[ad_1]
SINGAPORE – A professor who helped lay the groundwork for infectious disease research in Singapore was honored on Friday (December 18) for his efforts.
Professor Ranga Krishnan, 64, received a medal from President Halimah Yacob at the Istana in the framework of the President’s Science and Technology Awards, the highest form of recognition for exceptional scientists and research engineers here.
Professor Ranga, who is now president of the Ministry of Health’s National Council for Medical Research (MOH), helped establish the emerging infectious diseases program at Duke-NUS School of Medicine when he was dean from 2008 to 2015.
One of the school’s five flagship programs, it has since produced many breakthroughs during various infectious disease outbreaks, including the current Covid-19 pandemic. For example, researchers have developed kits for diagnostic tests, treatments, and even a vaccine to help the country tackle the coronavirus outbreak.
“We knew that viruses would pass from animals to humans and this was particularly a threat to our region and could have a major impact on health and the economy,” Professor Ranga told The Straits Times.
“So we were fortunate to be able to attract the best in this field, like Dr. Wang Linfa, whose work on bat viruses, along with the construction of the facility, turned out to be prescient in many ways.”
Professor Ranga also contributed to the development of the biomedical and health sciences sector in Singapore in other ways. For example, it had helped promote the translation of fundamental research into beneficial applications by strengthening partnerships between research and health institutions.
Professor Ranga said he was honored, humbled and surprised to be selected for the award.
“I have been incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to build a new medical school focused on training future medical scientists who can address and solve many of the pressing problems in health care,” he said, emphasizing that it had been a collaboration with many different ministries and institutions.
“I am also grateful to be able to work with SingHealth’s leadership in creating a truly world-class academic medical center and for the opportunity to lead the National Council for Medical Research in advancing medical research and funding scientists and for help create the National Health Center for Innovation, “he added.
The center, established in 2014, provides funds to accelerate the translation of an innovation into a ready-to-market product.
The President’s Science and Technology Awards comprise three different categories: the President’s Science and Technology Medal, the President’s Science Award, and the President’s Technology Award.
During the event, Madam Halimah also presented the President’s Science Award to Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A * Star) Professor Liu Jianjun, 57, and a trio from Nanyang Technological University consisting of Professor Nikolay Zheludev, Associate Professor Chong Yidong, 40, and Associate Professor Zhang Baile, 39.
The President’s Technology Award went to Professor Dario Campana from NUS.
Professor Campana and Professor Zheludev refused to reveal their age.
The winners were chosen by a panel of representatives from industry, academia and research, and come from fields such as genetic studies, immunology and nanophotonics (the study of light at the nanoscale) and their contributions to making Singapore a world class place. science and technology center, said A * Star.
Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, chairman of the main selection committee for this year’s awards, said that nominations had closed in early May this year.
“At the time, many Covid-19 projects were in a relatively early stage of research or development. Next year, we hope to review the nominations for Covid-19-related research, along with all other applications, that have generated shocking results, “said Professor Tan, who is also the chief health scientist at the Ministry of Health.
The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Chan Chun Sing, also presented three awards to young scientists during the event.
Organized by the National Academy of Sciences of Singapore and endorsed by A * Star, the awards recognize the achievements of researchers under the age of 35, who have demonstrated great potential to be world-class experts in their chosen fields.
Recipients include Dr. Chew Wei Leong, 35, of A * Star, for his work in gene editing therapy, Dr. John Ho, 31, of NUS, for his research on the development of wireless healthcare technologies and Dr. Tan Si Hui, 35, for his cancer research. and stem cells.
He previously worked at A * Star until the end of this year and now works with Cargene Therapeutics.
Congratulating the award winners, Chan said the annual recognitions underscore Singapore’s commitment to continue science and technology, develop its people and stay connected to the rest of the world.
The scientific and technological community helps make the impossible happen, he said.
“You are the ones who allow us to compete on the basis of innovation, the quality of our ideas, the quality of our products, and not compete on the basis of our size or endowment,” he said.
“Thanks to your contribution to our country, not only can we manage the current Covid pandemic … But, more importantly, it has allowed us to lay the foundations for the success of our future economy.”
[ad_2]
