From local to global, establishing the Borneo disease surveillance hub through SIDC

Date:

Thu, 16 Jan 2025

Time:

4pm-5pm [Singapore [GMT +8]

Location:

Seminar Room 2, Level 8
Tahir Foundation Building (MD1)
National University of Singapore
12 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117549

Details:

You are cordially invited to the ON-SITE SPH Staff Research Round.
We look forward to your attendance and we hope for an interesting discussion.
Do hang around after the talk as coffee and tea will be provided.

Abstract:

Sharon will introduce the Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre (SIDC), a Sarawak government initiative established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to enhance the state’s capacity for managing infectious diseases. As Malaysia’s largest state, Sarawak faces unique challenges in disease monitoring due to its vast geographical expanse and extensive rural communities, many of which have limited access to healthcare. These challenges contribute to significant gaps in disease surveillance, research, and data on the true burden of infectious diseases in the region.

This talk will highlight SIDC’s foundational goals and ongoing initiatives aimed at addressing these challenges. Sharon will discuss how SIDC serves as a hub for disease surveillance and innovative research in Sarawak. Join us to explore collaborative opportunities to enhance research capabilities and bridge knowledge gaps in infectious diseases, both in Sarawak and beyond.

Speakers:

Dr Sharon Tan
Research Officer, Sarawak Infectious Disease Centre

Dr. Sharon has extensive expertise in infectious diseases, with a focus on vector-borne viruses (Dengue and Chikungunya), enteroviruses causing hand, foot, and mouth disease, and pediatric respiratory viruses. She contributed to disease surveillance and outbreak management for Dengue, Chikungunya fever, and H1N1 in Singapore.

Her research spans fundamental studies using Drosophila as a model organism to explore genes influencing stem cells and immunity. After nearly a decade of international research, Dr. Sharon returned to Sarawak, joining UNIMAS as a postdoctoral researcher to investigate viral causes of severe respiratory illnesses in Sarawakian children.

Dr. Sharon has published in high-impact journals, presented at international conferences, and mentored junior researchers. She holds a PhD from NUS, a master’s from King’s College London, and a bachelor’s from Monash University. Now at SIDC, she aims to advance infectious disease research in Sarawak, focusing on vector-borne diseases, pediatric infections, and disease surveillance