New Recruitment (posted on 30 September 2026)

We are recruiting a Research Assistant (RA) for a project on Platelet-Derived Extracellular Vesicles (PEV) for knee osteoarthritis at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya.

Candidates with clinical research experience and/or total RNA isolation experience are preferred. The successful candidate should be able to start immediately.

Good performers may be offered the opportunity to continue with postgraduate study (Master or PhD) after the 5-month RA appointment.

Please send your CV to Dr. Chong Pan Pan at panpanchong@ummc.edu.my

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BIOGRAPHY :

Dr. Chong Pan Pan holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Microbiology, a Master of Science in Biochemistry, and a Ph.D. in Tissue Engineering. Following the completion of her doctoral training, she served as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow before being appointed as a Senior Lecturer at the National Orthopaedic Centre of Excellence in Research and Learning (NOCERAL), Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya (UM), Malaysia.

Dr. Chong is actively involved in translational orthopaedic and regenerative medicine research, with a particular emphasis on tissue engineering and orthobiologic therapies. She has played a key role in the development and clinical translation of platelet-derived extracellular vesicle (P-EV)–based therapies, which have been implemented as clinical services for musculoskeletal conditions such as lateral epicondylitis, plantar fasciitis, osteochondral defects, delayed union, and knee osteoarthritis at the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) and University Malaya Specialist Centre (UMSC).

Her research interests focus on adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their application as biological therapies for poorly regenerating tissues, particularly articular cartilage. Her work investigates MSCs derived from bone marrow, peripheral blood, and adipose tissue, with an emphasis on directing chondrogenic differentiation for cartilage repair and joint regeneration in patients affected by trauma or degenerative joint diseases such as osteoarthritis.

Dr. Chong has published extensively in high-impact, Q1 peer-reviewed journals and has presented her research at numerous international scientific conferences. In recognition of her contributions, she has received multiple prestigious awards, including Young Investigator Awards, Young Investigator Best Paper Award, L’Oréal Malaysia for Women in Science, as well as Best Poster and Oral Presentation awards and competitive travel fellowships. She has also actively participated in biotechnology exhibitions and innovation-driven business competitions, earning several innovation awards for her work on MSC- and P-EV-based regenerative therapies.

In addition, Dr. Chong has successfully developed and secured intellectual property, with patents granted for her novel innovations in regenerative medicine and orthobiologic therapies.