In 1995, I graduated as the top student from the Medical School of Wuhan University, which sparked my interest in medicine. This led me to the Master of Surgery program at the same university, where three years of surgical training fueled my passion for research.
Curious about the exciting world of research in Singapore, I headed to the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in 2001. There, I pursued both a PhD and Postdoctoral training, dedicating eight years to groundbreaking research in molecular cloning, animal experimentation, innate immunity, and cancer research.
Returning to clinical practice in 2009, I joined the Department of Paediatric Surgery at KK Hospital. Over the next 14 years, I worked my way up from Resident Physician to my current role as a Senior Staff Physician, focusing on pediatric surgery to achieve the best surgical outcomes with minimal impact on children.
My training included experiences at renowned pediatric centers like the Hospital for Sick Children, Capital Institute of Pediatrics in China, and Toronto General Hospital—the largest transplant center in North America. Drawing from these experiences, I pioneered over 10 minimally invasive surgical procedures in Singapore and played a crucial role in establishing the country's first intestinal transplant program, contributing to three successful bowel transplants.
Balancing my clinical expertise with a passion for research, I've published over 14 meta-analysis and systematic review for pediatric surgical diseases. Recognized in the field, I serve on the Evidence and Guidelines Committee of the European Pediatric Surgeon’s Association (EUPSA) and have actively helped create guidelines for different conditions, such as gastroschisis, appendicitis, and esophageal atresia.
My dedication extends to solving the mysteries of pediatric diseases, especially necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Through basic research, I discovered the importance of insufficient blood supply and feeding in NEC, leading to successful preventive strategies and a significant reduction in its occurrence. Noteworthy publications include research featured in prestigious scientific journals such as Disease Models and Mechanisms and Nature Communications.
In the field of transplantation, my goal is to prevent graft injury during surgery. I've pioneered a cool reperfusion technique, showing promising results in improving graft function compared to the traditional warm reperfusion method in animal.
Having secured over 1 million in funding for various research projects, I'm eager to dedicate more time to research. With a strong lineup of impactful projects, my aim is to contribute significantly to medical innovation as a clinician-researcher. Recognizing my contributions, I received the Mad Scientist award in 2018 from DUKE-NUS. I'm confident that my dedication will make a lasting impact on the Duke-NUS Graduate School and its students through my work.