Indian-origin researcher Ashok Venkitaraman to head NUS cancer research institute

Renowned Indian-origin cancer researcher Professor Ashok Venkitaraman will be leading the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore (CSI Singapore), one of the premier Research Centres of Exellence at National University of Singapore (NUS). 

Widely recognised for his contributions to cancer genetics and biology, Professor Venkitaraman is from the University of Cambridge.

He will begin his appointments after a period of transition from his current responsibilities as the Ursula Zoellner Professor of Cancer Research and Director of the Medical Research Council Cancer Unit at the University of Cambridge.

Professor Ashok Venkitaraman, Director-Designate of Cancer Science Institute of Singapore at NUS, is widely recognised for his contributions to cancer genetics and biology. Photo courtesy: NUS
Professor Ashok Venkitaraman, Director-Designate of Cancer Science Institute of Singapore at NUS, is widely recognised for his contributions to cancer genetics and biology. Photo courtesy: NUS

“I look forward with great enthusiasm to leading the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore at NUS, and to working with colleagues at NUS, NUHS, A*STAR and across Singapore," Prof Venkitaraman said.

"NUS has become an important hub for academic and industrial collaborations that already span the globe. There is great potential to forge new links that build upon my deep-rooted connections with colleagues in the University of Cambridge and elsewhere,” he added. 

Professor Venkitaraman will become a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Medicine at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, a member of the National University Health System (NUHS). 

He will also take up appointments as Senior Principal Investigator and Senior Adviser at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). 

 

 

“We are pleased to welcome Prof Venkitaraman to NUS," said Professor Ho Teck Hua, NUS Senior Deputy President and Provost. "We are confident his skills and experience will push boundaries in research and entrepreneurship in biomedical sciences and take CSI Singapore to new heights.”