| No. | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 January 2021 | Centre for Stem Cell Research
Webinar on Stem Cells: From Bench to Clinic
8 January 2021
The Centre for Stem Cell Research, FMHS UTAR, and the National Cancer Council (Majlis Kanser Nasional – MAKNA) successfully organised a webinar on Stem Cells: From Bench to Clinic on 8 January 2021, 10 AM – 12 Noon (Malaysia time: GMT +8) via the Microsoft Teams platform. Five distinguished speakers were invited to share their knowledge on the different types of stem cells and their potential applications in research and therapy. A total of 130 participants (undergraduate & postgraduate students, researchers, specialists, and allied health staff) from the various institutions and universities participated in a fruitful discussion and Q&A session of the event.  Professor Dr Alan Ong Han Kiat, Chairperson of the Centre for Stem Cell Research, warmly welcomed the participants and thanked all speakers and participants for taking their time to join this webinar. He also expressed his appreciation to the organising committee members for successfully organising this webinar. Prof. Dr Ong expressed hope that this webinar would provide a platform for intellectual exchange amongst researchers involved in stem cell and regenerative medicine research. He ended the opening address by wishing all participants a fruitful webinar.The first speaker was Professor Dr Chua Chee Wai from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China. Prof. Dr Chua shared with the participants the experience of his laboratory in developing different types of organoids and the application of the organoid technology in the study of prostate stem cell and cancer biology.  Following that, Dr Wong Chee Yin, Technical Consultant from Cytopeutics Sdn. Bhd., updated the participants on the current development of stem cell therapy in Malaysia and shared some of the stem cell therapies currently offered by Cytopeutics.  Dr Teoh Hoon Koon from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman then delivered her talk on mesenchymal stem cells and shared with the participants the different applications of this type of adult stem cells in cell and gene therapies.  The last two talks focused on the induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). Dr Erica Choong Pei Feng from the National Cancer Council Malaysia shared the work done during her PhD where she developed the first cancer-derived iPSC model in Malaysia using the osteosarcoma cell lines. She also provided the participants with an overview on the use of these cells in disease modelling.  Last but not least, Ms Tai Lihui from Cytopeutics Sdn. Bhd. shared with the participants the current state of the iPSC technology and how this technology can be utilised in the field of regenerative medicine.  A lively Q&A session followed where each speaker took turns to answer some questions from the participants. The Q&A session was moderated by Ms Lee Soke Sun, a Postgraduate student from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman. The webinar ended with the closing remarks from Prof. Dr Ong on behalf of the webinar organising committee. He thanked the speakers and participants for the successful webinar. Prof. Dr Alan concluded the webinar by highlighting the on-going donation drive for setting up a not-for-profit private hospital by UTAR in Kampar and encouraged participants to donate to the hospital’s building fund.  Group photo of the speakers, organising committee members and participants of the webinar. |
| 2 | 24 April 2021 | Centre for Cancer Research & Centre for Stem Cell Research
International Webinar Series Episode-1
“Breast Cancer”
24 April 2021
The Centre for Cancer Research and the Centre for Stem Cell Research, FMHS UTAR, successfully organised the International Webinar Series Episode-1 “Breast Cancer” on 24 April 2021, 10 AM – 12.30 PM (Malaysia time: GMT +8) via the Zoom meeting platform. Four distinguished speakers were invited to share their knowledge on the latest advancement in research and clinical practice in breast cancer management. A total of 75 participants (undergraduate & postgraduate students, researchers, specialists, and allied health staff) from the various institutions and universities participated in a fruitful discussion and Q&A session of the event.   Clinical Associate Professor Dr Yan Naing Soe Lim, the Organising Chairperson of this webinar, warmly welcomed the participants and thanked all speakers and participants for taking their time to join this webinar. He also expressed his appreciation to the advisors and organising committee members for successfully organising this international webinar. Dr Yan expressed hope that this webinar would facilitate the exchange of ideas in research and clinical management of breast cancer for participants to generate new ideas and collaborative partnership. He ended the opening address by wishing all participants a fruitful webinar.  The first speaker was Professor Dr Leong Chee Onn, from the School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, International Medical University, Malaysia and Deputy Director (Research), Institute for Research, Development and Innovation, International Medical University, Malaysia. Prof. Dr Leong shared the work done by his group on the targeting of breast cancer stem cells by using high-throughput chemical library screening.  Dr Noor Ezmas Mahno from the Department of Surgery, Kulliyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia then updated the participants regarding the current management of early breast cancer in Malaysia.  Following this, Dr Kyaw Toe, staff surgeon at the Breast Unit at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust, shared the experience of his institution in terms of breast conserving surgery. Dr Kyaw talked about the principles of breast conserving surgery and how it was done in the past and the current practice.  Finally, Clinical Associate Professor Dr Myo Oo, from the Department of Population Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, talked about implementation research and its importance in breast cancer research.  A Q&A session followed the talk where each speaker took turns to answer some questions from the participants. The Q&A session was moderated by Associate Professor Dr Leong Pooi Pooi and Dr Fann Rui Jeat.  Professor Dr Alan Ong Han Kiat, Chairperson of the Centre for Stem Cell Research, gave the closing remarks on behalf of the webinar organising committee. He thanked the speakers and participants for the successful webinar. He acknowledged the challenging aspects of breast cancer management but also the many opportunities and need for good research that will pave the way towards better treatment and management for a brighter future for breast cancer patients. Prof. Dr Alan concluded the webinar by highlighting the on-going donation drive for setting up a not-for-profit private hospital by UTAR in Kampar and encouraged participants to donate to the hospital’s building fund.   Group photo of the speakers, organising committee members and participants of the webinar. |
| 3 | 11 September 2021 | Centre for Cancer Research & Centre for Stem Cell Research
International Webinar Series Episode-2
“Trends & Updates in Endocrinology”
11 September 2021
The Centre for Cancer Research and the Centre for Stem Cell Research, FMHS UTAR, successfully organised the International Webinar Series Episode-2 “Trends & Updates in Endocrinology” on 11 September 2021, 10 AM – 12.30 PM (Malaysia time: GMT +8) via the Zoom meeting platform. Four distinguished speakers were invited to share their knowledge on the latest advancement in the field of endocrinology. A total of 99 participants (undergraduate & postgraduate students, researchers, specialists, and allied health staff) from the various institutions and universities participated in a fruitful discussion and Q&A session of the event.   Assistant Professor Dr Ong Hooi Tin, Chairperson of the Centre for Cancer Research, warmly welcomed the participants and thanked all speakers and participants for taking their time to join this webinar. She also expressed her appreciation to the organising committee members for successfully organising this international webinar. Dr Ong expressed hope that this webinar would facilitate the exchange of ideas in research and clinical management of endocrine disorders for participants to generate new ideas and collaborative partnership. She ended the opening address by wishing all participants a fruitful webinar.  The first speaker was Dr Wendy Yeo Wai Yeng from Perdana University, Malaysia. Dr Yeo introduced to the participants the use of stem cells in treating diabetes mellitus and shared the results of her PhD project where she differentiated non-adherent muscle-derived stem cells into insulin-expressing cells in pancreatic islets of diabetic mice to relief hyperglycemia.  Dr Mohd. Sharir Abdul Rahim from the Kulliyah of Medicine and SASMEC@IIUM, International Islamic University Malaysia then updated the participants regarding the role of radioiodine in the management of thyroid cancer.  Following this, Dr Thida Win, Senior Consultant from the KK Women’s & Children’s Hospital, Singapore, provided the participants with updates of radiology in thyroid cancer. Dr Thida talked about risk stratification and treatment options in thyroid cancer practiced in her institution.  Last but not least, Professor Dr Norlela Sukor, from the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, gave a talk on neuroendocrine tumour and the unique features associated with this type of tumour. In addition, she also shared about the importance of correctly identifying this type of tumour to improve the prognosis of the patients.  A lively Q&A session followed where each speaker took turns to answer some questions from the participants. The Q&A session was moderated by Professor Dr Veera Sekaran Nadarajan and Clinical Associate Professor Dr Yan Naing Soe.  Professor Dr Alan Ong Han Kiat, Chairperson of the Centre for Stem Cell Research, gave the closing remarks on behalf of the webinar organising committee. He thanked the speakers and participants for the successful webinar. Prof. Dr Alan concluded the webinar by highlighting the on-going donation drive for setting up a not-for-profit private hospital by UTAR in Kampar and encouraged participants to donate to the hospital’s building fund.   Group photo of the speakers, organising committee members and participants of the webinar. |
| 4 | 7 December 2021 | Centre for Stem Cell Research & FMHS Postgraduate Club
Webinar on “The Journey of My Postgraduate Studies in Stem Cell and Animal Research"
7th December 2021
The Centre for Stem Cell Research and PG club, FMHS UTAR, successfully organised the webinar “The Journey of My Postgraduate Studies in Stem Cell and Animal Research" on 7th December 2021, 2 pm – 4 pm (Malaysia time: GMT +8) via the Microsoft Teams platform. Four distinguished speakers were invited to share their experience and research findings in stem cell and animal study. A total of 34 participants (14 undergraduate & 10 postgraduate students, 7 academic staff, 3 in-bounds) had participated in a fruitful discussion and Q&A session of the event.   Professor Dr. Alan Ong Han Kiat, the Chairperson of CSCR, cordially welcomed the participants and thanked all speakers for joining this webinar. He also expressed his sincere gratitude to the organising committee members, led by Mr. Kim Kit Li, for successfully organising this event. He hoped that this webinar would provide insights into stem cell and animal research to the undergraduate students, and thus would stimulate their interest to pursue postgraduate studies in the future. Last but not least, he ended the opening address by wishing all participants a fruitful and joyful webinar.  The first speaker was Mr. Gan Quan Fu, a senior lecturer from the Department of Pre-clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UTAR who is also pursuing his PhD study. Mr. Gan shared his research work on wound healing using mesenchymal stem cell upon specific stimulation by different growth factors. Besides, he also shared the future perspectives of regenerative medicine in physiotherapy treatments. He ended his speech by encouraging all undergraduate students not to limit themselves in the current situation and be ready to step out of their comfort zone.  The second speaker, Mr. Kim Kit Li, is a Master candidate from the Department of Pre-clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UTAR. He covered a different aspect of stem cell application by briefing the participants through the modelling of haematological disorders using induced pluripotent stem cell.  Following this, Ms. Yee Yong Mei, a PhD candidate from the same department, shared her experience on antihypertensive drug discovery from natural products and drug treatment on animal model. She also talked about how she tackled the challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic when all research work was almost halted by the MCO restrictions. To end her talk, she encouraged all participants to face challenges in research with a positive and optimistic mindset, as by the quote “genius is 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration”.  Finally, Ms. Ewa Choy, from School of Postgraduate Studies, International Medical University, talked about incorporating mesenchymal stem cell into animal model for corneal neovascularization study. She also shared her personal experience on how to juggle PhD study, work and family with the participants. Her belief was that “passion is the key to overcome all obstacles in life”.  Following that, a Q&A session was chaired by Dr. Hemaniswarri a/p Dewi Dewadas, during which all speakers enthusiastically took turns to answer the questions posted by the participants.  Assistant Professor Dr. Fong Lai Yen, Head of Programme (Postgraduate Programmes) FMHS, gave the closing remarks on behalf of the webinar organising committee. She congratulated the emcee, speakers and participants for a successful webinar. She mentioned that the webinar should serve the purpose of enhancing the postgraduate students’ presentation skill since they might be involved in various conferences as well as grant application interviews. Last but not least, she also advised the postgraduates students not to give up easily when facing any failures during the research journey; once overcome, it might turn up to be an unforgettable memory in life.   |