Duke-NUS PhD students take centre stage at research symposium

A sense of excitement and eager anticipation emanated from the more than 100 students, researchers and faculty who gathered in Duke-NUS’ Amphitheatre on 24 October for the Duke-NUS PhD Student Research Symposium, which returned after a three-year hiatus due to pandemic restrictions.

The annual symposium provides a platform for students to showcase their research, and learn from experienced professionals and peers while fostering an environment of collaboration, knowledge sharing and personal growth. This edition featured two keynote speeches by invited guests as well as student oral presentations, which saw 12 Duke-NUS PhD students take to the stage to present their research.

Opening the event, Professor Patrick Tan, Duke-NUS Senior Vice-Dean for Research, shared his insights on navigating a career in research—from pitching research projects at oral presentations to building resilience from the peer review process.

Addressing the graduate students in the audience, Prof Tan emphasised the importance of developing professional competencies alongside the pursuit of research excellence.

“Think beyond your PhD project and plan for your own success, by staying invested in your holistic development,” he said, encouraging students to make use of available career development resources and programmes. He also urged them to focus on self-care and to find joy in celebrating small findings along the way.

Professor Patrick Tan delivers his opening address

After Prof Tan’s address, it was time for the first scientific talk of the session. Professor Marcia Haigis, the first of two keynote speakers, spoke about how changes in the body’s metabolism impact health and ageing. As a nod to the event’s theme of celebrating student research, Prof Haigis, a distinguished faculty in the department of cell biology at Harvard Medical School, also shared the latest research from her PhD students on understanding the role of metabolites in cancer, that could potentially lead to new avenues for patient management.

Students had the opportunity to network with faculty and peers at the symposium

Next to address the audience was Professor Lim Kah-Leong, Nanyang Technological University Associate Vice-President for Biomedical & Life Sciences and Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine’s Vice-Dean for Research who delivered the second keynote address. A seasoned researcher in Parkinson’s disease, Prof Lim gave an update about his group’s breakthrough in using human umbilical cord lining cells as a potential regenerative medicine treatment for the disease. If successful, these cells could serve as a universal source for other regenerative therapies.

Then it was time for the PhD students to shine as they stepped up present their research. Tasked to interest, educate and inform their audience about their research in just 5 minutes, students delivered ‘lightning’ talks on topics that spanned from clinical applications of machine learning to understanding caregivers’ impact on end-of-life preferences for advanced cancer patients--reflecting the diversity and breath of research from the School’s five signature research programmes. The students also took part in e-poster presentations held just prior to the main event with 37 presenting their posters in-person at the Duke-NUS Atrium.

After rounds of invigorating presentations, the students waited with baited breath as the winners of the Best Oral Presentation Award were announced. But that was not the only news they looked forward to, as the winners for the top six posters were also revealed that day.

One of the poster presentation judges noted that “the students gave very clear and succinct explanations of their work. It was a tough decision on the score card”, commending them for the quality of their research as well as presentations.

Miss He Menglan, a fourth-year MD-PhD student clinched the top prize for Best Oral Presentation. “To be able to give a ‘lightning talk’ on my project was a good opportunity for me to practise effective communication. Winning the award is recognition that I can communicate my research project in a succinct, understandable, and compelling way”, said Miss He, who is working on her PhD project under the supervision of Professor David Silver from the Duke-NUS Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Programme.

Miss Amudha Aravindhan, a second-year PhD student from Professor Ecosse Lamoureu’s lab in Duke-NUS’ Health Services and Systems Research Programme took home the award for first runner-up in the Best Oral Presentation category.

“This is my first talk since I started my PhD, and receiving this award is very encouraging, and justifies the time and effort that went into it,” said Miss Amudha.

But it wasn’t just the winners who left feeling accomplished. The organising committee, comprising the PhD Student Council and Graduate Studies team, also benefitted, enhancing their organisational skills and teamwork, which had earned them a number of compliments from the speakers.

“The highlight of the event was working with the team and benefiting from different perspectives that each member brought”, said Council Member Miss Vania Teoh a second-year PhD student.

Delivering her closing remarks, Associate Professor Silke Vogel, Senior Associate Dean of Graduate Studies emphasised the value of creating a supportive community for PhD students, to which opportunities for professional growth, mentorship and skill refinement are critical.

She also took a moment to acknowledge the dedicated efforts of the PhD Student Council and Graduate Studies team in organising the event: “The Student Council brought incredible energy, organisational skills and collaborative spirit to the event.”

All smiles as the winners of the Best Oral Presentation and Best Poster Award pose for a group photo together

PhD Student Symposium 2023 - after a 3 year hiatus

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Duke-NUS PhD students take centre stage at research symposium

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