Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine appoints Professor Dermot Kelleher as new dean

The Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, a joint medical school by Imperial College London and Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, has appointed Professor Dermot Kelleher as its new dean. 

Professor Kelleher, who is the incoming principal of the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College London, will assume his post on August 1. 

A joint statement from both varsities said Professor Kelleher will lead the next phase of the school's development to train more doctors to meet Singapore's future healthcare demands. 

With his appointment, Professor Stephen Smith, the founding dean of the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, will focus on his role as NTU's vice president of research. 

Professor Kelleher is a world leading expert in immunology and infectious diseases. 

A former vice-provost for medical affairs and head of the School of Medicine at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland, he has over 30 years' experience in research, teaching and medical leadership. 

As the dean of Singapore's third medical school, he will combine this role with his position as principal of Imperial's Faculty of Medicine. 

Sir Keith O'Nions, President & Rector of Imperial College London, said, "We are delighted that Professor Kelleher will direct the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine alongside Imperial's Faculty of Medicine. His outstanding record of leadership in academic medicine will take both institutions from strength to strength. Both share the goal of achieving world-class excellence in medical education and research, and their close alignment will help to realise the opportunities offered by this exciting partnership between two world-class universities." 

Professor Bertil Andersson, President of NTU, said that having Professor Kelleher at the helm of Singapore's newest medical school would not only give a big boost to medical education but also to medical innovation and research as well.

"Prof Kelleher is a world-leading expert in immunology and infectious diseases and he has valuable experience in translating medical research into new diagnostics and treatments for patients. These will complement NTU well as we have a strong track record in bio-medical engineering. Together with Professor Stephen Smith, the founding dean who will now focus on driving research at NTU as Vice-President of Research, NTU will greatly influence the next generation of doctors and biomedical innovators here in Singapore. To have great impact in healthcare breakthroughs, we will need to train patient-centric doctors and innovators with multi-disciplinary expertise who are at the forefront of medical technology. We look forward to having a more robust research relationship with Imperial College London's medical school with Prof Kelleher as its principal and I believe he will further strengthen the foundation of our joint medical school in Singapore already laid by Professor Smith as the Founding Dean," said Professor Bertil Andersson.

Professor Kelleher said, "The Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine has ambitious goals to redefine both medical education and research. Hundreds of people at Imperial, NTU and in partner healthcare organisations have already contributed to its development, creating a curriculum and infrastructure that will offer students an exceptional medical education. It will be a privilege to work with this dedicated team to set the direction for the School's research strategy and prepare to begin training a generation of outstanding doctors to serve Singapore." 

The Chairman of the Pro-Tem Governing Board of the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Mr Lim Chuan Poh said, "Professor Kelleher's illustrious career has been characterised by remarkable achievements in medical education and research and outstanding leadership. I'm confident his appointment will continue the stellar work of the School's Founding Dean, Professor Stephen Smith, whom we thank for laying the strong foundations of the school."