Dear Staff, Students, and Alumni,

As we bid farewell to 2024 and embrace the promise of 2025, I am filled with gratitude and optimism for the path we have travelled together and the journey that lies ahead.

This past year has been a remarkable one for our Department, marked by significant changes and notable achievements.

In July, we welcomed new leadership to our department, and I would like to express my deepest appreciation to Prof Christina Chai and her leadership team for their unwavering dedication and hard work. Their contributions have laid a strong foundation for our continued success.

2024 has been a year of excellence, with standout accomplishments such as Dr Liu Boxiang receiving the prestigious President Young Professorship, A/Prof Wei Wu being awarded the Asian Young Scientist Fellowship (AYSF) 2024, the promotion of Dr Yau Wai Ping (Associate Professor), Mr Eng Chun Heng (Instructor) and Ms Angel Ng (Senior Executive), as well as the Faculty Awards for A/Prof Doreen Tan (Faculty Award for Mentorship Excellence), A/Prof Priscilla How (Faculty Teaching Excellence Award), Dr Chng Hui Ting (Honour Roll and Faculty Award for Mentorship Excellence) and Ms Chew Ying Ying (Outstanding Service Award). We also celebrated many exciting publications and grants that propel our research impact. Additionally, it was an honour to witness the flourishing of a Pharmacy-initiated drug delivery company, PharLyfe+, which will be soon involved in clinical trials with two structured hospitals.

We extended a warm welcome to our new colleagues, Dr Tan Kar Tong and Dr Alexander Vinogradov, who have embarked on their tenure-track journey as Assistant Professors. Their fresh perspectives and enthusiasm are invaluable to our community. Two of our staff, Dr Chen Wenqian and Ms Evlyn Chan also welcomed a new baby to their respective families. At the same time, we bid farewell to A/Prof Victor Yu, Dr October Sessions, Dr John Climax and Ms Syafiqah, whose hard work over the years has been greatly appreciated.

In our pursuit of fostering strong connections, we have engaged with the three healthcare clusters through visits to various hospitals, learning and sharing best practices in Pharmacy. Our collaboration with the Chief Pharmacist and her team, our students, and our devoted Alumni has been strengthened, culminating in a very interactive alumni lunch with the Dean and the Gala Dinner in occasion of the Faculty of Science’s 95th anniversary. We also saw strong support from our alumni, many of whom are now esteemed professionals in the industry, returning to mentor our students through INSPIRxE mentorship programme driven by Dr Chng Hui Ting, and volunteering in our community events such as Health T.A.G. (Test, Advise, Go!) piloted by A/Prof Doreen Tan and Community Health Angels Mentoring Programme (CHAMP) overseen by Dr Yap Kai Zhen.

In the campus, we continue to organise short courses for adult continuous learning through the immunization training programme led by Prof Paul Gallagher and Dr Lisa Brennan for registered pharmacists, and Cardiometabolic, Renal & dIabetes Optimisation Unified Services (C-RIOUS) Workshop led by A/Prof Doreen Tan for healthcare professionals.

Internationally, our department has hosted numerous delegates and visited overseas institutions, largely in Asia, and we have laid the groundwork for future collaborations with peers in the USA, Australia, and the UK. One of these connections advanced into a Study Trip For Engagement & EnRichment (STEER) guided by A/Prof Christine Teng, Dr Donavan Neo and Dr Linda Hong for a group of undergraduate students to Hanoi, Vietnam.

Looking forward to 2025, we are excited about the events planned to celebrate our 120th anniversary. One highlight will be the upcoming launch of a book, edited by A/ Prof Chan Lai Wah and Mr Sia Chong Hock, in March. This book is a testament to their dedication and passion for science and education over the years.

May 2025 serve as a launching pad for future exciting endeavours and celebrations of the brilliant potential that each of you hold. Let us continue to work together to achieve new heights and make a meaningful impact in our field.

Wishing you all a joyous and prosperous New Year.

Warm regards,

Giorgia Pastorin