Semenyih, Jan 31: Dr. Ho Weang Kee, an esteemed figure from the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM), has been honored with the Wellcome Trust Career Development Award (WTCDA).
This commendable achievement, which brings in a substantial grant of GBP £1.92 million (approximately RM11.3 million), is set to propel forward the development of pioneering breast cancer risk assessment and communication strategies specifically tailored for diverse Asian populations.
The Wellcome Trust, a prominent UK-based charitable organization dedicated to advancing human health and wellbeing, has recognized Dr. Ho’s potential to evolve into an international leader in research through this highly competitive award.
Dr. Ho’s project, an 8-year research endeavor co-hosted by UNM and Cancer Research Malaysia, aims to refine breast cancer risk prediction models by addressing the unique genetic and environmental factors present in varied Asian ethnicities. The project also focuses on innovating risk communication methods.
This award arrives just before the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, serving not only as a testament to Dr. Ho’s exceptional work but also as an emblem of the significant contributions of women in the scientific community.
Dr. Ho’s initiative is expected to fill crucial gaps in breast cancer risk assessment, especially in Asian ethnic subgroups where large-scale research data is often scarce.
By leveraging existing datasets and employing advanced statistical techniques, Dr. Ho plans to enhance disease risk prediction models for these under-represented populations, initially focusing on breast cancer with the intent to expand to other non-communicable diseases eventually.
The foundation of this research is the Malaysian Breast Cancer Genetics Studies, spearheaded by Cancer Research Malaysia, marking the largest breast cancer study in the nation.
Dr. Ho, also serving as the co-director of the Healthier Lives Research Cluster at UNM, emphasizes the project’s collaborative nature, involving partners from various countries and the dedicated team at UNM.
Professor Datin Paduka Dr. Teo Soo-Hwang, OBE, Chief Scientific Officer at Cancer Research Malaysia, lauded Dr. Ho’s scientific acumen and her transformative impact on cancer research, especially in understanding and predicting risk in Asian breast cancers.
UNM, with a strong focus on research and knowledge exchange, continues to seek partnerships and sponsorships to support such groundbreaking research endeavors.
The equal collaboration with Cancer Research Malaysia underscores UNM’s commitment to addressing contemporary challenges and paving the way for a healthier, more sustainable future. This initiative, celebrated as the first of its kind in Malaysia, highlights the university’s role in driving significant research and fostering global partnerships.
Professor Ir Dr. Mohd Shahir Liew, Vice Provost of Research and Knowledge Exchange (RKE) at UNM, expressed pride in the institution’s pioneering research efforts and its mission to tackle real-world challenges at local, regional, and international levels through collaborative and interdisciplinary partnerships.
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