2025 Lee Kong Chian Distinguished Professors

Our eminent speakers, Prof Steven Chu and Prof Yael Kalai, were appointed as Lee Kong Chian Distinguished Professors in relation to the public lecture on 8 January 2025.  Sponsored by the Lee Foundation, the event was organised as a partner event of the Global Young Scientists Summit 2025, with support from the National Research Foundation Singapore.

[From left] Insightful lectures by Prof Steven Chu on challenges and solutions for achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, and exploration of cryptography by Prof Yael Kalai.

Prof Steven Chu, Nobel Laureate in Physics (1997) and the former U.S. Secretary of Energy, is renowned for his groundbreaking work in laser cooling and trapping of atoms. In his lecture titled “The Challenges in Getting to Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions”, Prof Chu addressed the urgent issue of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and offered a comprehensive perspective on the path to a sustainable, low-carbon future.

Prof Yael Kalai, ACM Prize Laureate in Computing (2022), is widely celebrated for her pioneering contributions to cryptography and computational theory. Titled “Compressing Proofs using Cryptography”, her lecture explored how cryptographic methods can shorten proofs while preserving their integrity, unlocking exciting possibilities for more efficient computation in fields of cybersecurity and blockchain.

[From left] Prof Wang Huaxiong (Co-Director, The National Centre for Research in Digital Trust, NTU), Prof Wen Yonggang (Assoc Provost, Graduate Education, NTU), Prof Steven Chu, Prof Yael Kalai, Prof Sum Tze Chien (Director, IAS NTU) and Prof Lydia Wong (Director, Global Alliance of Industries, NTU).

Prof Jack Dongarra, the 2021 ACM A.M. Turing Award laureate and distinguished authority in high-performance computing, was appointed as a Lee Kong Chian Distinguished Professor in conjunction with his public lecture delivered on 8 July 2025. Sponsored by the Lee Foundation, the lecture was hosted by NTU’s Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS) in the Tan Chin Tuan Lecture Theatre.

An insightful lecture by Prof Jack Dongarra on the past, present and future of supercomputing.

Prof Jack Dongarra, the ACM A.M. Turing Award laureate (2021) is renowned for his work on high performance computing (HPC). In his lecture titled “Bright Light: Computing Then, Now, and To Be,” Prof Dongarra traced the rapid evolution of high-performance computing, from early supercomputers to today’s laptop-level power, spotlighting the TOP500 project he co-developed. He highlighted Singapore’s growing role, with National Supercomputing Center's (NSCC) systems ranking on the June 2025 TOP500 list, and discussed emerging paradigms such as quantum, neuromorphic, and optical computing. Blending technical insight with personal narrative, he offered a balanced, forward-looking view on the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of computation.

[From left] Prof Cai Wentong (Associate Dean (Faculty), College of Computing & Data Science NTU),
Prof Jack Dongarra, Dr Terence Hung (Chief Executive, National Supercomputing Center Singapore)
and Prof Sum Tze Chien (Director, IAS NTU).

Our eminent speaker, Prof Duncan Haldane, delivered his Lee Kong Chian Distinguished Professor public lecture on 16 July 2025. Sponsored by the Lee Foundation, the lecture was hosted by NTU’s Institute of Advanced Studies in SPMS, and featured as a key highlight of the IAS Frontiers Workshop on Quantum Geometric Advantage from 14 to 16 July 2025.

Prof Duncan Haldane delves into a century of quantum mechanics and the breakthroughs driving today’s excitement in this field.

Prof  Duncan Haldane, Nobel Laureate in Physics (2016) is renowned for his work in topological phases of matter. In his lecture titled “Modern Quantum Mechanics is 100 Years Old This Year: Why Is There So Much Excitement?”, Prof Haldane traced the century-long development of quantum mechanics, from the foundational “first quantum revolution” (circa 1925–1932) introducing principles like uncertainty and the Pauli exclusion, to today’s rapidly unfolding “second quantum revolution” centered on entanglement. He emphasised that while the underlying laws remain unchanged, entanglement—a phenomenon once dismissed by Einstein—has become the driving "fuel" for advancements in quantum computing. 

[From left] Assoc Prof Justin Song (Associate Chair (Students), SPMS NTU), Prof Gao Weibo (Chair, EEE NTU),
Prof Duncan Haldane, and Prof Sum Tze Chien (Director, IAS NTU).

Our eminent speakers, Prof Aaron Ciechanover, Prof Stuart Parkin and Prof Sir Gregory Winter, were appointed as Lee Kong Chian Distinguished Professors in relation to the IAS 20th Anniversary Symposium on 29 July 2025.  Sponsored by the Lee Foundation, the symposium was organised to celebrate two decades of transformative science. This special event brought together renowned scientists from Singapore and around the world for a day of inspiring discussions, groundbreaking research, and intellectual exchange. The symposium reflected on the remarkable journey of the Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS) and its impact on the global scientific community while looking ahead to new frontiers in discovery and innovation.

Prof Sir Gregory Winter highlights antibody evolution and commercialisation, showcasing breakthroughs transforming treatments for autoimmune diseases.

Prof Sir Gregory Winter, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry (2018) is a pioneer in antibody engineering and is celebrated for his transformative contributions to therapeutic antibodies. In his lecture titled “Deep Tech Commercialisation: The Journey to Antibody Pharmaceuticals,” Prof Winter traced the evolution of antibody therapeutics from early serum therapy to humanised antibodies, highlighting how his innovations revolutionised treatments for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. He also shared insights into the complex process of commercialising deep technology, underscoring the vital role of collaboration between academia, biotech, and industry.

Prof Aaron Ciechanover explores personalised medicine’s future, raising critical ethical questions on privacy and accessibility.

Prof Aaron Ciechanover, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry (2004) is celebrated for his pioneering discoveries on protein degradation and the ubiquitin system. In his lecture titled “The Revolution of Personalised Medicine – Are We Going to Cure All Diseases and at What Price?”, Prof Ciechanover explored the transformative shifts in modern medicine, from early drug discoveries and high-throughput screening to the emerging era of personalised therapies driven by genetics and cell engineering. He underscored how future treatments will be tailored to each individual’s genetic makeup, while also raising profound ethical questions about privacy, accessibility, and the challenges of tackling complex diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration.

Prof Stuart Parkin traces spintronics innovations revolutionising data storage, advancing memory technologies and quantum computing possibilities.

Prof Stuart Parkin, Millennium Technology Prize (2014) is a pioneer in the field of spintronics, and is internationally recognised for revolutionising data storage technologies. In his lecture titled "Spintronics for Massive Data Memory-Storage – Past, Present and Future”, Prof Parkin traced the evolution of spintronics from its origins to its transformative role in modern computing, highlighting how innovations such as spin valve sensors, Magnetic Tunnel Junctions, and racetrack memory have reshaped hard disk capacities, enabled non-volatile memory, and set the stage for next-generation data storage and quantum computing platforms.