Early Career Editorial Board Member Interview: Dalton Tay Chor Yong

Dalton Tay Chor Yong is an Associate Professor and Assistant Chair (Research) of School of Materials Science and Engineering, NTU. He is also Co-Director of RGE-NTU Sustainable Textile Research Centre. From 2017, he is a member of Materials Research Society of Singapore.

Here is the interview we did with him:

1.Could you briefly introduce the specific focus of your current research within the broad area of bioactive materials?

My group works at the interface of materials science, biology, and sustainability. We are particularly interested in developing bio-derived materials that can actively direct cellular behavior - materials that do more than support tissue but actually influence cell fate and function. A large part of our work focuses on engineering cell-instructive interfaces to control stem cell differentiation and modulate secretome production for therapeutic purposes.

At the same time, we are advancing a sustainable materials platform by converting biological sidestreams from aquaculture and agriculture into functional materials. These include collagen-based composites, mineralized scaffolds, and protein-polysaccharide hybrids. Among them, we have begun exploring collagen from farmed Rana catesbeiana as a distinct alternative to conventional mammalian sources. Its distinct molecular architecture and solubility characteristics offer new opportunities for scaffold design, particularly in contexts where enhanced biocompatibility and low immunogenicity are critical. The broader aim is to develop materials that are effective, biologically meaningful, and scalable. At the same time, we are rethinking the way we source and process them for both therapeutic and environmental impact.

2.In the context of researching bioactive materials, what unique obstacles or difficulties have you faced?

One of the most significant challenges has been working with biological materials that vary in composition and behavior depending on their source and processing conditions. Unlike synthetic systems, bio-derived materials often show batch-to-batch differences that can affect performance. Ensuring consistency while preserving biological function requires rigorous material characterization and a disciplined approach to processing.

Another challenge is translating nature-derived bioactive materials into clinically or industrially relevant applications. Many systems that show promise at the research stage face obstacles when it comes to large-scale production, regulatory approval, or long-term stability. We think very carefully about how a material will behave not just in the lab but in manufacturing and in the body. From the beginning, we focus on designing systems that are effective, scalable, and practical. That mindset has been critical in moving our work from basic science to real-world use.

3. How do you stay updated with the latest advancements in research, considering the rapidly evolving nature of the field?

I read broadly across materials science, chemical engineering, biology, and emerging areas like data-driven design. I find that the most useful ideas often come from outside your immediate field.

Collaborations are also essential. Working closely with colleagues in other disciplines keeps me informed and opens new directions. Being in the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) has provided a unique environment to think across disciplines. The department encourages collaboration not only within materials science but also with fields like biology, chemistry, and medicine. There is a strong culture of idea exchange, whether through joint research efforts, interdisciplinary programs, or simply ongoing conversations among faculty and students. Faculty and students alike contribute to this environment. They bring in new perspectives, challenge assumptions, and often ask the right questions at the right time. That dynamic exchange is essential to doing meaningful, forward-looking science.

Engaging in peer review and editorial work helps too. It gives you early visibility into where the field is heading and keeps you sharp. As a member of the editorial board of Bioactive Materials, I have the opportunity to see where the field is going in real time — what questions are being asked, what state-of-the-art technologies are emerging, and how researchers are thinking about the next generation of biomaterials.

4. What were the key factors that attracted you to become an early career editorial board member of Bioactive Materials?

Bioactive Materials stands out as a journal that embraces innovation across disciplines. It brings together work from materials science, biology, chemistry, and engineering in a way that reflects how the field is truly evolving. That breadth is important because many of the most impactful advances happen when ideas cross traditional boundaries.

The journal is open to innovation, but at the same time, holds a very high bar for scientific quality. On this note, I have been particularly impressed by the editorial rigor. The process is careful and deliberate, with a strong focus on novelty, clarity, depth, and reproducibility. It ensures that published work not only pushes the field forward but also stands up to critical scrutiny. That balance between encouraging bold ideas and maintaining scientific discipline is what makes Bioactive Materials such a valuable platform.

Joining the editorial board gave me an opportunity to contribute to that vision. It is a way to support high-quality science, help shape the direction of the field and encourage emerging researchers to pursue work that is both bold and well grounded.

5. From your perspective, what are the most promising directions for the future development of Bioactive Materials?

The field is moving toward smart systems that interact with their environment. We are seeing more materials that are responsive, adaptive, and capable of delivering biological cues in a programmable way. There is growing interest in how materials influence the immune system, which opens new pathways for therapy. For example, tuning material chemistry by incorporating designer peptides or immunoregulatory groups can reduce foreign body response and promote immune tolerance via regulatory T-cell recruitment. Nanoscale surface topographies have been shown to shift macrophage polarization toward a pro-regenerative M2 phenotype, improving healing and integration. Controlled degradation profiles can be designed to release anti-inflammatory cues or immunostimulants in step with tissue remodeling.

These approaches are transforming therapeutics. In wound healing, immune-responsive scaffolds accelerate repair while limiting fibrosis. In implants, immune-instructive coatings improve long-term integration. In cancer immunotherapy, programmable delivery systems now train the immune system to target tumors with greater precision. The fusion of materials design and immune-engineering is rapidly redefining the future of bioactive medical technologies.

Another important direction is the shift toward a discovery-based approach to bioactive materials. Much of the field today is driven by engineering, in other words, we are optimizing known materials for specific functions. While this has led to impressive advances, we are only beginning to explore the vast chemical and structural diversity offered by bio-derived sources, many of which remain underutilized.

Take collagen, for example. Most commercially used collagen still comes from a narrow range of mammalian sources such as murine, porcine and bovine tissues. Yet, collagen of varying subtypes is ubiquitous across the biological kingdom, from marine invertebrates to amphibians and reptiles. These lesser-known sources remain vastly underexplored. Collagen derived from different organisms can vary in amino acid composition, triple helix stability, solubility, and immuno-reactivity. These materials often possess properties that cannot be easily replicated synthetically. High-throughput screening, omics technologies, and data-driven modeling offer powerful tools to uncover novel structure function relationships and accelerate the discovery of entirely new classes of functional biomaterials. In my view, this integrative approach is critical and has the potential to move the field beyond incremental improvement and toward transformative advances.

6. As an early career editorial board member, what initiatives do you plan to take to engage more early-career researchers with the journal and the field of bioactive materials?

I hope to co-develop thematic issues and spotlight collections curated by early-career scientists, showcasing diverse and novel perspectives. Mentorship-focused initiatives, such as editorial internships or webinars on scientific writing and peer review, can help make it easier for new researchers to engage meaningfully with the journal and the field. I also aim to advocate for more inclusive representation across geographical regions and research disciplines, especially from Southeast Asia and emerging economies, by identifying and supporting emerging talent.

7. Beyond your scientific endeavors in bioactive materials, what is your favorite pastime?

I enjoy spending quiet time with my family and our dog, Pico. His name, short for 10-12, was chosen with a bit of geeky intent, which makes him even more special to us. It is a simple routine, but it brings a sense of balance and perspective. Whether it is a walk outdoors or simply being present together, those moments often help me reflect and recharge.

I also find great satisfaction in speaking with students and researchers. I often share stories from my own journey, including the mistakes, in the hope that they can avoid the same pitfalls. These conversations are an opportunity to help them think more clearly about their goals and next steps. Supporting others in their growth has become an important and meaningful part of what I do.

8.Given the demanding nature of scientific research, how do you manage to strike a balance between your research work and your personal life?

In addition to leading a research group, I also serve in leadership roles within the department and across research centers. These responsibilities require a different kind of focus, such as strategic thinking, coordination, and long-term planning. It can be demanding, but I find it fulfilling when there are clarity of purpose and good people around you.

What helps me stay balanced is being intentional with how I manage time and energy. I try to stay present in each setting, whether I am in a scientific discussion, a team meeting, or spending time with my family. I have also learned to trust the people I work with. Empowering others creates a stronger, more resilient ecosystem, and that allows me to step back when needed.

I do not believe balance means doing less. It means doing the right things at the right time, with focus and discipline. That mindset helps me sustain both the work and the people who matter most.