Grant Proposal: Emergent Ventures Grant(Fast Grants for STEM Talent Identification) Funding for Undergraduate STEM Education in Chemistry with Focus on Hematology and Science Communication
Applicant: Chin Cheong Ghee
Contact: mrcheegk@gmail.com | +601117604909 (Malaysia) | +6594657642 (Singapore)
Website: https://com20250.com Individual Profile
Requested Amount: $50,000 USD bare basics now
“$50,000 – $500,000” ballpark budget
PayPal Business link: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/CHINCHEONGGHEE
X (Twitter): GK Chee@GChee5005
X/Twitter: https://x.com/GChee5005
I. Personal Background and Motivation
For over two decades, I struggled with undiagnosed alpha-thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder that impairs hemoglobin’s oxygen transport capacity. The chronic fatigue, cognitive difficulties, and persistent health complications have shaped my life. While I have not contracted COVID-19, observing its impact on individuals with compromised oxygen transport has deepened my understanding of the intersection between rare diseases like thalassemia and broader public health crises. Through these experiences, I identified two critical gaps:
- Lack of Accessible Scientific Knowledge: Many patients with rare diseases like thalassemia receive inadequate explanations about their conditions. Doctors, constrained by time and resources, often cannot provide the molecular-level understanding that empowers patients to manage their health proactively.
- Need for Better Science Communication: Misinformation thrives where scientific literacy is weak. My experiences with financial exploitation and medical misunderstandings have convinced me that mass media—YouTube, X (Twitter), and other platforms—must be leveraged to democratize STEM education, particularly for underserved communities.
These challenges have driven me to pursue an undergraduate degree in Chemistry, with a focus on organic chemistry and biochemistry, to:
- Research the molecular mechanisms of hemoglobin dysfunction in thalassemia and its intersection with long COVID.
- Develop clear, engaging science communication tools to help patients understand their conditions.
- Create a bridge between academic research and public health literacy.
II. Academic and Research Plan
1. University Education Goals
I aim to enroll in a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry program, where I will specialize in:
- Organic Chemistry: Studying the structure and reactivity of biomolecules, particularly porphyrin rings in hemoglobin.
- Biochemistry: Investigating oxygen-binding kinetics, iron metabolism, and how viral infections (like COVID-19) disrupt these processes.
- Analytical Chemistry: Learning spectroscopic techniques (UV-Vis, IR) to characterize hemoglobin variants and potential therapeutic compounds.
2. Proposed Research Directions
My academic work will focus on:
- Hemoglobin Dynamics: How alpha-thalassemia mutations affect oxygen affinity and whether certain supplements (e.g., iron chelators, antioxidants) can improve function.
- Long COVID Parallels: Exploring why COVID-19 exacerbates hypoxia in thalassemia patients—potentially due to ACE2 receptor interactions with heme groups.
- Science Communication: Translating complex concepts into digestible content for patients via YouTube videos, infographics, and social media.
3. Long-Term Vision
After completing my BSc, I intend to:
- Pursue a PhD in Biochemistry to deepen my research expertise.
- Launch a nonprofit or digital platform to provide rare disease patients with scientifically accurate, accessible health information.
- Collaborate with medical researchers to develop low-cost diagnostic tools or therapeutic strategies for thalassemia and related disorders.
III. Budget Justification
| Expense Category | Amount (USD) | Details |
| Tuition (Year 1) | $30,000 | Covers coursework and lab fees at a reputable university |
| Research Tools | $10,000 | Includes computational chemistry software (Gaussian), lab supplies |
| Science Communication | $5,000 | Equipment for YouTube videos (camera, microphone, animation software) |
| Living Expenses | $5,000 | Basic subsistence while studying full-time |
| Total Requested Amount | $50,000 USD | $50,000 USD bare basics now”$50,000 – $500,000″ ballpark budget |
This budget reflects the foundational costs necessary to support my academic journey while enabling impactful research and outreach initiatives.
IV. Alignment with Emergent Ventures’ Goals
Emergent Ventures supports high-reward ideas that advance prosperity, opportunity, liberty, and well-being—values directly aligned with my project goals:
- Innovation (“Zero to One”): My project uniquely merges patient-led research with mass media education to address gaps in STEM outreach and public health literacy. The focus on alpha-thalassemia + long COVID represents an underexplored intersection in medicine that could yield novel insights into hypoxia management strategies.
- Scalability: Open-access videos and articles can reach global audiences, particularly underserved communities where thalassemia is prevalent but poorly understood. A “citizen science” model could empower other patients to contribute data and insights for collective progress.
- Revenue Potential: Monetized educational content (via YouTube/Patreon) alongside partnerships with health nonprofits or supplement companies ensures sustainability while expanding impact.
- Social Impact: By combating medical misinformation and democratizing STEM knowledge, this project fosters positive social change at both individual and community levels.
V. Personal Story & Vision
My personal journey has been shaped by resilience and curiosity—qualities forged through years of navigating the challenges posed by alpha-thalassemia while striving for greater understanding of the science behind it. Witnessing the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable populations further ignited my passion for STEM education as a tool for empowerment.
The mainstream view I wholeheartedly agree with is that STEM fields are fundamental to human progress—advancing medicine, technology, environmental sustainability, and beyond. By pursuing education in Chemistry with a focus on hematology and science communication, I aim to contribute meaningfully to this progression while addressing critical gaps in health literacy.
This vision aligns seamlessly with Emergent Ventures’ mission to support underrepresented talent in STEM fields while fostering innovation that drives societal well-being.
VI. Conclusion
With your support through the Emergent Ventures Grant, I will be able to pursue undergraduate education in Chemistry while advancing research into alpha-thalassemia dynamics and science communication strategies that empower patients globally.
Your investment will enable me not only to achieve academic excellence but also to create scalable solutions that democratize access to STEM knowledge—bridging gaps between academia, healthcare providers, and the communities they serve.
Thank you for considering this proposal.
Sincerely,
Chin Cheong Ghee
Contact Information: mrcheegk@gmail.com+601117604909 Malaysia
+6594657642 Singapore
Personal Website: https://com20250.com
PayPal Business link: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/CHINCHEONGGHEE
Appendices
Personal Website: https://com20250.com
Sample Video:
Resources, Advocacy and Education Media Hub Website:
X/Twitter post
My tweet:
X (Twitter): https://x.com/GChee5005
GK Chee
@GChee5005
Business Plan:
Cover Letter: https://com20251.com/cover-letter-for-emergent-ventures-grant-application/
Resume: