With patience and a deep appreciation for nature, Phillip Lee helps his clients flourish in gardens that heal and encourage. And it all began here, at SP.
When Phillip Lee began his diploma in Applied Chemistry with Pharmaceutical Science at Singapore Polytechnic (SP), he did not expect that it would guide him into a niche path where science, nature and people come together in unexpected ways. Looking back, he sees clearly how SP has shaped each stage of his journey.
Forming Roots with SP
Phillip chose SP because it was the only polytechnic offering a course that directly matched his interest in chemistry. Once he entered the programme, he discovered a world much broader than he anticipated.
“I did not know there were so many types of chemistry,” he recalled. “There was organic, inorganic, physical, forensics, environmental and even perfumery.”
Exposure to environmental science modules deepened his curiosity about soil, plants and the conditions that shape ecosystems. It was during his internship at Syngenta that he got his first real look into agriculture and seed science in action. He was instantly hooked.
“I wasn't aware that Singapore had an agriculture company,” he said. “In my lab-tech role, I developed my interest in plants when trying to understand the science behind seed coding and genetics.”
Cultivating Life-Long Passions
But while his studies shaped his learning and understanding of nature, Phillip’s confidence and people skills came from his chosen co-curricular activity (CCA), Dancesport.
The bonds he forged there made SP feel like a second home, with friendships carrying well into his adulthood. Even after graduation, Phillip returned to support his CCA, and to this day continues to pursue dance as a hobby.
“At SP, you gain the opportunity to experience much more than your course. Dancing in front of other people, as well as learning how to manage different personalities and goals, taught me to be more social, outgoing and confident.”
Nurturing Green Spaces
After SP, Phillip continued to pursue his interest in the environment by completing his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science at The University of Western Australia. Upon graduating, he took a friend’s advice to try enrolling in NParks’ landscape apprenticeship programme. That decision opened an entire professional field he had never considered, launching him into landscape architecture and park management.
His work managing the flora and fauna of Coney Island and Punggol Waterway not only reshaped how he viewed green spaces in Singapore but also sparked his interest in therapeutic gardens, especially those designed for seniors and those with dementia.
As he looked for his next step, he realised his aspiration was to use plants to teach and support people in meaningful ways.
Bringing Nature into Mental Health Care
Inspired by this dream, Phillip joined the Institute of Mental Health as a Senior Assistant Manager, where he uses plants as tools for rehabilitation. Working with natural materials creates a sensory-rich, grounding experience that helps participants build confidence, motor skills and social awareness in an environment that is calm and accessible.
“It grows your confidence because you realise you can do something,” he said. “When my clients grow something successfully, it gives them a sense of achievement.”
These gardening sessions also help challenge public perceptions of mental illness. Phillip recalled one volunteer who tried to leave halfway through orientation because she was uncertain about interacting with patients.
“I encouraged her to continue, and at the end she came to realise that the patients are just people like you and me.”
Now, Phillip also holds a Certificate in Therapeutic Horticulture, making him one of only two certified practitioners in Singapore. To further advance the field locally, he is also completing a Master of Science in Therapeutic Recreation at Northwest Missouri State University in the United States.
Advice for those Still Growing
Phillip is also a passionate advocate for mental wellbeing. Something he recommends is taking a moment to ground yourself.
“When you are walking home, just slow down and look at something. Notice what is different. Hear the rustling of the breeze through the greenery. You can learn something new every day, even though you walk the same path.”
He also understands the fear of not knowing where a chosen degree or field may lead. His advice? Stay open. SP has sharpened skills that he still relies on at work, such as formal report writing, structured investigation, and even taking minutes during meetings.
“My SP foundations are still here with me today,” he shared. “Do not fear the unknown. As you progress in your career, everything overlaps, and this foundation remains very important.”
His own journey shows that careers evolve. Interests shift. Exposure shapes direction. And sometimes, the seeds planted in school grow into a calling no one could have predicted.
Singapore Polytechnic
500 Dover Rd Singapore 139651