People who inspire, lead and give back

Duke-NUS is more than a medical school—it’s a community shaped by people who push science forward, build bridges across borders, and embody the values of service and mentorship. In this issue, we celebrate the academic milestones of our faculty and their enduring service to the nation. We also spotlight the scientists driving discoveries as we honoured Professor David Matchar’s impactful 17 years, celebrated Professor Wang Hongyan’s NRF Investigatorship Award and welcomed Professor Paul Noble to Duke-NUS. Our journey to break new ground in research continues as the School welcomed a team of global experts at the DYNAMO symposium and launched MAGNET to tackle sarcopenia in Singapore. And amidst their busy schedules, our students also found time to give back to society. Together, they show that progress in medicine is powered by people.

Celebrating a pioneer in health systems research: Professor David Matchar

Professor David Matchar, founding director of the Health Services and Systems Research (HSSR) Programme, was honoured on 10 September with a special symposium at Duke-NUS. More than 50 colleagues, collaborators, mentees and students gathered to celebrate his impactful 17 years, particularly in his pioneering use of system dynamics to transform complex healthcare challenges into actionable policies.

Dean Professor Thomas Coffman praised him as “an international authority in health services research” and “a mentor who guided generations of scientists”. Former colleagues recalled his leadership in establishing key centres like CARE and the Lien Centre for Palliative Care, while mentees spoke of his generosity and vision.

In his closing remarks, Prof Matchar, affectionately known as “David M,” reminded the audience that systems thinking must continue to reshape healthcare.

“Together, let us build a future where every decision is wiser, every pathway clearer and every patient is better served.”

Professor David Matchar

Founding director of the Health Services and Systems Research (HSSR) Programme.

A visit from a long-time friend: Professor Paul Noble at Duke-NUS

Duke-NUS welcomed Professor Paul Noble, Chair of Medicine at Cedars-Sinai and Past-President of the Association of American Physicians, during his visit in August.

Duke-NUS welcomed Professor Paul Noble, Chair of Medicine at Cedars-Sinai and Past-President of the Association of American Physicians, during his visit in August. A long-time friend of Dean Professor Thomas Coffman from their Duke University days, Prof Noble shared his lab’s latest discoveries on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis—a devastating lung disease marked by scarring. His visit underscored Duke-NUS’ mission to advance science that transforms care through collaboration and purpose.

“Paul’s career is a testament to the power of clinician-scientists to bridge bench and bedside. His recent discoveries bring us closer to meaningful treatments and, one day, a cure.”

Professor Thomas Coffman, Dean of Duke-NUS

Professor Wang Hongyan receives NRF Investigators hip Award

Professor Wang Hongyan, Acting Director of Duke-NUS’ Neuroscience and Behavioural Disorders Programme, has been awarded the prestigious National Research Foundation (NRF) Singapore Investigatorship Award. Her work rethinks how scientists understand rare brain development disorders, or Golgipathies, by using both Drosophila and mammalian systems to uncover mechanisms of brain development. The insights could pave the way for new treatments for Golgipathies and conditions such as autism.

“This award isn’t the finish line—it’s just the start of an exciting new journey. It further sparks my scientific curiosity and strengthens my commitment to moving medical research from the bench to the bedside, so we can find better ways to treat brain disorders.”

Professor Wang Hongyan, Acting Director of Duke-NUS’ Neuroscience and Behavioural Disorders Programme

Going strong: Duke-NUS students honoured for decade of CDAC volunteering

For more than a decade, Duke-NUS students have been a fixture at the Chinese Development Assistance Council’s (CDAC) annual Ready For School carnival, providing health screenings for over 200 parents while children from beneficiary families enjoy games and activities. In July this year, their efforts were recognised when students from Eugene Stead College received the CDAC Outstanding Team Award and the 10-Year Partner Award.

“We can never do enough, and we may even be self-deprecating about the projects we do undertake—too small, too ineffectual. But we can only do our best and strive to represent ourselves, our school, and our future profession well.”

Year 4 MD student Pei Yun (Class of 2026)

Global experts rally at Duke-NUS to tackle diabetic kidney disease

Held on 7 August at the Duke-NUS Amphitheatre, the symposium attracted more than 60 participants

With diabetes projected to affect 853 million people by 2050—and with up to 40% at risk of diabetic kidney disease—Duke-NUS hosted a high-level DYNAMO symposium on 7 August, focusing on this urgent challenge. More than 60 participants gathered at the Duke-NUS Amphitheatre as the project’s scientific advisory board shared fresh perspectives across the bench-to-bedside spectrum. Professor Katalin Susztak discussed the genes, mechanisms and cell types shaping kidney function; Professor Nick Wareham urged a wider lens that pairs clinical care with public-health strategies; Professor Mark Cooper reviewed the kidney-protective potential of GLP-1 agonists; and Professor Peter Rossing highlighted how to translate trial evidence into personalised, real-world care.

As DYNAMO enters its next phase, the aim is clear: turn science into strategies that protect kidneys and improve lives.

“Their wisdom and advice has been a key to the success of DYNAMO, and for the recent successful renewal of the large collaborative grant funding supporting its research programmes, helping us move toward the goal of addressing the huge public health problem of chronic kidney disease and improve the plight of kidney patients in Singapore and beyond.”

Professor Thomas Coffman, Dean of Duke-NUS.

MAGNET launches to tackle sarcopenia in Singapore

Professor Thomas Coffman, Professor Kenneth Mak, Director-General of Health (Guest-of-Honour), Professor Wang Yibin, healthcare leaders and the MAGNET theme Principal Investigators at the official launch of MAGNET // Credit: Duke-NUS Medical School

As Singapore marked its 60th year, Duke-NUS and partners took a bold step for healthy ageing with the launch of MAGNET (Mechanistic Investigation and Clinical Innovation for Sarcopenia Diagnosis and Therapy). Officially launched on 4 August 2025 by Professor Kenneth Mak, Director-General of Health, the S$10-million initiative brings together national experts to advance research into sarcopenia, a muscle-wasting condition that affects one in three seniors.

The project unites researchers, clinicians and hospitals across the AMC and beyond, building one of Asia’s largest sarcopenia biobanks to drive discovery and future therapies.

“Sarcopenia robs people of strength, mobility and independence—yet there’s still no approved treatment anywhere in the world. With MAGNET, we’re accelerating the race to develop the first therapy for this condition—driven by Singapore and powered by science.”

Professor Wang Yibin, Corresponding Principal Investigator of MAGNET.

Celebrating service and achievement at Duke-NUS Faculty Recognition 2025

At the 2025 Faculty Recognition Event on 8 September, the School celebrated the academic milestones of 17 newly promoted or appointed faculty members, including one who received tenure. In addition, 57 long-serving clinical faculty were recognised for contributing over a decade of service. The celebration was held at the Duke-NUS Amphitheatre and attended by members of Duke-NUS and the SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre (AMC), combining formal recognition with personal reflections and moments of warmth.

“It’s important, once in a while, to pause and appreciate the incredible individuals we are recognising today who have formed the bedrock of the Duke-NUS and SingHealth partnership that powers our Academic Medical Centre. All of these individuals have gone through very rigorous benchmarks in academia. Some have been with us for over a decade, and we want to recognise their service in nurturing the next generation and pushing the boundaries of knowledge.”

Dean-designate Professor Patrick Tan

Duke-NUS National Day Awards recipients recognised for their enduring service to the nation

This year, three members of the Duke-NUS community were recipients of the National Day Awards, in addition to members from the School’s academic medicine partner, SingHealth, and our parent university, NUS. The awards recognise their enduring service to Singapore and their contributions to the progress of our academic medical partnership, reflecting the breadth and depth of the contributions from our community.

“In particular, I would like to extend my congratulations to Dean Professor Thomas Coffman on being awarded the Public Administration Medal (Silver). This honour reflects his leadership over the past decade, and his role in shaping Duke-NUS as a key institution in Singapore’s biomedical research and education landscape.”

Mr Goh Yew Lin, Chair, Governing Board of Duke-NUS Medical School

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