Background
Tan, Kiat W. was born on February 13, 1943 in Singapore. Arrived in United States, 1961. Son of Chee Tong and Siew (Ong) Hong.
Tan, Kiat W. was born on February 13, 1943 in Singapore. Arrived in United States, 1961. Son of Chee Tong and Siew (Ong) Hong.
Bachelor in Biology, Williams College, Massachusetts, 1965. Master of Science in Biology, Michigan State University, 1967. Doctor of Philosophy in Biology, University Miami, 1974.
Instructor biology Palm Beach Junior College, Florida, 1967—1971. Research assistant Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota, 1973—1974, assistant director, 1974—1982. Director Orchid Identification Center Selby Gardens, 1975—1980, director education volunteer program, 1975—1980.
Director Museum Botany & Arts, Sarasota, 1980—1982. Parks and recording officer Parks & Recording, Singapore, 1983—1990, commissioner Singapore, 1995—2006. Director Singapore Botanic Gardens, 1988—1990.
Executive director National Parks Board, Singapore, 1990—1996, chief executive officer, 1996—2006, advisor, since 2006. Project director Gardens by the Bay, Singapore, since 2006.
Interat. orchid judge, since 1973. Member editorial board Singapore Botanic Garden's Bulletin, since 1983. Member organizing committee 17th World Orchid Conference International Advisory Panel, 1983—1984.
Vice-chairman executive committee International Orchid Committee, since 1983. Trustee Loke Cheng Kim Foundation, since 1983, World Orchid Conference Trust. Member of International Union for Conservation of Nature (member orchid group, species survival committee since 1983), American Orchid Committee (consulting member conservation committee since 1983), International Association Botanic Gardens (councillor, asian division 1983—2005), Singapore Gardening Society (life), Asia Pacific Society Bioscientists (life), American Orchid Society (honorary) (life), American Hibiscus Society (honorary) (life), Malayan Nature Society (life), Sigma Xi Science Research Society (life), Household Bank Care for Nature Trust Fund.