FACULTY OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman MBBS FRACP Hon LLD Monash FAMM FASc DPMP DPMK President and Pro Vice-Chancellor Monash University Malaysia
will greet graduates presented to the Deputy Chancellor by
Professor Shaun Lee MPharm( Hons) Strathclyde PhD USM Head of the School Pharmacy Monash University Malaysia
FACULTY OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
Chan Hong Hao( Award Conferred 6 August 2025)
Title of Thesis:‘ Small Extracellular Vesicles( sEVs) from Human Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Spray-Drying Preservation and Therapeutic Potential in Necroptosis-Mediated Pulmonary Fibrosis Cell Models.’
This thesis contributes to developing an alternative approach for storing small extracellular vesicles( sEVs) derived from stem cells using a spray-drying method. Additionally, it explores the therapeutic potential of sEVs in pulmonary fibrosis( PF) by targeting the necroptosis pathway, a type of cell death. The findings suggest that spray-dried sEVs remain effective for up to 6 months in cold storage and that fresh sEVs exert anti-fibrotic and anti-necroptotic properties, thereby alleviating PF. This research provides new insights into the alternative storage forms of sEVs and their potential therapeutic applications in managing PF.
Supervisor: Dr How Chee Wun External Supervisor: Dr Jhi Biau Foo Associate Supervisor: Dr Chern Leing Lee External Supervisor: Dr Daniel Qi Hao Looi Associate Supervisor: Dr Ong Yong Sze
Teoh Kah Woon( Award Conferred 30 May 2025)
Title of Thesis:‘ A digital health-supported and community pharmacy-based prediabetes management program, the PRediabetes Intervention, Management, and Evaluation Program in Malaysia.’
Lifestyle interventions, including healthy diet and physical activities, can prevent the progression from prediabetes to diabetes. However, there are limited health programs in Malaysia to support individuals with prediabetes. This thesis describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of a mobile app-supported and community pharmacy-based prediabetes management program that provides prediabetes education, pharmacist counselling, and peer support. The findings reveal that the program effectively improve health and is potentially affordable. The thesis also identifies practical factors that can influence real-world adoption and implementation. These findings can help inform healthcare policies and practices to support effective diabetes preventive strategies.
Supervisor: Professor Shaun Lee Wen Huey Associate Supervisor: Associate Professor Simon Bell Associate Supervisor: Dr Choonming Ng Associate Supervisor: Associate Professor Chong Chun Wie
G R A D U A T I O N CELEBRATION 59