The Spotlight on Emerging Talent at Duke-NUS Research Day 2026

On March 27, 2026, Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore transformed into a hub of innovation and discovery during its annual Research Day. This event, themed 'Where Discovery Begins,' highlighted the groundbreaking work of 72 students from the Class of 2027. After nine months of intensive research under faculty mentorship, these future clinician-scientists presented their findings through posters and oral sessions, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of peers, faculty, and academic leaders. The afternoon-long program underscored Duke-NUS's commitment to fostering a new generation of physicians who bridge clinical practice and scientific inquiry.

The significance of such events in Singapore's higher education landscape cannot be overstated. As the nation positions itself as a global leader in biomedical sciences, institutions like Duke-NUS play a pivotal role. Established as a graduate-entry medical school through a partnership between Duke University and the National University of Singapore (NUS), Duke-NUS emphasizes research-integrated medical training. This approach equips graduates to tackle complex health challenges, from aging populations to infectious diseases, aligning with Singapore's forward-looking healthcare strategy.

A Glimpse into Duke-NUS's Unique MD Programme

Duke-NUS Medical School offers a distinctive four-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) programme designed for individuals holding bachelor's degrees in any discipline. Unlike traditional undergraduate medical tracks, this graduate-entry model accelerates training while embedding research from day one. Students engage in 'TeamLEARN' modules during the pre-clerkship phase, where small groups pursue mentored research projects, culminating in presentations like those at Research Day.

The programme's structure promotes clinician-scientist development through protected research time, access to state-of-the-art labs, and collaborations within the SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre (AMC). Graduates receive a joint MD degree from Duke University and NUS, enhancing their global mobility. In 2026, NUS ranked 13th worldwide in medical and health sciences per Times Higher Education, with Duke-NUS contributing significantly to this prowess through high-impact publications and innovations.

This model addresses Singapore's need for clinician-scientists, who comprise only about 5-10% of physicians globally but are crucial for translational research. Duke-NUS has produced over 1,000 alumni since 2007, many now leading clinical trials and biotech ventures.

Keynote Inspiration from Alumnus Ku Chee Wai

The event's highlight was the plenary talk by Assistant Professor Ku Chee Wai, a double Duke-NUS alumnus (MD Class of 2013, PhD in Clinical Sciences). Now at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Ku shared insights on balancing clinical duties with research in paediatrics. His talk, 'From Bedside to Bench and Back,' drew from personal experiences, including NMRC-funded projects on childhood cancers. Attendees praised his practical advice on grant writing and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Ku's journey exemplifies Duke-NUS's success: recent NMRC Clinician Scientist Award recipient, his work has advanced precision oncology for young patients. Faculty noted how such role models inspire students, reinforcing the school's 'clinicians first, clinicians plus' ethos.

Standout Student Presentations and Innovations

Six students delivered oral presentations, covering diverse topics from cardiovascular genomics to antimicrobial resistance. One notable project explored AI-driven diagnostics for early sepsis detection in emergency settings, using local patient data. Another investigated microbiome influences on Singapore's rising metabolic diseases, proposing probiotic interventions.

The 72 posters spanned neuroscience, oncology, and public health. A team developing a minimally invasive kidney stone removal device, which won S$50,000 at the Duke-NUS Health Innovation Programme (DHIP) earlier in March, drew significant interest. Their prototype promises reduced procedure times by 40%, addressing a common urological issue in Asia.

Judges commended the rigour, with projects incorporating advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing and CRISPR editing. This hands-on experience hones skills essential for clinician-scientists, who must translate lab findings to patient care.

Photo by Pourya Gohari on Unsplash

Awards and Recognition Fueling Excellence

Research Day coincided with related accolades. Just prior, on March 26, nine clinicians were inducted into the Mastership in Academic Clinician (MAC) 2026 for contributions to education and research. Earlier, the SingHealth Duke-NUS Research Talent Awards on February 26 honoured 58 recipients across categories like Nurturing Clinician Scientist Award (NCSA) and Clinical Trialist Development Awards (CTDA), providing protected time (0.2 FTE for two years) and funding.

Prof Lim Soon Thye, Deputy Group CEO (Research, Education & Innovation) at SingHealth, emphasized: "Research is integral to clinical care; developing clinician-researchers is our shared mission." These initiatives, administered by the Centre for Clinician-Scientist Development (CCSD), have supported over 200 trainees since inception, boosting Singapore's research output.

Duke-NUS's Role in Singapore's Biomedical Ecosystem

As part of Singapore's push to be a medtech hub, Duke-NUS collaborates with NUS, NTU, and agencies like A*STAR. The school's PhD and MD-PhD programmes further clinician-scientist training, with pathways like NTU-Duke-NUS Medicine. In 2026, Duke-NUS ranked among Singapore's top research institutions, with strong output in Nature Index categories.

The CCSD offers workshops, mentorship, and grants, bridging academia and industry. Events like Research Day foster a research culture, vital as Singapore faces challenges like an aging population (25% over 65 by 2030) and pandemics.

For more on Duke-NUS's contributions, see their official recap.

Challenges and Future Directions for Clinician-Scientists

Training clinician-scientists involves hurdles like time constraints and funding. Duke-NUS mitigates these via integrated curricula and awards. Looking ahead, the school plans expanded MD-PhD slots and AI-focused tracks, aligning with Singapore's Smart Nation initiative.

Stakeholders envision more translational projects, with students partnering on national priorities like precision medicine. Prof Julian Thumboo, Senior Associate Dean, noted: "Sustaining a research culture means learning from patients and asking bold questions."

Impact on Singapore's Higher Education Landscape

Duke-NUS exemplifies Singapore's innovative medical education, complementing NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and NTU Lee Kong Chian School. Its clinician-scientist focus addresses global shortages, producing leaders who advance evidence-based care.

Alumni outcomes are impressive: 90% enter residency with publications, many securing NMRC grants. As Singapore invests S$25 billion in RIE2025, Duke-NUS's model inspires reforms across universities.

Photo by TSquared Lab on Unsplash

Student Perspectives: Voices from the Frontlines

• Abhay, Class of 2029: "Research Day demystified science; presenting honed my communication."
• Chng Chiaw Ling, awardee: "Dedicated time transformed my practice-research balance."
• Brandon Tay: "Mentorship here is unparalleled, preparing us for real-world impact."

These testimonials reflect the event's motivational power, encouraging more students toward research careers.

Broader Implications for Aspiring Medical Professionals

For those eyeing Singapore's med schools, Duke-NUS offers a research-centric path. Admissions emphasize scientific aptitude and teamwork. Explore opportunities via their admissions page.

In summary, Duke-NUS Research Day 2026 not only celebrated student achievements but reaffirmed the school's leadership in clinician-scientist training, promising advancements for Singapore's healthcare future.