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Tuesday 16 May 2023 10:37am

Yi Zhen Tan - image
Yi Zhen Tan's passion for making a positive difference in healthcare led her to research alternative drug delivery systems for cancer patients.

“Dare to dream, dare to commit, and dare to make it come true,” says Yi Zhen Tan, as she reflects on the recent completion of her Master's at the University of Otago.

Graduating with a Master of Science from the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology this month, Yi Zhen shares what brought her from Malaysia to Dunedin and her passion for pharmaceutical research.

“Initially, I obtained my Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) in my homeland, Malaysia,” she says.

“After graduating, I worked as a pharmacist, which inspired me to appreciate the vital role drugs play in treating diseases.

“I have always had a deep-seated desire to make a difference for patients, and that is what drew me to research. I was particularly drawn to the University of Otago due to its outstanding reputation for research and diverse student community.”

Yi Zhen's dedication to research triumphs in her Master's thesis earning a distinction. Her research aimed to determine the safety of carbon nano-onions (CNOs) as a potential drug delivery system, with a focus on evaluating their systemic effects in mice.

“Research into the systemic effects of CNOs is critical,” she says. “As a type of carbon nanomaterial, CNOs have unique structural and physiochemical properties that make them an ideal candidate for use as a drug carrier.

“While carbon nanotubes have been the most extensively studied carbon nanomaterials, concerns over their toxicity have prompted the search for alternatives, such as CNOs.

“Our study showed that CNOs are non-toxic and could be a potential novel drug carrier that is safe to use.”

This discovery could significantly impact cancer treatment by mitigating the side effects of conventional chemotherapy and improving the quality of life for cancer patients.

In addition to her research, Yi Zhen is passionate about science communication.

Her talent in science communication was recognised when she won the Best Master's (Health Sciences) award for two consecutive years in the University's Three-Minute Thesis Competition, and advanced to the Grand Finals in both 2021 and 2022. She also achieved third place in the Graduate Student Category of the Three-Minute Thesis Competition organised by the Society of Toxicology in the USA in 2022.

Participating in these competitions helps her develop the skills to think outside the box and communicate complex ideas so general audiences can easily understand them.

“I firmly believe science communication is essential because it makes science accessible to a wider audience.”

As she reflects on her achievements, she is extremely grateful to those who have supported her, particularly her supervisor, Professor Rhonda Rosengren, as well as the University of Otago for awarding her a scholarship.

“It is surreal to see my dream come true. Pursuing research and contributing to the field of health science has always been my passion, and I am determined to continue making a meaningful impact on the healthcare of others.”

- Kōrero by the Division of Health Sciences Communications Adviser, Kelsey Schutte.

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