Highlights

SCIENCE names A*STAR Chairman, Mr Lim Chuan Poh, as among “People to Watch in 2009”


 
Mr Lim Chuan Poh, Chairman of A*STAR, has been named among the “People to Watch in 2009” by the prestigious SCIENCE magazine.
 
In its annual review of top personalities to watch for the coming year (Volume 323, 2 January 2009), SCIENCE notes the recently opened Fusionopolis that is Singapore’s icon for public and private research in interactive media, physical sciences, engineering, and technology. The magazine says that the challenge for Mr Lim is to help “Singapore make a name for itself in information technologies and engineering the way it has in biomedical research”.
 
Commenting on being recognised by SCIENCE, Mr Lim says that it signifies the “continued excitement and buzz of R&D activities and growth in Singapore”. He adds that building up R&D is a strategic priority for Singapore.  Biopolis and Fusionopolis, along with the significant step-up in R&D activities in Singapore’s tertiary institutions, hospitals and industries, are creating many new and exciting opportunities for knowledge creation, innovation, and international participation and partnerships.  

Looking to 2009, Mr Lim says that Singapore will stay the course in its R&D investments. He notes that this was highlighted by Mr Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore’s Prime Minister, at the official opening of Fusionopolis in October 2008.
 
’’Against the backdrop of the global financial crisis, steady and sustained investments in R&D will differentiate us from other R&D hubs.  This approach will make us a lot more attractive as an R&D partner, be it with other R&D organisations or with corporate R&D outfits.  For the same reason, these steady and sustained investments will make Singapore a lot more attractive to scientific talent, be they international talent or Singaporean talent that are currently working overseas,” adds Mr Lim. 
 
Other personalities in the list include Paul Drayson, UK’s new science minister, Lisa Jackson who was appointed recently to head US Environmental Protection Agency, as well as Drew Faust and Susan Hockfield, who heads Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) respectively at a time when university endowments are decreasing amid the gloomy economy outlook.

A*STAR researchers play major role in local stem cell community

 
 
Guest-of-Honour Prof Lee Eng Hin, ED of BMRC, unveiling a commemorative plaque at the launch of the Stem Cell Society
 
The Stem Cell Society, Singapore was officially inaugurated today by its first President, Dr Lim Sai Kiang of the Institute of Medical Biology (IMB), A*STAR. Prof Lee Eng Hin, who is Executive Director of the Biomedical Research Council, A*STAR, was Guest-of-Honour. 

In addition to bringing together researchers, clinicians, health professionals and companies interested in stem cell research and development, the Stem Cell Society also aims to act as a public resource platform, providing information about stem cells to lay persons.  

A*STAR scientists are active members of the Society, which holds regular monthly meetings on academic research, clinical and technical aspects of stem cell research. Office-bearers of the Society include BTI researcher Dr Andre Choo, IMB researchers Drs Gerald Udolph, Sohail Ahmed and Robert Zweigerdt, BII researcher Dr Vivek Tanavde as well as GIS researchers Drs Paul Robson, Tara Huber, Ng Huck Hui and Larry Stanton.

A*STAR & Nitto Denko embark on organic electronic R&D @ Fusionopolis



Nitto Denko opened its R&D centre at Fusionopolis on 26 November 2008. The opening ceremony was officiated by Mr Lim Chuan Poh, the Chairman of A*STAR.

The centre, called the Nitto Denko Asia Technical Centre, focuses on organics electronics, making it the first company in Singapore to spearhead R&D in integrated organic electronics. Singapore is also Nitto Denko’s only R&D location in Asia outside of Japan. The company will pump in an initial investment of S$10 million over three years into the centre, along with a staff strength of 20-25 personnel.

“Nitto Denko’s decision to beef up R&D here underscores Singapore’s growth as a science, technology and research hub,” said Dr Yasuo Ninomiya, Chief Technology Officer at Nitto Denko Corporation. NAT will focus on organic optoelectronics sensor devices with multiple potential applications in healthcare, electronics and environment-related industries.

The choice to situate NAT at Fusionopolis was a strategic decision to enable the centre to tap the rich expertise in physical science and engineering available at Fusionopolis, as well as the biomedical research expertise at the nearby Biopolis.

At the opening ceremony, Nitto Denko inked agreements with A*STAR Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*STAR Data Storage Institute and the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to embark on three separate and concurrent research projects on the development of novel organic electronic sensing devices.

IMRE brings its capabilities to develop better and more cost-effective materials to the partnership. Last year, it achieved a technological breakthrough by creating a barrier film that was 1,000 times more impervious to moisture than existing films.

DSI brings its expertise in complex numerical and experimental vibration analysis, which is an important capability to create highly-sensitive sensor devices to the partnership.

NTU offers the capabilities to jointly develop biophotonic sensors.

At the opening ceremony, Mr Lim welcomed Nitto Denko to join A*STAR in realising the vision of Fusionopolis. He was heartened that the company has already started exploring other collaborations, including with A*STAR Institute of Infocomm Research and A*STAR Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology.

Click here for speech by Mr Lim Chuan Poh, Chairman of A*STAR.

Prof Edison Liu elected as EMBO Associate Member

Congratulations to Prof Edison Liu, founding Executive Director of A*STAR's Genome Institute of Singapore, on joining the ranks of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) as an Associate (Foreign) Member.  This prestigious membership recognises the efforts of outstanding researchers who have contributed significantlly to advancing molecular life sciences.  Of the 1360 EMBO members elected since its inception in 1964, only 87 are Associate members who are from foreign countries.  Associate members of EMBO are located in: United States (mainly), Australia,  Brazil,  Canada, China,  India,  Japan, and Russia. Dr. Liu is the first associate member from Singapore. 

Said Prof Liu, "It is an honor and privilege for me to have been elected into the EMBO.  It is an acknowledgment of the advances in biomedicine that we have made in Singapore to be so recognized. "
Prof Liu is widely credited with having markedly improved scientific understanding of the molecular biology of breast cancer and for his work in advancing systems biomedicine.

Congratulations to Dr Lim Khiang Wee, Executive Director of the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, (IMRE) on becoming a Singapore citizen and to Dr Keith Carpenter, Executive Director of the Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences (ICES), on becoming a Singapore Permanent Resident. 

 
The citizen and the permanent resident…
 
 
Dr Lim Khiang Wee Dr Keith Carpenter
 
The Citizen

Dr Lim Khiang Wee, the Executive Director of IMRE since Oct 2004, holds concurrent appointments as the Programme Director of Research at the Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) and the Programme Director for A*STAR’s International Graduate Award. 

His association with A*STAR began in Jan 2001, when he was appointed a full-time Director of SERC, and went ahead to create and lead a group that eventually became a founding part of the Institute of Chemical & Engineering Sciences (ICES).  From 2002 to 2004, he was also concurrently the Executive Director of the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech). He was also the Deputy Executive Director of SERC from Oct 2004 – Mar 2007.  

Dr Lim has also held academic appointments at the National University of Singapore and the University of New South Wales in Sydney. He serves on editorial and advisory boards of academic journals, and has consulted for industry.

Said Dr Lim, "I have felt at home in Singapore since I first came here as a junior college student. In the itinerant years since, Singapore has been a beacon to which I have returned again and again. It was the realisation one day earlier this year, that the cumulative duration of my professional life in Singapore now exceeds that of all other places combined, that galvanised me (with some embarrassment at not being able to answer, "What took you so long?") into putting together a citizenship application.  I am delighted to finally be a citizen".

The Permanent Resident

Dr Keith Carpenter came to Singapore from the United Kingdom in 2002 as the Executive Director of ICES. Under his leadership, the institute has grown rapidly, having established world leading laboratories, pilot facilities, and the necessary infrastructure to carry out a world class research programme in chemistry and chemical engineering sciences. ICES is now equipped with world-class facilities to conduct high quality R & D work spanning the research spectrum, from fundamental to applied research.

Dr Carpenter said, ”Singapore is an exciting and dynamic place to live and work.  For a scientist, it is an ideal location where science and technology are valued and supported. The pace of life can be fast and challenging, but always invigorating. 

“As a single parent of a teenager I have also been very appreciative of the secure environment where we have freedom to go anywhere without worry or concern over personal safety. It's beautiful and green, secure but exciting.

“ICES was born in 2002.  Looking back, I find our achievements since then remarkable as a measure of the fantastic support from government and from industry. We have built world class facilities, brought high quality researchers from around the world, recruited and developed local talent, and made many significant inventions as well as helping industry by resolving more immediate manufacturing problems.”

 

Congratulations to Professor Paola Ricciardi-Castagnoli on being elected into Leopoldina, the world’s oldest academy for medicine and traditional sciences 

Professor Paola Ricciardi-Castagnoli, Scientific Director of the Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), A*STAR, is among the 47 scientists this year who have been conferred membership to the German Academy for Sciences Leopoldina. Leopoldina is the world’s oldest academy for medicine and traditional sciences. Its chief mission is to promote science, through interdisciplinary deliberations of scientific insights and its dissemination. 

A highly-respected scientist in the field of immunology, Prof Ricciardi-Castagnoli is best known for her research on dendritic cells.  Her scientific contributions not only include basic research findings in immunology but extend to discoveries which have been translated into clinical research and therapies. 

Said Prof. Ricciardi-Castagnoli: “I am very honored to become a member of the German Academy of Science Leopoldina.  For more than 350 years, the Academy has adhered to the principle that its members should advance human scientific knowledge beyond the limits of subjects and countries.  I fully agree with this principle and I strongly believe that the scientific community is one without boundaries”.  

Professor Philippe Kourilsky, Chairman of SIgN, added, “Being connected to Leopoldina complements SIgN’s aim of building a dynamic, exciting and collaborative research environment, encouraging the exchange of ideas and expertise, and contributing to the active advancement of immunology research worldwide”.

 

A*STAR Scholar receives Certificate of Merit at prestigious Computational Science Conference


Mr Wu Yan (1st from left) with his colleagues at IHPC's 2007 Annual Dinner celebration
 
Congratulations to Mr Wu Yan, an NSS (PhD) scholar with the Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), who was awarded a Certificate of Merit for The 2008 International Conference of Data Mining and Knowledge Engineering for his paper entitled ‘Detect Climate Factors Contributing to Dengue Outbreak based on Wavelet, Support Vector Machines and Genetic Algorithms’ by the International Association of Engineers.
 
The paper was one out of 591 papers accepted (Acceptance rate: 57.43%) at The World Congress on Engineering (WCE) 2008.  Mr Wu Yan’s paper  was ranked among the top ten percent of papers selected and has also been invited to be part of an edited book, titled “Advances in Electrical Engineering and Computational Science” to be published by Springer for WCE 2008.
 
Wu Yan, who collaborated with his fellow researchers during his one-year Research Attachment on the paper, is currently pursuing his PhD on Computational Neuroscience at Imperial College in London.

A*STAR and Leaders in Automotive Industry Form Consortium to Conduct Pre-Competitive R&D



Bosch, Dou Yee, Infineon and Th!nk Global, major players of the global automotive industry from Germany, Norway and Singapore, joined A*STAR to form the A*STAR Capabilities for Automotive Research (A*CAR) consortium on 30 Sep 08. They also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with A*STAR for research in areas such as car communications, infotainment and manufacturing processes. The newly formed A*CAR Consortium aims to drive technological advancement and innovation in the automotive sector in Singapore.

The A*CAR Consortium will be able to tap the diverse and multi-disciplinary research capabilities, scientific infrastructure and resources in the seven research institutes of A*STAR’s Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) to conduct pre-competitivebasic and applied research work. It aims to address technological challenges in five key areas, namely: Car Communications & Safety; Connected Car & Infotainment; Electronics; Precision Engineering and Materials; and Alternative Energy.  
 
Said Mr Lim Chuan Poh, Chairman, A*STAR, who launched the A*CAR Consortium at the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech), “The A*CAR consortium is a step in the right direction. In bringing the industry and the research community together in collaborative automotive research for technological advancement and innovation, A*CAR will strengthen the local supplier industry with continuing technological infusion and contribute to enhance Singapore’s global competitiveness in the automotive industry.”

Keystone Symposium on Stem Cells, Cancer and Aging

The Keystone Symposium on “Stem Cells, Cancer and Aging” will be held at the Raffles Convention Centre, Singapore, from 29 Sep to 4 Oct 2008. Organised by Keystone Symposia in collaboration with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), International Society of Differentiation (ISD) and Lilly Singapore Centre for Drug Discovery, this symposium will bring together scientific experts who will deliberate and share their latest findings on key processes in human tumour suppressor pathways that control human aging and cancer incidences.

Attended by more than 300 international participants, the symposium will cover hot areas such as novel cancer and aging pathways, new targets and therapeutic approaches to cancer and aging, cancer stem cells and more. For more information (e.g. the conference programme), please visit: http://www.keystonesymposia.org/Singapore.

This is the third Keystone Symposium to be held in Singapore.  The first, on “Stem Cells, Senescence and Cancer", was held in 2005.  The second, on “Respiratory Viruses of Animals Causing Disease in Humans”, was held in 2006.

Completion of the 9th China-Singapore Joint Committee on S&T Co-ooperation in Beijing 26 Sep 08

Chairman Lim led a 6-member delegation visited Shanghai, Suzhou and Beijing between 22 and 26 Sep 08. The A*STAR delegation met with senior officials in Chinese R&D organisations and was updated on the development in the cities. Chairman's visit coincided with the 9th China-Singapore Joint Committee on Science and Technology Co-operation (JCSTC) between A*STAR and the Chinese Ministry of Science & Technology where joints projects were identified. 

Congratulations to JJ Liu – the scientist who “grew up” with GIS – on becoming a Singapore citizen!

Dr Liu Jianjun, Group Leader of Human Genetics Division, Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), is a Singaporean with effect from 15 Sep 2008. JJ, as he is known to his friends, came to Singapore straight out of his post-doctoral training position in the United States in 2002, to a GIS when the research institute was a relative unknown.  He claimed that it was Singapore’s safe environment and attractive research scene backed by strong government support that attracted him to the country six years ago. 

“In many ways, JJ grew up with the GIS”, said Prof Edison Liu, Executive Director of GIS. Prof Liu felt that JJ is now emerging as a leader in the field of human genetics world wide, and he “has been a major reason why we are considered a thought leader in genomics and genetics globally”.

Prof Liu, who had also come to Singapore from United States where he was the director of the Division of Clinical Sciences, National Cancer Institute, to set up GIS in 2001, added, “Singapore's strength is not only in the resilience of its citizens, but also in the incorporation of strong and intelligent people from other origins into the fabric of Singaporean society.  JJ Liu is one of the many who have, in the past and who will in the future, cross the portal to become part of a global Singapore."

Mr Lim Chuan Poh, Chairman, A*STAR, conferred with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science, by the Loughborough University
    
We are pleased to announce that Mr Lim Chuan Poh, Chairman, A*STAR, has been conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science, by the Loughborough University, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Science and Technology in Singapore.  He received the Honorary Degree at the university's overseas celebration ceremony held in Singapore on 31 August 2008.

Loughborough is one of the leading universities in the UK, and is consistently placed in the top 15 of all UK universities in national league tables. As a research-intensive university, it has produced research that solves real world problems to assist both businesses and industry, and to improve people's quality of life. It is a custom for the University to confer Honorary Degrees each year to selected individuals in recognition of their outstanding achievements and meritorious service.

We congratulate Chairman once again on receiving the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science.

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.

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. 

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.