Mission to Transform Skin Science - Asst. Prof. Baptiste Janela

For Assistant Professor Baptiste Janela, understanding skin isn't just about biology; it's about integration. Trained in cell biology, physiology, and skin immunology in France, his journey took him to Singapore to explore a broader research horizon. After completing his PhD at University Paris Diderot and a postdoctoral fellowship at A*STAR’s Singapore Immunology Network, Asst Prof Janela found a rare opportunity to bridge fundamental science with translational medicine.

A Scientist Without Borders

In 2019, he joined the Skin Research Institute of Singapore (SRIS) as an independent investigator, and in 2023, became faculty at Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore), Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine. His research group now focuses on decoding immune mechanisms in skin disease, creating in vitro skin models, and discovering new therapeutic pathways. At the core of his mission is the belief that science needs fewer silos and more synergy.  

 

Why SRIS Matters?

SRIS became the place where this vision could flourish. Asst Prof Janela was drawn by its rare interdisciplinary environment where biologists, immunologists, engineers, clinicians, and industry partners work together under one roof. “SRIS”, he explains, “isn’t just a building. It’s an ecosystem. A place where translational thinking is second nature, and collaboration is the default. Nature doesn’t draw lines between biology, chemistry, or physics. So why should we?” he asks. 

At SRIS, Asst Prof Janela found more than colleagues; he found co-creators. Clinicians brought real-world problems into the lab, while engineers offered solutions that could be built and tested. The partnership born out of A*STAR, NTU Singapore, and NHG Health - SRIS created a seamless pathway from hypothesis to application.

 

Breakthroughs with Broad Impact

With SRIS’s support, Asst Prof Janela led the immunology segment of a national skin ageing research initiative involving a broad team of scientists and clinicians. His group contributed critical insights into how immune changes affect skin health over time, paving the way for targeted interventions in ageing populations. His lab has also tackled rare genetic disorders, severe drug hypersensitivity, acne and autoimmune bullous diseases; areas often underfunded or overlooked. Through collaborations with dermatologists and molecular biologists, his team identified new immune targets that are now being explored for therapeutic development. Working with engineers, they developed innovative in-vitro platforms that mimic human skin, enabling drug testing and disease modelling with unprecedented precision. These technologies are already informing new treatment strategies for inflammatory and immune-mediated conditions.

In parallel, his partnerships with global industry players like L’Oréal, Evonik, and P&G have translated academic findings into real-world solutions, including skincare innovations and advanced diagnostics. These cross-sector collaborations exemplify SRIS’s role as a launchpad for applied science.

 

Community, Leadership, and Recognition

Beyond the bench, SRIS also provided Asst Prof Janela with opportunities to shape the research community. As Vice President of the Skin Research Society of Singapore, he has helped elevate its annual conference to an international platform, drawing top scientists from around the world and positioning Singapore as a hub for skin science. He’s also deeply involved in mentoring young scientists, offering guidance and encouragement to the next generation of clinician-researchers and biomedical investigators.