A renowned authority in the fields of molecular pharmacology and cancer biology, Patrick Casey has made many contributions to Duke over nearly three decades here. But some of his greatest contributions have taken place half a world away from Durham, at Duke’s campus in Singapore, where he has helped build a novel program that is changing the face of global medical education and research.
After completing his postdoctoral fellowship, Casey joined Duke University Medical Center—stateside—in 1990. He established and served as inaugural director of the Center for Chemical Biology, which he forged into a major organization of Duke scientists dedicated to studying the fundamental basis of disease. He also helped create and direct the University Program in Molecular Cancer Biology, a graduate and postdoctoral training program for future leaders in the field.
A prolific and highly influential researcher, Casey is widely recognized for his seminal contributions to the field of regulatory biology. Awards and honors abound, including most recently his election as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He has received more than 25 years of continuous funding from major agencies in the U.S. and Singapore, served on numerous editorial boards, and holds nine patents for technologies launched in his laboratory.
In 2005, while at the peak of his research productivity, Casey was asked to spearhead the creation of Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School (Duke-NUS). As “employee number one” at Duke-NUS, the vice-dean of research relocated overseas and immediately distinguished himself as an exceptional medical scholar, researcher, educator, and academic leader. He developed signature research programs in cancer and stem cell biology, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, neuroscience and behavioral disorders, emerging infectious diseases, and health systems research; recruited and mentored top-flight investigators and scholars; launched a unique PhD program in integrated biology and medicine; and fostered a collaborative and nurturing environment for science to thrive. He played a key role in establishing SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, an incubator for translational medical discoveries, and helped establish Duke-NUS as a global leader in medical research and education in a relatively short span of time. As a conduit between the two Duke campuses, he facilitated many valuable partnerships in research and education.
In addition to his contributions to research and administration, Casey has mentored legions of medical and PhD students and post-doctoral fellows on both continents. Many of his former trainees are now leaders themselves in academia and in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
Education: Augustana College; Brandeis University
Training: Brandeis University; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Current Titles: James B. Duke Professor of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology; senior vice-dean of research, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School