A professor of biomedical engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS) has been terminated following allegations of sexual misconduct. Professor Shawn Chen Xiaoyuan has denied the allegations and intends to appeal the decision.
Details of the Case
According to a spokesperson for the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Professor Chen was found to have violated NUS staff conduct rules. The university terminated his employment in accordance with his contract. The disciplinary action followed a complaint made by a student who was also Professor Chen’s research assistant and a part-time student.
An internal investigation by NUS began on June 30 and concluded on December 19. Professor Chen stated he learned of the allegations on June 27, after returning from a conference in the United States. He also said he was not involved with posts defending him that appeared on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, and has not issued a formal response to the allegations himself.
Current Status
As of December 27, Professor Chen’s page was no longer accessible on the NUS Department of Biomedical Engineering website. 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 and held the position of Nasrat Muzayyin Chair Professor in Medicine and Technology, as well as director of the Nanomedicine Translational Research Programme.
NUS’s half-yearly report on sexual misconduct, published on September 8, detailed the nine complaints received, including three cases classified as sexual assault. Police reports were filed in all cases except one, which occurred outside of the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
What action has NUS taken in response to the allegations?
NUS terminated Professor Shawn Chen Xiaoyuan’s employment after a disciplinary panel found him to have violated the university’s code of conduct for staff.
What is Professor Chen’s response to the allegations?
Professor Chen has denied the allegations of sexual misconduct and stated he plans to appeal the university’s decision.
How many complaints of sexual misconduct has NUS received recently?
Between January 1 and June 30, NUS recorded nine complaints of sexual misconduct, all involving students. Three of these cases were classified as sexual assault.
As Professor Chen prepares to appeal the decision, what role will transparency and due process play in shaping the outcome of this case and potentially influencing future policies regarding misconduct within the university?
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