Top Singapore professor Shawn Chen fired over sexual misconduct allegations

Prominent Singapore professor Shawn Xiaoyuan Chen has been fired from the National University of Singapore after a disciplinary panel found him guilty of sexual misconduct, which he denies and plans to appeal.

Chen, a molecular imaging and nanomedicine expert with joint appointments in the medical and engineering schools, was dismissed for violating the university's staff conduct code.

The case began when a female PhD student filed a complaint on June 25, alleging inappropriate behavior over several months that made her uncomfortable, offended and mentally distressed. After an investigation and hearing, the university terminated his tenured position. The student has transferred to another lab.

Chen said the complainant posted confidential university letters on social media, severely damaging his reputation and career, and he has reported this to police.

Chen, a graduate of Nanjing University who earned his PhD from the University of Idaho in 1999, previously worked as a senior investigator at the US National Institutes of Health. He has held leadership roles in several professional societies including the Chinese American Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.