This week we speak with Jia Rong (JR) Poon, who tells us about her experience at the Lucy Enterprise Challenge. As well as this, JR tells us about her idea and her plans going forward into the future.
How did your journey from Singapore lead you to study biology at Cambridge?
I’ve always known I wanted to study biology, but I wasn’t sure what area specifically. When I looked at Cambridge, the course structure really appealed to me because it gave me space to figure things out along the way. I had also spent part of my childhood in an international school in China, so I was already familiar with and comfortable around other cultures and adjusting to new environments. Thus, even though the cultural shift from Singapore to Cambridge was big, it was manageable for me. Coming to Cambridge, I found the international atmosphere quite comfortable, and it felt like a good fit.
What drew you toward ecology and animal behaviour in particular?
By my third year, I focused on ecology and animal behaviour. I like working with things I can see—living organisms, real systems in nature—so animal biology and behaviour felt like a natural fit. Ecology gave me a more applied perspective, and I really enjoyed understanding how organisms interact with their environments. My final-year project focused on invasive species and involved both fieldwork and lab work. I did fieldwork at Rutland Water and Alton Water, reservoirs about an hour and a half from Cambridge. It was such a hands-on experience, and I really appreciated seeing the science in action.
Tell us about the social enterprise idea you worked on in the Lucy Enterprise Competition. What inspired it?
It actually started when Singapore passed a law in late 2023 allowing 16 species of insects to be approved for human consumption. That really got me thinking. Insects are high in protein, nutritious, and have a much lower environmental impact than traditional livestock like cows or chickens. So, I pitched a project focused on promoting insect-based protein as a sustainable food source. I knew there would be challenges—people in the UK still see eating insects as strange—but I think there’s real potential to shift perceptions. Through social media, influencer partnerships, workshops and even live tasting events, we want to normalize it, especially among younger generations who are often more open to new ideas.
What did you take away from the competition experience? Would you recommend it to others?
Definitely. It was an amazing opportunity to develop an idea in a supportive environment. I worked with my friend Rebecca, and we already had most of the concept mapped out, but the one-on-one mentorship was incredibly helpful. Our mentors pointed out areas we hadn’t considered, helped us refine our pitch, and challenged us to think bigger. We even brought some insect-based samples for the judges to try during the final presentation! Even though I was in my final year and juggling my thesis, I don’t regret doing it. In fact, it gave me energy and perspective outside of academics. I’d absolutely encourage other students—especially those unsure about entrepreneurship—to just go for it.
Thanks so much for your time and good luck with your project!