Round-up of our latest news and views

Making an impression: Movers, shakers and stamps of approval at Duke-NUS

Join us in celebrating the achievements of Duke-NUS this quarter! From groundbreaking innovations in translational research to transformative strides in medicine, our community has had plenty to celebrate. We forged new partnerships, such as the signing of an MoU with Quantinuum and garnered prestigious awards and grants, including the National Medical Research Council awards and the National Day Awards. Highlights include the Tanoto Foundation Medical Research Fund awarded to Associate Professor Ashley St John. Student life at Duke-NUS has been vibrant and active, with the return of Camp SIMBA and the newly matriculated Class of 2028 donning their white coats to step into their new roles as future doctors. Our faculty have been recognised with long service awards, promotions and appointments conferred upon them. In leadership news, Professor Wang Hongyan has been appointed as Acting Director of the Neuroscience and Behavioural Disorders Programme, along with Professor Hendrik Luesch’s joint appointment with the University of Florida and us, and Professor Wang Linfa’s election as fellow of the Singapore National Academy of Science.

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Camp SIMBA’s School of Magic: Casting a spell of happiness

From 21 to 23 June, the annual Camp SIMBA brought together 53 young participants for a magical three-day adventure at the Panthera School of Magic. Organised by students from Duke-NUS, NUS Medicine and LKCMedicine, this year’s camp supported children aged 7 to 16 who have family members living with cancer. With 57 committee members involved, the event showcased a spirit of solidarity and resilience, embodying the camp’s mantra: “Strong I am, brave always.” This was the largest turnout in the camp’s history, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing legacy of support and strength.

A camper spending time with her Camp SIMBA facilitator, featuring a plush toy of the camp mascot, Simba. // Credit: Courtesy of Camp SIMBA

Duke-NUS partners with Quantinuum for advanced quantum computing access

The signing of the MoU with Quantinuum saw representation from parties A*STAR, National Quantum Office, Centre for Quantum Technologies, Duke-NUS Medical School, National Supercomputing Centre Singapore and National Quantum Steering Committee // Credit: Quantinuum

In a significant advancement for quantum computing in Singapore, Duke-NUS Medical School, along with the National Quantum Office, the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), the National University of Singapore (NUS), and the National Supercomputing Centre, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Quantinuum. This agreement grants them access to Quantinuum’s sophisticated quantum computer, opening new avenues for collaborative exploration and application in quantum computing, with a focus on computational biology.

Through this MoU, scientists from A*STAR’s Bioinformatics Institute (A*STAR’s BII), the Centre for Quantum Technologies at NUS and Duke-NUS Medical School’s Centre for Computational Biology will be able to leverage Quantinuum’s machines to enhance capabilities in modelling complex biological systems, while advancing developments in drug discovery and personalised medicine.

Clinician-scientists and researchers from the SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre (AMC) honoured with National Medical Research Council

Over the past three grant calls, 29 individuals received clinician-scientist and transition awards. They were celebrated with a lunch that recognised both individual achievements and the collaborative foundation essential to the success of the AMC’s research endeavours.

The NMRC awardees attending the celebratory lunch pose for a group photo // Credit: Norfaezah Abdullah, Duke-NUS

The 18 recipients who attended the event were invited to the stage to introduce their research, share their experiences and advice.

Clinician-Scientist Award recipient Assistant Professor Teo Wan Yee, who studies paediatric brain tumours, spoke to the experience of many in the room when she said: “My research journey is long but it is good and I would like to encourage the young ones here to keep on persevering.”

Celebrating these trailblazers, Vice-Dean for Academic Medicine, Clinical Associate Professor Chow Wan Cheng, emphasised the importance of expanding the clinician-scientist pathway to more health professionals. She also closed the event by emphasisng that the event had no closing remarks, as attendees should continue their conversations.

Duke-NUS, University of Florida announce joint appointment of marine drug-discovery expert Professor Hendrik Luesch

Prof Luesch in the middle of a dive underwater // Credit: University of Florida

Duke-NUS welcomed Professor Hendrik Luesch from the University of Florida (UF) as a joint faculty member in July 2024. Luesch, a renowned figure in natural drug-discovery who joined the Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Programme, hopes to open new opportunities for new drug and therapeutic discoveries from unexplored biodiversity at Duke-NUS.

By joining Duke-NUS, Luesch will establish a natural products-based drug discovery laboratory at the School while working closely with Duke-NUS faculty, the SingHealth Duke-NUS Institute of Biodiversity Medicine, and other partners.

“The ocean harbours excellent starting points for drug discovery, and with this strategic collaboration, we are poised to unlock the therapeutic potential of marine natural products and extend the impact of our work globally.”
Prof Hendrik Luesch

Duke-NUS Class of 2028 dons white coats to commemorate start of medical journey

Students from the Class of 2028 pose for a candid selfie at the beginning of the ceremony // Credit: Norfaezah Abdullah

Held at The Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium, Academia, on 2 August 2024, the annual White Coat Ceremony welcomed 78 students donning white coats this year, making the Class of 2028 Duke-NUS’ largest cohort yet. The cohort also includes 22 students admitted via the conditional admissions pathway—a route designed for outstanding students from partner undergraduate programmes to pursue graduate-entry medicine seamlessly.

The event, graced by about 400 attendees including prominent figures from Duke-NUS and the SingHealth Duke-NUS AMC, also welcomed numerous guests virtually. The matriculating students consisted of 69 undergraduates, 7 Master’s students and 2 PhD holders, with approximately 77 per cent of the students Singaporeans and Permanent Residents. These students hail from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, from science to engineering, law, architecture, and others.

Duke-NUS recognises academic luminaries

A group photo of people from Duke-NUS celebrating their faculty

On 8 August, Duke-NUS honoured 27 senior faculty members for their academic achievements and long-standing commitment to excellence at the Faculty Recognition event. This event also marked a significant milestone, awarding tenure to three deserving professors while celebrating 127 long-serving clinical faculty.

“We are very proud of every one of you. You embody the Duke-NUS values of courage, integrity, compassion and collaboration, and I’m confident you will continue to proudly carry the banners of Duke-NUS and our AMC as leaders and shining stars in academic medicine.”
Prof Thomas Coffman

Associate Professor Ashley St John secures suport from inaugural Tanoto Foundation Medical Research Fund

Associate Professor Ashley St John, leading a team of scientists from Duke-NUS’ Emerging Infectious Diseases Programme, has been granted a S$1 million award to investigate early childhood allergies. The project is one of three promising research projects awarded by the Tanoto Foundation Medical Research Fund, to propel it to the next stage.

St John, whose interest in allergies and how allergic reactions are triggered inspired her to become an immunologist, said: “Allergies are something that can greatly affect early life wellbeing and it’s an area where we need better treatments and interventions for children. The effects of allergies on children go beyond the immediate discomfort or attacks but can affect their sleep, learning, nutrition, and other aspects of childhood wellbeing.

“It always means a lot to have a project funded, but I think particularly knowing that the Tanoto Foundation saw the value of our project such that they were willing to give a donation gives a special feeling of encouragement.”

Professor Jerry Chan outlines the team’s project, on behalf of team lead Associate Professor Ashley St John // Credit: Courtesy of Joanne Lee, Duke-NUS

Professor Wang Hongan appointed Acting Director of Neuroscience and Behavioural Disorders Programme

In July 2024, Professor Wang Hongyan took on the mantle of Acting Director of the Neuroscience and Behavioural Disorders Programme, taking over from Professor Zhang Suchun, who continues his role as faculty member in the Programme, as well as helming the GK Goh Centre for Neuroscience as its founding Director. Wang has pioneered research on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying Drosophila neural stem cells’ division during brain development, thereby expanding our knowledge of neural stem cell biology. Her work has had broad implications in normal neuronal development, and associated pathological conditions. Among just a handful of scientists in Singapore, she is also the first woman from Singapore to be elected a European Molecular Biology Organisation Associate Member, a distinguished and life-long honour in recognition of her research excellence and outstanding accomplishments.

Professor Wang Hongyan // Credit: Duke-NUS Medical School

2024 National Day Awards honour Duke-NUS faculty and staff

Congratulations to the members of the Duke-NUS family who received top honours at the 2024 National Day Awards, showcasing their remarkable achievements and dedicated service to Singapore. Those receiving accolades this year include Duke-NUS Governing Board members: Mr Goh Yew Lin, Chairman, who received the Public Service Star (Bar) and Professor Ivy Ng, who received the Public Administration Medal (Gold)(Bar). In addition, Mr Hsieh Fu Hua, Chairman of the NUS Board of Trustees was honoured with the Distinguished Service Order, while NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

Joining them are recipients of the Public Service Star, Clinical Associate Professor Ang Seng Bin and Public Administration Gold Medal recipient Clinical Professor Lee Chien Earn.

Vice-Dean for Academic Medicine Clinical Associate Professor Chow Wan Cheng and Professor Alex Sia, Chief Executive Officer, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and Mr Ong Tze Ch’in, former Duke-NUS Governing Board member and Chief Executive of PUB, all received the Public Administration Medal (Silver).

In addition, several Duke-NUS staff and faculty received other awards, such as Ms Pauline Sim, Assistant Dean for Financial Planning & Services and Finance Director, who received the Public Administration Medal (Bronze), as well as Ms Juliana Binti Ali, Management Assistant Officer from the SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute who received the Long Service Medal. Congratulations!

The full list of recipients from the SingHealth Duke-NUS AMC can be found at: National Day Awards 2024 | Duke-NUS Medical School.

Professor Wang Linfa elected as Singapore National Academy of Science fellow

Professor Wang Linfa from the Emerging Infectious Diseases Programme at Duke-NUS has been unanimously elected to the Singapore National Academy of Science. The Academy attributes the election of Wang to “his pioneering work on bat-borne viruses and bat immunology, and his scientific leadership in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“It is a great honour to be elected to the Singapore National Academy of Science. I hope this will provide further motivation and encouragement for the next generation scientists working in infectious diseases and bat biology both in Singapore and globally.”
Prof Wang Linfa

Prof Wang Linfa // Credit: Duke-NUS Medical School

Compiled and edited by Tan Ruilin