Our Team

Melissa Lim

Melissa Lim is the Founder and President of the Brain Tumour Society (Singapore) [BTSS]. In 2019, at the International Brain Tumour Alliance Summit (IBTA) in Maryland, Melissa gathered a group of representatives of patient tumour organisations in Asia Pacific to form an informal network. The group named ‘Asia Pacific Brain Tumour Alliance’ started meeting regularly online to share knowledge and offer support to build capability and advocacy in member organisations. At the Nov 2025 IBTA Summit in Rome, Melissa was named as the first Chairperson of APBTA for a 2 years’ team. For her term, Melissa aims to raise the visibility of APBTA to appeal for support and funds to strengthen leadership and capability building in APAC countries for the brain tumour cause, especially in countries that do not have patient-led organisations. In addition, through the establishment of the APBTA Secretariat, she hopes to lay the foundation for regional projects that will open access to treatment and clinical trials in APAC. She also hopes to connect regional clinicians and researchers to collaborate in mapping out data strategies for APAC which will be useful for brain tumour registries and regional healthcare strategies. Melissa’s mission to support brain tumour patients and caregivers was born out of deeply personal experiences — first, as a caregiver to her late mother who had terminal brain cancer, and later as a brain tumour survivor herself. These encounters inspired Melissa to turn adversity into purpose by providing hope, encouragement, and community to others walking a similar journey. In Singapore, under her visionary and inspiring leadership since 2014, BTSS has grown into a vibrant support network serving over 300 families, offering befriending and peer support groups, community bonding events, as well as financial and practical assistance. Beyond her work with BTSS, Melissa actively contributes to local patient initiatives in partnership with various Singapore public healthcare institutions and agencies. She has been honoured as the Winner of People of Good (Open), President’s Volunteerism & Philanthropy Awards 2025. This is the highest recognition for volunteerism in Singapore. Other recognition conferred to Melissa for her work include the Singapore Health Inspirational Patient Award (2015), while BTSS received the Singapore Health Inspirational Patient Group Award (2020). As a patient leader and advocate, she has often been invited to share her lived-in expertise and insights as a speaker and panellist in local and international medical conferences and healthcare events. Professionally, Melissa is a facilitator and senior consultant supporting global organisations and government agencies in the assessment and development of talent for leadership and succession planning.

Reuben Li

Reuben is a patient advocate and father of three based in Japan. Following his eldest child’s diagnosis with a brain tumor (ependymoma) at age seven in 2020, he became passionate about supporting families navigating similar paths. A Singaporean who has lived in Japan for over a decade years, he would like to bring his unique perspective to the community. Professionally, he specializes in data science within the pharmaceutical sector. While Reuben is employed in the pharmaceutical industry, he serves this association in a purely personal volunteer capacity. The views expressed here are his own and do not reflect those of his employer.

Sharmishta Sivaramakrishnan

Sharmishta is an international affairs and corporate strategy professional based in Singapore. Through her work in global health and international development, she has seen firsthand how access to quality care, information, and support can profoundly shape the experiences of patients and families navigating serious illnesses. She is passionate about supporting efforts to improve awareness, advocacy, and outcomes for people affected by brain tumors across the Asia-Pacific region and hopes to bring a cross-sector and international perspective to the community. Professionally, she has worked across the public, private, and multilateral sectors, including the Government of Singapore, the United Nations (UNAIDS), the World Economic Forum, EY-Parthenon, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative. She also serves on the Board of Caring for Cambodia and contributes to a number of global leadership and advisory bodies focused on health, development, and youth leadership. Sharmishta serves this association in a purely personal volunteer capacity. The views expressed here are her own and do not reflect those of her employer or any organizations with which she is affiliated.

Brain Tumour Alliance Australia

Brain Tumour Alliance Australia (BTAA) is Australia's national peak body for the brain tumour community, uniting patients, carers, clinicians, and researchers under one voice. Founded to address the fragmented landscape of brain tumour support across the country, BTAA advocates for increased government funding, advances awareness campaigns, and fosters collaboration between state-based support groups. It plays a central role in driving national strategy for research and care improvement.

Brain Tumour Society Singapore

Brain Tumour Society Singapore is a registered charity dedicated to supporting patients and families living with brain tumours in Singapore and the broader region. The society provides financial assistance, counselling referrals, peer support programmes, and informational resources. It also partners with hospitals and research institutions to promote early detection and better treatment outcomes, and regularly organises awareness events and fundraising activities to sustain its work.

Brain Tumour Support New Zealand

Brain Tumour Support New Zealand provides practical and emotional support to New Zealanders affected by brain tumours and their families. Through a network of peer support groups, a helpline, and online resources, the organisation ensures that no patient or carer faces their journey alone. It also works to raise awareness of brain tumour symptoms and advocates for improved access to treatment and specialist care across New Zealand.

Brain Tumour Foundation of Pakistan

The Brain Tumour Foundation of Pakistan works to improve awareness, diagnosis, and support for brain tumour patients in a country where access to specialised neurological care remains limited. The foundation runs education drives for the public and healthcare professionals, facilitates patient navigation through the medical system, and connects families with resources and financial assistance. It advocates for stronger national investment in neuro-oncology infrastructure.

BTSG Awareness Foundation India

Brain Tumour Support Group (BTSG) Awareness Foundation is an Indian organisation dedicated to raising awareness of brain tumours and spinal cord conditions, particularly in communities where knowledge of symptoms and available care is limited. The foundation conducts public health outreach, community education programmes, and advocates for greater access to neuro-oncology services across India. It supports patients and families through diagnosis and treatment by connecting them with relevant medical and social resources.

China Brain Tumour Alliance

The China Brain Tumour Alliance (CBTA) is a newly established alliance dedicated to advancing brain tumour care, awareness, and research across China. Affiliated with one of the country's leading oncology institutions, CBTA brings together medical professionals, researchers, and patient advocates to improve outcomes for the large and growing population of brain tumour patients in China. The alliance is committed to knowledge sharing, capability building, and fostering regional collaboration — working with partners across Asia-Pacific to raise awareness, support access to treatments, and contribute to a stronger collective voice for the brain tumour community.

Hong Kong Neuro-Oncology Society

The Hong Kong Neuro-Oncology Society is a professional medical organisation that brings together clinicians, surgeons, oncologists, and researchers working in the field of brain and central nervous system tumours. HKNOS promotes clinical excellence and best-practice standards in neuro-oncology care across Hong Kong, facilitates continuing medical education, and fosters scientific exchange through conferences and publications. It also collaborates with international bodies to align Hong Kong's practice with global advances in the field.

Japan Brain Tumor Alliance

The Japan Brain Tumor Alliance is a patient-led organisation representing the voices of brain tumour patients and families across Japan. JBTA works to improve quality of life for those affected by brain tumours by providing peer support networks, disseminating accurate patient information, and engaging with government and medical institutions to influence policy. The alliance also promotes public awareness of brain tumour symptoms and champions access to innovative treatments and clinical trials for Japanese patients.