Mr Surein Sandrasageran
Master of Gerontology (SUSS)
Outreach Director
Yeo Boon Khim Mind Science Centre
Surein Sandrasageran is a Gerontologist with a Master’s degree in Gerontology from Singapore University of Social Sciences and a background in biomedical science. As the Outreach Director at Yeo Boon Khim Mind Science Centre, he collaborates with a dedicated team to promote mental wellness and cognitive health across different life stages, drawing on his extensive experience in public service, healthcare, and community engagement.
In his current role, Surein provides strategic oversight for several innovative programs at the Mind Science Centre. As the Programme Director of the Age Well Everyday (AWE) programme, he leads this evidence-based initiative that focuses on dementia prevention and promoting active aging. Surein has spearheaded a new AWE Club concept, designed to enhance the translation of research into sustainable community programs. Implemented by a skilled team, the AWE Club aims to prevent depression, delay the onset of dementia, and improve participants’ quality of life through evidence-based interventions. This evolution from programme to club format facilitates better community engagement and implementation of AWE’s core principles, all grounded in rigorous scientific research.
Surein also oversees other key initiatives at the Mind Science Centre. He facilitates the Dementia Asia initiative, where his team coordinates seminars and webinars featuring professionals in the field while developing a comprehensive resource portal for dementia prevention and management. Additionally, he oversees the Mind Art Experiential Lab (MAELab), an innovative space showcasing seasonal curations of mental health themes to raise public awareness. Surein also manages the MindGym, a contemplative space dedicated to cultivating mental fitness, where his team trains Age Well ambassadors and develops community leaders through specialized modules focused on mental resilience and wellness.
Surein’s commitment to community engagement was honed during his tenure at the People’s Association, where he worked to foster a strong sense of community among residents. This experience led to pivotal healthcare roles at the National University Hospital’s Geriatric Medicine department. As Programme Director, he collaborated with the team that expanded the acclaimed Healthy Ageing Promotion Programme For You (HAPPY) into a nationwide initiative with over 120 sites across Singapore.
In the sports domain, Surein served as the Technical Director of the Singapore Bowling National Team, contributing to its rise as a global powerhouse. His leadership capabilities were recognized early in his career when he was awarded the prestigious Sword of Honour as the top graduand of the SAFTI Officer Cadet School during his National Service with the Republic of Singapore Air Force. He continues to serve in a command position as an NSman.
At the Mind Science Centre, Surein leads efforts in facilitating the translation of research into sustainable community programs that can positively impact lives and promote healthy ageing. Working collaboratively with his team and research partners, he focuses on bridging the gap between academic findings and practical, community-based applications to foster a more inclusive and mentally resilient society. Through his role, Surein contributes to initiatives that enhance mental health and well-being across diverse populations in Singapore, always emphasizing the collective effort and expertise of the Mind Science Centre team.
Selected Publications
- Merchant, R. A., Chan, Y. H., Hui, R. J. Y., Tsoi, C. T., Kwek, S. C., Tan, W. M., Lim, J. Y., Sandrasageran, S., Wong, B. L. L., Chen, M. Z., Ng, S. E., & Morley, J. E. (2021). Motoric cognitive risk syndrome, physio-cognitive decline syndrome, cognitive frailty and reversibility with dual-task exercise. Experimental Gerontology, 150, 111362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2021.111362
- Merchant, R. A., Tsoi, C. T., Tan, W. M., Lau, W., Sandrasageran, S., & Arai, H. (2021, February 16). Community-based peer-led intervention for Healthy Ageing and evaluation of the “happy” program – The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging. SpringerLink.
- Merchant, R. A., Chen, M. Z., Ling Wong, B. L., Ng, S. E., Shirooka, H., Lim, J. Y., Sandrasageran, S., & Morley, J. E. (2020). Relationship Between Fear of Falling, Fear-Related Activity Restriction, Frailty, and Sarcopenia. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 68(11), 2602-2608. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.16719
- Merchant, R. A., Chen, M. Z., Ng, S. E., Sandrasageran, S., & Wong, B. L. L. (2020). The role of a geriatrician has become even more important in an academic institution during COVID-19 – The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging. SpringerLink.
Our People
MANAGEMENT BOARD (2024)
Emeritus Prof Leo Tan
Emeritus Professor, Faculty of Science, NUS
Ms Chan Chia Lin
Director, Lam Soon Cannery Pte Ltd
Ms Tracey Woon
Former Vice Chairman of Global Wealth Management (Asia Pacific), UBS AG
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
EDUCATION TEAM
Dr Pearlene Ng
Education Director (Psychology)
Deputy Programme Director (Master of Clinical Mental Health and Psychotherapy)
Dr Rathi Mahendran
Education Director (Psychiatry)
Deputy Programme Director (Master of Clinical Mental Health and Psychotherapy)
Ms Cindy Honanta
Senior Executive (Education)
OUTREACH TEAM
Ms Maureen Rose Christabelle
Senior Executive (Dementia Asia)
Ms See Yee Thien
Senior Executive (MAELab)
Mr Shaun Low
Senior Executive (Age Well Everyday Club)
ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
Ms Mae Kng
Associate Director
Ms Wileen Chen
Senior Manager (Development)
Ms Yip Gaea Huan
Senior Executive (Marketing)
RESEARCH 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 Rosalind Siah
Lecturer, Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies
Dr Leoniek M Kroneman
Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, Mind Science Centre
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 Junhong
Research Fellow
Dr Zeng Fanmin
Research Fellow
Dr Timothy Rushil Singham
Adjunct Research Fellow
Ms Ng Siew Yee
Nurse