GROUP MEMBERS
CAROLINE LEI WEE
Principal Scientist II (Principal Investigator)
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology, National University of Singapore (NUS)
Ph.D. in Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (2016)
B.A. Cornell University, College of Arts and Sciences, Ithaca, NY (2009)
Double Major in Biological Sciences (Neurobiology and Behavior) & Psychology
Distinction in all subjects & Summa cum laude
A*STAR NSS (BS-PhD) Scholarship (2006, 2010)
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Caroline's research interest is in understanding the fundamental gene-environment mechanisms governing motivated behaviors such as feeding and stress, with the goal of improving human health and well-being. Towards this goal, she has won several significant fellowships and grants, including the A*STAR National Science Scholarship (NSS BS-PhD, 2006, 2010), National Medical Research Council Young Individual Research Grant (2020) and National Research Foundation Fellowship (Class of 2021). She was also a lead Principal Investigator in A*STAR's Brain-Body Initiative.
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RUEY-KUANG CHENG
Senior Scientist
Ph.D. in Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (2010)
M.S. National Cheng-Chi University, Taipei, Taiwan (2002)
B.S. National Cheng-Chi University, Taipei, Taiwan (1999)
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Ruey has more than 10 years of experience in both zebrafish and rodent behavioral neuroscience research, and trained in the lab of Dr. Suresh Jesuthasan (NTU-LKC, Singapore). His expertise includes behavioral and in vivo calcium imaging, electrophysiology, and hardware/software development for animal behavior analysis. His research interests include timing and time perception, learning and memory, decision making, and emotional control of behavior.
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VINDHYA CHAGANTY
Scientist
Ph.D. in Developmental biology, National University of Singapore (2021)
M.Sc. Biotechnology V.I.T University, India (2016)
B.Sc. Biotechnology V.I.T University, India (2014)
During her Ph.D., Vindhya used zebrafish as a model organism to study neurodegenerative diseases. Her current research interest is in understanding the neural circuitry and genetics of appetite control. Her expertise includes microscopy, behavioral analysis, and transcriptomics.
JING-XUAN LIM
Scientist
Ph.D. in Neuroscience, John's Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
B.Sc. in Neuroscience, University College London
A*STAR NSS (BS-PhD) Scholarship
During his PhD, Jing-Xuan investigated how behavioral states influence information processing in the larval zebrafish. In the lab, Jing-Xuan is interested in applying quantitative approaches for the analysis of high-dimensional neuroimaging and behavioral data.
XIAOYAN YUE
Scientist
Ph.D. in Pomology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China (2018)
B.S. in Horticulture, Sichuan Agriculture University, Ya’an, China (2011)
Xiaoyan has experience in analysing various types of Genomic and Transcriptomic datasets from her Ph.D. and postdoctoral training. Her current research interests include big data analysis, with a particular passion for integrating computational tools to derive meaningful insights from diverse datasets.
EUGENE LEE
Scientist
Ph.D. in Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Boston, MA (2023)
B.S. in Biomedical Sciences, Imperial College London, UK (2013)
A*STAR NSS (BS-PhD) Scholarship (2006, 2010)
Eugene is interested in a mechanistic understanding of bidirectional interactions between the brain and reproductive system across biological scales and how they impact organismal physiology and health. His PhD studies were focused on learning and temporal pattern processing by the nematode C. elegans.
SRAVANTHY MANESH
Programme Manager
Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore
Sravanthy brings over a decade of experience in early-stage drug discovery, complemented by proficiency in project & grant management, and scientific business operations. She is now dedicated to leveraging her extensive background and skills to make a meaningful difference in unmet healthcare needs.
WEN LIE
Scientist
Previously PhD Student (joint with Prof. Eric Chan)
A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (Singapore) (2021)
Pharmacist, Singapore Pharmacy Council (2021)
Ph.D. (Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences), National University of Singapore (2025)
B.Sc. (Pharmacy) with Honours (Highest Distinction), National University of Singapore (2020)
Wen studies how the gut microbiota communicates with the brain to regulate appetite and behavior. His research integrates microbiome biology, neuroscience, and in vivo models to uncover host–microbe mechanisms relevant to metabolic health.
TERUMI NAKASHIMA
PhD Student (Joint with Assoc. Prof. Ajay Mathuru)
Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) Scholarship (2023)
M.S. in Microbiology and Parasitology, Universidade Federal Fluminense (2021)
B.S. in Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal Fluminense (2018)
My previous research experience was to perform diagnosis of parasitic diseases in children in Brazil, focusing on gastrointestinal parasites. During my Master's Degree, I conducted a systematic review and meta analysis on the prevalence of Cryptosporidium species in animals in Latin America.
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My current research interest is to understand neuroimmune interactions.
LYNETTE LIM
PhD Student (Joint with Assoc. Prof Shuo-Chien Ling)
A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (Singapore) (2024)
B.Sc. (Life Science) with Honours (Distinction), National University of Singapore (2018)
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My final year undergraduate thesis focused on neuroinflammation and neurometabolism. I then joined the Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation as a Research Officer in 2022. There, I shifted to food science and biotechnology, in the cluster of fungal engineering for alternative protein production, and set up CRISPR-based diagnostic tools for assessing risks in novel foods. Currently, my PhD research explores the impact of nutrition on the gut-brain axis and its therapeutic potential on neurodegenerative diseases using the zebrafish model.​​
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KHEI MIN LEONG
PhD Student (Joint with Asst. Prof. Vincenzo Sorrentino and Prof. Brian Kennedy)
Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) Scholarship (2025)
B.Sc. of Biomedical Science, University of Putra Malaysia (2024), First Class Honours​
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Research Experience:
Investigating the effects of postbiotics on cervical cancer cell lines using vaginal-isolated probiotics
Research Interests:
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Gut microbiome
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Liver-brain axis
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Metabolic disease​​​​​
GAYNAH DOBLADO
Research Officer
B.S. in Aquaculture Science and Technology, James Cook University Singapore (2024)
Diploma in Marine Science and Aquaculture, Republic Polytechnic (2021)
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Research Experience:
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Intern at the Environmental Engineering cluster in Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE), under the integrated theme of Marine Biofilms & Microbiomes.
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Research study under Dr Grace Loo to investigate presence of genetic markers in shrimps.
Research Interests:
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Metabolic regulation and energy balance in health and disease​​
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Physiological adaptations to climate change
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Aquaculture
KAI XIN CHUA
Research Officer
B.S. in Business and Environmental Sciences, Majoring in Aquaculture, James Cook University Singapore (2020)
Research Experience:
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Research on ciliopathies using zebrafish and mice as animal models
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Population Dynamics and Phylogenetic Analysis of Canine Parvovirus
Research Interests:
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Physiology of eating disorders and mental health
DINAH YUSOFF
Research OfficerÂ
Previously Research Assistant (SGUnited Traineeship)
B.Sc. in Pharmacology, Monash University, Australia (2020)
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Research Experience:
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Tableting trials to determine appropriate quality parameters for Diana Food (nutraceutical)
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Handling of mice in effects of centrally acting drugs on mice behaviour, and neurological and autonomic functions under the Department of Pharmacology, Monash University
Research Interests:
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Nutrient-microbiome interactions and gut-immune-brain axis
VALARIE THAM
Research Officer
B.Sc. in Molecular Biology, La Trobe University (2018)
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Research Experience:
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Final Year Project in collaboration with National University of Singapore on the Optimization of a Diagnostic Platform for Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika
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Research in Genome Institute of Singapore that targets Metabolic Vulnerabilities in Liver Cancer
Research Interests:
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Genetics and Neuro-Cancer Interactions
NICOLE TAN
Research Officer (joint with Assoc. Prof. Ajay Mathuru)
B.S. in Business and Environmental Science (Majoring in Aquaculture), James Cook University Singapore (2024) ​
Diploma in Marine Science and Aquaculture, Republic Polytechnic (2022)
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Research Experience:
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Final Year Project on the effects of Probiotics in Whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)
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Research on Marine Algal around Singapore and the surrounding countries and their interaction with the natural environment
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Feed trials on Asian Sea Bass (Lates calcarifer) and Whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)
Research Interests:
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Aquaculture
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Disease and health management
MASTER'S STUDENTS
SEE ALUMNI SECTION
INTERNS
TOM LEE (NUS, FYP STUDENT)
CHRISTIAN STAARKE (POST-GRADUATE INTERNSHIP)
MEGAN ONG & MATTHEW CHUA (NGEE ANN POLYTECHNIC)
DARREN WEE (POST-GRADUATE INTERNSHIP)
JIAYI HU (NTU, A*STAR RESEARCH INTERNSHIP AWARDEE)
ANSH SINHA (UNDERGRADUATE INTERN)
RIYA RAHATE (POST-JC INTERN)
ALUMNI (STAFF & STUDENTS)
NESHA AFSHA
Research Officer
SUMMER LI
Research Officer (Joint with Sarah Luo Lab)
A*STAR NSS (BS) scholar
Next step: PhD on A*STAR NSS (PhD) Scholarship
SASMITHA SINGH
Graduated with MSc. in Biotechnology, NUS
GUAN ZHEN
Senior Research Officer
Next step: Data Scientist at Risk Lighthouse
SANDRA TAN
Research Officer
A*STAR NSS (BS) scholar
Next step: PhD on A*STAR NSS (PhD) scholarship
JOVIAN LIN
Laboratory Officer
Admitted to Nanyang Technological University
HUI LI YEO
Senior Research Officer
Next step: Project Manager in ESCAR Lab
JOLIN TAN
Laboratory Officer (Aquaculture)
Admitted to the University of Queensland
PHOEBE TAN
Research Officer
FENGLIN LI
Graduated with Msc in Food Science and Human Nutrition, National University of Singapore
DINGMING CHEN
Graduated with Msc in Food Science and Human Nutrition, National University of Singapore
JAZLYNN TAN
Research Officer
A*STAR NSS (BS) scholar
Next step: PhD on A*STAR NSS (PhD) scholarship
CHERYL TAN
Research Officer (previously on SGUnited Traineeship)
Next step: Masters Programme at the National University of Singapore
ALUMNI (INTERNS)
MERCYANA ABIGAIL
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Ghent University, Singapore International Pre-Graduate Awardee (SIPGA)
ANGEL KONG
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Hong Kong Baptist University, PhD Intern
ANTHIA KOH
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Nanyang Technological University, A*STAR Research Internship Awardee
SRUTHI ANNAMALAI
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National University of Singapore, A*STAR Research Internship Awardee
WEIHANG YU
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Nanyang Technological University
KATELYN YIP
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Post-JC Internship
AVELYNN ANG
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Nanyang Technological University, A*STAR Research Internship Awardee
VIONA SETIAWAN
Bandung Institute of Technology, Singapore International Pre-Graduate Awardee (SIPGA)
DAVID TEO
Nanyang Technological University, A*STAR Research Internship Awardee
NURUL ANISAH
Post-Bac Intern
CRYSTAL LEE
National University of Singapore, A*STAR Research Internship Awardee & Final Year Project Student
HOAI BAO PHAM
Vietnam National University, Singapore International Pre-Graduate Awardee (SIPGA)
MARIT TE WALVAART
Nord University, now Completing Master's Research
JIAWEI (CLEO) YU
King's College London
CHRISTIAAN STARKE
Cardiff University, A*STAR Research Internship Awardee
ELYSE KHOO
Singapore Polytechnic, now Laboratory Officer with Sarah Luo Lab
TOM LEE
National University of Singapore, A*STAR Research Internship Awardee
QING YA FANG (CELEST)
Ngee Ann Polytechnic, A*STAR Science Awardee
SEAN PHANG
Nanyang Technological University, A*STAR Research Internship Awardee & Final Year Project Student
ASHLEY ANAND
University of Bristol
DEVIN TANG
Singapore Institute of Technology (Integrated Work Study Programme)
DARREN LAM
National University of Singapore, A*STAR Research Internship Awardee & Final Year Project Student
IGNATIUS HWANG-SHIN
National University of Singapore, A*STAR Research Internship Awardee
JENNY ZHANG & YU XIN TAN
National University of Singapore (Pharmacy), Final Year Project Students
BECKHAM KANG KUAN YUAN
Singapore Polytechnic
KENNETH SUHARDJO
Anglo-Chinese Junior College, SSEF Bronze Medalist
KAI LIN CHUA
National University of Singapore
KELLIE WONG
National University of Singapore, A*STAR Research Internship Awardee
WEE LENG TAN
National University of Singapore, A*STAR Research Internship Awardee & Final Year Project Student
CHLOE LIN
Singapore Polytechnic, A*STAR Science Awardee
Currently in National University of Singapore (School of Medicine)
RYAN ANG
Singapore Polytechnic, A*STAR Science Awardee
XIPING LE
H3 Programme Student (Hwa Chong Institution) and SSEF Gold Medalist
YUCHENG JIN
H3 Programme Student (Victoria Junior College) and SSEF Silver Medalist
DANIAL ASRI
SGUnited Traineeship
JERRICK KWAN
Republic Polytechnic, A*STAR Science Awardee
JERRYL TAN
Republic Polytechnic, A*STAR Science Awardee