Round-up of Duke-NUS’ latest people news
In this round-up, we have much to celebrate: Professor Wang Linfa was inducted into the Australian Academy of Science in recognition of
his work in bat virology, many of our newly minted doctors from the Class of 2023 received
prestigious accolades for their hard work, Professor Antonio Bertoletti received the
EASL Recognition Award for his work on hepatitis B, Associate Professor Liu Nan won the
2023 VITA award and our PhD student was runner-up for the
Royal Statistical Society's (RSS) Statistical Award for Statistical Excellence in Early Career Writing .
Three of our alumni also stood out during their first-year as junior doctors, flying the flag high for Duke-NUS, while our student volunteers successfully carried out another iteration of
Camp Simba. And to encourage more aspiring scientists, particularly women, to pursue a research career, the Duke-NUS development team organised a stimulating
panel led by women in research.
Duke-NUS also continues to pursue excellence in research. Several of our faculty made it onto Researchm’s
Best Scientists Rankings, while scientists from Duke University and Duke-NUS came together for a
two-day symposium to advance collaborations in the areas of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders research.
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Duke-NUS researchers ranked among the world’s top scientists
According to Research.com’s annual Best Scientist’s Ranking, 13 Duke-NUS researchers ranked among the top ten in their disciplines in Singapore. They are among 31 who earned a spot in the Singapore ranking. In addition, Professors Wang Linfa and Duane Gubler were in the top 400 on the global ranking in the fields of immunology and microbiology, respectively.
Research.com uses a rigorous methodology for its rankings, taking into account criteria such as an individual’s contributions to a discipline including awards, achievements and the number of citations.
Professor Wang Linfa inducted into the Australian Academy of Science
Professor Wang Linfa has been elected as a Corresponding Member of the Australian Academy of Science, a special category for international scientists with strong ties to Australia who have made significant contributions to science. He joins fellow Corresponding Members Sir David Attenborough, Professor Elizabeth Blackburn and Sir Fraser Stoddard, who were elected in previous years.
“It is a great honour for me to be inducted into the Academy. As a Corresponding Member of the Academy, I hope to inspire more youths to pursue science as a career. I would also like to act as a science ambassador to encourage greater collaboration between scientists in Australia and other nations, particularly those in Southeast Asia.”
Prof Wang Linfa
Specialising in the field of emerging bat viruses and bat biology, Wang’s discoveries have helped battle viral outbreaks including COVID-19 and informed public health policies around the world. These accomplishments have not only led to his induction into the Academy, but have also propelled him onto the final shortlist of 30 outstanding scientists for the Falling Walls Life Sciences award, which honours established leaders and academics for groundbreaking contributions towards solving the world’s biggest challenges.
Professor Antonio Bertoletti receives the EASL Recognition Award
Professor Antonio Bertoletti from Duke-NUS Emerging Infectious Diseases Programme was conferred the prestigious Recognition Award at the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Congress, held from 21 to 24 June 2023 in Vienna, Austria, for his scientific contributions to hepatitis B immunopathogenesis.
“When I started to work on hepatitis B, there was this idea that with the vaccine, hepatitis B was going to disappear. And I would say that many senior people were telling me: ‘Don’t start to work on hepatitis B!’ But it was really something that I liked and found interesting, and I kept working on it. So my message is: work on what you really like, and then something is going to come out.”
Prof Antonio Bertoletti
Associate Professor Liu Nan wins the Visionary Industry Technology Award (VITA) 2023
Associate Professor Liu Nan emerged as the overall winner at the 2023 VITA Awards for his innovative tool, aiTriageTM. This novel AI-based cardiac risk stratification tool rapidly identifies people whose chest pain is a sign of more serious trouble, as well as those who can safely be discharged. By shortening the triage process for low-risk patients, the tool helps reduce overcrowding in the emergency departments, saving hospital resources.
Organised by the International Federation for Emergency Medicine, the award honours technology applications in the field of emergency medicine, and is given out yearly at its annual conference.
“Receiving this international award is a genuine honour, showcasing the power of exceptional multidisciplinary teamwork and our unwavering commitment to overcoming challenges and achieving success.”
Assoc Prof Liu Nan
Duke-NUS alumni honoured with SingHealth’s Best Junior Doctor Award
Three doctors from the Class of 2021 were recognised with Best House Officer Awards at the SingHealth Residency Graduation’s Best Junior Doctor Awards late last year.
Drs Benjamin Seng, Stanislaw Mitew and Sasinthiran S/O Thiagarajan were recognised for their outstanding clinical performance and notable contributions during their residency at various SingHealth institutions.
“I am deeply honoured and privileged to receive the Best House Officer Award. This award is a reflection of the unwavering guidance and support I have received from my peers, seniors and friends from nursing and other allied departments during the one year of housemanship. I’d also like to extend my thanks to the patients and families who entrusted me with their care. It’s through their courage and resilience that I am reminded of the profound impact we can have as healthcare providers.”
Dr Benjamin Seng
“Though it was hard going at times—perpetually tiring and sometimes even emotionally draining—houseman year is something I will cherish for the rest of my life for the friends I made along the way, the incredible tutors I had the fortune of meeting, but most of all, for the amazing patients I had the privilege of serving. To have this award cap it all off was truly an honour and something I am very proud of.”
Dr Stanislaw Mitew
All photos above provided by the respective individuals.
Celebrating the Class of 2023 for their outstanding performance
Prior to their graduation ceremony, 20 students from the Class of 2023 were recognised with graduation awards for their outstanding academic, service or leadership contributions. The graduands received their honours at the MD and PhD graduation dinners, held on 1 June and 26 May, respectively.
“I am inspired by many successful and amazing clinician-scientists around me, and their support always drives me to grow. Graduation is not a destination but just a new start for me to continue devoting myself to clinical research with a broader vision.”
Associate Professor Liu Yu-chi
Outstanding PhD Student 2023, Clinical and Translational Sciences Programme
“Patient statistics transcend mere numbers; behind every figure is a human story. I made the decision to pursue a career in science about 12 years ago. Finally obtaining my degree was like a dream come true. I am truly grateful for everyone I have met along the way, and I look forward to more exciting times ahead.”
Dr Lin Meiyin
Outstanding PhD Student 2023, Integrated Biology and Medicine Programme
“The Outstanding PhD Student Award serves as a testament to my belief in the power of resilience, commitment and a never-ending quest for knowledge. I am excited about what the future holds and I am ready to embrace new challenges and opportunities.”
Dr Xiao Yu
Outstanding PhD Student 2023, Quantitative Biology and Medicine Programme
“I am extremely humbled and grateful to be part of the Duke-NUS family. It is now time to embark on a new exciting beginning—to learn, live and have faith.”
Dr Michelle Fong
SingHealth Prize in Family Medicine, Duke-NUS Humanism Award and the NUSS Medal for Outstanding Achievement
MD Programme
““I am deeply honoured to receive the SingHealth Top Student Gold Medal and the Duke-NUS Achievement Prize. This recognition further inspires me to strive for excellence, yet also take stock of the important responsibilities that lie ahead as a medical doctor. I feel indebted to my mentors, family and friends, whose guidance, understanding and sacrifices have been pivotal in shaping my academic journey. Navigating the path of a newly minted doctor will be challenging, but I’m also excited to take on various training opportunities and make a positive impact on patients and their communities.”
Dr Loh Xinpeng
SingHealth Top Student Gold Medal, Duke-NUS Achievement Prize (Most Outstanding Clinical Science Research Thesis)
MD Programme
All photos above provided by the respective individuals.
Duke-NUS’ panel on women in research highlights challenges and successes
On 24 May, Duke-NUS held a special panel discussion titled ‘Science Excellence: Championing Women Researchers at Duke-NUS’, where four women researchers from across the SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medicine Centre talked about their journeys and challenges.
The panel was moderated by Professor Tina Wong, and the panellists included Associate Professor Andrea Kwa, Assistant Professor Ann-Marie Chacko and Assistant Professor Rena Dharmawan, who spoke candidly about their journeys to success.
The event, organised by the School’s development team, also raised funds for an annual award to be given to an outstanding female student at Duke-NUS.
“[Women’s] lives are like seasons…you’re a little girl and to have this ambition and this dream, but along the way other things come to your lives. You become a mum, you become a wife, but that little girl is still there. When your children have grown up, you still have your dreams, and don’t let anyone take that away from you.”
Prof Tina Wang
Camp Simba is held overnight again after a three-year hiatus
Ninety student volunteers from Duke-NUS, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Nanyang Technological University Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine convened for the latest iteration of Camp Simba, an annual camp for children whose family members are afflicted with cancer.
Over three days, the volunteers created a safe space for 50 children, aged 7 to 16, to express their feelings and have fun through activities such as team bonding games and a trip to the Night Safari.
Though the camp is over, Camp Simba will continue to plan future activities for these children to come together again.
Duke-NUS' Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Programme holds first joint scientific retreat at Duke Durham
Duke-NUS’ Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders programme held its first joint scientific retreat with The Duke Cardiovascular Research Centre and the Duke Molecular Physiology Institute in the Durham campus earlier this year.
Kicking off the retreat was Founding Dean of Duke-NUS, Professor Sandy Williams, who welcomed the more than 100 research faculty and staff from Duke and Duke-NUS who attended the event. Over the two days, a series of lectures was held on topics ranging from cardiovascular disease to metabolic syndromes as the presenters delved into the intricacies of molecular and signalling disease mechanisms. They were joined by former Duke-NUS Governing Board Member Professor Victor Dzau as well as The Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor of Medicine, Professor Robert Lefkowitz and Professor Stuart Cook, founding director of the Programme at Duke-NUS, who delivered keynote talks at the event.
“This symposium would not have been possible without the strong support of Professor Howard Rockman and Professor Christopher Newgard. From the two-day symposium, we realised that there was plenty of shared interest and synergy between our faculty, which could certainly lead to more collaborations further down the road. ”
Prof Wang Yibin
“It was a fantastic symposium. And it really turned out to be a terrific scientific meeting, motivated by the energy of Yibin and his team including Paul and Lena, who helped made this happen.”
Prof Howard Rockman
All photos above provided by Prof Wang Yibin.
Duke-NUS student ranked among top three in the Royal Statistical Society's Statistical Excellence Award for Early Career Writing
Kenneth Menglin Lee, a student from the PhD Programme in Quantitative Biology, was a runner-up for the Royal Statistical Society's (RSS) Statistical Excellence Award for Early Career Writing, which recognises effective communication of data and statistics by young researchers. Lee’s article, ‘Boxing with George Box’, which focuses on the analysis of data about boxing as a sport showcases how statistics can enhance our understanding of boxing. His piece will be published online in Significance, the official magazine of the RSS and he has also been invited to present his work at the RSS conference in September.
“I'm honoured to be considered as a finalist for the Royal Statistical Society's 2023 Statistical Excellence Award for Early-Career Writing. I was excited to take this competition as an opportunity for me to use my statistics training to explore questions I had about the sport of boxing. Now, I'm even more excited to be able to present it at the upcoming RSS 2023 annual conference.”
Kenneth Menglin Lee
Photo above provided by the respective individual.
Compiled and edited by Chua Li Min and Levin Tan