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KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The Director of the Department of Medical Microbiology at the University of Malaya School of Medicine, Dr. Chan Yoke Fun, was announced as the winner of the Asean-USA Science Award. For Women 2020.
In a statement posted on Asean’s official website on Monday (August 31), Dr. Chan also received a cash award of US $ 20,000 (RM82,957), while the honorable mention goes to the assistant professor. at the Alice Lee Center for Nursing Studies at the National University of Singapore. (NUS), Dr. Shefaly Shorey, who received a cash award of US $ 5,000 (RM20,738).
Dr. Chan focused her research on developing a vaccine to fight a virus that causes foot-and-mouth disease and brain infections in children. Additionally, she has worked with local experts to raise awareness of the dangers and prevention of the virus in her community and beyond.
“This award is timely to demonstrate the active role of women in preventive health care. It is a recognition of a job well done and represents the opportunity for my team to do more. It has also empowered all ASEAN women scientists.”
“Passion, perseverance, and positive thinking help us reach greater heights,” said Dr. Chan.
Meanwhile, Dr Shorey, who focused her research on preventing depression during pregnancy and childbearing, has sought to influence policy makers through her research to demand support for maternal health. and children in the region.
Building on her research findings, she developed a free educational app called “At Home But Not Alone” to help new parents manage stress and deter postpartum depression.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to represent my country and profession and share my research on promoting women’s health on this International Platform.
“Many thanks to the Asean-USA Award Committee and the organizers for their wonderful support in making this year’s competition possible despite the ongoing pandemic,” said Dr. Shorey.
Both Dr. Chan and Dr. Shorey presented their research to a panel of judges through a face-to-face pitching competition held in a virtual evaluation session on August 13.
The panel was made up of members of the Asean Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (Costi), representatives of the Asean Secretariat, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Underwriters Laboratories.
The two finalists had been selected from a pool of 10 national finalists, each representing the brightest female scientists working in the field of preventive health care, the subject of this year’s award.
Asean-US Science Prize for Women is organized by Asean through Costi, USAID, and Underwriters Laboratories to recognize promising female scientists, who are in the early or middle stages of their careers, for their academic and professional achievements.
The competition will continue in 2021 with the theme “Clean air and clean water”. – Bernama
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