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Assistant Professor

Xiang Ren Tan

Teaching & Learning (T&L) Lead, Health & Social Sciences Cluster
PhD (NGS), National University of Singapore, Singapore
Cluster:
Health and Social Sciences
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Biography

Dr Xiang Ren Tan is an Assistant Professor at Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) under the Health and Social Sciences Cluster. He is also an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at National University of Singapore (NUS), involved in applied physiology research under the Human Potential Translational Research Programme. He obtained his PhD in Exercise Physiology from NUS in 2018 where he spearheaded the first human exercise trials with magnetic resonance imaging, in collaboration with the Clinical Imaging Research Centre. His doctoral research was focused on evaluating the effects of exertional dehydration and hyperthermia on brain and muscle physiology. His early research works were recognised with awards including Hernandez Memorial Scholarship, GSSI Young Scholar Travel Grant and ACSM Student Foundation Award. His current research interests include applied exercise physiology, thermal physiology, and neuroscience with a keen focus to enhance human performance and brain health in both healthy and clinical populations. 

SIT Appointments

  • Teaching & Learning (T&L) Lead, Health & Social Sciences Cluster
    – Present
  • – Present

Education

  • PhD (NGS)
    National University of Singapore , Singapore
  • B.Sc (Hons) in Life Sciences (Biomedical Science) with First Class Honours
    National University of Singapore , Singapore

Achievements

  • Teaching Excellence Award 2024 (AY2022)
  • HSS Cluster Teaching Award 2023
  • GSSI Young Scholar Travel Grant (ACSM)
    –
  • ACSM Hernandez Memorial Scholarship
    –
  • ACSM Student Foundation Award

Professional Memberships

  • American College of Sports Medicine
    – Present
  • Asian College of Exercise & Sport Science
    Present
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Research Interests

  • Exercise Physiology
  • Brain Health
  • Thermal Physiology
  • Neuroimaging and Neuromodulation
  • Dehydration and Hyperthermia
  • Human and Animal Physiology
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Journal Papers

  • [2024] Tan XR, Wilson IM, Tay PKC, Win PPS,Song CF, Wee SL. Mapping of Technological Strategies for Reducing Social Isolation in Homebound Older Adults: A Scoping Review. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2024 May 8. Epub ahead of print. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2024.105478

  • [2024] Tan XR, Goff AJ, Ng CLW. Virtual assessment in Physiotherapy: Examining perceptions, constructs, and tool characteristics. Asia Pac Sch. 2024, 9(2), 70-80.  https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/taps/issues/virtual-assessment-in-physiotherapy-examining-perceptions-constructs-and-tool-characteristics/

  • [2024] Tan XR, Low ICC, Soong TW, Lee JKW. Pre-exercise hot water immersion increased circulatory heat shock proteins but did not alter muscle damage markers or endurance capacity after eccentric exercise. Temperature. 2024, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/23328940.2024.2313954

  • [2024] Tan XR, Stephenson MC, Alhadad SB, Loh KWZ, Soong TW, Lee JKW, Low ICC. Elevated brain temperature under severe heat exposure impairs cortical motor activity and executive function.  J Sport Health Sci. 2024 Mar;13(2):233-244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2023.09.001 

  • [2023] Wee J, Tan XR, Gunther SH, Ihsan M, Leow MKS, Tan DS, Eriksson JG, Lee JKW. Effects of medications on heat loss capacity in chronic disease patients: health implications amidst global warming. Pharmacol Rev. 2023 Jun 16:PHARMREV-AR-2022-000782. https://doi.org/10.1124/pharmrev.122.000782 Epub ahead of print.

  • [2022] Ng TKS, Tan XR, Todd M, Chen AC, Feng L, Lu Y, Yu F, Kua EH, Mahendran R. Effects of Mindful Awareness Practice (MAP) on Subclinical Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms and General Cognitive Function in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A 5-Year Follow-Up of the MAP-Randomized Controlled Trial. J Alzheimers Dis. 2022 Oct 26. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-220641

  • [2021] Tan XR, Low ICC, Byrne C, Wang R, Lee JKW. Assessment of dehydration using body mass changes of elite marathoners in the tropics. J Sci Med Sport. 2021 Aug;24(8):806-810. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2021.01.008 

  • [2019] Tan XR, Low ICC, Stephenson MC, Kok T, Nolte HW, Soong TW, Lee JKW. Altered brain structure with preserved cortical motor activity after exertional hypohydration: a MRI study. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2019 Jul 1;127(1):157-167. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00081.2019 

  • [2017] Tan XR, Low ICC, Stephenson MC, Soong TW, Lee JKW. Neural basis of exertional fatigue in the heat: A review of magnetic resonance imaging methods. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2017;00:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13015

  • [2015] Hiong KC, Tan XR, Boo MV, Wong WP, Chew SF, Ip YK; Aestivation induces changes in transcription and translation of coagulation factor II and fibrinogen gamma chain in the liver of the African lungfish Protopterus annectens, J Exp Biol. 2015 Dec;218(Pt 23):3717-28. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.125260

Conferences

  • Tan XR, Low ICC, Soong TW, Lee JKW. Effect of Hot Water Immersion on Heat Shock Protein Expression and Endurance Capacity After Eccentric Exercise, International Conference on Environmental Ergonomics 2022

  • Tan XR, Ho EQY, Kua EH, Mahendran R, Ng TKS. Biopsychosocial effects of mindfulness intervention on older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A review. Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2020

  • Tan XR, Ng CLW. Perceptions of Allied Health Students and Standardised Patients towards Virtual Exercise Teleconsultation Assessment (VETA) during COVID-19. Applied Learning Conference 2022

  • Tan XR, Low ICC, Lee JKW. Body Mass Changes of Local and International Elite Marathon Runners in the Tropics. Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science 2018.

  • Low ICC, Tan XR, Stephenson MC, Soong TW, Lee JKW. Functional Changes in Motor Cortical Brain Regions following Passive and Exertional Heat Stress: 1596 Board #271 June 1 900 AM - 1030 AM. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 2017; 49 (5S):452.

  • Low ICC, Tan XR, Stephenson MC, Soong TW, Lee JKW. Differential Regulation of Body and Brain Temperature During Hyperthermia in Humans. 17th International Conference on Environmental Ergonomics 2017.

  • Tan XR, Low ICC, Stephenson MC, Kok T, Nolte HW, Soong TW, Lee JKW. Effects Of Exercise-induced Hypohydration On Brain Structure And Function, A MRI Study: 2879 Board #4 June 2 100 PM - 300 PM. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 2017;49 (5S):824

  • Tan XR, Low ICC, Stephenson MC, Kok T, Soong TW, Lee JKW. Effects of Exercise-induced Hypohydration on Brain Structure and Function in Endurance-trained Athletes using MRI. Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science 2016

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Teaching Modules

Diagnostic Radiography, BSc (Hons)

  • HSC1001 - Anatomy and Physiology 1
  • HSC1002 - Anatomy and Physiology 2

Occupational Therapy, BSc (Hons)

  • HSC1001 - Anatomy and Physiology 1
  • HSC1002 - Anatomy and Physiology 2

Physiotherapy, BSc (Hons)

  • HSC1001 - Anatomy and Physiology 1
  • HSC1002 - Anatomy and Physiology 2
  • PTY2002 - Exercise Physiology
  • PTY2005 - Neurobiology
  • PTY2003 - Health Promotion and Population Health

Radiation Therapy, BSc (Hons)

  • HSC1001 - Anatomy and Physiology 1
  • HSC1002 - Anatomy and Physiology 2

Dietetics and Nutrition, BSc (Hons)

  • DTN4002 - Exercise and Sports Nutrition
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