Who We Are

Our Team

Director

Associate Prof. Nagaendran Kandiah

MBBS, FRCP (Edinburgh), FAMS (Neurology)
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Prof Nagaendran Kandiah is a Senior consultant neurologist. He holds a clinician scientist position with the National Medical Research Council of Singapore, He holds several national grants investigating these research areas with a focus on neuropsychology, MRI, functional MRI and cerebrospinal fluid studies. He is also the chairman of the Neurocognitive and Research Training Consortium of Southeast Asia (NRTC-SEA). He was the chair of the Singapore Ministry of Health, Clinical Practice Guidelines for Dementia (2013-2018). In his free time, he enjoys doing carpentry work and his most gratifying work was a plant house he built together with his 11-year-old son, which now stands proudly in his home.

Centre Manager

Jin Leow

Graduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology (Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia)
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My name is Jin, and I am the Centre Manager at DRCS. My background is in clinical psychology. I find fulfilment in clinical, research, and statistical endeavours, focusing on cognitive resilience, peak performance, motivation and business psychology in my work. Outside of work, I prioritize mind-body wellness, often dedicating my free time to the gym, yoga studio, and beach.

Neuropsychological Team

We perform cognitive assessments and associated analyses

Pricilia Tanoto

Master of Psychological Science (JCU)
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I am a research associate who has a master’s degree in psychology and an overseas bachelor degree as medical doctor. From the start, I am deeply interested in understanding the connection between diseases and patients’ psychology. In that sense, my research interests reside in developing cognitive and behavioral assessment tools for neurodegenerative disorders like dementia, facilitating early detection & prevention purposes.

Furthermore, I have a fervent desire in optimizing study designs and statistical analyses to provide research with good validity and reliability. Lastly, you can find me watching K-drama & solo karaoke-ing during my leisure time.

Faith Phemie Lee Hui
En

Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology (Singapore)
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I am a research assistant with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Having an interest in human behaviour, I aspire to be a clinical neuropsychologist through building upon opportunities in the coming years. I take an interest in the structure and function of the brain behind psychological disorders observed on the surface. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my dogs, eating, playing hockey, and sometimes playing the piano.

Smriti Ghildiyal

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Psychology (Yale-NUS College)
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I am a research assistant with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and literature. I have a keen interest in understanding the interplay between behaviour and psychophysiology, neuropsychological disorders and cognitive development. In my free time, I enjoy delving into medieval literature, practicing yoga and crocheting!

Liew Shan Yao

Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) in Psychology (SMU)
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I am a Research Assistant that believes strongly in looking out for the ones who need it most: From the children struggling to express themselves, to the elderly that cannot reach out to get help, and everyone in between. Being able to participate and contribute to a meaningful study such as this is its own reward. In my free time I love to sing my favourite songs, read fantasy novels, and cook some of my favourite foods.

Gursimar Bhalla

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I am a Research Assistant with a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and Psychology, specializing in studying the intricate relationship between  brain function and behaviour within clinical settings. In my free time, I enjoy spending time in nature, trying new foods, and hitting the gym for some weight-lifting.

Kiirtaara Aravindhan

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I am a Research Fellow on a mission to explore the connections between our brain, mind and behaviour. My educational background includes a doctorate focused on cognitive frailty and mental health, a Master of Neuroscience and a Bachelor in Psychology. When I’m not buried in research, you might find me watching cute dog videos or a horror/crime show, while indulging in my very much healthy obsession with dark chocolate.

Leong Kai En

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I’m a research assistant with a bachelor’s in biomedical science. I enjoy clinical studies as it combines academics with healthcare.  I find meaning and fulfilment in being a part of something greater that will contribute to the health and wellbeing of the community, in the present and for the future. Outside of work, you will find me at home crocheting, watching K- and C- dramas, or annoying my cat.  

Translational Cognitive Neuroimaging

We perform MRI and associated analyses

Dr Ashwati Vipin

PhD in Neuroimaging in
Dementia (Duke-NUS)
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I am a Research Fellow and my key research interests lie in delineating early brain changes that predict the onset and progression of young and late-onset dementia using multimodal neuroimaging techniques and how they relate to neurocognition and fluid biomarker profiles. When I am not exploring the human brain, I enjoy diving into fiction with some coffee and my dog. I also immensely enjoy travel, nature, photography and music, preferably all at the same time!

Rasyiqah Binte Shaik Mohamed Salim

Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering (NUS) (Honours)
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I am a research assistant with a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering. I primarily work with the neuroimaging/MRI team and have an interest in image and data processing. Having a background in public health, I am interested to learn more about what we can do to understand dementia and cognitive impairments from a public health perspective. I aspire to be able to discover meaningful results which would be able to help our community understand dementia and MCI better. During my free time, I enjoy swimming, baking, and playing games with my family.

Qiu Bocheng

Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering (NUS)
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I am a Research Associate with a background in Biomedical Engineering. My primary area of interest lies in cognitive neuroscience, where I actively contribute to the neuroimaging team by processing and analyzing brain images. My work is driven by a deep curiosity about the human brain and a desire to leverage my research for societal benefit. In my free time, I enjoy crafting, baking, photographing and playing board games with my friends.

Translational Cognitive Biomarkers

We evaluate the expression of fluid biomarkers and conduct associated analyses

Dr Gurveen Kaur
Sandhu

PhD in Biochemistry and
Molecular Cell Biology
(Australia)
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I am a research fellow with a focus on the elucidation of differential fluid biomarker profiles in dementia. My key research interest involves studying the impact of inflammatory and metabolic processes on cognition. My hobbies include reading, listening to music, doing yoga, watching sit-coms and documentaries and travelling.

Fatin Zahra Zailan

Honours in Biomedical Science
(UK), Diploma in Nursing
(NYP)
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I am a research assistant and principal phlebotomist. Previously, I was a registered staff nurse for over 7 years with specialization in Eye and Trauma. I am interested in studying markers that will enable us to identify pathological trajectories unique to Alzheimer’s Disease within the Asian population. On top of clinical trials, it is exciting to operate state of the art technology and developing novel biomarkers that can make an impact to lives. I hope that one day, we can develop a tool that can enable healthcare facilities to diagnose dementia with precision and evolve treatment strategies in the Alzheimer’s continuum. In my free time, I love spending moments with my little one, drumming and making music videos on youtube. I am also a car enthusiast and enjoy a good race!

James Chen Xiao Yuan

Bachelors of Engineering in Materials Engineering (NTU)
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I am a current PhD student under LKC-DRCS and my research interests is in developing a novel MRI toolbox to facilitate the characterization of blood-brain barrier dysfunction and its associated risk of progression to dementia. My personal interests include hiking/trekking and a game of bowling.

Jacklyn Leonardo

Master of Science, Brain Sciences, University of Glasgow
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I’m a Research Associate, holding a master’s degree in Neuroscience. I’ve consistently had a passion for delving into the intricate aspects of the brain, particularly in the realm of neurodegenerative diseases. Beyond my working hours, I find thoroughly enjoy reading and engaging in fierce sparring in the ring.

Sim Xin Ying

Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science (Honours) (The University of Sheffield)
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I am currently working as a Research Assistant, with my research focusing on investigating the intricate dynamics of systemic biomarkers and their consequential impact on the severity and progression of neurodegenerative diseases.

 Outside of my professional pursuits, I enjoy exploring history, watching cooking videos, indulging in movies and documentaries, and immersing myself in travel vlogs.

Technology Development

Mohammed Adnan
Azam

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering specializing in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (NTU)
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I am a Technology Development Officer with experience in digitizing metals and minerals manufacturing processes in companies in India and Africa. I am a co-founder of CREaiTORS where we built an integrated machine learning app to detect behavioural symptoms in patients with dementia. During my time at Bosch Research Singapore, I helped develop a patented Machine Learning algorithm to detect torque in real time in Bosch drills.

I am passionate about using technology to revolutionise healthcare by using AI and ML to make personalised healthcare cheap and accessible to the masses.

My vision for DRCS is to build a cognitive screening app that is sensitive and clinically validated to detect cognitive impairment at the earliest stages. When I’m not at work, you can catch me in the gym or in the ocean.

Eliana Setiabudi

Bachelor of Engineering, Computer Science and Design (SUTD)
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I am a research assistant working on the digital health products being developed in DRC. My role involves cognitive game design and full-stack development, and I hope the tools we create will improve your cognitive health in meaningful and memorable ways. If you don’t see me in the lab, I am probably cooped up in my room developing video games.

Kelley Goh Fann Ing

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I am a research assistant with a background in psychology. I’ve always been interested in bridging the gap between technology and healthcare, recognizing how technology has become so prevalent in today’s world. I am keen on finding innovative ways to integrate digital tools into mental health care, aiming to make support more accessible and impactful for individuals. In my free time, I enjoy watching YouTube videos and gaming!

Scientific Advisors

Prof. Paul Matthews

Director of the UK Dementia Research Institute Centre at Imperial College London
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Dementia is a global and growing challenge for everyone. However, our knowledge now is largely based on studies of European or North American populations. There is an urgent need to better understand the types of dementias that affect the peoples of the Far East. The new DRCS promises a step change in this effort by bringing medical centres across Singapore together for a common mission. I feel privileged to join all of you in DRCS as an advisor as you begin this work.