Electronic skin systems are increasingly used in healthcare, robotics and wearables, but most rely on arrays of sensors connected to external electronics for signal processing and display. These designs often face limitations such as low spatial resolution, wiring complexity and inefficient signal interpretation, making intuitive real-time feedback difficult.

To address these challenges, a team led by Professor Lim Chwee Teck from the NUS Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Institute for Health Innovation & Technology (iHealthtech) developed a soft, ultrathin device called the “eLuminator”. The findings were published in Nature Communications on May 2026.

A new paradigm beyond conventional electronic skin

Unlike traditional electronic skins that rely on discrete sensing pixels and typically achieving less than 100 dpi (where dpi indicates how finely pressure details can be resolved within a given area), the eLuminator uses a continuous, pixel-free design. With a spatial resolution of approximately 30 µm (847 dpi), it can detect much finer pressure details, enabling high-precision tactile sensing for advanced applications.

At the core of the technology is a mechano-electroluminescent response, where applied pressure directly changes the device’s light emission. When pressure is applied, the device generates visible light patterns that map both the magnitude and shape of contact. This enables immediate and intuitive visualisation without the need for separate processing or display systems.

The high-resolution luminescent response allows fine surface features such as the ridges and valleys of fingerprintsto be clearly captured in real time, demonstrating its capability for detailed tactile imaging and potential use in biometric applications.

“This technology transforms how we interact with tactile information,” said Prof Lim. “Instead of relying on complex electronics, users can immediately see force distribution as it happens, making the process far more intuitive.”

Applications in healthcare and intelligent systems

The eLuminator shows strong potential in surgical training and healthcare monitoring, where precise force control is critical but difficult to achieve due to the lack of tactile feedback. When integrated into surgical tools, it provides real-time visual feedback on applied force, improving precision and reducing the risk of tissue damage. It can also map pressure distribution on the foot, supporting early detection of areas with high risk of foot ulcers in diabetic patients.

Beyond healthcare, the device enables more responsive human–machine interface. It supports both static and dynamic sensing, with optical feedback of around 15 milliseconds and digital readout of around 110 milliseconds, allowing force interactions to be visualised and quantified in near real-time. Its high sensitivity also enables the detection of gentle touches, which is important for robotics and prosthetics.

Soft, durable and versatile platform

The eLuminator is ultrathin, approximately 70 µm thick, and made of flexible, non-toxic materials designed to mimic the mechanical properties of human skin. It can stretch beyond 100 per cent strain and conform to curved surfaces such as the body or medical devices.

The device remains stable under repeated mechanical stress, with consistent performance demonstrated over more than 1,000 to 4,000 cycles. It also operates across a broad pressure range, from light touch to approximately 180 kPa (similar to the pressure felt when balancing a heavy textbook on a fingertip), making it suitable for diverse applications.

By combining visual and digital sensing in a single system, the eLuminator simplifies device design and enables easier integration into next-generation wearable and biomedical technologies.

Future directions

The research team is working to further improve the device’s sensitivity and reduce its power requirements, while advancing deployment in high-impact healthcare applications.

“Our focus moving forward is not just to improve the technology, but to apply it where it can make a real difference to patient care,” said Prof Lim. “By working closely with clinicians, we aim to develop solutions that improve outcomes and support better decision-making.”

Driven by the rapid growth in the use of artificial intelligence (AI), electric vehicles and other advanced technologies, the global semiconductor market is projected to reach US$1.6 trillion (S$2.03 trillion) by 2030, with Singapore standing out as a critical industry hub. Backed by a trusted business environment and strong intellectual property protections, Singapore has attracted more than S$30 billion in semiconductor investments from 2022 to 2025 and today accounts for one in 10 semiconductor chips and one in five semiconductor equipment units produced globally. Building a strong pipeline of skilled future semiconductor talent will therefore be critical to meeting the industry’s increasing manpower needs and sustaining Singapore’s leadership.

The MSc STO programme is a multidisciplinary coursework programme hosted by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the College of Design and Engineering at NUS, in collaboration with the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Department of Industrial Systems Engineering and Management. The programme is further enriched by NUS’ major semiconductor research initiatives, including the Singapore Hybrid-Integrated Next-Generation µ-Electronics (SHINE) Centre, which provide students with exposure to cutting-edge research and industry-relevant technologies.

Offered on both a full-time and part-time basis, the MSc STO programme equips STEM graduates and working professionals with comprehensive expertise across the semiconductor value chain, from materials and devices to manufacturing, packaging, supply chain management and strategic decision-making. Students can also pursue specialised industry pathways, including AI training combined with experiential learning. Graduates are prepared for diverse engineering and management roles across foundries, equipment suppliers, and government agencies. Through formal training and cross-disciplinary perspectives, the curriculum fosters critical thinking, technical expertise, and an awareness of industrial impacts on society.

"By combining rigorous postgraduate education with industry internships and expert mentorship, this partnership will accelerate the development of highly skilled industry-ready talent," said Professor Aaron Thean, Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost at NUS. "It will build talent capacities needed to power the next phase of semiconductor innovation and manufacturing, strengthening Singapore's position as a global semiconductor hub."

Micron-Applied Materials-NUS Graduate Scholarship Programme

The joint scholarships will be funded by Applied Materials and Micron. In its pilot phase, 4 local scholars will be selected annually, and they will receive tuition support for the MSc STO programme, alongside industry internships with exposure to real-world projects, and potential employment upon graduation. Following the pilot, the initiative could scale to 10 to 20 scholars per cohort and expand to other semiconductor-related programmes and university partnerships.

Joshua Lee, Corporate Vice President and Singapore Country Manager at Micron Technology, said, "At Micron, we are committed to developing Singapore's next generation of local semiconductor talent. We believe that talent is one of the most critical enablers of semiconductor advancement. By connecting academic learning with real-world industry experience, this partnership will help aspiring talent develop the expertise and skills needed to support the industry's future growth and innovation in Singapore."

“One of the biggest challenges facing our industry is not a lack of opportunities, but making sure more people can see a future for themselves in semiconductors. Through this partnership, we are giving students firsthand exposure to an industry that touches nearly every aspect of modern life, while helping them discover where their strengths can contribute to the technologies of tomorrow,” said Mr Brian Tan, Regional President, Southeast Asia, of Applied Materials.

IntelligenceX brings together leading researchers, technologists and industry leaders to explore how quantum computing and AI could open new approaches to challenges in precision medicine, logistics optimisation and scientific discovery. Mdm Rahayu Mahzam, Minister of State for Digital Development and Information, opened the conference as the Guest-of-Honour.

The programme features keynote addresses, panel discussions and hands-on tutorials in agentic AI coding and quantum computing, with participants from leading organisations across Asia, Europe and the United States, including NUS, ETH Zurich, UC Berkeley, D-Wave, IBM and NVIDIA. Technology showcases will demonstrate emerging applications combining quantum and AI technologies across sectors.

“AI has already shown us how quickly a frontier technology can move from research into everyday life. Quantum computing is at a much earlier stage, but the convergence of these technologies gives us an opportunity to think ahead,” said Associate Professor Chen Ying, President of the Society of Algorithmic Intelligence.

She added, “The next frontier will not be defined by a single technology. It will come from combining advances in AI, quantum computing and other forms of high-performance computing with deep scientific and industry knowledge. To prepare for that future, we need to work on three things at the same time: advancing the science, identifying meaningful real-world problems, and developing a new generation of talent able to bridge the two. That is what we want IntelligenceX to help catalyse”. Assoc Prof Chen is from Institute of Operations Research & Analytics, Risk Management Institute and Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science at NUS.

Global competition puts AI trading strategies to the test

A key highlight of the conference is the International AI Algorithmic Trading Hackathon, which was held in the lead-up to IntelligenceX 2026. The hackathon has attracted 45 teams from Singapore, Australia, China, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Switzerland and the United States, among others, with participants affiliated with institutions including NUS, Bocconi University, Carnegie Mellon University, EPFL, ETH Zurich, HKUST and New York University.

Using real financial data, the teams applied AI and quantitative methods to develop and test algorithmic trading strategies, challenging participants to go beyond theoretical approaches and apply emerging technologies to address a complex real-world problem. The competition also brought together participants, researchers, industry experts and international partners, providing a platform to identify promising talent, encourage cross-border exchange and seed longer-term research and innovation collaborations.

Team Mushroom emerged as the top-performing team, with meloilz and Team Ember taking second and third place respectively. The three teams received their prizes at the IntelligenceX Opening Ceremony.

Taking Quantum × AI from research towards application

The conference builds on a broader NUS effort to move Quantum × AI from research towards practical adoption. Central to this effort is the NUS Integrated Quantum & AI Computing Consortium, launched in January 2026 to bring together researchers, industry partners and government agencies to identify and develop real-world applications at the intersection of quantum computing and AI.

The Consortium now includes six members – PCS Security, Singapore Airlines, STTGDC, ST Engineering, the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) and the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) – working together to build a pipeline of quantum- and AI-ready talent, and explore potential applications of the technologies. Members tap NUS' multidisciplinary expertise and participate in hands-on workshops using open-source quantum computing tools to explore potential use cases. The Consortium is also developing an executive quantum-readiness programme to help industry leaders assess how their organisations can prepare for the adoption of quantum and AI technologies.

IntelligenceX 2026 is designed to go beyond a single event, creating sustained connections between researchers, industry and government that can drive long-term collaboration in quantum computing and AI. The full conference programme is available at https://www.soc-ai.org/events/intelligencex-2026.

The researchers base their claim on measurements showing that their atomic clock, built from the element lutetium, outperforms previous record holders built from different elements.

More accurate clocks hold promise to probe unknowns in fundamental physics and monitor gravitational changes across the Earth – and they are vying to redefine the second.

Pushing the limits of timekeeping

Atomic clocks keep time with reference to an atomic transition, when one of the atom’s electrons swaps energy levels. The frequency of this transition is a fixed property of the atom. A laser is matched to this ‘clock transition’, and the light oscillations act like a pendulum to count time.

The basic method has been in place for decades. Caesium atoms have set the global standard for time since the 1960, and caesium atomic clocks already support the Global Positioning System (GPS) and synchronise communication and transport networks.

But scientists have been pushing the limits of timekeeping with other elements.

Elements such as recent record-holders ytterbium, strontium and aluminium oscillate much faster than caesium, helping them to keep time more accurately. The international body responsible for time standards is considering data from such new optical atomic clocks towards a redefinition of the second expected in or after 2030.

The CQT team started working with lutetium over a decade ago on the hunch that it had the right properties to join the set of top-performing clocks. The team, to its knowledge, is the only group working with this element for timekeeping so far.

Now, the team has measured the frequency of their lutetium clock to 19 decimal places, reporting an uncertainty of 1 x 10^-19 which is the lowest reported for any optical atomic clock to date. They also built two clocks and compared their ticking to each other. The clocks agreed to an uncertainty of 5.7 x 10^-19, which is the most precise clock comparison ever made. More measurements could reduce that uncertainty further.

Lutetium’s advantage

Lutetium’s strong performance comes from properties of the atom: its clock transition hardly feels changes in temperature or magnetic field. In other elements, these environmental factors can gently vary the frequency of the clock transition.

“In the future, I just don’t see how this clock can be beat,” says Associate Professor Barrett. His team has done over a decade of precision engineering on their atomic clock setup, testing different properties of the atom. That work included inventing a scheme called ‘hyperfine averaging’ to define the clock transition.

“The good properties mean that high accuracy can be achieved even in a wide range of environments,” says Associate Professor Barrett. “The lutetium clock would be stable even if you went from the hottest place recorded on Earth in Death Valley to the coldest place in the Antarctic plateau.”

Two is better than one

The team’s confidence is bolstered by their clock comparison, carried out using a technique known as correlation spectroscopy over 200 hours of measurement.

Each lutetium clock consists of a single charged ¹⁷⁶Lu+ ion having a clock transition matched to a laser with wavelength of 848 nanometers.

“There is a humorous saying that ‘A man with a watch knows what time it is. A man with two watches is never sure,’” says Dr Kyle Arnold, a Senior Research Scientist from CQT at NUS and joint first author on the paper. “It basically tells you that the only way to test the accuracy of a standard is to compare clocks and demonstrate reproducibility.”

Ideally, the team would also compare their lutetium clock to the world’s other best atomic clocks, but there’s a challenge. Optical atomic clocks at the 10^-19 level are so precise they can feel the slowing down of time by gravity over height differences of millimetres. The CQT team’s comparison measurement could resolve a 5mm height difference between their clocks on the same table. To ensure that this did not limit their measurement, they independently measured the height difference of the Lu+ ions below the millimetre level. Differences in gravity between different places on Earth are not yet known well enough to compare clocks at this level.

To enable new comparisons and explore future applications, the clock should come out of the lab. “The next step is to take the lab-scale clock and miniaturise it into a transportable system,” says Mr Michael Lee, joint first author on the paper and a PhD student on the NUS team. The researchers expect they can make their clock smaller without compromising the accuracy.

An alumnus of the NUS Business School, Mr Hsieh first joined the University’s Council in 2003 and continued to serve on its Board of Trustees from 2006 to 2012. In 2017, he returned to helm the Board as Chairman.

Stewardship across a decade of change

Mr Hsieh, working closely with NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye and his leadership team, has guided the growth of Singapore’s largest university. Under his stewardship, NUS launched many initiatives to develop future-ready graduates, enhance research impact and deepen partnerships with industry and community. These included major educational reforms to promote interdisciplinary and lifelong learning, as well as the creation of new research platforms in areas of strategic importance to Singapore.

During Mr Hsieh’s tenure, NUS significantly expanded interdisciplinary education through the establishment of the College of Humanities and Sciences, College of Design and Engineering, and NUS College. He also placed strong emphasis on student life to support students’ holistic growth beyond academics.

Mr Hsieh’s contributions have helped NUS for the longer term. He encouraged the University leadership to push boundaries and set higher standards in the quest for excellence. Together with the Board and Management, he also saw the University through major challenges and worked to build resilience, grow talent, groom leadership and ensure continued financial and campus climate sustainability.

Above all, Mr Hsieh believes that NUS, as a leading global university, should be anchored in its Asian context and values: one that is deeply connected to its community and nation, and committed to fostering common ground in an increasingly fractured world.

Mr Hsieh said, "It has been most meaningful serving NUS through much of the time it became autonomous since 2006. I was brought in by Dr Cheong Choong Kong, served under Dr Wong Ngit Liong and later took over the baton from him. Having fulfilled my part, it is my privilege now to hand over to Mr Leo Yip who will undoubtedly steward NUS much farther ahead."
 

Sustaining growth and deepening impact

Mr Leo Yip is currently Deputy Chairman of the NUS Board of Trustees, a position he was appointed to in April 2026. He brings to the role more than four decades of distinguished public service and leadership, making significant contributions to, among others, Singapore’s economic development, national security, as well as public-sector transformation and capability-building.

Mr Yip served as Head of Civil Service from 2017 to 2026, where he played a key role in driving transformation across Singapore’s Public Service and leading its collective response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the years he had served in various police appointments, as well as Principal Private Secretary to then Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Manpower; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs; and Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister’s Office. He was the founding Chief Executive of the then Singapore Workforce Development Agency in 2003 and also served as Chairman of the Economic Development Board from 2009 to 2014.

Mr Yip said, “I am deeply honoured to be appointed Chairman of the NUS Board of Trustees. Fu Hua has set an exceptional standard of leadership, stewardship and dedicated service, steering the university to become the globally leading institution it is today. I look forward to building on this strong foundation together with the Board, faculty, staff, and students, for NUS to grow in impact and in service of Singapore in its next phase of development.”

NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye shared, "We are deeply grateful to Mr Hsieh Fu Hua for his visionary leadership and dedication to NUS. His emphasis on cultivating our distinctive identity while pursuing excellence has fundamentally shaped who we are today. We warmly welcome Mr Leo Yip as our new Chairman. His wealth of experience in public service, strategic acumen and deep commitment to developing people and institutions will be instrumental in shaping NUS’ next chapter.”

Commenting on the leadership succession, Minister for Education Mr Desmond Lee said, “Mr Hsieh Fu Hua’s deep commitment to advancing education, learning, and research has been instrumental to NUS’ growth as a world-class university, and in enriching our higher education sector. I thank Mr Hsieh for his dedication and service across his decade-long tenure, during which he provided thoughtful stewardship as NUS strengthened its educational offerings, advanced research excellence, and expanded its contributions to Singapore and the world. I look forward to working with Mr Leo Yip as the incoming Chairman and am confident that he will continue to steer NUS towards greater heights.”

NIMOS is established by NParks and hosted at NUS, with Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) as a partner institution, and St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory as a key national facility. It brings together expertise across universities, research institutes and public agencies to address how Singapore can develop management and conservation strategies for marine ecosystems, advance Singapore’s blue economy, build local talent, and establish Singapore as a regional thought leader in marine science.

“As marine environmental challenges in Singapore and the region become increasingly complex – crossing disciplines, sectors, geographies and national boundaries – research and innovation must keep pace to deliver the knowledge and solutions needed to address them. NIMOS, hosted at NUS, brings together universities, research institutes, government agencies and partners across the region to align our research priorities, deepen Singapore’s marine science capabilities, and develop practical solutions that support both environmental resilience and sustainable growth,” said Associate Professor Huang Danwei, Director of NIMOS and Deputy Head of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum at NUS.

NIMOS builds on earlier and existing national marine science efforts, including the Marine Science Research and Development Programme (MSRDP) managed by NUS and the Marine Climate Change Science Programme (MCCS) led by NParks. These programmes established important scientific baselines and research capabilities; NIMOS will consolidate and expand this foundation into a coordinated national platform with a stronger focus on interdisciplinary solutions, talent development and regional leadership.

The launch was also part of NUS Sustainability CONNECT, the University’s flagship sustainability festival.

A whole-of-coast approach to conservation

NIMOS will take a whole-of-coast approach, which involves studying and managing an entire coastal sea space as an interconnected system, to address complex marine challenges with research projects expected to be inter- and trans-disciplinary, bringing together academic and non-academic experts, and across various marine ecosystems.

NIMOS will focus on research areas comprising biodiversity and nature, environment and climate, and ecosystem resilience, with technology being harnessed across research projects. NIMOS’ key strategic priorities include:

1. Developing targeted and effective management and conservation strategies

NIMOS will develop adaptive management tools and science-based approaches that enable marine ecosystems to withstand multiple stressors while continuing to provide essential ecosystem services. This includes developing predictive models for ecosystem tipping points, enhancing habitat resilience with restoration guidelines tailored for the local environment, and creating monitoring frameworks that can detect early warning signals of ecosystem degradation.

2. Deliver inter- and trans-disciplinary solutions to advance Singapore’s blue economy

NIMOS will undertake marine science research that can guide the optimisation and management of Singapore’s sea space. This includes studying how much activity, such as aquaculture and recreation, Singapore’s waters can sustainably support. NIMOS aims to develop inter- and transdisciplinary solutions to balance economic productivity with ecological resilience, ensuring that marine and coastal resources can scale and sustain Singapore’s blue economy – the sustainable use of marine resources for economic growth.

3. Building local talent and capabilities

NIMOS will focus on developing a robust pipeline of local talent that can help build capabilities across academia, industry, and government, ensuring Singapore has the capabilities needed to address complex marine environmental challenges.

4. Establishing Singapore as a regional thought leader in marine science

NIMOS aims to establish Singapore as a regional thought leader in marine science, by consolidating capabilities from key regional institutions and fostering partnerships across Southeast Asia. Building these meaningful regional partnerships can also enable data sharing and comparative assessments of marine health, across Southeast Asia. This would strengthen Singapore’s resilience against complex global marine challenges

Boosting resources for research and talent development

The S$60 million funding for NIMOS under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2030 Plan (RIE2030) will support research, training and capability building.

Over the next 10 years, the institute will offer up to 12 PhD Research Scholarships for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, supporting the growth of local expertise for academia, government and industry. NUS has also committed 10 additional PhD Research Scholarships for NIMOS projects.

NIMOS’ research projects will also create internship and training attachment opportunities for undergraduate and polytechnic students in marine science laboratories across institutes of higher learning.

Bringing the research community together to accelerate discovery

NIMOS will begin operating as a virtual institute, enabling research collaborations to start immediately while longer-term facilities are being developed. The future space will house the NIMOS staff, NUS researchers and collaborators working on NIMOS projects. Its permanent home on NUS campus is expected to include wet science laboratory facilities and collaborative office space for project teams.

To strengthen coordination across the marine science community, NIMOS will also convene the inaugural Singapore Annual Symposium for Marine and Ocean Sciences in 2027. The symposium will serve as a national platform for researchers, policymakers, industry partners and public agencies to share findings, identify emerging priorities and accelerate the translation of marine science into coastal planning, ecosystem management and climate resilience.

Strengthening Singapore’s regional role in marine science

NIMOS will also deepen Singapore’s regional and international marine science partnerships. These collaborations will support data sharing, comparative assessments of marine health and joint research on transboundary issues such as ecosystem connectivity, marine pollution, ocean warming and biodiversity loss. The Institute will build on existing research ties with various institutions worldwide, including those in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, and engage a regional network of institutions in Southeast Asia.

The study, led by Associate Professor Alfredo Franco-Obregón from the Department of Surgery at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and the NUS Institute for Health Innovation & Technology, was published in the journal Smart Medicine on 4 June 2026. This discovery builds on their previous work, where they showed that brief PEMF exposure enhances uptake of doxorubicin (DOX), a chemotherapy drug, by breast cancer cells.

PEMF therapy applies intermittent, low-intensity magnetic pulses to targeted regions of the body over a short period of time. Assoc Prof Franco-Obregón has previously explored the effect of PEMFs on muscle development and oncology. In their latest study, the NUS team demonstrated that even without chemotherapy, PEMFs completely eradicated tumours in 75 per cent of tested preclinical models after just four 30-minute sessions.

“Our study represents a major advancement in breast cancer treatment by demonstrating the potential of PEMFs as a stand-alone, drug-free therapy, offering a possible future where patients could avoid chemotherapy and its debilitating side effects,” said Assoc Prof Franco-Obregón.

Breast cancer cases are projected to rise by a third, from 2.3 million in 2023 to more than 3.5 million by 2050, while annual deaths may nearly double from 764,000 to nearly 1.4 million. Cancer treatment faces challenges such as tumour heterogeneity, drug resistance, and treatment-related toxicities. Approaches targeting TAMs also faced difficulties such as off-target effects. The growing burden underscores the urgent need for innovative therapies to improve patient outcomes and save lives.

From cancer’s friends to foes

Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast mutate and grow uncontrollably, forming a solid tumour. These cancer cells recruit and hijack nearby immune cells, corrupting them to protect the tumour, accelerate tumour growth, and encourage the spread of cancer (metastasis). Prominent among these recruited immune cells are TAMs, which are abundant in nearly all solid tumours.

There are two primary types of macrophages, M1 and M2. M1 macrophages are pro-inflammatory – the “soldiers” that eliminate threats like bacteria and viruses. M2 macrophages are anti-inflammatory – the “medics” that orchestrate wound healing and tissue repair once threats are cleared. Cancer cells corrupt most TAMs into adopting the M2 “medic” state, suppressing immune attacks against the tumour while facilitating tumour growth and metastasis.

The key to this macrophage reprogramming lies in a protein called TRPC1 (Transient Receptor Potential Canonical 1), which regulates the M1 state. Crucially, TRPC1 also allows cells to sense and respond to magnetic fields. In their experiments, the NUS team confirmed that a brief 10-minute exposure to PEMFs activated TRPC1 channels on M2-like TAMs, setting off a signalling cascade that converted them to the M1 state – essentially turning TAMs from helpful “medics” to aggressive cancer-killing “soldiers”. These activated TAMs then selectively target cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. Furthermore, the same magnetic signature disrupts cancer's ability to hijack TAMs, altering the TAM-cancer communication loop in both directions.

“We have identified a molecular “switch”, the specific cell signalling pathway that allows us to reprogram TAMs. Once reprogrammed, these immune cells actively hunt and devour cancer cells, obliterating the tumour,” said Assoc Prof Franco-Obregón. “With the non-invasive and targeted nature of PEMF therapy, we hope to provide patients an effective and safe alternative treatment, with fewer undesirable side effects.”

Pulses of hope for cancer patients

Assoc Prof Franco-Obregón shared that the same PEMF device used in this study has just successfully completed Phase 1 clinical trials, demonstrating its safety in humans. The team is now seeking partners to conduct Phase 2 efficacy trials to evaluate how well the PEMF treatment works in patients and to further advance its development towards clinical use.

“Since we previously showed that PEMFs selectively increased the uptake of DOX in breast cancer cells, we will be evaluating if our PEMF immunotherapy can work synergistically with chemotherapy for better results,” added Assoc Prof Franco-Obregón. “As the immune cells we reprogram are commonly found in most solid tumours, we are optimistic that our PEMF therapy could potentially be a complementary treatment for other cancers beyond breast cancer.”

This year, the prestigious Outstanding Service Award was conferred on Mr Seah Moon Ming, Chairman, Board of Governors of NUS High School of Mathematics and Science; and Professor Bernard Tan Cheng Yian, NUS Senior Vice Provost (Undergraduate Education), in recognition of their inspiring leadership and dedicated service. Both are accomplished individuals who have made sustained contributions in selflessly serving the University and society.

Acknowledging Artificial Intelligence (AI) as both a transformative force and a defining opportunity, Prof Tan emphasised that NUS is taking a bold, university-wide approach to embedding AI across education and research. From announcing its AI education strategy in August 2026 to leading four projects under the AI-for-Science national initiative, NUS is moving with intent and at scale. "Determination, endeavour, excellence. These are the very human traits that define the NUS spirit, qualities we look out for as we nurture talent and qualities that will anchor the next AI-powered chapter of NUS," he said.

Besides the Outstanding Service Award, the other award categories are University Research Recognition Award, Young Researcher Award, Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award and Outstanding Educator Award.

Outstanding Service Award

Mr Seah Moon Ming

An engineer by training and veteran corporate leader, Mr Seah Moon Ming has over four decades of service across Singapore's transport, defence, energy and education sectors. As Chairman of the Board of Governors of NUS High School of Mathematics and Science since 2021, he has spearheaded the school's Strategic Plan 2025 – 2029 and forged partnerships with industry and social service organisations to enrich student learning. He is also Chairman of SMRT Corporation Ltd and SMRT Trains Ltd, where he led a cultural transformation anchored in the Kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement. He established the Seah Moon Ming Foundation, which contributes annually to bursaries and scholarships across NUS, NUS High School, Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), polytechnics, Institutes of Technical Education (ITEs) and charity organisations, championing access to education for the next generation of engineers and underprivileged families.

Professor Bernard Tan Cheng Yian

A distinguished academic leader, Professor Bernard Tan Cheng Yian has served in the NUS Office of the Provost for 17 years. As Senior Vice Provost (Undergraduate Education), he has been instrumental in driving curriculum reforms across virtually every College, Faculty and School in the University, advancing interdisciplinary programmes and common admissions to experiential learning, student financial aid and AI integration in education. He chairs the University Committee on Educational Policy and multiple university-wide steering committees covering student information systems and graduate employment. A former President of the Association for Information Systems, he received the organisation's LEO Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2024.

Seven exemplary educators and researchers honoured

The NUS University Awards also celebrated the accomplishments of seven outstanding academics and researchers:

University Research Recognition Award

1) Professor Abhik Roychoudhury, Provost’s Chair Professor, Department of Computer Science, School of Computing

Professor Abhik Roychoudhury is a global pioneer in automated program repair and software security. He is the driving force behind AutoCodeRover, commercialised as the SonarQube Remediation Agent now used by enterprises worldwide. He pioneered research in greybox fuzzing, reinvigorating the field of security testing. The power schedule algorithm he introduced is now embedded by default in AFL++, the industry-standard fuzzing engine. His work on directed greybox fuzzing further underpins Google's OSS-Fuzz, which has uncovered over 13,000 software vulnerabilities across more than 1,000 critical software projects.

2) Professor Ashok Venkitaraman, Distinguished Professor, Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine; and Director, Cancer Science Institute of Singapore

A globally recognised leader in cancer biology, Professor Ashok Venkitaraman is best known for uncovering the biological functions of the BRCA2 tumour suppressor gene and establishing the scientific foundations for targeted cancer therapies. Beyond this, he has elucidated mechanisms governing DNA repair and chromosome segregation, and connected genome maintenance to metabolic and environmental stressors to enable early cancer interception. He has also pioneered innovative technologies for drug development and target discovery, leading to the creation of multiple university spin-out companies including co-founding PhoreMost.

Young Researcher Award

3) Associate Professor Cynthia Chen Huijun, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health

A leading public health economist, Associate Professor Cynthia Chen Huijun’s research has translated directly into policy and practice. Her key contributions include developing the Future Elderly Model for Singapore to project disease burden and evaluate preventive strategies, generating evidence that incentive-based, tracker-enabled programmes improve health behaviour in Singapore, and leading the creation of a 143-country index measuring societal adaptation to population ageing that has informed policy on G20 and ASEAN platforms. She has also been recognised as one of the World's Top 2% Scientists for 2025 by Elsevier.

4) Assistant Professor Liu Boxiang, Presidential Young Professor, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science

Assistant Professor Liu Boxiang recently won the 2026 Young Scientist Award at this year’s President’s Science & Technology Awards (PSTA). He leads the Liu Lab for Genomic Data Science, bridging genomics, statistics and machine learning to advance understanding of complex and autoimmune diseases. Among his key breakthroughs are the establishment of a single-cell sQTL atlas across diverse Asian populations, offering new insights into cell-type-specific genetic regulation in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, and the development of LocusCompare2, a platform for reproducible causal gene identification.

Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award

5) Professor Liu Xiaogang, Distinguished Professor, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science; and Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine

A global leader in nanophotonics and bioimaging, Prof Liu Xiaogang has made transformative contributions to the development of advanced X-ray imaging and optical sensing technologies. He has built a research environment that is intellectually demanding yet highly supportive, tailoring the level of structure, pace, and support to each student while holding all mentees to the same standards of scientific rigour, integrity and evidence-based reasoning. Over a career spanning nearly two decades at NUS, he has mentored more than 40 PhD students, 45 Master’s students, and over 50 postdoctoral fellows.

Outstanding Educator Award

6) Associate Professor Robin Loon Seong Yun, Department of English, Linguistics and Theatre Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

An award-winning theatre educator and scholar, Associate Professor Robin Loon Seong Yun’s teaching philosophy centres on community, empathy, and experiential learning. He co-founded Centre 42 to champion Singapore storytelling and held leadership roles including Director of Teaching and Learning at the Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology. A consistent presence on the NUS Annual Teaching Excellence Honour Roll, he is also a published authority on Singapore theatre history and performance.

7) Associate Professor Stephen Tay En Rong, Department of the Built Environment, College of Design and Engineering

Associate Professor Stephen Tay En Rong is a sustainable energy educator best known for developing the Contextualised Learning via Enquiring, Answering, and Reflecting (CLEAR) pedagogical framework, which fosters curiosity and critical thinking and has been adopted across Singapore and in universities across six countries. Beyond his own classroom, he has actively mentored fellow educators to cultivate the same spirit of enquiry and collaborative learning among their students. He has been consecutively recognised with the College Educator Award from the College of Design and Engineering, and has been featured regularly on the NUS Annual Teaching Excellence Honour Roll over the years.

Please refer to the Awards Booklet for more information on their achievements.

Cutting-edge research to shape the future of international arbitration

Amid increasing tensions and uncertainty in the international trade and business environment, the Centre will undertake rigorous research and engagement with practice aimed at developing trusted, credible and sustainable dispute resolution frameworks.

The Centre will be led by Professor Stavros Brekoulakis, an international expert, academic and practitioner in international arbitration from the NUS Faculty of Law. Building on NUS’s expertise in international law and arbitration, the Centre will connect leading academics, arbitrators, practitioners, policymakers, judges, institutions and users from around the world. It will address issues shaping the future of international arbitration. These include , transparency and accountability, ethics and professional governance, investor–State dispute settlement, and the contribution of Singapore and ASEAN to the development of international arbitration law and practice.

The Centre will complement Singapore’s existing world-class dispute-resolution institutions and infrastructure by providing a dedicated platform for research, policy development, publications and international conventions.

Proposed new programme in international arbitration

The Centre also plans to develop a rigorous, research-led and interdisciplinary programme of advanced studies in international arbitration. The programme will combine advanced legal studies and research-led teaching with exposure to business, technology as well as engagement with leading international arbitrators, counsel, institutions and academics. It will strive to set a global benchmark in advanced education and professional development of future leaders in international arbitration.

Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Mr Edwin Tong SC said: “Singapore strongly supports multilateralism, and a dispute resolution system which is trusted, is rules based and which applies fairly. We will do our best to contribute towards the strengthening of a framework to support such a system. This will include innovative research and fresh thinking, in order to evolve the framework, and keep it relevant and fit for purpose. As an international dispute resolution hub in the heart of Asia, we believe that Singapore is well placed to contribute to these efforts, by bringing together global thought leaders with different perspectives from across the region and beyond.”

Professor Brekoulakis said: “International arbitration is entering a period of significant change. The challenges facing the field require fresh thinking about how the system can remain effective, credible and responsive to a changing global economy. I look forward to working with colleagues across academia, practice and policymaking to address these challenges and contribute to shaping the future of international arbitration. The Centre will bring together rigorous scholarship and the advanced practical understanding, with the ambition of establishing Singapore as a leading global centre for thought leadership and advanced education in international dispute resolution. I am grateful to the Ministry of Law for their commitment and support in making this important initiative possible.

More information on the Centre will be shared in due course.

The Corporate Lab is supported under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 plan (RIE2025) and is hosted at the College of Design and Engineering and with participation from the School of Computing at NUS. The Corporate Lab brings together a multidisciplinary research ecosystem spanning AI algorithms, accelerator architectures, low-power memory systems, circuit design, silicon technologies, and application development. The programme will integrate NUS’ pioneering research with ST’s expertise in semiconductor technology, system development, and industry operations.

NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye said: “The ST–NUS HELIX Corporate Lab is a testament to the value of industry–academia partnerships in translating research into innovation. By combining NUS’ research strengths with STMicroelectronics’ industrial capabilities, we are building not only advanced, cutting-edge edge AI hardware, but also the talent and ecosystem that will help define the future of Singapore’s semiconductor and AI industries.”

Laurent Malier, Executive Vice President, Global Technology R&D at STMicroelectronics, said: “ST’s strength as an integrated device manufacturer lies in our ability to bring together advanced silicon technologies, embedded memory, circuit design, heterogeneous integration and chiplets. Through HELIX, we are creating an industrially relevant foundation to explore differentiated AI computing technologies and accelerate the translation of promising research into scalable semiconductor solutions.”

The Corporate Lab was officially launched today by Ms Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, and Ministry of Trade and Industry, as the Guest-of-Honour.

Building the future of edge AI

Edge AI processes data directly within or close to a device rather than relying exclusively on remote cloud infrastructure. This enables faster response times, stronger data privacy, improved energy efficiency, and greater resilience in environments with limited or intermittent connectivity. These capabilities are increasingly important for AI systems that must perceive, reason, and act in real time, in the real world – often described as Physical AI.

HELIX focuses on a key frontier within this space: embodied AI, where intelligence is built directly into a physical form — such as a robot, humanoid, or drone — combining multi-modal sensing, on-device computing, and real-time actuation. Delivering that intelligence efficiently, on compact and power-constrained hardware, is the challenge HELIX is built to address. Enabling these capabilities at the edge requires innovation across algorithms, software, system architecture, and hardware.

HELIX builds on ST’s long-standing journey in AI and will help us explore new system-level solutions that combine efficient computing, advanced memory architecture, and application-driven design to address the requirements of future intelligent devices. Complementing ST’s capabilities, NUS brings world-class expertise in integrated circuits, computer architecture, AI models, and system design. Under the partnership, researchers from NUS and STMicroelectronics will jointly work on research work packages, talent development, IP creation, and demonstration activities.

The research at HELIX will span the full technology stack, from AI models and system architecture to heterogeneous accelerators, on-chip memory hierarchies, circuit design, chip integration, and silicon implementation. It will focus on memory centric architecture, innovative in-memory computing, and scalable compute-and memory systems, supported by ST’s P18 18nm Fully Depleted Silicon On Insulator (FD-SOI) technology and embedded Phase Change Memory (PCM). P18 FD-SOI enables ultra-low-power operation and adaptive body-biasing, while embedded PCM provides dense, non-volatile storage on the same die alongside the on-chip SRAM hierarchy. Together, these capabilities can reduce the off-chip data movement that dominates the energy consumption of memory-bound AI workloads.

ST will make a substantial technology and engineering contribution to HELIX by providing NUS with a dedicated design chassis implemented in its proprietary P18 18nm FD-SOI technology. The platform will bring together ST’s silicon, architecture, integration, and engineering capabilities to give researchers an industrial-grade foundation for developing, integrating, and validating new AI accelerator concepts. By eliminating the need to build the underlying infrastructure from the ground up, the design chassis will enable greater focus on differentiated innovation, accelerate system-level validation, and create a more direct path from technology pathfinding to industrialisation.

By combining advances across AI algorithms, accelerator architectures, memory systems, circuits, and semiconductor technologies, HELIX aims to address the energy-efficiency, memory-bandwidth, latency, scalability, and integration challenges associated with deploying increasingly capable AI systems at the edge.

Nurturing talent to drive Singapore’s semiconductor ecosystem

The establishment of HELIX represents a strategic investment in Singapore’s future competitiveness in edge AI and advanced semiconductor systems. By fostering industry-relevant R&D, HELIX will strengthen local capabilities and nurture a new generation of talent in AI systems and chip design.

Students, researchers, and professionals will have opportunities to participate in cutting-edge projects led by HELIX, gaining hands-on experience with the latest technologies, collaborating with industry leaders, and developing skills that meet the evolving needs of the sector. Through these initiatives, HELIX aims to build a robust talent pipeline and position Singapore as a global hub for innovation in edge AI and semiconductor technologies.

The programme is designed to build an integrated R&D platform for sustainable specialty polymers, using lignocellulosic biomass, which refers to renewable plant dry matter typically produced as a waste by-product from agriculture and forestry, as an alternative raw material to petrochemicals. Southeast Asia produces an estimated 500 million tonnes of agricultural and forestry residues annually which could be a reliable and sustainable source of lignocellulosic biomass. The programme will focus on developing drop-in monomers for specialty polymers used in adhesives, specialty coatings and electronics.

The Energy and Chemicals sector is a critical part of Singapore’s economy, contributing 18.5 per cent of total manufacturing output. As the sector responds to the global sustainability transition, companies are increasingly exploring more sustainable product pathways while remaining competitive. SG Bio-SPRINT aims to expand the range of carbon sources available to Singapore’s specialty chemicals sector by helping shift production away from fossil-based inputs and toward more sustainable pathways. In doing so, the programme supports industry’s transition toward a circular bioeconomy while meeting growing market demand for greener products.

At the same time, specialty chemicals, including specialty polymers, remain a key growth area, with multinational companies continuing to invest in research, development, and production in Singapore. SG Bio-SPRINT will strengthen this momentum by providing targeted scientific support that complements industry R&D and unlocks new opportunities in sustainable materials.

“The NUS Department of Chemistry is proud to lead this programme, which brings together complementary expertise from NUS and A*STAR to develop high-performance, sustainable polymers from biomass feedstocks while assessing their commercial potential. The team offers deep experience and a strong track record in catalysis, green chemistry, polymer science, and materials engineering. Through three synergistic workgroups, we look forward to harnessing the team’s collective strengths and discoveries to help advance the circular bioeconomy.,” said Professor Lu Yixin, Lead Principal Investigator from the NUS Department of Chemistry.

“Ultimately, we hope that SG Bio-SPRINT will reinforce Singapore’s position as a regional hub for specialty polymers R&D and production while contributing meaningfully to the country’s broader net-zero ambitions,” added Professor Koh Ming Joo, co-Lead Principal Investigator from the NUS Department of Chemistry.

Addressing current industry challenges

Although bio-based alternatives are attracting growing interest, major gaps remain before they can be widely adopted in specialty polymer production. One challenge is that methods to convert lignocellulosic biomass into useful products are not fully developed, which limits the range of monomers and polymers that can be produced. Cost-effectiveness and scalability are also challenges, especially when moving from laboratory synthesis to commercial production.

SG Bio-SPRINT is designed to tackle these issues directly. The project focuses on creating industry-relevant drop-in monomers, which are molecules that share identical chemical structures as their fossil-fuel derived equivalents, that can be integrated into existing polymer production lines, rather than relying only on entirely new biomass-derived products. This approach should make adoption easier for manufacturers and help align chemistry design, performance requirements and supply chains.

The programme also responds to a broader global shift. Across government, research, and industry, there is growing urgency around defossilisation in the chemicals sector. While many current efforts focus on biofuels or commodity chemicals, SG Bio-SPRINT targets a more demanding area: specialty polymer applications, where materials must be carefully designed for performance and commercial use.

Developing new sustainable and high-performance polymers

SG Bio-SPRINT is structured around three closely connected workgroups comprising researchers from NUS and A*STAR.

Workgroup 1: Developing biomass-to-monomer pathways

The first workgroup will focus on converting lignocellulosic biomass into promising drop-in monomer candidates. This includes developing chemical routes, improving catalyst performance, and identifying pathways that can produce useful building blocks for specialty polymers.

Its goal is to create monomers that can be used in existing production systems, helping industry adopt greener feedstocks without needing completely new manufacturing infrastructure.

Workgroup 2: Validating performance for real applications

The second workgroup will test whether the new bio-based monomers can perform as well as conventional fossil-based materials. The team will examine purity, reactivity, and post-polymerisation properties, and compare them against industry incumbents.

The validation will focus on three application areas: adhesives, specialty coatings, and electronics. These are high-value sectors where performance is critical, so the workgroup’s findings will help determine whether the new materials are ready for real-world use.

Workgroup 3: Digital, economic, and sustainability support

The third workgroup will use artificial intelligence, molecular modelling, techno-economic analysis, and life cycle assessment to support the rest of the programme. Its role is to evaluate technical feasibility, cost, and sustainability together, helping the team prioritise the most promising routes.

This workgroup will also build a unified data framework that connects current research literature, experimental results and modelling insights. By doing so, the workgroup will help the project make better decisions earlier and accelerate the path from discovery to deployment.

Next steps

SG Bio-SPRINT’s immediate research goals include developing candidate monomers, validating them in application-relevant settings and building a data framework to identify potential polymers to focus on. The programme will also work closely with industry and innovation partners to support translation, intellectual property and future collaboration. Through the programme, the team aims to build foundational expertise and boost confidence in expanding sustainable chemical transition research to cover more applications in the chemical sector.

Published in Science Immunology on 12 June 2026, the study identifies the RNA helicase DDX6 as a previously unrecognised ‘hidden switch’ that prevents the immune system from recognising cancer cells. Targeting DDX6 could make tumours more visible to the immune system, improving existing or new immunotherapies.

Helping the immune system recognise cancer

Our immune system is constantly searching for abnormal cells, including cancer cells. One of the warning signals it looks for is double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), which are produced naturally within cells. Because these molecules resemble RNA produced during viral infections, they can trigger the innate immune system, which is the body’s first line of defence against foreign or abnormal cells.

Many cancer cells suppress these warning signals, allowing them to grow unnoticed. Until now, scientists did not fully understand how this happened.

Previous studies have shown that ADAR1, an enzyme that edits RNA, helps regulate how cells respond to dsRNA. This study identifies the RNA helicase DDX6 as a previously unrecognised suppressor of dsRNA sensing.

Led by Associate Professor Polly Chen, Deputy Director and Principal Investigator of CSI Singapore, the team found that DDX6 works together with ADAR1 to suppress these natural danger signals. As a result, DDX6 reduces immune activation triggered by endogenous dsRNA, hence making cancer cells much less visible to the immune system.

These findings provide new insights into how anti-tumour immune responses are regulated.

"Cancer cells are remarkably good at hiding from the immune system. Our study uncovered a previously unknown mechanism that helps them stay hidden. By targeting DDX6, we may be able to remove this 'cloak' and enable the immune system to recognise and attack cancer more effectively. Beyond its therapeutic potential, this work also changes our understanding of how RNA editing regulates immune responses," explained Assoc Prof Chen, the lead author for this study.

Challenging a long-held view of RNA editing

For many years, the prevailing view was that RNA editing weakened the structure of dsRNA, making it less likely to trigger immune responses. Instead, the CSI Singapore team found that certain RNA editing events can instead strengthen dsRNA structures, enhancing their ability to activate the body’s natural immune defences. DDX6 prevents these beneficial RNA editing events from occurring, helping tumours escape immune attack.

This new framework for understanding how RNA editing regulates immune sensing in cancer fundamentally changes how researchers think about RNA editing and its role in regulating immunity.

"What surprised us most was that the biology did not behave the way we expected. For years, researchers believed RNA editing generally weakened these immune-triggering RNA molecules. Instead, we found that certain RNA editing events can actually strengthen them. This completely changes how we think about the relationship between RNA editing and immune activation, and opens up exciting new possibilities for developing cancer therapies," Dr Larry Ng, first author for this paper and Research Fellow at CSI Singapore.

Potential implications for cancer immunotherapy

The discovery identifies a novel mechanism of cancer immune evasion and highlights DDX6 as a potential new target for cancer immunotherapy. Targeting this pathway could help overcome cancer-associated immunosuppression and potentially improve the effectiveness of existing cancer immunotherapies. In laboratory studies, removing DDX6 restored immune signalling and slowed tumour growth by allowing cancer cells to become more visible to the immune system.

The research team is now working to identify molecules that block DDX6 and investigate their ability to enhance anti-tumour immune responses. In parallel, the researchers plan to identify additional proteins involved in this newly discovered pathway and determine how they contribute to cancer-associated immunosuppression. Together, these efforts could uncover additional therapeutic targets that could strengthen anti-tumour immunity.

Beyond advancing state-of-the-art AI infrastructure, NUS and OpenAI will jointly champion initiatives to nurture AI talent and drive innovation that enables the University to effectively harness AI as a force multiplier across education, research and administration.

"This collaboration with OpenAI is a pivotal step in our human-centric AI strategy, further enriching the robust suite of tools we provide," said Professor Aaron Thean, Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost of NUS. "We aim to leverage these advanced AI technologies not as replacements, but as powerful amplifiers of human intellect, creativity and judgement. By providing direct, hands-on access, we empower our students, faculty and staff to develop the critical thinking and ethical discernment essential to innovate and lead in an AI-driven world, ensuring human capabilities remain at the forefront."

Expanding the repertoire of advanced AI tools

From 31 August 2026, all NUS students, faculty and staff will have access to ChatGPT Edu by OpenAI, further strengthening NUS’ growing portfolio of AI platforms and services. Unlike the free ChatGPT, it provides NUS with broader access to core capabilities within a secure, university-managed environment with stronger privacy, security and administrative controls. Conversations and data within the NUS workspace are not used to train OpenAI’s models.

During the initial phase, advanced tools from OpenAI’s enterprise-grade platform – ChatGPT Edu – will be strategically piloted in some selected courses. These powerful resources are designed to empower students, faculty and staff, fostering innovation, accelerating research and addressing complex challenges with greater depth and efficiency. Following this pilot, these advanced tools will be progressively made available for undergraduate courses where AI adds educational value and augment learning objectives.

This expansion builds on the earlier collaboration with NUS School of Computing which began in March 2026, providing Computing students access to OpenAI’s software development tools.

The collaboration now enters its next phase, scaling access and enablement across the University.

To further develop practical AI skills, students will have opportunities to participate in hackathons and build days focused on AI-enabled solutions. These activities will give students across disciplines opportunities to develop ideas, work on real-world problems and connect with OpenAI’s global networks and communities.

“As AI becomes increasingly embedded in how NUS operates, it is critical that we adopt it in a secure, scalable and sustainable way. This collaboration with OpenAI provides NUS staff and students the access to advanced AI capabilities in a governed and responsible manner. Complementing NUS' in-house built AI-Know platform, OpenAI's tools will strengthen our operational capabilities, drive smarter digital services and more efficient administration that benefit our entire community,” said Ms Tan Shui-Min, NUS Chief Information Technology Officer and Vice President.

“Singapore has an extraordinary opportunity to shape how AI contributes to education, research and innovation, and NUS has an important role to play in that future. Building on our earlier collaboration with the NUS School of Computing, we’ve seen users engage more deeply with ChatGPT and adopt Codex at higher rates than users at similarly sized universities. This reflects a growing appetite not only to find answers with AI, but to experiment, prototype and build with it. We look forward to deepening our work with NUS to help develop the next generation of AI-native talent and prepare Singapore’s workforce for an AI-enabled future. By bringing together NUS’ leadership in education and research with OpenAI’s technology and global community, we aim to strengthen Singapore’s AI ecosystem and support innovation across the wider region,” said Mr Oliver Jay, Managing Director, International at OpenAI.

New foundational AI competency course for all NUS freshmen

This strategic collaboration aligns with NUS’ broader educational philosophy, which integrates AI competencies directly into the curriculum.

To ensure all incoming NUS students achieve AI literacy before they start their courses, foundational AI competencies are built directly into their freshman university experience through the Transition to Higher Education (T.H.E.) Programme.

Starting from Academic Year 2026/27, THE1008 Applied Generative AI: From Prompting to Evaluation will be a compulsory module for all first-year undergraduates, ensuring every student gains practical skills in effectively interacting with large language models (LLMs) and multimodal AI before they begin their coursework.

Following the completion of this requirement, NUS will ensure all students achieve AI fluency when they graduate through the deliberate integration of AI competencies at every stage of their studies in their common curriculum and major. They will have the confidence to deploy AI tools strategically, critically interpret AI-generated results and apply AI thoughtfully within their disciplines. This proactive approach equips all NUS graduates with the latest AI expertise and its application across interdisciplinary subject domains while amplifying their adaptable human-centred skills such as critical thinking, judgement and sense-making valued by employers. Students will be ready to harness AI for analysis, problem-solving and creative work, preparing them to thrive as agile and innovative professionals in an AI-driven world.

Innovating research discovery

In a first for Southeast Asia, NUS Libraries and NUS IT have jointly developed AI Sense Maker, a proprietary web-based conversational AI platform powered by OpenAI’s LLM. To be officially launched on 20 August 2026, AI Sense Maker draws on over 150,000 digitised materials from NUS Libraries’ ScholarBank and Digital Gems collections. Supporting academic inquiry, the platform enables students and researchers to ask questions in everyday language and uses semantic search to generate concise topic summaries, identify related concepts, curate references and create interactive knowledge graphs for deeper exploration of ideas.

NUS remains committed to the thoughtful integration of AI into education, research and administration, ensuring its community is equipped for technological advancement while upholding principles of responsible and ethical AI use.

Yet even well-engineered yeast cells can be difficult to control in a precise and timely way. A team of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS), led by Associate Professor Poh Chueh Loo from NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI) and Department of Biomedical Engineering under the College of Design and Engineering (CDE) at NUS, addressed this challenge using optogenetics, a strategy that rewires cells so that selected genes turn on or off in response to light. By exposing yeast to different colours and patterns of light, the team showed that biological instructions could be delivered dynamically, without repeatedly adding chemical inducers.

“Achieving precise, dynamic control over cellular machinery has been a goal in synthetic biology,” explained Assoc Prof Poh. “By using different colours of light to dictate complex, multi-step processes, we are paving the way to make biological manufacturing more predictable and programmable.”

While yeast has been previously engineered to respond to single colours of light, this is the first time that a single strain of yeast has been engineered to respond to more than one colour.

The NUS team published their research findings in the scientific journal Nature Communications on 22 May 2026.

Life in Technicolour

A key challenge was to make yeast respond reliably to red light. Existing red light-responsive optogenetic systems in yeast require several introduced genes, additional cofactors (or “helper” molecules) or careful handling to avoid unintended activation. These limitations make them difficult to combine with other light-controlled systems.

The team adapted a light-sensitive tool previously used in bacteria and mammalian cells into a single red light-responsive protein for yeast, which they named y-iLight. When exposed to red light, y-iLight attaches to certain DNA sequence in the yeast and turns on specific genes. Importantly, y-iLight works without the need for additional chemicals beyond those naturally found in yeast, making it simpler, more cost-effective, and more reliable for practical use.

Engineering yeast to see red and blue

Although y-iLight was an important improvement, it initially had a serious limitation: blue light could also activate it. This crosstalk meant that the red light system could not yet operate independently alongside a blue light system.

To solve this, the researchers used a modular protein-engineering strategy. They fused y-iLight to protein modules designed to block its activity specifically under blue light, then tested different combinations to identify variants that preserved red light responsiveness while suppressing unwanted blue light activation.

When the improved red light system was combined with the established blue light-responsive system called EL222, the researchers achieved independent control of two gene-expression channels in the same yeast strain. This represents a major step toward multiplexed optogenetics in yeast.

“Achieving this level of independent control without the two systems interfering with each other was a major hurdle in yeast,” says Linus Tan Yu Han, PhD student at NUS CDE and lead author of the paper. “By solving the blue-light crosstalk issue, we opened the door to much more complex genetic programming in yeast using colour.”

Colourful instructions for cell factories

With a dual-channel optogenetic yeast strain in hand, the team demonstrated how multi-coloured light could deliver more complex instructions. They placed two enzymes involved in producing luteolin, a natural plant chemical with potential health-related applications, under separate red and blue light control. By exposing the yeast to different proportion and timing of red and blue light, the researchers could adjust how the yeast made luteolin.

This light-based control also helped researchers understand how the process worked. In particular, they discovered that one enzyme, called F3′H, was less effective in the later stages of culture, providing useful insight on how to improve the process in the future.

The team also used optogenetics to control how yeast cells behave. By linking the flocculation gene FLO1 (which makes yeast cells stick together) to a red light-activated genetic switch, they showed that red light could trigger yeast cells to clump together and sink.

In their experiment, yeast first produced luteolin under blue light, then clumped together under red light. This demonstrates how light can control production and separation, which could inspire cleaner and more programmable biomanufacturing strategies.

Paint me a picture

Optogenetics also offers spatial control: genes can be switched on only where light is projected. To demonstrate this, the NUS team engineered yeast to produce different coloured compounds in response to red or blue light, spread the cells as a thin layer on agar, and projected light through masks. The result was a set of patterned, multi-colour “living images” grown by yeast.

“Together, the work shows that yeast can be programmed with multiple colours of light to control gene expression, metabolic pathways, cell behaviour and spatial patterning. The platform could support future applications in biomanufacturing, pathway optimisation and living materials,” Assoc Prof Poh explained.

What’s brewing next?

Assoc Prof Poh and his lab are currently working on ways to use rationally designed gene networks to boost the properties of these light sensitive proteins. With increased strength and sensitivity, they believe it will create new opportunities in the way microbes are used to manufacture valuable chemicals and materials.

Since 1958, NUSSU RAG & Flag Day has been a defining highlight of Freshman Orientation and one of the University's largest student life events. For nearly seven decades, it has brought generations of NUS students together through purpose, creativity and community service. Over the past 17 years alone, NUS students have raised a cumulative total of over S$5.2 million through this initiative.

Creating ripples of change through creativity and gratitude

This year’s theme, “Ripples Across Time”, reflects the belief that even the smallest act of kindness can create meaningful and lasting impact. It celebrates the enduring spirit of community service and environmental sustainability, illustrating how every act of care and generosity creates positive change that extends far beyond the present.​

RAG & Flag Day culminated in RAG Day following two Flag Days held on 25 July and 1 August 2026, during which close to 2,400 NUS students fanned out across Singapore to raise funds for their selected causes. In return, RAG Day served as a heartfelt expression of gratitude to donors and the wider public through music, dance and storytelling.

A highlight of RAG Day was the 14 vibrant student performances featuring sustainable handmade costumes, imaginative props and mobile displays. More than 2,000 students participated, showcasing the creativity, teamwork and dedication that have made RAG & Flag Day a cherished NUS tradition.

Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for Education and Minister-in-Charge of Social Services Integration, graced the event at NUS University Town as Guest-of-Honour. He officially launched the festivities alongside NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye and President of the 47th Executive Committee of NUSSU Mr Stephen Chen Zhi Peng.

Deepening impact through community engagement

Beyond fundraising, NUS freshmen and students also spent time engaging directly with their chosen beneficiaries through community visits, forging meaningful connections and gaining a deeper appreciation of the lives and challenges of the communities they support. These include children with special needs, at-risk youths, individuals facing mental health challenges, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens.

In his opening address NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Professor Aaron Thean said, “This year’s theme, “Ripples Across Time”, is a thoughtful reminder that the impact of kindness transcends generations and is built over time. Every hour that is volunteered and every dollar raised creates a ripple that becomes a powerful wave of change for those in need.” He added that these experiences, will help NUS students learn beyond textbooks. He also encouraged them to continue to pursue their passions and purpose, and build friendships that will last a lifetime.

The celebration also featured a lively Flag Carnival with games, food, and handicraft booths organised by NUS faculty clubs and residential communities, alongside live performances by NUS student groups. The carnival brought together students, alumni, donors, beneficiaries and members of the public to celebrate a shared commitment to giving back and building a more caring community.

Mr Stephen Chen Zhi Peng, President of the 47th Executive Committee of NUSSU, said, “NUSSU RAG & Flag: Ripples Across Time is all about taking collective action, no matter how small, as a community of people in support of one another. We are deeply grateful to the freshmen and participating bodies who have contributed their time and energy so generously, to all our partners, both internal and external, for their close collaboration and expertise, and certainly for members of the public for their unwavering support throughout the years! With continued support like this, NUSSU RAG & Flag will always remain a cornerstone of the NUS experience and identity.”

The proceeds from NUSSU RAG and Flag 2026 will be channelled through Community Chest to support critical programmes delivered by the following Social Service Agencies:

1. Autism Resource Centre (Singapore)

2. AWWA Ltd.

3. Care Community Services Society (CCSS)

4. Care Corner Singapore

5. Children-At-Risk Empowerment Association

6. Club Heal

7. Fei Yue Community Services

8. MINDS

9. Life Community Services Society

10. O'Joy Limited

11. Rainbow Centre

12. Shan You

13. SHINE Children and Youth Services

14. Tasek Academy and Social Services Ltd

15. Trybe (Singapore Boys' Hostel)

16. Youth Guidance Outreach Services

Read more on NUS News.

The first, an endowed donation of S$1 million, will establish a scholarship for students in the Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) programme offered at the NUS Business Analytics Centre (BAC). The second gift, an expendable donation of S$500,000 will establish the NUS BAC AI Fund to support research in artificial intelligence and digital technologies at the Centre.

Both the MSBA programme and BAC are joint initiatives of NUS Business School and the NUS School of Computing, bringing together expertise from business and technology to develop solutions and talent for an increasingly AI-driven economy.

Professor Tan Eng Chye, NUS President, said: “We thank Mr Xie Xin for his generous investment in the future of AI education and research at NUS. His gifts strengthen two important pillars of our mission: nurturing future talent and advancing research that addresses complex challenges. Together, they will help prepare the next generation of professionals who combine technological expertise, business acumen and a strong sense of responsibility to create meaningful impact.”

Mr Xie, CEO of Lark Technologies Pte Ltd, said: “Technology alone does not change the world. It is people with the knowledge, courage and compassion to use it well who create lasting impact. I hope these two gifts will empower talented students to pursue their aspirations in business analytics while advancing research in trustworthy AI for the benefit of society. Together, they represent an investment not only in innovation but in the people who will shape a better future”.

The new NUS BAC Excellence Scholarship will provide financial support for outstanding students pursuing the NUS MSBA programme. The scholarship will support up to two scholarships in its first year, with its impact expected to grow over time as the endowment continues to provide sustained support for future cohorts.

The new NUS BAC AI Fund will support BAC’s research in trustworthy AI – the development of AI systems that are safe, reliable and accountable – to enable organisations to adopt AI responsibly. The new fund will also complement the University's broader commitment to advancing interdisciplinary AI research and education.

Since its establishment in 2013, the NUS MSBA programme has developed graduates who combine analytical rigour, technological expertise and business acumen to solve real-world problems. As AI becomes increasingly embedded across industries, such interdisciplinary capabilities will be critical in enabling organisations to adopt AI effectively and responsibly.

The AI lab is dedicated to advancing foundational AI research and defining the future of gaming intelligence. Building on Razer's broader investments in AI, the new lab serves as a hub for exploration and innovation, accelerating breakthroughs in areas such as digital humans and ambient intelligence. This includes Razer AVA, a vision to build a digital human companion designed to deliver natural, personalised interactions through personality, memory, contextual awareness and adaptive behaviour, as well as Project Motoko, a wearable AI headset that brings ambient, highly advanced multimodal generative AI capabilities into a familiar, everyday form factor. 

The global AI in gaming market is projected to grow from US$4.2 billion in 2025 to US$66.8 billion by 2035, representing a 32 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during the forecast period from 2026 to 2035. Reflecting this trend, a recent survey found that 79 per cent of gamers are receptive to at least one AI-enabled feature they believe would improve their gaming experience. As AI increasingly transforms the way people interact with technology, Razer is deepening its investments in research and innovation to lead and shape the future of gaming experiences. 

Introducing Gaming Artificial Narrow Intelligence (GANI) 

For a start, Razer and NUS Computing are introducing Gaming Artificial Narrow Intelligence (GANI), a new research domain focused on AI models purpose-built for interactive digital environments. For instance, GANI could power an AI teammate that dynamically adjusts tactics to a player’s skill and playstyle, generates context-aware objectives and dialogue in real time, and seamlessly adapts difficulty during live matches to enhance engagement and fairness. 

This research also strengthens the intelligence layer behind Razer's existing AI innovations. The same real-time adaptability and contextual awareness that GANI aims to develop are directly relevant to Razer AVA's ability to sustain natural, personalised interactions, and to Project Motoko's ambient, always-on responsiveness, giving both a stronger foundation as they evolve from concept to product. 

“Gaming presents some of the most demanding environments for AI, requiring systems to respond in real time, adapt to changing contexts, and enhance the player experience. By establishing GANI as a new research domain, we're building the scientific foundation for AI that is purpose-built for gaming,” said Li-Meng Lee, Chief Strategy Officer, Razer. 

“As gaming pushes AI to operate under some of the highest requirements for responsiveness, personalization, and immersion, the breakthroughs developed here have the potential to inform applications far beyond gaming, from interactive entertainment to education, simulation, and other real-time digital experiences. By combining NUS’ research excellence with Razer’s gaming ecosystem and industry expertise, we’re bridging AI research and real-world game development, equipping developers with the tools to build smarter AI, accelerate content creation, unlock new gameplay experiences, and lay the groundwork for innovations beyond gaming.” 

From Research to Real-World Play 

Research is currently being conducted to future-proof products with the goal of extending AI experiences beyond gaming over time. The Razer-NUS Joint AI Research Lab will focus on three pillars: core model innovation, real-time content systems, and advanced personalization capabilities. 

“Universities play a crucial role in advancing scientific discovery and shaping the evolution of emerging disciplines. The Joint AI Research Lab with Razer provides GANI with a dynamic testing ground it needs, leveraging NUS’ strong research expertise in AI while offering direct access to Razer’s live engineering environment,” said Associate Professor Ooi Wei Tsang from NUS Computing’s Department of Computer Science, who also serves as Director of Razer-NUS Joint AI Research Lab. 

“By co-establishing GANI as a new research frontier, NUS and Razer are charting the pathway towards next-generation intelligent systems that will shape the future of interactive gaming experiences. Our goal is to create innovations that transform how millions of players interact with the games they play.” 

The lab will pursue an iterative research-to-translation model, testing and validating advances in both simulated and live gameplay environments and, where appropriate, integrating successful outcomes into Razer’s proprietary systems. Findings intended for the wider community will be published through open research channels, while proprietary innovations will enhance Razer’s global product ecosystem. Under the partnership, NUS Computing will lead research activities and talent development, and Razer will align projects with industry needs, validate real-world use cases, and enable product integration. The lab will be hosted in a dedicated space within NUS. 

In 2025, Razer has launched its AI Center of Excellence (CoE) in Singapore which is currently home to more than 100 engineers, data scientists, and researchers. It also has a CoE powering immersive platform and technologies in France. The establishment of the joint AI research lab marks the next phase of Razer's AI strategy, accelerating innovation in gaming, digital humans, and ambient intelligence. 

For more information on the Razer-NUS Joint AI Research Lab, visit here.

Dr Noeleen will join current NUS Pro-Chancellors Mr Gautam Banerjee, Mrs Theresa Foo, Professor S Jayakumar, and Mr Po’ad Mattar in the University’s Chancellery, headed by the NUS Chancellor. University Pro-Chancellors act on behalf of the Chancellor during the Chancellor’s absence from the University and preside at the annual Commencement ceremonies.

“NUS is honoured and privileged to welcome Dr Noeleen Heyzer as our Pro-Chancellor. Dr Noeleen’s exemplary leadership at the United Nations and lifelong dedication to sustainable development and social progress reflect the values we cherish,” said NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye. “Dr Noeleen’s global vision, deep commitment to public service, and unwavering drive for positive change will deeply enrich our university community. Her rich experience will guide us as we nurture leaders, advance knowledge for the public good, and strengthen NUS’ role as a leading university shaping the future of Singapore, Asia and the world.”

A trailblazer of women’s global leadership for equality, development and peace

An NUS alumna, Dr Noeleen Heyzer has dedicated her life to building a more peaceful and sustainable world and raised Singapore’s international profile during her career at the United Nations (UN) and beyond. She served as Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) from 2007 to 2014 and was the highest-ranking Singaporean in the UN system during her term.

She was the first woman to serve as the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) since its founding in 1947. Under her leadership (2007-2014), ESCAP had grown in profile and stature, focusing on regional co-operation for a more resilient Asia-Pacific, founded on shared prosperity, social equity, and sustainable development. Major milestones included intergovernmental agreements on regional transport and logistics, inclusive socio-economic policies, disaster preparedness, paperless trade, and financing and technology for an inclusive and green future.

Prior to this, Dr Noeleen was the first woman from outside North America to head the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). During her tenure (1994-2007), she transformed UNIFEM from a small organisation into a leading powerhouse empowering women globally. She was instrumental in securing the landmark UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security which criminalises sexual violence, and recognises women as essential to sustainable peace and post-conflict recovery.

As the UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser for Timor-Leste (2013-2015) and later as Special Envoy on Myanmar (2021-2023), Dr Noeleen worked closely with conflict-affected communities and leaders to forge a path towards peace. Between these appointments, she served as a member of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Board on Mediation (2017–2021), where she contributed her expertise to support mediation efforts in diverse conflict settings worldwide.

A trusted voice in global governance, Dr Noeleen continues to contribute her insights through her service on many boards and committees, including the NUS Board of Trustees from 2013 to 2019. She currently serves as the Rector of the Ridge View Residential College at NUS.

In recognition of her visionary leadership in advancing the empowerment of women globally, raising Singapore’s international profile and making a global impact, Dr Noeleen was conferred the NUS Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters in 2025. The Honorary Degree is the University’s highest form of recognition of outstanding individuals who have rendered distinguished service and have had a noteworthy impact in Singapore and globally.

Dr Noeleen said, “I am deeply humbled and profoundly honoured to be appointed as a Pro-Chancellor of our nation’s most distinguished university. The National University of Singapore (NUS) has shaped generations of thinkers, doers, and leaders with character and purpose whom it sends into the wider world. I shall do my utmost to serve NUS with integrity, wisdom, and unwavering commitment, and to uphold the values of excellence that it represents.”

In 2024, global average carbon dioxide emissions reached a new record high. As greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide envelope the earth and trap heat, global warming occurs – our planet is now heating up faster than any point in recorded history, fuelling climate change and its rippling consequences such as increased frequencies of natural disasters, rising sea levels, destruction of food supplies, health risks, among many others. Undoubtedly, it has become increasingly imperative to find decarbonisation solutions.

“Burning of fossil fuels to generate power is the biggest contributor of carbon dioxide emissions,” said Professor Yan Ning, Director of CHCI. “Projects at CHCI directly tackle this issue by researching on hydrogen, a promising alternative to fossil fuels, and developing innovative methods of carbon capture and transformation.”

When used to generate power, hydrogen produces only water as a by-product; no carbon dioxide is emitted. Prof Yan continued, “Our research on hydrogen production and utilisation plays a vital role in curbing carbon emissions. However, translating these scientific innovations into widespread market adoption requires expertise beyond the laboratory. This is where HyLoCC comes in, by filling the crucial gap between academic research and industry. HyLoCC ensures that cutting-edge hydrogen and carbon innovations in the lab can be more readily translated into a reality.”

Forging a decarbonisation powerhouse

HyLoCC aims to drive research commercialisation of decarbonisation solutions by building a robust ecosystem that connects research labs, start-ups, and companies to relevant stakeholders across the value chain to ensure end-to-end technology deployment.

Key activities and services of HyLoCC are as follows:

• Organise regular seminars featuring academic and industry speakers, targeted workshops, and networking sessions
• Facilitate collaborative research through personalised engagements between companies and CHCI researchers to solve specific problem statements
• Provide consortium members with access to CHCI’s integrated equipment and analysis platform to evaluate hydrogen and carbon utilisation technologies, including techno-economic analysis
• Develop talent and expertise through CHCI’s Continuing Education and Training courses and through collaborative postgraduate projects and undergraduate initiatives conducted with consortium members, research partners and companies

“HyLoCC is an avenue where leading experts from various hydrogen and low-carbon sectors can come together to brainstorm ideas and share dedicated resources and information to solve real-world problems,” said Prof Yan. “These synergistic collaborations would build up our arsenal of decarbonisation solutions to fight against global warming and climate change.”

The perspectives and insights of HyLoCC’s founding members will play a key role in shaping the strategic priorities of the consortium. For their remarks, please refer to the Annexe.

About CHCI

The Centre for Hydrogen and Carbon Innovations (CHCI) was formerly known as the Centre for Hydrogen Innovations, first established in July 2022 through an investment of S$25 million, comprising an endowed gift from Temasek along with additional funding from NUS. In July 2024, the Centre inaugurated its 600-sqm advanced research facility, which serves as an innovation hub to boost hydrogen research and its commercial application in Singapore.

The renaming of the Centre on 14 July 2026 at the Industry Day event reflects its broader mission to advance both hydrogen and carbon innovations. CHCI now aims to support Singapore’s transition to a low-carbon future by developing new technologies and fostering collaboration across academia, industry, and government. 

The honorary degrees were presented during the Main Ceremony of NUS Commencement 2026, presided by Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore and NUS Chancellor. The Honorary Degree is the University’s highest form of recognition for outstanding individuals who have rendered distinguished service and had a great impact in Singapore and globally.

Ms Kay Kuok Oon Kwong was conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters, in recognition of her distinguished contributions to business and public service. She was recognised for her exemplary leadership as Chair of the Yale-NUS College Governing Board and her pivotal role in the transition from Yale-NUS College to NUS College.

Professor Lim Pin was also presented with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters, as a tribute to his transformative leadership in advancing NUS’ growth and international standing, and his lifetime of distinguished contributions to medicine, higher education and public policy.

Ms Kuok and Prof Lim were joined by 57 graduates from the NUS School of Continuing and Lifelong Education, who received their degrees at the Main Ceremony today.

The NUS Class of 2026 comprises 17,953 graduates: 7,665 students will receive Bachelor’s degrees and 10,288 will receive graduate degrees. A total of 39 ceremonies will be held at the NUS University Cultural Centre over a period of 14 days, from 9 to 22 July 2026. NUS Commencement 2026 will conclude with the Commencement Dinner, which will be held on Friday, 24 July 2026.

NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye said, “We are proud to present honorary degrees to Ms Kay Kuok and Professor Lim Pin who are well respected in their respective professional fields and beyond. They have contributed with great distinction to Singapore and the community, exemplifying exceptional vision in elevating standards beyond conventional benchmarks to create long-lasting, positive impact. NUS is particularly privileged to have benefitted from their leadership during their appointments with us, and we are delighted to celebrate their achievements today.”

Celebrating the achievements of the Class of 2026, Prof Tan said, “Our newly minted NUS graduates have shown resilience, curiosity and excellence. These qualities will shape their journeys ahead as they pursue their aspirations. I encourage every graduate to carry the spirit of service, innovation and integrity, and apply their talents to make a positive impact in their communities and professions. I am confident that they will build a brighter future for Singapore and the world.”

This year, 156 students will be graduating as the pioneer cohort of 9 new programmes:

·        Master of Science (Artificial Intelligence and Innovation)

·        Master of Computing (Artificial Intelligence)

·        Master of Clinical Mental Health and Psychotherapy

·        Master of Science (Infectious Disease Emergencies)

·        Master of Science (Medical Pharmacology)

·        Master of Science (Sustainable Healthcare)

·        Master of Science (Artificial Intelligence for Science)

·        Master of Science (Climate Change and Sustainability)

·        Master of Audio Arts and Sciences

2026 Honorary Doctor of Letters Recipient – Ms Kay Kuok Oon Kwong

Ms Kay Kuok Oon Kwong is a Director of Shangri-La Hotel Limited (Singapore). She also sits on the Boards of Kuok (Singapore) Limited and its various subsidiaries, and Venture Corporation Limited. Ms Kuok was previously Executive Chairman of Allgreen Properties Limited, Managing Director of Shangri-La Hotels (Malaysia) Berhad and Director of Kuok Brothers Sdn Bhd.

Ms Kuok has made notable contributions to education, tourism, healthcare, the arts and the environment, serving and also having chaired and served on several other educational and community service organisations, industry groups and government bodies, including Singapore Business Federation, The Council for Board Diversity, Singapore Hotels Association, Mindfull Community Limited, Singapore Institute of International Affairs, National Healthcare Group Pte Ltd, MOH Holdings Pte Ltd, Singapore Tourism Board, NUS Board of Trustees, Yale-NUS College Governing Board, National Arts Council, South West CDC, Singapore Environment Council, National Environment Agency, The Courage Fund Limited and Northlight School.

Ms Kuok has received the Distinguished Service Order, Meritorious Service Medal, the Public Service Star (BEM) and the Public Service Medal (PSM) from the President of Singapore in 2023, 2015, 2005 and 1998 respectively. The Singapore Tourism Board honoured her with its Inaugural Award for Lifetime Achievement for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism in 2009 and its Special Recognition Award in 2004.

Ms Kuok is an Advocate and Solicitor (Barrister-at-Law) from Gray’s Inn, London.

Please refer to Annexe 1 for the Citation for Ms Kuok.

2026 Honorary Doctor of Letters Recipient – Professor Lim Pin

Professor Lim Pin is University Professor and Professor of Medicine at NUS. He is also the longest-serving Vice-Chancellor at NUS and the first professor to be conferred NUS' highest academic appointment, University Professor.

A Queen's Scholar in 1957, Prof Lim trained in Queen’s College Cambridge and King’s College Hospital London before returning to Singapore to build a career that spanned clinical medicine, research, and higher education leadership.

He made foundational contributions in research on magnesium metabolism, renal disease, thyroid disorders, and diabetes, publishing his findings in The New England Journal of Medicine and the British Medical Journal, and elevating local biomedical research to the world stage.

Prof Lim served as NUS’ Head of Medicine, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and subsequently Vice-Chancellor in 1981. He created and strengthened a lasting research culture on campus, tying promotion to research output and championing interdisciplinary collaboration. At the end of his tenure as Vice Chancellor in 2000, NUS had a multi-million-dollar annual research budget and half a dozen research institutes. He also transformed the way students learned, introducing the small-group tutorial system, the semester module structure, and the internet on campus.

Beyond the university, Prof Lim's counsel has been widely sought on matters of national importance. He chaired the National Biotechnology Committee and the Bioethics Advisory Committee, among others, earning a reputation for rigour, integrity and balance across science, ethics and public policy. His achievements have also been recognised at the highest levels, both nationally and internationally, including receiving the Public Administration Medal (Gold) (PPA), Meritorious Service Medal (PJG) and Distinguished Service Order (DUBC) from the President of Singapore in 1984, 1990 and 2000 respectively.

Please refer to Annexe 2 for the Citation for Prof Lim.

To strengthen the aquaculture industry, NUS scientists, together with researchers from the Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, have developed a novel oral vaccine for fish that can protect them against NNV and be implemented in an effective, efficient and practical way to immunise large amounts of fish. The team was led by Professor Yang Daiwen from the Department of Biological Sciences at the NUS Faculty of Science and the research findings were published in the journal Fish & Shellfish Immunology on 5 January 2026.

Traditional vaccination involves injecting fish individually which can cause fish to be stressed. It is also impractical to execute on a large scale, and unsuitable to be administered on fish larvae and fingerlings. Oral vaccinations can be mixed directly into fish feed, offering a more practical, labour efficient and cost-effective solution.

“Fish are particularly vulnerable in the larval and juvenile stages, with the disease having a near 100 per cent mortality rate in the larval stage. Moreover, the growth is reduced even if some fish survive. At present, there are no simple and effective treatments available for NNV infection, making prevention through vaccination the most promising strategy. Our novel discovery of a viable and effective delivery system to transport virus-like particles to enable fish to resist the effects of NNV addresses this pertinent issue,” said Prof Yang.

Tackling a deadly virus in farmed fish

The novel vaccine is designed using two core biological components – one to train the fish’s immune system and another to deliver the training module safely:

1.      An “imposter” virus

The researchers used the NNV outer shell, known as the capsid protein, to create Virus-Like Particles (VLPs). The VLPs are hollow, non-infectious replicas of the virus. As the VLPs look identical to NNV externally, they trigger an immune response within the fish. However, they do not contain genetic material and are hence incapable of causing disease.

2.      A delivery vehicle

The researchers needed a carrier to get the VLPs to the right place in the fish’s body and chose Lactococcus lactis, a safe and well-understood bacterium. The VLPs were encapsulated inside the bacterial cells, which act as protective capsules. The capsule shields the VLPs as they travel through the fish’s digestive system, ensuring they arrive in the gut where an immune response can be triggered.

A challenge for the scientists was finding the perfect formula for the bacterium-encased VLPs to be delivered successfully to and released in the gut. After trials with live and heat-treated Lactococcus lactis, the researchers found that inactivating the bacteria with sodium hypochlorite protected the VLP’s structure and solubility within the bacteria, ensuring that it could be delivered effectively to the immune system.

The novel oral vaccine produced outstanding results as a method to protect fish against NNV. It induced two-times the levels of antibodies and neutralising antibodies – antibodies which bind to pathogens and prevent them from entering host cells – compared to feeding the fish purified VLPs directly which is also a much more expensive method.

The vaccine was also proven to reduce brain viral load by about 300 times after fish were exposed to NNV for seven days. This means the vaccine dramatically reduced the amount of virus replicating in the fish, effectively protecting them from the lethal effects of the disease.

Bringing research to real-world

The oral vaccine can be applied to economically important fish species such as grouper, and European and Asian seabass. The research team has filed three patents for this novel vaccine and plans to collaborate with industrial partners for field trials on grouper and other types of fish.

Mr Chong is Group President & CEO of ST Engineering, a global technology, defence and engineering group with a portfolio of businesses across the aerospace, smart city, defence and public security segments. An NUS alumnus, Mr Chong also serves on the boards of Jurong Port and the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, and was a member of Singapore’s Economic Strategy Review Committee on Global Competitiveness.

Mr Hsieh Fu Hua, Chairman of the NUS Board, said, “We are delighted to welcome Vincent to our Board. His broad industry and leadership experience, international outlook and deep understanding of technology and engineering will certainly enrich our discussions.”

Members of the Board of Trustees are appointed by the Minister for Education. The Board is made up of eminent leaders from the public sector, academia, business and various professions. The Board works closely with the management and stakeholders of the University to shape its vision, chart major directions, and guide significant initiatives.

More information on new Trustee Mr Vincent Chong can be found in Annexe 1. The full list of Trustees can be found in Annexe 2.

They succeed current Deans Professor Andrew Rose and Professor Sun Yeneng respectively, who are returning to their academic pursuits at NUS.

Prof Teo will relinquish his role as the Executive Director of the NUS Institute of Operations Research and Analytics (IORA) with effect from 1 July 2026.

Prof Koh will continue to serve as the University’s Vice President (Sustainability and Resilience) and Chief Sustainability Scientist until 31 December 2026. He will also continue as Director of the Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions under the NUS Faculty of Science.

NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye, said, "We are delighted to appoint Prof Teo Chung Piaw as Dean of NUS Business School and Prof Koh Lian Pin as Dean of the Faculty of Science. Both have demonstrated exceptional vision and deep expertise throughout their distinguished careers at NUS, and are ideally positioned to drive our faculties forward in this era of rapid transformation. Under their leadership, I am confident our Business School and Faculty of Science will not only advance groundbreaking research and education, but also develop the next generation of leaders and innovators who will shape solutions for Singapore and the global community."

Business School

Prof Teo, who is an NUS alumnus, is the Stephen Riady Professor at NUS Business School and Co-Director of the SIA–NUS Digital Aviation Corporate Laboratory.

Over an academic career spanning more than three decades, Prof Teo has distinguished himself as a researcher, educator and academic leader. A leading scholar in operations research and analytics, his work has advanced the optimisation of business processes in areas such as logistics, inventory management and supply chain planning.

Prof Teo’s achievements have been recognised across the University, and at national and international levels, reflecting both the scholarly depth and practical relevance of his work. He has also held key leadership roles at NUS Business School and helped develop IORA into a key NUS platform for research, application and collaboration in operations research, optimisation and analytics.

“It is a privilege to be entrusted with the leadership of NUS Business School, an institution that has built a strong reputation for academic excellence, research impact and deep engagement with industry and society. I am grateful to Prof Rose for his stewardship and for the many ways in which he has built on and strengthened the School’s foundations. I look forward to working closely with our faculty, staff, students, alumni and partners to build on the School’s strengths, deepen our impact in Asia and beyond, and prepare future business leaders to navigate an increasingly complex and technology-driven world,” said Prof Teo.

Please refer to Prof Teo’s biography here: Annexe 1.

Faculty of Science

Prof Koh, a leading expert in sustainability and environmental science, helms NUS’ sustainability agenda and brings together diverse stakeholders to enhance the climate resilience and sustainability of Singapore through system-level mitigation and adaptation solutions. He oversees and champions sustainability-related research at NUS, tackling the twin planetary crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, through a whole-of-university strategy that bridges academia with policy makers, industry and civil society.

With over 20 years of international experience, Prof Koh is among the world’s most cited conservation scientists. His previous roles include positions at ETH Zurich, University of Adelaide, Conservation International Foundation, and Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF).

An NUS alumnus, he joined the NUS Department of Biological Sciences in 2020 under the NRF’s Returning Singaporean Scientists scheme and went on to serve as Vice Dean (Research) at NUS Faculty of Science from 2022 to 2024 and Director of the NUS Tropical Marine Science Institute from 2021 to 2024. He was appointed Associate Vice President and Chief Sustainability Scientist in 2023 and promoted to Vice President (Sustainability and Resilience) in 2025.

Prof Koh focuses on policy-relevant science and advocacy, and has contributed to major forums including the UN COP sessions, TEDGlobal and TEDx, and the Singapore Parliament as a former Nominated Member of Parliament (2021–2023). He is also a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and Founding Director of ConservationDrones.org.

Prof Koh said, "I am deeply honoured and excited to serve my alma mater as Dean of Science. I would like to thank Prof Sun Yeneng for his outstanding leadership in shaping the Faculty into the excellent institution it is today. I am committed to working closely with our faculty, staff, and students to advance cutting-edge research, enhance educational excellence, and translate scientific discoveries into real-world impact. Together, we will foster an inclusive and collaborative environment, strengthen our partnerships with industry and the community, and elevate the Faculty as a leading hub for scientific discovery and talent development."

Please refer to Prof Koh’s biography here: Annexe 2.

In appreciation

Prof Tan said, “NUS is profoundly grateful to Prof Rose and Prof Sun for their exemplary leadership and dedication. Their contributions have shaped not only their respective schools, but also the University and the broader society.”

“Prof Rose has steered the NUS Business School with foresight, elevating its global standing, fostering innovation and equipping our students to excel in a rapidly evolving world. Prof Sun has led the Faculty of Science with distinction, advancing research and fostering a vibrant community of scholars dedicated to excellence and advancing knowledge, while inspiring and supporting students to reach their fullest potential,” added Prof Tan.

During his tenure as Dean since 2019, Prof Rose strengthened NUS Business School’s academic portfolio, regional engagement and research mission, alongside improvements in its international rankings and reputation. He oversaw the continued development of the School’s undergraduate and postgraduate offerings, expanded its faculty strength, and supported initiatives that enhanced its multidisciplinary breadth, including the integration of the Department of Real Estate into the School.

Under his leadership, the School broadened access to postgraduate business education through new pathways, including the launch of the Executive Master of Science in Management for experienced professionals. NUS Business School also made further strides as a leading Asian voice in business education and policy, while advancing research in areas such as governance, sustainability, analytics, AI and policy impact.

These academic, research and regional developments were complemented by continued investment in the School’s long-term institutional capacity, including enhancements to its campus infrastructure and learning spaces.

Prof Sun helmed the NUS Faculty of Science since 2020. Under his leadership, the Faculty  attained new heights of excellence in both undergraduate and postgraduate education. As a founding Co-Dean of the NUS College of Humanities and Sciences, Prof Sun played a pivotal role in advancing an undergraduate education model that integrates scientific inquiry, the humanities and societal impact, equipping graduates with the intellectual agility to address complex problems across disciplines. 

Prof Sun transformed graduate education at the Faculty, significantly expanding the Faculty’s suite of self-financing Master of Science programmes in emerging, industry-relevant fields, to prepare future-ready leaders with advanced skills for a rapidly changing landscape. He also expanded doctoral scholarship support to draw high-calibre PhD candidates to the Faculty.

His deanship was marked by the recruitment of exceptional scientific talent, enhancing the Faculty’s scholarly and research stature. He also oversaw the strategic establishment of the NUS Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein, NUS Research Centre on Sustainable Urban Farming and Centre for Data Science and Machine Learning, reinforcing the University’s global standing in impactful, future-focused scientific research.

The launch comes as global demand for such bio-based alternatives accelerates. The bioeconomy is projected to contribute up to US$4 trillion annually within the next decade, driven by a broad shift away from petrochemical-based production^[1].

The new A*STAR SIFBI-NUS Synthetic Biology Joint Lab is established by the A*STAR Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (A*STAR SIFBI) and the NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (NUS SynCTI). It will support efforts to strengthen translation in emerging technologies and grow the bioeconomy.

The joint laboratory brings together A*STAR SIFBI's capabilities in bioprocess development and scale-up, and NUS' strengths in fundamental science, interdisciplinary research and talent development. Its initial focus will be on nutrition and consumer care, with broader applications spanning advanced materials and health. It will support companies in co-developing testing and validating sustainable, synthetic alternatives to conventional chemical manufacturing.

A*STAR Chief Executive Officer, Mr Beh Kian Teik, said, “For Singapore to capture opportunities in the bioeconomy, we need to move strong science closer to market. This joint lab is one way A*STAR and NUS are closing that gap, by working with industry to develop bio-based solutions that can be scaled into products, including for ingredients, chemicals and materials.”

Led by Professor Jay Keasling, a pioneer in synthetic biology, the joint lab will focus on three areas to accelerate industry translation:

• Faster design: AI-guided enzyme and pathway engineering to shorten development timelines

• Scalable production: Industrially deployable microbial platforms to produce complex molecules at scale

• New molecules: Access to novel bio-based compounds for ingredients and functional applications

Further details are provided in Annex A.

Strengthening Singapore’s Role in the Emerging Bioeconomy

The bioeconomy encompasses industries that use biological systems and biotechnology to produce chemicals, ingredients and materials. It is reshaping how goods are made at a fundamental level. The global market for bio-based chemicals alone is expected to exceed US$200 billion by 2030, while synthetic biology, a key enabling technology, is projected to grow to over US$60 billion in 2030^[2][3].

This shift is evident in the food and nutrition space where bio-based ingredients are opening up vast new catalogues of sustainable sources. This transition allows industry players to strengthen their supply chains by diversifying the source of their ingredients and embracing the latest technologies. For example, in the production of ingredients such as omega-3 lipids, companies are reducing reliance on imported marine sources. Advances in synthetic biology, combined with artificial intelligence (AI) and large-scale data analysis, are accelerating the discovery and production of complex molecules that were previously difficult to make at commercial scale.

Mr Jermaine Loy, Managing Director of the Singapore Economic Development Board said, “As the chemicals sector adopts greener alternatives, industrial biotechnology offers companies a credible pathway to diversify raw material sources and develop novel, sustainable products. The A*STAR SIFBI-NUS Synthetic Biology Joint Lab will strengthen Singapore's capabilities in this emerging area, bringing together world-class R&D and industry translation to advance bioeconomy innovation from Singapore.”

Building the Next Generation of Talent

Beyond research and industry engagement, the lab will serve as a training ground for Singapore's future scientists and engineers in areas such as synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, AI-guided biological design, and industrial biomanufacturing. Joint supervision arrangements, internships and fellowships are designed to develop researchers who can operate at the interface of academia and industry. Professionals with such skills are increasingly in demand as more companies build in-house biotechnology capabilities.

"NUS brings strengths in foundational science and interdisciplinary research. Especially relevant to this joint lab is our strong and established research track record and presence in the synthetic biology space, an example being NUS SynCTI," said Professor Aaron Thean, NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost. "The joint lab gives our scientists a direct pathway to translate their work into practical outcomes, while equipping students and early-career researchers with valuable skills needed to operate across research and industry settings."

Over time, the lab aims to catalyse technology licensing, start-up formation and new partnerships to build a pipeline of talent and ideas that will support the long-term growth of Singapore's bio-based innovation ecosystem.

[1] NatureFinance and Getúlio Vargas Foundation. The Global Bioeconomy: Preliminary Stocktake of G20 Strategies and Practices: A Contribution to the Brazilian G20 Presidency’s Global Initiative on Bioeconomy. Prepared for the G20 Initiative on Bioeconomy (GIB), May 2024.

[2] Green Chemicals Global Overview 2024–2030. Research and Markets, November 2024.

[3] The Business Research Company. Synthetic Biology Market Report 2026. Published January 2026.

The new research collaboration between NUS and Applied Materials aims to shorten one of the most expensive bottlenecks in chipmaking: the long cycle of trial and error needed to develop and optimise new materials and processes. By training AI on data generated from the Corporate Lab’s processing equipment, the partners aim to build a system that can predict the most promising experiments to perform, speeding the path from the laboratory to the production line and reducing costly trial-and-error cycles.

The initiative also aligns with national and global priorities, including the Semiconductor Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) Flagship launched under RIE2030. It comes as the global chip industry heads towards US$1 trillion in annual revenue, with an additional US$300 billion of potential upside from generative AI.  Singapore plays an outsized role, where it produces one in 10 chips worldwide, with the sector accounting for nearly six per cent of the country's GDP and has drawn over S$30 billion in semiconductor investment between 2022 and 2025.

The Corporate Lab, launched in 2018 and expanded in 2024, spans applied chemistry, materials science and semiconductor process engineering. Harnessing NUS’ strengths in materials science, engineering and AI, alongside Applied Materials’ expertise in semiconductor equipment and advanced manufacturing processes as well as Singapore’s mature semiconductor ecosystem, there is now an opportunity to close a critical industry gap. AI has transformed materials discovery in many fields, but has had limited impact on semiconductor manufacturing, due to the complex set of processing parameters and possible materials outcomes at different scales, which is difficult for general material-discovery models to capture.

“Semiconductors are fundamental to today’s AI, and now AI is transforming how semiconductors themselves are designed and made. That makes ever-closer collaboration between universities and industry essential, both to turn research into real-world impact and to prepare graduates for the roles this shift is creating,” said Professor Aaron Thean, NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost. “Deepening our collaboration with Applied Materials, together with our new AI specialisation in semiconductor engineering education, reflects how NUS is advancing this sector on both fronts, through research that forges new frontiers and education that nurtures the talent to apply it.”

“Accelerating semiconductor innovation requires materials engineering, process technology and AI to come together as one system," said Dr Prabu Raja, President of the Semiconductor Products Group at Applied Materials. "By combining NUS' strengths in AI and materials science with Applied Materials' process equipment expertise and real-world data, we can significantly reduce development cycles and speed innovation from lab to fab. Just as important, this collaboration helps prepare a new generation of engineers to operate at the intersection of AI and semiconductor manufacturing."

To mark the start of the collaboration, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed today by Professor Aaron Thean, NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost, and Mr Brian Tan, Regional President (South East Asia), Applied Materials, in conjunction with the opening of the Applied Materials Tampines Campus. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Mr Gary Dickerson, President and CEO of Applied Materials, and Mr Png Cheong Boon, Chairman of the Singapore Economic Development Board.

Closing the gap between AI and chip manufacturing

The new research collaboration between NUS and Applied Materials would address three key challenges in implementing AI in semiconductor manufacturing: the complexity of processing parameters in materials development, the fragmented data generated during semiconductor manufacturing, and understanding how minute structural changes in materials impact device performance.

The aim is to develop an AI platform that learns from both simulations and real experiments and recommends the next best experiment to run, resulting in a closed loop that steadily narrows the search for better materials and process conditions.

“AI has already spurred materials discovery in many fields, but it has not yet reached the factory floor in semiconductors, where the messy physics of real equipment often stymies its implementation,” added Prof Thean. “By coupling our physics-informed AI with Applied Materials’ tools and the Corporate Lab’s advanced processing capabilities, we can build models that understand how a process actually behaves, and use them to point researchers to the experiments most likely to pay off.”

Building AI-ready semiconductor talent

The new Applied AI for Materials and Process Engineering specialisation extends the MSc STO programme into a rapidly growing field where AI is transforming materials innovation, semiconductor manufacturing, and advanced engineering operations.

Designed for STEM graduates and early- to mid-career professionals, the specialisation equips students to apply data-driven and computational methods to real industrial problems. Students will gain hands-on experience with technologies such as machine learning, generative AI, computer vision, semiconductor technologies, and digital twins through practical applications such as defect detection, predictive maintenance, yield optimisation, and materials characterisation.

Students will also have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects through placements in the industry. These placements span sectors such as semiconductors, materials and process engineering, and advanced manufacturing and operations, enabling students to develop interdisciplinary expertise, apply AI to real-world challenges, and build industry-relevant skills for careers in emerging technology sectors.

The curriculum emphasises human-centricity, ensuring that students retain responsibility for decision-making and applying domain knowledge even as they leverage AI tools. By combining human expertise and critical thinking with AI-driven insights, graduates will be equipped to accelerate innovation, enhance operational efficiency, and drive competitive advantage across the semiconductor industry.

Prof Thean said, “This new AI specialisation represents a timely convergence of education and innovation. We are building a pipeline of AI-ready talent for an industry vital to our technological future. As we integrate AI across education and research, we maintain a core principle: humans remain in the driver's seat. AI is a tool to augment, not replace, human ingenuity and judgment. This reflects NUS' commitment to empowering our community to harness AI responsibly while preserving the critical thinking and creativity at the heart of innovation."

The MSc STO programme is part of a comprehensive range of engineering courses offered by NUS CDE at both undergraduate and graduate levels designed to build the semiconductor talent pipeline. Covering disciplines such as electrical engineering, materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, as well as industrial systems engineering and management, these courses provide diverse opportunities for students to make impactful contributions to the sector.

NUS’ new research collaboration with Applied Materials and AI training specialisation complement existing efforts strengthen Singapore’s position at the leading edge of the global semiconductor industry as it converges with AI. Together, they advance both the research that drives the field forward and the talent that sustains it.

The gift, Wen Giving’s first contribution to NUS, will support HD@QT’s efforts to develop research-informed, community-based solutions that address the evolving health and well-being needs of Singapore’s long-lived population. It will support two key projects at HD@QT aimed at developing scalable, sustainable solutions: an international research collaboration to design interventions for a lifetime of health, and the co-creation of a community-based programme in Queenstown.

Spearheaded by NUS, the National University Health System (NUHS) and the Housing & Development Board (HDB), HD@QT brings together partners across research, healthcare, housing and the community to co-develop meaningful and scalable initiatives. Through evidence-based urban planning and community programmes, HD@QT supports individuals to lead active, fulfilling lives while fostering a stronger and more resilient community in Queenstown.

Led by its Co-founders Mrs Wai Mei Wen and Mr Chiu Chi Wen, Wen Giving is part of the Wen family’s longstanding philanthropic tradition, which began in the 1960s with its matriarch, Puan Sri Wen. Through Wen Giving, the family supports causes in conservation, health, community and education around the world.

“The Health District @ Queenstown resonates deeply with Wen Giving’s commitment to supporting meaningful solutions that create lasting, sustainable impact. We are encouraged by its holistic approach to healthy longevity and its potential to help communities thrive across generations,” said Mrs Wai Mei Wen, Co-founder of Wen Giving.

Professor John Eu-Li Wong, Executive Director of the NUS Centre for Population Health and Co-Chair of the HD@QT Steering Committee said, “We are deeply grateful to Mrs Wai Mei Wen and Mr Chiu Chi Wen of Wen Giving for their generous support for the Health District @ Queenstown. Their gift will strengthen our efforts to develop and implement evidence-based solutions that promote healthy longevity and improved quality of life across all ages. Successful models from HD@QT are designed to be scaled to benefit communities across Singapore and possibly beyond.”

Advancing healthy longevity through research and community-based solutions

Wen Giving’s gift will play an important role in supporting two key initiatives at HD@QT.

·       Research: HD@QT will establish a partnership between Columbia University and teams from NUS and NUHS to examine factors shaping health trajectories across the life course, and to develop effective, scalable and sustainable interventions for development in Queenstown, with successful programmes ready for deployment across Singapore and beyond.

·       Community-Based Solutions: A collaborative initiative between Duke-NUS Medical School, NUHS and NUS to improve the health and well-being of Malay-Muslim communities by partnering with the community to design culturally grounded preventive health programmes and services. By leveraging existing, informal support structures, HD@QT aims to establish a model that can be scaled to similar efforts across Singapore.

Together, these initiatives will strengthen HD@QT’s efforts to develop evidence-based and community-informed approaches to preventive health, while supporting the implementation of practical solutions that can benefit residents in Queenstown and beyond.

The new partnership positions NUS Law at the forefront of legal education and research, and forms part of the Faculty’s broader strategy to strategically and thoughtfully incorporate AI into teaching, learning and research. This approach ensures students continue to develop the analytical rigour, sound judgement and critical thinking that remain central to the study and practice of law, including the critical evaluation of AI outputs. It represents one component of the Faculty’s wider commitment to legal innovation and to preparing graduates who can navigate, evaluate and shape the responsible use of technology in the legal profession.

By making Harvey available across the school, NUS Law aims to equip its community with a platform that can improve efficiency and productivity, while preparing students for a profession increasingly transformed by AI.

Students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with a technology that is adopted by law firms, in-house legal teams and other legal service providers in Singapore and globally. Early exposure to this technology will help students understand both the opportunities and limitations of AI in legal practice, and how it can be used responsibly and effectively.

WongPartnership LLP played an instrumental role in bringing the partnership together, reflecting a shared commitment across academia, legal practice and technology to equip the next generation of lawyers with the skills and judgement needed for the future of legal practice.

With the opening of Harvey’s Singapore office, the partnership also reflects Harvey’s growing commitment to the Asia-Pacific region and its investment in supporting the next generation of legal professionals.

The powerful research capabilities of Harvey will also enhance the cutting-edge research conducted by NUS Law professors. Additionally, the collaboration will provide valuable insights into how AI is being used in student learning, enabling the Faculty to develop pedagogical initiatives and innovations that continue to challenge students intellectually while building the deeper reasoning and judgement essential to legal practice.

Professor Andrew Simester, Dean of NUS Law said, “As AI reshapes how legal work is done, it is crucial for us to remain agile in our approach to education. Our collaboration with Harvey represents an important step in preparing our students for the future of the profession. By providing access to Harvey, we can enhance the efficiency of their research. At the same time, access to AI does not displace the need to inculcate fundamental legal skills in our students. NUS Law’s aim is to ensure that our students learn to engage with these tools, and that they do so thoughtfully, critically and responsibly. We are very grateful to Harvey for helping us to achieve these goals.”

Ng Wai King, Chairman and Senior Partner of WongPartnership LLP said, “As the first Singapore law firm to adopt Harvey, we could see how a dedicated legal gen AI platform can provide an operational edge to the way we practice and serve our clients. We believe the next generation of lawyers who are currently in NUS Law should have exposure to legal-specific gen AI platforms to learn how to use these tools thoughtfully and responsibly as they enter practice. The future of the profession is shaped by the strength of the ecosystem we build collectively, even more so now given the evolving AI landscape. In collaborating with Harvey and NUS Law, we hope to facilitate skill development amongst our students through greater familiarity with emerging technologies. That is what this partnership is about.”

“As AI reshapes the legal industry, law schools have an important responsibility to prepare students for how legal work will evolve,” said Winston Weinberg, CEO and Co-founder of Harvey. “By integrating advanced legal AI into teaching, learning, and research, NUS Law is helping ensure students graduate with the skills and judgement needed to use these technologies thoughtfully, responsibly, and effectively in practice.”

For more information on Harvey’s law school programme, visit https://www.harvey.ai/about/law-schools

4-NP is widely used in the production of pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and dyes, and routinely enters waterways through industrial discharge. It is highly soluble and chemically stable, allowing it to persist in aquatic environments and move through rivers and lakes. Over time, it can accumulate in food chains, posing risks to both ecosystems and human health. Regulatory bodies classify it as a hazardous contaminant, with long-term exposure linked to damage to the nervous system, liver, and kidneys.

Existing methods for removing 4-NP, including chemical oxidation and biological treatment, while effective, are often energy-intensive, costly, or difficult to scale. Some require continuous chemical input or generate secondary by-products that has to be managed. Adsorption using carbon-based materials offers a simpler alternative, but many such materials rely on chemical activation processes that reduce their environmental and economic viability.

Turning waste into a functional material

The NUS team's approach sidesteps these issues by starting with pomegranate peels collected from local markets in Singapore. The peels are converted into biochar through controlled heating at 600 deg C, then broken down further into nanoparticles using ball milling and ultrasonication in water. The process does not require chemical activating agents.

The resulting nanobiochar has a high surface area and a pore structure suitable for capturing small organic molecules like 4-NP.

“We wanted a material that could remove persistent pollutants effectively without relying on harsh chemicals,” said Kustomo, NUS PhD student and first author of the study. “By working at the nanoscale, we were able to increase the number of active sites while keeping the process simple and more sustainable.”

Reducing the material to the nanoscale exposes more reactive surface sites, allowing 4-NP molecules to bind with the material faster and more efficiently. This improves removal performance while maintaining a relatively straightforward production process.

Strong performance and reusability

In laboratory tests, the nanobiochar was added to water containing 4-NP, a toxic pollutant. Within 90 minutes, it removed more than 94 per cent of the contaminant under optimised conditions. This means the material can clean polluted water relatively quickly, by attracting and holding the pollutant on its surface.

The researchers also tested whether the material could be used more than once. After each round of cleaning polluted water, the nanobiochar was washed with sodium hydroxide to remove the trapped pollutant and prepare it for reuse. Even after three cycles, it was still able to remove 85.76 per cent of 4-NP. This shows that the material can be reused while still maintaining most of its performance. The team’s findings were published in Environmental Nanotechnology, Monitoring & Management on 16 January 2026.

The NUS team is now testing the material in real wastewater samples, which contain a more complex mix of contaminants than the synthetic solutions used in the study. Scaling up production and integrating the material into existing treatment systems represent important next steps. If successfully implemented, this approach could offer a more sustainable and cost-effective solution for treating industrial wastewater while also creating value from agricultural waste.

The identified signatures could help refine future diagnostic tools, as well as to better match breast cancer patients with targeted therapies.

While genomic instability is a hallmark of cancer, previous research often relied on broad patterns that apply across many different types of the disease. This new study, published in Cancer Research on 14 May 2026, specifically examined breast cancer genomes from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and METABRIC, both of which are open-access databases. The research team was able to break down known, broad genetic signatures into more detailed, disease-specific categories, revealing a complex interaction between genome instability and the tumour's immune microenvironment.

 New DNA change patterns offer promise for improved diagnostics

The study identified eight de novo (newly extracted) DNA gain-and-loss signatures specific to breast cancer. It differentiated the distinct genomic effects of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations and observed that patients with relatively stable ("quiet") genomes and low macrophage infiltration tended to have better survival outcomes.

These identified signatures could help refine future diagnostic tools, such as improving the detection of homologous recombination deficiency, to better match patients with targeted therapies like PARP inhibitors.

To ensure these findings benefit the wider scientific community, the researchers launched the CNA Visualizer. This open-access web tool allows scientists worldwide to interact with and visually explore the massive dataset of various cancer genomes. The development of this extensive framework and web portal provides vital biological insights into breast cancer and genomic instability, supplying the necessary tools for future studies across various cancer types.

Next steps

The next phase of this research will focus on validating these genetic signatures in clinical settings to assess their reliability in predicting patient responses to targeted therapy. Additionally, Dr. Pitt and his team plan to further explore how the interplay between genome instability and the tumour microenvironment influences long-term clinical outcomes.

Dry eye disease, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, is one of the most common eye conditions, affecting more than 1.5 billion people worldwide. Far more than a minor discomfort, the disease causes corneal scarring, chronic pain, blurred vision and sensitivity to light. Various studies have linked it to depression, anxiety and reduced workplace productivity, as well as an economic burden estimated at US$3.84 billion annually in the United States alone. Current treatments such as cyclosporine A (Restasis®) and lifitegrast (Xiidra®) target inflammation through specific molecular pathways, but their high costs and adverse side effects limit long-term use.

At the cellular level, the disease is driven by a vicious cycle. Inflammation in the corneal region generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), chemically aggressive molecules that damage cells. Healthy eyes can neutralise ROS through antioxidant production that is driven by Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate (reduced form) (NADPH). But in inflamed eyes, ROS levels overwhelm the cornea’s natural defences, resulting in the generation of even more ROS – a death spiral.

A team led by Associate Professor David Leong Tai Wei from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in the College of Design and Engineering at NUS has developed a fundamentally different approach by transplanting functional plant-derived photosynthetic machinery into corneal cells, enabling them to harvest ambient light and produce NADPH independently from the cells’ own NADPH production pathways. In preclinical studies, the technology, delivered as simple eye drops at doses so low that it does not interfere with colour perception, reversed corneal damage to near-healthy levels within five days, outperforming Restasis®.

The study was published online in the scientific journal Cell on 15 May 2026.

An eye-opening biological crossover

Evolutionarily, plants and animals have taken divergent paths such that animals, with one exception, are not able to photosynthesise. This exception is the sacoglossan sea slug, which ingests and stores away the chloroplasts (organelles responsible for photosynthesis in plant cells) of microalgae within its intestinal cells. When starved, these sea slugs can live off the nutrients made through photosynthesis — the only known case of an animal being able to photosynthesise just like a plant. This unusual animal trait raised an intriguing question: could mammals also acquire some limited form of photosynthesis?

To test out their ideas, the NUS researchers chose the eye as it is one of the few organs in the human body that absorbs visible light — just like plant leaves. They engineered LEAF (Light-reaction Enriched thylAkoid NADPH-Foundry), a nanosized, structurally preserved version of the thylakoid grana — the tightly stacked membrane compartments inside the chloroplasts of plant cells where light energy is harnessed and converted to NADPH molecules. During photosynthesis, the NADPH molecules are subsequently used to produce glucose, providing energy and food for the plant.

The team’s core innovation was to strip away the part of the chloroplasts that consumes NADPH while keeping the thylakoids, where the light-reactions machinery of photosynthesis is, intact. This resulted in a nanosized package that acts as a dedicated NADPH factory capable of producing about 20 per cent more NADPH compared to unpackaged thylakoids. Prepared from the familiar spinach leaves using a patented, mild mechanical and chemical extraction method developed by the NUS team, the particles are roughly 400 nanometres across — small enough to be readily absorbed by cells. LEAF, when in the cells, then produces photosynthetic NADPH upon exposure to ambient light sources, and the NADPH produced tackles dry eye disease via two pathways – inside and outside the cell.

“This is an exciting finding as we have, for the first time, demonstrated that plant photosynthetic machinery can be transplanted into mammalian tissue to generate biologically useful molecules, powered entirely by the same light that enables our vision. We, too, can have limited photosynthetic abilities.” said Dr Xing Kuoran, the first author of the work.

Tested in living tissue

In laboratory tests on inflamed cells, LEAF restored NADPH levels within 30 minutes of light exposure, suppressed ROS and pivoted immune cells in the cornea from a pro-inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory state. When tested directly in tear samples collected from patients with dry eye disease, LEAF increased NADPH levels roughly 20-fold and reduced hydrogen peroxide, a key cell-damaging oxidant, by more than 95 per cent.

In their first preclinical trial in collaboration with ophthalmologists from Eye Centre of Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, LEAF administered as eye drops under ambient indoor lighting reversed corneal damage to near-healthy levels within five days, outperforming Restasis®. A second preclinical trial also confirmed the therapeutic effect. Safety assessments, including skin sensitisation, eye irritation and organ toxicity studies conducted over two months showed no adverse effects. The team plans to conduct clinical trials to further validate the technology.

More than meets the eye

“With LEAF, we now have a technology that harnesses ambient light to directly restore the molecule that dry eye disease depletes,” added Assoc Prof Leong. “As it is derived from spinach, delivered as a simple eye drop, requires no external device or power source and using the ambient light that is used for vision, we believe it has a strong potential for clinical translation. It is almost surreal when thinking of a possible future reality where human cells can have some limited but beneficial form of photosynthetic ability not only in the eye but elsewhere, too.”

In addition, as oxidative stress underpins a wide range of inflammatory conditions beyond dry eye disease, the team also sees potential for LEAF-based approaches wherever the body’s antioxidant defences are overwhelmed, particularly in tissues naturally accessible to visible light such as the retina, skin and underlying skeletal muscles. They are also developing new strategies that can produce therapeutically useful photosynthesised molecules in internal organs without the need for visible light penetration. 

The approach enables researchers to systematically evaluate how nanoparticle design, including shape, size and surface chemistry, influences their ability to accumulate in tumours and reach mitochondria. Among the candidates tested, two formulations emerged as standout performers. One, a folic acid-modified cubic gold nanoparticle, achieved 99 per cent tumour regression in preclinical studies when used in a combined treatment involving mitochondria-targeted RNA therapy and mild photothermal therapy.

Led by Assistant Professor Andy Tay from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the College of Design and Engineering and the Institute for Health Innovation & Technology at NUS, the study demonstrates how large libraries of nanomaterials can be screened efficiently inside living systems, providing a rational framework for designing nanoparticles that deliver drugs with far greater precision. The study was published in Advanced Materials on 17 February 2026.

A barcode system for navigating the body

Mitochondria are attractive targets in cancer therapy because they regulate key processes such as energy production and programmed cell death. Delivering drugs directly to these organelles can disrupt tumour metabolism and trigger cancer cell death. However, nanoparticles must overcome a series of biological barriers before reaching mitochondria: travelling through the bloodstream, entering tumours, penetrating cells and escaping cellular compartments that would otherwise degrade therapeutic cargo.

“Getting nanoparticles to the right place inside the body involves putting them through a complicated obstacle course,” said Asst Prof Tay. “Harnessing DNA barcodes enables us to track many nanoparticle designs simultaneously in living systems and quickly identify which ones can jump through various biological hoops successfully.”

In the study, each gold nanoparticle formulation was tagged with a unique DNA sequence, allowing the researchers to trace its distribution using next-generation sequencing. The team tested a library of 30 nanoparticle designs that varied in shape, size and targeting ligands. After administering the pooled nanoparticles to tumour-bearing preclinical models, the researchers analysed where each design accumulated — from whole organs to specific tumour cell types and ultimately to mitochondria.

This multiplexed approach generated more than 1,000 in vivo data points while requiring around 30-fold fewer in vivo models than conventional one-by-one screening experiments.

The work builds on the team’s earlier study published in November 2024, which first demonstrated the use of DNA barcoding to track nanoparticle biodistribution in tumours. While the previous study compared six nanoparticle designs at the tissue level, this new one greatly expands the library and extends the platform to analyse behaviour at cellular and subcellular scales.

“The results revealed an important insight: nanoparticles that accumulated efficiently in tumours were also far more likely to reach mitochondria,” added Asst Prof Tay. “In other words, successful tumour targeting appears to be a prerequisite for effective subcellular delivery.”

Among the nanoparticle formulations tested, two caught the team’s attention. Large spherical particles modified with folic acid accumulated strongly in tumours, partly due to a protective protein layer that prolonged circulation in the bloodstream. Meanwhile, large cubic nanoparticles entered tumour cells more efficiently through clathrin-mediated endocytosis — a cellular uptake pathway — enabling effective mitochondrial delivery.

A step towards precision nanomedicine

To explore the therapeutic potential of these findings, the researchers tested the cubic nanoparticle formulation in a combined treatment strategy. The particles were engineered to deliver small interfering RNA (siRNA) that disrupts mitochondrial gene expression, while also generating heat under near-infrared light through photothermal therapy.

This dual approach produced strong anticancer effects in preclinical studies. When applied together, the treatments led to almost complete tumour elimination after a single dose.

Beyond killing cancer cells directly, the nanoparticles also interacted with tumour-associated macrophages (immune cells that normally support tumour growth). The therapy appeared to shift these cells toward a tumour-fighting state, suggesting the approach may help reshape the tumour immune environment.

“Our findings show that nanoparticle design is not governed by a single factor such as shape or size,” added Asst Prof Tay. “Instead, multiple properties interact in complex ways. High-throughput screening platforms like ours allow us to uncover these relationships and move beyond trial-and-error in nanomedicine design.”

The platform could accelerate the development of precision nanomedicine by enabling researchers to rapidly identify nanoparticle designs suited for specific biological targets. Potential applications include targeted delivery of RNA therapies, gene-silencing treatments and photothermal agents for cancer and other diseases.

Looking ahead, the research team plans to expand the nanoparticle library further and integrate automation and artificial intelligence tools to analyse the large datasets generated by the screening platform. The researchers also aim to extend the method to target other cellular organelles, opening new possibilities for highly specific drug delivery within cells.

A new platform developed by researchers from NUS could make that possible. Called Lytic Selection and Evolution (LySE), the system harnesses a modified bacteriophage — a virus that infects bacteria — to rapidly create and test many small genetic changes. It can improve long stretches of DNA (up to about 40,000 DNA letters), big enough to include most sets of genes needed for important chemical processes in cells.

A crash course in plastic-eating

To “teach” bacteria to break down new chemicals (such as ingredients in plastic), scientists give them a set of genes – called a gene pathway – that work together like an assembly line. After each round (called an “evolution”), scientists keep the bacteria that perform best (for example, the ones that grow better using the target chemical) and repeat the process. LySE is designed to speed up this “training” process.

In a proof-of-concept demonstration, LySE improved a set of five genes that let E. coli bacteria feed on ethylene glycol, a chemical used in making PET plastics. After only five cycles, the best-performing bacteria grew more than 50 per cent better on ethylene glycol. Because LySE changes only the chosen genes and uses fresh bacteria each round, scientists can move the improved genes into new bacteria easily, a critical step toward deploying plastic degrading microbes at scale.

Researchers led by Assistant Professor Julius Fredens from the Department of Biochemistry and the NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI) programme at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, describe the platform in a paper published in Nature Microbiology on 1^st May 2026.

“Traditionally, scientists had to choose between slow but highly controlled evolution methods, or super-fast but uncontrollable continuous methods,” said Asst Prof Fredens. “Our goal was to create a best-of-both-worlds system: a tool that rapidly evolves large biological pathways while still letting us hit the pause button to control the process and prevent unwanted genetic errors.”

“Sloppy” by design

Directed evolution is a method scientists use to “speed up” natural selection in the lab. They make random changes (mutations) to a gene, then test and keep the versions that work best, repeating this process many times.

Another method, continuous evolution, such as phage-assisted continuous evolution (PACE), can do these mutation-and-selection cycles very quickly, but they have two main problems: they can only handle small pieces of DNA (about 8,000 DNA letters long), and they can get “cheaters” where the bacteria mutate their own DNA in a way that tricks the test and helps them survive, without actually improving the target gene.

“LySE sidesteps those two problems by exploiting bacteriophage T7, a virus that infects E. coli bacteria,” explained PhD candidate, Shujian Ong, who conducted much of the research. “T7 replicates rapidly and breaks the bacterial cell open within minutes. We have engineered the virus so that, when it makes new virus particles, it also packs in an extra small ring of DNA called a phagemid which carries the group of genes they want to improve.”

To make a lot of the new versions of those genes, the phagemid is copied by a specially engineered DNA-copying enzyme (T7 DNA polymerase) that is intentionally error-prone. Think of a normal DNA polymerase as a precise photocopier: this engineered variant is deliberately sloppy, making many “typos” (mutations), — about 160,000 times more than the bacterium’s own DNA copying system.

Paradoxically, the high error rate is what makes the system controllable. Because the polymerase is so “sloppy”, it also messes up the virus’s own DNA. As a result, the phage becomes weaker, losing the ability to spread uncontrollably; it can only destroy the bacteria when added in large numbers.

By adjusting the ratio of phage to bacteria, the researchers toggle between a mutation phase in which the target genes get a lot of new mutations and these mutated genes are packed into new phage particles, and a selection phase, in which mutated genes are put into fresh, normal bacteria and tested for improved function.

From antibiotic resistance to plastic digestion

The NUS team validated the LySE method in two ways. In an antibiotic-resistance check, the improved trait persisted after the genes were moved into new bacteria, confirming the changes were built into the target gene cluster.

Second, the researchers tried improving a whole “mini-factory” in cells: a five-gene pathway that lets bacteria use ethylene glycol for growth and energy. After five rounds with less glucose each time, the best-performing strain produced 50.9 per cent more biomass using ethylene glycol as its sole food source.

Sequencing showed LySE changed both regulatory regions (switches that control how much a gene is turned on or off) and protein-coding genes, and each helpful mutation was confirmed by adding it back one at a time into a fresh host.

“Without LySE, a bacterium’s instinct is to mutate its own entire genome to find ways to eat more plastic, but it struggles to find optimal solutions that way,” added Asst Prof Fredens. “LySE improves the target gene cluster tremendously without accumulating unwanted mutations in the rest of the bacterium’s DNA. Because all the improvements are strictly contained within our specific gene cluster, we can easily transfer this highly optimised pathway into entirely different bacteria.”

Engineering new-to-nature biology

The platform’s capacity to handle gene clusters of up to 40 kilobases in length — five times the limit of the most  commonly used phage-based evolution method — opens the door to applications that were previously impractical. These include optimising biosynthetic pathways for pharmaceuticals, engineering microbes that break down environmental pollutants and evolving entirely synthetic metabolic routes for carbon capture. The workflow requires only standard laboratory equipment and the mixing of phage lysates with cell cultures, making the technology accessible to laboratories without specialist phage biology expertise.

A patent has been filed for the LySE technology. Looking ahead, the team plans to apply LySE to systems that are entirely synthetic and new to nature.

“A key target is engineering synthetic CO2-fixing metabolic pathways, taking computationally designed routes that have never existed in the real world and optimising them so they actually function efficiently inside living cells,” said Asst Prof Fredens. “With LySE, we can take AI-designed enzymes and metabolic pathways and rapidly optimise them to work in practice. That is where massive potential lies.”

The conservation project was kicked off at the NUS-ArCLab: Shaping Sustainable Heritage Futures event graced by Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Finance and Second Minister for National Development, as the Guest-of-Honour. Mr Foo Cexiang, a Member of Parliament for the Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency, attended the event as a special guest.

Housed in a conserved heritage building at 141 Neil Road, NUS-ArCLab was established in November 2022 as a research and training centre within the Department of Architecture under the College of Design and Engineering at NUS. It aims to advance conservation practice through research, capacity building and public engagement while supporting the advancement of Singapore’s climate resilience goals by reducing the environmental impacts and improving the sustainability of heritage buildings.

Turning research into restoration: Traditional materials, modern methods

This project will directly implement research outcomes developed over the past few years — demonstrating how evidence-based restoration can improve occupant comfort, sustainability and long-term building performance while retaining the building’s heritage values.

A key innovation is the use of roof tiles developed in collaboration with partners in Japan. The newly developed tiles, inspired by the properties of handmade v-shaped tiles used historically, reintroduces porosity to enhance passive cooling and improve occupant comfort in tropical conditions. These new v-shaped tiles will be installed as part of a modified roof system that will not include a metal sheet secondary roof commonly found in many historic buildings in Singapore. While widely used today, the metal secondary roof can disrupt passive cooling strategies and often render attics uncomfortable to use without air-conditioning. By restoring and enhancing roof performance, the project aims to reduce reliance on mechanical cooling, thus reducing the building’s carbon emissions.

NUS-ArCLab will also revive traditional lime-based repairs, chosen for material compatibility with historic fabric. Lime helps historic building elements “breathe”, supports passive cooling, and reduces downstream maintenance issues that can arise when modern materials are introduced into historic buildings.

To strengthen long-term stewardship, the project will deploy a digital twin powered by artificial intelligence to support facilities management, real-time monitoring of environmental conditions, and tracking of both lifetime embodied carbon and operational carbon. The system allows operators to ask simple questions about energy use, carbon emissions and efficiency and receive clear, real-time answers. The result is tighter control of carbon outcomes, lower operating costs, and a smarter, more resilient path to sustaining net zero performance. NUS-ArCLab aims to make this a practical model for managing heritage buildings more effectively, while supporting national sustainability goals.

Pilot retrofit strategies with wider relevance for Singapore’s heritage stock

This NUS-ArCLab conservation project is intended as a full-scale pilot, because demonstrating the effectiveness of new conservation and retrofit innovations often requires implementation on a real building. Strategies implemented at NUS-ArCLab are designed to influence how future restoration projects can balance conservation principles with climate resilience and net-zero ambitions.

With more than 7,000 historic buildings in Singapore, the approaches developed through this project are expected to have broader applicability for improving sustainability, functionality and occupant comfort across the nation’s heritage building stock. At a district scale, more effective passive cooling and reduced air-conditioning demand would also help lower carbon emissions and reduce the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect in conserved areas with clusters of historic buildings.

Although the laboratory will not be able to continue operating in the same way when undergoing repairs, the repairs present a unique opportunity. NUS-ArCLab will use the live restoration as a teaching platform for current students in the Master of Arts in Architectural Conservation (MAArC) programme, integrating site-based learning into modules.

In parallel, NUS-ArCLab plans to organise public events during the repair works to strengthen public awareness and to support the training of specialist contractors, contributing to capacity building for Singapore’s built environment sector.

Dr Nikhil Joshi, Principal Investigator at NUS-ArCLab, said, “As Singapore continues to evolve rapidly under pressures of redevelopment, climate change and technological transformation, NUS-ArCLab’s repair and upgrading works aim to demonstrate best practices for climate-resilient conservation. NUS-ArCLab seeks to become Singapore’s first historic building retrofitted to achieve net-zero operational energy and the first to attain BCA Green Mark Platinum Zero Energy certification, implementing scalable strategies to enhance sustainability, functionality and occupant comfort across historic buildings nationwide.”

NUS Baba House, a restored 19th-century townhouse located at 157 Neil Road in Singapore’s historic district of Blair Plain, was acquired by NUS in 2006 through a gift from the late Ms Agnes Tan Kim Lwi, the youngest daughter of Malaysian businessman and community leader Tun Tan Cheng Lock. Since opening in 2008, the NUS Baba House has introduced visitors to Peranakan culture, using its architecture, objects and spaces to evoke everyday life for a typical prominent Peranakan family in the early 20th century.

With major restoration works underway and set for completion in 2027, the gift — which continues Ms Tan’s longstanding support and honours her father’s legacy — will cement NUS Baba House as a leading centre for Peranakan heritage study and public engagement in Singapore and across Southeast Asia.

“NUS Baba House stands as a lasting testament to my late aunt Agnes’ belief that heritage should be carefully preserved and meaningfully shared. It is a precious jewel that continues to offer invaluable insights into the rich history and culture of Peranakan Chinese. This gift ensures that the House remains a vibrant site for research, learning and public engagement for generations to come. It is remarkable how much we can still learn from it,” said Mr Peter Lee, nephew of Ms Agnes Tan and grandnephew of Tun Tan. Mr Lee is also the Honorary Founding Curator of NUS Baba House and advisor to the Tun Tan Cheng Lock Trust.

Mr Ahmad Mashadi, University Curator of NUS Museum which manages NUS Baba House, said, “NUS Baba House exemplifies how conservation, scholarship and public engagement can come together in a university museum. The Tun Tan Cheng Lock Trust’s generous gift reaffirms our commitment to preserving Singapore’s heritage while advancing research and education that deepen our appreciation of Peranakan history and culture.”

A world-leading centre for heritage stewardship, scholarship, and engagement

Associate Professor Daniel Goh, who is Associate Provost (Undergraduate Education) at NUS and oversees NUS Museum, will provide leadership to steer the NUS Baba House’s 20-year roadmap and its transformation into a research-driven global hub for Peranakan culture.

“NUS Baba House was envisioned not simply as a preserved historic home, but as a place where heritage can be studied, questioned and shared. This support from the Tun Tan Cheng Lock Trust enables NUS Baba House to enhance our existing programmes, scale up digitally and develop new initiatives that allow audiences to engage with the stories and material culture of the House. We are deeply grateful for the Trust’s belief in our mission,” Assoc Prof Goh said.

NUS Baba House will focus its next phase of growth on three key areas, with the gift playing a key role in supporting these efforts.

• Research: Advancing joint research initiatives, collaborations and publications across Southeast Asia, positioning Peranakan culture within wider regional conversations about migration, urbanisation, hybridity and heritage.
   

• Public programmes: Organising workshops, residencies, exhibitions and an international symposium to keep heritage interpretation dynamic and relevant.
   

• Digital access: Expanding access to the NUS Baba House’s collection of more than 2,000 artefacts through digital tools and platforms, creating new opportunities for the public to learn and deepen cultural understanding.

Current treatments offer only partial relief. The two mainstay therapies — lactulose and the antibiotic rifaximin — work primarily by reducing ammonia production in the gut, but neither corrects the full spectrum of metabolic disruptions that drive the disease. Patients remain vulnerable to recurrence, and rifaximin carries the added risk of disrupting the gut’s natural microbiome. A fundamentally different approach is needed — one that can tackle several disease drivers at the same time.

A research team from the National University of Singapore (NUS), led by Professor Matthew Chang from the NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI) has recently achieved a major breakthrough on this front.

The researchers, who are also from the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, engineered strains of a naturally occurring beneficial gut bacterium to function as programmable therapeutics capable of restoring metabolic balance across the gut, liver and brain. The study was published in the scientific journal Cell on 24 April 2026.

Reprogramming bacteria to fight disease on multiple fronts

The researchers redesigned Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1 — a well-characterised commensal bacterium — into two complementary therapeutic strains. The first strain absorbs excess ammonia from the gut and converts it into branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), essential nutrients that are depleted in HE patients. The second strain breaks down L-glutamine in the gut before it can be converted into yet more ammonia, cutting off a key source of the toxin.

Laboratory studies using a cocktail of both strains for HE showed that the combination reduced circulating ammonia by up to 10-fold and lowered brain ammonia to levels comparable to those in healthy conditions. Key metabolic imbalances — including depleted BCAAs and elevated L-glutamine — were restored, alongside marked improvements in anxiety-like symptoms and cognitive function.

“We found that engineered gut bacteria can simultaneously remove toxic ammonia, restore essential nutrients, and improve brain-related outcomes,” explained Prof Chang. “This directly addresses a major limitation of current treatments, which typically target only a single root cause rather than the full spectrum of metabolic drivers.”

Distinct advantages over a front-line antibiotic

Compared with rifaximin, the engineered bacterial cocktail achieved stronger improvements in anxiety and short-term memory. In addition, neuronal signalling was normalised and neuroinflammation was reduced, suggesting gut metabolic correction can drive benefits in the central nervous system.

The engineered strains also preserved the natural diversity of the gut microbiome, a significant advantage over rifaximin, which markedly reduced microbial richness. In long-term safety studies, the bacteria were well tolerated, showed no signs of systemic toxicity, and were cleared within 72 hours of the final dose.

A platform for next-generation “living medicines”

The team’s findings point to a versatile platform for what Prof Chang calls a new class of precision therapeutics. As the bacterial strains are modular — each engineered to perform a specific metabolic task — they could be adapted to target other disorders involving the gut-liver-brain axis, including urea-cycle defects and other hyperammonaemic conditions.

“Our study demonstrates the development of a multi-functional, programmable microbial therapy that can coordinate several therapeutic actions simultaneously inside the body,” said Prof Chang. “Unlike standard treatments such as rifaximin, which broadly suppress gut bacteria, our approach uses live biotherapeutics to precisely reprogramme metabolism while preserving the natural gut ecosystem.”

A patent application has been filed to support translation of the technology towards clinical use. The team’s next steps include evaluating the long-term performance of the engineered strains and expanding the platform to target other diseases linked to metabolic imbalance.

“Our long-term goal is to translate this work into the clinic and develop a new class of programmable, microbe-based therapies,” added Prof Chang. “These findings establish a strong foundation toward realising that vision.”

Published in Nature Communications on 10 March 2026, the study introduces a paired protein language model (PPLM) that learns from two interacting proteins simultaneously, rather than analysing them in isolation. This marks a significant shift in how AI is applied to biology, enabling more accurate prediction of protein–protein interactions that underpin nearly all cellular processes.

A new way to understand protein interactions

Protein–protein interactions are inherently relational, yet most current AI models are trained on single protein sequences. This limits their ability to fully capture how proteins recognise and bind to one another.

To address this, the research team developed PPLM, a model specifically designed to learn inter-protein relationships during training. By jointly encoding paired protein sequences, PPLM captures both individual protein features and partner-dependent interaction patterns within a unified framework. The model was trained on more than three million protein pairs, enabling it to learn interaction patterns at scale.

Strong performance across multiple tasks

Building on this foundation, the team developed three specialised tools: PPLM-PPI for predicting whether proteins interact, PPLM-Affinity for estimating binding strength, and PPLM-Contact for identifying interaction interfaces. Across benchmark datasets, the model improved interaction prediction accuracy by up to about 17 per cent over leading methods, with consistent gains across multiple species.

Notably, the model outperformed both sequence-based and structure-based methods in challenging scenarios such as antibody–antigen interactions. In addition, the model identified patterns that match how proteins interact in real life, indicating that it can capture biologically meaningful relationships between proteins.

“This work highlights the growing role of AI in transforming the life sciences. By moving from single-protein analysis to interaction-aware modelling, the study lays the groundwork for future advances in multi-protein complex prediction, systems-level biology, and AI-guided therapeutic design,” explained Prof Zhang, who also has appointments at the Department of Biochemistry at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and the Department of Computer Science at the NUS School of Computing.

Towards scalable and translational impact

By improving the accuracy and scalability of protein interaction modelling, PPLM could support a wide range of applications, including proteome-scale interaction discovery, drug target identification, and therapeutic development.

The NUS team is now working to further enhance the model by integrating structural and experimental data and extending its application to more complex biological systems such as host–pathogen interactions.

Many successful language-learning apps are built around a simple idea of making learners guess a word based on a picture, even before they learn the answer. This design isn’t just for fun, but a strategy that draws on decades of cognitive psychology which suggests that attempting an answer first and then seeing the correct one strengthens memory.

Now, a new study by NUS provides formal experimental evidence confirming why this works. The research shows that word-picture guessing exercises with immediate feedback can significantly improve adults’ ability to recall new vocabulary in a second language.

“Millions of people learn new languages through apps that rely heavily on word-picture guessing tasks, but the scientific evidence for how much those activities actually help learners remember new vocabulary has been limited,” said Assistant Professor Steven Pan from the Department of Psychology, NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. “Our study shows that attempting an answer first, even if you may not have learnt the word yet, and then seeing the correct response boosts memory and supports lasting learning.”

So why does guessing help? “When you try to answer before knowing the correct response, your brain actively searches memory and engages more deeply with the material. Seeing the correct answer immediately afterwards strengthens memory by helping the brain encode and retain the information more effectively than passive study alone,” explains Asst Prof Pan.

The ‘pretesting’ effect in action

In learning science, this ‘guessing-then-feedback’ approach is known as pretesting. Learners attempt an answer before they have fully learned the material and then receive instant feedback on whether they got it right or wrong, and which is the correct answer. Even if the initial guess is wrong, the process primes the brain to encode the correct answer more effectively, making later recall stronger than passive study alone.

Although prior research has shown that an initial attempt can strengthen later memory, most studies have focused on purely verbal materials (e.g., word pairs or text). It has therefore remained unclear whether the same benefit extends to the word-picture matching tasks that are central to many digital language-learning platforms.

How the study was conducted

Asst Prof Steven Pan and NUS Department of Psychology Master’s student Ms Tabitha Chua designed four controlled experiments, across which a total of 341 adults who had no prior knowledge of Spanish participated. They were asked to learn Spanish nouns using two different learning methods:

• Guessing-with-feedback (pretesting), where participants made a multiple-choice guess before being told the correct word-picture pairing; and
• Study-only (reading), where participants viewed the word-picture pairs without guessing.

The experiments also varied the exercise format, or the direction in which information was presented, both of which are common in language apps:

• Word→image, where participants saw a Spanish word and chose the matching picture; and
• Image→word, where participants saw a picture and chose the correct Spanish word.

Memory was then assessed through cued recall (producing the answer from memory) and multiple-choice recognition tests.

Overall, the results showed that participants who guessed first, i.e. learned using the guessing-with-feedback method, consistently recalled words more accurately, whether they were presented with the word or image first.

“Second language learners often hesitate to guess until they feel confident, but the study’s results suggest that early attempts, even without full knowledge, can help learners engage more actively with words,” said Asst Prof Pan.

“For anyone using apps or self-study tools, choosing exercises that encourage trying first and learning from feedback is a simple way to strengthen vocabulary recall over time,” he added.

The findings of the study were published in the journal Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications on 6 March 2026. The team hopes the work will guide the design of evidence-based learning activities in both digital language platforms and classroom practice.

Figures of Buddhist Diplomacy in Modern Asia introduces the concept of “Buddhist Diplomacy”, showing how Buddhist ideas, institutions, objects, and transnational networks have been mobilised to shape cultural exchange, peacebuilding initiatives and used for geopolitical manoeuvring across modern Asia.

The book, funded by the Social Science Research Council of Singapore (SSRC), was edited by Associate Professor Jack Meng-Tat Chia, a recognised expert on Buddhism and its historical and cultural roles in Asia from the NUS Department of History.

Bringing together 22 multidisciplinary essays by leading and emerging scholars of religious studies, history, anthropology, and political science, the book examines how Buddhist leaders, politicians, diplomats, and royalty have practised “Buddhist diplomacy” from the twentieth century to the present. In doing so, challenging the conventional view that religion, and more specifically Buddhism, is politically detached, thus highlighting its active role in shaping diplomatic thought and practice.

“Figures of Buddhist Diplomacy in Modern Asia reframes how we think about diplomacy in the region,” said Assoc Prof Chia. “It shows how Buddhist actors and networks have participated in shaping transregional ties and public diplomacy, and invites readers to rethink the boundaries between religion, culture, and statecraft in modern Asia.”

Prominent profiles featured in the book include Singapore’s former foreign minister, Mr George Yeo; the 14^th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso; the late peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi; and President of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Xi Jinping, to illustrate how Buddhist ideas and networks have been influential in different diplomatic contexts.

SSRC Deputy Chairman Professor Chan Heng Chee, who was the guest-of-honour at the book launch today, said the book is a timely and important contribution that broadens how we understand diplomacy in the region as it shows how ideas, culture, and beliefs can shape international relations.

“This book exemplifies the kind of bold, interdisciplinary research that SSRC champions – work that moves debates forward, challenges assumptions and sparks thinking that influences both academic inquiry and policy in the region,” said Prof Chan, who is also Ambassador-at-Large at Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Hardback copies of Figures of Buddhist Diplomacy in Modern Asia can be purchased at Kinokuniya SG at $170.68 each. Open access e-copies of the book can be downloaded online at: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/figures-of-buddhist-diplomacy-in-modern-asia-9781350530126/.

Wearable devices could fill the gap by continuously tracking cardiovascular markers linked to the autonomic nervous system, but their readings degrade sharply during everyday movement. Motion artefacts from muscle activity, body movement and physiological interference overwhelm the faint heart and blood pressure signals these devices are trying to capture, and current mitigation strategies typically address only one type of noise or a narrow frequency band.

A research team led by Professor Ho Ghim Wei from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering under the College of Design and Engineering at the National University of Singapore, with Research Fellow Dr Tian Guo as first author, has developed a metahydrogel platform integrated with AI-driven signal processing that suppresses multiple sources of motion noise simultaneously. The system delivers an electrocardiograph (ECG) signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 37.36 dB and blood pressure deviation as low as 3 mmHg during movement — accuracy that meets ISO clinical-grade standards and outperforms commercial trackers currently available in the market. Combined with machine learning, the platform classifies fatigue levels with 92 per cent accuracy, pointing towards objective, continuous mental health monitoring in real-world settings.

The findings were published in Nature Sensors on 24 March 2026.

Filtering noise at the source

Rather than relying solely on software to clean up noisy data, the team tackled the problem at the sensor-body interface itself. The metahydrogel artefact-mitigating platform (MAP) combines two filtering mechanisms in a single material. Nanoparticles self-assembled into periodic bands within the hydrogel scatter and absorb mechanical vibrations, much like how a soundproofing panel traps sound energy, blocking movement noise within targeted frequency ranges. At the same time, a biocompatible glycerol-water electrolyte controls how quickly ions travel through the gel, letting low-frequency heart signals (below 30 Hz) pass through, while suppressing higher-frequency muscle electrical noise. A machine-learning denoising algorithm then removes any remaining unstructured noise while preserving critical physiological features.

The platform is soft enough to match the mechanical properties of biological tissue, breathable with a water vapour transmission rate exceeding that of human skin and durable under repeated stretching. By combining improved hardware with smart algorithms, the system made the ECG signal much cleaner, boosting signal quality from 5.19 dB to 37.36 dB. This clearer signal helps it detect key ECG peaks more reliably, raising peak-detection accuracy from 52 per cent to 93 per cent and making it easier to tell fatigue-related patterns from normal heart rhythms.

“Compared with current commercial devices, our metahydrogel platform demonstrates superior performance, particularly under motion conditions where artefact suppression is critical. Current smartwatches typically achieve ECG signal-to-noise ratios of 10-20 dB, which can decrease by approximately 40 per cent under motion due to artefacts and unstable contact. Our system achieves around 37 dB during daily activities,” said Dr Tian.

From stable signals to mental-state decoding

Because fatigue disrupts the autonomic nervous system, it leaves measurable traces in heart rate variability, blood pressure patterns and ECG waveform features — but only if those signals can be captured cleanly during everyday activity. The team built a fully integrated, flexible wearable MAP system with wireless transmission and used it to monitor participants over multiple days, including simulated driving tasks designed to induce fatigue.

Using high-quality cardiovascular data collected from the hydrogel sensor, a deep-learning system identified fatigue levels with 92 per cent accuracy, versus 64 per cent when trained on data collected without MAP. The team also showed that the system meets the ISO 81060-2 gold-standard requirements for blood pressure monitoring.

Beyond fatigue tracking, MAP suppressed artefact across diverse biosignal types, including heart sounds, respiratory sounds, voice, brain-wave and eye-movement recordings, highlighting its potential for broader neurophysiological and mental health monitoring.

Towards real-world mental-health monitoring

The team spent about four years developing the underlying sensing technologies before arriving at the metahydrogel concept about two and a half years ago. Designing and fabricating the platform took about a year, during which the researchers built a library of metahydrogels with different material systems to target noise across different frequency ranges. A further year of system integration and application validation followed, including exploration of its potential for mental-health monitoring.

“We hope to work closely with mental-health physicians to better understand what types of physiological data are most relevant in real-world settings, as well as the level of accuracy required to meet clinical needs. Clinicians can provide valuable insights to help us establish meaningful links between the data and pathological conditions,” said Prof Ho.

On the industry side, the team is seeking partners to improve device consistency and scalability. “Our current material synthesis and system fabrication are still largely based on laboratory processes. We aim to collaborate with industrial partners to optimise manufacturing strategies and advance the platform toward practical, product-level implementation,” she added.

The milestone edition brought together close to 500 students from over 120 secondary schools across Singapore – the largest participation to date – to examine this year’s theme, “City For Tomorrow: Shaping Our Liveable Future.”

The theme challenged students to think about how cities like Singapore can remain liveable while balancing competing priorities such as housing, infrastructure, green spaces and environmental sustainability.

In the Grand Finals, the top five teams competed across three rounds: A Judges Round, “GeoPardy” quiz segment (Jeopardy-style quiz), and a fast-paced Speed Round. Teams were tested not only on their geographical knowledge, but also their ability to analyse urban liveability challenges and communicate their ideas effectively.

“What stood out amongst the top teams in the 30th NUS Geography Challenge was the calibre of teamwork and presentation skills,” said Professor Tim Bunnell from the NUS Department of Geography and finals judge. “Geography provides students not only with applied and analytical skills for planning and policy but also with a human-level appreciation of lived, social environments.”

He noted that the finalists showed a strong understanding of complex urban planning challenges, and a clear grasp of how Singapore’s Master Plan and Green Plan shape sustainability, green spaces, and community policies in developing a liveable city. “It was enlightening to see how they combined analytical thinking, field observations, and creative ideas, engaging with urban liveability challenges through fresh perspectives.”

Field investigations across Singapore

During the Geo-Trail semi-finals held earlier during the day yesterday, participants carried out field-based investigations at seven checkpoints across downtown and suburban Singapore, including one-north Park, Enabling Village by SG Enable, Toa Payoh Central, Smith Street in Chinatown, and grovve, Singapore’s first integrated youth-focused wellness centre. Each site was strategically selected to showcase different aspects of city planning, from environmental sustainability and green spaces to accessibility and social inclusivity.

At each location, students made on-site observations and discussed how cities can be designed not just for efficiency, but for inclusivity, sustainability, and well-being. They also considered how, beyond physical infrastructure, different communities experience shared urban spaces, and how cities can balance competing priorities such as housing, recreation, heritage preservation, and environmental protection.

Ms Ong Lay Kheng from Tanjong Katong Girls’ School, which participated in this year’s competition, is appreciative that students get to explore different parts of Singapore in the Geo-Trail.

“Rather than studying concepts abstractly, students examine actual urban infrastructure and develop innovative solutions, transforming them from passive learners into active problem-solvers,” said Ms Ong who teaches geography at the school.  

Nurturing future geography talent

Mr Vijay Liew, Group Director (Corporate Development) (Designate) of Urban Redevelopment Authority, one of the competition’s partners, said competitions like the NUS Geography Challenge help nurture students’ interest in cities and urban planning, and grow awareness on how planners balance challenges such as climate resilience and competing land uses to shape Singapore’s future.

“Such programmes encourage our youths to think critically and creatively about Singapore’s urban challenges, and do their part to make our city even more liveable.”

Beyond the competition, students who show strong aptitude may be invited to the Geography Talent Development Programme organised by the Ministry of Education (MOE), which prepares students to represent Singapore at the International Geography Olympiad.

Ms Leah Aw, MOE’s Director of Humanities, Curriculum Planning and Development Division (CPDD) said that the NUS Geography Challenge is an important platform for discovering and nurturing Singapore’s future geography talent, as it connects classroom learning with vital contemporary issues like urban sustainability and environmental stewardship, making learning more dynamic and empowering.

“MOE’s Talent Development Programme then helps the most promising students deepen their expertise, with an opportunity to represent Singapore at the International Geography Olympiad,” said Ms Aw.

Singapore has performed strongly in the international competition, including placing first in 2022 among teams from 54 countries.

Organisers hope the competition will continue to inspire young people to develop a deeper interest in geography and the complex challenges shaping cities and environments around the world.

Mr Yip, who headed the civil service since September 2017, is also Permanent Secretary (Prime Minister’s Office) (PMO) and Permanent Secretary (PMO)(Strategy).  He will step down from these roles upon his retirement from the Administrative Service on 1 April 2026. Over the course of his career, Mr Yip held several leadership positions within the civil service, including the founding Chief Executive of the then Singapore Workforce Development Agency, Chairman of the Economic Development Board, and Permanent Secretary appointments at the Ministry of Manpower and Ministry of Home Affairs.

NUS also expressed its appreciation to Mr Goh Choon Phong who had earlier stepped down from the Board on 31 December 2025, after more than 10 years of service. Mr Goh, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Airlines, was first appointed to the Board on 1 April 2015.

Mr Hsieh Fu Hua, Chairman of the NUS Board, said, “We warmly welcome Leo to our Board as Deputy Chairman. His broad experience and outlook will bring valuable perspectives to strengthen the Board’s stewardship of NUS in meeting national priorities and advancing its global initiatives.”

“We also thank Choon Phong for his many contributions to NUS. The University has benefitted greatly from his acumen and insights, especially in the area of innovation and enterprise,” Mr Hsieh added.

With the latest changes, the NUS Board of Trustees will have 19 members.

Members of the Board of Trustees are appointed by the Minister for Education. The Board is made up of eminent leaders from the public sector, academia, business and various professions. The Board works closely with the management and stakeholders of the University to shape its vision, chart major directions, and guide significant initiatives to produce a strong and enduring impact for the University, and for Singapore and beyond.

More information on new Trustee Mr Leo Yip can be found in Annexe 1. The full list of Trustees with effect from 1 April 2026 can be found in Annexe 2.

The advance removes a long-standing bottleneck in biohybrid robotics — machines driven by living cells rather than conventional motors. Because muscle-based actuators are soft, quiet and efficient at small scales, stronger versions could unlock minimally invasive biomedical tools, soft environmental sensors and fully biodegradable robots that safely degrade after completing their task.

“For years, researchers have been interested in building robots powered by living muscle because biological actuation is soft, adaptive and energy-efficient at small scales. However, the performance of these systems has been limited by the low force output of cultured skeletal muscle. If the actuator is weak, the robot cannot move fast, generate meaningful thrust, or perform useful tasks,” said Assistant Professor Tan Yu Jun from the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the College of Design and Engineering at NUS, who led the research.

“The purpose of this study was not just to build a faster robot, but to remove a fundamental bottleneck in the field and open the door to high-performance biohybrid systems designed with sustainability in mind,” Asst Prof Tan added.

The study was published in Nature Communications on 18 March 2026. In December 2025, the first author of the paper, Dr Chen Pengyu, won the Best Poster Award based on this study at the Materials Research Society (MRS) Fall Meeting 2025, one of the largest international conferences for materials science research.

Two muscles in an arm-wrestling match

The key insight came from a behaviour that biologists have long observed but rarely exploited: the spontaneous contractions that young skeletal muscle cells produce as they mature. Starting around day three of differentiation, engineered tissues begin twitching on their own, peaking by day five before fading as the cells reach full maturity. Although most researchers had treated this as a biological curiosity, the NUS team treated it as a training resource.

They designed a platform in which two muscle tissues are coupled through a sliding block, so that when one contracts, it stretches the other, which then contracts back. The result is continuous cycles of shortening and lengthening that run autonomously throughout the week of early maturation, with no external power source, control unit or manual intervention.

“As the cells mature, they naturally begin to contract spontaneously. Because the two tissues are connected, they continuously pull against each other, effectively exercising without any external control,” explained Asst Prof Tan.

The self-trained muscles generated a maximum force of 7.05 millinewtons and a stress of 8.51 millinewtons per square millimetre — the highest values recorded for this cell line in biohybrid robotics, and more than an order of magnitude above many previously reported figures. The method uses a commercially available muscle cell line found in labs worldwide, making it far more reproducible and cheaper than conventional approaches.

Optimising OstraBot to achieve personal bests

The team developed a physiology-based model tracing the full chain from electrical stimulation through calcium signalling and muscle activation to force output, then used it to guide OstraBot’s design. Inspired by the boxfish, which keeps its body rigid and propels itself entirely by oscillating its tail, OstraBot pairs this model-informed structure with a single trained muscle that drives two flexible tails. At optimal stiffness and 3 Hz stimulation, it swam more than three times faster than an identical robot powered by conventionally cultured muscle.

Beyond speed, the robot demonstrated something equally significant: precise controllability. Its speed could be tuned continuously by adjusting electrical field strength, and a sound-triggered system let it start and stop in response to clapping signals.

“The clap shows that the robot is not just alive — it is controllable. In the past, muscle-powered robots either moved constantly without clear control or were too weak to respond visibly. Our strengthened skeletal muscle allows the robot to react clearly to an external signal, similar to how nerves control muscles in the body,” said Asst Prof Tan. “This demonstrates that biohybrid robots can combine strength with precise regulation, which is essential for real-world applications.”

Robots with a vanishing act

The NUS team is now pursuing systems in which all structural materials are biodegradable — robots that perform their function and then safely break down. Possible applications include environmental monitoring devices deployed in sensitive ecosystems such as wetlands or coral reefs, as well as temporary implantable tools that perform a clinical task before dissolving inside the body, eliminating the need for surgical retrieval.

“Strength is one important milestone, but long-term stability, energy efficiency and lifecycle design are equally important,” said Asst Prof Tan. “Ultimately, we aim to develop biohybrid machines that are not only high-performance but also environmentally responsible by design.”

The team's next steps include integrating biodegradable structural materials, refining control strategies and improving the durability and efficiency of muscle-powered robotic systems.

The National University of Singapore (NUS) is revamping its undergraduate Chinese Studies offerings to make them more inclusive and multidisciplinary, starting from Academic Year 2026/2027.

Students will be able to choose between two new majors offered at the Department of Chinese Studies at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The first is a Chinese Languages and Cultures major that combines the two previous areas of study – Chinese Studies and Chinese Language – into a single programme while retaining Mandarin as the medium of instruction. The second is a Chinese Studies (Bilingual) major that is tailored for students of varying language proficiencies and broadens access to Chinese literature and culture.

The new programmes aim to equip students with a well-rounded understanding of Chinese language, literature, history and culture, while preparing them for careers in fields and sectors that value both cultural knowledge and high language proficiency.

Developing versatile graduates in Chinese language and culture

Since the 1980s, the Department of Chinese Studies has offered two majors: Chinese Studies which developed skills and knowledge in Chinese literature, history, philosophy and culture, and Chinese Language focused on linguistic training such as writing systems, grammar, phonology and translation.  

The two majors allow students to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese language and culture, as well as develop critical thinking and cross-cultural skills, and be better equipped to make meaningful contributions in their chosen fields.

Over the years, many students pursued both majors to gain a more holistic understanding of both Chinese culture and language and maximise their opportunities in careers requiring both disciplinary knowledge and high Chinese language proficiency.

Recognising the students’ desire to combine the strength of the two majors, “the new Chinese Languages and Cultures major allows students to make connections across literature, history, philosophy, and linguistics in ways that were harder to achieve in separate tracks. Graduates will emerge as well-rounded, adaptable individuals, capable of critical thinking, cross-cultural understanding, and with a high level of Chinese language proficiency,” said Professor Ong Chang Woei, Head of the Department of Chinese Studies.

New bilingual major cultivates interest and broadens participation

To meet the needs of students with varying levels of Chinese language proficiency and diverse learning backgrounds, the Department of Chinese Studies has also introduced a new Chinese Studies (Bilingual) major.

This programme adopts a new bilingual format. Students can complete most coursework either entirely in English or through a combination of English and Chinese. A compulsory course on Chinese communication, tailored to students’ language levels, further strengthens their ability to express ideas and communicate effectively in Chinese.

By allowing students to engage with Chinese culture and ideas in a flexible format, the bilingual approach encourages deeper participation, fosters intellectual curiosity and supports students in developing both critical thinking and bilingual communication skills without worrying too much about their Chinese language competency.

Prof Ong added that, “This flexibility also opens up a wider range of opportunities for students to pursue advanced study, cross-cultural research and careers where an understanding of Chinese language and culture is valuable.”

The study and use of geospatial or location data have evolved from a field focused on mapping and visualisation to one that supports prediction, assessment and decision-making. With the rapid growth of data from satellites, sensors and social activity, combined with advances in computing and AI, geospatial intelligence has become essential for policymakers and organisations to extract insights that emerge from spatial patterns, anticipate risks and drive change.

This has created strong demand for professionals who not only have foundational skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to organise and visualise spatial data, but also expertise in geospatial data science and advanced tools that let them create digital twins of real-world environments, including cities, buildings, transport networks, natural landscapes, ecosystems and social spaces, to explore scenarios, test solutions and make better data-driven decisions.

Therefore, NUS’ new Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme (GIX), the first bachelor’s degree of its kind in Asia, meets this demand and builds a talent pipeline in geospatial intelligence.

The four-year programme is offered by the College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS), led by the Department of Geography at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, in collaboration with the School of Computing (SOC), which contributes expertise in AI, data science and computational methods.

The joint programme leverages world-leading expertise from the Department of Geography and SOC, which are both ranked No.1 in Asia for their respective subjects and in the top ten globally, and the strategic positioning of NUS in Singapore where high-density land utilisations present unique sets of geospatial challenges.

GIX will be offered to students matriculating in Academic Year 2026/2027, which begins in August 2026.

Unlocking deeper insights for spatial decisions

In Singapore, policymakers have recognised the profound impact of geospatial information and technology on decision-making and societal development. To realise its vision of becoming “a leading global geospatial hub”, the Singapore Geospatial Masterplan 2024–2033 emphasises greater geospatial adoption and the strengthening of core capabilities in this field.

Geospatial intelligence has many practical applications. Beyond urban planning, transport and connectivity, geospatial intelligence is also used in disaster preparedness and resilience, as well as business optimisation and supply chain strengthening. As AI enhances the analysis of large-scale spatial data for such purposes, demand for professionals who can integrate geospatial expertise with AI capabilities is growing rapidly.

“The introduction of this new degree programme is timely as demand for and interest in AI-powered jobs soar,” said GIX Programme Director Associate Professor Feng Chen-Chieh.

“The new Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme gives undergraduates a strong foundation in geographic thinking, computational skills and AI, giving them a real edge across sectors such as smart urban systems, logistics, climate risk management and real estate analytics,” added Assoc Prof Feng, who teaches GIS courses at the Department of Geography.

Associate Professor Kan Min-Yen, Vice Dean (Undergraduate Studies), School of Computing, who is also a programme convenor, said the programme will draw interest from students keen to work on real-world issues such as disaster response, urban planning or climate adaptation.

“The programme complements NUS’ existing offerings for students who want to combine data, computing and domain knowledge to solve complex interdisciplinary problems. The offering greatly increases the spectrum of cross-disciplinary programmes available to prospective students,” said Assoc Prof Kan.

A preview session for the new programme was held today at the NUS 2026 Open House. Close to 100 prospective students and parents turned up to learn more about this emerging growth field and potential career pathways for geospatial intelligence experts in government, tech, urban solutions and environmental sectors.

The Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme reflects NUS’ commitment to preparing students for an AI-driven future, equipping them with the skills to analyse complex spatial data, uncover patterns and generate actionable insights across a range of industries and societal challenges.

Through this collaboration, NUS Computing will introduce OpenAI’s enterprise-grade platform for universities – including AI-assisted software development tools such as Codex – for use by its undergraduate and graduate students as part of their learning experience. The initiative will provide students with opportunities to work with cutting-edge AI technologies that are increasingly shaping modern software development.

Codex is OpenAI’s advanced agentic coding tool powered by the latest GPT5.4 frontier model, which assists developers with tasks such as generating code, identifying bugs and supporting software development workflows. By integrating these tools into coursework, NUS Computing aims to help students build practical experience using AI in real development environments, while strengthening students’ computing fundamentals that remain essential in the AI era.

OpenAI data show that Singapore already ranks one of the most highly engaged country globally for Codex usage, reflecting how quickly developers and students are embracing AI-assisted software development.

This initiative will equip graduates to enter the workforce with industry-relevant skills and the confidence to apply AI responsibly and effectively in real-world professional settings. This effort supports Singapore’s broader push to strengthen national AI capabilities by nurturing a future-ready digital workforce capable of developing next-generation digital systems and AI-enabled applications.

Professor Tulika Mitra, Dean of NUS Computing, said, “Even as AI reshapes the technology landscape, strong computing fundamentals remain essential. Mathematical foundations, algorithms, and systems thinking form the grammar of computing. At NUS Computing, we build on these enduring foundations with hands-on experience using advanced AI technologies, including through collaborations with industry tech players such as OpenAI, so our graduates develop strong practical AI fluency and are equipped to design, build, deploy, and lead the next generation of intelligent digital systems.”

Oliver Jay, Managing Director, International at OpenAI, added, “Singapore has built one of the world’s strongest environments for technology and innovation. Through this collaboration with NUS Computing, we want to build the next generation of AI-native developers. By giving students hands-on access to advanced tools like ChatGPT and Codex, we believe this collaboration will empower these students with strong computing fundamentals, but also with real experience using the tools that are increasingly shaping how software is built today.”

Expanding AI capabilities across the NUS Computing curriculum

AI has long been embedded within the NUS Computing curriculum, including advanced courses in machine learning, intelligent systems, and human-AI interaction. The School also offers dedicated degree programmes in Artificial Intelligence and Business AI Systems, reflecting its broader commitment to developing AI expertise and talent.

NUS Computing students will now gain access to secure environments designed for educational use, enabling them to experiment with advanced AI technologies while maintaining safeguards for institutional data and privacy. This allows students to prototype ideas more rapidly, explore alternative design approaches, and focus on higher-level system design and problem-solving while strengthening their understanding of core computing principles.

These tools will be progressively incorporated into over 30 undergraduate courses where students design and build software systems, including modules involving software engineering, systems development, and industry-linked capstone projects. Examples of courses where students are already applying AI technologies include:

• CS3216 Software Product Engineering for Digital Markets – students use agentic AI to develop highly usable software that solves real-world problems, enabling them to rapidly prototype and refine digital products.
• CG2271 Real-Time Operating Systems – students explore how intelligent systems analyse and respond to environmental conditions in real time, enabling them to design systems that interact with the physical world.
• IS4403 Agentic AI Solutions and Development – students design and develop agentic AI solutions that can autonomously perform tasks and support decision-making in complex digital systems.

NUS Computing is also working with other leading AI labs and industry partners to support teaching, experimentation and student learning through access to emerging AI technologies.

Building AI solutions through real-world projects

Beyond individual courses, NUS Computing students apply AI technologies in industry-linked capstone projects, where they design and build complete AI-driven solutions addressing real-world challenges.

In these projects, students integrate elements of data engineering, machine learning modelling and software engineering to develop intelligent systems that automate workflows, generate insights and support decision-making across various domains.

Projects span areas such as AI-powered search systems, intelligent digital assistants, recommendation platforms and AI-enabled analytics solutions, allowing students to work on real problems in collaboration with industry and public-sector partners while gaining practical experience building production-ready AI applications.

Learning beyond the classroom

Students will also have opportunities to participate in workshops, training sessions, hackathons and build days organised in collaboration with OpenAI and other industry partners.

These activities will enable students to experiment with advanced AI technologies, develop AI-native prototypes, and gain exposure to emerging industry practices and real-world problem solving.

The collaboration with OpenAI will also explore pathways that connect NUS Computing students with the broader AI innovation ecosystem, including opportunities to showcase applied projects, engage with industry partners and explore emerging career pathways in AI like Forward Deployed Engineers, Solutions Architects and many others.

Jordan Seow, an NUS School of Computing 2021 Alumni and now a Forward Deployed Engineer at OpenAI, shared, “Having studied at NUS Computing, it’s incredibly encouraging to see students today gaining early access to tools like ChatGPT and Codex as part of their learning journey. When I was a student, we focused on building strong foundations in algorithms and systems, and those fundamentals remain essential. What’s exciting now is that students can combine those foundations with powerful AI tools to prototype faster and experiment more boldly. It’s inspiring to see the next generation of NUS students building the skills that will shape the future of technology and help solve real-world problems.”

Preparing students for the future of computing

NUS Computing is nurturing the next generation of leaders by equipping its graduates with the skills to design, innovate, and lead the development of advanced computing and AI systems that will shape the future of the digital economy.

Graduates of the National University of Singapore (NUS) continue to earn high starting salaries and secure employment in 2025, according to the Joint Autonomous Universities Graduate Employment Survey (JAUGES) 2025, jointly conducted by NUS and other Autonomous Universities.

Professor Aaron Thean, NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost, said, “We are immensely proud that our NUS graduates continue to demonstrate exceptional resilience and secure strong career starts, even amidst today's cautious job market. The latest graduate employment survey results affirm this, showcasing their strong employability and competitive placements across various sectors.”

“In an increasingly AI-pervasive world, where industries are rapidly transforming through global shifts and accelerating innovation, NUS remains committed to nurturing graduates who are not only academically excellent but also highly adaptable, resilient, and equipped with future-ready skills. The human elements of incisive sense-making, critical judgement, and astute decision-making remain paramount. Our alumni are well-prepared to embrace new challenges, drive progress, and lead in an ever-evolving professional landscape," Prof Thean added.

About nine in ten NUS fresh graduates in the labour force secured employment within six months after final exams

Among NUS fresh graduates in the labour force, 89.8 per cent secured employment within six months of completing their final exams. 75.2 per cent of NUS fresh graduates were in full-time permanent employment² during the survey period. Another 6.5 per cent of NUS fresh graduates in the labour force have either accepted a job offer and are pending commencement of duty, or are actively starting a business venture.

More than nine in 10 fresh NUS graduates across 18 degree programmes³ secured employment within six months of completing their final exams. The list of these courses can be found in Annexe A. A number of undergraduate programmes delivered strong employment outcomes. 100 per cent of Dentistry and Architecture graduates, and 95 per cent of Business Administration graduates secured employment.

96.2 per cent of graduates from Civil Engineering secured employment within six months of completing their final exams.

NUS graduates in full-time permanent employment earned higher starting salaries

The survey also revealed that the mean gross monthly salary of NUS fresh graduates in full-time permanent employment was S$5,193 in 2025, an increase from S$5,101 in 2024.

The median gross monthly salary of fresh graduates from NUS in full-time permanent employment also increased to S$4,746 in 2025, an increase from S$4,600 in 2024.

Graduates from 20 courses³ in Arts and Social Sciences, Business, Computing, Dentistry, Design and Engineering, Nursing, and Science have either secured higher or maintained similarly strong starting salaries compared to graduates the year before. Please refer to Annexe B for the list of courses in which graduates have achieved higher or similarly high starting salaries compared to 2024.

In particular, median starting salaries for graduates from Arts and Social Sciences, Business, Design and Engineering, and Nursing have risen continuously over the past three years.

5,159 out of a total of 7,567 fresh NUS graduates from the Class of 2025, and 169 out of 577 follow-up⁴ NUS graduates, participated in the joint survey.

Amidst a cautious job market, the NUS Centre for Future-ready Graduates (CFG) provides continuous career support for students and remains a resource for alumni who may wish to tap on these services as their careers evolve. Through refined coaching and practical workshops, CFG addresses evolving industry needs, utilising scalable models like group coaching to ensure broad access to expert guidance, ultimately fostering successful career exploration, enhanced employability, and positive employment outcomes for NUS graduates.

Forging remarkable paths in today’s dynamic workforce

Driven by a keen curiosity about the social and environmental aspects of space, Radhakrishnan Srivarshini is a Graduate Transport Planner in the Cities, Planning and Design department of Arup Singapore Pte Ltd, a global firm which provides design, engineering, architecture, planning and consulting services across various sectors. She leverages her landscape architecture training and the skills honed at NUS to infuse a stronger design- and planning-centric perspective into a field traditionally dominated by engineering.

Throughout her undergraduate studies, Srivarshini immersed herself in diverse design projects that significantly deepened her interest in the built environment. In her "From Farm to Fork" project in Queenstown, she reimagined a hawker centre as a collaborative cooking space, emphasising user engagement and inclusive design to foster community interaction among elderly residents. Beyond the design studio, she pursued applied learning through initiatives like the Senior Learning Experience at Tembusu College, where she collaborated with the Urban Redevelopment Authority to co-develop a framework for evaluating public spaces and explored how design influences public experience. “My experience in research, design, and innovation has shown me that good design begins with listening. Whether it is in a hawker centre or along a transport corridor, I believe spaces must serve people – and to create meaningful solutions, we must first understand their stories,” said Srivarshini.

An NUS Merit Scholar and valedictorian of the Business Analytics programme, Daniel Tan Wei Hao built a strong academic and leadership foundation through his double degree in Business Analytics and Economics. This rigorous preparation culminated in his current role as a Software Engineer at Morgan Stanley, where he develops and enhances financial systems crucial for trading operations, ensuring their performance, scalability, and adherence to regulatory requirements.

His path to this role was significantly shaped by a rewarding 10-week summer internship in 2023 at Morgan Stanley. During this intensive period, Daniel engaged in multiple technical projects, training, and networking, gaining invaluable exposure to building robust systems within a highly regulated financial environment where performance, reliability, and compliance are paramount. His exceptional performance throughout the internship was continuously assessed, leading directly to a full-time offer even before his graduation. Reflecting on this pivotal experience, Daniel stated, "I was entrusted with multiple projects, which put me under significant time pressure to deliver meaningful results for my final presentation. Despite the intensity, I thoroughly enjoyed my internship as it gave me a better understanding of the business and what a full-time role in the firm would entail."

Ethan Vinesh Naidu is an Associate at the Monetary Authority of Singapore, where he supports efforts to grow Singapore’s financial sector and strengthen Singapore’s position as a trusted and leading global financial hub. His time at NUS proved formative, shaping both Ethan’s technical foundation and professional judgment. His rigorous training as a Political Science major, complemented by his minor in Economics, honed his ability to interpret global developments and grasp policy rationales. This interdisciplinary approach directly informs his analysis of macro trends and his identification of market opportunities, providing him with invaluable contextual thinking and analytical frameworks for professional discussions.

Ethan attributes his successful career trajectory to the University’s comprehensive institutional support, especially the targeted career guidance from the Centre for Future Ready Graduates (CFG) and the personalised mentorship received through the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Mentorship Programme. Ethan added, “The CFG staff took the time to understand every detail of my resume. Their immediate feedback and willingness to share their experience made a real difference in my job search.” This holistic support, combined with his academic rigor and experiential learning, significantly shaped his confidence, adaptability, and strategic approach to his professional life.

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¹Includes course(s) with sample size smaller than 30 or a response rate less than 70%. 
²Full-time permanent employment refers to the number of graduates working on a full-time permanent basis, as a proportion of graduates in the labour force (i.e. those who were working, or not working but actively looking and available for a job).
³Includes course(s) with sample size smaller than 30 or a response rate less than 70%.
⁴Follow-up graduates refer to Architecture graduates from the Class of 2022/2023, who were surveyed either three years after obtaining their Bachelor of Architecture, or two years after completing their Master of Architecture (for those who pursued it). They also include Medicine and Pharmacy graduates from the Class of 2024, who were surveyed one year after graduation. This extended survey timeline allows all these graduates to complete essential practical training, such as pupillage, housemanship, first-year residency, or pre-registration training.

Officially launched today, CSSH is the first in Singapore to systematically bring together computational social science and the humanities within a single centre to bridge research, policy and real-world applications.

The Centre draws on expertise across disciplines including computing, new media, linguistics, geography, public policy and healthcare, amongst others. This interdisciplinary foundation enables CSSH to examine how digital technologies intersect with social systems, such as assessing the societal implications of AI-enabled platforms, using digital tools to help preserve Singapore’s cultural heritage, and strengthening digital literacy in vulnerable communities.

NUS Deputy President (Research and Technology) Professor Liu Bin said, “Rapid advances in digital technologies and AI are transforming our world. But technological breakthroughs are only as valuable as the difference they make to peoples’ lives. CSSH reflects NUS’ commitment to ensuring that innovation translates to tangible improvements in how we live, work and build stronger communities. By integrating computational methods with social science and humanities, the Centre will help translate research insights into policies and practices that deliver real-world impact.”

She added that the Centre complements Singapore’s broader push for innovative, responsible harnessing of technology and AI which emphasises that progress should be not only technically advanced, but trusted, inclusive and grounded in real social needs.

Driving real-world impact through interdisciplinary innovation

CSSH is led by Co-Directors Professor Atreyi Kankanhalli from the NUS School of Computing and Professor Peter Millican from the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The Centre supports both seed funding for emerging ideas and larger projects, all designed to generate real-world impact.

Prof Kankanhalli said, “What distinguishes CSSH is our ability to study human behaviour, institutions and societies at a scale and depth that was not previously possible. By combining computational methods with rich domain expertise in the social sciences and humanities, we can uncover patterns, test ideas, and generate evidence that directly informs policy and practice. Our goal is not just to analyse social problems, but to help shape systems that work better for people.”

Since beginning operations in the second half of 2024, CSSH has embarked on more than 50 interdisciplinary projects involving 105 researchers from across NUS and their external collaborators. The projects demonstrate the breadth of its work – from AI-enabled analysis of social media impacts to digital preservation of historical archives.

Amongst the major research projects currently being undertaken by CSSH is one titled “Computational Social Simulations for Aiding Policy Design”, led by Prof Kankanhalli. In this five-year project, researchers from NUS and three other local universities are collaborating to develop an AI-driven social simulation platform for policymakers to help test and refine policy interventions before they are rolled out.

Using large language models (LLMs), the platform will model diverse public personas to enable policymakers to conduct swift preliminary testing of policy ideas. The simulations will complement traditional research methods by reducing the frequency of costly, time-consuming large-scale surveys and field studies during early policy development, while retaining real-world validation and community engagement at critical decision points. CSSH Deputy Director Associate Professor Dandan Qiao from the NUS School of Computing is also contributing her expertise to the project.

Another project titled “The Jawi AI Project”, led by NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Associate Professor Miguel Escobar Varela, harnesses AI to enable large-scale transliteration and analysis of Jawi texts. Early Malay-language newspapers in Singapore, published between 1870 and 1970 were written in Jawi, a script few can read today.

In collaboration with the National Library Board (NLB), the team comprising local and foreign experts is transforming thousands of archived pages into searchable Malay text, significantly expanding the range of materials available at NLB’s digitised archives. Assoc Prof Escobar Varela, who is also Deputy Director at CSSH, noted that the project could significantly expand research into Malay-language journalism and public debate in the region, broadening how Singapore’s history is understood and taught.

Prof Millican highlighted that a core mission of CSSH is to break down the walls between disciplines. By connecting humanities and social science researchers with computing and data science experts, the Centre fosters collaborations that neither field could achieve alone. "Many of today's biggest challenges demand both deep specialist insight and serious technical firepower", he explained, “whether they involve untangling complex social issues, tackling health crises, anticipating future problems, or building the tools to address these. CSSH provides a natural home for such interdisciplinary conversations.”

He added that the Centre looks forward to developing more projects addressing societal challenges to which computational insights can make the greatest difference. Focus areas include AI and emerging technologies, sustainability and environmental policy, population trends and demographic change, public health and social care, and the preservation and understanding of history and cultural heritage.

A team of food scientists at NUS has found a way to unlock the trapped nutrients in kombu and replace the unpleasant odours with more appealing scents, directly overcoming the two major challenges – limited nutrient bioaccessibility and poor sensory experience.

Enzymes and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) fermentation have been commonly used to improve kombu’s nutritional value by breaking down large proteins and carbohydrates into smaller, more digestible components. However, these approaches cannot effectively remove the compounds that give kombu its characteristic fishy and grassy odour.

Building on the knowledge that yeast fermentation can naturally produce pleasant fruity and floral aromas, the NUS scientists took the process a step further by co-fermenting enzyme-treated kombu with LAB and an aroma-producing yeast. The result is a novel probiotic kombu-based blend that is both healthier and more flavourful.

The team’s work was published in the scientific journal International Journal of Food Microbiology on 2 December 2025.

Banana and pear-flavoured kombu, anyone?

In their earlier work published in October 2025, the NUS team demonstrated that fermenting enzyme-treated kombu with LAB effectively releases trapped nutrients. In their latest work, enzyme-treated kombu was fermented using LAB together with an aroma-producing yeast. Analysis of the fermented kombu blend revealed that the LAB-yeast co-fermentation promotes the growth and survival of probiotics compared to LAB-only fermentation. One particular co-fermentation mixture (using the LAB, L. plantarum and the yeast, P. kluyveri) yielded more γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a well-known bioactive compound commonly linked to calming effects, stress reduction, and potential benefits for mental health. Importantly, the co-fermentation greatly reduced unpleasant off-flavour compounds while introducing compounds associated with the aromas of bananas and pears.

“Kombu has a tremendous amount of untapped potential to be a superfood, but for its health benefits to reach a wider population, kombu has to be more palatable and its nutrients more accessible,” said Associate Professor Liu Shao Quan from the Department of Food Science and Technology in NUS Faculty of Science. “While enzymatic treatment followed by lactic acid bacteria fermentation liberates beneficial nutrients, the combination with yeast fermentation further produces fruity aroma compounds, improving the flavour profile of the fermented kombu.”

Fermented kombu as a functional food

Following LAB-yeast co-fermentation, the fermented kombu product becomes exceptionally nutritious and is fortified with probiotics and GABA, which positively influences gut and mental health respectively. Subsequently, the fermented kombu blend could be used to develop fermented kombu-based functional foods – foods that provide health benefits beyond their basic nutritional value – and beverages that are healthy and tasty.

“Our unique co-fermentation method of processing kombu is the gateway to creating new health products. With our tastier fermented kombu, we could create fermented seaweed drinks, probiotic seaweed-based supplements or even use it as ingredients in plant-based foods,” said Dr Lu Yuyun, Senior Research Fellow and co-corresponding author of the research paper. “This approach may also be adapted to other seaweed species to broaden the range of appealing seaweed-derived products.”

Currently, few if any commercial kombu products are made using LAB-yeast fermentation, underscoring the innovative nature of this research.

“Elevating the flavour profile of kombu makes it more enticing to a broader range of consumers. Our next goal is to optimise fermentation conditions, such as fermentation sequence, time and temperature, to further improve process efficiency and product quality,” said Ms Geng Chenhan, third-year PhD student and first author of the research paper. “In future, we will also conduct sensory evaluation to better understand consumer preferences for seaweed-based foods.”

Prof Krishnamurthy is currently John S. Osterweis Professor of Finance at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, and the Asian Bureau of Finance and Economic Research. He is a co-editor of the Journal of Finance – Insights & Perspectives and was formerly an associate editor at the Journal of Finance, as well as top journals in macroeconomics.

Prof Krishnamurthy is widely recognised for his work on finance, macroeconomics and monetary policy. He has studied the causes and consequences of banking crises in emerging markets and developed economies, and the role of government policy in stabilising crises.  He has published numerous journal articles and received awards for his research, including the Smith Breeden Prize for best paper published in the Journal of Finance, and the Swiss Finance Institute’s Outstanding Paper Award.

Professor Andrew Kenan Rose, Dean of NUS Business School, said, “Professor Arvind Krishnamurthy abundantly satisfies the requirement of MAS Distinguished Term Professor; he is an eminent scholar working at the interface of finance and economics whose expertise extends across academic and policy spheres.  His work is celebrated and his insights are keen and valued.  We are delighted that he will be able to visit us, and am confident that our faculty and the broader Singapore academic community will benefit immensely from this engagement.”

Mr Edward Robinson, Deputy Managing Director (Economic Policy) and Chief Economist, MAS, said, “Professor Krishnamurthy is widely recognised for his research at the intersection of financial economics and monetary policy, including his work on the demand for and pricing of safe assets such as United States (U.S.) Treasury securities. His research has fundamentally shaped our understanding of how government debt pricing affects financial conditions and the broader economy. His recent work on the economic forces underlying reserve currency status has gained significant traction amongst scholars and policymakers, at a time of ongoing discussions about the future of the international monetary system. It is our great privilege to welcome him as the 25^th MAS Term Professor.”

Prof Krishnamurthy will deliver a public lecture at NUS on 24 February 2026 titled, "Dollar Dominance”. In his lecture, he will discuss how the dollar’s central role in global finance, contracting, and trade shapes the financial structure and macroeconomic outcomes of both the U.S. and the rest of the world, and examine the historical forces that give rise to and sustain reserve currency. In addition, Professor Krishnamurthy will engage in dialogue sessions with NUS faculty members to discuss his latest research findings.

Prof Krishnamurthy will also give a talk at MAS and engage senior policymakers and economists on international economics, finance and monetary policy issues.

About the MAS Term Professorship in Economics and Finance

First established in 2009, the MAS Term Professorship in Economics and Finance is awarded to distinguished scholars, who are appointed as Visiting Professors at the Department of Economics at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the NUS Business School, or the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. It aims to strengthen Singapore’s financial and economics research infrastructure and contribute to a vibrant research community and culture at local universities. Since its inception, the MAS Term Professorship in Economics and Finance has been awarded to 25 distinguished scholars over the last 15 years.

In her role as NUS Deputy President (Administration), Ms Braasch will lead the Administration Cluster of NUS. She will oversee University Campus Infrastructure, Central Procurement Office, University Health Centre, Health and Wellbeing, Office of Human Resources, NUS Information Technology, Office of Legal Affairs, and Office of Risk Management and Compliance.

NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye said, “My NUS colleagues and I are delighted to welcome Ms Ute Braasch as our new Deputy President of Administration. With over 30 years of international leadership experience, Ute brings strategic vision and operational excellence across diverse sectors. Her rich expertise and strong track record in managing large complex organisations will be invaluable as we empower and transform our administration. I am confident that, under Ute’s stewardship, NUS will build on its strong foundations and grow and evolve into an agile, innovative and forward-thinking institution that sets new standards of distinction.”

A leader in strategy and transformation

Ms Braasch has held a range of senior leadership roles spanning Asia Pacific and the Americas, skilfully bridging strategy with execution in organisations around the world. Through these roles, she has accumulated rich insight into the management of large organisations in diverse fields from technology to professional services and real estate, and a holistic command of multiple functions, including finance, HR, technology, legal, supply chain, business intelligence, and risk and compliance. 

Most recently, Ms Braasch served as Chief People and Culture Officer at Ollion, where she led the post-merger integration of five start-ups across Singapore, India, Indonesia and the United States to build a cohesive global technology consultancy.

Prior to Ollion, Ute spent over a decade at global real estate services company JLL in senior leadership roles, in which she oversaw global operations—including for the Americas and Asia Pacific—and led business transformation efforts in workforce realignment, digitisation and reskilling initiatives, among others.

A passionate mentor committed to developing talent and building cultures, Ute has made Singapore her home for over 30 years, as well as worked across Southeast Asia, India, Australia, the United States and Europe, bringing deep cross-cultural leadership experience and maturity to complex stakeholder environments.

Ms Braasch said, “I am thrilled to join NUS during this exciting time. Across education, research and enterprise, we are seeing unprecedented disruption—and significant opportunities ahead. With its deep roots in innovation and excellence, the University is in a fantastic position to take advantage of the opportunities ahead. I look forward to working with my colleagues across NUS to build a strong, forward-looking administrative function that supports NUS on its journey to becoming a leading global university."

Please refer to the Annexe for the biography of Ms Ute Braasch.