SINGAPORE — A biomedical engineering professor at the National University of Singapore (NUS) has been dismissed following allegations of sexual misconduct, but is fighting back. Professor Shawn Chen Xiaoyuan plans to appeal the decision, calling it disappointing.
Professor Faces Uphill Battle After Misconduct Ruling
The case highlights ongoing concerns about staff conduct and student safety at the university.
- Professor Shawn Chen Xiaoyuan was terminated from his position at NUS.
- The dismissal followed a disciplinary panel’s finding of misconduct based on a student’s accusation.
- Chen Lab’s website remains accessible, but the professor’s NUS profile page was taken down on December 27.
- NUS recorded nine complaints of sexual misconduct involving students in the first half of 2023.
The Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine confirmed that Professor Chen’s employment was “terminated in accordance with his employment contract” after he was found to have violated the NUS staff code of conduct. The school declined to provide further specifics regarding the case.
Q: What prompted the investigation into Professor Chen?
A: An internal investigation was launched after a student accused Professor Chen of sexual misconduct, leading to a ruling by an NUS disciplinary panel and ultimately his dismissal.
Professor Chen, who was informed of the allegations on June 27 after returning from a conference in the United States, stated that the accuser was his research assistant and a part-time student. The internal probe conducted by NUS began on June 30 and concluded on December 19, according to Chen.
As of December 27, Professor Chen’s page on the NUS Department of Biomedical Engineering website was no longer accessible. However, the website for Chen Lab, which focuses on translational nanomedicine and therapeutics, remained online as of December 30.
Professor Chen joined NUS in December 2020, holding the position of Nasrat Muzayyin Chair Professor in Medicine and Technology. He also served as the director of the Nanomedicine Translational Research Programme at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.
A report published by NUS on September 8 detailed that between January 1 and June 30, the university received nine complaints of sexual misconduct, all involving students. Three of these complaints involved allegations of sexual assault. Police reports were filed in all cases except for one incident that occurred outside of the country.
The university’s handling of such cases continues to draw scrutiny, as institutions grapple with ensuring safe and respectful environments for all members of their communities.
