I was trained as an engineer and later transitioned into stem cell research, blending a background in biomedical sciences and engineering. I started my career as a research scientist in genetic engineering with CryoCord Sdn Bhd in 2017. I was keen to advance my career as a scientist in the industrial setting and a PhD would bring more opportunities as I progressed. So, I was eager to pursue my PhD as I work.
After years of patiently waiting for the right opportunity, I was fortunate to meet my academic supervisor, Prof Leong Chee Onn, at a meeting organised by my company for an industrial-academic collaboration. With that opportunity given by my company, I started my industrial PhD at IMU University.
An Industrial PhD is a doctoral programme that combines academic research with practical application in industry. Unlike traditional PhDs, which are often conducted entirely within an academic environment, Industrial PhDs are carried out in collaboration with an industry partner. This partnership enabled me to address practical issues faced by my company while receiving a robust academic education and engaging in cutting-edge research.
My Journey as a PhD Student
As a medical biotechnology company, we are dedicated to alleviating the disease burden of patients suffering from neovascularization, particularly in ocular conditions. Through this collaborative effort, a cell-based gene therapy was developed under my PhD project that overexpresses anti-angiogenesis proteins using adeno-associated virus (AAV). Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are utilised as the vehicle to deliver the anti-angiogenic gene, soluble Flt-1, due to their immunoprivileged nature.
In vitro study revealed that genetically modified MSCs overexpressing an extremely low dosage of sFlt-1 achieved a comparable anti-angiogenic effect to bevacizumab, the current standard of care treatment. Furthermore, in vivo animal study well demonstrated the safety and efficacy of these genetically engineered MSCs, with pre-clinical data showing a significant anti-angiogenic effect in animals treated with MSCs.hsFlt-1.
The findings of this research offer promising prospects for patients afflicted with neovascularization, as this innovative approach may facilitate biological healing and ensure safety without the need for frequent drug injections, compared to the current standard clinical treatment.
As a result of my research, a patent has been filed based on the data generated from my PhD project and is currently under review. Additionally, a review paper has been published. With the patent pending, I am now focusing on publishing original articles stemming from my PhD work.
Balancing my work responsibilities with the demands of a PhD programme has been challenging. Traveling to multiple sites and working extra hours to meet both work and study commitments required resilience, dedication, and persistence. I am blessed to have supportive supervisors at both my workplace and university. The journey was bittersweet, but with encouragement from family, friends, co-workers, and IMU academic staff, I successfully completed the programme.
During my convocation, I was thrilled to be the first of the session to receive my PhD degree, with helpful staff assisting me through the process. I felt deeply content as my family and friends shared in my joy and expressed their pride in my achievement.
As a graduate of the Industrial PhD programme in Medical and Health Sciences, I am well-positioned for careers in both academia and industry as a highly skilled researcher with a diverse skill set. I possess the research credentials of a traditional PhD, along with practical experience and valuable industry connections. My company recognised and celebrated my successful completion of the PhD programme, which has significantly advanced my career, enabling me to transition into a more managerial role in research.
A friend once asked me why my Monday is “red.” I told her I don’t experience Monday blues because I am truly passionate about my work. I live by the motto: “Be passionate about the things that you are doing.”
Successfully completing this journey has not only underscored my resilience and dedication but also ignited a deeper passion for my work. Life will always have its ups and downs, but this experience has proven that resilience, dedication and enthusiasm can transform challenges into opportunities for both personal and career growth.
Written by Ewa Choy
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