Patrick Tan Appointed Dean of Duke-NUS Medical School

Duke-NUS Medical School has announced the appointment of Professor Patrick Tan as its fourth Dean, commencing January 1, 2026. Professor Tan will serve as Dean-designate from July 1, 2025, succeeding Professor Thomas Coffman, who has held the position since 2015.

Tan is an internationally recognized cancer geneticist and clinician-scientist. He currently holds the position of Senior Vice-Dean for Research at Duke-NUS, where he leads research initiatives in genomics, precision medicine, and biomedical innovation. He was among the school's founding faculty members and has played a role in shaping its research strategy.

Beyond his roles at Duke-NUS, Tan has been an active contributor to Singapore's research landscape, serving as Executive Director of Precision Health Research Singapore (PRECISE) and Senior Scientific Advisor at SingHealth. His work in integrating cutting-edge science with clinical applications has positioned him at the forefront of the nation's biomedical ecosystem.

The leadership transition coincides with Duke-NUS' 20th anniversary, highlighting the school's ongoing commitment to advancing medical education and research in Singapore and the region. Tan has received recognition for his leadership, including the Exemplary Leader Award at the 2023 Public Sector Transformation Awards.