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Research & Education

NCAM 2014

NCAM 2014

NCAM 2014.jpg

DEAR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES, 

On behalf of the organising committee, we warmly welcome you to join the inaugural NCIS Annual Research Meeting (NCAM) 2014. The objective of the NCIS Annual Research Meeting is to promote the research culture, nurture junior clinician investigators, foster interactions between clinicians, clinician-researchers, and basic researchers, and showcase cancer research within the NCIS campus. This year's theme is on refractory cancers, and we will have a full-day programme including educational sessions, oral and poster presentations of submitted abstracts, and award presentation for the best abstracts. We welcome you to submit abstracts on cancer research in the following four categories: basic science, clinical science, translational science, and nursing/paramedical/ supportive care. 

We believe this conference will provide an excellent platform for researchers working in different fields in cancer within NCIS and the NUHS campus to interact and develop future collaborations. We look forward to welcoming you to the 1st NCIS Annual Research Meeting (NCAM) 2014.

Dr Lee Soo Chin
Conference Chairperson
Associate Director (Research), NCIS

Prof Philip H. Koeffler
Conference Co-Chairperson
Deputy Director (Research), NCIS


 


Conference Chairperson
A/Prof Lee Soo Chin

  • Associate Director (Research), National University Cancer Institute, Singapore • Senior Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore
  • Senior Principal Investigator, Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore 

 


C
onference Co-Chairperson 

Prof Phillip Koeffler

  • Deputy Director (Research), National University Cancer Institute, Singapore
  • Senior Principal Investigator, Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore • Professor, Department of Medicine, National University of Singapore 

 


A/Prof Goh Boon Cher

  • Head and Senior Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore
  • Deputy Director, Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore
  • Programme Leader and Senior Principal Investigator, Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore 

 


A/Prof Chng Wee Joo

  • Senior Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore
  • Deputy Director and Senior Principal Investigator, Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore
  • Associate Professor, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore 

 


Dr Ruby Huang Yun Ju

  • Senior Research Fellow, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, National University Health System, Singapore
  • Principal Associate, Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore
  • Clinician Scientist, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, National University Health System, Singapore 

 


Asst Prof Ivan Tham

  • Senior Consultant, Department of Radiation Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapor 

 


Asst Prof David Tan Shao Peng

  • Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore 

 


Dr Nesretnam Barr Kumarakulasinghe

  • Senior Resident, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore 

 


Dr Lim Chwee Ming

  • Consultant, Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore 

 


Asst Prof Pieter Eichhorn

  • Junior Principal Investigator, Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore 

 


Dr Lee Yee Mei

  • Advanced Practice Nurse , Division of Oncology Nursing, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore 

 


Asst Prof Brendan Pang Nghee Kheem

  • Consultant, Department of Pathology, National University Health System, Singapore
  • Laboratory (Section) Director, Diagnostic Molecular Oncology Centre, Department of Pathology, National University Health System, Singapore
  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Clinician-Educator Tract, Department of Pathology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore 

 


Dr Lim Siew Eng

  • Associate Director (Clinical – Education)
  • Senior Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore 

 


Dr Yeap Shihui Frances

  • Registrar, Department of Neonatology, National University Health System, Singapore 





Plenary Speaker

Prof Stan Kaye

  • Professor of Medical Oncology, Royal Marsden Hospital/Institute of Cancer Research, London
  • Visiting Professor, Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore

Stan Kaye retired as head of the Division of Clinical Studies at the Institute of Cancer Research, London in November 2013. Until recently he was Head of the Drug Development Unit at Royal Marsden Hospital, one of the largest Phase I trials units in the world. He has long experience in leading on clinical trials in cancer; the Drug Development Unit has played a leading role in the early clinical evaluation of abiraterone and of inhibitors of P13Kinase and HSP90. Most recently he has been involved in the development of PARP inhibitors. 

He qualified in medicine in 1972 in London, and trained in medicine and oncology in London and Australia. He joined the Royal Marsden Hospital in September 2000 after 20 years at Glasgow University as Head of the Department of Medical Oncology. While there he was responsible for the restructuring of the clinical unit at the new Beatson Oncology Centre and the laboratory team at the Beatson Institute. He founded the Clinical Trials Unit, the Drug Development Unit and several joint clinics. His current interests, apart from new drug development, are in ovarian cancer and drug resistance. 

The author of over 400 peer reviewed papers, he sits on the editorial board of 12 cancer journals, and over the past 20 years has chaired national and international committees within EORTC, MRC and CRUK. These have included chairmanship of the CRUK Clinical Trials Committee and Translational Research Committee and of EORTC Early Clinical Trials Committee He will continue to work at the Royal Marsden Hospital in an advisory role with other commitments as visiting Professor in Glasgow and Singapore. 

Educational Session Speakers

Prof Jean-Paul Thiery

  • Professor and Head, Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore
  • Senior Principal Investigator, Cancer Science Institute, National University of Singapore • Research Director, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR

Jean Paul Thiery is currently Professor and Head of the Biochemistry Department, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS). He has a joint appointment as Research Director at IMCB A*STAR Singapore and is Senior Principal Investigator at the Cancer Science Institute at NUS. In 2006, he moved to Singapore from his position as Head of Translational Research at the Medical Division of the Comprehensive Cancer Center of Institut Curie, and before that, Head of the Cell Biology Department at the Institut Curie in Paris until 2003. After his PhD studies at the University of Paris, his postdoctoral research with Gerald Edelman (Nobel Laureate) at the Rockefeller University led to the discovery of N-CAM, the first intercellular adhesion molecule to be identified. His influential works include pioneering studies in cell adhesion and migration in early embryogenesis and in elucidating the roles of growth factors and adhesion signaling molecules in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transitions (EMT). Jean Paul Thiery's current research focus is to unravel the mechanisms of invasion and metastasis of carcinoma cells. His seminal contributions to bladder carcinoma studies have led to the discovery of the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of superficial or invasive tumors. Currently, his laboratory is focusing on oncogenomics and the creation of functional approaches to characterize breast and ovarian carcinoma. His interests also cover the investigation of other carcinoma prevalent in the Asia-Pacific region, with the ultimate goal to apply EMT-based therapeutic approaches in phase 1 and 2 clinical trials. Jean Paul Thiery is an EMBO and Academia Europea member.

A/Prof Allen Yeoh

  • Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Division of Haematology and Oncology, National University of Singapore
  • Viva-Goh Foundation

Associate Professor Allen Yeoh holds his position in Division of Paediatric Haematology‐ Oncology, National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital (NUH) and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS). He graduated from NUS and did his post‐graduate training in NUH. He completed his Clinical & Research Fellowship Programme in St Jude Children's Research Hospital (USA) from 1999 to 2001. A/Prof Allen Yeoh is the first Singapore doctor to receive the prestigious American Society of Hematology Merit Award and Henry Neustein Award in 2001 for his pioneering work in gene expression profiling in childhood leukaemia. 

He returned to Singapore in 2002 and won numerous national and international outstanding research awards including the Singapore Youth Award for Science and Technology by the National Youth Council, Singapore, in 2002 and the Asian Innovation Award (Gold) in 2003. He clinched the National Medical Research Council Junior Clinician Scientist Investigator Award in 2005 and Senior Clinician Scientist Investigator Award in 2008 and 2013. 

A/Prof Allen Yeoh's interest lies in treatment and biology of childhood malignancies. Others include translational research and biomarker discovery using whole genome microarray studies. 

He has also been actively involved in public and professional areas. A/Prof Allen Yeoh is a member of the European Minimal Residual Disease QC study group and the medical director of St Jude‐Viva Programme. He is also the Principal Investigator of the multi‐centre Malaysia‐ Singapore ALL and AML studies. The Ma‐Spore ALL 2003 study successfully used minimal residual disease stratification to tailor the intensity of therapy with an excellent ~80% 6‐year EFS. They are competitively funded by NMRC and A*STAR. He also has strong interest in regional outreach work to help improve treatment of childhood leukaemias in developing countries in Asia through his volunteer work in the Viva Foundation for Childhood Cancer. 

Prof Lawrence Ho Khek-Yu

  • Senior Consultant, Department of Medicine, National University Health System

Professor Ho is an accomplished clinician and endoscopist, who has been invited to perform live case demonstrations in numerous international endoscopy workshops. He is also an established endoscopy trainer, who chairs the Asian Endoscopic Ultrasound Group to promote regional endoscopic ultrasound training. Within a year, the group has successfully organized >10 workshops, and trained more than 300 trainees in the Asian region. 

As an innovator, he is best known as the co-inventor for the ground-breaking technology of the Master and Slave Transluminal Endoscopic Robot (MASTER), which was used to successfully perform the world's first robotic endoscopic submucosal dissection in human patients. Both the inventors co-founded a start-up company, Endomaster, and received the Singapore President's Technology Award in 2012. He recently co-founded a second company, Endofotonics, to develop Raman spectroscopic technique for gastrointestinal tract use. He has published >160 peer-reviewed papers, >10 book chapters, co-edited 2 books, and held 8 patents in biotech, and medtech products. 

His regional standing as an academic leader is exemplified by invitation as an orator in the Francisco Roman Memorial Lecture (Joint Annual Convention of the Philippine Society of Gastroenterology and Philippine Society of Digestive Endoscopy, twice in 2003 & 2013 respectively), and Nihal Marcus Memorial Oration (Sri Lanka Gastroenterological Association, 2012). In 2010, he was conferred the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation Emerging Leadership lecturer in the Asia Pacific Digestive Week. He chairs the Singapore Gastroenterology Residency Advisory Committee, and sits in the Joint Commission on Specialist Training, and Specialists Accreditation Board, Ministry of Health, Singapore. 

Hear the journey of our local clinician-scientist and nurse-researcher 

xxx

A/Prof Chng Wee Joo

  • Head, Division of Haematology, Department of Haematology-Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore
  • Deputy Director and Senior Principal Investigator, Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore
  • Associate Professor, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore

A/Prof Wee Joo Chng is Head of Division of Clinical Haematology at National University Health System, Singapore. He is also associated with Cancer Science Institute (CSI), Singapore, National University of Singapore as the Deputy Director and as a Senior Principle Investigator. Dr Chng is also an Associate Professor in medicine at Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore. He is the Chairman of CSI Graduate Studies Committee in CSI, and is the Vice President of Singapore Society of Haematology. 

He has a PhD from National University of Singapore. He has fellowships from the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh; Academy of Medicine, Singapore; and Royal College of Pathologist, UK. He also has a specialist Accreditation in Haematology, Singapore. His research interests focus around multiple myeloma, liquid tumour biology and therapeutics. He is associated with many professional committees, such as American Society of Haematology Scientific Committee on Plasma Cell Neoplasia, International Myeloma Working Group and Asian Myeloma Network. 

A/Prof Chng is in the peer review committee of journals, such as Blood, leukemia, Cancer Research, and Haemostasis and Thrombosis. He is also involved in the committee of Grant Review, Conference Organising Committee, Advisory Boards and Steering Committees of Global Clinical Trials. He has authored in more than 125 publications in many reputed journals, such as The New England Journal of Medicine, Cancer Cell, Blood, Leukemia, Nature Medicine, andCancer Research. Dr Chng has also authored several chapters, actively participated in clinical trials and has delivered talks on multiple myeloma in several national and international conferences. 

Dr Lee Yee Mei

  • Advanced Practice Nurse , Division of Oncology Nursing, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore

Dr Lee is a licensed Advanced Practice Nurse with more than 15 years of experience specializing in oncology nursing. She was the pioneer for the APN role in the NCIS department in 2007. 

Her scope of practice encompasses health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis and management of complex health care issues for patients with hematological malignancies, stem cell transplant with the current focus on lymphoma patients. She collaborates with the haematology team to address effects of treatment, symptoms of disease and coordinate care for long-term cancer survivors. 

Yee Mei is a mentor to nursing students, nurses and advanced practice nurses undergoing their internship. She contributed in advancing the nursing profession as an adjunct lecturer at the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, NUS and University of Adelaide at the Ngee Ann-Adelaide education Centre Pte Ltd (NAAEC). At the clinical practice setting, she provides continuous training for doctors-on rotation and collaborates with other allied health staff looking at rehabilitation guidelines for patients with haematological malignancies. 

As a member of the Quality Forum, NUH she oversees the clinical standards and sets international standard of practices for nurses in the area of hematopoietic stem cell transplant which was accredited for FACT (Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy) since 2012. She constantly pursues excellence in quality care delivery through continuous improvement and building the expertise and proficiency of the nurses in evidence-based translation and utilization. Her research interest is in the area of symptom management related to cancer treatment, fundamentals of care and methodological framework for model development. 

Yee Mei believes in continuous learning from every experience life has to offer. This is because "life is change, growth is optional (and we must) choose wisely." - Karen Kaiser Clark 



BASIC SCIENCE

Best Oral Presentation: Dr Vikas Madan (CSI)
Best Oral Presentation (Runner-up): Ms Koh Cai Ping (CSI)
Best Oral Presentation (Runner-up): Dr Xie Zhi Gang (CSI)
Best Poster Award: Mr Desmond Chin Wai Loon (CSI)
Best Poster Award (Runner-up): Dr Dawn Nin (Dept of Biochemistry, NUH)

CLINICAL SCIENCE

Best Oral Presentation: Dr Samuel Ow (Dept of Haematology-Oncology, NCIS)
Best Oral Presentation (Runner-up): Dr Koh Liang Piu (Dept of Haematology-Oncology, NCIS)
Best Oral Presentation (Runner-up): Dr Andrea Wong (Dept of Haematology-Oncology, NCIS)
Best Poster Award: Dr Soon Yu Yang (Dept of Radiation Oncology, NCIS)
Best Poster Award (Runner-up): Prof Naresh Kumar (Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery, NUH)

NURSING/PARAMEDICAL/SUPPORTIVE CARE

Best Oral Presentation: Ms Tong Shuk In (Rehabilitation Centre, NUH)
Best Oral Presentation (Runner-up): Ms Ng Hui Ying (Dept of Psychological Medicine, NUS)
Best Oral Presentation (Runner-up): Ms Joyce Tan (Dept of Psychological Medicine, NUS)
Best Poster Award: Dr Raghav Sundar (Dept of Radiation Oncology, NCIS)
Best Poster Award (Runner-up): Ms Kamala Devi M (Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, NUS)

JUNIOR INVESTIGATOR AWARD 

Junior Investigator Award:Dr Samuel Ow (Dept of Haematology-Oncology, NCIS)

For enquiries on NCAM, email enquiries_ncam@nuhs.edu.sg.