Professor Mahesh Choolani is an obstetrician and clinician-scientist with over three decades of experience in translational maternal–fetal medicine. His work has shaped prenatal care in Singapore and the region. He led the introduction of First Trimester Screening in 2004, pioneered Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening locally in 2011, and spearheaded Asia’s first in-utero stem cell therapy for a fetus with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, milestones that exemplify the translation of scientific innovation into meaningful clinical outcomes. Beyond prenatal care, his work translated ovarian cancer biomarkers into approved diagnostics and now applies AI to antenatal risk stratification.
Professor Choolani serves as Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the National University of Singapore, Chief and Group Chief of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at National University Hospital and National University Health System, respectively. He is also Co-Director of the National University Centre for Women and Children (NUWoC). Internationally, he has held senior leadership roles across major professional bodies, including FIGO, AOFOG, ISPD, IFMSS, and MASEAN Group of Journals.
With over 300 peer-reviewed publications, 11 patents, and more than S$20 million in competitive research funding, he is ranked among the top 2% most-cited O&G researchers worldwide (2021), National Medical Excellence Award for National Outstanding Clinician Scientist Award (2023), and is a two-time Benjamin Henry Sheares Memorial Lecture awardee (2009, 2023). In recognition of his success in translating academic innovation into clinical and commercial impact, he received three Entrepreneur of the Year awards in 2022. Central to his work is a driven commitment to advancing women’s health.
