About MSC
Unique in its distinctive Asian focus, Mind Science Centre combines the best tradition of Western scientific empiricism with Eastern philosophical thoughts. The Centre has been leading translational research and development of community programmes that:
Mind Science Centre is an academic research centre at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Psychological Medicine, and a National University Health System (NUHS) centre of excellence.
Vision
An Undefeated Mind – Building resilience across all ages
Mission
RESEARCH
Catalyse mind health research using a non-drug, evidenced-based approach across the age continuum;
EDUCATION
Build capacity through the training of healthcare professionals, caregivers and volunteers;
PROGRAMMES
Create new values and innovative solutions through programme development and evaluation; and
POLICY-SHAPING
Inform better policy.
Vision
An Undefeated Mind – Building resilience across all ages
Mission
RESEARCH
Catalyse mind health research using a non-drug, evidenced-based approach across the age continuum;
EDUCATION
Build capacity through the training of healthcare professionals, caregivers and volunteers;
PROGRAMMES
Create new values and innovative solutions through programme development and evaluation; and
POLICY-SHAPING
Inform better policy.
Our People
ADVISORY BOARD
Dr Collin Ang
Managing Director, Decision Science Agency Pte Ltd
Ms Chan Chia Lin
Director, Lam Soon Cannery Pte Ltd
Prof Leo Tan Wee Hin
Professorial Fellow, Director(Special Projects) Faculty of Science
Ms Tracey Woon
Member of the GIC Investment Board
ACADEMIC COMMITTEE
A/Prof Tan Chay-Hoon
Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore
Dr Tian Cheong Sing
Senior Consultant, Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital
A/Prof Ng Tze Pin
Associate Professorial Fellow & Research Director, Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore
A/Prof Roger Ho
Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore and National University Hospital
Dr Johnson Fam
Adjunct Associate Professor, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore
Senior Consultant, Psychiatry, Singapore General Hospital
ADMINSTRATIVE STAFF
Ms Mae Kng
Assistant Director
Ms Wileen Chen
Senior Manager (Development)
Ms Catherine Lee
Senior Executive (Marketing)
Ms Yee Thien See
Senior Executive (MAELab)
Ms Cindy Honanta
Research Assistant (AWE)
Ms Maureen Rose Christabelle
Executive (Dementia Asia)
Ms Nur Syuhadah Binte Sheikh Faizal
Management Assistant Officer
RESEARCH STAFF & COLLABORATORS (PAST & PRESENT)
Prof Bao Zhiming
Professor, Department of English Language and Literature
Prof Eric Taylor
Emeritus Professor, SGDP Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London
Prof Frank Verhulst
Erasmus University Medical Center at Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Prof Helen Chui
Head, Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Prof Li Chunbo
Vice President, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Prof Patrick Finbarr
Dean, Faculty of Dentistry
Prof Shigenobu Kanba
Chairman, Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
Prof Wang De Yun
Research Professor (Tenure) and Director of Research, Department of Otolaryngology
Prof Zhou Weibiao
Head of Department, Department of Food Science & Technology
A/Prof Daniel Fung
Chairman Medical Board Institute of Mental Health
A/Prof Goh Lee Gan
Associate Professor, Division of Family Medicine
A/Prof Ng Tze Pin
Associate Professorial Fellow & Research Director, Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore
A/Prof Shefaly Shorey
Associate Professor, Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies
A/Prof Wong Mun Loke
Vice Dean Academic Affairs, Faculty of Dentistry
Dr B. Alan Wallace
President and Founder, Santa Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies
Dr Cao Luwen
Senior Research Fellow
Dr Celine Wong
Consultant Psychiatrist and Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychological Medicine
Dr Feng Lei
Assistant Professor (Research)
Dr Gabriel Lee Keng Yan
Lecturer, Faculty of Dentistry
Dr Kim Jung Eun
Assistant Professor, Department of Food Science & Technology
Dr Leoniek M Kroneman
Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, Mind Science Centre
Dr Rosalind Siah
Lecturer, Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies
Dr Say How Ong
Senior Consultant & Chief, Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health
Dr Shawn Goh
Assistant Professor, Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies
Dr Teng Jia Ying
Consultant Psychiatrist at the Department of Psychological Medicine
Dr Tian Cheong Sing
Senior Consultant Psychiatrist at the Department of Psychological Medicine
Dr Vivien Wu
Assistant Professor, Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies
Dr Wilsom Tam
Assistant Professor, Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies
Dr Yu Jun Hong
Research Fellow
Dr Zeng Fanmin
Research Fellow
Dr Timothy Rushil Singham
Adjunct Research Fellow
Ms Ng Siew Yee
Nurse
Ms Rachel Chun
Research Associate
Ms Angela Au
Research Assistant
Ms Angie Koh
Research Assistant
Mr Benjamin Goh
Research Assistant
Ms Cherlyn Lee
Research Assistant
Ms Christel Chang
Research Assistant
Mr Derek Chan
Research Assistant
Ms Fong Ying Jie
Research Assistant
Mr Joel Ng
Research Assistant
Ms Lim Xin Ying
Research Assistant
Mr Lim Zhi Hao
Research Assistant
Ms Madeline Han
Research Assistant
Ms Michelle Wan
Research Assistant
Mr Muhammad Nabil Syukri
Research Assistant
Ms Natalie Lei
Research Assistant
Ms Natalie Yap
Research Associate
Mr Nicholas Sii
Research Assistant
Ms Savannah Siew
Research Assistant
Ms Teoh Jie Yu
Research Assistant
Ms Yap Ai Che
Research Assistant
Thank You
Donor Wall
The Mind Science Centre is a volunteer-driven organisation that focuses on academic research in mental health and the delivery of evidence-based community interventions. The Centre is fully dependent on public and private philanthropic support to defray the costs of capacity building, ongoing translational research and the roll-out of intervention programmes to communities across Singapore.
We deeply appreciate our distinguished donors for their heartfelt support to the Centre. In particular, we are grateful to Mr Lin Tah Hwa and his family for their generous gift of $6m, in memory of Mr Lin’s late mother, Madam Yeo Boon Khim. The Centre was officially launched as the Yeo Boon Khim Mind Science Centre on 5 May 2023 by Mr Teo Chee Hean, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security.
The Centre has also benefitted from the two Professorships – Tan Geok Yin Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience and Lin Jo Yan and Yeo Boon Khim Professor in Mental Health and Neuroscience, which Mr Lin and his wife, Mdm Lucy Khoo generously donated to the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine in 2014 and 2017 respectively.
We also warmly acknowledge donors who wish to remain anonymous and a big Thank YOU to all volunteers, for their contributions. Your concerted support will enable the Centre to realise its mission to continually build emotional resilience and cognitive performance in the community, improving health outcomes now and the future.
Mind Science Centre Donor Wall
* Donors who have supported the Mind Science Centre and the Wee Sin Tho Memorial Fund.
- Lin Tah Hwa
- Lucy Khoo
- Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple
INDIVIDUAL
- Lee Soon Teck
- Tow Heng Tan
- Tote Board
- Lee Kim Tah Holdings*
- The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
- TL Whang Foundation
- Holywell Foundation
- Wee Sin Tho
- William Hernstadt & Jerene Yap
- Hong Hai*
- Kua Ee Heok*
- Tan Kwang Hwee*
- Choo Chiau Beng*
- Allan Ng Poh Meng*
- Nicholas Kong *
- Choo Heng Thong*
- Loh Boon Chye
- BinjaiTree*
- Kewalram Singapore Limited
- The Silent Foundation Ltd*
- Hong Leong Foundation*
- KCTex International Limited
- Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery*
- UOL Group Limited*
INDIVIDUAL
- Tay Miah Hiang*
- Wong Chee Meng John*
- In memory of Mdm Chew Poh Yim
- Lim Ho Kee*
- Danny Yong
- Tan Choon Huat*
ORGANISATION
- Decision Science Agency Pte Ltd*
- Promises Healthcare Pte Ltd
- Keppel Care Foundation Limited
- President’s Challenge
INDIVIDUAL
- Khoo Beng Hwa*
- Kwai Fong and Raymond Goh*
- Anastasia Tjendri-Liew*
- Andreas Handayanto
- Goei Beng Kiong Alan
- Mary Ann Tsao
- Alex Ng Zee Howe
- Elisabeth de Rothschild*
- Kwee Liong Seen*
- Catherine Tholasingam
- Chan Chia Lin
- Ho Tian Yee
- Hong How Wai David*
- Hsieh Fu Hua*
- Lai Lee Theng
- Lew Chiew Quan
- Lim Chin Huat
- Ng Lee Ngo
- Poh Boon Kher Melvin
- Tay Soo Hoe
- Thomas Chan Ho Lam
- Toh Soon Huat
- Tracey Woon*
- Estella Shi
- Kuek Chaio Jin Roy
- Liu Chee Ming
- Wong Yew Choo and Ho Geok Eng*
- Hu Hui Chen
- Chioy Poh Chan Claudia
- Henry Lim
- Kuo Yew Ting
- Han Thong Kwang*
- Wong Kok Hoi
- Sonny Liew & Fiona Ng*
- Tan Kim Siong
ORGANISATION
- Chinese Women’s Association
- Pontiac Land Group
- Bengawan Solo Pte Ltd
- Lucky Square Pte Ltd
- Saga Tree Capital Advisors Pte Ltd
- Goldbell Foundation*
- Wee Foundation
- Association Francais De Singapour
- Centra Grove Development Pte Ltd
- D.S. Lee Foundation
- MTM Skincare Pte Ltd
- MTW Enterprise Pte Ltd
- Pinnacle Assets Pte Ltd
In collective efforts, we are also pleased to recognise the charitable gifts of our many Friends
INDIVIDUAL
- Edi Fung
- Edward Lee
- Elisabeth de Rothschild
- Ma Kah Woh Paul
- Phua Aik Khng
- Sonny Liew & Fiona Ng
- Abdullah Tarmugi
- Dawn Loh
- Laureen Lee
- Lee Ah Boon
- Ong Choo Eng
- Sek Kwang Phing
- Tan Puay Hiang
- Lien Seow Wah
- Philip Tan Eng Seong
- Anne Wong Holloway
- Lee Li Eng
- Chris Chia
- Jeanette Gan
- Martin Heck
- Lim Yee Nah Anita
- Chiam Kwee Mui
- Wong Meng Cheong
- Maurice Tan Huck Liang
- Chan May Po Mabel
- Lee Lu Si
- Annie Mak
- Teo Siew Ann
- Leong Yue Wing
- Doris Ang
- Ang Seng Bin
- Linda Neo
- Cheong Choong Kong
- Diana Grove
- Lim Soo Ping
- Tay Seng Kong Louis
- Chen Zi Ying Chloe
- Myo K Zin
- Chow Wei Ling
- Landon Lim
- Chang Ping Ying
- Foo Keong Tatt
- Willian Liu Wei Hai
- Andy Loo
- Tan Lee Kheng
- Pang Qi Wen Fifi
- Radish Kaur Gagjit Singh
- Gordon Tan
- Chia Peng Chwan
- Loh Teck Seng
- Maythil Ravi Shankar
- Ng Pick Gate
- Holman Chin
- Fiona Shi
- Mok Chup Hung
- Denise Wong
- Andrew Tan Yong-Yi
- Ho Chee Wah
- Wong Te-Ting Dawn
- Lee Keng Li
- Chi Zhiying
- Lee Wen Qi
- Cynthia Yeow
- Maisie Tan nee Chan
- Mary Anne Tan
ORGANISATION
- Satoyu Trading Pte Ltd
- Inner Wheel Club Singapore West
- Family Business Network Asia
Wee Sin Tho Memorial Fund
We gratefully appreciate these special friends who so generously supported the Mind Science Centre and the Wee Sin Tho Memorial Fund. We also take a deep bow to our distinguished donors who preferred to remain anonymous.
- TL Whang Foundation
- Holywell Foundation
INDIVIDUAL
- Hong Hai
- Kua Ee Heok
- Soo Eng Hiong
- Choo Chiau Beng
- Allan Ng Poh Meng
- Nicholas Kong
- Wan Boo Sow Family
ORGANISATION
- Binjal Family
- Lee Kim Tah Holdings Limited
INDIVIDUAL
- Goh Geok Khim
- Goh Yew Lin
- James & Natalie Loh
- Michael Lien
- Oi Hian & Sandra Lee
- Tan Chorh Chuan
ORGANISATION
- UOL Group Limited
- OC Partners Pte Ltd
INDIVIDUAL
- Tay Miah Hiang
- Emily Wee
- Tan Choon Keat Tony
- Kwai Fong and Raymond Goh
- Khoo Beng Hwa
- Anastasia Tjendri-Liew
- Choo Heng Thong
- Daniel Teo Tong How
- Lim Ho Kee
- Tan Choon Huat
- Tan Kwang Hwee
- Wong Yew Choo and Ho Geok Eng
- Wong Chee Meng John
- Daniel Chan Choong Seng
- Hong How Wai David
- Kwee Liong Seen
- Lee Kwok Kie Patrick
- Ngo Lin Ai
- Pang Cheng Lian
- Robert JT Morris
- Tracey Woon
ORGANISATION
- Hong Leong Foundation
- The Silent Foundation Ltd
- Decision Science Agency Pte Ltd
- Goldbell Foundation
- Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery
Every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of donor acknowledgements. Should you notice an error, or prefer that we list you differently in future acknowledgements, please email Wileen @ wileen@nus.edu.sg
Named Professorships
We are very grateful for the support of our magnanimous donors, Mr Lin Tah Hwa and Mdm Lucy Khoo who have contributed to two named Professorships – Tan Geok Yin Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, and, Lin Jo Yan and Yeo Boon Khim Professor in Mental Health and Neuroscience.
Singapore has one of the world’s most rapidly ageing populations. By 2030, the elderly will comprise up to 20 per cent of Singapore’s population. The understanding and management of cognitive disorders in the elderly are of crucial importance to the country and is one of the areas that will benefit from the establishment of the Tan Geok Yin Professorship at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine’s Department of Psychology. The Professorship is named after Madam Tan Geok Yin, the first wife of Tan Sri Khoo Teck Puat. Mr and Mrs Khoo married when he was just 16 years old in 1934. She was a devoted wife and mother, instilling values and ethics to her seven children – two boys and five girls. Madam Tan passed away in 1972.
The research team at the Department studied aspects of cognitive impairment in the elderly and determined the impact of risk factors such as nutrition, cardiometabolic factors, gene interactions, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory biomarkers on cognition. The team reaches out to the community to identify the elderly at risk of cognitive decline and explore psychological, social and lifestyle measures to pre-empt potential cognitive disorders. They have also developed interventions, such as Brief Integrative Psychological Therapy and Mindfulness Therapy. The Department also runs the Gerontology Research Programme, which aims to help the understanding of population ageing transition and provide the scientific information needed for formulating strategies of disease prevention and health promotion. Multi-disciplinary research groups establish cohorts of elderly subjects, both healthy and ill, for research, addressing all levels of intervention and care: primary preventive, primary care, hospital, community hospital, and nursing homes. Projects include: dementia, depression, mind-body nexus and active ageing. The Tan Geok Yin Professorship will help the University build on its achievements in the areas of ageing, psychiatry and neuroscience over the next few years. The Professorship was established by Mdm Lucy Khoo to commemorate her mother, Mdm Tan Geok Yin.
Professor Kua Ee Heok is the Tan Geok Yin Professor in Psychiatry and Neuroscience at Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, and Emeritus Consultant, National University Hospital.

“I was born in the Year of the Bull and so was destined to work long and hard for someone else,” Mr Lin Jo Yan once quipped. Indeed, it was hard work that Mr Lin also named as an important value that brought him success with the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) in the five decades of his career there. Mr Lin joined OCBC in 1932 as one of its first employees, a humble clerk earning all of $35 a month. Singapore’s oldest bank was to be his one and only employer, for Mr Lin rose quickly through the ranks, working through its crucial growing years to eventually lead it as General Manager and Director. As the largest local banking organisation in the 1960s, OCBC played an active role in the economic development of Malaysia and Singapore, a time that gave Mr Lin great satisfaction. Until the two countries separated, he also held the post of Chairman of the Association of Banks in Malaysia and Singapore for eight years. Under Mr Lin’s leadership, OCBC continued its surge forward, with a newspaper calling it “solid as a rock” in a tribute. He retired in 1977, but stayed on the bank’s board for another ten years before stepping down. Mr Lin always described himself firmly as “a practical man”. Although not given to sentimentality, Mr Lin cared greatly about good relations between management and staff, and between staff and customers.
The Lin Jo Yan and Yeo Boon Khim Professorship in Mental Health was established by Mr Lin Tah Hwa in 2017 to commemorate his parents, Mr Lin Jo Yan and Madam Yeo Boon Khim. With the endowment, NUS Medicine aims to appoint an expert in psychiatric and psychological medicine to advance the field. The role will be pivotal in enhancing the Department of Psychological Medicine’s ongoing efforts to develop mental health in young Singaporeans, and energise the collaboration with other specialties such as paediatrics and adult psychiatry. The post encompasses the teaching and supervision of students as well as translational research.
Associate Professor John Wong Chee Meng is the Lin Jo Yan and Yeo Boon Khim Professor in Mental Health and Neuroscience at Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore,
Director, Mind Science Centre and Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, Dept of Psychological Medicine, National University of Singapore & National University Hospital.
Flagship Events
Tow Tiang Seng Distinguished Lecture

The Tow Tiang Seng Distinguished Lecture Series brings internationally and nationally eminent and respected thought leaders to speak on issues of key importance to developing mental resilience across all ages. Established in 2019, the lecture supports the Mind Science Centre’s mission to innovate mind health with biological and social science through translational research in the community to build an undefeated mind. From businessmen and scientists to political figures and celebrities, each event is unique and designed to inform, inspire new ideas and spark collaborative interest. The lecture series is made possible by the generous donation of Mr Tow Heng Tan, in honour of his father – the late Mr Tow Tiang Seng. It is held annually and open to anybody with an interest in mental health to attend.