Directory



Tan Yen Nee

Associate Professor, Centre for Clinician-Scientist Plus Development

Duke-NUS Medical School

Bio

Associate Professor Tan Yen Nee is the Programme Anchor of ACE-in-Grants at the Centre for Clinician-Scientist Development (CCS D), Duke-NUS Medical School. She was previously the Professor and Chair of Sustainable Materials and Nanobiotechnology at Newcastle University—a member of the Russell Group in UK, with a career spanning A*STAR, NUS, and international academic networks. Prof Tan received her PhD from MIT and NUS under the Singapore–MIT Alliance Scholarship. At A*STAR, she served as the founding Head of the Bioinspired Materials Thematic Lab and established the Biomimetic and Biomedical Materials Programme at the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering. Her work has translated fundamental discoveries into sustainable solution and clinically relevant innovations—including nanosensors for rapid disease detection and bioinspired antimicrobials—resulting in patents, licensed technologies, and strategic partnerships across academia, healthcare and industry. Recognised with international accolades, including the Molecular Systems Design & Engineering (MSDE) Emerging Investigator Award (UK, 2020), Prof Tan’s research supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3: Good Health & Well-being) and has been featured in scientific platforms such as Phys.org and The Straits Times Singapore—Science News.

A dedicated research mentor and academic leader, Prof Tan is deeply committed to research capability building and talent development. She has trained over 100 researchers and students—including clinician-scientists and national award recipients—many of whom have advanced into academic, clinical, and leadership roles. As a former Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) on Newcastle University’s Singapore Executive Board, she led initiatives to advance inclusive research culture, mental wellbeing, and gender equity in STEM. A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and certified professional examiner by Advance HE (UK), she is regularly invited as an external PhD examiner and academic programme evaluator at leading international institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Seoul National University and has served as an expert reviewer for national and international funding agencies. She also contributed to Singapore’s research strategy as Chairperson of A*STAR’s FUTURESCAPE panel on “Convergence of Engineering, Physical and Life Sciences” for the RIE2025 agenda. 
 
Prof Tan’s career reflects a strong commitment to translational science, academic excellence, and the cultivation of future leaders in science and medicine. At Duke-NUS, she leads initiatives to strengthen research capability development and strategic grantsmanship among clinician-scientists, and is dedicated to empowering them to drive high-impact research and MedTech innovation that enhances patient care, advances precision medicine, and delivers meaningful clinical and societal impact.

Education

Fellow, Higher Education Academy

Higher Education Academy, UK, United Kingdom

Doctor of Philosophy

National University of Singapore, Singapore

Master of Sci (Molecular Eng of Biological & Chemical Sys)

National University of Singapore, Singapore

NUS Appointment(s)

Assistant Professor (Adjunct)

National University of Singapore, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, 01/2011 - 12/2018

Faculty Member & PhD Supervisor for A*STAR Scholars

NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering (NGS), 01/2015 - 12/2018

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