NAMED PROFESSORSHIP
Tan Geok Yin Professorship in Psychiatry and Neuroscience
About This Professorship
The Tan Geok Yin Professorship in Psychiatry and Neuroscience strengthens research leadership in ageing, psychiatry, and neuroscience — advancing Singapore’s response to rapid population ageing by deepening the understanding, prevention, and care of late-life cognitive disorders.
This endowed professorship supports research into modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline, the identification of at-risk seniors through community outreach and cohort studies, and the development of non-drug interventions that translate research into practical strategies for healthy, dignified ageing.
WHY IT MATTERS
Preventing Dementia Before It Begins
Inaugural Professorship Holder
Emeritus Professor Kua Ee Heok (2014 – 2023)
Emeritus Professor Kua Ee Heok served as the inaugural holder of the Tan Geok Yin Professorship from its establishment in 2014 until 2023. His work laid the intellectual and practical foundation for the Centre’s approach to dementia prevention and community mental health.
Under his leadership, the professorship advanced:
- The Jurong Ageing Study (JAS), a 10-year longitudinal study examining cognitive ageing in Singapore
- The development of Brief Integrative Personal Therapy (BIPT), a culturally contextualised psychotherapy framework
- The establishment of the Age Well Everyday (AWE) Programme, translating research into volunteer-led community interventions
- Partnerships with People’s Association, Presbyterian Community Services, and community organisations that continue to sustain AWE today
His legacy is not measured in publications alone — it is visible in the community centres, shopping malls, and heartland spaces where seniors gather weekly to build resilience, connect with peers, and delay cognitive decline.
In Honour of Madam Tan Geok Yin
This professorship was established by Mdm Lucy Khoo in loving memory of her mother, Madam Tan Geok Yin. It stands as a tribute to a life lived with grace, and a commitment to ensuring that future generations of older adults can age with dignity, purpose, and mental vitality.
By endowing this professorship, Mdm Lucy Khoo has created a lasting legacy — one that continues to shape research, train future clinicians, and bring evidence-based care to thousands of seniors across Singapore.
Creating a Lasting Impact
Endowed professorships like the Tan Geok Yin Professorship anchor academic excellence for decades. They attract and retain world-class researchers, provide stable funding for long-term studies, and ensure that critical areas of inquiry — like healthy ageing and dementia prevention — remain priorities even as institutional priorities shift.
If you are interested in establishing a named professorship or supporting research in psychiatry, neuroscience, or ageing, we welcome conversations about how your philanthropic vision can align with our mission.