On 12th January 2024, the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine’s (NUSMed) Department of Biochemistry held a welcome event for its inaugural batch of 81 students who are starting on the new Master of Science in Precision Health and Medicine (MScPHM) programme. This MSc was launched in partnership with the invaluable support of Precision Health Research, Singapore (PRECISE).

As the guest of honour and keynote speaker, Prof Patrick Tan, Executive Director of PRECISE, introduced the three phases of Singapore’s National Precision Medicine programme, and how PRECISE coordinates this monumental effort to transform healthcare through new insights into the Asian genome and data-driven healthcare solutions. He also shared how PRECISE works with different industry sectors such as public-private partnerships with sequencing companies, pharmaceutical companies, and powering local companies through joint programmes with national agencies and translational platforms, with the aim to create a vibrant, home-grown, locally embedded precision medicine innovation ecosystem.

Inspiring programme directors A/Prof Caroline Lee and Dr Kenneth Ban warmly welcomed the students, marking the beginning of an exciting academic curriculum. A/Prof Kevin Tan, Vice Dean of Graduate Studies, also discussed how precision medicine is poised to transform healthcare in the coming decades, and how the coursework will equip students with the core skills and advanced knowledge to excel in this field. A/Prof Wen Shan Yew, Head of the Department of Biochemistry, also congratulated students on joining the healthcare family, while Prof Kevin White, Director of Precision Medicine Translational Research Programme, shared examples on large-scale data, biological models and genomic analysis, and useful advice on how to navigate their academic journey towards meaningful careers.

In the afternoon, the students participated in an Amazing Race which tasked them with finding key locations around the campus. They familiarized themselves with their future classmates and groupmates in the course of the game, marking the beginning of friendships and collaborations. The welcome event concluded with a prize award ceremony for the winners. 

Photos courtesy of Precision Health Research, Singapore (PRECISE), Mr Lincoln Leong, Ms Suchita Saxena and Mr Benedict Khoo.