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News

Starch
19 Mar 2024
The 12th Starch Value Chain ASIA conference was held in Vientiane, at Crowne Plaza Hotel, from February 27 to 29, 2024. The conference encompassed four key themes: Asia’s starch markets, industrial and food-grade tapioca starch in Laos with expansion plans, sustainable climate-smart agri-technology for rice and cassava cultivation, and challenges for future growth in Asia's biogas-to-energy sector.
13 Mar 2024
Inspired by beetle cuticles, SUTD and NUS scientists have developed optical structures that can produce vibrant, iridescent and completely biodegradable colours using chitin – the world's second most abundant organic material.
08 Mar 2024
Scientists from Duke-NUS Medical School have developed a new approach using the Zika virus to destroy brain cancer cells and inhibit tumour growth, while sparing healthy cells.
Coconut and fibres
08 Mar 2024
An international multidisciplinary team of researchers from Singapore, India, Malaysia and Indonesia are breaking boundaries in 3D Printing. They have developed Coir Fiber Polymer Composites with enhanced strength, presenting a new and sustainable way for applications in food and medical packaging.
06 Feb 2024
The estate of the late Ms Diana Koh gifted S$1M to Duke-NUS Medical School and NUS Medicine to fund young cancer researchers and raise awareness about cancer research advances. The gift establishes research funds, grants, prizes, and learning series to support innovative approaches to cancer treatment by the next generation of scientists and clinicians.
02 Feb 2024
A study led by Duke-NUS Medical School has found an important connection between cancer, stem cells and the building blocks of cholesterol. Specifically, the research reveals how the enzyme FAXDC2 influences cancer cell growth and differentiation through its role in cholesterol synthesis, suggesting possible new approaches to cancer treatment.
22 Jan 2024
Researchers from Thailand have pioneered the conversion of waste HDPE milk bottles into high-stiffness composites, utilizing PALF reinforcement for a 162% increase in flexural strength and 204% in modulus. This eco-friendly upcycling boosts mechanical properties while sequestering carbon, presenting a promising path for sustainable materials.
15 Jan 2024
Research by Assistant Professor Edison Ang Huixiang and his team from National Institute of Education/Nanyang Technological University Singapore
10 Jan 2024
Novel findings from a preclinical head-to-head comparison show that administering a COVID-19 vaccine as a nasal spray rather than a subcutaneous injection enhances the body’s long-term immune memory, thereby increasing the vaccine’s overall effectiveness. This research could pave the way for a COVID-19 vaccination strategy that depends on fewer boosters to achieve the same level of protection against SARS-CoV-2 viruses.
08 Jan 2024
In the bustling cities and remote villages of Asia, a silent revolution is taking place. The traditional chalk-and-talk classrooms are gradually giving way to a more technologically advanced, AI-driven educational paradigm. This shift, experts say, is transforming the way education is both delivered and received in Asia.
22 Dec 2023
SUTD researchers found that younger children were likelier to accept new information from a human than a social robot, even if both informants were previously shown to provide inaccurate information.
19 Dec 2023
SUTD researchers developed an advanced system of breast cancer cell detection with improved speed and sensitivity, using a viral mechanism to enhance the tool’s sensing accuracy.
18 Dec 2023
Researchers identify RBFox1 as a key intrinsic regulator of heart muscle cell maturation, overcoming a major limitation in cardiac regenerative therapy and disease modelling and demonstrating for the first time that RNA splicing control can significantly impact this process.
15 Dec 2023
Riding the momentum of the environment-aware agenda, SUTD researchers were part of an international collaboration that developed a sustainable approach to discover and identify materials for next-generation electronics.
14 Dec 2023
Scientists from Duke-NUS Medical School and their collaborators have come up with new methods to cultivate brain cells from stem cells to treat and study neurodegenerative diseases.
stomach cancer
11 Dec 2023
Scientists uncover genetic factors allowing for the early prediction of intestinal metaplasia patients who may have higher risks of developing stomach cancer, enabling early detection, diagnosis and targeted prevention.
07 Dec 2023
Chronic wounds cost Singapore an estimated SGD$350 million a year, accounting for approximately 0.07% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The amount is a significant economic burden, considering that the country spends 4% of its GDP on healthcare. This is according to the first local study that has quantified the national cost of chronic wounds in a multi-ethnic Asian population. The research, conducted by scientists and clinicians at eight institutions in Singapore, was led by Duke-NUS Medical School and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).
30 Nov 2023
The report, titled "Pathways for transforming the cancer ecosystem: A patient-centred framework" was compiled from more than 100 interviews with key stakeholders including patients, patient support organisations and other community groups, clinicians, researchers, multiple industries, and healthcare decision-makers.
Image 1
30 Nov 2023
SUTD researchers refine two-photon polymerisation lithography to create high-precision, nanoscale features, advancing 3D printing to enable the production of intricate components for use in high-tech applications.
17 Nov 2023
Analysis of more than 80,000 diabetes patients in Singapore links elevated systolic pressure and very low diastolic pressure to higher cardiovascular mortality. Underscores need to control high systolic levels while exercising caution with low diastolic levels.
pregnant woman
13 Nov 2023
New study finds prior dengue antibodies substantially raise risk of microcephaly, foetal defects with Zika infection.
07 Nov 2023
SINGAPORE, November 7, 2023 – TechInnovation 2023, IPI's flagship event and a premier technology-matching platform, successfully concluded on Thursday, 2 November 2023, profoundly impacting audiences with insights into Sustainability, Health & Well-being, and AI in Healthcare. Over 5,000 people registered to attend TechInnovation, which brought together industry leaders, innovators, and technology experts alike to share and discover opportunities to partner and collaborate to create a sustainable future.
02 Nov 2023
First such local study finds extension of smoking ban to communal areas of residential blocks and outdoor spaces linked to monthly fall in heart attack cases
02 Nov 2023
Collaborations with seven key local partners aim to strengthen capabilities for integrated care for the “super-aged” society
30 Oct 2023
This prestigious event will feature 400 education leaders from schools and higher education establishments across Asia, taking the stage to share insights and best practices on shaping the digital future of education.
20 Oct 2023
New perspective argues pursuing fair AI for healthcare requires cross-disciplinary collaboration to translate methods into real-world benefits.
16 Oct 2023
New research reveals how disrupted energy production in the kidneys contributes to progressive kidney disease in diabetes.
Walking with prostheses
10 Sep 2023
In this collaborative project between Newcastle University and Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), the team aimed to create a sustainable, cost-effective lower limb prosthetic socket (LLPS) using natural fiber-reinforced composites. The objectives included designing a green LLPS, assessing its environmental impact, and engaging stakeholders. Pineapple Leaf Fiber (PALF) was chosen for sustainability. The project has also inspired worldwide interest in sustainable LLPS development through a press release, receiving inquiries from students at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and a group of 7th graders in the USA.
08 Sep 2023
Study addresses gaps in understanding of swine influenza A virus evolution and highlights need for early warning of disease emergence
29 Aug 2023
It is the first local research and innovation platform enabling Primary Care Professionals from public and private healthcare to deliver stronger primary care and improve patients’ health outcomes

Events

20 Mar 2024
The Asia-Pacific Biopharma Excellence Awards 2024 seeks to give recognition to exceptional Asian bioprocessing, logistics and supply chain management, as well as clinical trials experts, organisations and technologies over the past year. Recognising outstanding achievements of top biopharma leaders in the industry, the Asia-Pacific Biopharma Excellence Awards applauds extraordinary leaders & trend-setters of today and inspires innovators of tomorrow.
27 Feb 2024
A transformative three-day conference uniting innovative minds in education to explore the limitless potential of AI. It is a call to action for those dedicated to reshaping education and empowering the next generation with vital skills for the digital era.
31 Oct 2023
Experience TechInnovation 2023, held at Marina Bay Sands from October 31 to November 2. Explore themes of Sustainability, Health and Well-being, and AI in Healthcare.
14 Sep 2023
Asia Pacific CGT Excellence Awards 2023 seeks to give recognition to exceptional Cell & Gene Therapy Pioneers, Researchers, Innovators & Manufacturers that facilitate fast advancement in new therapies, R&D and manufacturing.
14 Sep 2023
Asia Pacific Biologics CMO Excellence Awards 2023 seeks to give recognition to exceptional CMO & CDMO that facilitate biologics manufacturing excellence at enhanced speed, reduced cost, and superior quality from the biologics contract manufacturing space. 
24 Aug 2023
Using Data for Sustainability: An evening of Short Talks and Networking
12 Jul 2023
Advancing Precision Public Health in Asia and Beyond – The Future is Now
17 Apr 2023
To achieve Net Zero, the governments of the UK and Singapore are targeting ambitious carbon reduction goals, and electromobility has emerged as a key strategy. Now, Newcastle University (UK) and ERI@N (Singapore) are jointly hosting an international event, known as the Electromobility symposium, in Singapore to debate and discuss experiences in implementing land transport electrification in Singapore and the UK, evaluate policy landscapes, and identify successes and obstacles to inform future strategies.
08 Nov 2023
Asia’s largest conference and exhibition for educators and EdTech providers
24 Sep 2023
RehabWeek is a week-long event that brings together different conferences in the field of rehabilitation technology at the same time and place in order to foster cross-disciplinary communication and the development of relationships between different players.
10 Jan 2023
ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute’s flagship conference will be held in hybrid format on 10 January 2023. After 2 years of virtual conference format, we are excited to welcome participants back to a physical event at The Shangri-La Singapore for the Regional Outlook Forum (ROF) 2023.
07 Nov 2022
The World One Health Congress is the world’s premier conference to advance the One Health agenda, profiling and advancing transdisciplinary efforts that further our collective understanding of animal-human disease transmission alongside their social and environmental determinants.
26 Oct 2022
Asia Clean Energy Summit (ACES) is the region's leading summit and exhibition focusing on clean and renewable energy growth and adoption, technology, policy and finance supported by leading government agencies, research institutes and industry.
07 Nov 2022
FCS2022 is jointly organized by eight major research institutes in Singapore and includes a line-up of internationally renowned cancer experts. The conference converges the latest cancer discoveries around the world and promises ground-breaking and innovative insights into cancer research.
18 Mar 2022
What does it take for Additive Manufacturing (AM) to move beyond? This webinar will continue explore the grand challenges of AM and its potential for growth.
06 Sep 2022
Identity Week Asia is a conference and exhibition bringing together the brightest minds in the identity sector to promote innovation, new thinking, and more effective identity solutions.
17 Jan 2022
World’s brightest minds converge at virtual summit to inspire young researchers and discuss key issues
07 Dec 2022
Natural Disasters Expo Asia is transforming the Singapore Expo on the 7th & 8th of December 2022 into the ultimate event for the management and mitigation of disasters and will welcome experts around the globe to source the latest revolutionary solutions to calamity management and mitigation.
25 Nov 2021
Speakers from Singapore, India and Korea, invited to speak at Regional Webinar on virtual surgical planning in oral and facial surgery
18 Oct 2021
Now in its 14th installation, the HIMSS21 APAC Conference will converge under the theme of Future-Proof Healthcare: The Emergence of Asia Pacific.
01 Nov 2021
We invite scientists, doctors, students and other delegates engaging in scientific research related to cancer to join us at Singapore’s preferred cancer conference.
28 Sep 2021
TECHINNOVATION is a premier technology-to-industry matching event presented by IPI. It brings together international technology providers and enterprises to accelerate the commercialisation of emerging technologies, seed licensing opportunities and foster open innovation collaborations.
09 Nov 2021
Educators and education establishments across the region are actively purchasing technology solutions to enable remote learning, improve communication and accelerate learning. At EDUtech Asia, join us as we welcome educators and edtech providers from around the region to inspire the next generation.
07 Oct 2021
The National Healthcare Group (NHG) is proud to present the 19th Edition of the Singapore Health & Biomedical Congress (SHBC).
07 Apr 2021
Join us from 7 to 9 April 2021 at the Precision Public Health Asia 2021 Conference to find out how precision public health can improve health outcomes and equity to deliver ‘personalised’ public health.
12 Jan 2021
Organised by the National Research Foundation – Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore, the ninth edition of the Global Young Scientists Summit (GYSS@one-north) will take place 12 to 15 January 2021 as a virtual event.
23 Nov 2020
Global health emergencies look set to be a part of our lives. What awaits us in 2021 and what lessons can we draw from COVID-19 coverage? How can we support newsrooms and journalists for more informed and impactful journalism about global scientific, technical and human challenges? What role does journalism play in seeking solutions for a better world that is both healthy, and sustainable?
03 Nov 2020
The Singapore Centre for 3D Printing is pleased to share our first online webinar in collaboration with HP-NTU Digital Manufacturing Corporate Lab.
03 Nov 2020
Bringing you EduTECH Asia Virtual 2020, Asia’s largest Digital Festival of Education on November 3 - 6, 2020, with 2 days of pre-event Masterclasses on October 30 and November 2.

Researchers

Andrei Popescu
Angel Investor and a Vision-driven entrepreneur/executive with career-long record of business growth and innovation.
Nanyang Technological University
Dr Edison H. Ang
Dr. Edison H. Ang has a background in materials science and engineering along with a diverse skill set. He completed his undergraduate studies, earning B.S. degrees, at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore in 2012. Later, in 2017, Dr. Ang received his Ph.D. from the same university. He gained additional experience as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the National University of Singapore from 2016 to 2017 and later served as a Research Fellow at Nanyang Technological University from 2017 to 2019. In mid-2018, he also took on a Visiting Scholar role at the Technical University of Munich in Germany. Currently, Dr. Edison H. Ang serves as an Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Education/Nanyang Technological University. His expertise encompasses various areas, including 2D Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology, Energy Storage and Conversion, Sensor Technology, Membrane Technology, Additive Manufacturing, Catalysis, Waste-to-Wealth, Surface Coating and Film, Circular Economy, Renewable Energy, Sustainability, and Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
Matthew Tay
Dr. Tay has researched antibodies and diseases like malaria and SARS-CoV-2 at A*STAR. His focus is on discovering methods for developing antibodies that can be used in therapies against multidrug-resistant pathogens.
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
Dr. Stefan Oehlers
Dr. Oehlers leads the Bacterial Pathogenesis Laboratory at A*STAR ID Labs, where he and his colleagues focus on identifying molecular bases of mycobacterial disease and, thus, deploy therapies that address antibiotic resistance in mycobacterial infections.
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
Professor Yue Wang
Dr. Yue Wang is senior principal investigator at the Antifungal Resistance Laboratory of A*STAR ID Labs, where his body of work focuses on virulence mechanisms of the fungal human pathogen Candida albicans.
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
Amit Singhal
Dr. Singhal serves as senior principal investigator at the Bacterial Immunopathology Lab at A*STAR ID Labs in Singapore. His work at A*STAR ID Labs revolves around three main pathogens: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Gram-negative bacteria and Dengue virus.
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
Dr. Pablo Bifani
Dr. Bifani is a principal investigator at A*STAR ID Labs at their Antimicrobial Resistance Lab. He has extensively researched antimicrobial resistance in tuberculosis and malaria. He is also an associate professor and research director at the Yong Yoo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore.
Duke-NUS Medical School
Dr Kwa is currently a Pharmacy Clinician Scientist and Assistant Director, Pharmacy (Research), at the Singapore General Hospital. She specializes in critical care medicine, infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance research.
Picture of Goh Bee Tin
Cl A/Prof Goh Bee Tin is Head and Senior Consultant in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS), Research Director and Deputy Director (Research and Education) at the National Dental Centre of Singapore (NDCS)Education. Her research interests include bone tissue engineering and mandibular reconstruction.
Newcastle University in Singapore
I am the Director of Research and Associate Professor (Reader in Mechanics of Composite Materials) at the Newcastle University in Singapore.
Prof Yow is the Associate Head of the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences at Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and leads the SUTD Language and Social Cognition Lab where they look at how language impacts on our cognitive functioning and understanding of the social world. Her research focuses on exploring and studying patterns of dual language use, how language environment may influence how children perceive communicative cues and how technology influences the way we communicate, and how it can be harnessed in ways that can improve or slow down the decline of cognition and social cognition.
I am Professor of Communication & Technology and Head of Cluster (Dean) of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences at the Singapore University of Technology and Design. From 2003 to 2016, I was Assistant then Associate Professor at the Department of Communications & New Media; and from 2014 to 2016, Assistant Dean for Research at the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, National University of Singapore.
Duke-NUS Medical School
Prof. Babita Madan
Babita Madan is an assistant professor at the Program in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.
Duke-NUS Medical School
David Virshup, M.D., is Director of the Programme in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology (CSCB) and Professor at Duke-NUS Medical School and is jointly appointed as Professor of Pediatrics at Duke University in North Carolina.
Duke-NUS Medical School
Eric Finkelstein is a Professor of the Programme in Health Services & Systems Research and the Executive Director of the Lien Centre for Palliative Care at the Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore. He also holds appointments at NUS School of Public Health and Duke University Global Health Institute.
Nanyang Technological University
Picture of Xuejiao Zhao
I got Ph.D. degree and published more than 15 top papers (including 1 best video, 2 best paper) on this topic. My project ‘Smart Home for Elderly’ was chosen to demo to Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modi, Teo Chee Hean, etc. I co-founded the charity for supporting professional woman called “Her Thought”.
I am the Head of Advocacy, Research, and Communications at AWARE, the Association of Women for Action and Research. Before joining AWARE, I worked on women's rights and child rights in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the United States. At AWARE, I deal with workplace sexual harassment cases, sexual harassment, public communications and more.
Picture of Dawn Tan
Assoc Prof Tan leads the Photonics Devices and Systems Group at Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). Her interest lies in experimental optical physics, pertaining to the study of both nonlinear and linear optical phenomena, nanophotonics and quantum optics. One of the potential applications of her research is enhancing the transmission of data via the Internet by improving reliability and lowering costs.
Assoc Prof Tuncer is the Capstone program director at Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and Director of the Informed Design Lab, which works on using data for informed architectural and urban spaces. Using computation, the lab looks at how they can strengthen and automate some things in urban design by building models and testing them better for human use, human perception, human comfort before actual constructions.
Picture of Dorien Herremans
Dorien Herremans is an Assistant Professor at SUTD, where she is also Director of Game Lab. Her research interests include machine learning and music for automatic music generation, data mining for music classification (hit prediction) and novel applications in the intersections of machine learning/optimization and domains such as digital music and stock market prediction.
Picture of Lynette Cheah
Associate Professor Lynette Cheah leads the Sustainable Urban Mobility research group at SUTD, which develops data-driven models and tools to reduce the environmental impacts of passenger and urban freight transport. Her expertise is in transport modelling and simulation, life-cycle energy and environmental assessments (LCA) of products and systems, and urban metabolism. She is a Fellow with the Martin Family Society for Sustainability, winner of the Singapore Challenge Prize in the Global Young Scientists Summit 2013, and is currently serving as a Review Editor for the UN IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report.
Picture of Yang Huiying
Assoc Prof Yang and her research team from SUTD conducts research into water desalination as well as energy storage simultaneously. She developed a low dimensional nanomaterial to desalinate ocean water using a process of hybrid capacitive deionization. This process, allows for the processing of desalinated water more efficiently while also providing low-cost energy storage.
Professor Nilanjan published a study which yielded findings on how individuals with a higher socioeconomic status (SES) are more likely to have jobs that provide opportunities for remote work to be performed, which allows for social distancing during the pandemic. Her study also explores how likely individuals with low SES will begin to break social distancing measures and be exposed to a greater risk of infection, but those with high SES are able to circumvent this problem.
Nanyang Technological University
The prospect of favorably influencing brain health through dietary habits has gained much interest. My research interest explores the therapeutic potential of functional foods and phytonutrients as neuroprotectants against mitochondrial diseases and cerebral toxoplasmosis. The scientific findings support nutritional intervention as a viable strategy for the management of human brain disorders.
Dr Teng Yin Ting is a Lecturer in Republic Polytechnic, Singapore, with more than 10 years of research experience in chemical additives, nanomaterials, battery materials and energy harvesting materials.
Nanyang Technological University
Picture of Hortense Le Ferrand
As Industry 4.0 is developing, sustainability and durability have to be established. I lead a multidisciplinary team of researchers that explore natural materials, bioinspired concepts, microstructural engineering and 3D printing to develop multifunctional durable structures. These materials can be 3D printed, are generally light weight, hard, and comprise various functionalities like stimuli responsiveness or resistance to extreme environments.
National University of Singapore
Picture of Audrey Chia
I work at the intersection of Business, Medicine and Environment. Many of the world’s current problems are best addressed from multiple perspectives. I examine issues ranging from sustainable development, pandemics, diversity, environment, social innovation and philanthropy, and suggest how we can do better.
Nanyang Technological University
Picture of Sravya Tekumalla
Dr. Sravya Tekumalla is currently a Principal Investigator in Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, where she works as a Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow. In addition, she also leads a small team of staff and students working in the domain of metal additive manufacturing (commonly known as 3D printing).
Duke-NUS Medical School
Linfa Wang
Professor Linfa Wang is a Professor with the Emerging Infectious Diseases Programme at Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.
Associate Professor Sophia Archuleta is the Head and Senior Consultant of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the National University Hospital, Singapore.

Giants in history

Maggie Lim (5 January 1913 – November 1995) was a Singaporean physician who promoted family planning and expanded the access to clinics to improve the quality of life for mothers and children in Singapore’s early days.
Gloria Lim (1930-2022) was a mycologist from Singapore who studied tropical fungi. One of the first students to attend University of Malaya when it was founded in 1949, she went on to become the first female Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Singapore.