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Prof Dr Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman
Medical Director and Senior Consultant Physician, An-Nur Specialist Hospital
Member of Good Clinical Practice Subcommittee , MOH since 2023 Member National Research and Development Committee on Herbal Medicine, MOH since 2023 President of the Federation of Islamic Medical Associations since 2021 Chairman of Specialist Review Panel for Phase 1 Trials, MOH since 2020 Board Member Clinical Research Malaysia Bhd , MOH since 2019 Member Ethics Committee National Heart Institute Malaysia since 2010 Chairman of Malaysian Clinical Practice Guideline on Hypertension since 2008 Permanent Member National Patient Safety Council MOH since 2004 Member National Committee for Clinical Research MOH since 1997.
Prof Datuk Dr A Rahman A Jamal
Chairperson, National Committee in Ethics of Cell Research and Therapy (NCERT)
Professor Datuk Dr. A Rahman A Jamal is a professor and senior principal research fellow the UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), and an honorary professor at the University of Dundee, UK. He leads The Malaysian Cohort (TMC) project which has collected data and biospecimens from 120000 participants. His research interests include cancer, other NCDs and precision health. He has 250 journal publications and has supervised 34 PhD and 71 MSc students. He leads the genome research team in UMBI including the MyPrecise project that involves the whole genome sequencing of 4000 individuals. He chairs the National Stem Cell Committee for Ethics in Research and Therapy (MOH) and is a member of the National Clinical Trials Committee (MOH). He is a fellow of the Academy Sciences of Malaysia and a board member for the Clinical Research Malaysia. He has given more than 200 invited lectures at various conferences and events.
Ms Atti Ratnawiati
Head of the Division of Clinical Trials and Investigational New Drugs, Directorate of Drug Registration, Indonesian National Agency of Drug and Food Control, BPOM
Atti Ratnawiati is a seasoned expert in clinical trial regulation, with experience at the Indonesian Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Since 2017, she has led the Clinical Trial and Investigational New Drug Evaluation Division, ensuring the rigorous evaluation and approval of clinical trial applications, as well as overseeing the implementation of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) inspections to uphold compliance and quality standards in clinical trials. Prior to this role, she held positions as a Clinical Trial Application Evaluator and GCP Inspector. Atti holds a Master’s degree in Epidemiology from the University of Indonesia (2016) and a Pharmacist degree from Padjadjaran University (2001), where she also earned her undergraduate degree in Pharmacy (2000). She has facilitated numerous GCP workshops for researchers, sponsors, and CROs at various hospitals, universities, and professional associations across Indonesia. In 2014, she contributed to the APEC LSIF Joint Multi-Regional Clinical Trials Workshop, sharing insights into Indonesia’s GCP inspection framework.
Dr Avni Amin
Unit Head Rights and Equality Across the Life Course, World Health Organization
Avni Amin works at the WHO's Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research. She is the Unit Head for the Rights and Equality across the Life course team and leads WHO's work on Violence Against Women. Her primary focus has been to lead research on health sector interventions to address violence against women, support development of normative guidelines and tools and support countries - Ministries of Health - in the translation and uptake of the evidence and guidelines to strengthen health systems response to violence against women. She has also led research on masculinities in the context of sexual and reproductive health as a gender equality issue. Avni is a passionate feminist scientist with a fierce commitment to gender equality and women's health. She has a PhD in International Health from the Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Hygiene and Public Health. She is originally from India and considers herself as a global citizen.
Dr Carren Teh Sui Lin
ICR Director, Institute for Clinical Research (ICR)
Dr. Carren Teh Sui Lin is a highly skilled ORL-HNS specialist with over 2 decades of experience in the medical field. She graduated from the University of Malaya in 2003 with an MBBS, followed by a Master’s in ORL-HNS in 2011. Dr. Carren currently serves as the Head of the Department of ORL-HNS at Sg Buloh Hospital, where she has been practicing since 2011. In addition to her clinical role, she is an academic lecturer at Taylor’s Medical University and supervisor to numerous master students contributing to the education of future medical professionals. Dr. Carren also holds a Diploma in Vestibular Medicine and completed her Ph.D. on the research into Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) in 2023. In 2024, she took on the role of Honorary Secretary for ENDOKL, showcasing her leadership in the medical community and is currently the Deputy Secretary for APSCI 2025.
Dr Chandramalar T Santhirathelagan
Consultant Ophthalmologist, Hospital Sungai Buloh
Dr Chandramalar T. Santhirathelagan is the Head of Department/ Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist/Corneal Surgeon at Hospital Sungai Buloh. She graduated from Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India and completed her post graduate training in USM after which she proceeded to subspecialize in Cornea and External Eye Diseases at Flinders Medical Center , Adelaide under Professor Douglas J Coster. She is passionate about the field of Ophthalmology especially in Corneal transplantation and organ/ tissue donation and is the coordinator of the the first MOH National Eye Bank . She holds tenure of President of the Malaysian Association of Cell and Tissue Banking and is the Chairperson of the Scientific Steering Committee for the National Transplant Registry and the Treasurer in the Malaysian Society of Transplantation. She is active in the world of research having published clinical research papers and presented lectures at national and international level and is currently involved in the AI-CORUL research study. Dr. Chandra is the current Co- Editor and Corneal Expert Panel for the National Corneal Transplant Registry and is active in numerous administrative and clinical committees in MOH. She enjoys being an academician and is an honorary lecturer at medical faculty of Taylor’s College, Management and Science University and Ministry of Health and Education teaching facilities.
Prof Dr Cheong Sok Ching
Senior Group Leader, Cancer Research Malaysia
Professor Cheong is the Chief Scientific Officer at Cancer Research Malaysia and an Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya. Her research focuses on enhancing cancer patient management and survival through the understanding of molecular changes and the development of novel treatments, particularly for head and neck cancers. Her work includes immunotherapy development and the use of CRISPR-Cas9 screens to identify new therapeutic targets. She also works on early detection strategies, including the creation of mobile health tools like MeMoSA® for oral cancer detection. Professor Cheong has secured grants from prominent bodies such as the Newton-Ungku Omar Fund and the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation's SMART Fund. She has received several prestigious awards, including the IAOP President’s Award, the 2022 Underwriters Laboratories-ASEAN-US Science Prize for Women, and the TWAS Medal Lecture.
Dr Chew Lee Ping
Consultant Haematologist, Deputy Head of Clinical Research Centre, Sarawak General Hospital
Dr Chew Lee Ping is a clinical haematologist practising in Sarawak General Hospital, Kuching since 2009. Graduated from Universiti Sains Malaysia in 1999, she attained MRCP(UK) in 2003. In the years to follow, she embarked on her speciality training in Haematology at Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne for a year. Her area of expertise includes both malignant and non-malignant blood disorders. She believes getting involved in trial is important to improve patients’ wellbeing and hence she is an active principle investigator in many multi-centre clinical trials under Malaysia Ministry of Health.
Prof Chim Lang
Head of Division Cardiovascular Research, School of Medicine, University of Dundee
Professor Lang is a distinguished cardiologist and clinical pharmacologist, holding professorships at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and the University of Dundee. His extensive training spans the UK and USA, including fellowships at Vanderbilt and Columbia Universities. Formerly at the University of Malaya, he founded the Clinical Investigation Centre. His research focuses on heart failure and cardio-metabolic diseases, employing a translational approach. He leads a laboratory dedicated to developing biomarkers and novel treatments, securing over £30 million in grants from prestigious sources. Professor Lang contributes significantly to clinical research infrastructure, serving on scientific committees and review panels, notably aiding Malaysia's capacity for early-phase trials. With nearly 400 publications and a high H-index, he's a prolific author and editor for prominent journals. He also chairs the Heart Failure Working Group of NHS Tayside, demonstrating his commitment to patient care and research advancement.
Prof Dr Chin Sze Piaw
Co Founder & Director, Cytopeutics Sdn Bhd
Professor Dr Chin Sze Piaw as an adjunct professor with the Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman and co-founder of Cytopeutics, a biotech company that is spearheading research in cell and gene therapy products. Prof Chin and his team has successfully collaborated with many institutions to complete 6 randomized controlled clinical trials including Phase 1 study, severe stroke, ischemic cardiomyopathy, osteoarthritis and acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) with 2 other multicentre trials currently underway (wound healing and acute stroke) and 2 more being planned (diabetes and colorectal cancer). Prof Chin has over 60 full-paper publications in international peer-reviewed journals and has received numerous grants for his research. He also holds 3 US and 8 Malaysia patents and was recently nominated by the MOSTI and MOE for the UNESCO Life Science Researcher’s award. Prof Chin is also the first Asian recipient of the major global ISCT award from the International Society for Cell Therapy.
Dr Damenthi Nair Narayanan
Head Center for Clinical Trial, Hospital Ampang
Holding a medical degree from the University of Sumatera Utara, Dr. Damenthi Nair stands at the helm of the Centre for Clinical Trials (CCT) within the Institute of Clinical Research (ICR), a role they have excelled in since 2011. Under their leadership, the CCT has achieved remarkable milestones, including the successful completion of 35 bioequivalence studies—a testament to their precision and expertise. Dr. Damenthi Nair has not only led these studies but has also served as Principal Investigator for groundbreaking research, such as the Phase 1 Ravidasvir trial for DNDi in 2018. Their collaborative efforts extend to Phase 3 trials, including a pivotal pneumonia study with Hospital Ampang, and ongoing partnerships with global pharmaceutical innovators. A sought-after voice in the field, Dr. Damenthi Nair has shared their knowledge at prestigious forums like UTAR’s Research Day, while mentoring clinical research centres nationwide. Their work ensures compliance and excellence, having guided institutions through rigorous audits by NPRA and industry leaders. Today, Dr. Damenthi Nair continues to push boundaries, pioneering a Phase 1 haematology trial and advancing future bioequivalence research. Their dedication transforms science into real-world impact.
Assoc Prof Danny Soon
Chief Executive Officer, Consortium for Clinical Research and Innovation, Singapore
A/Prof Danny Soon is Chief Executive Officer at the Consortium for Clinical Research and Innovation, Singapore (CRIS) and concurrent Executive Director at the Singapore Clinical Research Institute (SCRI). Danny currently serves as Senior Advisor, Advanced Cell Therapy and Research Institute, Singapore (ACTRIS) effective from 1 March 2025 to 31 August 2025. He was previously the Interim Executive Director of ACTRIS from 1 September 2022 to 28 February 2025. As the inaugural CEO of CRIS, Danny has the responsibility of bringing together six research programmes and platforms under the auspices of CRIS, promulgating synergies and strategies, building corporate functions to service the entire entity. A/Prof Danny has had a long experience in drug development, having worked at Eli Lilly and Company for 15 years, where he headed up the Lilly-NUS Centre for Clinical Pharmacology (LNUS). As the Managing Director and Principal Investigator, Danny had responsibility and oversight for all clinical Phase 1 studies conducted and operations in the unit. A/Prof Danny Soon was also previously the Executive Director at BMRC, A*STAR and founding CEO of the Experimental Biotherapeutics Centre.
Dr Fariz Safhan Mohamad Nor
Consultant Nephrologist & Physician, Head of Nephrology Services Pahang, Head of Nephrology Department & Head of Clinical Research Centre, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan
Dr. Fariz Safhan, a 1999 University of Otago graduate, is a Consultant Nephrologist and Physician at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA), Kuantan. He heads Nephrology Services in Pahang, the Nephrology Department at HTAA, and the Clinical Research Centre for HTAA and Pahang, also providing visiting nephrology services across Pahang. Dr. Fariz Safhan is an Honorary Lecturer at UIAM Medical School and serves as an MSQH surveyor for Hemodialysis Centre Service Accreditation. He also holds the position of Honorary Secretary for the Malaysian Society of Nephrology. Dr. Fariz Safhan is actively engaged in clinical research, with a strong track record of publications and clinical trials. He has led 15 studies as a principal investigator and served as the national lead for 6 trials. His research interests include IgA Nephropathy, Chronic Kidney Disease, Lupus Nephritis, and Critical Care Nephrology. He's received recognition for his clinical trial contributions, including top APAC and global recruiter awards, and was named Malaysian Research Personality in 2023. He's a frequent speaker at nephrology and internal medicine conferences.
Mr Henry Yau
Managing Director, Clinical Trials Centre, Hong Kong University
Henry Yau is the Group CEO of HKU Clinical Trials Centre (China) and HKU Clinical Research (Shenzhen), Managing Director of HKU Clinical Trials Centre, Managing Director of Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong Clinical Trials Centre, Honorary Assistant Professor of Macau University of Science and Technology and Non-executive Director of MUST Clinical Trials Centre. Henry also undertakes different roles in many international bodies such as Steering Board Member and Past Chairperson of the International Clinical Trial Center Network (ICN), Member of the Working Group on Good Governance Practice for Research Institutions of the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS), Advisor (Asia) of Training and Resources in Research Ethics Evaluation Program (TRREE), and Expert Member of the Academic Advisory Committee of the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trials Center (BAY TRIAL).
Dr Hualong Sun
Chief Strategy Officer, Clinical Service Center
• PhD from University of Tokyo. • 24+ years’ experience in clinical development, served to Merck Serno and PAREXEL etc global pharmaceutical and CRO companies as Biostatistician, Data Manager, head of DM Department, clinical operations, and chief operating officer, etc. • Experience in clinical trials across phase I-IV in fields of oncology, Fertility, Urinary, Immunology, Psychiatry, Gastroenterology, Infectious Disease, and Medical Devices • Member of DIA China Advisory Consultation Committee(ACC). Vice President of DIA Data Science Committee • Core Member of China Clinical Data Management Working Group • Member of Steer Committee of SCDM China
Ms Indri Rooslamiati
Director, Center for Biomedical and Health Genomics (BB Binomika) and Indonesia Clinical Research Center (INA-CRC), The Ministry of Health of Indonesia
Indri Rooslamiati Supriadi, the Director of the National Center for Biomedical and Health Genomics and Indonesia Clinical Research Center (INA-CRC) under Indonesia’s Ministry of Health. She leads initiatives to enhance healthcare services through precision medicine and oversees the INA-CRC, which facilitates clinical trials and strengthens research capacity in hospitals. Indri has played a key role in advancing Indonesia’s clinical trial infrastructure by streamlining regulations, fostering public-private partnerships. In addition to her work, she is pursuing a PhD at Utrecht University, focusing on health genomics and clinical research. With her expertise and commitment, Indri continues to drive innovation in biomedical research and precision medicine. Her efforts are helping Indonesia emerge as a clinical trial hub in the region.
Prof Juliana Chan
Professor of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Dr Juliana Chan is Professor of Medicine and Therapeutics at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Director, Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity and Director, Clinical Research Management Office. She is a diabetologist and clinical pharmacologist with interest in epidemiology, genetics, clinical trials and care models. Since 1990s, she had trained a multidisciplinary team and set up the diabetes clinical trial unit and participated in landmark studies in diabetes and kidney disease as lead investigator and member of steering committee. She translated the learning from clinical trials to establish the Hong Kong Diabetes Register and biobank which evolved to become the Joint Asia Diabetes Evaluation (JADE) Platform to implement pragmatic trials and data-driven care with creation of real-world evidence and discovery of biomarkers for precision medicine. She has published 900 articles and 20 book chapters and serves on advisory boards of multinational companies and committees of practice guidelines.
Dr Jun Kitahara
Head, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, PMDA
Dr. Jun KITAHARA has been a Head of PMDA Asia Office located in Bangkok since July 2024. He was joined to PMDA in 2005. Since then, he was involved in new drug review, medical device review, safety measures and others. Based on such experience, he has more than 10 years of experience in the field of international affairs which include international collaboration such as ICH, IMDRF and liaison between PMDA and Swissmedic. He had his post-doctoral training in the US. He is a pharmacist, graduated Kitasato University and received Ph.D.
Dr Khor Swee Kheng
Chief Executive Officer, Angsana Health
Dr Khor Swee Kheng is a Malaysian physician specializing in health systems, based between Hong Kong and Malaysia. Currently, he is CEO of Angsana Health (digital health in Southeast Asia), Member of the Healthcare Reforms Task Force to the Prime Minister's Advisory Council Malaysia, Assistant Professor in Hong Kong University, adviser to Proto Axiom and Senior Visiting Fellow in the United Nations University. He has a 19-year career in medicine, pharma and think-tanks, based in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Dubai, Shanghai, Paris, Oxford and Hong Kong, covering >90 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. He has MD (Malaysia), MRCP (UK), MPH (Berkeley) and MPP (Oxford), with >210 publications.
Dr Lim Weng Khong
Assistant Professor, Duke-NUS Medical School
Weng Khong is an Assistant Professor in the Cancer & Stem Cell program at the Duke-NUS Medical School and leads the bioinformatics team at the SingHealth Duke-NUS Institute of Precision Medicine (PRISM). He also holds a joint faculty appointment at the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS). He obtained his PhD in Genetics from Cambridge University in 2012 and subsequently conducted his postdoctoral research at the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), where he worked in various projects aimed at uncovering the genomic basis of various cancers. Among others, he showed that fibroadenomas; breast tumours that affect up to 10% of women, were primarily driven by somatic mutations in the MED12 gene. Since 2016, he has been directing efforts at PRISM to develop a genome analytics platform to support genomic medicine initiatives in Singapore. Recently, he led the SG10K_Med study which studied population genetic risk in a multi-ethnic cohort of 10,000 Singaporeans.
Dr Linda Hakes
Member, Scientific Review Panel for Phase 1 Clinical Trials
Linda Hakes has more than 40 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry, and has worked in UK, USA and Germany. Her experience covers most aspects of pharmaceutical product development, and she spent many years in senior roles in both product development and product leadership. Since 2016 Linda has been an independent consultant with a focus on pharmaceutical development and development strategy. Linda has served as a Vice President of FIP and was also President of the Industrial Pharmacy Section for 6 years. She is a past Chairman of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences and a Fellow of both the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and FIP.
Dr Lingeswaran A/L Kasilingam
Consultant Nuclear Medicine Physician, Beacon Hospital
Dr Lingeswaran Kasilingam is a Consultant Nuclear Medicine Physician at Beacon Hospital, Petaling Jaya and Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur. As the Past President of Malaysian Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging (2017 - 2019) and Former Vice President of Nuclear Medicine, Malaysian College of Radiology (2016 – 2020), he has been regularly invited as a speaker for many national and regional conferences. He is the pioneer of targeted radionuclide therapy in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate carcinoma with introduction of Lutetium-177 PSMA and Actinium-225 PSMA in Malaysia and South East Asia in 2017 and 2022 respectively.
Ms Luisiawati Khalil
Clinical Research Director of Singapore and Malaysia, Global Clinical Trial Operations, Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD)
Luisiawati has 27 years of industry experience managing a team across Malaysia and Singapore consisting of Clinical Research Associates, Clinical Research Managers, Clinical Trial Coordinators, Clinical Operations Managers, CRA Managers, Therapeutic Area Head and a COM Lead. Delivering a total number of 52 clinical trials in Malaysia from planning to reporting mainly in oncology, general medicine, infectious disease and vaccines bringing Malaysian patients closer to innovative therapies, collaborating with the partner of choice. Effective 2021 Luisiawati was promoted to Clinical Research Director of Global Clinical Trial Operations, in Malaysia-Singapore. Prior to that Luisiawati was the Senior Clinical Operations Manager from 2018 and a Clinical Research Manager. She started her career as a Clinical Research Associate with Quintiles/ Iqvia from 1997 to 1999. She has a Masters in Public Health from the National University of Singapore and BSc (Hons) in Nutrition /Dietetics from the University of Surrey, England UK.
Mr Luis Segovia Sordo
Director, Site Alliances APAC, Parexel Interational
Luis has over 25 years of experience in clinical trials. He is a world trotter professional who has lived and worked in Europe, US and Asia. He has a wide range of expertise that includes, just to name few, clinical operations, feasibility strategy, site relationship development and management, and decentralized engagement solutions. Luis is an experienced developer, leader, and implementer of company strategies with a focus on site relationships and business development. He is passionate about the importance of relationships between sites and industry that foster growth and mutual enrichment. Recently Luis is very excited about the increased used of AI in Health Care and Clinical Research, and also about the rise of geographical alliances like ASEAN or the Greater Bay Area (China) as strong stakeholders in the Clinical Trials regional and global landscape.
Dr Mohd Azahadi Omar
Public Health Physician, National Institutes of Health (NIH) Malaysia
Dr. Mohd Azahadi Omar is a Public Health Physician and Head of the Sector for Biostatistics and Data Repository at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Ministry of Health, Malaysia. He obtained his Master’s in Public Health (Epidemiology & Statistics) from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in 2003. With over 20 years of experience, he has led multiple national surveys as Principal Investigator, Co-PI, and head of data management. His main interests are in research methodology, biostatistics, and burden of disease studies. Dr. Azahadi has published over 140 peer-reviewed articles and has delivered more than 190 presentations at local and international conferences. He is a life member of the Academy of Medicine of Malaysia, Public Health Physician Association, and Malaysian Medical Association, and has received multiple Excellent Service Awards as well as the Best Researcher (Non-Biomedical) Award in 2016 for his contributions to public health research.
Ir Dr Mohd Zulhilmi Paiz Ismadi
Co-Founder, ASEAN Hemophilia Network
Dr. Zulhilmi is a severe hemophilia B patient who grew up with limited medical care in his childhood. As a recipient of the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) prestigious international fellowship in 2014, he co-founded ASEAN Hemophilia Network (AHN) and actively led patient empowerment, strategic management and prophylactic treatment advocacy programs in Singapore, Indonesia and Myanmar. With his vast experience in international advocacy strategy, he has been appointed as an advisor and member to several task forces towards the development of national policies and blueprint. He holds a bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering from Monash University Australia and has previously worked with a medical device start-up company prior to his return to Malaysia. Currently, he runs his engineering consulting practice while working as an academic in an international private university.
Dr Nik Sherina Hanafi
Chair, UMMC-Medical Research Ethics Committee (MREC)
Professor Dr. Nik Sherina Hanafi is a primary care physician in the Department of Primary Care Medicine, Universiti Malaya. She is currently the Chair of the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre’s Medical Research Ethics Committee (UMMC-MREC) and a member of the Faculty of Dentistry Medical Ethics Committee (FDMEC). She is an advisor with the faculty’s Master of Health Research Ethics programme (MoHRE). She reviews for national and international journals and is an Associate Editor for the Malaysian Family Physician Journal. She is also involved with Malaysian Ministry of Health’s Clinical Practice Guidelines and is the current Vice President of the Malaysian Society of Hypertension. She teaches the faculty’s undergraduate medical students and Master of Family Medicine trainees. As a clinician, she provides acute and chronic care to patients in the primary care clinic of UMMC. Her current research focuses on chronic respiratory conditions in low- and middle-income countries.
Ms Ni Mei
Senior Review Engineer, Shanghai Center for Drug Evaluation and Inspection
Awards: Second Prize of Shanghai Science and Technology Progress,First Prize at the 14th and 15th Shanghai Pharmaceutical Society's Pharmaceutical Analysis Excellent Youth Paper Presentation etc Memberships: Member of Shanghai Pharmacological Society's Clinical Trial Professional Committee Member of China Medical Quality Management Association's Clinical Research Quality and Evaluation Committee Youth Editor of "China New Drugs and Clinical Journal" Research Focus: Regulatory science research in clinical trials. Research Projects: Hosted the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Global Fund Project, National Pharmacopoeia Commission Standard Improvement Project, China Pharmaceutical Regulatory Research Society Project, National Medical Products Administration Project, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology Project, Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation Policy Research Project, and Shanghai Municipal Drug Administration Pharmaceutical Regulatory Science Research Project. Recently, focused on cell therapy, leading Municipal Bureau-level projects such as "Risk Focus and Regulatory Strategies for Gene-Modified Cell Therapy Products" and "Research on CAR-T Cell Therapy Product Trial Standards".
Datuk Dr Nor Fariza Ngah
Deputy Director-General of Health (Research and Technical Support), Ministry of Health
Datuk Dr. Nor Fariza Ngah is the Deputy Director-General of Health (Research and Technical Support) at the Ministry of Health Malaysia. A distinguished ophthalmologist specializing in medical retina and uveitis, she has led numerous key roles, including as National Head of Ophthalmology Service and President of the College of Ophthalmologists, AMMalaysia. Dr. Fariza has significantly advanced ophthalmic care in Malaysia, pioneering retinal services and diabetic retinopathy screening programs. She has been at the forefront of integrating AI technology into ophthalmic diagnostics and is an advocate for digital health innovation. Her extensive work includes contributions to national and international research, policy development, and genomic studies. Recognized for her leadership and dedication, she has received prestigious awards, including the Distinguished Service Award from APAO and the Mohd Noor Marahakim Award. Dr. Fariza continues to make impactful contributions to healthcare and medical innovation.
Ms Nor Hafiza Johari
Clinical Operations Manager, Clinical Research Malaysia
Nor Hafiza Johari graduated from the University of Putra Malaysia with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biology. She started her career as a full-time study coordinator, managing trials in various therapeutic areas such as gastroenterology, endocrinology, surgical, infectious disease and nephrology. Currently, she is the Clinical Operations Manager at Clinical Research Malaysia (CRM). For the past 12 years, she has engaged with different sponsors, CROs, investigators, and trial sites to assist in the conduct of trials. She also provides leadership to her direct reports, ensuring the smooth running of operations while maintaining compliance with relevant industry regulations and internal policies.
Ms Nurul Izzah Anwar
Former Member of the House of Representatives of Malaysia, Parliament of Malaysia
Nurul Izzah Anwar is a social policy activist, former three-term legislator, and public servant. She is also a mother of three. She holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from UNITEN Malaysia and a Master’s in International Relations and Southeast Asia Studies from the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University. She co-founded Malaysia's leading multiethnic party, the People's Justice Party (KEADILAN), in 1999 and serves as its Vice President. The party now leads the government in Malaysia. As a Member of Parliament, she was a founding member of the Parliamentary. Select Committee on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement and later headed the Technical and Vocational Empowerment Committee under the Ministry of Education in 2018. In 2021, she led a COVID-adjusted Multidimensional Poverty Index study in her constituency of Permatang Pauh. In 2023, she co-chaired the Secretariat of the Special Advisory Body to the Minister of Finance. She also serves as an advisor to MAHAR, an organisation empowering people facing humanitarian crisis both in Malaysia and abroad. MAHAR in our broader purpose to aid and empower people who are facing humanitarian crisis, has been involved in aid and relief works locally and internationally. Nurul Izzah now heads POLITY, a think tank focused on empowering women and youth in communities everywhere.
Dr Peter Tok Seah Keng
ICR Public Health Physician, Institute for Clinical Research (ICR)
Dr Peter Tok is a public health medicine specialist and researcher in the Institute for Clinical Research (ICR), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Ministry of Health Malaysia. After his medical training, he pursued and obtained an MPH and DrPH from the University of Malaya. His research focuses on the epidemiology of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance.
Dato’ Dr Philip Rajan Devesahayam
"Consultant Otorhinolaryngologist, Head of Clinical Research Center, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ipoh
Dr. Philip Rajan Devesahayam is the Head of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun and Head of the Clinical Research Centre, Perak. With extensive training in Otology, Neurotology, and Endoscopic Ear Surgery, he pioneered cochlear implant services and ENT awareness programmes in Perak. He has authored over 100 publications, contributed to national ENT guidelines, and trained numerous ENT surgeons. An Adjunct Professor at Taylor’s University, Dr. Philip is also a respected speaker, educator, and recipient of multiple national and international awards
Assoc Prof Dr Pongsakorn Tantilipikorn
Associate Professor and Chair, Center of Research Excellence in Allergy & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand
Associate Professor Dr.Pongsakorn Tantilipikorn completed his MD degree in 1992, and ENT training in Thailand in 1997. He was a rhinology fellow in University of Pennsylvania during 1997-1999. From 1999, he worked as an assistant professor in Chiang Mai University till 2004. He also got his PhD of Biostatistic&Epidemiology, under the thesis (with excellent result of defending thesis) title “Nasal Allergy: Diagnostic Criteria and Its Co-morbidities”. He currently is an Associate Professor and Chief of Center of Research Excellence in Allergy & Immunology of Faculty of Medicine. He also has previous executive duties as Assistant President in Research and Academic Affairs, Mahidol University, and Assistant Director of Thailand Science, Research and Innovation (TSRI). He has been elected to be a board member of the International Society of Infection and Allergy of the Nose (ISIAN) since 2016. His special interests are: allergen immunotherapy, nasal inflammation, minimally invasive rhinologic procedures, mucosal immunity of nose & paranasal sinuses and pathophysiology of rhinosinusitis.
Ms Ranjit Kaur Pritam Singh
Immediate Past President, Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia
Lived experience of breast cancer since 1998 and Patient Advocate Advisory Board Member for Asia Pacific Patient Safety, Patient Academy for Innovation and Research Board of Directors, Reach to Recovery International (Breast Cancer Support) Advisory Board Member, Asia Pacific Oncology Alliance Member of Patient Advocacy Working Group, European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Technical Lead on Community & Patient Access, City Cancer Challenge, Greater Petaling, Malaysia Reach to Recovery Programme Director, National Cancer Society Malaysia Executive Committee Member, Together Against Cancer Association Malaysia Past President, Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia (2000-2014, 2016-2022). Peer Reviewer for the Package of Interventions for Rehabilitation for Cancer (mainly LMICs) led by the World Health Organisation Technical Working Group member for WHO on Costing of breast cancer rehabilitation services Outstanding UICC Volunteer Award (2004) Terese Lasser Award conferred by Reach to Recovery International (2011).
Ms Shalini Sabesan
Clinical Operations Manager, Novo Nordisk
Shalini Sabesan is currently serving as the Clinical Operations Manager at Novo Nordisk Pharma (M) Sdn. Bhd., a position she assumed in May 2024. She holds a Degree in Biochemistry (1994–1997) and a Master’s in Business Administration (2000–2002), both from the National University of Malaysia (UKM). Shalini brings with her over two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, having worked with various renowned organisations. Her career began at Astra Pharmaceutical / AstraZeneca Malaysia (1997–2001), followed by roles at Aventis Farma Malaysia (2001–2003), and a brief stint at Q Guys, London Bridge, UK, a Phase 1 centre, in 2003. She then joined Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, UK (2003–2004), Innovex UK Ltd. (2004–2005) outsourced to MSD UK, and later served at Schering Plough / MSD Malaysia (2006–2010). Shalini has also held positions at Pharmaceutical Product Development (PPD) Malaysia (2011–2012), Covance Inc. Malaysia (2012–2014), Roche Malaysia (2014–2020), and PRA Health Sciences/ICON (2020–2022) outsourced to MSD Malaysia. Most recently, she was with Tigermed Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (2022–May 2024), before joining her current role at Novo Nordisk. Her extensive experience spans both local and international settings, with deep expertise in clinical operations.
Dato Sivakumar Krishnan
Chief Executive Officer, HTN Berhad
Dato' Sivakumar Krishnan is a distinguished leader in the healthcare technology sector, serving as the Founder of HTN Berhad, a company dedicated to advancing healthcare solutions in Malaysia. In addition to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Dato' Sivakumar holds the position of Advisor at the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI), under the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation Malaysia. In this capacity, he contributes to the development and implementation of digital health initiatives nationwide. Dato' Sivakumar's expertise is recognized internationally; he serves as a jury member for the Global Digital Health Summit, Expo & Awards, where he evaluates innovative solutions in digital health. His extensive experience and commitment to healthcare innovation make Dato' Sivakumar Krishnan a sought-after speaker for conferences and seminars focused on digital health, technology integration, and healthcare advancements.
Dr Sock Hwee Tan
Assistant Director, Strategic and Planning, Cardiovascular Disease National Collaborative Enterprise (CADENCE)
Dr. Sock Hwee Tan is the Assistant Director of the Cardiovascular Disease National Collaborative Enterprise (CADENCE), where she leads partnerships and collaborations in cardiovascular clinical domains at global and local levels. She also holds an academic appointment as an Adjunct Fellow in the Department of Medicine at Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, bridging basic science research from bench to bedside. She earned her Ph.D. in 2010 from Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia, with a focus on omics-based biomarker discovery for colorectal cancer. Following postdoctoral training at the Australian Proteome Analysis Facility (APAF), she returned to Singapore in 2014. She began her clinical and research career at the Cardiovascular Research Institute (CVRI), contributing to studies on novel prognostic and diagnostic cardiac biomarkers and overseeing multi-site clinical trials both locally and internationally.
Ms Staci Tan
Former Trial Participation
Staci Tan was 25 years old when she was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer unexpectedly during a pre-employment medical check-up back in 2016. For the next 9 months, she went through surgery and twelve cycles of chemotherapy. No cancer was detected at the end of her treatment. She then enrolled in a double-blind clinical trial, taking daily prescriptions for the next 3 years. It has been more than 5 years since the end of her clinical trial. She is now 34 years old, happily married with 2 young kids.
Dr Sudhanshu Agarwal
Global Chief Executive Officer, INGENū CRO
Dr Sud Agarwal is a physician-executive and clinical trials strategist with over two decades of experience in anaesthesiology, drug development, and biotechnology leadership. Trained in the UK and Australia, he holds a BSc(Hons) and MBChB from the University of Bristol and completed specialist anaesthesiology training at the Royal Melbourne Hospital in 2009. From 2009 to 2015, Dr Agarwal worked as a Specialist Cardiac Anaesthesiologist at Monash Medical Centre. Since 2015, he has led a private specialist anaesthesia practice while holding senior roles across the global biotech sector. Dr Agarwal is Chief Executive of INGENU CRO, a global contract research organisation specialising in the design and execution of Phase 1?3 clinical trials. He works closely with Nasdaq-listed, ASX-listed, and private biotech and pharma companies across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. His expertise includes first-in-human studies, decentralised trial models, adaptive designs, and regulatory pathways under FDA IND and CTN schemes. As a senior clinical development advisor, he has led regulatory strategy, protocol design, site selection, and global trial operations across therapeutic areas such as oncology, neurology, ophthalmology, and psychedelics. He is a former director of both ASX- and NASDAQ-listed biotech firms, with extensive experience in regulatory agency interaction, clinical governance, and commercial strategy.
Assist Prof Dr Suvimol Niyomnaitham
Assistant Professor of Pharmacology and Vice Director, Siriraj Institute of Clinical Research
Dr. Suvimol Niyomnaitham is a distinguished medical researcher specializing in pharmacoepidemiology, bioequivalence studies, and drug safety. She earned her Doctor of Medicine from Mahidol University, a Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the University of Pennsylvania, USA, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacoepidemiology from the University of Queensland, Australia. As Vice Director of SICRES, she plays a pivotal role in clinical research initiatives, serving as a principal investigator and overseeing protocol development and data management. Her oncology research, conducted in affiliation with the Department of Pharmacology, focuses on genetic alterations and circulating tumor DNA in Thai breast cancer patients. A prolific author and peer reviewer for scientific journals, Dr. Niyomnaitham has secured various research grants and actively collaborates on studies aimed at improving clinical outcomes.
Dr Swee Ping Tang
Deputy Chairperson, Medical Research Ethics Committee (MREC)
Dr. Swee Ping Tang is a Senior Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Rheumatologist, and Head of the Paediatric Department at Selayang Hospital, Malaysia. A graduate of the University of Malaya and Fellow of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (UK), she founded Malaysia’s first tertiary Paediatric Rheumatology referral center in 2004. Under her leadership, the service has expanded to five additional states, improving care for children with complex autoimmune and rheumatic diseases. Dr. Tang is an accomplished researcher, having authored book chapters and peer-reviewed publications, and serves as a reviewer for international journals. She has dedicated over a decade to research ethics, currently serving as Deputy Chairperson of the Medical Research & Ethics Committee (MREC). She also holds the role of Deputy Chairperson at the Clinical Research Centre (CRC) Selayang. Dr. Tang remains a leading figure in paediatric rheumatology, advancing patient care, research, and medical education.
Dr Syazatul Syakirin Sirol Aflah
Respiratory Physician, Institute of Respiratory Medicine
Dr. Syazatul Syakirin binti Sirol Aflah is a Respiratory Consultant at Institut Perubatan Respiratori, Kuala Lumpur. She graduated from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in 2003 and obtained her MRCP (UK) in 2010. She completed her respiratory subspecialty training in Malaysia and pursued further training in Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) under Professor Venerino Poletti in Forli, Italy. She is an active member of several national and international respiratory societies, including Malaysia Thoracic Society, Asian Pacific Society Respiratory, European Respiratory Society, European Society Thoracic Imaging and World Association Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Disease. She is deeply involved in research, both industry-sponsored and investigator-initiated, has been recognized multiple times as a top recruiter in ILD clinical trials across the APAC region and Malaysia. She has presented her work at various local and international congresses. Her primary interest lies in ILD, where she continues to contribute through clinical practice, research, and education.
Dr Vasee Moorthy
Senior Advisor, R&D, World Health Organization
Dr Vasee Moorthy is head of the WHO global clinical trials secretariat based in Geneva, Switzerland, and coordinated development of WHO’s 2024 Guidance for best practices for clinical trials, as well as the 2025 Global Action Plan for Clinical Trial Ecosystem Strengthening. He is an internal medicine/infectious diseases physician and malaria vaccine immunologist with 25 years experience in clinical trials as Sponsor, PI, funder and now global convenor and facilitator at WHO. He leads a team that provides technical support to Member States. He oversaw pivotal clinical trials in malaria, Ebola, COVID19 and other disease areas, for medicines, vaccines and other interventions. He co-led WHO’s Solidarity trial which enrolled participants in 45 countries in all 6 WHO regions.
Mr Victor Paul Dorai Raj
Trial Participation
I am an Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya and was admitted to the Malaysian Bar in 1991. I am based in Kedah with over 33 years of uninterrupted practice. I specialize in a diverse range of legal services, including Civil and Commercial Litigation, Banking Litigation, Construction Disputes, and Conveyancing and related matters. I was the Former Kedah State Bar Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Bar Council National Legal Aid “Yayasan Bantuan Guaman Kebangsaan”. I am also a trained Mediator.
Assoc Prof Dr Wan Zamaniah
Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Head of Clinical Oncology Department, University Malaya Medical Centre
Associate Prof. Dr. Wan Zamaniah Wan Ishak is a Consultant Clinical Oncologist at the University Malaya Medical Centre and University Malaya Specialist Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She graduated from University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia with Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery in 2001. Upon completion of her specialist training in clinical oncology in 2010 at the University of Malaya she joined University Malaya as a lecturer. She is a supervisor and coordinator for Master of Clinical Oncology program as well as the University Malaya Medical program at the Faculty of Medicine, UM. She is also actively doing research in clinical oncology field. She is also a council member of Malaysian Oncological Society, an Asia Pacific Regional council member for American Society of Clinical Oncology, a member of Academy of Medicine Malaysia, European Society for Medical Oncology and member of European Society of Radiation Oncology. Her areas of special interest include gastrointestinal cancers, head and neck cancers, gynecological cancers and thyroid cancer. She is principal investigator for several international clinical trials mainly in gastrointestinal cancers and head and neck cancers. She published some of her works in the areas involved. She speaks in her areas of interest in both local and international scientific conferences.
Mr Wei Quan Chan
Clinical Research Manager, J&J Innovative Medicine, Global Clinical Operations, Johnson & Johnson
Wei Quan holds a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science from the University of Tunku Abdul Rahman in Malaysia. With over 10 years of experience in the clinical research industry, Wei Quan began his career as a study coordinator at a local site management organization before joining Jassen (now known as Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, or JJIM) in 2016. Throughout his tenure at JJIM, he has progressed through various roles within Global Clinical Operations, including Site Manager, Senior Site Manager, and Project Manager. Currently, he serves as the Clinical Operations Manager, where he supervises country operations (together with Country Head) in Malaysia and manages Project Managers and Site Managers. Wei Quan specializes in study start-up and is dedicated to accelerating study timelines and increasing the number of study placements in Malaysia.
Dr Yolanda Sydney Augustin
Clinical Oncologist, City-St George’s University of London
Dr Yolanda Augustin is a Malaysian oncologist with a special interest in global oncology. She did her undergraduate and general medical training at Guy's, King's and St Thomas School of Medicine before undertaking clinical oncology specialist training at the Royal Marsden, London. She has a Diploma in Oncology, a Masters in Palliative Care and a PhD in novel, affordable diagnostics and therapeutics for Global Oncology. She is a Member of the Royal College of Physicians and a Fellow of the Royal College of Radiology. She helped establish the International Affordable Diagnostics and Therapeutics Alliance (IA-DATA) with a secretariat in Malaysia. IA-DATA brings together interdisciplinary experts from academia, global health, responsible industry and civil society to collaborate and build resilience in research, development, innovation and manufacturing for the Global South. Her research interests include drug repurposing for cancer, with multi-disciplinary collaborations at City-St George's University of London, Universiti Malaya and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.
Dr Yvonne Lim Mei Fong
Pharmacist Researcher, Institute for Clinical Research (ICR)
Dr Yvonne Lim Mei Fong is a researcher at the Institute for Clinical Research (ICR), Ministry of Health Malaysia. She holds a PhD in Epidemiology from Utrecht University, with a research focus on the generalizability of randomized controlled trials in heart failure. Her professional background includes extensive experience in clinical epidemiology, primary care research, and healthcare data analytics. She has contributed to multiple national and international studies, including on cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and Zika virus infection. Dr Yvonne is also widely published in peer-reviewed journals and actively involved in improving healthcare outcomes through data-driven research.
Dr Zaril Harza Zakaria
Head of Investigational Product Evaluation and Safety Section, National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency
Dr. Zaril Harza Zakaria is the Head of the Investigational Product Section at the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA), leading a team responsible for evaluating clinical trials, including vaccines and First in Human (FIH) trials. He ensures that these trials meet safety, efficacy, and ethical standards by collaborating with local and international stakeholders. As a Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Inspector, he inspects bioequivalence centres, clinical trial sites, and ethics committees. He works with regulatory bodies and healthcare providers to facilitate successful clinical trials in Malaysia.
Ms Zarina Rosli
Senior Principal Assistant Director, Industry Development & Communication Section, National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency
Zarina obtained her Master of Science in Analytical Instrumentation and Chemical Analysis in 2009 and her Bachelor of Pharmacy in 2000, both from the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. She joined the Ministry of Health, Malaysia (MoH) in 2002 and has more than 15 years of experience in pharmaceutical regulatory, mainly in quality control area. She currently serves as Head of the Industry Development and Communication Section, which primarily serves as a central point for information and coordination related to regulatory requirements, while also facilitating effective communication between the regulatory authority and industry stakeholders.