Dr. David W. CHAN 陳衛博士

Dr. David W. CHAN hku_logo qmh_logo

Research Officer

BSc; MPhil (HK); PhD (Monash)
location Rm 748, Laboratory Block, LKS Faculty of Medicine, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam
phone (852)-3917-9367
fax (852)-2816-1947
email HKU Scholars Hub
email https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6951-3467
Research Interests
  • Functional characterization of tumor suppressors and oncogenes and delineation of the related cellular signaling pathways such as ERK, Hedgehog and Wnt/b-catenin signaling pathways which contribute to the tumorigenesis of gynaecological malignancies. 

  • To examine the role of miRNAs in the development of chemo-resistance and metastasis in ovarian cancer.
  • To understand the underlying molecular mechanisms associated with cancer cell metabolism and tumor microenvironment in ovarian cancer.
Publications
2023
2022
  • JIANG Y., Siu K.Y., WANG J., Leung T.H.Y., Chan D.W., Cheung A.N.Y., Ngan H.Y.S. and Chan K.K.L., PFKFB3 Regulates Chemoresistance, Metastasis and Stemness via IAP Proteins and the NF-κB Signaling Pathway in Ovarian Cancer, Frontiers in Oncology. 2022, 12.
  • XUAN Y., WANG H., Yung M.H., Chen F., Chan W.S., Chan Y.S., Tsui S.K.W., Ngan H.Y.S., Chan K.K.L. and Chan D.W., SCD1/FADS2 fatty acid desaturases equipoise lipid metabolic activity and redox-driven ferroptosis in ascites-derived ovarian cancer cells, Theranostics. 2022, 12, 3534-3552.
2021
  • WANG J., Siu K.Y., JIANG Y., Leung T.H.Y., Chan D.W., WANG H., Ngan H.Y.S. and Chan K.K.L., A Combination of Glutaminase Inhibitor 968 and PD-L1 Blockade Boosts the Immune Response against Ovarian Cancer, Biomolecules. 2021, 11, 1749. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/biom11121749
  • Li E., Yang X., Du Y., Wang G., Chan D.W., Wu D., Xu P., Ni P., Xu D. and Hu Y., CXCL8 Associated Dendritic Cell Activation Marker Expression and Recruitment as Indicators of Favorable Outcomes in Colorectal Cancer, Frontiers in Immunology. 2021, 12. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.667177
  • WANG X., Yung M.H., Sharma R., Chen F., Poon Y.T., Lam W.Y., Li B., Ngan H.Y.S., Chan K.K.L. and Chan D.W., Epigenetic Silencing of miR-33b Promotes Peritoneal Metastases of Ovarian Cancer by Modulating the TAK1/FASN/CPT1A/NF-κB Axis, Cancers. 2021, 13, 4795. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/cancers13194795
  • Chan D.W., Lam W.Y., Chen F., Yung M.H., Chan Y.S., Chan W.S., He F., Liu S., Chan K.K.L., Li B. and Ngan H.Y.S., Genome-wide DNA methylome analysis identifies methylation signatures associated with survival and drug resistance of ovarian cancers, Clinical Epigenetics. 2021, 13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13148-021-01130-5
  • Klinosky D.J., Ho W.L., Ho S.L., Leung C.T.G., Liu H., Pang S.Y.Y., Ramsden D.B., Chan D.W. and Chan Y.S., Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition), Autophagy. 2021, 17(1), 1-382. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15548627.2020.1797280
  • Li H., Sun X., Yang J., Li L., Zhang W., Lu X., Chen J., Chen H., Yu M., Fu W., Peng X., Chen J. and Ng E.H.Y., Immediate versus delayed frozen embryo transfer in patients following a stimulated IVF cycle: a randomised controlled trial, Human Reproduction. 2021, 36, 1832-1840. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deab071
  • Han C., Patten D., Kim S., Lim J., Chan D.W., Siu K.Y., Han Y., Carmona E., Parks R., Lee C., Di L.J., Lu Z., Chan K.K.L., Ku J.L., Macdonald E., Vanderhyden B., Mes-Masson A.M., Ngan H.Y.S., Cheung A.N.Y., Song Y., Bast R., Harper M.E. and Tsang B., Nuclear HKII–P-p53 (Ser15) Interaction is a Prognostic Biomarker for Chemoresponsiveness and Glycolytic Regulation in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer, Cancers. 2021, 13, 3399. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/cancers13143399
  • Guan Y., Du Z., Wang G., Gou H., Xue Y., Xu J., Li E., Chan D.W., Wu D., Xu P., Ni P., Xu D. and Hu Y., Overexpression of PLXDC2 in Stromal Cell-Associated M2 Macrophages Is Related to EMT and the Progression of Gastric Cancer, Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology. 2021, 9. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2021.673295
  • Li J., Wu R., Yung M.H., Sun J., Li Z., Yang H., Zhang Y., Liu S., Cheung A.N.Y., Ngan H.Y.S., Braisted J.C., Zheng W., Wei H., Gao Y., Nemes P., Pei H., Chan D.W., Li Y. and Zhu W., SENP1-mediated deSUMOylation of JAK2 regulates its kinase activity and platinum drug resistance, Cell Death & Disease. 2021, 12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41419-021-03635-6
  • WANG H., Yung M.H., Ngan H.Y.S., Chan K.K.L. and Chan D.W., The Impact of the Tumor Microenvironment on Macrophage Polarization in Cancer Metastatic Progression, International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021, 22, 6560. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms22126560
  • LIANG R., Yung M.H., He F., JIAO P., Chan K.K.L., Ngan H.Y.S. and Chan D.W., The Stress-Inducible BCL2A1 Is Required for Ovarian Cancer Metastatic Progression in the Peritoneal Microenvironment, Cancers. 2021, 13, 4577. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/cancers13184577
2019

  • CHEN R., Yung M.H., XUAN Y., ZHAN S., LEUNG L.L., LIANG R., Leung T.H.Y., Yang H.J., Xu D., Sharma R., Chan K.K.L., Ngu S.F., Ngan H.Y.S. and Chan D.W., Targeting of lipid metabolism with a metabolic inhibitor cocktail eradicates peritoneal metastases in ovarian cancer cells, Communications Biology. 2019, 2. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s42003-019-0508-1

  • Leung T.H.Y., Tang W.M., Siu K.Y., Chan D.W., Chan K.K.L., Cheung A.N.Y. and Ngan H.Y.S., CD71(+) population enriched by HPV-E6 protein promotes cancer aggressiveness and radioresistance in cervical cancer cells, Molecular Cancer Research. 2019, molcanres.0068.2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.1158/1541-7786.MCR-19-0068

  • Li Z., Zhou W., Zhang Y., Sun W., Yung M.H., Sun J., Li J., Chen C.W., Li Z., Meng Y., Chai J., Zhou Y., Liu S., Cheung A.N.Y., Ngan H.Y.S., Chan D.W., Zheng W. and Zhu W., ERK regulates HIF-1α-mediated platinum resistance by directly targeting PHD2 in ovarian cancer, Clinical Cancer Research. 2019, clincanres.4145.2018. http://dx.doi.org/10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-18-4145

  • Sun J., Cai X., Yung M.H., Zhou W., Li J., Zhang Y., Li Z., Liu S., Cheung A.N.Y., Ngan H.Y.S., Li Y., Dai Z., Kai Y., Tzatsos A., Peng W., Chan D.W. and Zhu W., miR-137 mediates the functional link between c-Myc and EZH2 that regulates cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer, Oncogene. 2019, 38, 564-580. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41388-018-0459-x

  • Sun J, Cai X, YUNG MMH, Zhou W, Li J, Zhang Y, Li Z, Liu SS, Cheung AN, Ngan HYS, Li Y, Dai Z, Kai Y, Tzatsos A, Peng W, Chan DW*, Zhu W*. miR-137 mediates the functional link between c-Myc and EZH2 that regulates cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer. Oncogene 2019 Jan;38(4):564-580. (* Co-corresponding author)

  • Yao KM, Ngan AWL, Tsui M, So HF, Leung WY, and Chan DW. Novel nuclear partnering role of EPS8 with FOXM1 in regulating cell proliferation. Frontiers  Oncol 2019 March 9: 154.

2018

  • CHEN K., Liu X., MAK S.L., Yung M.H., Leung T.H.Y., Xu D., Ngu S.F., Chan K.K.L., Yang H.J., Ngan H.Y.S. and Chan D.W., Methylation-associated silencing of miR-193a-3p promotes ovarian cancer aggressiveness by targeting GRB7 and MAPK/ERK pathways , Theranostics. 2018, 8: 423-436. http://dx.doi.org/10.7150/thno.22377 (Publication No. : 284013)

  • LEUNG L.L., Yung M.H., Ngan H.Y.S. and Chan D.W., Study of hedgehog signaling in cervical cancer, ESMO Open. BMJ, 2018, 3: A89-A89. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/esmoopen-2018-EACR25.214 (Publication No. : 295865)

  • Sun J., Cai X., Yung M.H., Zhou W., Li J., Zhang Y., Li Z., Liu S., Cheung A.N.Y., Ngan H.Y.S., Li Y., Dai Z., Kai Y., Tzatsos A., Peng W., Chan D.W. and Zhu W., miR-137 mediates the functional link between c-Myc and EZH2 that regulates cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer, Oncogene. Springer Nature Limited, 2018. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41388-018-0459-x (Publication No. : 290017)

  • Wong JH, Sze SC*, Ng TB*, Cheung RC, Zhang KY*, Xiuli Dan, Chan YS, Cho WC, Ng CC, Waye MM, Liang W, Zhang J, Yang J, Ye X, Lin J, Ye X, Wang H, Liu F, Li G, Chan DW*, Ngan HY*, Tse TF*, and Chan H.. Apoptosis and anti-cancer drug discovery: the power of medicinal fungi and plants. Current Medicinal Chemistry. 2018 25(40) 5615 - 5626. (* Co-corresponding author)

  • Xiang L., Jiang W., Ye S., He T., Pei X., Li J., Chan D.W., Ngan H.Y.S., Li F., Tao P., Shen X., Zhou X., Wu X., Yang G. and Yang H., ERBB2 mutation: A promising target in non-squamous cervical cancer, Gynecologic Oncology. 2018. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ygyno.2017.12.023(Publication No. : 284014)

  • Ying L., Yan F., Meng Q., Yu L., Yuan X., Gantier M.P., Williams B.R., Chan D.W., Shi L., Tu Y., Ni P., Wang X., Chen W., Zang X., Xu D. and Hu Y., PD-L1 expression is a prognostic factor in subgroups of gastric cancer patients stratified according to their levels of CD8 and FOXP3 immune markers, OncoImmunology. Taylor & Francis, 2018, 7: e1433520. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/2162402X.2018.1433520 (Publication No. : 284378)

2017

  • Chan D.W., Hui W.W., Wang J.J., Yung M.H., Hui M.N., Qin Y.I.M.I.N.G., LIANG R., Leung T.H.Y., Xu D., Chan K.K.L., Yao K.M., Tsang B.K. and Ngan HYS, DLX1 acts as a crucial target of FOXM1 to promote ovarian cancer aggressiveness by enhancing TGF-β/SMAD4 signaling, Oncogene. 2017 Mar;36(10):1404-1416.

  • Chan D.Y.L., Lam K.K.W., Lau E.Y.L, Yeung W.S.B., Ng E.H.Y., Human varicella zoster virus is not present in the semen of a man affected by chickenpox during the in vitro fertilisation of his wife. Andrologia. 2017 Jul 3. doi: 10.1111/and.12822.

  • CHEN K., Ngan H.Y.S. and Chan D.W., Methylation-associated silencing of miR-193a-3p promotes ovarian cancer aggressiveness via targeting GRB7, Cancer Research. 2017, 77: LB-324-LB-324.

  • Leung THY, Tang HWM, Siu MKE, Chan DW, Chan KKL, Cheung ANY and Ngan HY. HPV-E6 protein enriches the CD55(+) population in cervical cancer cells promoting radio-resistance and cancer aggressiveness. J. Pathol. 2017 244(2):151-163.

  • Mak CS, Yung MM, Hui LM, Leung LL, Liang R, Chen K, Liu SS, Qin Y, Leung TH, Lee KF, Chan KK, Ngan HY, Chan DW. MicroRNA-141 enhances anoikis resistance in metastatic progression of ovarian cancer through targeting KLF12/Sp1/survivin axis. Mol Cancer. 2017 Jan 17;16(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s12943-017-0582-2.

  • Mak CS, Yung MMH, Hui LMN, Leung LL, Liang R, Chen KM, Liu SS, Qin Y, Leung THY,  Lee KF, Chan KKL, Ngan HYS and Chan DW*  Dysregulation of miR-141/KLF12/Sp1/survivin signaling promotes anoikis resistance in ovarian cancer metastatic progression. Mol Cancer 2017 16(1):1-17.

  • Wong J.H., Sze S.C.W., Ng T.B., Cheung R.C.F., Tam C., Zhang K.Y., Dan X., Chan Y.S., Cho W.C.S., Ng C.C.W., Waye M.M.Y., Liang W., Zhang J., Yang J., Ye X., Lin J., Ye X.J., Wang H., Liu F., Chan D.W., Ngan H.Y.S., Sha O., Li G., Tse R., Tse T.K. and Chan H., Apoptosis and anti-cancer drug discovery: the power of medicinal fungi and plants, In: Atta-ur-Rahman, FRS, Current Medicinal Chemistry. Bentham Science, 2017, 24: E-pub Abstract Ahead of Print.

  • Yan F., Ying L., Li X., Qiao B., Meng Q., Yu L., Yuan X., Ren S.T., Chan D.W., Shi L., Ni P., Wang X., Xu D. and Hu Y. Overexpression of the transcription factor ATF3 with a regulatory molecular signature associates with the pathogenic development of colorectal cancer. Oncotarget. 2017 8(29):47020-47036.

  • Ying L, Yan F, Meng Q, Yuan XL, Yu L, Williams BR, Chan DW, Shi L, Tu Y, Ni P, Wang XF, Xu D and Hu Y. Understanding immune phenotypes in human gastric disease tissues by multiplexed immunohistochemistry. J Translational Medicine. 2017 15(1):206.

2016

  • Chan D.W., Hui W.W., Wang J.J., Yung M.H., Hui M.N., Qin Y.I.M.I.N.G., LIANG R., Leung T.H.Y., Xu D., Chan K.K.L., Yao K.M., Tsang B.K. and Ngan H.Y.S., DLX1 acts as a crucial target of FOXM1 to promote ovarian cancer aggressiveness by enhancing TGF-β/SMAD4 signaling, In: Drs. Douglas Green and Justin Stebbing , Oncogene. UK, Macmillan Publishers Limited, 2016, 36: 1404-1416.

  • CHEN R., Ngan H.Y.S. and Chan D.W., The roles of AMPK and TAK1/NF-kB signaling cascade in governing cancer cell aggressiveness in omental microenvironemnt, European Journal of Cancer. 2016, 61: S165-S166

  • Yung MH, Ngan HYS and Chan DW*.  Targeting AMPK signaling in combating ovarian cancers: Opportunities and Challenges. Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica. 2016 48(4):301-17.

  • Yung MH, Ross FA, Hardie DG, Leung TH, Zhan JB, Ngan HYSand Chan DW*.  Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) extract functions as a natural AMPK activator and synergistically enhances cisplatin cytotoxicity in ovarian cancer cells. Integrat Cancer Ther. 2016 15(3):376-89. (The most read paper in 2015/16) * (Corresponding author)

2014

  • Cai C, Shi L, Liu VWS, Tang WM, Liu J, Leung THY, Chan KKL, Yam JWP, Yao KM, Ngan HYS and Chan DW. Elevated TAK1 augments tumor growth and metastatic capacities of ovarian cancer cells through activation of NF-κB signaling. Oncotarget 2014, 5: 7549-62.

  • Cai PC, Shi L, Liu VW, IJ Liu, Leung TH, Chan KK, Yao KM, Ngan HYS* and Chan DW*.  TAK1 promotes ovarian cancer aggressiveness through activation of NF-κB signal pathway. Oncotarget 2014 5(17):7549-62. (* Co-corresponding author)

  • Chan KKL, Leung TH, Chan DW, Wei N, Lau GT, Liu SS, Siu MK, and Ngan HY.  Targeting estrogen receptor subtypes in ovarian cancer. J. Endocrinol2014 221(2):325-36.

  • Chan KKL, Leung THY, Chan DW, Wei N, Lau TY, Liu S, Siu KY and Ngan HYS. Targeting estrogen receptor subtypes (ERalpha and ERbeta) with selective ER modulators in ovarian cancer. Journal of Endocrinology 2014, 221: 325-336.

  • Li C, Liu VWS, Chiu PM, Yao KM, Ngan HYS and Chan DW. Reduced expression of AMPK-beta1 during tumor progression enhances the oncogenic capacity of advanced ovarian cancer. Molecular Cancer 2014, 13: 49.

  • Liu MX, Siu MMK, Liu SS, JW Yam and Ngan HYS*and Chan DW*. Epigenetic silencing of miR-199b-5p is associated with chemoresistance of ovarian cancer through activation of JAG-1/NOTCH signaling cascade. Oncotarget 20145(4):94-958. (* co-corresponding author)

  • Liu X, Siu KY, Liu S, Yam JWP, Ngan HYS and Chan DW. Epigenetic silencing of microRNA-199b-5p is associated with acquired chemoresistance via activation of JAG1-Notch1 signaling in ovarian cancer. Oncotarget 2014, 5: 944–958.

2013

  • Kwan HT, Chan DW, Cai PC, Mak CS, Yung MM, Leung TH, Wong OG, Cheung AN, Ngan HY. AMPK activators suppress cervical cancer cell growth through inhibition of DVL3 mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity. PLoS One. 2013;8(1):e53597. [PubMed]

  • Leung TH, Wong SC, Chan KK, Chan DW, Cheung AN, Ngan HY.The interaction between C35 and ΔNp73 promotes chemo-resistance in ovarian cancer cells. Br J Cancer. 2013 Aug 20;109(4):965-75. [PubMed]

  • Yung MM, Chan DW, Liu VW, Yao KM, Ngan HY. Activation of AMPK inhibits cervical cancer cell growth through AKT/FOXO3a/FOXM1 signaling cascade. BMC Cancer. 2013 Jul 3;13:327. doi: 10.1186/1471-2407-13-327. [PubMed]

2012

  • Chan DW, Hui WY, Cai C, Liu X, Yung MH, Mak SL, Leung THY, Chan KKL, Ngan HYS. Targeting GRB7/ERK/FOXM1 Signaling Pathway Impairs Aggressiveness of Ovarian Cancer Cells. PLoS ONE. 2012, 7: e52578. [PubMed]

  • Chan DW, Mak CS, Leung TH, Chan KK, Ngan HY. Down-regulation of Sox7 is associated with aberrant activation of Wnt/b-catenin signaling in endometrial cancer. Oncotarget. 2012 Dec;3(12):1546-56. [PubMed]

  • Chan DW, Ngan HYS. The potential molecular therapeutic approach in targeting ovarian clear cell carcinoma, Gynecology & Obstetrics. OMICS Group, 2012, 2: 1000e103. 

  • Fung FK, Chan DW, Liu VW, Leung TH, Cheung AN, Ngan HY. Increased expression of PITX2 transcription factor contributes to ovarian cancer progression. PLoS One. 2012;7(5):e37076. [PubMed]

  • Li C, Liu VW, Chiu PM, Chan DW, Ngan HY. Over-expressions of AMPK subunits in ovarian carcinomas with significant clinical implications. BMC Cancer. 2012 Aug 16;12:357. [PubMed]

  • Liu X, Chan DW, Ngan HYS. Mechanisms of Chemoresistance in Human Ovarian Cancer at a Glance. Gynecology & Obstetrics. 2012; 2:1000e104. [PubMed]

2011

  • Chan DW, Liu VW, Leung LY, Yao KM, Chan KK, Cheung AN, Ngan HY. Zic2 synergistically enhances Hedgehog signalling through nuclear retention of Gli1 in cervical cancer cells. J Pathol. 2011 Dec;225(4):525-34. [PubMed]

  • Lok GT, Chan DW, Liu VW, Hui WW, Leung TH, Yao KM, Ngan HY. Aberrant activation of ERK/FOXM1 signaling cascade triggers the cell migration/invasion in ovarian cancer cells. PLoS One. 2011;6(8):e23790. [PubMed]

2010

  • Wang Y, Chan DW, Liu VWS, Chiu PM, Ngan HYS. Differential functions of growth factor receptor-bound protein 7 (GRB7) and its variant GRB7v in ovarian carcinogenesis, Clinical Cancer Research 2010;16:2529-39. [PubMed]

2009

  • KY Tse, VW Liu, DW Chan, PM Chiu, KF Tam, KK Chan, XY Liao, Cheung AN, HY Ngan. Epigenetic alteration of the Metallothionein 1E gene in human endometrial carcinomas. Tumour Biol 2009; 30: 93 - 99

2008

  • Chan DW, Liu VW, Tsao GS, Yao KM, Furukawa T, Chan KK, Ngan HY. Loss of MKP3 mediated by oxidative stress enhances tumorigenicity and chemoresistance of ovarian cancer cells. Carcinogenesis. 2008 Sep;29(9):1742-50.  [PubMed]

  • Chan DW, Yu SY, Chiu PM, Yao KM, Liu VW, Cheung AN, Ngan HY. Over-expression of FOXM1 transcription factor is associated with cervical cancer progression and pathogenesis. J Pathol. 2008 Jul;215(3):245-52. [PubMed]

2006

  • Chan DW, Chan CY, Yam JW, Ching YP, Ng IO. Prickle-1 negatively regulates Wnt/beta-catenin pathway by promoting Dishevelled ubiquitination/degradation in liver cancer. Gastroenterology. 2006 Oct;131(4):1218-27. Epub 2006 Jul 24. [PubMed]

Research Grants

  • Functional significance of TAK1-mediated NFkB signaling in omental metastasis of ovarian cancer. University Grants Committee of Hong Kong (UGC) Research Grants Council (RGC) Earmarked Grant for Research 2013-2014 (Principal Investigator) HK$1,039,239 (2013-2016)
  • The functional impact of AMP-activated protein kinase gamma-2 (AMPK-g2) subunit expression on AMPK activity and oncogenesis in ovarian cancer. University Grants Committee of Hong Kong (UGC) Research Grants Council (RGC) Earmarked Grant for Research 2011-2012 (Principal Investigator) HK$1,173,000 (2013-2015)
  • Mechanistic and functional characterization of Bitter Melon extract (BME) and its active component, MAP30, in combating ovarian cancer chemoresistance. HKU Seed Funding Programme for Basic research (Pricipal Investigator) $67,300 (2013-2015)
  • Functional Characterization of Has-miR-141, a Putative Oncogene in Promoting Anchorage-Independent Growth Ability of Ovarian Cancer Cells HKU Seed Funding Programme for Basic research (Pricipal Investigator) $67,100 (2012-2014)

Editorship

2010-present Gynecology & Obstetrics : Editorial Board member
2012-present American Journal of Clinical Cancer Research: Senior Editorial Board member

Reviewer of Journals

2007-present Gastroenterology, PNAS, Cancer Res, Clin Cancer Res, J. Pathol, Carcinogenesis, PLosOne, Brit J Cancer, Int J Cancer, Liver Int,BMC Cancer, Future Oncol, FASEB J

Awards and Honors

  • The Best Poster Award - Kwan HT, Chan DW, Liu VW and Ngan HY. Metformin inhibits cell growth through reduction of Dvl3 in gynecological cancer. The 15th Research Postgraduate Symposium December 1-2, 2010 
  • The Best Oral Presentation Award - Cai CH, Chan DW and Ngan HY. Increased expression of TAK1 promotes aggressiveness of ovarian cancer. The 17th Research Postgraduate Symposium December 13-14, 2012