News: Learn from the Best!

Professor James BestIt was the “Best of Both Worlds” Fireside chat and the audience was transfixed. He may have passed the Dean’s baton to Professor Joseph Sung since 1 April 2021 but he is definitely not off the radar at LKCMedicine. 

Professor James Best, former Dean of LKCMedicine was giving one of his many lectures but the significance of this session was not lost on many. 

Run by LEARN, a research club at LKCMedicine, the session was attended by more than 70 LKCMedicine members, including early career scientists, PhD students, and faculty members. This is the 4th Fireside chat session since the series kicked off in March this year. 

The session started with Prof Best sharing his motivation to become a clinician. He disclosed that his enthusiasm in endocrinology and diabetes research was greatly shaped by his mentors during his early career, including Professor Thomas John Martin, Professor Donald Chisholm, Professor Rosie Young and Professor Daniel Porte Jr. 
In a career spanning more than 30 years, he was mostly based in Australia, reaching the pinnacle as Dean of Melbourne Medical School, a position he held for seven years before Singapore came a-calling. 

In 2014, he was fascinated by the unique concept of a medical school jointly set up by two prestigious universities from the eastern and western worlds. He readily took on the challenge to lead the development of LKCMedicine as its first resident Dean. 

Prof Best’s personal approach to coping with multiple professional commitments and avoiding burnout at work hinges on working smart and efficient time management. This way, he is assured those various aspects of his career could progress smoothly while keeping him engaged on all fronts.

When asked how he wants to be remembered post-LKCMedicine, Prof Best expressed his gratitude to be part of a great leadership team that has laid a strong foundation for the young medical school. He believes the School has a lot of potential to scale greater heights. 

When the floor was opened to the online audience, Prof Best encouraged our young scientists to stay proactive, focused and collaborate with one another to keep up with the ever-changing world. 

 

About LEARN

Formed in October 2020, the LKCMedicine EArly Researcher Network (LEARN), is a club for, and run by, the research fellows at LKCMedicine. The goal of LEARN is to create an actively interactive community amongst the early career researchers through social and scientific events, professional development workshops and collaborations with other schools of NTU. 

Some of the events organised by LEARN include the Fireside Chat sessions and a Grant Writing Workshop.