Our Leadership and People

Our Leaders

Prof. J. J. (Hans) Meij

Co-Founder
NUS Academy for Healthy Longevity 

Visiting Professor
National University of Singapore

Chair
Out-Patients Division, Amsterdam University Medical Centre

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Hans is Head of the Department of Human Genetics and Chair of the Out-Patients Division at Amsterdam University Medical Centre. Trained as a medical anthropologist, he specialised in ageing in Africa, Europe, and the USA, and was the first to test life history theory in a contemporary African population (Ghana, 2002–2008). A founding member of the Leyden Academy on Vitality and Ageing, he has advised healthcare leaders worldwide. He is now a visiting professor and Director at NUS’s Academy for Healthy Longevity, leading executive courses and the Healthy Longevity Talent Incubator.

Prof. Andrea B. Maier

Co-Founder & Director
NUS Academy for Healthy Longevity 

Oon Chiew Seng Professor in Medicine
Healthy Ageing and Dementia Research 

Chair @AgeGlobal  

Professor of Gerontology
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam 

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Andrea B. Maier, MD PhD FRACP, is the Oon Chiew Seng Professor in Medicine and Co-Founder and Director of the NUS Academy for Healthy Longevity at the National University of Singapore, as well as Professor of Gerontology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. An internationally recognised authority in geroscience and precision geromedicine, she has authored over 490 peer-reviewed publications, led major human cohort studies and clinical trials, and advises global organisations such as the World Health Organization on healthy ageing. She has held senior leadership roles in Europe, Australia and Asia, co-founded clinical initiatives, and continues to shape research, education and policy in precision healthy longevity worldwide.

Executive Team

Dr Mazzarine Dotou

Head of Research and Clinical Strategy

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Dr. Mazzarine Dotou, PhD, MBA, leads Research and Clinical Strategy at NUS, focusing on translational clinical research. Her work combines scientific insight and strategic leadership to advance preventive healthcare innovation. 

Jane Ong

Head of Education Strategy

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Jane is a nutritionist and strategist with experience in public health and education across Singapore and Australia. Her work unites scientists and leaders to advance precision geromedicine and align initiatives with systemic goals.

Shivaji Rikka

Head of Strategy & Innovation

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Shivaji, with 15+ years of experience in building & managing research capabilities for ambitious initiatives, leads the development of strategic collaborations with global industry, academic, and philanthropic partners. His work focuses on advancing evidence-based longevity research, education, and innovation through high-impact partnerships.

Jenny Thomas

Jenny Thomas

Senior Executive

Jenny is the Senior Executive Assistant to Professor Andrea Maier, supporting strategic initiatives, executive operations, and stakeholder engagement. She brings extensive experience in corporate administration and executive support at senior leadership levels.

Education Team

Dr. Antoni Olona

Dr. Antoni Olona

Lecturer

Toni holds a PhD from Imperial College London, where he studied immune lipid metabolism and its links to obesity.He continued his postdoctoral research at Imperial and Duke-NUS, focusing on immune and nutrient pathways in infectious disease and ageing. During this time, he also gained valuable teaching experience.

Toni is now a Lecturer at the Academy, dedicated to advancing education in healthy longevity.

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Dr. Ngai Tsz Wai

Dr. Ngai Tsz Wai

Operation Coordinator 

Yoyo is biomedical scientist and certified yoga teacher with a background in Biomedical Sciences and a PhD in Molecular Biology. Bridging the worlds of research and holistic practice, she is drawn to the intersection between science and mindful living. As Operations Coordinator at the Academy for Healthy Longevity, Yoyo brings precision and purpose to the planning and execution of educational programs, events, and workshops.

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Research Team

Dr. Jozo Grgic

Dr. Jozo Grgic

Senior Research Fellow

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Dr. Weilan Wang

Dr. Weilan Wang

Senior Research Fellow

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Weilan is a Senior Research Fellow with pharmaceutical science, biomedical science, and data science background. She expertise in data analysis, and data management. Her research focuses on biomarkers of aging and the underlying mechanisms of aging using multi-omics approaches. She also manages the Global Epigenetic Age Consortium.

Dr. Ajla Hodzic Kuerec

Dr. Ajla Hodzic Kuerec

Senior Research Fellow

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Medical Doctor and Clinical Pharmacologist at the NUS Academy for Healthy Longevity, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore. She specializes in designing and conducting clinical trials to advance longevity research and identify novel therapeutic interventions. Dr. Hodzic Kuerec actively integrates emerging scientific, technological, and regulatory insights into her work and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to promote healthy aging and optimize patient outcomes.

 

Dr. Lihuan Guan

Dr. Lihuan Guan

Research Fellow

As a Research Fellow and Wet Lab Manager, Lihuan focuses on healthy longevity, aged care, biomarkers of ageing, and cell biology. She brings expertise in laboratory management, data curation, and data analysis, contributing to research efforts that advance understanding and innovation in the science of ageing.

Google Scholar

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Zhang Dingding

Zhang Dingding

Clinical Manager

Dedicated to managing the daily operations to guarantee smooth trial execution, protocol integrity, and participants safety and satisfaction. 
Focus on applying my healthcare management expertise to advance our mission of healthy longevity.

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Morwani Mangnani Jordi

Morwani Mangnani Jordi

Research Associate

Jordi is a research associate with a background in biomedicine, sports nutrition, and ageing biology, exploring how lifestyle choices impact our bodies at the molecular level. Using data-driven research, he uncovers the biological mechanisms behind healthy ageing and translate complex science into insights that help people live stronger, longer lives.

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Dr. Wang Jiaqiu

Dr. Wang Jiaqiu

Visiting Research Fellow

Wang Jiaqiu is a visiting scholar from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine. She holds an M.D. and works as a geriatrician in China. Currently, she supports several clinical trials conducted by the Academy and contributes to data analysis. She is deeply committed to advancing research that enhances the quality of life for older adults

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Sabarinath Nair

Sabarinath Nair

Research Associate

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Sabarinath is a Research Associate at the NUS Academy for Healthy Longevity. He supports study operations and data analytics, focusing on making clinical data easy to understand. He has a background in statistics and machine learning

Renee Chng Yee Sin

Renee Chng Yee Sin

Research Assistant

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Sharon Nadiyah Binte Shahul Hameed

Sharon Nadiyah Binte Shahul Hameed

Research Assistant

Sharon is a Research Assistant specialising in blood biobanking and the isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). She manages end-to-end sample workflows from collection, processing, and cryopreservation to inventory control and quality assurance while overseeing day-to-day laboratory operations, compliance, and safety. Her role ensures high-integrity samples and a reliable lab environment that enable robust, reproducible research.

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Atikah Dahiyah Binti Naseer Khan

Atikah Dahiyah Binti Naseer Khan

Research Assistant

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Anees Begam Binte Abdul Hamid

Anees Begam Binte Abdul Hamid

Research Assistant

Research Assistant primarily working in the wet laboratory to process and biobank biological samples collected from participants of clinical trials. Apart from routine sample processing, she is also appointed as the laboratory Safety Lead, where she oversees all safety aspects of the laboratory. She is also appointed as the Assistant Fire Warden and Biological Spill Responder, as part of emergency preparedness.
 

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He Qian

He Qian

Research Assistant

He Qian, MPH, is a Research Assistant who focuses on data analysis for the HELO project and coordinates the HEAL Clinic at the Academy for Healthy Longevity.

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Chong Hui Min

Chong Hui Min

Research Assistant

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Hui Min is a research assistant in NUS Academy for Healthy Longevity. She supports the daily operations of the healthy longevity clinic, ensuring clinical data integrity. She is also a member of the global Epigentic Aging consortium.

Natasha To-Anan

Natasha To-Anan

Research Assistant

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Natasha is a new Research Assistant in the Department of Medicine, who is currently training in biological sample collection while supporting clinical studies through participant assessments and data collection. With a Bachelor’s degree in Science (Molecular Biology and Pharmaceutical Science) and a Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science specializing in Clinical Trials, her background not only supports her work in clinical research but also empowers her to bridge scientific understanding with practical application.

PhD Students

Jessica Lu

Jessica Lu

PhD Student

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Jian Hua Tay

Jian Hua Tay

PhD Student

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Jian Hua Tay is a PhD student at the National University of Singapore’s Academy for Healthy Longevity. His research focuses on DNA methylation and multi-omics analyses to uncover molecular biomarkers of aging and longevity.

Visiting Staff

Lara Bruschinski

Lara Bruschinski

Visiting Scholar

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Carmina Fuster

Carmina Fuster

Visiting Staff

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