Core Research Team
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Professor Andy Hau Yan HO, PhD, EdD, MFT, FT (Director) Professor Andy Ho is a health psychologist, social scientist and educator who specializes in applied gerontology, thanatology studies, palliative and bereavement care, holistic therapies, and community empowerment. He is Board Director of the prestigious International Work Group on Death Dying and Bereavement (IWGDDB) and the Association of Death Education and Counseling (ADEC), as well as Deputy Director at Palliative Care Centre for Excellence in Research and Education (PalC). A strong advocate for social justice and equality, Professor Ho has devoted his research and teaching for the promotion of civil participation, creative engagement, and responsible citizenry to create a more caring and compassionate global community. He is the first Asian Recipient of the ‘ADEC Academic Educator Award’ in 2018, conferred the NTU ‘Nanyang Education Award’ in 2019, and the ‘Distinguished Alumni Award’ from the University of Hong Kong in 2020. His social and scholarly contributions are recognized with distinction by academic, professional and government bodies around the world. Areas of Expertise: Applied Gerontology, Thanatology and Death Studies, Public Health Palliative and Bereavement Care, Formal and Informal Caregiver Support, Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Expressive Arts & Holistic Therapy, Participatory Action Research, Qualitative Psychology. |
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Dr. Geraldine TAN-HO, PsyD, MSocSc, CT (Research Fellow, Senior Counsellor) Dr Geraldine Tan-Ho is a Research Fellow, Senior Counsellor, and Clinical Teacher with rich experience in the fields of palliative care, dementia care, grief and bereavement, and non-death losses. Driving her clinical and academic endeavours is her deep belief that research and interventions must aim to transcend the traditional focus on deficit-based models that emphasize pathology, and instead strive to unlock human potential and foster the vibrant flourishing of individuals, communities, and societies. Primary Research Projects: Aspirational Rehabilitation Coaching for holistic Health (ARCH) in Psychosocial Stroke Recovery: A Pilot Pre-Post Study with First-Time Stroke Survivors and Family Caregivers Previous Research Projects:
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Asst. Professor Paul Victor PATINADAN, PhD, CT (ARCH Researcher) Dr. Paul Patinadan graduated with an Bachelor (Hons) Degree in Psychological Sciences, and has since continued his academic career studying and conducting mixed-methods research on multiple areas of human interactions including: Human-Animal interactions, animal related ethico-moral decision making; and Human-Computer Interaction; health related technologies for rehabilitation and healthy living. Under the supervision of Dr. Andy Ho, his doctoral thesis focuses on exploring the concept of dignity among terminally-ill patients and their caregivers in Singapore setting. Primary Research Projects:
Previous Research Projects:
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Dr. Stephanie Hilary Xinyi MA, PhD, MA (Research Fellow) A research psychologist with a PhD and certifications in health coaching and stress management, Dr. Stephanie Hilary Xinyi Ma is dedicated to promoting psychological well-being. Over the past decade, she has explored the intersection of participatory arts and health, focusing on the development and evaluation of innovative interventions. By employing both quantitative and qualitative research methods, she has gained valuable insights into the factors that contribute to optimal well-being. Her work reflects a deep passion for empowering individuals and improving quality of life across diverse populations. Primary Research Projects:
Supporting Research Project:
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Mr. Shaik Muhammad Amin, MSc (Doctoral Researcher) Mr. Shaik Muhammad Amin graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, and a Master’s Degree in Applied Gerontology and has contributed to the scientific research of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders with several publications in the areas of neuropsychology and neuroimaging. Apart from his fascination with the complexity of brain functions, Amin spent a good half of his academic career expanding his portfolio with community-based research. From developing diabetes health coaching models with NTU’s Ageing Research Institute for Society and Education (ARISE) to providing research support for community-based organisations with the Strategy, Research and Data Division of the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), Amin explored his growing interest for impactful research and the scientific areas he hoped to inform. Hence, his project with Dr Andy Ho represents an amalgamation of his research interests in both neuroscience and community impact. His doctoral thesis will focus on developing and testing a holistic Psych-Socio-Educational Stroke Rehabilitation Programme that will allow Singaporean first-time stroke survivors and their caregivers to cope with the psychosocial losses of stroke and experience improvements to the quality of life. Primary Research Project:
Supporting Research Project: Attitudes towards Mortality, Organ Donation and End-of-Life Care Decisions among Singaporean Young Adults |
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Mr. CHEN Yichao, MSc (Doctoral Researcher) Mr. Yichao Chen graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Health Psychology. His prior research experience has contributed to the fields of behavior intervention and health inequality. As a current PhD student in Psychology in Nanyang Technological University, Yichao is broadening his research to include psychosocial rehabilitation and the well-being of individuals with chronic conditions. Although his previous experience is limited in quantitative research, his research project with Dr. Andy Ho incorporated the participatory action research paradigm and adopted the mixed-method study design. Under the supervision of Dr. Andy Ho, his doctoral thesis will focus on developing and evaluating a peer-coaching intervention for stroke rehabilitation, which aims to support the psycho-social recovery and life adjustment of first-time stroke survivors. Primary Research Project: Peer Enriched Environment for Recovery (PEER): Development and Pilot Evaluation of a Holistic PEER Coaching Programme for Stroke Survivors Supporting Research Project: Stronger Families Through Art Therapy: A Mixed Methods Programme Evaluation Study Previous Research Project: Socio-demographic Disparity in Intervention Acceptance and CRC Screening Kit Completion |
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Ms. Melanie CHNG, BSc (Project Officer) Ms. Melanie Chng graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, and began working in the public healthcare system where she contributed towards the building of community health ecosystems. Her prior experience in healthcare planning sparked a desire to move from broad-level planning to working directly alongside the community. This inspired her recent move to health psychology research. She believes that qualitative research gives voice to individuals’ experiences, and sees it as a privilege to engage with and advocate for individuals’ needs and aspirations through such research work. She has worked with various populations through previous research experiences and volunteering opportunities, including Migrant Domestic Workers, older adults, youth and LGBTQ+ individuals, and looks forward to connecting with and learning closely from more diverse groups. Primary Research Project: Aspirational Rehabilitation Coaching for holistic Health (ARCH) in Psychosocial Stroke Recovery: A Pilot Pre-Post Study with First-Time Stroke Survivors and Family Caregivers Supporting Research Project:
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Ms. Farrah Adystyaning DEWANTI, BSc (Project Officer) Ms. Farrah Adystyaning Dewanti graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and Psychology. Towards the end of her university education, she developed a deep interest in the psychology of death and dying, driven by a desire to understand the diverse responses individuals exhibit when faced with a bereaved person. This deep curiosity led her toward applied research, where she aims to bridge empirical study with compassionate care, believing that research can actively shape the development of Compassionate Communities. It is this intersection of science and empathy that draws her to the ARCH Lab, whose commitment to enhancing care for those navigating loss resonates deeply with her. Primary Research Project: Peer Enriched Environment for Recovery (PEER): Development and Pilot Evaluation of a Holistic PEER Coaching Programme for Stroke Survivors Supporting Research Project:
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