Academic Profile : Faculty
Assoc Prof Christine Cheung
Associate Professor of Vascular Biomedicine and Assistant Dean, PhD studies and Professional Development, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine
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Assoc Prof Christine Cheung is an Associate Professor of Vascular Biomedicine, the Assistant Dean (PhD Studies and Professional Development), and holds the Provost's Chair in Medicine at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University. She received her PhD in Cardiovascular and Stem Cell Medicine from the University of Cambridge and graduated with First Class Honors in BEng from Imperial College London. Her research in vascular disease biology has garnered recognitions within the scientific community. In 2019, she became a member of the World Economic Forum Young Scientists Community and was recognised as an Honoree of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons of Singapore (Medical Innovations). Her contributions to the field earned her the Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) Young Investigator Grant, Life Sciences Fellowship from L'Oréal Singapore For Women in Science Fellowship 2018, and the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology Independent Fellowship in 2012. She was also honoured with the Young Investigator Prize from the British Society for Cardiovascular Research and the Paul Dudley White International Scholar Award by The American Heart Association. Currently, she serves as an executive committee member of the Stem Cell Society Singapore.
"You are as old as your arteries" — Healthy blood vessels are essential for our overall well-being. Our research focuses on understanding how vascular abnormalities arise from degenerative, inflammatory, and genetic conditions. Using advanced molecular techniques, human-relevant models, and patient-derived materials, we investigate how endothelial cells— the key regulators of blood vessel function—become dysfunctional. By uncovering these mechanisms, we aim to develop strategies to restore vascular health and advance preventive medicine.
Personalized Vascular Models
Using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, we have developed innovative methods to generate endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells, creating versatile models for studying vascular diseases. These iPSC-based systems allow precise gene editing, enabling deeper insights into disease mechanisms. In addition, we leverage human blood outgrowth endothelial cells, which retain a patient’s unique biochemical and phenotypic traits, to better replicate the effects of inflammatory and degenerative conditions. By using these patient-derived cells, we can reconstruct more physiologically relevant vascular tissues, enhancing the rigor of experimental studies and therapeutic discoveries.
Molecular Underpinning of Endothelial Dysfunctions
Our human-relevant vascular models enable cutting-edge experimental strategies to study blood vessel function in health and disease. Using advanced single-cell transcriptomic analysis, we uncover how endothelial cells respond to disease-related stress, identifying diverse cell states and molecular regulators that drive dysfunction. This helps us understand how these cells interact with immune cells and other key players in the vascular system. Additionally, our cellular assays provide a powerful platform for testing potential therapeutics, accelerating the development of treatments that protect and restore vascular health.
Cell-Based Diagnostics
Blood-borne cells, including circulating endothelial cells and progenitors, exhibit distinct gene expression and phenotypic changes in response to vascular injury. By studying these changes, we aim to develop cell-based biomarkers that can predict the risk of vascular complications, enhancing early diagnostics and enabling timely intervention.
Personalized Vascular Models
Using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, we have developed innovative methods to generate endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells, creating versatile models for studying vascular diseases. These iPSC-based systems allow precise gene editing, enabling deeper insights into disease mechanisms. In addition, we leverage human blood outgrowth endothelial cells, which retain a patient’s unique biochemical and phenotypic traits, to better replicate the effects of inflammatory and degenerative conditions. By using these patient-derived cells, we can reconstruct more physiologically relevant vascular tissues, enhancing the rigor of experimental studies and therapeutic discoveries.
Molecular Underpinning of Endothelial Dysfunctions
Our human-relevant vascular models enable cutting-edge experimental strategies to study blood vessel function in health and disease. Using advanced single-cell transcriptomic analysis, we uncover how endothelial cells respond to disease-related stress, identifying diverse cell states and molecular regulators that drive dysfunction. This helps us understand how these cells interact with immune cells and other key players in the vascular system. Additionally, our cellular assays provide a powerful platform for testing potential therapeutics, accelerating the development of treatments that protect and restore vascular health.
Cell-Based Diagnostics
Blood-borne cells, including circulating endothelial cells and progenitors, exhibit distinct gene expression and phenotypic changes in response to vascular injury. By studying these changes, we aim to develop cell-based biomarkers that can predict the risk of vascular complications, enhancing early diagnostics and enabling timely intervention.
- Molecular underpinning of cerebrovascular dysfunctions in vascular dementia
- Molecular underpinning of endothelial-immune crosstalk in the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Provost's Chair in Medicine (Christine Cheung)
Awards
Research Team awarded the Paul Dudley White International Scholar Award, The American Heart Association, 2023
Nanyang Research Award (Young Investigator), 2022
World Economic Forum Young Scientists, Class of 2019
Honoree Winner, Ten Outstanding Young Persons of Singapore, 2018
Nanyang Research Award (Young Investigator), 2022
World Economic Forum Young Scientists, Class of 2019
Honoree Winner, Ten Outstanding Young Persons of Singapore, 2018
Fellowships & Other Recognition
Human Frontier Science Program Young Investigator, 2019
Life Science Fellow, L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women In Science National Fellowship 2018
IMCB Independent Fellowship, 2013
Life Science Fellow, L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women In Science National Fellowship 2018
IMCB Independent Fellowship, 2013
Courses Taught
Course Lead, MD9109 Professional Skills for Researchers
Content Expert in MBBS modules
- Foundations in Medicine
- Cardiorespiratory System
Science Lead, MBBS module, Child Development and Health (2020-2023)
Content Expert in MBBS modules
- Foundations in Medicine
- Cardiorespiratory System
Science Lead, MBBS module, Child Development and Health (2020-2023)
Supervision of PhD Students
[Current Lab Members]
PhD Scholars:
Vanessa Wazny
Tay Kai Yi
Lee Khang Leng
Nguyen Le Uyen Nhi
Research Fellows:
Dr See Jia Xiang
Dr Aparna Mahadevan
Lab Manager:
Hannah Wee
PhD Scholars:
Vanessa Wazny
Tay Kai Yi
Lee Khang Leng
Nguyen Le Uyen Nhi
Research Fellows:
Dr See Jia Xiang
Dr Aparna Mahadevan
Lab Manager:
Hannah Wee