Early diagnosis for disease prevention
June 25, 2020
Dr WENG Ruifen
Principal Manager (Diagnostics Development Hub)
Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
B.Sc. (Hons) in Life Sciences (2007); Ph.D. in Biological Sciences (2013)
Dr Weng develops diagnostics solutions and products for clinical adoption.
As the COVID-19 pandemic grows, the spotlight is increasingly falling on testing as a way to contain the spread. Dr Weng joins scientists who are racing to develop faster diagnostic and screening tests.
Her research work ranges from molecular diagnostics to immunoassays to cyto- and histo-pathology based diagnostics. She currently leads the productisation of A*STAR’s Fortitude Kit 2.0, an in vitro diagnostics assay for the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the pathogen causing the COVID-19 outbreak.
She says, “I chose a career in diagnostics as I believe the key to medicine is early diagnosis and disease prevention.”
She adds, “Our team worked tirelessly around the clock to fast track the development and production of the Fortitude Kit 2.0, but it was well-worth the effort contributing to the COVID-19 fight!”
