft on the Worldwide Private Capital team, where she partners with venture capitalists and ambitious founders across the APAC region. Before joining Microsoft, Belle built a strong reputation as a Portfolio and Ecosystem Manager at Motion Ventures, a global maritime-focused venture capital fund.

Speaker's Profile:

Dennis Le is an Investment Director at Openspace, based between Ho Chi Minh City and Singapore. He leads tech investments in Vietnam and Singapore and sits on the Investment Committee for Ocular, Openspace’s crypto-focused fund.

Speaker's Profile:

Sahana Vendar Kon is the Regional Startups Lead for APAC at Carta. She is based in Singapore and helps founders scale their global operations by managing equity, compensation, and fundraising strategies. She is a popular speaker and thought leader in the Southeast Asian tech ecosystem.

Speakers

Speaker's Profile:

Vijayakumar, principal consultant of BridgingMinds Networks, specializes in helping organizations understand AI opportunities, develop adoption strategies, and build practical AI roadmaps aligned with business outcomes.

Speaker's Profile:

Larry Yeo, director of Skillconex, brings extensive experience in cybersecurity, AI infrastructure, governance, risk management, and enterprise technology implementation.

Speaker's Profile:

Sridhar Rajalingam, Chief Technology Officer of 1CloudHub, focuses on organizational AI adoption, leadership enablement, workforce transformation, and helping organizations build sustainable AI capabilities.

Speakers

Speaker's Profile:

Matthew Chew is the Nuclear Competency & Strategy Lead for HY, spearheading the firm’s nuclear energy consulting, Digital Twin portfolio, and OT Cybersecurity initiatives to advance future energy systems. Previously, Matthew served at the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) in the CBRNE Detection unit. He specialized in radiological-nuclear detection and radiation-based imaging, where he implemented AI, networked imaging systems, and deployed enterprise-level platforms for automated reporting. An alumnus of MIT’s Leaders for Global Operations (LGO) program, Matthew holds dual degrees: an MBA and a Master of Science in Nuclear Science and Engineering. This multidisciplinary foundation drives his ambition to cultivate a robust nuclear ecosystem in Singapore, strategically positioning the nation at the forefront of the global nuclear renaissance.

Speaker's Profile:

Prof. Michael Short is a Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, MA, USA, an Adjunct Senior Principal Scientist II in IMRE at A*STAR in Singapore, and the Distinguished Professor of Fusion Technology at ST Engineering in Singapore. His group has spent over a decade investigating coupled materials effects impeding the rapid expansion of carbon-free baseload energy, with an emphasis on materials for nuclear power. Of particular interest to Prof. Short's group are the simultaneous effects of irradiation and corrosion present in nuclear plants, materials to enable the first fleet of commercial fusion reactors, and stopping corrosion in nuclear and geothermal energy systems. Prof. Short holds four degrees from MIT in Nuclear Science & Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering.