Singapore Teen Publishes Cancer Research at 16

When most 16-year-olds were studying for exams, Saket Subramaniam was teaching the medical community about cancer surgery.

The Grade 11 student at North London Collegiate School in Singapore published his research in the American Journal of Student Research this February. His paper tackles a life-or-death question: how much healthy tissue should surgeons remove around liver tumors to give patients the best chance of survival?

Saket didn't just write an essay. He conducted a meta-analysis, a complex statistical review that even seasoned researchers find challenging. The work examined how surgical decisions affect outcomes for colorectal cancer patients whose disease has spread to the liver, a condition with only a 20% five-year survival rate.

His fascination with surgical oncology began during a University of Hong Kong online course in Grade 10. While many researchers gravitate toward studying the brain or heart, Saket chose the liver for its remarkable ability to regenerate and the urgent need to improve patient outcomes.

The publishing process mirrored professional academic standards. Saket worked with PhD mentor Huairen Zhang from Cambridge University through Lumiere Education, learning advanced statistical methods independently. He revised his work multiple times based on detailed feedback from journal editors before earning publication.

Why This Inspires

Saket's achievement shows what young people can contribute when given the right support and opportunity. His school fostered this ambition through a seminar program where he taught fellow students about cancer biology, building both his expertise and confidence.

He's now paying it forward. As Academic Ambassador, Saket launched the Bryant Lectures, a new student-led series named after pioneering scientist Sophie Bryant. The inaugural lecture debuts today, creating a platform for other students to share their scholarly work.

His advice to peers captures the spirit of possibility: "Take the opportunities presented to you. Be a risk-taker. You never know which small step might become the defining moment of your journey."

One teenager's curiosity about cancer surgery has already contributed to medical literature and inspired a new generation of student scholars.