​"How did I become a clinician-scientist? I knew I wanted to be a doctor since I was a teenager, but it was an internship at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) that ignited a passion for research. After finishing my studies in London and Cambridge, I returned to Singapore and focused on delivering the best medical care as a junior doctor. That was when I discovered that I enjoyed connecting with younger patients with rare cancers, who typically have a bleak outlook.

I felt we should do more for these young patients. Their cancers may be rare, but since they are young, their bodies can handle more aggressive treatment better than older patients. My relationship with this special group of patients fueled my interest, and from there I started developing patient-derived models in sarcoma to better understand the rare disease.”

- Assistant Professor Valerie Yang​ (on the left in the photo above), Consultant, Department of Lymphoma and Sarcoma, Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) & Research Clinician and Group Leader of a lab at Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR

Read Asst Prof Yang’s full story on Salubris (Issue 60) by NCCS.