Singapore's Commitment to Never Forget: A*STAR's Push for Robust Pandemic Preparedness

Singapore has long positioned itself as a global leader in biomedical research and public health resilience. As the world moves past the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, voices from the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)—Singapore's flagship public sector research and development performer—are growing louder in reminding stakeholders not to let hard-won lessons fade. Executive Director of A*STAR Infectious Diseases Labs (A*STAR ID Labs), Lisa Ng, who received the prestigious President's Science Award in 2025 for her contributions to viral immunology and pandemic management, has been at the forefront. In recent reflections, Ng emphasizes that pandemic preparedness must be a 'lifelong mission,' drawing from experiences with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003, Zika in 2016, and COVID-19 to advocate for sustained investments.

This renewed focus comes at a pivotal time. With emerging threats like highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) and potential zoonotic spillovers, Singapore is channeling significant resources into research infrastructures, collaborative platforms, and translational projects. These efforts not only safeguard public health but also create high-impact opportunities in higher education and research careers, particularly at institutions partnering with A*STAR such as the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and Duke-NUS Medical School.

Lessons from COVID-19: Building on SARS and Zika Experiences

Singapore's pandemic journey began with SARS, which killed 33 people locally and prompted the creation of dedicated infectious disease units and surveillance systems. The 2016 Zika outbreak tested rapid diagnostic development, while COVID-19, with over 1.7 million cases and 1,700 deaths by 2023, exposed gaps in vaccine platforms and long-term immunity studies. Ng's team at A*STAR ID Labs analyzed immune responses, revealing how memory B cells correlate with reduced reinfection risk—a finding published in key journals and informing booster strategies.

Key takeaways include the need for cross-sector collaboration: government, academia, industry, and international partners. During COVID-19, Singapore's centralized decision-making enabled agile responses, such as community testing and TraceTogether app deployment. However, challenges like dormitory outbreaks among migrant workers highlighted vulnerabilities in high-density living, leading to socio-behavioral research now funded under national programmes.

• Rapid genomic surveillance to track variants.
• Investment in modular vaccine platforms for quick adaptation.
• Environmental monitoring for airborne transmission.

These lessons are codified in white papers and peer-reviewed studies, ensuring they translate into actionable policies.

A*STAR's Central Role in Infectious Disease Research

A*STAR, established in 1991, oversees institutes like ID Labs, Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), and Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI). ID Labs, launched in 2021, focuses on virology, immunology, and epidemiology to combat Disease X—the hypothetical next pandemic pathogen. Under Ng's leadership, it has pioneered studies on chikungunya immune evasion and influenza antivirals, with over 200 publications cited thousands of times.

Recent collaborations include partnerships with Australia's Doherty Institute for virology expertise and Apriori Bio for next-gen influenza vaccines. These efforts align with A*STAR's mission to translate basic research into therapeutics, creating pathways for researchers and professors in Singapore's universities. For those eyeing careers in this field, platforms like research jobs at AcademicJobs.com list openings in immunology and epidemiology at A*STAR-affiliated labs.

The PREPARE Programme: S$100 Million for Epidemic Readiness

Launched in 2022 by the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Programme for Research in Epidemic Preparedness and Response (PREPARE) allocates S$100 million over five years to fund translational projects. It emphasizes diagnostics, vaccines/therapeutics, and environmental transmission mitigation, with open calls yielding dozens of grants.

Examples include:

• PREPARE-CS1-2022-002: Enhancing SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine responses via Clec9A targeting (ongoing, Duke-NUS).
• PREPARE-SF-2024-007: Self-administered multi-pathogen antigen rapid tests (ongoing).
• PREPARE-CS1-2025-023: Broadly protective H5N1 vaccine using Clec9A platform (awarded).
• PREPARE-OC-VT-2024-004: Self-amplifying RNA mRNA vaccines for epidemics (ongoing).

Partners span A*STAR, NUS, NTU, and international entities like Oxford and Cambodia's NIPH. This ecosystem fosters PhD training and postdoc positions, bolstering Singapore's higher education research talent pool. Explore postdoc opportunities or career advice for postdocs to get started.

Breakthrough Infrastructure: Asia's First Automated mRNA BioFoundry

In November 2024, A*STAR's NATi (Nucleic Acid Therapeutics Initiative) unveiled Asia's first automated mRNA production lab at BTI. Part of a S$97 million programme, it produces 5g of purified RNA daily—enough for 100,000 vaccine doses—slashing timelines from months to days. Currently targeting H5N1 influenza and cancer therapies, it scales rapidly for crises.

Dr. Koh Boon Tong noted, “This allows a local supply of mRNA vaccines rather than importing.” Collaborating with Wellcome Leap's R3 network, it positions Singapore as a biomed hub. Researchers at universities like NTU contribute to design and testing, opening doors to research assistant roles.

For more, visit A*STAR BTI.

RIE2030: S$37 Billion Boost for Research and Innovation

Building on RIE2025's S$25 billion, the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2030 (RIE2030) plan, announced December 2025, commits S$37 billion to AI, biotech, and health security. A*STAR receives substantial funding for health flagships, including epidemic modelling and advanced manufacturing for therapeutics. This 32% increase supports 29% of prior budgets for universities and A*STAR capability-building.

• Semiconductors and advanced manufacturing for diagnostics.
• Biotech for ageing and pandemics.
• Deep tech startups in RNA therapies.

These investments create lecturer and professor positions; check lecturer jobs in Singapore.

University-A*STAR Synergies Driving Publications

Singapore's universities are integral. NUS's Yong Loo Lin School, where Ng is adjunct professor, co-leads immune studies. Duke-NUS handles clinical trials, NTU develops sensors. Recent outputs include metagenomics for surveillance and AI-drug discovery for H5N1.

This collaboration yields high-impact papers in The Lancet and Nature, rate professors via Rate My Professor, and fuels PhD programs. For career guidance, see academic CV tips.

Emerging Threats and Proactive Responses

Beyond COVID, PREPARE funds H5N1 zoonotic risk assessments and nosocomial infection interventions. A*STAR's wastewater surveillance and nanopore sequencing enable early detection. Socio-behavioral grants study vaccine hesitancy and mental health post-pandemic, involving Institute of Mental Health.

International tie-ups, like with France's Pasteur Institute, enhance global surveillance.

Career Opportunities in Pandemic Research

Singapore's ecosystem offers roles from research assistants to faculty. A*STAR hires for ID Labs, universities seek experts in virology. Singapore jobs on AcademicJobs.com include faculty positions. With RIE2030, demand surges for skilled professionals.

Future Outlook: A Resilient Biomedical Powerhouse

Singapore aims for self-reliance in vaccines and diagnostics by 2030. Ng warns against complacency: sustained funding prevents history repeating. For researchers, this means stable funding, global impact, and contributions to humanity. Explore higher ed jobs, university jobs, or career advice. Stay informed and prepared—Singapore leads by example.

Visit PREPARE or A*STAR ID Labs for latest updates.

Photo by Sraboni Basu on Unsplash