RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION

The Research Administration division of the GIS is the institute’s supporting arm. Not unlike the oil that lubricates the engine, the main function of this division is to ensure the smooth-running of the scientific research activities of the institute.

It comprises the following offices:

Corporate Communications

The OCC is responsible for communicating, protecting and maintaining the institute’s corporate image, identity and branding which is crucial to the relationship-building process with our international scientific colleagues, collaborators, governments, employees, suppliers and contractors, and the general public. To this end, the OCC manages and executes the external and internal communication channels that flow through the institute, such as the corporate website, intranet, corporate brochure and other corporate paraphernalia. As the GIS logo is our most valuable visual asset and brand identity, we oversee its proper use and deployment.

The OCC manages and maintains good relations with the media. We write and publish press releases, and handle media conferences and media interviews to garner record positive media mentions. We organise, manage and handle all of the institute’s corporate and ministerial visitors, both local and overseas.

Winnie Serah LIM Chui Phaik
Senior Assistant Director
Email: limcpws@a-star.edu.sg

Finance

The OF aims to provide value-added and quality financial/accounting services to support GIS in its bid to foster world-class scientific research and development.
Some of the activities handled by OF are:
  • Provision of timely and accurate monthly financial reporting
  • Monitoring of the availability of funds (funds management)
  • Monitoring of cash flow
  • Management of treasury function
  • Preparation of yearly financial budgets
  • Preparation of project management reports and maintenance of the project system in the SAP (Systems Applications and Products)
  • Processing of timely payments to vendors and staff
  • Management of fixed assets

Madeline SHEE
Director
Email: sheesw@a-star.edu.sg

GRANTS & RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS

Grants & Research Partnerships (GRP) provides pre- and post-award administrative support for competitive research grants received from both local and overseas funding agencies. This includes liaising with the major funding agencies on the funding opportunities, grant procedures and guidelines, and working closely with the principal investigators to ensure compliance with the grant terms, and the smooth execution of the funded projects at every stage of the grant lifecycle. In addition, we are responsible for fostering public sector partnerships through the establishment of research collaboration and other related agreements, and oversee the protection of GIS's intellectual property and showcasing these technologies for translation and further development with our industry partners.

Benjamin TAI
Head
Email: taib@a-star.edu.sg

Human Resources

The OHR is responsible for recruitment, staff remuneration and benefits, organisation development, training and coaching, performance management, policy management, and employee relations.
Advocating for both the institute as well as for our staff members, we work in close tandem with the human resources of A*STAR and with our scientific foci and non-scientific offices to achieve a job-match for all staff, in order that each individual may be incorporated well into the fabric of the GIS outfit and contribute effectively towards the overall success of the institute.

Madeline SHEE
Director
Email: sheesw@a-star.edu.sg

Procurement

The OP is responsible for all purchasing matters and is the central archival of purchasing-related contract documents. Specifically, we handle the raising of purchase orders, and tenders for big ticket items, through the Systems Applications and Products (SAP) system to external venders. We also support web orders to the A*STAR Biopolis Shared Facility (BSF) Supply Centre. Our purchasing workflow strictly adheres to the A*Star Financial Policies & Procedures (FPP).

Madeline SHEE
Director
Email: sheesw@gis.a-star.edu.sg

Research IT

The Office of Research IT is responsible for the infrastructure, network and hardware that are required for GIS to operate as a world-class research institute. Our activities range from end-user computing (hardware deployment, installation, troubleshooting) to connectivity (wired, wireless, server access) and managing large-scale computing environments (high-performance clusters, storage drives, data centre). We support resources that are used for scientific analysis in national programmes and large scale international collaborations.

Lewis YEO
Head
Email: yeocs@a-star.edu.sg

Research Planning & Management

The ORPM plans, organises and manages the institute’s corporate events such as international scientific conferences and symposiums. It also provides resources and support to maintain a scientific library as well as e-journal subscriptions for research references. The ORPM evaluates and awards external sponsorship requests.

The ORPM promotes and maintains a conducive work environment for all members of the GIS family. This includes sourcing for and maintaining the landscaping and artwork within the premises of the institute. We also provide reception and administrative support, and maintain the boardroom and meeting rooms, refreshment requirements, and pantry and stationery supplies. We source for suitable accommodation and flight requirements for the institute’s international visitors.

Winnie Serah LIM Chui Phaik
Senior Assistant Director
Email: limcpws@a-star.edu.sg

Strategy & Operations

We conceptualise and propose interdisciplinary research projects/programmes to support national initiatives and work with council and research office on cross RI projects. We also manage our early career talent development in identifying, developing, and retaining high-performing staff and tracking the scientific excellence of the researchers including publication and awards.

Aim to facilitate the development of the early career researchers (ECRs) at various stages of their scientific career, we organise mentorship programme and series of scientific & non-scientific seminar series and training to provide proper guidance in helping with their career development.

As part of Operations management, we aim to provide a safe and conducive environment to our researchers to conduct their work.  We also work closely with critical corporate and scientific units to understand their processes, identify potential risks, and provide solutions to manage and mitigate those risks through robust business continuity plans.  Managing the laboratory and office space within GIS and monitor utilisation, maintenance and tracking of equipment assets to optimal our resource management.

We also work closely with critical corporate and scientific units to understand their processes, identify potential risks, and provide solutions to manage and mitigate those risks through robust business continuity plans. Our goal is to ensure that GIS has the ability to effectively and efficiently respond during a crisis.

Asyifah RASHID
Acting Director
Email: asyifah_rashid@a-star.edu.sg

Technical Business Development

GIS applies our state-of-the-art genome technologies to develop novel diagnostics and pioneering medicines. In this context, the TBD provides a pathway for managing academic/business-related matters and business operations, to ensure strategic alignment with our partners. We serve as a dynamic bridge between the GIS laboratories, academic partners and industry to make certain that promising new technologies and findings are translated into successful products and services that benefit society, both in òòò½Íøand worldwide. This is achieved by: building research collaborations with industry around our research projects; fostering collaborations with clinicians and researchers; stimulating technology development and innovation within the GIS and securing all necessary protection of the resulting intellectual property; licensing agreements, establishing new ventures and building value around GIS innovations; and reaching out to external funding bodies both in òòò½Íøand overseas. We oversee and manage our flagship programmes in diagnostics for pathogens and cancer, cancer treatment and in personalised genomic medicine, and also continue to evaluate and search for promising opportunities arising from scientific projects within the GIS or with academic, industrial, biotechnology and pharmaceutical partners.

Alex TAN Zhenpeng
Director, Technical Business Development
Email: alex_tan_zhenpeng@a-star.edu.sg

Translational Research & Development

The Translational Research and Development (TRD) department at the Genome Institute of òòò½Íø(GIS) serves as the bridge between our scientific discoveries and real-world medical impact. Our mission is to address unmet medical needs by transforming high-potential research into market-ready solutions. We don’t just fund science; we build a clear pathway of commercialisation and support required for it to thrive in the commercial landscape.

Our Core Functions

1. Market Intelligence & Strategic Assessment
We ensure that GIS innovation isn't just scientifically sound, but commercially viable. Our team provides rigorous market intelligence to project leaders, identifying clinical gaps, competitive landscapes, and regulatory pathways early in the development cycle.

2. Venture Capital & Investor Relations
Moving from the bench to the bedside requires capital. We act as a high-touch conduit between our internal innovators and the global investment community. By connecting project leads with top-tier venture capitalists, we secure the financial backing necessary to scale Singapore’s genomic breakthroughs.

3. Incubation & Proof of Concept (PoC) Support
The “translational valley of death" is where many great ideas stall. TRD provides a structured incubation environment, offering strategic oversight needed to innovation project leaders to push projects through the critical Proof of Concept phase.

4. Productization & Asset Development
We drive the institutional effort to turn raw data and discoveries into tangible assets. Our focus is dual-pronged:

  • Therapeutics: Developing novel biologics.
  • Life Science Tools: Creating the next generation of diagnostic platforms and research instrumentation.


Our Vision: To establish GIS as a global epicentre for genomic translation, ensuring that every breakthrough has a clear path to improving patient outcomes and strengthening the bioeconomy.

Ng Shi Yan 
Director of Research Group Leader
Email: Ng_Shi_Yan@a-star.edu.sg

A*STAR celebrates International Women's Day

A*STAR Women In Science

From groundbreaking discoveries to cutting-edge research, our researchers are empowering the next generation of female science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) leaders.