Newswise — Singapore, 7 December 2016 - Prominent research leader and biomedical scientist Professor Barry Halliwell will help to steer biomedical research efforts in Singapore at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) from 1 January 2017.
Prof Halliwell, who is Senior Advisor to the President at the National University of Singapore (NUS), will succeed Professor Sir George Radda as Chairman of the Biomedical Research Council (BMRC), said A*STAR in an announcement on 7 December 2016. Prof Halliwell’s leadership appointment at A*STAR will run concurrent to his NUS responsibilities.
Prof Halliwell, who is Tan Chin Tuan Centennial Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, said, “The Biomedical Research Council’s chairmen, Dr Sydney Brenner, Prof Sir David Lane and Prof Sir George Radda, have put Singapore biomedical sciences on the world map. The sector has matured and evolved over the years, with the strong foundations laid by Sydney, Sir David and Sir George. I hope to promote productive translational research and industry partnerships, and cooperation between the various research performers in Singapore, whilst supporting a strong basis of underpinning fundamental research. I am delighted to have this opportunity, and look forward to working with the Singapore research community in the years ahead.”
Said NUS President Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, who is also Deputy Chairman of A*STAR, “We are delighted with Prof Barry Halliwell’s new appointment as Chairman of A*STAR’s Biomedical Research Council, and we are deeply appreciative of his continued contributions as a research leader in the University. Barry’s vast knowledge of biomedical science and leadership experiences in various scientific institutions in Singapore and overseas, will make a significant difference to the BMRC as it seeks to further develop core research capabilities, translational medicine and cross-disciplinary research for the benefit of our country.”
The BMRC oversees seven research institutes and other research units that support key industry clusters in the biomedical sciences such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, food science and healthcare services.
It works with industry to enhance the capabilities of the public R&D sector, and encourages thematic partnerships that draw on multidisciplinary scientific capabilities to attract private R&D biomedical investments into Singapore.
Respected internationally for his seminal work on the role of free radicals and antioxidants in biological systems, Prof Halliwell is credited for helping to develop NUS into a global research powerhouse during his tenure as Deputy President (Research and Technology) from March 2006 to May 2015. He was the first individual to hold this position at NUS.
Prof Halliwell has been identified as one of the top biomedical research scientists globally, and is one of the world’s most highly cited researchers in Biology and Biochemistry, with a Hirsch Index of 145. His book Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine, published by Oxford University Press, now in its fifth (2015) edition, is widely regarded as the global authoritative text in the field.
Prof Halliwell was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Silver) in 2010 for contributions to Singapore, as well as the President’s Science and Technology Medal 2013 “for distinguished, sustained and exceptional contributions to Singapore’s Science and Engineering landscape”.
Prof Halliwell was also instrumental in developing innovative industry collaborations at NUS with global industry players such as Carl Zeiss, Agilent Technologies and Thermo Fisher Scientific, as well as with leading nutrition companies. He is a member of several expert advisory panels to leading universities, companies and government agencies. Among other appointments, Prof Halliwell sits on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences.
Prof Halliwell continues to be a highly active and productive researcher, with a focus on the role of free radicals and antioxidants in the ageing process and in human diseases, particularly dementia and other brain disorders such as stroke.
His interest in identifying the most important antioxidants in the human diet and in developing novel antioxidants has critical bearing on treating human diseases and understanding how diet might cause or prevent them.
RSS