Siew Chin is an ecologist and started her teaching journey at the Ridge View Residential College (RVRC) in August 2016. Her teaching philosophy is to get guide students to become self‐directed life long learners who are interested about their environment, critical thinkers and problem solvers. After obtaining her Bachelor of Science from National University of Singapore, Siew Chin worked for the Center for Tropical Forest Science to investigate the dynamics and regeneration of forests in Singapore. Subsequently she did her PhD in Environmental Science, Policy and Management at the University of California, Berkeley, and researched on the interactions between biotic and abiotic systems as secondary forests recover from human uses. Her current research interest integrates both recovery of natural terrestrial ecosystems, as well as their sustainability in and contributions to an increasingly urbanized landscape. Siew Chin enjoys outdoor activities such as mountain trekking. Despite having been to many stunning peaks, the local summit of Bukit Timah, where she worked and did numerous practice hikes, has a special place in her heart. Her advice for undergraduates – make friends and together enjoy the journeys up life’s many mountains.