My Visiting Scholarship at NUS

✨ Grateful for the sponsorship from the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and the visionary guidance of President Yu Changyin from ourAffiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University! As a researcher specializing in rheumatology, I once hesitated between a rheumatology research program at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) in Germany and the Healthy Ageing and Longevity Research at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS). It was President Yu who highlighted the immense development potential of longevity research, leading me to resolutely embark on this interdisciplinary exploration. Looking back now, I am filled with gratitude for making the “right choice“—here, I encountered five “perfect“ surprises!

1. The Right University

An Academic Hub with Cultural Kinship Singapore shares a natural cultural connection with China. Mandarin is widely used in daily life, and dietary habits are similar, so I felt at home from the very first day. NUS truly lives up to expectations, with 22 subjects ranking among the top 10 globally in the 2025 QS World University Rankings, and its medical field enjoying an international reputation. Boasting a 350-square-meter precision geriatric clinical trial center equipped with state-of-the-art multi-omics analysis and digital monitoring equipment, Academy for Health Longevity, NUS focuses on translating ageing science from the laboratory to clinical application. This academic atmosphere of “theory + practice“ is exactly the fertile ground that researchers need for growth. In this cosmopolitan country where Eastern and Western cultures converge, one can not only gain an international academic perspective but also retain familiar cultural roots—making it an ideal study environment.

Museum of Medical School, NUS

2. The Right Supervisor

A Warm and Professional Academic Mentor My supervisor, Professor Andrea B. Maier, is undoubtedly a “treasure mentor“ on the research journey! As the Co-Director of the Centre for Healthy Longevity at NUS, she is a world-renowned expert in biogerontology with an H-index of 54 and over 330 peer-reviewed publications. Her latest research reveals the close link between oral microbiota and biological age, published in top journals. What is even more touching is her respect and inclusiveness towards students—fully aware of the concerns of non-native English speakers, she insists that the team communicate entirely in English not as pressure, but as an immersive way to help us quickly overcome language barriers. Whether in academic discussions or daily communication, she always listens patiently to everyone‘s ideas, offering encouragement and guidance even for immature viewpoints. Under her leadership, I have not only improved my English proficiency but also gained academic confidence in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere.

Prof. Andrea B. Maier in Lecturing

3. The Right Program

Cutting-Edge Exploration of Interdisciplinary Integration Longevity research is no longer a niche field—by 2050, the global population aged 60 and above will reach 2.1 billion, and environmental factors account for 77% of the impact on lifespan, far exceeding the 23% from genetic factors. NUS‘s healthy ageing program is at the forefront of the world, constructing personalized biological age assessment models by integrating multi-dimensional data such as genomics and proteomics, and conducting multiple clinical trials including SIRT6 activators and multivitamin interventions. This perfectly aligns with my background in rheumatology: inflammation is not only the core of rheumatic diseases but also a key driver of the ageing process. The precision geriatric medicine concepts I have learned here can be directly applied to the long-term health management of rheumatic patients in the future, alleviating inflammatory damage through intervening in ageing pathways and making interdisciplinary research truly actionable.

Research team of Academy for Health Longevity, Yong Luo Lin School of Medicine, NUS

4. The Right Food

Double Satisfaction for Taste Buds and Wallets NUS canteens have completely conquered my “Chinese stomach“! The authentic Chinese cuisine here includes everything from home-style stir-fries to Cantonese dim sum, with surprisingly affordable prices—a balanced meal with meat and vegetables costs only 5-7Singapore dollars. During holidays, my favorite spot is Singapore‘s “hawker centres“—not ordinary food stalls, but government-regulated food hubs gathering Chinese, Malay, and Indian flavors. Hygiene ratingsare clearly displayed, and you can enjoy authentic Hainanese chicken rice or bak kut teh for just 4-6 Singapore dollars, paired with freshly made drinks for 1.5-2.5 Singapore dollars. Every meal is a journey through Southeast Asian flavors, both economical and reassuring—no need to worry about dietary adjustments at all.

5. The Right Environment

A Fresh Pure Land Reshaping Life Singapore‘s cleanliness is truly legendary! The streets are spotlessly clean, the air is fresh, and there are strict restrictions on smoking and drinking in public areas. This healthy atmosphere has subtly transformed me. As a 20-year smoker who used to drink 1-3 times a week back home, I initially worried about adapting. Surprisingly, in such an environment, I quit these bad habits without deliberate restraint—after all, no one smokes in public, and the fresh air makes you lose the desire for cigarettes; the mild social atmosphere also makes drinking unnecessary. What‘s more, after getting rid of these habits, my mental state has improved significantly, and I truly appreciate the profound impact of environment on health—far more effective than any health education. This visiting scholarship at NUS has not only allowed me to achieve interdisciplinary breakthroughs academically but also complete self-renewal in life. From the academically supportive environment with cultural kinship, the warm and professional guidance of a mentor, to the cutting-edge and practical research program, delicious and affordable food, and a health-reshaping environment—every “perfect“ encounter has brought me immense gains.

I am accommodated here in Heritage View

View out of ICA window

If you are eager to expand your academic horizons, experience diverse cultures, or achieve breakthroughs in cutting-edge fields, don‘t hesitate to apply for CSC-sponsored visiting programs! NUS‘s academic resources and Singapore‘s livable environment are definitely worth the journey for every researcher and learner. I believe here, you too can find your own “right“ choices and embark on a rewarding adventure～

作者简介：

遵义医科大学附属医院风湿免疫科副主任医师、博士生导师

贵州省高层次引进人才、遵义市健康科普专家

新加坡国立大学访问学者

贵州省中医药学会、医学会风湿病分会常务委员

毕节市七星关区中医妇幼集团医院副院长（挂职）

深圳大学华南医院特聘副研究员

广东省省老年保健协会自血穴位注射疗法专业委员会常务委员

复旦大学医学博士、南方医科大学及暨南大学双站博士后

主持国家自然科学基金、中国博士后基金等课题9项，发表论文130余篇，SCI论文30篇,国家发明专利2项。《南方医科大学学报》、《遵义医科大学学报》、《世界中医药》、《Aging》、《医学参考报风湿免疫学专刊》特约编委、审稿专家

研究方向：炎症性衰老机制、整合医学干预老年风湿病