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Research & Education

NCAM 2016

NCAM 2016

NCAM 2016 Header Image.jpg

DEAR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES,

On behalf of the organising committee, we warmly welcome you to join the 3rd NCIS annual Research Meeting (NCAM) 2016. NCAM 2015 was successfully held on 3rd July 2015, and attracted more than 260 registrants and 120 submitted abstracts. The meeting created a forum for clinicians and scientists to interact and showcase their cancer research work on the NCIS campus. Our theme this year is on 'Biomarkers to Personalize Cancer Therapy', and we will again 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 3rd NCIS Annual Research Meeting (NCAM) 2016.

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

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



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 


Prof H. 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 Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
 National University of Singapore

Professor of Medicine Cedars-Sinai Medical Center/UCLA 


A/Prof Goh Boon Cher
Director
Investigational Medicine Unit
National University Health System

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 


Dr Lim Siew Eng
Associate Director (Clinical– Education)
National University Cancer Institute, Singapore

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


Dr Chee Cheng Ean
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 Yong Wei Peng
Associate Director (Research) and Senior Consultant
Department of Haematology-Oncology
National University Cancer Institute, Singapore

Principal Associate
Cancer Science Institute of Singapore
National University of Singapore 


Dr Chetan Dhamne
Associate Consultant
Department of Paediatrics
Department of Haematology and Oncology
National University Hospital 


Dr Ruby Yun-Ju Huang
Rehabilitation Therapy Senior Resident Physician & Clinician Scientist
Division of Gynaecologic Oncology
Department of O&G
National University Hospital

Principal Associate
Cancer Science Institute of Singapore
National University of Singapore

Adjunct Assistant Professor
Department of Anatomy
Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
National University of Singapore 


Dr Dora Lang Siew Ping
Nurse Clinician
Yong Siew Yoon Fellow
National University Cancer Institute, Singapore 


Dr Natalie Ngoi
Senior Resident in Medical Oncology
National University Cancer Institute, Singapore 


Dr Edward K. Chow
Assistant Professor
Cancer Science Institute, Dept. of Pharmacology
Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
National University of Singapore, Centre for Translational Medicine 


Dr Tang Siau Wei
Associate Consultant
Division of Surgical Oncology (Breast Surgery)
National University Cancer Institute, Singapore

Associate Consultant
Division of General Surgery (Breast Surgery)
University Surgical Cluster
National University Hospital


Dr Jeremy Tey
Senior Consultant
Department of Radiation Oncology
National University Cancer Institute, Singapore

Programme Director
Department of Radiation Oncology
National University Cancer Institute, Singapore

Assistant Professor
Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
National University of Singapore 


Dr Ho Jingshan
Associate Consultant
Department of Haematology-Oncology
National University Cancer Institute, Singapore


Dr Sudhakar Jha
Principal Investigator
Cancer Science Institute of Singapore

Assistant Professor of Biochemistry
Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
National University of Singapore 


Dr Thian Yee Liang
Consultant
Department of Diagnostic Imaging
National University Cancer Institute, Singapore
National University Hospital


A/Prof Jimmy So
Associate Professor of Surgery
National University of Singapore

Head
Division of Surgical Oncology
National University Cancer Institute of Singapore

Senior Consultant
Department of Surgery
National University Hospital  




Plenary Speaker

Dr Nitzan Rosenfeld
 Senior Group Leader
Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute

Nitzan trained in Physics, and specialized in quantitative molecular biology, obtaining a Ph.D. in the field of Systems Biology from the Weizmann Institute of Science. In 2005 he joined Rosetta Genomics Limited, where he was head of Computational Biology and led development of molecular diagnostic tests. Since 2009 he is a group leader at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute. His translational research group focuses on the application of circulating tumour DNA as a tool for cancer diagnostics and non-invasive genomics. In 2013 Nitzan was awarded the CRUK Future Leaders in Cancer Research prize, the British Association for Cancer Research Translational Research Award, and an ERC Starting Grant. In 2014, Nitzan and his colleagues founded Inivata, a clinical cancer genomics company that aims to harness the emerging potential of circulating DNA analysis to improve testing and treatment for oncologists and their patients.

Educational Session Speakers 

Dr David Tan

Dr David Tan is a consultant of the Department of Haematology-Oncology and clinician scientist at the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore. His primary clinical and research interests in gynaecological (ovarian, endometrial and cervical) cancers and the development of novel anti-cancer therapeutic agents. 

Dr Tan graduated with a BSc in Experimental Pathology (1st Class Honours) and MBBS with Distinction from Guy's, King's and St Thomas' School of Medicine, University of London, UK. He undertook training in internal medicine at Hammersmith Hospital and Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals in London, and obtained his MRCP(UK) in 2005. In that same year, he was awarded a Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Clinical Research Fellowship at The Institute of Cancer Research (the academic partner institution of The Royal Marsden Hospital), London, where he did research in ovarian and breast cancers and obtained his PhD in Oncology. He subsequently completed his specialist training in Medical Oncology at The Royal Marsden Hospital, London. After working in the Drug Development Unit at The Royal Marsden Hospital/ Institute of Cancer Research, he went on to complete another fellowship at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Canada, in Drug Development and Gynaecologic Oncology before returning back to Singapore. 

In addition to his clinical and academic duties, he is currently also the Associate Chairman Medical Board for Research at the National University Hospital, Singapore and Head of the Innovation Transfer Office at National University Health Systems (NUHS). He is also a member of the Novel Agents Committee for Cancer (NACC) at the Experimental Therapeutics Centre in A*STAR Singapore.

Dr Joseph Lee

Joseph K.T. Lee is a Distinguished Professor of Radiology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and Visiting Professor at National University of Singapore (2014 – 2016). A world-class expert in the developing technologies of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), his primary area of expertise is abdominal imaging. 

In the United States and abroad, Lee is known as a pioneer in the clinical utility of CT and MRI of abdominal and pelvic organs. He has written and edited seven major textbooks. His best-known book, Computed Body Tomography with MRI Correlation, is in its fourth edition and was published in 2006. He also has published more than 160 articles in refereed journals. 

His research focuses on the comparison between CT and MR imaging for various abdominal and pelvic disorders, and identifies the impact that use of these new technologies can have on patient care. 

Lee has also focused on enhancing productivity in academic radiology departments. He has delivered numerous invited lectures nationally and internationally. He has served leadership positions in many professional radiologic organizations, including the office of president for the Society of Computed Tomography and MRI, the Society of Chairmen of Academic Radiology Departments and the American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS). 

Lee received Gold Medal from Asian Oceanian Society of Radiology and from ARRS. He was the recipient of Washington University School of Medicine Alumni Achievement Award and is an Honorary Member of Korean Society of Radiology as well as Japanese Society of Radiology. 

Lee graduated from Washington University School of Medicine in 1973. He completed his residency training at Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology and joined the faculty in 1977. He became a full professor in 1986. Lee left Washington University in 1991 for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he continued to excel as chair of radiology before relinquishing his administrative duties in 2007. He now devotes his time to patient care, clinical research and mentoring the next generation of radiology leaders. 

Dr Christine Dela Cruz

Christine received her medical degree from The University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines and did post-graduate training in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine, and in Lung Cancer at the University of the Philippines, Tokyo Medical College, UCLA, and the University of Nevada. 

Christine also holds a Masters in Health Science Management from the University of Sydney. Prior to joining BMS, Christine worked as a Medical Director for Novartis, a Regional R&D Medical Adviser and Global Clinical Program Scientist in the Pharmaceutical Development Centre of Pharmacia/Pfizer, and a Regional Medical Adviser for UCB. Previously, she also held medical teaching positions and hospital administrative positions. 

 Christine brings to the table 21 years of industry experience, 13 in a regional capacity covering the Asia-Pacific region. 

Hear-the-Journey Speakers 

A/Prof Mikael Hartman

A/Prof Mikael Hartman has been practicing in Singapore since 2009 and is originally from Stockholm, Sweden where he received his training at Karolinska Institute. That is also where he received his board certification in General Surgery in 2005. Having completed his doctoral studies in the field of epidemiology in 2007, he specializes in the field of breast cancer etiology and prognostification as well as inheritance of cancer prognosis. He has been a co-recipient of the Breast Cancer Concept Award, US Army, in 2002 and 2006. 

He heads a research group of more than ten members including four PhD students and is leading the development of the Singapore Breast Cancer Cohort and the Singapore-Malaysia Breast Cancer Working Group with research funding totaling S$800,000. The research has been published in Lancet Oncology, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Breast Cancer Research, British Journal of Surgery, European Journal of Cancer etc. He serves as the Deputy Director of the Initiative for Research and Innovation in Surgery, NUHS as well as the Research Director of the University Surgical Cluster Research Committee, NUHS. 

Dr Ruby Huang

Dr Ruby Yun-Ju Huang graduated from National Taiwan University (NTU) with the MD degree in 1999 and completed her Obstetrics & Gynecology (ObGyn) residency training in National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) and obtained the Taiwan ObGyn Specialist Board in 2003. Subsequently, she received sub-specialisation training as a Clinical Fellow in the Department of Oncology in NTUH for Surgical Oncology discipline from 2003 to 2006. 

During that time, she discovered her strong interest in research and started a PhD study in the Graduate Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology of NTU in 2004. She decided to work as a clinician-scientist (CS) with a focus in gynaecologic oncology and specifically in ovarian cancer. In 2006, she was awarded the FIGO / BSP Postdoctoral Research Fellowship and joined Prof Nelly Auersperg's lab in University of British Columbia (UBC) to study epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). She obtained her PhD degree in 2008 from NTU and joined Prof Jean Paul Thiery's team as a post-doc in Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) of A*STAR. During this 2-year stint, she focused on the genomic alterations and the mechanism of EMT in ovarian cancer. Subsequently, she joined Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (O&G) in NUH in Sep 2009. Working as a CS with protected time, she has been carrying the mission and tasks to establish the translational research program for the Division of Gynae Oncology ever since. She is also affiliated with Cancer Science Institute (CSI) of Singapore in National University of Singapore (NUS). 

 She established the integrative genomic platforms and pre-clinical models for understanding the regulation of EMT in ovarian cancer and novel functions of several tyrosine kinase inhibitors. She also co-discovered the presence of five molecular subtypes in epithelial ovarian cancer that exhibit different epithelial and mesenchymal characteristics having different chemosensitivity to anti-microtubule agent. Moving towards a more senior role in research, she has led the research in defining the EMT scoring and understanding the underlying biology of molecular subtypes of EOC. She is now an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Department of Anatomy of NUS, Principal Associate in CSI Singapore, and Senior Resident Physician of Department of O&G in NUH. She is happily married with one lovely son. 


BASIC SCIENCE
Best Oral Presentation: Mr Leong Wei Zhong (CSI)
Best Oral Presentation (Runner-up):Dr Chelsia Wang Qiuxia (IMCB)
Best Oral Presentation (Runner-up):Mr Patrick Jaynes (CSI)
Best Poster Award:Dr Avinash Bahirvani (CSI)
Best Poster Award (Runner-up):Dr Fang Yiwen (CSI)
TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE
Best Oral Presentation: Dr Liu Bee Hui (CSI)
Best Oral Presentation (Runner-up):Mr Azad Saei (CSI)
Best Oral Presentation (Runner-up):Dr Tim Chan Hon Man (CSI)
Best Poster Award:Ms Jane Anthony (CSI)
Best Poster Award (Runner-up) &
Best Radiation Oncology Abstract
Dr Ivan Tham (Dept of Radiation Oncology, NCIS)
CLINICAL SCIENCE

Best Oral Presentation & 

Best Malignant Haematology Abstract:

Dr Koh Liang Piu
(Dept of Haematology-Oncology, NCIS)
Best Oral Presentation (Runner-up) & Best Medical Oncology Abstract: Mr Nicholas Syn
(Dept of Haematology-Oncology, NCIS)
Best Oral Presentation (Runner-up):Dr Yvonne Ang
(Dept of Haematology-Oncology, NCIS
Best Poster Award:Dr Tan Chee Seng
(Dept of Haematology-Oncology, NCIS)
Best Poster Award (Runner-up):Ms Tang Si Ying (YLLSOM, NUS)
NURSING/PARAMEDICAL/SUPPORTIVE CARE
Best Oral Presentation: Ms Sally Ang (Dept of Haematology-Oncology, NCIS)
Best Oral Presentation (Runner-up):Mr Kevin Lam (Dept of Psychology, NUS)
Best Oral Presentation (Runner-up):

Ms Chua Shi Min

(Dept of Psychological Medicine, NUH)

Best Poster Award:

Mr Liu Jian Lin

(Dept of Psychological Medicine, NUH)

Best Poster Award (Runner-up):Mr Peh Chao Xu
(Dept of Psychological Medicine, NUH)
JUNIOR INVESTIGATOR AWARD

Junior Investigator Award: Mr Nicholas Syn (Dept of Haematology-Oncology, NCIS)


Platinum Sponsors



 

Gold Sponsors




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