News In Brief: July 2023

Appointment of Assistant Dean, Innovation and Enterprise in LKCMedicine
Associate Professor Kevin Pethe has been appointed as LKCMedicine Assistant Dean, Innovation and Enterprise with effect from 1 June 2023. He has demonstrated incredible growth and development in the past eight years, including being appointed as Assistant Dean, Research in June 2020. He has assisted the School in establishing strong research collaborations with various schools at NTU, Singapore and international partners, and provided great support to the Vice-Dean (Research). Looking forward, he will apply his expertise and capabilities to his new role, where he will oversee the Office of Innovation and Enterprise (OIE) and provide leadership towards generating initiatives, boosting innovation and entrepreneurship culture within the School.

Appointment of Associate Professor (Teaching) of Anatomy in LKCMedicine
LKCMedicine Assistant Professor Sreenivasulu Reddy Mogali has been appointed as the first Associate Professor (Teaching) of Anatomy on NTU’s Educator Track, with effect from 1 June 2023. An avid researcher in medical education, A/Prof Mogali’s interest lies specially in developing and evaluating tech-powered education for advancement and training of healthcare professionals (3D printing, extended realities, and serious games). He has led the pivoting of education to non-dissection-based methods utilising plastinated cadavers, medical imaging (including ultrasound), cutting edge technologies such as Anatomage (virtual dissector) and “in-house-developed” novel 3D printed, Augmented and Virtual reality application. A/Prof’s Mogali’s research impact has gained international visibility particularly in the anatomy/medical education field. This appointment is a testament to, and in acknowledgment of his research accomplishments and immense dedication to academic rigour.

LKCMedicine Student Clinches Singapore’s First Jiu-Jitsu Gold at Southeast Asian (SEA) Games
On 6 May, LKCMedicine student Noah Lim won Singapore’s first gold medal for Jiu-Jitsu at the 32nd SEA Games, held in Cambodia. The biennial multi-sport event saw 11 countries participating, with Singapore winning a total of 158 medals. Noah who is a second-year student at LKCMedicine has done his country and School proud.

Research Impact 2022
LKCMedicine is pleased to publish its first Research Impact 2022, which features some of LKCMedicine’s achievements in 2022 that contribute to better solutions for humanity’s healthcare challenges. The School’s researchers made several vital breakthroughs and impactful findings, with 40 per cent of papers by our scientists published in the top 10 per cent of scientific journals, such as Nature and Lancet.   At the same time, several research centres and facilities have been launched to nurture the School’s peaks of excellence in research.  Research Impact 2022 is available on LKCMedicine’s website.

#whyLKCMedicine2023 Event - Happy to Host Prospective Students Again!
The annual #whyLKCMedicine engagement event welcomed around 300 attendees, comprising applicants who have been offered a place in the incoming cohort and their parents on 20 May, for an insightful experience at LKCMedicine. Specially curated student-led tours showcased the School's learning spaces, while interactions with the Deanery, faculty, staff, and students added value to the event. LKCMedicine Dean Professor Joseph Sung, along with other key figures, delivered the main programme, providing valuable insights into medical learning. The event strengthened participants’ understanding of LKCMedicine’s curriculum and student life.

LKCMedicine Hosts Polytechnic Principals
On 5 June, LKCMedicine hosted a group of polytechnic principals and heads of schools, providing them with updates on the MBBS programme and a tour of teaching facilities. The session included a welcome address by Vice Dean (Education) Professor Jennifer Cleland, insights into Team-Based Learning (TBL), and visits to various labs. The principals engaged in a dialogue with Dean Professor Joseph Sung, Assistant Dean (Admissions & Overseas Electives) Associate Professor Kwek Tong Kiat and Vice-Dean (Clinical Affairs) Professor Pang Weng Sun. They expressed interest in keeping their students informed about the School's latest developments. The event strengthened relationships between LKCMedicine and polytechnics, facilitating better guidance for students interested in pursuing medicine.

UCAT Roadshow Kicks Off with Online Session
With LKCMedicine introducing the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) as an admissions test, replacing the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT). The School has embarked on a UCAT roadshow to familiarise potential applicants with all things UCAT. The first UCAT awareness event was held virtually on 26 May, attracting over 150 attendees including prospective students, parents, and teachers. Assoc Prof Kwek Tong Kiat presented LKCMedicine's requirements for AY2024/2025 admissions, followed by a Q&A session. LKCMedicine alumnus Dr Zenneth Lim shared his journey as a polytechnic graduate applying to medical school, after which Lead for TBL Facilitation Ms Yang Lishan presented an overview and demonstration of TBL. Two more UCAT outreach events are scheduled for 26 and 29 July at the Novena Campus. They are currently well-subscribed but the session on 29 July is still open for registration, here.

Inaugural TARIPH Patient Voices in Lung Disease Research Workshop
LKCMedicine’s TARIPH Centre for Respiratory Research Excellence hosted its inaugural Patient Voices in Lung Disease Research Workshop on 13 May. Attendees included patients, clinicians, and healthcare professionals. At the start of the workshop, TARIPH Co-chairs Associate Professors John Abisheganaden and Sanjay Chotirmall presented TARIPH's research findings. This was followed by sessions on asthma management, patient advocacy, and engagement. A patient shared his experience, followed by a panel discussion involving healthcare professionals and patient advocates. The event aimed to incorporate patient voices into lung disease research, aligning with TARIPH's mission of bringing research to patients through partnerships.

LKCMedicine warmly welcomes Deans from Technical University Munich (TUM)
On 5 May, Dean Professor Joseph Sung together with Professor John Chambers, Associate Professor Sunny Wong, Assistant Professor Kazuyuki Kasahara and Associate Professor Yusuf Ali, welcomed key representative from TUM and TUM Asia.

Following introductory presentations on both medical schools, TUM Deans heard more of LKCMedicine’s HELIOS, the Microbiome Medicine Centre and the Nutrition, Metabolism and Health Programme. The meeting discussed potential areas for close collaborations between medical schools, and this included nutrition, lifestyle intervention and physical exercise, under the umbrella of preventative care.

LKCMedicine and The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University Sign Master Research Collaboration Agreement
On 30 March, LKCMedicine and The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University (FAH-SYSU) signed a Master Research Collaboration Agreement at a ceremony held at the School’s Novena campus. The agreement will provide a framework for project collaborations in both institutions and facilitate discussion among faculty members for the exchange of project ideas. FAH-SYSU is one of the largest public hospitals in the Greater Bay Area of China and renowned for its comprehensive quality in healthcare service, scientific research and medical education.