In Singapore, 2001, a director of research at Kent Ridge Digital Labs had a serious problem. The research output of his team was good, but he realized that his job description had, over time, evolved. Spending too much of his time proofreading and editing his team's manuscripts, he knew that for true productivity to flourish, he needed to address the cause, not the symptoms. To this end, he turned for help towards the ex-Apple-ISS research Center director, Jean Luc Lebrun - and the Scientific Writing and Scientific Presentation courses came into being. Although originally planned as a one-off training session, participants were so vocal in their appreciation that word-of-mouth rapidly spread to a neighboring Material Science institute, then to a biomedical one. Soon, the majority of research Institutes of the Agency for Science Technology And Research (A*STAR) requested the training. Reviews were excellent, 80% of participating institutes became repeat customers, and the teaching spread beyond the Singaporean borders to Europe through word of mouth marketing  by course alumni in their own countries.

And yet, the clients wanted more. In 2008, Jean-Luc introduced a new class - Grant Writing. Researchers have already expressed deep appreciation for the guided insights and wealth of knowledge that the one-on-one sessions provide. Creative solutions such as remote meetings over SKYPE were set up to allow for the international client base.

And still, the clients wanted more. In 2014, Scientific Reach was incorporated as a partnership between Jean-Luc and his son Justin. Justin brings new perspectives and new potential to the organization. In the few months since its inception, Scientific Reach has developed and offered two new courses: Advanced PowerPoint for Scientists, and Bringing Science to the Public. Both courses focus on helping scientists master crucial soft science skills that expand their influence and impact in the scientific community.

Jean-Luc graduated from a Grande Ecole (IESEG)  in Economics and Management. And after a short time as a researcher in the public sector, he joined Apple in 1983. Ten years later, The Vice-President of Apple's Advanced Technology Group sent him to Singapore as director of APPLE-ISS, a joint-venture with the Institute of Systems Science. In that capacity, he was invited to host two programs on IT for the island's main TV channel. In 1997 (see him in action on the presentation skills page), he later joined Kent Ridge Digital Labs (KRDL) to run their corporate communication department. When KRDL changed ownership, he started a communication business focusing on scientific communication. 

Justin holds a Masters in Science Communication from a joint program between the National University of Singapore and the Australian National University, and a degree in Arts Management from Lasalle, College of the Arts. He is also somewhat of an expert on Virtual Reality. 

With professional experience in social media marketing, copy-editing, online networking, and graphic design, he can help you understand and master the oft-underused soft sciences that amplify every aspect of your work outside the lab.

He now teaches scientific writing, grant writing, and scientific communication in doctoral schools worldwide. He is a general partner at Scientific Reach, a partnership dedicated to the communication of Science to general and scientific audiences.