Registration Closes on 12 February 2022.
Event Synopsis:
Synopsis
Rapid urbanisation, globalisation and climate change have facilitated the proliferation and spread of Aedes mosquitoes, the main vector responsible for dengue. In recent decades, the worldwide incidence of dengue has risen dramatically, causing nearly 400 million annual infections worldwide. Despite a strong dengue control programme, Singapore continues to experience regular outbreaks of dengue. Environmental factors and reduced herd immunity amongst the population, coupled with the absence of effective vaccines, highlight the need for a novel and sustainable vector and dengue control.
Over the years, NEA’s vector control programme has evolved with the integration of data analytics and advance sciences. Further innovation includes the use of Wolbachia technology as a safe tool to complement the current vector control programme. Under Project Wolbachia-Singapore, NEA has carried out trial releases of male Wolbachia-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in the field since 2016, with the aim of further suppressing the urban Aedes aegypti mosquito population and reducing dengue transmissions. Thus far, the project has shown promising results, with up to 98% suppression in Aedes aegypti mosquito population and up to 88% reduction of dengue cases in existing study sites with at least a year of releases. Public surveys have revealed that the technology is welcomed by the residents.
About the Speakers:
Speaker 1 
Associate Prof Ng Lee Ching is the Group Director of Environmental Health Institute (EHI), a national environmental health facility at the National Environment Agency in Singapore. She has spent more than 20 years building scientific capabilities for Singapore’s environmental public health, conducting research to understand disease risk and transmission, and developing tools and strategies for the mitigation of risks.
She has co-authored about 190 scientific papers and book chapters, in the area of vector borne diseases, COVID-19, food borne diseases, anti-microbial resistance, indoor air quality etc.
She serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Nanyang Technological University of Singapore. She is a regular temporary advisor to the WHO and the IAEA, and serves as the Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research of Arbovirus and their Associated Vectors, in Singapore.
Speaker 2
Dr Chong Chee Seng leads the Applied Entomology Department, Vector Control and Biology Division in the Environmental Health Institute, a national environmental health facility at the National Environment Agency in Singapore. His research interest includes understanding the biology and ecology of mosquito vectors, development of surveillance methodologies, and conducting risk assessment and research to develop and evaluate safe, sustainable and effective solutions that would be relevant to Singapore’s green tropical urban environment. He has close to 20 years of entomological experience and has been focusing on mosquito control and management in the recent decade.
Speaker 3
Ms Soh Li Ting works on the stakeholder and community engagement for Project Wolbachia – Singapore, serving as Manager of the Scientific Programme Management Department. Together with the Partnerships team, she develops and implements engagement strategies that cover stakeholder education, consultation, involvement and feedback. Her research interests include understanding factors that influence awareness, attitudes, knowledge towards the use of novel control tools such as Wolbachia-Aedes technology, scientific communications and also innovative approaches to encourage citizen science.
Moderator:
Ms Serene GAN is a senior regional legal counsel, qualified in Singapore and New York, with a background in Singapore and regional corporate work as well as commercial litigation.
Ms Gan provides practical legal advice to her clients, allowing them to capture business opportunities while effectively managing transactions, operations and on-the-ground legal risks.
Ms Gan is also a member of the NUSS Intellectual Pursuit & Lifelong Learning Sub-Committee
Terms and Conditions:
1. This event would be held fully ONLINE.
2. There would not be a limit to the maximum number of participants for this event.
For enquiries, please contact Christopherlee@nuss.org.sg.
