Highlights

Chairman of A*STAR Science and Engineering Research Council to relocate to Singapore

Professor Charles Zukoski, Chairman of the Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) of the Singapore Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), will relocate with his family to Singapore from 7 Aug 2008. He will spend more time in A*STAR while keeping his links with the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), where he is the William and Janet Lycan Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, in the School of Chemical Sciences.

Under Prof Zukoski’s excellent leadership of SERC, of which he has been Chairman since 1 Feb 2005, SERC has launched major initiatives such as the Energy Programme, the Aerospace Programme, and established international partnerships with top universities, research centres and the industry.

Prof Zukoski will focus on promoting integration of research areas to catalyse knowledge creation, strengthen research collaboration with industry and identify emerging areas of growth, and build up international linkages with other renowned centres of research in areas of strategic interests.

Said Mr Lim Chuan Poh, Chairman, A*STAR, “We welcome Chip (Prof Zukoski) and his family to Singapore. I am happy that he will be spending more time here just when the research institutes of the Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) are moving into Fusionopolis. The physical move to Fusionopolis provides the impetus for SERC to take a fundamental relook at how they are organised to do impactful research. At the same time, the physical proximity between Fusionopolis and Biopolis brings together a whole spectrum of research capabilities spanning biomedical to engineering science that will vastly expand the knowledge creation and innovation space. This is truly a unique opportunity for SERC, BMRC and A*STAR to evolve a more integrated approach to research that will be beneficial to Singapore's economy and the society. Chip’s increased commitment to Singapore will make a difference to our realising this goal.“

“My family and I are excited to be spending more time in Singapore. With the opening of the Fusionopolis in October and its expansion in 2010, SERC faces enormous challenges to build on a strong history to continue delivering science, technology and research to expand the Singapore economy. The challenges and opportunities are tremendously exciting and I look forward to working with the A*STAR team to meet these challenges”, said Prof Zukoski.

Prior to his relocation to Singapore, Prof Zukoski was concurrently the Vice-Chancellor for Research at UIUC and the Chairman of SERC. He has been conferred the American Chemistry Society Ralph K. Iler Award in the Chemistry of Colloidal Materials and the Alpha Chi Sigma Award from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers in 2002. He is also a member of the US National Academy of Engineering.

Dr Lisa Ng from SIgN A*STAR has won the coveted ASEAN Young Scientist and Technologist Award 2008!

The award was presented by Philippines President Gloria Arroyo this morning at the opening of the ASEAN Science & Technology Exhibition in Manila. The ceremony was witnessed by Singapore Senior Minister of State S Iswaran, the Singapore Ambassador to the Philippines Ms Lim Kheng Hua, and ED SERC Prof Chong Tow Chong.

Lisa was chosen by the ASEAN Panel of Judges (Singapore represented by Prof Chan Eng Soon, Dean of Engineering NUS), for her devoted research and development on Infectious Diseases, specifically on her work on the development of diagnostic kits for the SAR-CoV and Avian Influenza H5N1 viruses.

The other award presented at the ceremony was the ASEAN Outstanding Scientist and Technologist Award 2008. It went to Dr Caesar A Saloma, Dean of the College of Science at the University of the Philippines Diliman.

Our heartiest congratulations to Lisa on winning the award.

Prof Jackie Y. Ying wins the 2008 Singapore Women's Weekly Great Women of Our Time Award

IBN Executive Director Prof Jackie Y. Ying has won the 2008 Great Woman of Our Time Award for Science and Technology by the Singapore Women's Weekly. The 3rd Great Women of Our Time Awards are an initiative to celebrate the achievements of outstanding women in Singapore. The Awards seek to recognize excellence, performance and leadership in 6 categories; Arts and Media; Finance and Commerce; Education and Public Service; Science and Technology; Health, Sports and Wellness; and Design and Style. Prof Ying was among the 6 category award winners from a total of 18 outstanding achievers in their professions and leaders in their fields who were nominated as finalists for the Awards. She received her award from Dr Amy Khor, Mayor, South-West District and Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources at the awards presentation ceremony on May 30th, 2008. Prof Ying shared, "It is an honor to receive this award. I hope it will encourage more women to pursue scientific research, which has a tremendous potential to make a lasting impact on society. I would like to share this recognition with the dedicated staff and students at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology. We hope to tackle more challenges in multidisciplinary research, and make a difference through novel medical and biological technologies."

A*Star Welcomes Professor Tan Eng Chye To The A*Star Board

A*STAR is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Tan Eng Chye to the A*STAR Board with effect from 1 June 2008.

Prof Tan is the Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost of the National University of Singapore (NUS). In this capacity, he oversees and drives strategic initiatives of critical importance for NUS. His responsibilities include proposing the budget and resource allocation plan for the academic cluster, overseeing NUS Deans and their Faculties/Schools, providing strategic directions and setting academic policies. He also has oversight of the development and implementation of new educational programmes and initiatives; and is responsible for educational quality assurance, overseeing admission policies and processes to ensure best quality enrolments. Prof Tan is also responsible for the appointment, promotion and tenure process, and the reward and incentive systems for academic staff.

Since he joined NUS as a faculty member of the Department of Mathematics in 1989, Prof Tan has held numerous positions of administrative leadership at the NUS Faculty and Department levels. He was Dean of Science from June 2003 to March 2007; Chairman of Faculty Promotion and Tenure Committee from July 2001 to June 2003; Vice-Dean (Academic Affairs) of the Faculty of Science from July 1999 to June 2003; and Sub-Dean of Faculty of Science from July 1994 to August 1996 and from July 1998 to June 1999. He was also Deputy Head of the Department of Mathematics from July 1999 to June 2000.

Prof Tan initiated the Special Programme in Science in 1996, which was the precursor of NUS’ Talent Development Programme. The programme was later re-structured as the current University Scholars Programme. A passionate teacher, Prof Tan has won several teaching awards at the University and Faculty level. He was awarded the Innovative Teaching Award 1998 by the Faculty of Science; the Teaching Excellence Award for Innovative Teaching 1998 by the University; the Faculty Teaching Excellence Award 2004/2005; and the University Teaching Excellence Award 2004/2005.

Active in promoting mathematics and mathematics education, Prof Tan established the Singapore Mathematical Society Enrichment Programmes in 1994, revamped the Singapore Mathematical Olympiads in 1995 to allow more participation from students, as well as conducted a series of workshops on the teaching of mathematics projects to teachers. He also served as President of the Society from 2001 to 2005, and was also President of the South East Asian Mathematical Society from 2004 to 2005.

His research interests are Representation Theory of Lie Groups and Lie Algebras, and Invariant Theory and Algebraic Combinatorics. He has co-authored three books on mathematics, including a graduate text on the Lie group SL(2,R). He has also published many articles in top internationally-refereed journals and conference proceedings. Prof Tan has visiting positions at various universities overseas and has been invited to speak in numerous top conferences overseas. He has also been active in organising workshops and international conferences, the most notable one being the recent Fourth Asian Mathematical Conference held at NUS in July 2005.

Prof Tan obtained his Bachelor in Mathematics (First Class Honours, 1985) at NUS and his PhD (1989) at Yale University.

Click here for press release on the appointment.

Biopolis Phase III groundbreaking

The Biopolis Phase III groundbreaking ceremony on 2 April 2008 marks yet another significant milestone for Biopolis and the Biomedical Sciences industry in Singapore. When completed at the end of 2009, the two buildings in Phase III will house private and public research institutes, incubator research activities, translational and clinical research centres and medical technology research centres. The ceremony, graced by Mr Lim Chuan Poh, Chairman A*STAR, was attended by close to 150 guests from government agencies, research institutes and corporations.

Click here for GOH's speech.

A*STAR CROSS COUNCIL OFFICE

Across the scientific world, there is an increasing trend of conducting multidisciplinary research which takes place at the edges of traditional disciplines and across traditional boundaries. Multidisciplinary research helps to transfer concepts and skills across these divisions and fosters the sort of creative environment to stimulate major breakthroughs.

The Cross Council Office is a bridge between BMRC and SERC, and provides researchers with an interaction platform and resources to catalyse and develop new areas of research. The mission of CCO is to promote and support multidisciplinary collaborations between biomedical, physical sciences and engineering researchers in A*STAR so as to create new scientific opportunities and technologies.

Click here to find out more.

Upcoming events

31st March 2008 – Call for Workshops

 

Upfront and Personal with Prof Lee Eng Hin

 

 

Minister for Health Khaw Boon Wan (left) and Prof. Lee Eng Hin (right) at the National Medical Excellence Awards Ceremony on 26 March 2008.

Professor Lee Eng Hin, Executive Director of Biomedical Research Council, is one of only two recipients of the inaugural National Outstanding Clinician Mentor Award 2008. This prestigious award is given in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the healthcare industry, specifically in the areas of training young clinicians as well as fostering a conducive clinical and research environment.

Prof Lee was presented the prestigious award by Minister for Health Khaw Boon Wan on Wednesday, 26 Mar 2008.

Joshua Woo managed to speak to Prof Lee on his thoughts on winning the award and his views on teaching and mentoring.


Clinician Mentor par excellence

JW: Prof Lee, could you share with us your thoughts on receiving the inaugural National Outstanding Clinician Mentor Award?
 
Prof. Lee: I am deeply honoured and humbled by this award. The reason I joined the university after I finished my orthopaedic training was so that I could teach and do research in addition to treating patients. I have always had a passion for teaching and over the years have found much satisfaction in being able to mentor many young clinicians and guide them towards a career of caring for patients as well as teaching and research.
JW: Dr James Hui, Senior Consultant at NUH Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery, Paediatric Orthopaedics, has this to say of you: "I am fortunate to have been taught by Prof Lee, and to have worked under him. He is a mild mannered, gentle but confident person, and the best mentor one could ever have. He wants the best for his mentees. I was lucky as an MO to have Prof Lee as my mentor. Prof Lee knows the international research community's expectations and guided me during the time I was doing my first clinical research. His advice helped me publish my research work in an international journal."
Another of your mentees, Dr Andrew Dutton from NUH Orthopaedics, has this to say of you: “Prof Lee is very approachable and patient, and ensures that he gives you his full attention. He never seems busy even though in actual fact he is when he is talking to you. He teaches in a very methodical way and he takes time to ensure that you understand what the key lesson is. Prof Lee teaches all levels – from medical students to orthopaedic surgeons – and he is able to convey what is relevant and required by the student”.

Prof Lee, these glowing views from two of your mentees speak volumes of your success as a mentor. What, in your opinion, are the attributes of a good mentor?
Prof. Lee: I think all of us who practice medicine have the opportunity to mentor our young doctors. However, to do it well requires the added passion and desire to nurture the young as well as the patience and time to do so. It is important to lead by example and "walk the talk".
JW: Prof Lee, you are running clinics both at NUH and KK Hospitals; you have teaching commitments in the university; you conduct biomedical research; sit on various committees overseeing medical education; and are also actively involved in social work, particularly with the Rainbow Centre. And, on top of everything, you are also the Executive Director of the Biomedical Research Council.
Looking at your commitments and responsibilities, I get a sense that you are constantly shuttling between clinics, operating theatres, the lab bench and your office. How do you find time in your busy schedule to continue with mentoring. What is your motivation?
Prof. Lee: I am happiest when I am busy working. I sometimes wonder what I would do if I have to retire – I hope it won't happen. I am very grateful that I have been given so many opportunities to serve the people of Singapore. Mentoring is often done while "on-the-job" but one has to manage time very well as there will be occasions when a one-on-one session is necessary to guide the mentee. I think one of the most rewarding aspects is to be able to share in the successes of my mentees, and know that I have done my best to pass on some of my knowledge and skills to the next generation.
JW: In an interview with Knowledge Enterprise NUS last year, you were quoted as saying that one of your most rewarding experiences was “nurturing protégés who have gone on to excel in laboratories both in the East and the West”.
Who might some of these “protégés” be? How would you describe your relationship with them? How did they inspire you to nurture them and what inspired you to nurture them so well?
Prof. Lee: Yes, over the years I have had opportunities to shape the careers of many bright young men and women. Many of them have won national and international research awards and have continued to mix practice with research in their careers. Some of them have been able to secure positions in prestigious universities in USA and many have gone back to head laboratories in their own countries such as China, India and Malaysia.
JW: Broadly speaking, do you think there is enough emphasis on “mentoring” currently in Singapore – especially among clinicians and scientists? Do you think anything else needs to be done to further strengthen the mentoring framework?
Prof. Lee: I know that the young clinicians are all working extremely hard in the hospitals and clinics treating the sick. It is important to allow them to have time to think and to have the opportunity to mentor. I think most of our clinicians would like to teach their younger colleagues but their desire to do so may be overcome by the constraints of time and the lure of earning more income by seeing patients. This is why we are now looking at giving "protected time" for clinicians to do research and to balance their income such that they will not be disadvantaged if they spend less time seeing patients.
JW: Could you share with us some of the decisions you made in your capacity as chair of the various continuing medical education committees that has made an impact on medical education here in Singapore?
Prof. Lee: In addition to overseeing the revision of the medical school curriculum, I was able to put in place a more rigorous specialist training programme for all the specialties in Singapore with the support of the Joint Committee on Specialist Training and the Specialist Accreditation Board. As Chair of the coordinating Committee for Continuing Medical Education, Singapore Medical Council, I have been able to ensure that all our doctors in Singapore continually upgrade their knowledge and skills and remain relevant in their practice.
JW: Did you have a mentor/role model in your training years or early career? Or has anyone helped made you the successful person you are today?
Prof. Lee: Yes, I was very fortunate in my medical school days in Canada to have a wonderful mentor, Professor Donald Bondy, who helped to shape my thoughts and career. During my orthopaedic training I had good research mentors as well an excellent paediatric orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Norris Carroll, who inspired me a lot.
A well-rounded life
JW: We understand that besides your work, you are heavily involved in social work, particularly in your work with disabled children. You have been working with the Seating for Severely Disabled Children as early as 1984. You’ve also set up Margaret Drive Special School in 1987 and have served as President of Rainbow Centre. Could you share with us what motivated you to be so actively engaged in this cause?
Prof. Lee: When I came back to Singapore in the early 1980's, I saw that there was a lot to be done for disabled children. As a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon I was exposed to these children and so I took the opportunity to get more involved. Subsequently I was asked by the National Council of Social Services to help them develop many new services for these children and this has led to my involvement with many new programmes and initiatives, including helping to craft the Enabling Masterplan for the Disabled for the next five years with the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports.
Moving forward
JW: A*STAR is known for its culture of collaboration among scientists – both the young and the very experienced. Moving forward, could you share with us your thoughts on nurturing the next generation of researchers/scientists at A*STAR?
Prof. Lee: One of the most important aspects of nurturing is to have the right environment as well as the right people to mentor these young scientists. Every year there will be many A*STAR scholars returning after completing their PhDs overseas. I hope we can put in place a system to assimilate and integrate them into our research institutes and provide them with a fertile environment with good mentorship so that they can excel in their research.
JW: Do you have any words of advice or encouragement for scientists/clinicians who aspire to mentor and train the next generation?
Prof. Lee: "Let your heart guide you" and "Lead by example". These are two crucial components. Mentoring comes from within – one has to have the passion and desire to do so and it is important to set aside some time for the mentees.