Asst. Prof Glen Liau: Orthopaedic Surgeon at NUHS, Singapore
Dr. Liau Zi Qiang Glen is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon specializing in Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement Surgery at the National University Hospital (NUH) and Alexandra Hospital in Singapore. With a commitment to advancing medical science, he is currently pursuing a fellowship in Orthopaedic Surgery at the renowned Stanford University School of Medicine. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Liau is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), where he teaches and mentors the next generation of healthcare professionals. He also holds the role of Deputy Chief Medical Informatics Officer at NUH, where he spearheads initiatives to integrate technology and informatics into patient care. His areas of expertise include robotic knee replacement, minimally invasive surgery, and the application of healthcare informatics to improve surgical precision and patient outcomes.
Online Profiles
Since 2020, Dr. Liau’s research has garnered significant attention, with a total of 186 citations across his publications. His work continues to influence the field of orthopaedics, as evidenced by his h-index of 8 and i10-index of 7, which reflect both the volume and impact of his contributions to scientific knowledge. These metrics demonstrate his ongoing commitment to advancing the field and providing valuable insights into surgical techniques, patient outcomes, and medical informatics.
Education
Dr. Liau’s educational background reflects a blend of medical excellence and strategic thinking. He graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from the National University of Singapore (NUS), where he developed a keen interest in orthopaedics. He further advanced his expertise with a Master of Medicine in Orthopaedic Surgery from NUS, earning recognition for his contributions to both clinical practice and academic research. Beyond his medical degree, Dr. Liau pursued an MBA at NUS, which helped him hone his leadership and management skills within the healthcare sector. His qualifications are further bolstered by his Fellowship with the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (FRCSEd), and he continues to pursue further certifications in robotic surgery and medical informatics to stay at the forefront of his field.
Research Focus
Dr. Liau’s research focuses on improving the precision, safety, and outcomes of orthopaedic surgery, particularly through the integration of robotic technology and advanced imaging. His research interest spans a wide array of topics, including the biomechanics of joint replacements, surgical robotics, and healthcare data analytics. He has been at the forefront of studies investigating robotic-assisted total knee replacement surgery, evaluating how such technologies can reduce complications, shorten recovery times, and enhance overall surgical outcomes. In addition, Dr. Liau’s research looks into how predictive modeling and machine learning can be applied in pre-operative planning to customize treatments for patients based on their individual needs, such as predicting the likelihood of surgical success or recovery speed.
Experience
Dr. Liau’s extensive clinical experience includes treating patients with complex joint issues, such as osteoarthritis, fractures, and degenerative diseases. As a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, he has performed hundreds of joint replacement surgeries, including both traditional and robotic-assisted procedures. At the National University Hospital, Dr. Liau also serves as the Deputy Chief Medical Informatics Officer, where he plays a crucial role in developing and implementing digital solutions for improving patient care. His clinical expertise is further complemented by his academic responsibilities, where he leads research initiatives and provides guidance to medical students, residents, and fellow surgeons. He is also actively involved in clinical trials focused on testing new treatments and technologies in orthopaedics, collaborating with both local and international research teams.
Research Timeline
Dr. Liau’s research timeline includes several key milestones, such as his role as Principal Investigator in a groundbreaking study exploring the use of artificial intelligence in predicting post-operative outcomes for patients undergoing knee replacement surgery. He has also contributed to the development of a decision support system (PRECEDE-KOA) that helps guide clinicians in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, based on patient-specific data. Over the past few years, Dr. Liau has expanded his research into the use of 3D printing and patient-specific instrumentation in joint replacement surgery. His studies on robotic surgery have been published in top-tier journals, and he continues to build upon this work with ongoing investigations into the efficacy of real-time surgical navigation systems. His research projects have been consistently funded by both national and international agencies, underscoring his influence in the field of orthopaedic surgery.
Awards & Honors
Dr. Liau’s exceptional contributions to the medical field have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards. He was the recipient of the P. Balasubramaniam Young Orthopaedic Investigator’s Award at the Singapore Orthopaedic Association Conference, an honor given to outstanding young surgeons in the field. His innovation in robotic knee replacements earned him the Silver Medal at the Singapore Orthopaedic Association Awards. He has also been recognized with the Gold Singapore Health Quality Service Award for excellence in clinical care. In addition, Dr. Liau was awarded a National Research Foundation (NRF) Fellowship for his work in orthopaedic surgery and healthcare informatics. His work has also been featured in numerous international conferences, earning accolades for advancing surgical techniques and improving patient outcomes through the use of technology.
Recent Publications
Dr. Liau’s recent publications reflect his cutting-edge research in orthopaedics and healthcare technology. His study on the use of AI to predict post-operative outcomes in total knee replacement surgeries was published in The Journal of Arthroplasty, where he served as the lead author. He has also co-authored a paper in Knee Surgery & Related Research, which explored a novel technique for enhancing the accuracy of pre-operative planning in robotic-assisted surgeries. In Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, Dr. Liau published a study on the effectiveness of a hybrid approach combining robotic-assisted surgery and traditional methods in ACL reconstruction. Additionally, his research on the use of machine learning to optimize surgical workflow was featured in JMIR Formative Research. These publications highlight his commitment to improving surgical outcomes and patient care through the integration of technology in clinical practice.
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Outcomes of an Advanced Epic Personalization Course on Clinician Efficiency through Use of Electronic Medical Records: Retrospective Study
JG Chen, HX Lai, SM Wong, TLT Pan, EL Lim, ZQG Liau
Journal: JMIR Formative Research (2025) | 9, e68491 -
Outcomes of ACL Reconstruction with Concomitant Meniscal Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study
ZQG Liau, K Thirukumaran, KZG Yeo, YR Mok, YHD Lee
Journal: Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine (2025) | 13 (6), 23259671251327600 -
Surgical Fixation of Hip Fractures–A Novel Technique for Pre-Operative Planning
ZQG Liau, K Thirukumaran, SI Sim, ASR Pang
Journal: Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research (2025) | 20 (1), 391 -
Predictive Factors of Short Inpatient Stay Following Total Knee Replacement
ZQG Liau, JZK Toh, L Sathappan, YH Ng
Journal: Musculoskeletal Care (2024) | 22 (4), e70022 -
Systemic Diclofenac Sodium Reduces Postoperative rhBMP-2 Induced Neuroinflammation: A Rodent Model Study
GLZ Qiang, SL Jiani, WMR Lam, J Weng, LHK Hua, L Kok, SF Husain, …
Journal: Spine (2023) | 48 (18), 1326-1334
Strength for the AI Innovation Award
Here’s a concise and organized breakdown of 5 key topics that reflect Dr. Liau’s achievements and contributions, ideal for an AI Innovation Award nomination:
1. AI in Predictive Modeling for Post-Operative Outcomes
Dr. Liau has made significant strides in the integration of AI into orthopaedic surgery, particularly through his artificial intelligence models aimed at predicting post-operative outcomes. His lead authorship on a study published in The Journal of Arthroplasty demonstrated how AI can enhance clinical decision-making and improve patient care by predicting recovery patterns for total knee replacement surgeries. This work not only showcases the promise of AI but also its practical application in personalized medicine.
2. Development of AI-Enhanced Decision Support Systems
Dr. Liau has co-developed PRECEDE-KOA, a decision support system powered by AI, to guide clinicians in treating knee osteoarthritis. This innovative tool leverages machine learning to analyze patient-specific data, such as medical history, imaging, and biomechanics, to suggest optimal treatment pathways. By integrating AI into clinical workflows, the system aims to reduce human error and improve treatment efficacy, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.
3. Robotic-Assisted Surgery and AI Integration
Dr. Liau’s research into robotic-assisted surgeries, particularly robotic knee replacement, has significantly advanced with the application of AI-driven technologies. His work in blending robotic techniques with AI-enhanced surgical navigation systems helps improve surgical precision, reduce complications, and shorten recovery times. His published work on combining AI with robotic systems in joint surgeries has received attention for its potential to revolutionize orthopaedic practices.
4. Machine Learning for Surgical Workflow Optimization
In his efforts to improve surgical efficiency, Dr. Liau has conducted studies that explore the integration of machine learning algorithms to optimize surgical workflows. By analyzing data from surgeries, including patient profiles and real-time surgical metrics, his research in JMIR Formative Research demonstrated how AI can streamline operations, reduce delays, and enhance surgical outcomes through predictive analytics and automated task management.
5. AI for Personalized Pre-Operative Planning
Dr. Liau’s work in personalized pre-operative planning leverages AI to create individualized treatment plans for patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery. His research on using 3D printing and AI for patient-specific instrumentation is groundbreaking, allowing for better alignment, reduced implant failure rates, and faster recoveries. This work reflects a clear vision for the future of orthopaedic surgery, where AI and technology work hand-in-hand to deliver tailored, precise, and effective treatments.