The Dismissal of NUS Professor Shawn Chen Xiaoyuan: Unpacking the Sexual Misconduct Allegations

In a development that has stirred discussions within Singapore's higher education community, the National University of Singapore (NUS), one of Asia's premier institutions, dismissed tenured Professor Xiaoyuan Shawn Chen on December 24, 2025. The decision followed a six-month internal investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct leveled by a female PhD candidate who also served as his research assistant. This case highlights the stringent measures universities in Singapore are taking to address power imbalances and ensure campus safety, particularly in mentor-student relationships common in biomedical research labs.

Professor Chen, a globally recognized figure in nanomedicine and molecular imaging, joined NUS in December 2020 as the Nasrat Muzayyin Chair Professor in Medicine and Technology. Affiliated with the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and the Department of Biomedical Engineering, his work has advanced cancer diagnostics and therapeutics through innovative nanoparticle applications. The swift removal of his profile from NUS websites and the subsequent termination of his editorship at prestigious journals underscore the far-reaching consequences of such rulings in academia.

Professor Shawn Chen's Illustrious Career at NUS and Beyond

Prior to the controversy, Professor Chen's trajectory exemplified excellence in higher education and research. Holding a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Idaho, he amassed over 1,000 peer-reviewed publications, boasting an h-index of 219 and nearly 180,000 citations on Google Scholar as of early 2026. His Chen Lab at NUS focused on translational nanomedicine, bridging laboratory discoveries to clinical applications for diseases like cancer.

As founding editor-in-chief of journals such as Theranostics and ACS Nano Medicine, Chen influenced global biomedical discourse. His appointment at NUS marked a strategic hire to bolster Singapore's biomedical hub ambitions under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 plan. Colleagues praised his mentorship of PhD students and postdocs, fostering a lab environment geared toward high-impact publications and grants. This backdrop makes the allegations particularly poignant, raising questions about oversight in high-stakes research settings.

The professor's contributions extended to international collaborations, including with the National Institutes of Health in the US, positioning NUS as a leader in precision medicine. For aspiring academics in Singapore, profiles like Chen's highlight pathways in faculty positions within biomedical engineering.

Timeline of Events: From Allegations to Dismissal

The sequence unfolded methodically under NUS protocols. The complainant joined Chen's lab in March 2024 as a part-time PhD student and research assistant. By June 25, 2025, she transferred to another lab, citing distress. Chen learned of the formal complaint on June 27, 2025, upon returning from a US conference.

• June 30, 2025: NUS launches internal probe via the Office of Risk Management and Compliance (ORMC).
• December 19, 2025: Investigation concludes after hearings.
• Post-Dec 19: Disciplinary panel deems Chen in breach of the NUS Code of Conduct for Staff.
• December 24, 2025: Termination effective.
• December 27, 2025: NUS removes his departmental profile.

This timeline reflects NUS's commitment to thorough, impartial inquiries, balancing complainant support with respondent rights. No criminal charges were filed, distinguishing it from assault cases requiring police reports.

Understanding the Allegations and NUS's Sexual Misconduct Framework

NUS defines sexual misconduct broadly, encompassing sexual harassment—unwelcome verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature that interferes with work or creates a hostile environment. The complainant's claims involved repeated instances of unsolicited physical contact over months, causing discomfort and distress, as per NUS correspondence.

Under NUS's Sexual Misconduct Policy (updated 2021), staff cases route through ORMC for fact-finding, then Office of Human Resources (OHR) for disciplinary action. Interim measures like no-contact orders or suspensions protect parties. Outcomes range from warnings to dismissal for gross misconduct. NUS's half-yearly transparency reports, such as the H1 2025 edition detailing nine student-involved complaints (three assaults), demonstrate accountability.

In Singapore's higher education landscape, similar frameworks exist at NTU and SMU, emphasizing consent education and bystander intervention. This case aligns with a zero-tolerance shift post-2020 reviews.

Photo by Chunjiang on Unsplash

Professor Chen's Response: Denial, Appeal, and Social Media Backlash

Chen vehemently denied wrongdoing, stating, "I deny the complainant’s allegations and am unable to comment further because I intend to pursue the appeals process and my legal remedies." He submitted evidence to the Provost, expressing disappointment in NUS and the American Chemical Society's (ACS) swift removal of his editorship without rebuttal.

Chinese social media buzzed with defenses from alleged "Chen team" accounts on Xiaohongshu, accusing the complainant of unprofessionalism like demanding co-authorship. Chen distanced himself, noting no formal public response. As of February 2026, no appeal outcome is public, per staff procedures allowing review by senior leadership.

This episode illustrates due process tensions: balancing swift action against fair hearings in professor-student dynamics.

Professional Repercussions: From Lab Leadership to Editorial Ousting

The fallout rippled beyond NUS. ACS terminated Chen's role at ACS Nano Medicine on January 2, 2026, appointing an interim editor amid its February issue launch. His lab's future—focusing on quantum dots for imaging—hangs in limbo, affecting postdocs and projects funded by Singapore's National Research Foundation.

For Singapore's biomedical sector, losing a luminary impacts talent attraction. Yet, it reinforces institutional integrity, vital for academic career aspirants navigating ethics.

Sexual Misconduct Trends in Singapore Universities: A Comparative View

NUS isn't isolated. H1 2025 saw nine cases; prior years averaged 8-10 semi-annually. NTU reported 20 cases (2016-2018), SMU six. Parliament data (2015-2019) tallied 172 across institutes, at 0.12 per 1,000. Policies emphasize training: NUS's Care Unit offers helplines; NTU's INTEGRity Office handles probes.

• Prevention: Mandatory consent workshops, bystander apps.
• Response: 24/7 hotlines, counseling.
• Transparency: Public reports build trust.

Stakeholders like AWARE advocate holistic reforms, addressing underreporting in hierarchical labs.

Stakeholder Perspectives: Students, Faculty, and Experts Weigh In

Students via Reddit and forums express mixed views: support for victim protection versus due process concerns. Faculty emphasize policy clarity to avoid chilling mentorship. Experts like Assoc. Prof. Jamus Lim note AI-era shifts but stress human relations training.

"Power dynamics in labs demand vigilance," says a NUS alum. This case prompts reviews, akin to 2022 pol sci prof dismissal.

For those rating professors, platforms like Rate My Professor gain relevance in Singapore.

Photo by Albert Vincent Wu on Unsplash

Implications for Singapore Higher Education: Safeguarding Labs and Careers

Incidents like this spotlight vulnerabilities in professor-student interactions, comprising 90% of complaints. Solutions include dual mentorship, anonymous reporting tech, and ethics modules in PhD onboarding.

Singapore's unis invest: MOE's S$556M for social sciences includes equity. Impacts? Enhanced reputations as safe havens attract global talent, boosting university jobs.

Path Forward: Lessons, Reforms, and Resources for the Community

NUS's proactive stance—policy evolutions since 2020—sets benchmarks. Future: AI ethics training, cross-uni data sharing. Individuals: Know rights via higher ed career advice.

Report via NUS Care Unit (+65 6601 4000). Explore higher-ed-jobs, rate-my-professor, university-jobs, post-a-job for opportunities amid transitions.

This saga underscores accountability's role in sustaining Singapore's higher ed excellence.