{"id":3479,"date":"2022-10-12T14:47:18","date_gmt":"2022-10-12T06:47:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/?page_id=3479"},"modified":"2026-04-06T10:11:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T02:11:17","slug":"cs-spotlight","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/cs-spotlight\/","title":{"rendered":"CS Spotlight"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"3479\" class=\"elementor elementor-3479\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6bf20a1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6bf20a1\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-06e5eda\" data-id=\"06e5eda\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b1628af elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"b1628af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a45ac8c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a45ac8c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d901bf2\" data-id=\"d901bf2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d70553e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d70553e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"415\" src=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2022\/10\/Banner-v1.1-1024x415.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3486\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2022\/10\/Banner-v1.1-1024x415.png 1024w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2022\/10\/Banner-v1.1-300x122.png 300w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2022\/10\/Banner-v1.1-768x311.png 768w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2022\/10\/Banner-v1.1.png 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4953b10 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4953b10\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a67598f\" data-id=\"a67598f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c00aaa5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c00aaa5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">CS Spotlight<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4fcd185 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4fcd185\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Initiated in October 2022, the Clinician Scientist Academy seeks to feature our very own clinician scientists, where they share their research journeys and some interesting\/lesser known facts about themselves. Click on to read more about what they have to share.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5785c4d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5785c4d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5fcd548\" data-id=\"5fcd548\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b37ff4b elementor-tabs-view-vertical elementor-widget elementor-widget-tabs\" data-id=\"b37ff4b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"tabs.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tabs\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tabs-wrapper\" role=\"tablist\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1881\" class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-desktop-title\" aria-selected=\"true\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1881\" aria-expanded=\"false\">2026<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1882\" class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-desktop-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1882\" aria-expanded=\"false\">2025<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1883\" class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-desktop-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1883\" aria-expanded=\"false\">2024<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1884\" class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-desktop-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1884\" aria-expanded=\"false\">2023<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1885\" class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-desktop-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1885\" aria-expanded=\"false\">2022<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tabs-content-wrapper\" role=\"tablist\" aria-orientation=\"vertical\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-mobile-title\" aria-selected=\"true\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1881\" aria-expanded=\"false\">2026<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1881\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1881\" tabindex=\"0\" hidden=\"false\"><p>\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"page\" data-elementor-id=\"5120\" class=\"elementor elementor-5120\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-37642f8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"37642f8\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1fca6ee\" data-id=\"1fca6ee\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-200c5f8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"200c5f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A\/Prof Mark Chan Yan Yee<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6853cf elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c6853cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Deputy Executive Director and Senior Consultant, National University Heart Centre, National University Health System<br> Associate Professor in Medicine and Deputy Director, Cardiovascular Metabolic Disease Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore<br>Co-Director, CArdiovascular DiseasE National Collaborative Enterprise (CADENCE) <br>\nMBBS, PhD<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9eb09d8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9eb09d8\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6c4bfe5\" data-id=\"6c4bfe5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-640b8e1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"640b8e1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"956\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2026\/02\/Mark-Chan-Website-956x1024.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5244\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2026\/02\/Mark-Chan-Website-956x1024.png 956w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2026\/02\/Mark-Chan-Website-280x300.png 280w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2026\/02\/Mark-Chan-Website-768x823.png 768w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2026\/02\/Mark-Chan-Website.png 1068w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 956px) 100vw, 956px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9513c44\" data-id=\"9513c44\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e54d377 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e54d377\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>What is your research area?\u00a0<\/b><\/p><p>Translational research in acute and chronic coronary syndromes<\/p><p><strong>Share a memorable\/impactful contribution you have done for research in Singapore.<\/strong><\/p><p>Bringing all 3 healthcare clusters together to successfully complete 2 randomized clinical trials and a large pragmatic trial including 7 hospitals and 18 polyclinics.<\/p><p><strong>As a mentor, share a key lesson you have learnt.<\/strong><\/p><p>Your mentees are smarter, faster and better-trained than you. Get used to it! They will exceed you and that is a good thing for generational growth.<\/p><p><strong>Share tips for mentoring.<\/strong><\/p><p>Be generous with your time; your mentee should be able to freely PM you on whatsapp.<\/p><p>Be generous with your resources, including your own money e.g. to celebrate achieving milestones.<\/p><p>To really help your mentees succeed wildly, have only 3-4 mentees at any one time. That includes PhD students with you as primary supervisor.<\/p><p><b>What one piece of advance would you have given yourself 10 years ago.<\/b><\/p><p>Your most creative ideas often come to you outside of work when you are chatting casually with family, friends or colleagues, reading for leisure or taking your coffee break, not when you are sitting in your office in front of your computer or in a room full of scientists. So spend lese time at work!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2e16680 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2e16680\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4a1261f\" data-id=\"4a1261f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91ae82d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"91ae82d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Dr Bernice Oh Lingzhi<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-210a11d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"210a11d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Consultant, Division of Paediatric Haematology-Oncology, Department of Paediatrics, National University Hospital\n<br>\nMBBS, MMed, MCI<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fa936d2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fa936d2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-95dd5a5\" data-id=\"95dd5a5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ee3089 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6ee3089\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"832\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2026\/02\/Bernice-Oh-Website-832x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5122\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2026\/02\/Bernice-Oh-Website-832x1024.jpg 832w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2026\/02\/Bernice-Oh-Website-244x300.jpg 244w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2026\/02\/Bernice-Oh-Website-768x945.jpg 768w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2026\/02\/Bernice-Oh-Website.jpg 912w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 832px) 100vw, 832px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-47d936d\" data-id=\"47d936d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-84f9e8e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"84f9e8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>What is your research area?\u00a0<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My research focus is on the development of new cellular therapies for both children and adults with cancer. Working alongside Prof Dario Campana and Prof Allen Yeoh, our team engineers CAR-T cells &#8211; essentially taking a patient&#8217;s own immune cells and reprogramming them to better recognize and destroy cancer cells.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the director of the cell processing unit in NUS, I also lead a team of cell engineers who manufacture CAR-T cells for first-in-human studies and ongoing early phase CAR-T cell therapy clinical trials. It is in this field of translational research where you can see your work directly impact patient care, bridging the gap between scientific discovery and clinical treatment.<\/span><\/p><p><b>What inspired you to choose your research area? Was there a defining moment?<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is the third year of paediatric residency, I am doing 7 calls a month and I am having a particularly bad week of back-to-back calls to cover for a sick colleague. My arms are aching post call from carrying around a thick set of seniors notes for my upcoming M.Med examination. I didn\u2019t have the time to study them the way I wanted to, but I feel better just carrying them around. Just as I am about to doze off post call, I receive a seemingly random email that simply read:<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAre you willing to sell your soul for $15k?\u201d<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was from my mentor Prof Allen Yeoh, my tutor in medical school who inspired me to pursue a career in paediatrics. He had almost become a stranger after 4 years of being told to \u201cfocus on your clinical training\u201d right out of medical school.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Something strange within nudged me to make a deal with this \u201cdevil\u201d that afternoon for $15k and I have not looked back since.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Winning my first junior CS grant (albeit only $15k) was that refreshing jumpstart that I needed, I had a renewed sense of purpose as a young doctor, that perhaps I could be something more than a cog in the machine of clinical care. Prof Allen sat down with me and went through my presentations, from intentional pauses in speech to the choice of fonts on slides, I was mentored personally. I was allowed to ask questions freely and to explore my research interests, but if I wandered too far off track, I could always trust my mentor to pull me back before I fell off completely.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prof Allen has shaped my research career by creating the opportunity for me to be trained by Prof Dario Campana in the field of cell therapy, opening doors for me to collaborate with others as a junior CS-in-training. More importantly, Prof Allen has led by example, to have the tenacity to push the boundaries for patients, to challenge norms with science, and to always try to give our patients a fighting chance. Prof Allen always reminds me that clinician-scientists are clinicians first, that we do research for our patients. It is with this vision that we have gone on as a team to focus on translational research that is truly transformative, from first-in-human studies to early phase clinical trials that have saved lives and made a positive impact in the field. <\/span><\/p><p><strong>What are some of the challenges of being a CS? How do you work to overcome that?<\/strong><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re considering the clinician-scientist path, let me be honest about what you&#8217;re signing up for. You&#8217;ll discover that being a skilled physician doesn&#8217;t automatically make you a good researcher &#8211; the skill sets are surprisingly different. When I entered the lab after completing my clinical training, it felt like being a medical student again, fumbling through basic techniques that other PhD students had mastered years earlier. As clinicians, we&#8217;re trained to make quick decisions and move efficiently through tasks, but lab work requires meticulous attention to every single step in lengthy protocols. I can&#8217;t count how many experiments I ruined in those early days by unconsciously skipping what seemed like minor steps or rushing through procedures. The learning curve was steep and honestly pretty humbling &#8211; imagine going from confidently managing patients to pipetting incorrectly and contaminating cell cultures. But here&#8217;s the thing: that same determination that got you through residency will serve you well in research. All those failed experiments become valuable practice, and eventually you&#8217;ll find yourself troubleshooting for others and feeling genuinely confident at the bench. The transition is challenging, but it&#8217;s absolutely doable with patience and persistence.<\/span><\/p><p><strong>What is your advice for fellow residents who are sitting on the fence and undecided still about being a CS?<\/strong><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You know that incredible rush when you nail a difficult diagnosis or watch a patient walk out of the hospital completely cured? That&#8217;s what keeps us all going in those brutal residency years. But you&#8217;ll also face those heartbreaking moments when despite your best efforts, you lose patients you&#8217;ve genuinely cared about. I remember feeling this overwhelming sense of helplessness, knowing that if I stayed purely in clinical practice, I&#8217;d keep encountering the same devastating diseases with the same limited treatment options.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That&#8217;s when I realized I had a choice. I could accept that some battles can&#8217;t be won with current medicine, or I could try to change the game entirely. Research isn&#8217;t just about publishing papers &#8211; it&#8217;s about creating the treatments that future residents will use to save the patients we&#8217;re losing today. Yes, the clinician-scientist path is demanding and uncertain. You might spend years on projects that don&#8217;t pan out, and there&#8217;s no guarantee your work will lead to breakthroughs. But think about it this way: every major advance in medicine started with someone who decided to stop accepting &#8220;that&#8217;s just how it is.&#8221; You might be the one to develop the therapy that changes everything for a particular disease. Even if you&#8217;re not, you&#8217;ll be contributing to progress that builds toward that breakthrough. The only way to guarantee you won&#8217;t make a difference is by never trying.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-mobile-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1882\" aria-expanded=\"false\">2025<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1882\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1882\" tabindex=\"0\" hidden=\"hidden\"><p>\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"single-page\" data-elementor-id=\"4911\" class=\"elementor elementor-4911\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5b2d6da elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5b2d6da\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2e755204\" data-id=\"2e755204\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2274bf30 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2274bf30\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Asst. Prof Zhong Youjia<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b6f1833 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5b6f1833\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Associate Consultant, Khoo Teck Puat &#8211; National University Children\u2019s Medical Institute, National University Hospital <br>Assistant Professor, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore<br>MBChB (Hons), MRCPCH (UK), MMed (Paediatrics), MCI, FAMS (Paediatrics and Child Health), PhD  <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4ea29c21 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4ea29c21\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1be3b0e8\" data-id=\"1be3b0e8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f60486a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3f60486a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"606\" height=\"746\" src=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2024\/12\/Capture-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5040\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2024\/12\/Capture-1.jpg 606w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2024\/12\/Capture-1-244x300.jpg 244w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 606px) 100vw, 606px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4cb19140\" data-id=\"4cb19140\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2792e8d4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2792e8d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: bolder;\">What is your research area?\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>Paediatric Vaccinology\u00a0<\/p><p>Our research has identified the correlate of protection against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in children; T cell responses are the most important predictor for protection against prospective infections in children. From this important fundamental principle, we were able to infer that 1) healthy children do not need booster vaccinations after the initial vaccination regime against COVID-19, and that 2) immunocompromised children need 3 doses as primary vaccination regime, and boosters 6-12 monthly thereafter.\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>Share tips for mentoring.<\/strong><\/p><p>Be open to learning from mentees, as mentoring is a two-way thoroughfare\u00a0 week just to stay afloat.<\/p><p><strong>What one piece of advice would you have given yourself 10 years ago?<\/strong><\/p><p>&#8220;Life is not a series of planned events\u201d &#8211; this is a direct quote from Bishop Rennis Ponniah, and applies to many areas of life. Knowing this, one can take purported \u201cfailures\u201d as opportunities rather than adversity.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-cb565a2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"cb565a2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6c16f52\" data-id=\"6c16f52\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e239648 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e239648\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Prof Ronald Lee Chi-Hang<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c080fc9 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c080fc9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre, Singapore<br>Senior Consultant, Sleep Physician, Alexandra Hospital, Singapore<br>Professor, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore<br>MBBS, MD, FRCP (Edin), FAMS, FACC, FSCAI<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f8eb1a2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f8eb1a2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-70f1914\" data-id=\"70f1914\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe4710e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"fe4710e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"599\" height=\"764\" src=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2024\/12\/Photo.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4964\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2024\/12\/Photo.jpg 599w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2024\/12\/Photo-235x300.jpg 235w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 599px) 100vw, 599px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ba50106\" data-id=\"ba50106\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8170818 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8170818\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: bolder;\">What is your research area?\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>Unmasking the Bidirectional Cross-Talk Between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiometabolic Multimorbidity in Ageing Asians<\/p><p><b>Share a memorable\/impactful contribution you have done for research in Singapore.<\/b><\/p><p>I have yet to make a significant impact on the Singapore research ecosystem. However, I led a team of cardiologists, sleep physicians, and dentists to successfully complete the CRESCENT trial. The trial was selected for presentation at the Late-Breaking Clinical Trial session of the American College of Cardiology. The full manuscript was simultaneously published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC). My PhD student and I, as mentor, were honored with the William W. Parmley Young Author Achievement Award from the American College of Cardiology for that publication.<\/p><p><strong>As a mentor, share a key lesson you have learnt. <\/strong><\/p><p>Individuals pursue a PhD for different reasons. I\u2019ve had students who were hardworking, motivated, and intelligent. On the other hand, I\u2019ve also had a student who showed no interest in research and ultimately did not complete the PhD. This experience taught me that motivation and genuine interest in research are just as important as ability.<\/p><p><strong>What one piece of advice would you have given yourself 10 years ago?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><p>I would tell myself to take long vacations and enjoy the world while I could. Once you enter the competitive world of research, you&#8217;ll find yourself working seven days a week just to stay afloat.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b1eb2a8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b1eb2a8\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-be79ef9\" data-id=\"be79ef9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3143307 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3143307\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Dr Goh Lay Hoon<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b479b6 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3b479b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Senior Consultant, Department of Family Medicine, National University Health System, National University Polyclinics<br>Assistant Professor, Division of Family Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore<br>MBBS (S&#8217;pore), MMed (Fam Med)(S&#8217;pore), FAMS, MClin Epid (AUS), PhD (NUS)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f5a29f1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f5a29f1\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9699584\" data-id=\"9699584\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d158016 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d158016\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"483\" height=\"677\" src=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2024\/12\/Capture.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4914\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2024\/12\/Capture.jpg 483w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2024\/12\/Capture-214x300.jpg 214w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 483px) 100vw, 483px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b39987e\" data-id=\"b39987e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-baa87db elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"baa87db\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: bolder;\">What is your research area? <\/span><strong>What prompted you to be a clinician-scientist (CS)?<\/strong><\/p><p>My research area is in health services for people with chronic diseases in primary care. For my PhD, I evaluated how our private general practitioners (GPs) in the Primary Care Networks deliver care to patients with type 2 diabetes as guided by the Chronic Care Model, a patient-centred framework. With Healthier SG initiatives and as Singapore ages with more people having chronic conditions, it is timely to better understand how our GP colleagues manage chronic patients.<\/p><p>Currently, I am working on a project that examines patients\u2019 concordance to chronic disease management guidelines in National University Polyclinics (NUP) using routinely collected patient data. We plan to develop a patient risk prediction scoring system for poor biochemical outcomes e.g., glycated hemoglobin levels and renal function.<\/p><p>Professor Doris Young, my previous head of department encouraged me to take up the PhD, as there weren\u2019t many CS from Family Medicine. Through the sharing of my experience, I hope to inspire more family physicians to embark on doing research and completing a PhD.<\/p><p>I have always wanted to do research in an area that would help doctors do their work more effectively and efficiently and to improve patient care. By understanding and targeting the barriers to care provision, we can improve care for our patients as well as improve work processes for our colleagues.<\/p><p><strong>What are some of the challenges of being a CS? How do you work to overcome that?<\/strong><\/p><p>When I first started, there weren\u2019t many CS doing health services research, but I had a few Family Medicine friends from other clusters who were also doing their PhDs, so we formed a support group. Now there are more researchers in NUHS who are doing health services research, so there\u2019s opportunity to collaborate and discuss issues common to us.<\/p><p><strong>What is one piece of practical advice you would give to someone new entering this field?<\/strong><\/p><p>Plan your schedules such that you have time to unwind and do other things such as keeping up with a hobby or spending time with family and friends. Work can consume lots of our time, so it\u2019s important to keep a healthy balance between work and me-time.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-mobile-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1883\" aria-expanded=\"false\">2024<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1883\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1883\" tabindex=\"0\" hidden=\"hidden\"><p>\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"single-page\" data-elementor-id=\"4481\" class=\"elementor elementor-4481\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a8ecab5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a8ecab5\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7694970\" data-id=\"7694970\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a8027ce elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a8027ce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Dr Stephanie Ko Qianwen<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-066ab7b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"066ab7b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Consultant, Division of Advanced Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital<br>MBBS (UK), M Med (Int Med), MPH (US)<br><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a9997a0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a9997a0\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5205caa\" data-id=\"5205caa\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dd10c24 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"dd10c24\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"472\" height=\"567\" src=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/12\/Stephanie-Ko.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4738\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/12\/Stephanie-Ko.jpg 472w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/12\/Stephanie-Ko-250x300.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 472px) 100vw, 472px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4683719\" data-id=\"4683719\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b461605 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b461605\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>What inspired you to choose your research area? Was there a defining moment?<\/strong><\/p><p>I originally wanted to do medicine because I was interested in helping people, but as I continued in my training I started getting interested in the systems in which we practice. Health services and implementation research was a natural fit. When I started developing the hospital-at-home service for NUHS, I wanted to ensure that the change was impactful \u2013 to ensure that we rigorously measure what we\u2019re doing to ensure we\u2019re not just doing things differently, but we\u2019re doing them right. I currently lead a research team that evaluates all aspects of hospital-at-home, from patient\/caregiver\/staff experiences, clinical and cost effectiveness and scale up studies.<\/p><p><b>Could you describe one of your workdays? What is the most gratifying part of being a CS?<\/b><\/p><p>A typical day is balancing between clinical duties, leading the NUHS@Home to scale up and driving the research team. I\u2019ve had to learn to block out specific times for deep work &#8211; uninterrupted periods where I can focus on data analysis, grant or manuscript writing, or planning new studies. The most gratifying part is seeing our research translate into actual change in policy and practice, for example when the work that my team has published contribute to a policy shift to mainstream hospital-at-home in Singapore this year.<\/p><p><strong>What helped you get to where you are, and what advice would you give someone?<\/strong><\/p><p>Everyone\u2019s journey is different! If you\u2019re a clinician and interested in improving the way we deliver healthcare, find me for a chat! I may not have the right answers but could point you in the right direction.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5aa25c4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5aa25c4\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-218d2de\" data-id=\"218d2de\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f402e4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5f402e4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Dr Nicholas Syn Li-Xun<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64012c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"64012c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Dean&#8217;s Fellow, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore<br>MBBS (S&#8217;Pore)<br><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c64b34d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c64b34d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-53849ab\" data-id=\"53849ab\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2442b76 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2442b76\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"862\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/12\/Dr-Nicholas-Syn-Li-Xun-862x1024.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4623\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/12\/Dr-Nicholas-Syn-Li-Xun-862x1024.png 862w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/12\/Dr-Nicholas-Syn-Li-Xun-252x300.png 252w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/12\/Dr-Nicholas-Syn-Li-Xun-768x913.png 768w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/12\/Dr-Nicholas-Syn-Li-Xun.png 971w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 862px) 100vw, 862px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fa308f1\" data-id=\"fa308f1\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1229939 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1229939\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>How did you get into your research area?<\/b><\/p><p>I started out doing research at a stem cell stage even before I got into medical school. Invariably, over the length of medical school where one is exposed to various specialties, I met different mentors and encountered various clinical unmet needs that led me to explore research in multiple specialties. This might be slightly different from the majority of clinician-scientists who chose their clinical specialty before deciding to embark on research.<\/p><p>Fortunately, after some detours, I think I have finally settled in the area of personalized medicine in metabolic and liver diseases. Interestingly, this study area has roots in my very initial exposure to research, as I started my research training doing pharmacogenetics and precision oncology with my longest mentor, Prof Goh Boon Cher, in 2014. One of Prof Goh\u2019s collaborators, A\/Prof Richie Soong, with whom I spent nearly 2 years in his lab, was another influential figure in my research journey who helped me appreciate the technical intricacies of molecular pathology and advanced bioinformatics.<\/p><p><b>Could you describe one of your typical workdays? <\/b><b>What are some of the challenges of being a CS? How do you work to over<\/b><strong>come that?<\/strong><\/p><p>Admin&#8230; Bureaucracy&#8230; Red tape\u2026 Admittedly, these are strong disincentives to doing research. Protected time helps. Pro tip: hire a good admin from the get-go.<\/p><p><b>What has helped you get to where you are, and what advice would you give someone who wants to come in this direction? <\/b><\/p><p>Mentorship is the most crucial aspect. I would not have gotten to where I am now if I did not have a strong foundation. And this was enabled by Prof Goh Boon Cher sending me to his multiple collaborators to learn different skillsets, which opened up other doors in the process\u2014from Prof Richie Soong, to Tai Bee Choo, Liam Brunham, Marie Loh, Wang Lingzhi and others. A good mentor genuinely wants you to grow to become an independent researcher, and they are selfless and never insecure, not wanting to \u201cretain\u201d you in order to benefit themselves; these are some characteristics you would want to do some homework about before approaching a mentor for the first time.<\/p><p>The topic of characteristics of a good mentor was discussed at the last CS Bootcamp, in fact. Interestingly, \u201creplying fast\u201d was flagged as a key trait, and I would not disagree (although to be honest, most of my research mentors including Prof Goh have been terribly slow at replying (: A few exceptions being Prof Chong YS and Prof Koh WP, whom I consider more as life mentors, whose replies are speedy!). But over the years, especially as I have not infrequently played the role of matchmaker\u2014pairing juniors who want to get started in doing research with clinician researchers\u2014I can vouch there is indeed a good correlation between students\u2019 success and how responsive their mentors are!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d59af93 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d59af93\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-04e33a1\" data-id=\"04e33a1\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2318a1e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2318a1e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Dr Dedrick Chan Kok Hong<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b6fc412 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b6fc412\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Consultant, Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, National University Hospital<br>Consultant, Division of Surgical Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore<br>Consultant, Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Alexandra Hospital<br>MBBS, MMed (Surgery), MCI, FRCS (Eng)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d48294c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d48294c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2291cde\" data-id=\"2291cde\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e3fdec2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e3fdec2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"575\" height=\"690\" src=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/12\/Dr-Dedrick-Chan-Kok-Hong.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4593\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/12\/Dr-Dedrick-Chan-Kok-Hong.png 575w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/12\/Dr-Dedrick-Chan-Kok-Hong-250x300.png 250w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b97834f\" data-id=\"b97834f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f9a1a54 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f9a1a54\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>What is it about research that you like?<\/strong><\/p><p>For me, research satisfies a fundamental and innate desire to uncover Truth. Specific to my work, it is to understand why cancer arises, and what incites a cell to take its earliest, infant stages into malignancy. What I enjoy most about scientific research is its inherently creative process. Once a scientific question is identified, there are many ways to go about answering it. Choosing the most appropriate way is as much a function of knowledge and experience as it is an Art. Hence, overstepping the limitations of time and money is as disadvantageous as choosing a simplified path which is over-reliant on assumptions or outdated information. Being able to design elegant experiments which bring me closer to discovering Truth is something I find highly satisfying.<\/p><p>I also feel that research is the melodic contrapuntal to Medicine. In surgery, we seek to reduce excessive novelty in clinical practice. Too much and persistent novelty suggests either inexperience or overstepping one\u2019s technical boundaries. In contrast, research maximises novelty, and experiments which yield surprising and unexpected results are the most exciting.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>Could you describe one of your typical workdays?<\/strong><\/p><p>It\u2019s difficult to have a settled rhythm. It\u2019s critical to be flexible because there will be times when research is a bit more intense due to time-sensitive experiments, and other times when the demands of clinical work must take precedence.<\/p><p>As a colorectal surgeon, I usually start with ward rounds. Some clinical duties tend to be fixed, such as clinic and endoscopy sessions, so these are predictable and experiments can be planned around them. On days when I have elective surgery, I never do experiments before as I prefer to be focused on the operation. Emergency surgery obviously takes priority over any research work, and if I had originally planned an experiment which is time-sensitive, then I may have to decide between abandoning and restarting the experiment, which is highly unpalatable, or staying back after surgery. Long days are an inevitability. I try to do the planning and thinking of experiments, and the research administration at home. Wash, rinse, and repeat.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>What are some of the challenges of being a CS?<\/strong><\/p><p>It\u2019s a journey which can feel quite lonely at times. Clinician-scientists are, necessarily so, rare. And while there are commonalities, each clinician-scientist is quite different from the next one. This translates into a journey which is often unique to the circumstances of that individual. It can be just as difficult for colleagues to understand why pulling off a difficult experiment is highly satisfying, as it is perplexing for them to fathom how experiments can keep failing repeatedly.<\/p><p>The work itself can also feel isolating. Being in the laboratory during unsociable hours and days all alone can feel depressing.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>How do you work to overcome that?<\/strong><\/p><p>Having a strong sense of purpose in the research which I do, and being very clear about the outcomes which really matter to me have been very important. Setting out as a clinician-scientist with these reasons in mind serve as a compass when the going gets tough. It has helped me to reorientate and refocus when results do not go as expected, or when progress is especially slow, both in terms of clinical as well as research growth and development.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>What has helped you get to where you are, and what advice would you give someone who wants to come in this direction? <\/strong><\/p><p>People and relationships have been very important. As I alluded to earlier, they may not always understand the specific challenges or the technical complications, but having a core group of individuals to support you is a soothing balm for difficult moments. At work, I can count on the camaraderie and team spirit of my fellow Consultants and Head of Division, and at home, I have my wife and daughter to lend a listening ear to my complaints. Surrounding yourself with people who are supportive and not discouraging is essential. Frankly, the scientific world is an especially brutal one, and naysayers abound at every corner, so having this core group to cheer you on makes a huge difference psychologically.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-78809bd elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"78809bd\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-200b2ec\" data-id=\"200b2ec\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ec7218 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9ec7218\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Dr Daniel Huang Qingyao<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f16052 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2f16052\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Consultant, Division of Gastroenterology &amp; Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital<br>Consultant, Adult Liver Transplantation Programme, National University Centre for Organ Transplantation, National University Hospital<br>Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore<br>MBBS (S&#8217;pore), MMed (Int Med)(S&#8217;pore), MRCP (UK)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9032f81 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9032f81\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c8a089d\" data-id=\"c8a089d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2168b2f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2168b2f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"547\" height=\"693\" src=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/12\/Dr-Daniel-Huang-Qingyao.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4482\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/12\/Dr-Daniel-Huang-Qingyao.png 547w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/12\/Dr-Daniel-Huang-Qingyao-237x300.png 237w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 547px) 100vw, 547px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-af2fe68\" data-id=\"af2fe68\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9710f43 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9710f43\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: bolder;\">What is your research area? <\/span><strong>What prompted you to be a clinician-scientist (CS)?<\/strong><\/p><p>I work on the early detection and prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma in the setting of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and viral hepatitis. I am looking at non-invasive strategies to risk stratify and detect chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma by leveraging advanced imaging- and RNA-based methods.<\/p><p>I see many patients in my clinic who are in \u201cevidence-free zones\u201d. My hope is that I can help to fill in some of these gaps in knowledge and help a larger group of patients, beyond those in my clinics. \u00a0<\/p><p><strong>How do you manage your time to do research in the midst of heavy clinical workload?<\/strong><\/p><p>My clinical training taught my how to multitask! I try to find pockets of time between clinics or endoscopy sessions to write manuscripts. However, lab work is harder to balance and requires planning and scheduling far in advance.<\/p><p><strong>What one piece of advice would you have given yourself 10 years ago?<\/strong><\/p><p>It is a long process, but it is about enjoying the journey, rather than just the outcomes!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-mobile-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1884\" aria-expanded=\"false\">2023<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1884\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1884\" tabindex=\"0\" hidden=\"hidden\"><p>\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"page\" data-elementor-id=\"4428\" class=\"elementor elementor-4428\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-162d06b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"162d06b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-afe6236\" data-id=\"afe6236\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88ec706 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"88ec706\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Dr Vanda Ho Wen Teng<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c61bc1c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c61bc1c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Associate Consultant, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital<br>MB BChir(Cambs), MRCP(UK), FAMS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-42629fb elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"42629fb\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f676228\" data-id=\"f676228\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-92b40a4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"92b40a4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"374\" height=\"474\" src=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/Dr-Vanda-Ho-Wen-Teng.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4303\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/Dr-Vanda-Ho-Wen-Teng.png 374w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/Dr-Vanda-Ho-Wen-Teng-237x300.png 237w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 374px) 100vw, 374px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6ec8761\" data-id=\"6ec8761\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d526d25 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d526d25\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>What is your research area?\u00a0<\/b><\/p><p>My research area is in immunosenescence, the ageing immunity. My current project investigates the impact of age on the magnitude and durability of vaccination effects on the immune system. Leveraging on the national COVID-19 mRNA vaccine roll out as a common stimulus experienced by both younger and older adults at the same timepoint, this has allowed me to examine the downstream effects on the adaptive immune system. I plan to expand into looking at geriatric syndromes and their relationship to immunosenescence.<\/p><p><strong>What prompted you to be a clinician-scientist (CS)?<\/strong><\/p><p>I do not consider myself one yet&#8230; I still have ways to go!<\/p><p>While training to be a geriatrician, it became rapidly clear to me how little evidence-based medicine is being practised with older people. Most of the guidelines we follow have been extrapolated from trials on younger adults. Case in point, the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine was tested mainly on younger adults before an international roll out which prioritised vaccinating older adults. To me, care for older adults cannot progress if we leave this gap unaddressed, and I strongly believe we should have research on older adults for older adults. I still lack the key substrates to do good research and at times have been disheartened by the arduous process of gaining these skills, but I am fortunate to have met many inspirational mentors during my journey who provided me with opportunities, support and most importantly, a mould to embody what it is like to be a clinician scientist. They are reason I am where I am now!<\/p><p><b>What inspired you to choose your research area? Was there a defining moment?<\/b><\/p><p>I stumbled into my research area of immunosenescence by a combination of timing, meeting the right people and opportunities. This was right when the first COVID-19 cases were being reported, and the urgent worry was that older adults would be bearing the brunt of the pandemic. Even prior to COVID-19, we saw many older adults come into hospital for their first serious infection and unfortunately head downhill from that point. From a simplistic perspective, if we can alter this sentinel event, be it preventing it from happening, reducing its severity or hastening the recovery process, the possibility arises to avoid the subsequent functional decline in older adults. As I learnt more about immunosenescence, I realised how far-reaching the effects of perturbations in the immune system can be. It is therefore unsurprisingly it can affect key geriatric syndromes like frailty, sarcopenia and cognitive impairment. This to me makes immunosenescence so important to be studied!<\/p><p><b>Could you describe one of your typical workdays?<\/b><\/p><p>I am currently on maternity leave so my day consists of 2 to 3 hourly tranches of breastfeeding, changing diapers and putting baby to sleep! Of course, research never stops so whilst on maternity leave, study visits and sample collection do continue. I am fortunate and grateful to have an understanding team who help me fill in the gaps while I am away, and thankfully do not mind when my texts in the wee hours of the morning. Inspiration sometimes strikes then!<\/p><p><strong>What new superpowers would you like to develop?<\/strong><\/p><p>To be a human ChatGPT! At conferences and funding pitches, I am always impressed by the astute questions senior researchers have. Being able to hear how they think, see how quickly they can grasp the heart and crux of the matter and converse in basic science. To absorb, internalize and apply new knowledge quickly, relevantly, and succinctly are superpowers I very much hope to be able to develop!<\/p><p><strong>What is one piece of practical advice you would give to someone new entering this field?<\/strong><\/p><p>Keeping faith that life and its journey will take you down the road where opportunities will open when you least expect it. I can assure you that you will have many moments where you hit the roadblock and everything is going everywhere and nowhere all at once. What if I am not good enough? Is this even the right path to go down? Is there any significance in what I am trying to accomplish? Then your mind opens up a new perspective after a fortuitous meeting with someone you least expect, and your mind clears up and you forge a new way forward. I do realise now that research has so many facets, and if one does not work, there are so many more perspectives to explore. Also, everyone experiences research in a different manner, so I feel until I try it out for myself, I would never know!<\/p><p><strong>Name one thing you are not very good at?<\/strong><\/p><p>I am terrible at cooking, mediocre at baking, but I love watching Instagram videos of them and daydream about all the amazing meals I can (potentially) whip up. Even more so now as I am preparing to cook for my little one! The best thing is that he knows no better.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f8f3deb elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f8f3deb\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1db4c36\" data-id=\"1db4c36\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1df99ff elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1df99ff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Dr Amanda Chan Chee Yun<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a9b7335 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a9b7335\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Senior Consultant, Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital<br>Senior Consultant, Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Ng Teng Fong Hospital<br>Assistant Professor, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore\nMBBS(Hong Kong), MRCP(UK), FRCP(Edin), MMed(Sleep Medicine)(Sydney)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b8bd890 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b8bd890\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5a2fb4e\" data-id=\"5a2fb4e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7cdbdb3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7cdbdb3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"652\" height=\"716\" src=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/Dr-Amanda-Chan-Chee-Yun-1.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4199\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/Dr-Amanda-Chan-Chee-Yun-1.png 652w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/08\/Dr-Amanda-Chan-Chee-Yun-1-273x300.png 273w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 652px) 100vw, 652px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-713932a\" data-id=\"713932a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-968d0f3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"968d0f3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>What is your research area?\u00a0<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: bold; color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif;\">What prompted you to be a clinician-scientist (CS)?<\/span><\/p><p>My research area is in deciphering the pathophysiological mechanisms of small fiber neuropathy (SFN), with a focus on immunology. When I was in medical school, I remember the older generation of doctors saying that there is no cure for neurological disorders. Many years later, when I completed my neurology training, I realised that there was a cure for stroke &#8211; intravenous thrombolysis. A few more years later, researchers came up with a better cure \u2013 thrombectomy. It was then that I realised that although there are many unknowns in neurological disorders, there is huge potential for research, and in doing so, we can help our patients tremendously.<\/p><p><b>What inspired you to choose your research area? Was there a defining moment?<\/b><\/p><p>I wasn&#8217;t trained as a researcher in Hong Kong, where I completed my subspecialty training, so research seemed far from reach. But when I came to NUH, I came across a unique group of patients with SFN who had debilitating symptoms, with no answers, and every time they came for follow-up appointments, I felt helpless telling them that there were no new developments. A highly respected professor once told me that it doesn&#8217;t take genius with ground-breaking ideas to be a researcher, but rather a little engine that pushes ahead with its ideas and persists despite setbacks that makes a researcher.\u00a0 It was then that I decided to try to find some answers for my patients.<\/p><p><b>Could you describe one of your typical workdays?<\/b><\/p><p>I try to reserve some days of the week purely for research and experiments, while others would be purely for clinical duties. Of course this separation is oftentimes breached, and on bad days I may need to run back and forth between lab and hospital 4-5 times a day! Luckily they\u2019re next to each other.<\/p><p><strong>What are some of the challenges of being a CS? How do you work to overcome that?<\/strong><\/p><p>The thought processes of a clinician and a scientist are very different \u2013 clinicians approach diseases from a top down approach \u2013 diagnosing by pattern recognition and trying to solve the problem from a top down approach, while basic scientists approach diseases from a bottom up approach \u2013 trying to find the pathophysiological mechanisms and how they cause diseases. The biggest challenge for me is how to bridge that gap. I\u2019m still trying to overcome it by keeping an open mind, thinking out of the box, being flexible, and continuously telling myself that it\u2019s never too late to learn something new.<\/p><p><strong>What are you planning to do after your PhD \/ Fellowship?<\/strong><\/p><p>I hope I will be able to set up my own lab, and expand research to other neuroimmunological diseases. If we can find targeted treatments, I envision running large scale clinical trials, with international collaborations.<\/p><p><strong>What one piece of advice would you have given yourself 10 years ago?<\/strong><\/p><p>Don\u2019t let others define you. Don\u2019t let the past define you. You define yourself and shape your own future.<\/p><p><strong>What is your motto?<\/strong><\/p><p>There\u2019s no such thing as being too old or too late to learn something new!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d16ad86 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d16ad86\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>What is your research area?\u00a0<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: bold; color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif;\">What prompted you to be a clinician-scientist (CS)?<\/span><\/p><p>My research area is in deciphering the pathophysiological mechanisms of small fiber neuropathy (SFN), with a focus on immunology. When I was in medical school, I remember the older generation of doctors saying that there is no cure for neurological disorders. Many years later, when I completed my neurology training, I realised that there was a cure for stroke &#8211; intravenous thrombolysis. A few more years later, researchers came up with a better cure \u2013 thrombectomy. It was then that I realised that although there are many unknowns in neurological disorders, there is huge potential for research, and in doing so, we can help our patients tremendously.<\/p><p><b>What inspired you to choose your research area? Was there a defining moment?<\/b><\/p><p>I wasn&#8217;t trained as a researcher in Hong Kong, where I completed my subspecialty training, so research seemed far from reach. But when I came to NUH, I came across a unique group of patients with SFN who had debilitating symptoms, with no answers, and every time they came for follow-up appointments, I felt helpless telling them that there were no new developments. A highly respected professor once told me that it doesn&#8217;t take genius with ground-breaking ideas to be a researcher, but rather a little engine that pushes ahead with its ideas and persists despite setbacks that makes a researcher.\u00a0 It was then that I decided to try to find some answers for my patients.<\/p><p><b>Could you describe one of your typical workdays?<\/b><\/p><p>I try to reserve some days of the week purely for research and experiments, while others would be purely for clinical duties. Of course this separation is oftentimes breached, and on bad days I may need to run back and forth between lab and hospital 4-5 times a day! Luckily they\u2019re next to each other.<\/p><p><strong>What are some of the challenges of being a CS? How do you work to overcome that?<\/strong><\/p><p>The thought processes of a clinician and a scientist are very different \u2013 clinicians approach diseases from a top down approach \u2013 diagnosing by pattern recognition and trying to solve the problem from a top down approach, while basic scientists approach diseases from a bottom up approach \u2013 trying to find the pathophysiological mechanisms and how they cause diseases. The biggest challenge for me is how to bridge that gap. I\u2019m still trying to overcome it by keeping an open mind, thinking out of the box, being flexible, and continuously telling myself that it\u2019s never too late to learn something new.<\/p><p><strong>What are you planning to do after your PhD \/ Fellowship?<\/strong><\/p><p>I hope I will be able to set up my own lab, and expand research to other neuroimmunological diseases. If we can find targeted treatments, I envision running large scale clinical trials, with international collaborations.<\/p><p><strong>What one piece of advice would you have given yourself 10 years ago?<\/strong><\/p><p>Don\u2019t let others define you. Don\u2019t let the past define you. You define yourself and shape your own future.<\/p><p><strong>What is your motto?<\/strong><\/p><p>There\u2019s no such thing as being too old or too late to learn something new!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1d55d1f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1d55d1f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-10db3a7\" data-id=\"10db3a7\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-09b51e0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"09b51e0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Dr Ellie Choi Ci En<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c204a0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1c204a0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Associate Consultant, Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital<br>\nMRCP(UK), MMed(S&#8217;pore), MBBS(S&#8217;pore)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d83ef87 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d83ef87\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-dd868bf\" data-id=\"dd868bf\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f06119e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f06119e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"585\" height=\"688\" src=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/02\/Dr-Eliie-Choi-Ci-En.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4049\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/02\/Dr-Eliie-Choi-Ci-En.png 585w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/02\/Dr-Eliie-Choi-Ci-En-255x300.png 255w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 585px) 100vw, 585px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-468aeed\" data-id=\"468aeed\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1603a54 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1603a54\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>What is your research area? <\/b><\/p><p>My research is in understanding the discordance between patients and physicians. Why are some patients so symptomatic despite limited objective disease while others unperturbed when covered head to toe in rashes? Why are we bad at guessing what our patients think?<\/p><p><b>What prompted you to be a clinician-scientist (CS)?<\/b><\/p><p>Wow, I don\u2019t know if I can even be called a clinician-scientist. This feels like a promotion.<\/p><p>Through schooling years, I first dabbled, then later dedicated much time to research. The slew of grant applications naturally followed (some fortuitously successful, many not). Most research cannot progress without some funding, besides, who can say no to prospects of more research money and time?<\/p><p><b>What inspired you to choose your research area? Was there a defining moment?\/ Share a turning point or defining moment in your work?<\/b><\/p><p>Some dermatology patients can be quite\u2026. tricky\u2026.. How can someone go on for 30mins about a small patch of rash??? Questions like these, borne out of curiosity and frustration, got me started in this area.<\/p><p>The excitement and satisfaction of working on a problem so real to me was out of the world. It still fuels me today. I\u2019m also thankful to my mentors (past and present) for continuing to support me when my ideas no longer matched theirs.<\/p><p><b>What are the biggest misconceptions about research?<\/b><\/p><p>I have peers and juniors telling me, \u201cI don\u2019t like research, its not for me\u201d.<\/p><p>I think it\u2019s a half-faulty statement, akin to someone saying \u2018I don\u2019t like to teach\u2019 when they actually mean \u201cI don\u2019t like to teach self-entitled medical students on this boring topic\u201d.<\/p><p>There are elements of research most dislike; laborious mining of clinical records, exasperating statistic struggles, back-and-forth administrative emails, and poorly developed or uninteresting research questions that spark no joy. There is unlikely a researcher left untouched without these battle scars; yet I don\u2019t think all research needs to be like this and it\u2019s something I try to save my team and self from.<\/p><p><b>What is the superpower (skills and techniques) you are most pleased with? What new superpowers would you like to develop?<\/b><\/p><p>I used to be quite pleased with the multiple hobbies I could accommodate in my life, and take pride with each achievement I amassed. In the last year, the concepts of essentialism and minimalism reached out to me. I\u2019m slowly understanding why \u201cless but better\u201d makes for higher contribution, and why productivity does not equate to doing the most number of things in a day.<\/p><p><b>What is your advice for fellow residents who are sitting on the fence and undecided still about being a CS? <\/b><\/p><p>CS or not, find something that interests and motivates you. Don\u2019t take things at face value, or be tempted by paths that are easily available.<\/p><p>Also, don\u2019t compare yourself to others. I struggled with fears of \u201clagging behind\u201d and how I would match up against others. Would I ever \u201cmake it\u201d as a CS? But truly, everyone is walking their own unique path and journey, and regardless of the speed, we are all heading toward a common goal. It\u2019s a dangerous slope to see one\u2019s peers as competitors.<\/p><p><b>Tell us something no one knows about you.<\/b><\/p><p>I was a certified lifeguard for a couple of years! However, apart from retrieving mannequins from the pool bed or throwing some lifebuoys, I never had to rescue a drowning person. Now, I\u2019m probably the one at risk of drowning.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a7dd81e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a7dd81e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"404\" height=\"603\" src=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/02\/5800_116031151969_607576969_3437326_2518416_n.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4048\" alt=\"Ellie Choi\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/02\/5800_116031151969_607576969_3437326_2518416_n.jpg 404w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/02\/5800_116031151969_607576969_3437326_2518416_n-201x300.jpg 201w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 404px) 100vw, 404px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-cfa69aa elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"cfa69aa\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5651894\" data-id=\"5651894\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c64d1c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7c64d1c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A\/Prof Christopher Chen Li-Hsian<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b5e7ef3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b5e7ef3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Director, Memory Aging and Cognition Centre, National University Health System<br>\nAssociate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore<br>Visiting Senior Consultant, Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital<br>\nBA(Hons)(UK), BMBCh(UK), MRCP(UK), FAMS(Neurology), FRCPE(UK)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d35ac4c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d35ac4c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7393c54\" data-id=\"7393c54\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-130c0d6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"130c0d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"581\" height=\"518\" src=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/11\/1.-AProf-Christopher-Chen.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4619\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/11\/1.-AProf-Christopher-Chen.png 581w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2023\/11\/1.-AProf-Christopher-Chen-300x267.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 581px) 100vw, 581px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ae3f1b9\" data-id=\"ae3f1b9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8e1f466 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8e1f466\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: bolder;\">What is your research area?<\/span><\/p><p>My major research and clinical interests are in neuroimaging, molecular biology and treatment of stroke and dementia.<\/p><p><strong>What prompted you to be a clinician-scientist (CS)?<\/strong><\/p><p>The realisation that I needed protected time and resources to make a real contribution to science. I returned to Singapore after training in the UK back in 1996 and over the next decade only managed to publish about 40 papers with a laboratory and clinical trials team. I recognised that my peers internationally had more time to commit to academic medicine and that I could only be competitive and productive if I could join the CS track. It was not a seamless transition but in the decade from 2006 &#8211; 2015 my research output quadrupled to 180 papers and hopefully this trend is improving as with only 2\/3rds of my second decade as a CS passed, our team already has over 200 papers published<\/p><p><strong>Share a turning point or defining moment in your work?<\/strong><\/p><p>Whilst there are many stories of serendipitous discoveries, most advances require both good fortune as well as insight since as Louis Pasteur observed, \u201cchance favours only the prepared mind\u201d. Indeed, the opportunities granted by chance may fall upon fallow ground without training, dedication and experience, including that of failure.<\/p><p>A defining moment in my work came during a conference when I heard about a novel means of identifying microinfarcts on MRI. It had previously been shown by neuropathologists that such small lesions were the main correlates of vascular dementia but it had not been possible to identify them ante-mortem using MRI despite various attempts by our group and others. Quickly realising the opportunity, I arranged for a visit to Singapore, exchange of staff and this led quickly to several important discoveries, papers, grants and more importantly, enduring friendships and collaborations on this novel biomarker and other projects. I can only reflect on the subtle interplay of these factors my scientific career and am glad to be able to make a contribution to science whilst enjoying what I do.<\/p><p><strong>What are the biggest misconceptions about your work?<\/strong><\/p><p>That academic work rarely translates to clinical benefits. Whilst progress may be fitful and slow, really making a difference in clinical practice and bringing hope to patients and their families takes a steady and constant partnership between academia, industry and healthcare providers. I have seen a transformation in the management of stroke and am now witnessing a landmark breakthrough in disease modifying treatment for dementia due to the persistence and resilience of many colleagues in targeting amyloid despite the many setbacks. It is a privilege and deeply satisfying.<\/p><p><strong>What is the superpower (skills and techniques) you are most pleased with? What new superpowers would you like to develop?<\/strong><\/p><p>My clinical training and interests has enabled me to develop expertise in designing and managing clinical trials and studies, which I believe is what distinguishes clinician-scientists from non-clinician scientists. Over the years I have also acquired knowledge of brain biomarkers and what I would like to develop is better understanding of how best to analyse these increasingly complex data.<\/p><p><strong>What has helped you get to where you are, and what advice would you give someone who wants to come in this direction?<\/strong><\/p><p>I would suggest that its really important in life to find good people whoever and wherever they are and then to find a way to work with them to achieve change. It\u2019s only natural that when you are younger you want to be a lone wolf, but we should learn patience and develop the capacity to find and deal with people in different ways to achieve things.<\/p><p><strong>If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?<\/strong><\/p><p>During the pandemic, the only place outside Singapore I wanted to go to was my hometown of Seremban where my parents lived. I was really grateful to have been able to spend over a month with them in and out of quarantine when travel became possible in 2021, all the more so as my father passed away last year. I am definitely planning to visit more often and not take them for granted.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-846fb0a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"846fb0a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ffc7f84\" data-id=\"ffc7f84\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e2c0733 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e2c0733\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Dr Elizabeth Tham Huiwen<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-08d3222 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"08d3222\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Head &amp; Consultant, Division of Paediatric Allergy, Immunology &amp; Rheumatology, Department of Paediatrics, Khoo Teck Puat &#8211; National University Children&#8217;s Medical Institute, National University Hospital<br>\nAssistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore<br>\nMBBS(S\u2019pore), MMed(Paeds)(S\u2019pore), MRCPCH(UK), FAMS(S&#8217;pore), MCI(S&#8217;pore)\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ee509ec elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ee509ec\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c4c03c8\" data-id=\"c4c03c8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36dd643 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"36dd643\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"691\" height=\"708\" src=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2022\/12\/1.-Dr-Elizabeth-Tham-Huiwen.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3919\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2022\/12\/1.-Dr-Elizabeth-Tham-Huiwen.png 691w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2022\/12\/1.-Dr-Elizabeth-Tham-Huiwen-293x300.png 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 691px) 100vw, 691px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-934656c\" data-id=\"934656c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-96128a6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"96128a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: bolder;\">What is your research area?<\/span><\/p><p>My research focuses on mechanistic pathways, endophenotypes and allergy prevention approaches for Atopic Dermatitis (AD) and Food Allergy (FA) in the Asian Paediatric population.<\/p><p class=\"mb-25\"><strong>What prompted you to be a clinician-scientist (CS)?<\/strong><\/p><p>As a young clinician, I was struck by the immense psychosocial, emotional and financial burden that severe Atopic Dermatitis (AD) had, not only on infants and children afflicted by this terrible, chronic skin disease, but also their whole family. A significant proportion of children with severe AD also develop other allergic disorders like food allergies, allergic rhinitis and asthma in later life (atopic march) which compounds the burden incurred by this group of disorders. This inspired me to pursue research into ways to prevent and treat severe AD, and thus also food allergy, which are essentially incurable unless the child outgrows it on his\/her own as conventional therapy is based around only controlling the symptoms of the disease. Being a clinician-scientist allows me to bring clinical problems to the bench, understand the underlying mechanisms and find creative solutions to bring back to the bedside for clinical translation.<\/p><p class=\"mb-25\"><strong>What excites you about your research?<\/strong><\/p><p class=\"mb-25\">My field of research is exciting because of the vast amounts that are unknown. This uncertainty may be unsettling for some, but I find it both challenging and worthwhile. <span class=\"issue-underline\">It is similar to taking a trip through a dark dense forest to come out the other side, but also creating a map along the way.<\/span> Often, I find wonderful treasures in the forest if I look hard enough.<\/p><p><strong>How do you manage your time to do research in the midst of heavy clinical workload?<\/strong><\/p><p>As a Clinician-Scientist on the NUS Tenure Track, I am provided 70% protected time to pursue research. I also have very supportive mentors, HOD and division members who support me in each aspect and allow me to grow and flourish in my research. I also have a great research team who are highly skilled, driven and motivated, who run my research independently and efficiently. Because of this, I can be fully productive outside of clinical work. \u00a0<\/p><p class=\"mb-25\"><strong>What are you planning to do after your PhD\/Fellowship?<\/strong><\/p><p>My focus in the near future is on identify endophenotypes of AD and biomarkers of disease, which will set the stage for the development of non-invasive preventive and therapeutic interventions. With the results of this project I will be applying for a Clinician-Scientist Award (CSA) for the next phase of my research.<\/p><p class=\"mb-25\"><strong>What is one piece of practical advice you would give to someone new entering this field?<\/strong><\/p><p>I have so many!<\/p><ol><li>Look to problems you face in clinical practice as the basis for research ideas, which would then translate to clinically relevant interventions for research.<\/li><li>Protected time for research is absolutely critical for success in research. As such, having a fully supportive mentor and HOD is paramount.<\/li><li>Look for seed grants and other funding opportunities which are ring-fenced only for early career researchers, as these will provide you with preliminary data that can be used to support larger grants like an NIG or TA.<\/li><li>Networking! Actively look for opportunities to meet, or ask to be introduced to, other researchers in your field of interest as they may eventually become your collaborators.<\/li><\/ol><p class=\"mb-25\"><strong>What do you like to do during your free time?<\/strong><\/p><p>I love reading and watching good movies. I am also a mother of 4 very active children who take up all my free time otherwise! I now spend all my weekends getting sunburnt at East Coast with my older two children at sailing training.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-55621d7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"55621d7\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-bb77d12\" data-id=\"bb77d12\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e154241 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e154241\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Dr Sia Ching Hui<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c649c73 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c649c73\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Associate Consultant, Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre, Singapore<br>\nSenior Lecturer, Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore<br>\nMBBS(S\u2019pore), MMed(Int Med)(S\u2019pore), MRCP(UK), FAMS(Cardiology)\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-58355b0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"58355b0\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-78921a7\" data-id=\"78921a7\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2af58c1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2af58c1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"628\" height=\"732\" src=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2022\/11\/3.-Dr-Sia-Ching-Hui.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3864\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2022\/11\/3.-Dr-Sia-Ching-Hui.png 628w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2022\/11\/3.-Dr-Sia-Ching-Hui-257x300.png 257w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 628px) 100vw, 628px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b98ecbd\" data-id=\"b98ecbd\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c217eaa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c217eaa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: bolder;\">What is your research area?<\/span><\/p><p class=\"mb-25\">My research focuses on heart-brain interactions. The heart and brain are <span class=\"issue-underline\">important<\/span> organs in the body that communicate across multiple pathways, but their interaction is not fully understood. Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are major causes of morbidity and mortality globally, and the ageing population will exacerbate the problem. It is of utmost importance to reduce this <span class=\"issue-underline\">twin<\/span> burden of disease. My second research focus is <span class=\"issue-underline\">multimodality<\/span> cardiac imaging. It involves using different imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiography, to diagnose, predict, guide treatment, and assess response.<\/p><p class=\"mb-25\"><strong>What prompted you to be a clinician-scientist (CS)?<\/strong><\/p><p class=\"mb-25\">While training, I realized that as I acquired more knowledge, I knew less and less overall. There have been a great deal of studies and guidelines published to date, especially in a field such as <span class=\"issue-underline\">cardiology, but<\/span> I still find that there are often no answers to clinical situations we face on a daily basis. Telling patients there is no particular treatment or cause for something, and then <span class=\"issue-underline\">going<\/span> on as if this were fine, is not satisfying. While patients accept that doctors cannot know everything, I find it very fulfilling to be able to contribute to finding those answers rather than waiting for them to be discovered. By being a researcher, I am able to bridge that much-needed gap to <span class=\"issue-underline\">find<\/span> solutions to the problems we face every day.<\/p><p class=\"mb-25\"><strong>What excites you about your research?<\/strong><\/p><p class=\"mb-25\">My field of research is exciting because of the vast amounts that are unknown. This uncertainty may be unsettling for some, but I find it both challenging and worthwhile. <span class=\"issue-underline\">It is similar to taking a trip through a dark dense forest to come out the other side, but also creating a map along the way.<\/span> Often, I find wonderful treasures in the forest if I look hard enough.<\/p><p><strong>Could you describe one of your typical workdays? What are some of the challenges of being a CS? How do you work to overcome that?<\/strong><\/p><p>As clich\u00e9 as it may sound, I don&#8217;t have a typical workday. It&#8217;s one of the interesting things about being a doctor! Patients may ask questions in clinic that one has never considered, or a scan may reveal something I hadn&#8217;t anticipated. Doing research amidst clinical work requires filtering out distractions and focusing on answering the questions that need to be answered. Also, it&#8217;s essential to take care of yourself, such as striving to get the right food, more sleep and exercising each day. Working in a team also makes the journey more fun.<\/p><p class=\"mb-25\"><strong>What is the superpower (skills and techniques) you are most pleased with? What new superpowers would you like to develop?<\/strong><\/p><p class=\"mb-25\">It would be great if I had superpowers so that I could accomplish more in a day! Nevertheless, I have acquired some skills along the way. My formal research training has been with a Master of Clinical Investigation, however I have also taken the time to complete an Executive Master of Business Administration in order to better understand the dynamics of developing a successful and forward-looking research team.<\/p><p class=\"mb-25\"><strong>What would you do differently if you could go back in time, and why?<\/strong><\/p><p class=\"mb-25\">I would have started learning about research and getting my hands dirty much earlier. There was so much I was missing out on!<\/p><p class=\"mb-25\"><strong>If you were not in this career, what else would you have done?<\/strong><\/p><p class=\"mb-25\">The same thing, ironically! After junior college, I was offered a scholarship to pursue a BSc-PhD, but I decided to pursue a professional degree instead by doing medicine. I never imagined that many years later I would be back doing research.<\/p><p class=\"mb-25\">\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-mobile-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1885\" aria-expanded=\"false\">2022<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1885\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1885\" tabindex=\"0\" hidden=\"hidden\"><p>\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"page\" data-elementor-id=\"4414\" class=\"elementor elementor-4414\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-db91fc9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"db91fc9\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7d51f8c\" data-id=\"7d51f8c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a8eb541 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a8eb541\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Dr David Chen Ziyou<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d7c8ee0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d7c8ee0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Associate Consultant, Department of Ophthamology, National University Hospital<br>Associate Consultant, Healthy Ageing Programme (Age Better), Alexandra Hospital<br>MBBS (S&#8217;pore), MMed (Ophth), ,FRCOphth, FAMS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c43c389 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c43c389\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6e73ede\" data-id=\"6e73ede\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab0c240 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ab0c240\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"614\" height=\"706\" src=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2022\/10\/2.-Dr-David-Chen-Ziyou.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3527\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2022\/10\/2.-Dr-David-Chen-Ziyou.png 614w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2022\/10\/2.-Dr-David-Chen-Ziyou-261x300.png 261w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 614px) 100vw, 614px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f2dd506\" data-id=\"f2dd506\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9347839 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9347839\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: bolder;\">What is your research area?<\/span><\/p><p>My area of research is innovation in Ophthalmology, with a special focus on anterior segment surgeries (cataract \/ refractive \/ glaucoma surgeries).<\/p><p><b>What inspired you to choose your specialty area?<\/b><\/p><p>I have always been interested in vision and I&#8217;m a strong proponent of sight being the most important of our senses! That aside, I witnessed firsthand the life-changing impact of eye surgeries during a volunteer trip to Ghana where the same patient that could not see just a day before regained functional vision after an elegant cataract surgery done in 10 minutes. The icing on the cake was that this specialty has cutting edge technology and we are always among the first to utilize the latest tools and gadgets.\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>What are your current superpowers (skills and techniques)?<\/strong><\/p><p>I do not have any research-specific skills, but I am relatively tech-savvy and open to learning new things. I am self-taught in R statistics, basic Python, git and command line programming through a mixture of trial and error as well as online open access tutorials. I consider myself a relatively fast learner and digital native.<\/p><p>In accordance to the above, I am organized and I try to make use of technology and automation to keep tabs on my various progress on different projects and initiatives that I am on to maximize efficiency. I do my best to keep my discipline in ensuring my milestones are kept in check.\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>If you were not in this career, what else would you have done?<\/strong><\/p><p>I would most likely be working in a tech-related field and hopping on the Web3 bandwagon.<\/p><p><strong>Which 3 guests (dead or alive) would you invite for dinner, and why?<\/strong><\/p><p>Keeping to the theme of tech:<\/p><p>1) Leonardo da Vinci: the quinessential polymath whose interests and contributions span both the arts and sciences.<\/p><p>2) Linus Torvalds: creator of the Linux operating system which sparked the open source revolution.<\/p><p>3) Satoshi Nakamoto: creator of the bitcoin which catapulted blockchain to the mainstream. It would be cool to know how he actually looks like in person\u00a0<\/p><p>If Satoshi remains anonymous and elusive, then I would replace him with Alan Turing, whose cryptography work was instrumental for the success of the Allied forces in World War II and also the invention of the modern computer.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-be645c3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"be645c3\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e98baed\" data-id=\"e98baed\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2202f0e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2202f0e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Dr Cinnie Yentia Soekojo <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5952592 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5952592\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Associate Consultant, Division of Haematology, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore <br> \nMD, MRCP (UK), FRCPath (UK)\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5fe6bd4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5fe6bd4\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ebedc1f\" data-id=\"ebedc1f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2565ef2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2565ef2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"927\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2022\/10\/Green-White-Modern-Board-Introduction-All-About-Me-Poster-2-927x1024.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3420\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2022\/10\/Green-White-Modern-Board-Introduction-All-About-Me-Poster-2-927x1024.png 927w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2022\/10\/Green-White-Modern-Board-Introduction-All-About-Me-Poster-2-272x300.png 272w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2022\/10\/Green-White-Modern-Board-Introduction-All-About-Me-Poster-2-768x848.png 768w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2022\/10\/Green-White-Modern-Board-Introduction-All-About-Me-Poster-2.png 976w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 927px) 100vw, 927px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0893958\" data-id=\"0893958\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-79081ea elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"79081ea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: bolder\">How did you get into your research area? Was there a defining moment?<\/span><\/p><p>I have always been fascinated with the deep understanding of disease biology and precision medicine. The reason that draws me into Haematology, especially Haemato-Oncology, is the incorporation of genetic understanding in patient management. I believe that patients with same cancer can have different diseases which require different treatments, because there is heterogeneity in disease biology, in terms of genetics and tumor microenvironment. It is important to understand this at a deeper level. My research focuses on understanding this disease biology at a high resolution by using single-cell sequencing and spatial omics.<\/p><p><strong>Where did \/ are you completing your fellowship?<\/strong><\/p><p>I am currently doing my fellowship at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and I am affiliated with Harvard Medical School.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db98235 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"db98235\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"736\" height=\"774\" src=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2022\/10\/1.-Cinnie-Yentia-Soekojo-Informal-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3456\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2022\/10\/1.-Cinnie-Yentia-Soekojo-Informal-1.jpg 736w, https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2022\/10\/1.-Cinnie-Yentia-Soekojo-Informal-1-285x300.jpg 285w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 736px) 100vw, 736px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9d1daa7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9d1daa7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: bolder\">What are your current superpowers (skills and techniques)?<\/span><\/p><p>Being a physician specializing in multiple myeloma, hence knowing the clinical context and gaps, bringing it to the lab with expertise in single-cell sequencing and spatial omics, and then bringing it back again to the patients for precision and personalized medicine.<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: bolder\">What new superpowers (skills and techniques) and areas would you like to develop?<\/span><\/p><p>I feel the best part of my career so far is having wonderful mentors guiding me along this arduous path for which I am so grateful, and I hope to pay this forward. I hope to be able to understand other people\u2019s needs and help them grow.<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: bolder\">If you are not in this career, what else would you have done?<\/span><\/p><p>Perhaps a musician. When I was a teenager, I played in bands as a pianist and composed some original songs. Those are beautiful memories and I do enjoy that.<\/p><p><strong>Which 3 guests (dead or alive) would you invite for dinner, and why?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><p>Both my paternal and maternal grandfathers who passed away when I was relatively young, so I didn&#8217;t have much chance to talk to them and know them well.<\/p><p>My paternal grandfather came from China to Singapore and then to Indonesia when he was very young. Despite his lack of education, he was a very wise person with good business acumen. Until now, my father will still sometimes quote what he said when giving us life advice.<\/p><p>My maternal grandfather received a good education in China with a keen interest in literature. Recently, my mother found some of his original poems which he wrote decades ago even before I was born. Those are very precious.<\/p><p>Mr. Lee Kuan Yew &#8211; Whenever I walk around Singapore, I am always so amazed at how he could transform Singapore into how it is today in just a few decades.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>CS Spotlight Initiated in October 2022, the Clinician Scientist Academy seeks to feature our very own clinician scientists, where they share their research journeys and some interesting\/lesser known facts about themselves. Click on to read more about what they have to share. 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2026 Dr Bernice Oh Lingzhi Consultant, Division of..<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9286,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3479","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>CS Spotlight - NUHS CS Academy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/medicine.nus.edu.sg\/csa\/cs-spotlight\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"CS Spotlight - NUHS CS Academy\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"CS Spotlight Initiated in October 2022, the Clinician Scientist Academy seeks to feature our very own clinician scientists, where they share their research journeys and some interesting\/lesser known facts about themselves. 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