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Thursday, 19 Oct, 2023
From small molecules to global networks: A symposium celebrating the life and science of Pat Casey
The 125-strong audience at the symposium included (front, L-R): University of Virgina Prof Mariano Garcia-Blanco; Directorate-General of the Life Science Division at the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Dr Veronika von Messling; Duke-NUS Senior Vice-Dean for Research Prof Patrick Tan, University of California San Francisco Prof Frank McCormick, Duke-NUS Senior Advisor Prof Patrick Casey, Duke-NUS Founding Dean Prof Sandy Williams and Duke-NUS Dean Prof Thomas Coffman
The atmosphere in the packed Duke-NUS amphitheatre was electric as speakers from all corners of the world readied for their presentations. They had all gathered for a specially curated symposium to celebrate the life and science of Duke-NUS former Senior Vice-Dean for Research, Professor Patrick Casey, held on 17 October.
“Today’s symposium is an appreciation of Pat’s leadership, his science, his guidance, his mentorship…,” said Professor David Virshup, Director of the Duke-NUS Programme in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, as he welcomed the audience to the event, which featured nine speakers representing the different phases of Prof Casey’s career.
Before the speakers took to the stage, a specially-produced video tribute by the Duke-NUS Communications team was played, which celebrated Prof Casey’s commitment and dedication to administrative excellence, scientific rigour and mentoring. The 125-strong audience retraced Prof Casey’s journey from Duke to Singapore as they heard from senior leaders, research faculty, as well as former students who shared how Prof Casey had personally touched their lives.
Prof David Virshup welcomes the audience to the symposium.
Kickstarting the series of talks was fellow cancer researcher Professor Frank McCormick from the University of California San Francisco, who alluded to the impact Prof Casey made in the field as he presented his research on a class of proteins Ras, which play a critical role in cancer development. “He was a pioneer in developing the whole idea of targeted therapy,” said Prof McCormick.
Prof McCormick delivers his talk
Assoc Prof Mei Wang-Casey was also one of the session chairs at the event
Prof Garcia-Blanco reminisces about his first meeting with Prof Casey
Alongside Prof McCormick, Prof Casey’s wife and long-time collaborator, Associate Professor Mei Wang-Casey from the Duke-NUS Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Programme, also spoke about the group’s progress in deciphering the mechanisms of a unique enzyme, isoprenylcysteine carboxylmethyltransferase implicated in the formation of certain cancers and drug resistance.
But it was not just Prof Casey’s research accomplishments that stood out to the people he met, but his vision, foresight and mentoring skills.
Drawing reference to the culture of innovation at the School, Director of Duke-NUS’ Centre for Computational Biology Associate Professor Enrico Pettreto described Prof Casey as a strong advocate of innovation. “There is a big push to take a discovery and see whether you can commercialise it and translate these findings to the clinic,” added Assoc Prof Pettreto, who elaborated on his plans to develop a small molecule to inhibit a gene causing excessive scarring in the heart.
“He had what it takes to be a scientist leader,” noted Professor Mariano Garcia-Blanco from the University of Virginia, who first met Prof Casey in 1990 when they were both setting up their offices and labs at Duke. “Our doors were next to each other, and we would discuss science and the philosophy of science…In at least two stages of my career, his influence as an informal mentor was absolutely critical for me and for that I’m immensely grateful.”
Dr Frank Zhang speaking at the event
Recounting how their paths had crossed over the years before eventually converging at Duke, Director of the Duke Molecular Physiology Institute Professor Christopher Newgard, who has known Prof Casey for 36 years shared his first impression of him: “I realised that this was a really smart guy and I knew he was going to go places.”
The audience also heard from Prof Casey’s former students, who spoke about how they had benefited from his guidance, putting them on different career trajectories. First to graduate from Prof Casey’s lab was Dr Frank Zhang, who is now Chairman of the Board at Legend Biotech Corporation. Choosing to embrace entrepreneurship instead, Dr Zhang shared his key learnings and experiences in his journey to becoming a founder of a biotech company.
He was joined by University of Iowa Assistant Professor Rainbo Hultman, who was also Prof Casey’s last graduate student, as she spoke about her research focused on developing precision medicine for brain disorders. “I am so incredibly honoured to be here, and to be part of the lineage of Patrick Casey,” added Asst Prof Hultman.
Echoing the same sentiments, Professor Wang Hongyan who was personally recruited by Prof Casey to join Duke-NUS’ Neuroscience & Behavioural Disorders Programme expressed her gratitude to him at the event. “I really like to thank Pat for all the guidance and support you have given me; without which, my trajectory would have been different,” said Prof Wang, who is now deputy director of the Programme.
Rounding up the series of talks was Senior Vice-Dean for Research Professor Patrick Tan who also thanked Prof Casey for his mentorship and commended him for his vision. Recalling Prof Casey’s role in establishing the Duke-NUS Genome Biology Facility, he said: “Pat and Sandy Williams actually took a bet on the request that I made…to build a small facility that could offer genomics services to the community.”
“I think that this was very prescient because having these capabilities allowed the School to go a bit ahead of the curve,” added Prof Tan, as he pointed out the School’s success in repurposing the machines for COVID-related research during the pandemic which had led to many impactful discoveries.
Before the symposium drew to a close, Dean Professor Thomas Coffman delivered his closing remarks, pointing out two key contributions from Prof Casey. “He really brought the best of Duke to Duke-NUS,” said Dean Coffman before emphasising Prof Casey’s efforts in promoting commercialisation and innovation at the School to transform medicine and improve lives. “You’re an amazing guy who’s really made incredible contributions to not only Duke-NUS, but to Duke and every institution you’ve touched,” he concluded.
Prof Wang Hongyan (first left), and Assoc Prof Enrico Pettreto (second from left) were two of the nine speakers at the symposium.
Dean Coffman delivers his closing remarks