This evening, the COVID-19 Research Workgroup was recognised at the National Medical Excellence Awards for its notable efforts in shaping the pandemic response in Singapore. The group’s findings also improved infection control methods, public health policies and the development of diagnostic and treatment methods.
This large, multi-disciplinary and inter-institutional group included Dr Chia Wan Ni, a then-research fellow with the Emerging Infectious Diseases Programme at Duke-NUS, along with then Associate Professor David Lye and Dr Barnaby Young from the National Centre for Infectious Diseases and A*STAR’s Professor Lisa Ng. The four recipients received their National Clinical Excellence Team Award from Minister for Health Mr Ong Ye Kung at an event held at the Shangri-La Hotel on Orchard.
REPRESENTING THE COVID-19 RESEARCH WORKGROUP FROM L-R: LISA NG, CHIA WAN NI, BARNABY YOUNG AND DAVID LYE // CREDIT: NATIONAL CENTRE FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES
“I am part of a very amazing team,” said Chia, who represented Professor Wang Linfa’s entire team that night. “Everyone contributed very significantly at the highest level and I am proud of what our group at Duke-NUS has contributed to the national fight against COVID-19.”
Professor Thomas Coffman, Dean of Duke-NUS, said at the time: “I am particularly proud that the COVID-19 Research Workgroup is being recognised for their stellar achievements. Their drive and commitment to improving lives has made an impact that is reverberating well beyond our borders.”