Message From Our Staff: Dedication to LKCMedicine

By Sanjay Devaraja

Behind every milestone and achievement stand individuals whose dedication and hard work have propelled LKCMedicine forward over the past 15 years. Among them are our administrative staff who have served since the early days of LKCMedicine. Their invaluable contributions and exemplary service have not only supported the School’s mission but have also fostered a vibrant and nurturing environment for learning, research, and innovation. These colleagues have been central to shaping LKCMedicine into the vibrant medical school it is today.

Three LKCMedicine staff share their unique stories on the School’s evolution through the challenges and triumphs they have experienced – as part of the core team that laid the foundations of our academic and operational excellence, as well as supporting generations of students and faculty – powering the School’s growth and success.

Mr Lim Meng Shun Darren
Assistant Director
Science and Anatomy Laboratories, Office of Medical Education

During my initial months at LKCMedicine, I realised this was never going to be just a job. It was a fraternity built around a philosophy of personalised and collaborative medicine; almost utopian. One that honoured the profession and the privilege of healing and offering comfort when it mattered most, to the underprivileged, the frail and in the final hour.

We were a small, tight unit preparing for the first intake of 54 incredibly bright students in just 15 months. You needed a dash of crazy to handle that type of frenzy. It is perhaps thus fitting that my first boss was called Ferenczi (Professor Michael Ferenczi). There was an infectious sense of hope and faith. We pushed every envelope. We weren’t sure where we would land on this one-way ticket, but we had our wits about us, and a collective, shared purpose; an unstoppable force. You could have called us a family, students included.

Darren with his first boss at LKCMedicine Professor Michael Feren

As if 2013 wasn’t exhilarating enough, we moved to the Experimental Medicine Building in 2015. We weren’t about to heave-ho ‘Andrew’ and ‘Henry’ (the names of our full-sized plastinated bodies, still in the curing process then) onto a truck. So, if by any chance, you were driving back to NTU on a July weekend that period and saw a group of misfits struggling to push two suspended CSI black body bags uphill, that wasn’t me!

It was only a matter of time before I eventually met our graduates – in practice. The real full circle. Somewhat recently, I was in a hospital room surrounded by a senior consultant, a resident, and our own PGY1. I barely recognised him under the mask. He returned later to introduce himself as alumni and we discussed the various treatment approaches. What struck me most was his authority and composure. He spoke with such clarity, as if he could read my worries. He was genuine and shared the weight on my shoulders. I trusted him. Later that evening, it hit me: we had arrived. The School had fulfilled its promise of the type of doctors we want treating patients – empathetic, caring, excellent communicators, and kind.

LKCMedicine will continue to lead in innovation but I hope we never forget what we had set out to do. Technology like AI can be easily adopted, but a true heart for medicine needs to be nurtured, even more so now in this AI race.

Our doctors are healers, not binary bots. That is what makes us so special.

Mr Ken Wong Kang Ning
Senior Assistant Director
Research Operations and Core Facilities, Research Administration & Support Services

When I first joined LKCMedicine more than a decade ago, I never imagined the depth and breadth of experiences I would encounter. My journey in Research Operations has been one of resilience, teamwork, and growth. From managing laboratories and core facilities to working with faculty and students, every step has deepened my appreciation for the vital role that research infrastructure plays in advancing science and education.

One of the most vivid memories from my early years is being woken up at 3am by a freezer alarm alert. The urgency of safeguarding precious research samples felt very much like a rescue mission, reminding me of my National Service days where teamwork and decisiveness mattered most. Today, I see my role serving a similar mission — rallying my team, ensuring resources are in place, and pushing through challenges to keep research moving forward.

Leading Research Operations has given me a front-row seat to science in action. I take pride in creating the conditions that enable discovery — whether it is preparing space for new labs, setting up complex equipment, or ensuring safety and compliance. What excites me most is knowing that behind every successful experiment lies the quiet but critical support of my team.

The story of LKCMedicine’s laboratories is also a story of resilience and growth. It began in 2012 at NTU’s Research Techno Plaza, where the first labs were set up to support the School’s early faculty. As the School expanded, the labs were relocated to Biopolis (Proteos building) from 2013 to 2015, where we operated alongside A*STAR facilities. These early years were crucial in establishing our systems, policies, and support models.

With the completion of our own buildings, we moved into the Experimental Medicine Building (EMB) in 2015, followed by the Clinical Sciences Building (CSB) in 2017. Each move marked a significant milestone — from small beginnings to purpose-built, state-of-the-art facilities that now house 62 laboratories and 12 core platforms. The establishment and relocation of our labs over the years reflect not just infrastructural growth, but also the unwavering commitment to provide the best possible environment for world-class research.

As I look ahead, I hope to see LKCMedicine’s facilities continue to evolve into a state-of-the-art, sustainable, and future-ready ecosystem. My aspiration is that our facilities not only support science but also inspire confidence, creativity, and collaboration. I envision our labs and core platforms becoming hubs where brilliant ideas take root, where young researchers gain their first successes, and where partnerships across disciplines flourish.

Ultimately, my journey here has shown me that research is not just about experiments or equipment — it is about people. And it is the people, united by shared purpose and dedication, who will continue to shape the bright future of LKCMedicine.

Ms Siti Mariam Rahman
Assistant Director
Communications and Outreach

I’ve had the privilege of being part of LKCMedicine’s journey since 2012, witnessing its growth from the very first batch of students to the thriving institution we are today. From the early days without our very own building, when I was based at the Research Techno Plaza, to moving into the historic headquarters at Mandalay Road, and later organising the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony that marked the start of construction for the Experimental Medicine Building at NTU’s main campus and the Clinical Sciences Building at Novena, it has been an incredible journey filled with milestones and memories.

Back then, without a permanent home, we were often out scouting venues across central Singapore to hold our outreach initiatives. Almost all our publicity materials and props had to be packed into vans and carted to event sites. I vividly recall loading hospital beds from our partner Tan Tock Seng Hospital onto a lorry—and yes, riding at the back with them to the event location—as well as carefully packing hundreds of commemorative bricks into origami boxes, a quirky idea by my boss, Siti Rohanah Koid, that turned us all into part-time origami artisans for a season. It was chaotic, oftentimes fun, but always filled with purpose. Looking back, I think those moments of “controlled madness” gave us not only great stories to tell, but also a deep sense of pride in pulling things off together.

From the very beginning, a strong spirit of camaraderie pulled us through the challenges. As the School grew, so did the challenges—but we could always count on colleagues, whether from Corporate Services, Research, or Education, to share the same vision and purpose. Together, we work towards our goals, brick by brick building a sense of belonging and identity. The School’s journey has always felt like a pilgrimage—one where every milestone leaves its lessons, and every lesson prepares us for the next chapter.

Being young and nimble gave us the edge to adapt to an ever-changing landscape. That spirit still shapes the way I, together with my boss and the Communications & Outreach team, approach our work. How can we bring fresh perspectives and engaging experiences for our stakeholders? How do we create moments that not only reflect the School’s achievements but also inspire our audience? These questions continue to drive us forward and keep our work meaningful. It has also been incredibly heartening when, during our outreach initiatives, prospective students approach us to say they remember attending our past events and are excited to join and be part of LKCMedicine family.

It was fulfilling to have witnessed the first 54 students begin their journey in 2013 and now see our alumni practicing as doctors in hospitals across Singapore. Watching them apply their knowledge, care for patients, and embody the values of LKCMedicine is a full-circle moment. It reminds me that what we built together over the past 15 years is more than just buildings, events, or milestones—it is a community. A community that continues to grow, evolve, and, most importantly, make a real difference in the world.