A*STAR's Lisa Ng Wins President's Science Award 2025 for Pioneering Arbovirus and Chikungunya Immunology Research

Professor Lisa F.P. Ng, Executive Director of A*STAR's Infectious Diseases Labs (IDL), has been awarded the prestigious President's Science Award (PSA) 2025 for her groundbreaking work in viral infection immunology, particularly on arboviruses like Chikungunya virus (CHIKV). This recognition highlights her decades-long contributions to understanding how the immune system battles these mosquito-borne threats, paving the way for better diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments. As Singapore faces rising cases of Chikungunya—with 25 reported by September 2025 compared to fewer in prior years—her research is more relevant than ever.

Arboviruses, short for arthropod-borne viruses, are transmitted by insects like Aedes mosquitoes, the same vectors behind dengue and Zika. CHIKV causes fever, rash, and debilitating joint pain that can persist for months or years in some patients. Ng's lab has dissected the dual role of immunity: protective against the virus yet sometimes fueling chronic inflammation.

Professor Lisa Ng: A Trailblazer in Infectious Disease Immunology

Lisa Ng's journey began with a Biochemistry degree from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology in 1995, followed by a PhD in Molecular Virology from NUS in 2002. Joining A*STAR's Genome Institute post-PhD, she tackled hepatitis, SARS, and influenza, developing one of the world's first SARS diagnostic kits during the 2003 outbreak—a tool shared globally for rapid detection. Today, as Executive Director of A*STAR IDL and BMRC, and adjunct professor at NUS and Duke-NUS, she leads efforts on arthritic arboviruses prevalent in tropics.

Her Google Scholar profile boasts an h-index of 70 and over 24,000 citations, with Chikungunya papers among the most influential—like her 2011 study on IL-6 and GM-CSF linking to persistent arthralgia (508 citations). Awards include the 2008 ASEAN Young Scientist Award (first Singaporean woman winner) and A*STAR Most Inspiring Mentor in 2013.

The President's Science Award: Singapore's Highest Science Honor

Established in 2009 (elevated from National Science Awards), the PSA is Singapore's pinnacle accolade for sustained, outstanding scientific contributions with national/global impact. Presented by the President, it underscores S&T's role in nation-building. In 2025, Ng shared it with Prof Lim Chwee Teck (NUS, cancer mechanobiology). The ceremony on Oct 3, 2025, at NUS saw President Tharman Shanmugaratnam honor eight innovators.

Ng's citation praises her arbovirus work: "first to raise the alarm on Chikungunya... uncovered protective and damaging immune responses... immune signatures predicting outcomes."

Pioneering Arbovirus Research: From Alarm to Action

Arboviruses pose escalating threats in Singapore, with Aedes aegypti/aegypti driving dengue (primary concern), but CHIKV and Zika loom large. Ng's team was pivotal during 2008-2009 and 2013-2014 CHIKV outbreaks (>2,000 cases total), developing models to study pathogenesis. Her work revealed CHIKV's exploitation of innate immunity (TLR/RIG-I pathways for IFN induction) and adaptive responses (CD4/CD8 T cells, antibodies).

• Identified biomarkers like IL-1β, IL-6, RANTES for disease severity (414 citations).
• CD4+ T cells drive pathology in mice models.
• Antibodies essential for control, targeting E2 glycoprotein epitope.

Established BSL-3 facility enables safe high-risk pathogen study, bolstering SG preparedness.

Decoding Chikungunya's Immune Battle

CHIKV infects monocytes/macrophages, triggering cytokine storms causing fever/arthralgia. Ng's lab showed persistent joint pain from dysregulated immunity, not direct viral persistence. Recent 2024 study (EMBO Mol Med): CD64+ MHCII+ macrophages + CD4+ T cells synergy drives pathology—targetable for therapies.

2025 breakthrough: Aedes saliva's sialokinin binds neurokinin receptors, suppressing monocyte activation early, aiding dissemination. Severe cases had anti-sialokinin antibodies, hinting at vaccine strategies. Implications for dengue/Zika too.

Singapore's Arbovirus Landscape and Ng's Impact

2025 CHIKV cases hit 25 by Sep (vs 12 prior year same period), mostly imported but transmission risk high amid Aedes proliferation. Dengue surges parallelly. Ng's diagnostics/vaccine insights informed NEA/MOH responses. COVID-era: her data shaped boosters/vax strategies.

Trained 20+ PhDs/postdocs now global leaders; highly cited (top 2% scientists).Explore research positions at A*STAR.

Global Collaborations and Pandemic Preparedness

Ng fosters ties, e.g., 2024 MOU/2025 agreement with Institut Pasteur. Part of ICRES EU project. Vision: surveillance, tech for detection/intervention, talent pipeline. "Science as force for good," she says.A*STAR IDL Profile

Future Horizons: Vaccines, Therapies, and Careers in Immunology

Ng's biomarkers prognostic tools; saliva targets novel antivirals. For researchers, her path—from PhD to ED—inspires. Singapore's ecosystem (A*STAR, NUS) offers higher ed jobs in research. Challenges: funding, talent retention amid global competition.

• Steps to arbovirus vaccine: immune signatures → trials.
• Risks: co-infections DENV/CHIKV.
• Solutions: BSL-3, intl nets.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Implications

MOH/NEA hail her for outbreak readiness. Peers note her mentorship. Patients: hope for chronic CHIKV relief. Economy: arboviruses cost billions; prevention saves.

For aspiring scientists, check career advice or professor reviews.

Photo by Navy Medicine on Unsplash

In summary, Lisa Ng's PSA 2025 crowns 30 years combating viral foes, fortifying Singapore against arbovirus tides. Her legacy: resilient health system. Explore research jobs, university positions, or Singapore academic opportunities.