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Cai MingjieSingaporean taxi driver and research biologist
Date of Birth: .
Country:  China |
Content:
- Early Life and Academic Achievements
- Research Career at ASTAR
- Career Transition to Taxi Driving
- "Diary of a Singapore Taxi Driver" Blog
- Literary and Film Adaptations
- Return to China and Business Pursuits
Early Life and Academic Achievements
Cai Mingjie, renowned as "Singapore's Most Educated Taxi Driver," was born in China in 1952. He excelled in his undergraduate studies in molecular biology at Stanford University, graduating in 1990.
Research Career at ASTAR
For 16 years, Cai served as a research scientist at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology at Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (ASTAR). In May 2008, he became one of the institute's first senior scientists to be laid off.
Career Transition to Taxi Driving
After unsuccessful job applications, Cai decided to become a taxi driver in November 2008. Despite daily rental expenses of $77, he earned approximately $30-50 per day in September 2009.
"Diary of a Singapore Taxi Driver" Blog
Cai began chronicling his experiences as a taxi driver in his blog, "Diary of a Singapore Taxi Driver." It attracted a large following and numerous job offers.
Literary and Film Adaptations
In April 2010, Cai published a collection of short stories based on his taxi driving experiences. In 2013, the comedy film "Taxi! Taxi!" was released in Singapore, based on Cai's true stories. While it was a financial success, critical reception was mixed.
Return to China and Business Pursuits
In 2010, Cai returned to China as the legal representative and general manager of Hongye Innovative Antibody Technologies Co., a medical research and development company.
