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[edit] Autobiography

My real name is Jiahao Chen (陈家豪). I am a Singapore citizen. In August 2004, I began my graduate studies as a PhD candidate in the chemical physics interdisciplinary program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. My thesis advisor is Todd Martinez^[1] and my current work is on the computation of atomic partial charges for molecular mechanics applications.

[edit] The AcidFlask Affair

From July 2004 to May 2005, I wrote under the AcidFlask moniker on my blog, caustic.soda. On the Haro Singapore article, I was cited as an example of a "'loud' blog", which was "known to gather huge audiences". My blog became known, among other things, for being critical of certain government policies, in particular some of A*STAR's policies regarding their government scholarships.

In late April 2005, I was contacted by Philip Yeo, then the chairman of the Singapore government agency A*STAR, who threatened to sue me for defamation over posts I had written. Since it was not made clear which posts were allegedly defamatory, and it was very close to my end-of-semester final examinations, I therefore made the voluntary decision to remove my blog from public access.^[2]

On 9 May 2005, I placed an unreserved apology to "A*STAR, its Chairman Mr. Philip Yeo, and its executive officers for the distress and embarrassment" caused.^[3], which many believe to have been a direct consequence of the threat of legal action for libel by A*STAR. ^[4]

According to the Philip Yeo article, this incident "upset several members of the local blogging community for his statements, the perceived ham-fisted censorship, and the chilling effect on free speech on the Internet."

[edit] References

1. ^ Martinez group website
2. ^ Chen Jiahao, Press release, 6 May 2005.
3. ^ caustic.soda
4. ^ John Burton, Singapore threatens to sue internet dissenter, Financial Times, May 8 2005.