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With Verena Tan

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Associate Professor

Verena Tan

Programme Leader, Bachelor of Science with Honours in Dietetics and Nutrition
Member, Cluster Applied Research Committee, Health and Social Sciences Cluster
Associate Professor
Ph.D. in Human Nutrition, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS, Singapore
Cluster:
Health and Social Sciences
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SIT Appointments

  • Associate Professor
    – Present
  • Programme Leader, Bachelor of Science with Honours in Dietetics and Nutrition
    – Present
  • Member, Cluster Applied Research Committee, Health and Social Sciences Cluster
    Present
  • Assistant Professor
    –

Education

  • Ph.D. in Human Nutrition
    Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS , Singapore
  • Masters of Nutrition and Dietetics
    University of Sydney , Australia
  • BSc (First Class Honours) Nutrition
    King's College London , United Kingdom

Achievements

  • SIT Fellowship (Research) Award
  • SIT Teaching Excellence Award (AY2022)
  • Public Service Commission scholarship (Overseas Specialist Award)
  • A*STAR Scientific Staff Development Award (PhD)
  • Ministry of Health Postgraduate Scholarship (Masters)

Professional Certification

  • Accredited Practising Dietitian
    Dietitians Association of Australia
  • Accredited Dietitian of Singapore
    Singapore Nutrition and Dietetics Association

Professional Memberships

  • International member of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
    – Present
  • Singapore Nutrition and Dietetics Association
    – Present
  • Dietitian Association of Australia
    – Present

Corporate Experience

  • FrieslandCampina Development Centre AMEA
  • Abbott Nutrition R&D Asia-Pacific Center
  • Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, A*STAR
  • Temasek Polytechnic
  • Tan Tock Seng Hospital
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Research Interests

  • Diet-intervention studies
  • Protein and amino acids in muscle health
  • Geriatric nutrition
  • Cancer nutrition
  • Cardiovascular nutrition
  • Novel food solutions for the Asian population

Current Projects

  • Development of Nutrient-Dense Ready-to-Eat Texture-Modified Local Snacks for Dysphagia (ICD grant) (Co-I)
    – Present
  • Softer Meals that Impact the Life of the Elderly (SMILE) (NMRC - HLCA) (PI)
    – Present
  • Delicious, Integrative, Good NutrItion and Fulfillment in Elderly Diet (DIGNIFIED) Programme (A*STAR FMC MTC IAF-PP) (Lead PI)
    – Present
  • Development of a novel Asian Mediterranean Diet and its acceptability in non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD): a pre-intervention study (MOE AcRF Tier 1) (PI)
    – Present

Past Projects

  • Healthy snack for aging population with balanced nutrition and superior taste (Prima Group) (Collaborator)
    –
  • Additive Manufacturing Enabled Shaping of Pureed Asian Foods (NAMIC POC funding) (Co-I)
    –
  • Effect of Probiotics on Amino Acid Absorption (SIT Ignition Grant) (PI)
    –
  • SCREEN II: Upstream identification of nutritional risks and its determinants amongst older adults in primary care in Singapore (NUHS Seed Grant) (Collaborator)
    –
  • Towards Better Nutrition in Cancer Patients: a pilot study (Ignition Grant) (PI)
    –
  • Development of Asian plant-based protein beverage with optimized amino acid profile (Seed Grant) (PI)
    –
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Journal Papers

  • Suryawan, A., Jalaludin, M., Poh, B., Sanusi, R., Tan, V.M.H., Geurts, J., & Muhardi, L. Malnutrition in early life and its neurodevelopmental and cognitive consequences: A scoping review. Nutrition Research Reviews, 2021, 1-41. doi:10.1017/S0954422421000159

  • V.M.H. Tan, B.W.J. Pang, L.K. Lau, K.A. Jabbar, W.T. Seah, K.K. Chen, T.P. Ng,3, S.-L. Wee. Malnutrition and sarcopenia in community-dwelling adults in Singapore: Yishun Health Study. J Nutr Health Aging 2021, 25: 374-381

  • S. Atkinson, F.; A. Heruc, G.; M. H. Tan, V.; Petocz, P.; C. Brand-Miller, J. Extending the Overnight Fast: Sex Differences in Acute Metabolic Responses to Breakfast. Nutrients 2020, 12, 2173.

  • A. Ghosh, Kishore, B., I. Shaikh, V. Satyavrat, A. Kumar, T. Shah, P. Pote, S. Shinde, Y. Berde, Y.L. Low, V.M.H. Tan, D. Huynh. Continuation of oral nutritional supplementation supports continued growth in nutritionally at-risk children with picky eating behaviour: A post-intervention, observational follow-up study. Journal of Internal Medical Research Jul 2018; 46(7): 2615-2632

  • A. Ghosh, I. Shaikh, V. Satyavrat, P. Pote, S. Shinde, Y. Berde, Y.L. Low, V.M.H. Tan, D. Huynh. Effect of oral nutritional supplementation on growth and recurrent upper respiratory tract infections in picky eating children at nutritional risk: a randomized, controlled trial. Journal of Internal Medical Research Jun 2018; 46(6): 2186-2201.

  • D.S.Q. Ooi, V.M.H. Tan (co-first), S.G. Ong, C.K. Heng, Y.H. Chan, Y.S. Lee. Differences in AMY1 gene copy numbers derived from blood, buccal cells and saliva using quantitative and droplet digital PCR methods: flagging the pitfall. PLoS One Jan 2017; 12(1): e0170767

  • V.M.H. Tan, S.Q. Ooi, J. Kapur, T. Wu, Y.H. Chan, J. Henry, Y.S. Lee. The role of digestive factors in determining glycemic response in a multi-ethnic Asian population. European Journal of Nutrition Jul 2016; 55 (4): 1573-81.

  • V.M.H. Tan, T. Wu, C.J. Henry, Y.S. Lee. Glycaemic and insulin responses, glycaemic index and insulinaemic index values of rice between three Asian ethnic groups. British Journal of Nutrition Apr 2015; 113 (8): 1228-36.

  • V.M.H. Tan, Y.S. Lee, K. Venkataraman, E.Y.H. Khoo, E.S. Tai, M.K.S. Leow, C.M. Khoo. Ethnic differences in insulin sensitivity, post-meal glycemic and insulin responses: The Singapore Adults Metabolism Study. Nutrition and Diabetes Jul 2015; 5 (7): e173.

  • Y. Lee, M.F.F. Chong (co-first), J.C.J. Liu, C. Libedinsky, J.J. Gooley, S. Chen, T. Wu, V. Tan, M. Zhou, M.J. Meaney, Y.S. Lee, and M.W.L. Chee. Dietary disinhibition modulates neural valuation of food in fed and fasted states. American Journal Clinical Nutrition May 2013; 97 (5): 919-925

  • J.Y. Toh, V.M.H. Tan, P.C.Y. Lim, S.T. Lim and M.F.F. Chong.  Flavonoids from Fruit and Vegetables: A Focus on Cardiovascular Risk Factors. Current Atherosclerosis Reports 2013; 15 (12): 368

Conferences

  • I. Khouw, B.K. Poh, R. Sekartini, N. Rojroongwasinkul, T.N. Tran, J.E. Wong, D.N. Chandra, T. Pongcharoen, K.V Tran, P. Deurenberg, V.M.H. Tan, P. Parikh. South East Asian Nutrition Surveys II: Examining Nutritional Status, Growth, and Physical Activity of Children in Southeast Asia (2019). (Poster presentation at the Asian Congress of Nutrition 2019, Bali, Indonesia, August 4-7, 2019).

  • Singapore Prevention and Cardiac Rehabilitation Symposium 2019

    • Invited faculty speaker (Nutrigenomics in Cardiac Rehabilitation)
    • Three-way debate presenter (Food, Fitness or Pharmacology, Which is better for Weight Loss and Heart Health?)

  • V.M.H. Tan, A. Ghosh, B. Kishore, I. Shaikh, V. Satyavrat, Y. Berde, Y.L. Low, D. Huynh (2015). Continuation of Oral Nutritional Supplementation Impacts Growth and Energy Intake in Nutritionally At-Risk Children with Picky Eating Behavior. (Oral presentation at the Abbott Nutrition Asia R&D forum Annual Meeting, Singapore, 16 Nov 2015)

  • V.M.H. Tan, T. Wu, C.J. Henry, Y.S. Lee (2015). Glycemic index of rice do not differ between Asian ethnic groups. (Oral presentation at the 9th Asian Pacific Congress of Clinical Nutrition, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 26-29 Jan 2015)

     

  • V.M.H. Tan, K. Venkataraman, E.S. Tai, Y.S. Lee, M.K.S. Leow, C.M. Khoo. (2013) Glycemic responses following a mixed-meal tolerance test among Chinese, Malay and Asian-Indians in Singapore. (Poster presentation at the 20th International Congress of Nutrition, Granada, Spain, 15-20 Sept 2013)

  • Y. Lee, C. Libedinsky, J.C.J. Liu, M. Zhou, V. Tan, M.F.F. Chong, M. Meaney, Y.S. Lee, M.W.L. Chee. (2012). Neural valuation of food under fed and fasted conditions. (Poster presentation at the Organization of Human Brain Mapping, 10th June 2012)

  • V. Tan, F.Y. Ong, Y.L. Tan, K. Venkataraman, K. Bhaskaran, J.I. Mann, K.O. Lee, E.S. Tai, Y.S. Lee, E.Y.H. Khoo. (2012). Ethnic differences in dietary glycemic measures of individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Singapore. (Oral presentation at the International Congress of Dietetics 2012, Sydney, Australia, 5-8 Sept 2012)

  • V. Tan, M.F.F. Chong, R. Choo, K. Bhaskaran, J.I. Mann, K.O. Lee, E.S. Tai, E.Y.H. Khoo, Y.S. Lee. (2011). Determining the dietary glycaemic index of Chinese adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus in Singapore. Annals of the Academy of Singapore Nov 2011; 40 (Supplement) no.11: S53

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Teaching Modules

Dietetics and Nutrition, BSc (Hons)

  • DTN2001 - Nutrition Assessment
  • DTN2002 - Nutrition, Health and Disease
  • HSC1006 - Health Systems - Singapore's Perspectives
  • HSC2007 - Health Promotion and Population Health

Diagnostic Radiography, BSc

  • HSC1006 - Health Systems - Singapore's Perspectives

Nursing, BSc (Hons)

  • HSC1006 - Health Systems - Singapore's Perspectives

Occupational Therapy, BSc

  • HSC1006 - Health Systems - Singapore's Perspectives

Physiotherapy, BSc (Hons)

  • HSC1006 - Health Systems - Singapore's Perspectives
  • HSC2007 - Health Promotion and Population Health

Radiation Therapy, BSc (Hons)

  • HSC1006 - Health Systems - Singapore's Perspectives

Speech and Language Therapy, BSc (Hons)

  • HSC1006 - Health Systems - Singapore's Perspectives
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