Level 6 (Sky view room), Brenner Centre for Molecular Medicine
30 Medical Drive, Singapore
10/02/2026
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
BACKGROUND
Obesity, osteoporosis and sarcopenia present enormous global health and economic challenges, which are exacerbated in aging populations. Singapore is one of the countries with the highest prevalence of osteoporotic hip fractures in the world. A recent study in Singapore has studied complex relationships between fat mass (FM), lean mass (LM), and bone mass, with significant implications for obesity, frailty, and bone fractures later in life.
Vitamin D is essential for bone health, but also for many roles beyond the musculoskeletal system, including the immune, pulmonary, and cardiovascular systems; pregnancy; autoimmune disorders; and cancer. However, inappropriate or flawed study designs have been frequently found in clinical trials, which led to misleading interpretations.
Evidence from adequately powered epidemiological studies and RCTs in vitamin D–deficient populations shows favorable clinical outcomes, enriching the literature and improves understanding of its physiology and mechanisms. Proper study designs with rigorous methodologies and cautious interpretation of outcomes are crucial, and these principles are equally relevant to other micronutrients and nutrient/nutraceutical research, enhancing the credibility of clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses.
ILSI Southeast Asia Region, Institute for Human Development and Potential (IHDP), A*STAR, Singapore, and Human Potential Translational Research Programme (HPTRP), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore are organizing a symposium to share key insights on improving nutrient clinical trial design for disease prevention, focusing on vitamin D and related health outcomes.
SPEAKERS
Dr Mya-Thway Tint
Principal Scientist, Institute for Human Development and Potential (IHDP), A*STAR, Singapore
Dr Mya-Thway Tint, Principal Scientist, Institute for Human Development and Potential (IHDP), A*STAR, Singapore Dr Mya Thway Tint is a Principal Investigator at Institute for Human Development and Potential (IHDP), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and an adjunct assistant professor at Human Potential Translational Research Program, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Singapore.
Her expertise is in advanced body-composition assessment using criterion methods such as air displacement plethysmography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and quantitative magnetic resonance technology.
Her research adopts a life-course approach to understanding body composition, spanning early development to adult phenotypes. Her work examines how developmental factors shape offspring’s obesity and metabolic risk leveraging Singapore’s major longitudinal birth cohorts; GUSTO and S-PRESTO.
A key focus of her research is musculoskeletal health across the life course, with a particular emphasis on identifying early, silent phenotypes that predispose individuals to later musculoskeletal disorders. Her research aims to transform musculoskeletal healthcare from its current reactive model into a proactive, preventive life course approach.
Her aspiration is to prevent sarcopenia, frailty, and related comorbidities through early risk profiling, systematic screening, and tailored intervention strategies.
Prof Dr Sunil J. Wimalawansa
Professor of Medicine, Endocrinology & Nutrition; Director, Cardio-Metabolic & Endocrine Institute, New Jersey, USA
Prof Dr Sunil J. Wimalawansa, Professor of Medicine, Endocrinology & Nutrition; Director, Cardio-Metabolic & Endocrine Institute, New Jersey, USA Prof. Dr. Wimalawansa is a Professor of Medicine, Director of the CardioMetabolic & Endocrine Institute, and formerly University Professor and Chief of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Nutrition, UMDNJ/Rutgers University. His PhD from the University of London(UK) is in endocrine pathology. Dr. Wimalawansa is globally renowned in endocrinology, with broad expertise in internal medicine, endocrinology, osteoporosis and metabolic bone diseases, chronic kidney disease, nutrition, vitamin D, water and sanitation, and environmental issues. He is a clinician-scientist with more than three decades of experience, a faculty member, medical educator, author, researcher, innovator, administrator, leader, and philanthropist.
He has served on several national and international scientific review committees, including the US NIH, the US Veterans Administration, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and NASA. He is a past board member of the American Association for Endocrinology (AACE/national organization) (2011–2015) and the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD).
Dr. Wimalawansa has published over 300 peer-reviewed research articles (11,100+ citations; h-Index of 40), 45 reviews and proceedings, 15 book chapters, and 5 medical books. He holds five medical patents in cardiovascular, osteoporosis, and preeclampsia of pregnancy. He is the author of the book, “Vitamin D: Everything You Need to Know” (2012).
He has made several seminal contributions to medicine, medical research, public health, and pharmaceuticals. These include development of novel modes of treating osteoporosis, including combination therapies (1985), nitroglycerine (1987), once-a-week bisphosphonates therapy (1995), and a technique to enhance the efficacy of bisphosphonates (1997); and cost-effective therapies, such as nitric oxide donor treatment (e.g., topical nitroglycerine and oral nitrates; 1987) and vitamin E regimens for treating osteoporosis (1997).
Dr Mya-Thway Tint
Principal Scientist, Institute for Human Development and Potential (IHDP), A*STAR, Singapore
Dr Mya-Thway Tint, Principal Scientist, Institute for Human Development and Potential (IHDP), A*STAR, Singapore Dr Mya Thway Tint is a Principal Investigator at Institute for Human Development and Potential (IHDP), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and an adjunct assistant professor at Human Potential Translational Research Program, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Singapore.
Her expertise is in advanced body-composition assessment using criterion methods such as air displacement plethysmography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and quantitative magnetic resonance technology.
Her research adopts a life-course approach to understanding body composition, spanning early development to adult phenotypes. Her work examines how developmental factors shape offspring’s obesity and metabolic risk leveraging Singapore’s major longitudinal birth cohorts; GUSTO and S-PRESTO.
A key focus of her research is musculoskeletal health across the life course, with a particular emphasis on identifying early, silent phenotypes that predispose individuals to later musculoskeletal disorders. Her research aims to transform musculoskeletal healthcare from its current reactive model into a proactive, preventive life course approach.
Her aspiration is to prevent sarcopenia, frailty, and related comorbidities through early risk profiling, systematic screening, and tailored intervention strategies.
Prof Dr Sunil J. Wimalawansa
Professor of Medicine, Endocrinology & Nutrition; Director, Cardio-Metabolic & Endocrine Institute, New Jersey, USA
Prof Dr Sunil J. Wimalawansa, Professor of Medicine, Endocrinology & Nutrition; Director, Cardio-Metabolic & Endocrine Institute, New Jersey, USA Prof. Dr. Wimalawansa is a Professor of Medicine, Director of the CardioMetabolic & Endocrine Institute, and formerly University Professor and Chief of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Nutrition, UMDNJ/Rutgers University. His PhD from the University of London(UK) is in endocrine pathology. Dr. Wimalawansa is globally renowned in endocrinology, with broad expertise in internal medicine, endocrinology, osteoporosis and metabolic bone diseases, chronic kidney disease, nutrition, vitamin D, water and sanitation, and environmental issues. He is a clinician-scientist with more than three decades of experience, a faculty member, medical educator, author, researcher, innovator, administrator, leader, and philanthropist.
He has served on several national and international scientific review committees, including the US NIH, the US Veterans Administration, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and NASA. He is a past board member of the American Association for Endocrinology (AACE/national organization) (2011–2015) and the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD).
Dr. Wimalawansa has published over 300 peer-reviewed research articles (11,100+ citations; h-Index of 40), 45 reviews and proceedings, 15 book chapters, and 5 medical books. He holds five medical patents in cardiovascular, osteoporosis, and preeclampsia of pregnancy. He is the author of the book, “Vitamin D: Everything You Need to Know” (2012).
He has made several seminal contributions to medicine, medical research, public health, and pharmaceuticals. These include development of novel modes of treating osteoporosis, including combination therapies (1985), nitroglycerine (1987), once-a-week bisphosphonates therapy (1995), and a technique to enhance the efficacy of bisphosphonates (1997); and cost-effective therapies, such as nitric oxide donor treatment (e.g., topical nitroglycerine and oral nitrates; 1987) and vitamin E regimens for treating osteoporosis (1997).
REGISTRATION
This symposium offers complimentary registration. Due to limited seating, early registration is highly encouraged. Register now by clicking the button below:
ORGANIZERS
CONTACT
If you have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact the following:
Dr Vicky Tay
Institute for Human Development and Potential (IHDP), A*STAR, Singapore
Email Address: Vicky_tay@a-star.edu.sg