Poh Boon is certainly no stranger to the Defence Technology Prize (DTP) Award. In 2004, he was part of the Laser team which took home the Team Award for R&D.

Four years on, he is once again a recipient of the prize - this time in the Individual category - for his contributions in the field of photonics and laser research. He says, ecstatic, "First, I get paid for doing what I enjoy. Now, I am rewarded with a top honour for doing the same thing. What more can I ask for in life?"

Despite not understanding the technicalities of Poh Boon's work, his wife Aina, who attended the ceremony with him, is equally elated by and proud of his achievement. "He must have done some good and impactful research to receive this prestigious award," she elaborates. "This award makes him very happy, and that makes me very happy."

A long time mentor, Poh Boon is a big believer in encouraging youths to follow one's dreams. "I always tell young people - or those younger than me - follow your interest and you will excel." This advice stems from his own passion for his work, and over the years, he and his team from APL have developed and invented world-record high power laser systems, one of a kind electro-optics systems, laser locking mechanisms and new methods of laser beam generation.

He credits part of his success to his co-operative, supportive and technically proficient colleagues, whom he engages in fruitful discussion and evaluation of new ideas with. "APL has an open culture and high tolerance for individual working styles. We have had plenty of memorable moments where we innovated, challenged and built on one another's ideas."

He says he is also lucky for the support and effort of his supervisors and DSO management to appreciate and evaluate his work: "I am blessed with bosses who can see fire beneath an unpolished diamond, and it is really comforting when you trust that they will give you a fair assessment of your work and ideas based on technical merit. When there are difficulties from external funding sources, I am always grateful that management have given me their support through DSO's internal funding, to explore some of my research."

Besides the passion to learn, understand and explore, Poh Boon says creativity is a key ingredient for successful R&D. "What distinguishes a good joke from a bad one is often the twist at the end of the joke. Likewise, good research is about creating twists and inventing the non-obvious. In DSO's context, these twists must also have military impact."

Taking a page out of US President Barack Obama's post-election speech, Poh Boon, at the end of his DTP ceremony presentation, remarked with tongue-in-cheek, "If there is anyone out there who still doubts that DSO is the place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our creativity, today is your answer."

With a drive and energy to pursue what he believes in, a pioneering and inventive spirit, and a strong urge to be different, while daring to challenge conventions, Poh Boon hopes these qualities will put him in good stead to sniff out future research directions and ideas.

Whether you are an artist, musician or scientist, Poh Boon believes that life is always about looking for a signature piece. "Einstein had his theory of relativity, Da Vinci had his Mona Lisa painting and even Jay Chou had his "Initial D" movie," he quips. "Although I have demonstrated many interesting works, I am still looking for my signature piece. After winning the DTP, I will continue to look for my signature piece and will inform you when I finally find it!"