childhood fascination with space led Gang Kai Poh to pursue a career in planetary science, taking him from Singapore to the United States, where he now works at NASA.
Gang Kai Poh’s path to NASA began with a childhood curiosity about Mars. At just eight years old, he was captivated by a newspaper article detailing the planet’s closest approach to Earth. His young imagination envisioned Mars appearing as large as the Moon, prompting him to stay up late in hopes of catching a glimpse—until his father sent him to bed.
Decades later, that fascination has become his career. Today, Gang Kai is an assistant research scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, specialising in planetary science and space weather. His work involves studying how Mars interacts with the solar wind, an area of research that has significant implications for understanding the planet’s atmosphere and potential habitability.
A Leap Across Continents
Fifteen years ago, Gang Kai left Singapore to pursue a degree in physics and astronomy at the University of Colorado Boulder. At the time, opportunities to study astrophysics in Singapore were scarce, leading him to choose between material sciences at a local university or venturing abroad. Encouraged by his supportive parents, he took the leap and moved to the United States in 2010.
Adapting to life in Colorado was challenging. As someone who had never lived outside Singapore, he found himself navigating independence in an unfamiliar environment. He cooked his first meal—an over-salted bowl of noodles—and struggled with homesickness in a city where Singaporeans were few and far between. However, he soon connected with a small but tight-knit Southeast Asian community, where he met his Indonesian wife, Christina.
Pursuing a Career Among the Stars
While at university, Gang Kai attended a seminar that changed the course of his career. He learned about NASA’s MESSENGER mission to Mercury and was inspired to join the field of space physics. His academic journey led him to a PhD at the University of Michigan, where he solidified his expertise in the field.
Despite NASA’s restrictions on hiring foreign nationals directly, Gang Kai found a way in through the CRESST II programme, which partners with universities to fill research roles. Now, he spends his days analysing planetary data, studying the effects of space weather, and mentoring students as a Research Associate Professor at The Catholic University of America.
Bringing Space Science to Singapore
Though his work is based in the United States, Gang Kai remains deeply connected to Singapore. He recognises that space sciences have yet to gain significant traction in the country, where research is often geared towards commercial applications rather than fundamental scientific exploration.
Determined to change this, he actively engages with Singaporean students, hosting talks and fostering interest in space research. He believes that while Singapore is small, its people have a natural curiosity and drive to explore beyond Earth. By creating awareness, he hopes to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical applications, helping Singapore play a bigger role in global space studies.
Looking to the Future
Despite having spent nearly half his life in the United States, Gang Kai still considers Singapore home. While he has obtained permanent residency in the US for work purposes, he has never contemplated changing his citizenship. He and his wife agree that their future likely lies outside the US, where they are still seen as foreigners.
Reflecting on his journey, Gang Kai acknowledges the sacrifices that came with pursuing his dream—from missing family milestones to celebrating Chinese New Year over video calls. Yet, he remains grateful for the path he chose, knowing that each step brought him closer to fulfilling his childhood dream of studying the cosmos.
For those in Singapore who dream of working in space sciences, Gang Kai has one piece of advice: the universe is vast, and opportunities exist beyond borders. With passion and perseverance, even the stars are within reach.
