PhD in Clinical Medicine from Trinity College Dublin 

Associate Professor, Immunology and Cell Biology, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine Assistant Professor, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine Postgraduate Tutor, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine 

Skin Diseases and Wound Repair Cancer Research Microbiology and Immunology T Lymphocyte Biology 

I am a T-cell immunologist, and my research is at the forefront of globally competitive science advancing knowledge about T-cell molecular immunology implicated in health and diseases that are governed by dysregulated immune cells and inflammatory factors. Past 10 years of my research has made significant strides in the understanding of T-cell immunology, particularly in relation to the leukocyte adhesion receptor, “Lymphocyte Function-associated Antigen-1” (LFA-1). My research has established that LFA-1 contact goes beyond its known role as a motility-triggering adhesion receptor to steering T-cell functional programs. This paradigm shifting study underscores the significance of LFA-1-mediated signaling, propelling safer clinical applications of LFA-1-targeted therapies. Along this line, through a series of publications, my research has uncovered key molecular pathways downstream of LFA-1 in motile T-cells. Building on my fascination with T-cells and molecular knowledge gained through studying LFA-1, which is also crucial for tumor invasion and metastasis, my work revealed a novel mechanism of oncogenic activation augmenting the immune checkpoint inhibitor PD-L1 in natural killer/T-cell lymphomas. Subsequently, by deeper molecular probing, I identified important mutations in the DDX3X gene in a subgroup of T- and B-cell lineage lymphomas, the 6th most common cancer in Singapore. This discovery, published in Mol Cancer, 2021, explains why certain cancer patients are unresponsive to traditional chemotherapy who may require alternative treatments. With experience gained through my immunology and LFA-1/cell motility research, I am venturing into harnessing unique immune modulating properties of bioactive materials to enhance skin cell migration, a crucial process of wound repair. I have innovated several cutting-edge experimental models simulating infection and inflammation. In the long-term, guided by my specialized knowledge in T-cell immunology, I aspire to address pressing biological questions and provide practical solutions for patients grappling with cancer and chronic wound inflammation.