New Head of Department of Anatomy, NUS Medicine
Published: 04 Apr 2016
Associate Professor Shaikali Thameem Dheen is the new Head, Department of Anatomy at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine with effect from 1 April 2016. He succeeds Professor Bay Boon Huat, who has stepped down after eight years at the helm.
A/Prof Dheen has been the Assistant Dean (Graduate Studies) since 2013 and the elected President of the Singapore Neuroscience Association since 2009. He has been with the Department of Anatomy since 1999 and prior to this, was a research scholar with the department from 1991 to 1994 before heading to the University of Manitoba, Canada for his post-doctoral fellowship. He was also the Assistant Head of the department and is involved in the department management committees. A/Prof Dheen is a competent teacher and a role model for junior staff members who aspire to excel in both teaching and research. He has carved a niche area in microglia research, especially on the key roles these cells play in neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases and neurological disorders, and is extending his research to the translational aspects of this glial type. We are confident that A/Prof Dheen will lead the department towards achieving greater eminence in research and education.
The School expresses it appreciation to Prof Bay Boon Huat for his dedicated leadership as Head, Department of Anatomy from 1 July 2008 to 31 March 2016. Under his leadership, the department introduced the “Human Body Donation” programme to ameliorate shortage of cadavers for the teaching of Human Anatomy. He also oversaw infrastructural improvement works for the Department that have led to an improved and enhanced working environment for all staff members. Prof Bay was appointed as Provost’s Chair from 1 October 2014 to 30 September 2017 in recognition of his outstanding and impactful scholarly accomplishments.
NUS Medicine looks forward to the Department achieving new heights in education and research under the leadership of A/Prof Dheen, and Prof Bay’s continued contributions to the department and University.
