NAMED PROFESSORSHIP

Lin Jo Yan and Yeo Boon Khim Professorship in Mental Health and Neuroscience

About This Professorship

The Lin Jo Yan and Yeo Boon Khim Professorship in Mental Health and Neuroscience builds capacity to meet emerging needs and improve outcomes for young Singaporeans — accelerating excellence in psychiatric and psychological medicine at NUS with a focus on youth mental health, evidence-based care, and prevention.

This endowed professorship strengthens research, teaching, and clinical training to address the mental health crisis facing adolescents and young adults — from anxiety and depression to self-harm, social withdrawal, and the pressures of an increasingly digital, high-stakes world.

WHY IT MATTERS

Reaching Youth Before Crisis

A Generation Under Pressure

One in three adolescents in Singapore report significant mental health symptoms.

Early Intervention Changes Life Trajectories

Fifty percent of lifetime mental health conditions begin by age 14. Early detection and prevention can interrupt harmful trajectories before they become entrenched.

Building Locally Validated Tools

Most youth mental health research is conducted in Western contexts. This professorship supports the development of culturally appropriate assessment tools and interventions designed for Singapore's landscape.

Inaugural Professorship Holder

Associate Professor John Wong Chee Meng (2017 – 2025)

Associate Professor John Wong Chee Meng served as the inaugural holder of the Lin Jo Yan and Yeo Boon Khim Professorship from 2017 to 2025, and as founding Director of the Mind Science Centre.

Under his leadership, the professorship advanced:

The Youth Epidemiology and Resilience (YEAR) Study, a landmark longitudinal study mapping mental health prevalence among Singapore adolescents
Development of SYRESS, a locally validated resilience scale for youth mental health assessment
Expansion of the Centre’s research portfolio to include youth interventions, digital mental health tools, and school-based prevention programmes
Partnerships with schools, universities, and youth organisations to translate research into accessible support

In Loving Tribute to Mr Lin Jo Yan and Mdm Yeo Boon Khim

This professorship was endowed by Mr Lin Tah Hwa in loving memory of his parents: Mr Lin Jo Yan, a longtime leader at OCBC, and Madam Yeo Boon Khim, whose name now graces the Centre itself.

It is a tribute to two lives lived with integrity, service, and care — and a commitment to ensuring that young Singaporeans facing mental health struggles receive the support, dignity, and hope that every generation deserves.

By endowing this professorship, Mr Lin Tah Hwa has created a legacy that will shape youth mental health research and care for decades to come.

Creating a Lasting Impact

Endowed professorships provide stable, long-term support for academic leaders who are advancing critical areas of research and training. They ensure that emerging fields — like youth mental health — remain institutional priorities, attract top talent, and sustain momentum across decades.

If you are interested in establishing a named professorship or supporting youth mental health research, we welcome conversations about how your philanthropic vision can align with our mission.