The Hong Kong Laureate Forum’s mission to catalyze transformative science aligns with my dedication to advancing translational medicine for complex metabolic diseases, particularly metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). As a Young Investigator under National Medical Research Council (NMRC) Singapore, I lead interdisciplinary projects integrating multi-omics and host-microbiome analyses to decode MASLD pathogenesis. My research employs genomic-metagenomic association studies and immune receptor repertoire profiling to uncover microbiome-driven mechanisms in MASLD progression, aiming to develop personalized diagnostics and therapies. Currently, my postdoctoral research at NTU combines bioinformatics and advanced disease models to stratify MASLD subtypes, with findings published in Advanced Science. My work has contributed to a provisional patent targeting liver fibrosis in NASH, underscoring my commitment to clinical translation.
Looking ahead, I aim to pioneer precision medicine strategies for metabolic diseases by bridging computational insights with clinical validation. This includes developing patient-specific models and leveraging microbiome-immune crosstalk to optimize therapies. Engaging with Shaw Laureates at the Forum would provide invaluable mentorship in cutting-edge translational methodologies and inspire innovative collaborations. I am eager to contribute my expertise in systems biology and precision therapeutics to cross-disciplinary dialogues, advancing the Forum’s vision of fostering solutions for global health challenges.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), affecting over 30% of Asian adults, is a multifactorial condition driven by genetic, microbial, dietary and environmental interactions. Its progression to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)—marked by fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma risk—demands precise detection and intervention strategies. Hence, my research focuses on unraveling host-microbiome drivers of MASH to advance precision therapy. Using humanized gut microbiome mouse models through fecal microbiota transplantation, I identified that certain gut pathobionts trigger B-cell dysfunction and exacerbate liver fibrosis through molecular mimicry. My recent NMRC Young Investigator Research Grant aims to employ genomic-metagenomic association studies to map host genetic signatures that interact with these pathobionts, defining molecular mechanisms of disease onset. Furthermore, I am also working with local hepatologists to establish longitudinal MASLD patient cohorts to validate findings in clinical settings. By bridging preclinical models and human data, this work aims to uncover biomarkers for risk stratification and microbiome-targeted therapies, addressing the urgent need for personalized interventions in MASLD/MASH.