Dear PSS Members,
Wishing all of our PSS members a joyful Lunar New Year and success in the Year of the Snake. We look forward to your continued participation in upcoming PSS events.
PSS Highlights for the Year 2024:
1. In January 2024, PSS presented a travel award to Ms Phyllis Gan for attending the International Conference on Drug Discovery and Translational Medicine (ICDDTM), 4-8 December 2023, in Malaysia.
2. PSS supported the Asia-Pacific Medical Education Conference (AMPEC) held 15-21 January 2024 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with Associate Professor Gavin Dawe facilitating a workshop on “Active Engagement with Learners in Co-Creating and Collaborative Knowledge Building Using Digital and AI Technologies: Peerwise, Pharmacology Tutorials, and Chat GPT”.
3. The PSS supported the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR) Education Section (IUPHAR-Ed) Online Meetings Steering Group. Associate Professor Gavin Dawe served as a steering group member and, together with Dr Mitchell Lai, as facilitator for the “Online Workshop to Create Resources for Core Concepts” held on 12 March 2024.
4. PSS organised seminars by Professor Chen Yi-Hung, speaking on “Analgesic and Neuroprotective Effects of Electroacupuncture: Fundamental Insights” on 13 May 2024, and Professor R. Manjunatha Kini, speaking on “From toxins to therapeutics: Natriuretic peptides for the tailored treatment of acute decompensated heart failure patients” on 22 November 2024.
5. The PSS Neuropsychopharmacology Section (PSS-NPS) promoted the 35th World Congress Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologicum (CINP 2024) held 23-26 May 2024 in Tokyo, Japan.
6. PSS supported the joint Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists (ASCEPT), the Asia Pacific Federation of Pharmacologists (APFP), and Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association (APSA) Congress held 1-5 Dec 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. Professor Fred Wong spoke on “Developing calcaratarin D, a labdane diterpenoid, as therapeutics for chronic lung diseases”, while Associate Professor Thai Tran spoke on “Exploration of CD151 as a therapeutic target in asthma” and Co-Chaired Oral Presentations on “New Targets and Approaches”.
7. PSS supported the Asia-Pacific Medical Education Conference (AMPEC) 2025 held 13-18 January 2025 in Singapore, with Associate Professor Gavin Dawe organising a symposium on “ Cultivating a Greener Future: Developing the Curriculum on Green and Sustainable Pharmacology for Medical and Health Professions” and, together with Dr Mitchell Lai, organising a workshop on “Developing Core Concept Materials for Use Across Medical and Health Professions Curriculums”.
8. PSS remained an active member of the Asia Pacific Federation of Pharmacologists (APFP), with Associate Professor Gavin Dawe serving as a council member and Associate Professor Thai Tran appointed to the Executive Committee in December 2024.
9. PSS supported the IUPHAR Natural Products Section. Professor Fred Wong served as a councillor for the Natural Products Section.
10. PSS supported the IUPHAR Immunopharmacology Section. Dr Peh Hong Yong served as a member of the IUPHAR Immunopharmacology Committee.
11. PSS supported the IUPHAR Early Career Researchers Section. Dr Peh Hong Yong served as a member of the IUPHAR Early Career Researchers Subcommittee.
12. PSS supported the IUPHAR Pharmacology Education Project (IUPHAR-PEP) and the IUPHAR Education Section (IUPHAR-Ed). Associate Professor Gavin Dawe served as a member of the Editorial Board and content contributor for IUPHAR-PEP and as a member of IUPHAR-Ed.
13. The PSS Neuropsychopharmacology Section (PSS-NPS) remained an active member of the Asian College of Neuropsychopharmacology (AsCNP), with Associate Professor Gavin Dawe serving as a council member of AsCNP.
14. The PSS Neuropsychopharmacology Section (PSS-NPS) supported the International College of Neuropsychopharmacology (CINP), with Associate Professor Gavin Dawe serving as a member of the Corresponding Organisations Committee.
PSS Planned Activities in the Year 2025:
1. PSS Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on 21 February 2025 (Friday) from 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM at MD3-02-01, 16 Medical Drive, Singapore 117600. Lunch will be provided afterwards.
2. PSS Awards in Pharmacology Education and Research will be awarded on 21 February 2025 (Friday) at 12:30 PM at MD3-02-01, 16 Medical Drive, Singapore 117600.
3. PSS will organise a Graduate’s Academic Progress in Pharmacology (GAPP) Meeting jointly with the Department of Pharmacology, National University of Singapore, to be held 21 February 2025 (Friday) 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM at MD3-02-01, 16 Medical Drive, Singapore 117600.
4. PSS Student Conference/Travel Scholarship 2025 will be announced.
5. PSS Neuropsychopharmacology Section (PSS-NPS) will promote the 36th World Congress of Neuropsychopharmacology and the 9th AsCNP Congress (CINP-AsCNP 2025 Joint Congress) to be held on 15-18 June 2025 in Melbourne, Australia.
6. PSS will support the IUPHAR Pharmacology Education Project (PEP), the IUPHAR Education Section (IUPHAR-Ed), the IUPHAR Natural Products Section, the IUPHAR Immunopharmacology Section, and the IUPHAR Early Career Researchers Section.
***For Your IMMEDIATE ACTION:
1. PSS-AGM 21 February 2025 (Friday) between 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM at MD3-02-01, 16 Medical Drive, Singapore 117600. Please come and join us at the Annual General Meeting. Lunch will be provided afterwards.
2. PSS Membership 2025 Renewal – Membership Form attached – please renew membership.
With Warmest Regards for a Safe and Healthy Year in 2025,
Gavin Dawe, BSc (Hons), PhD, MMPHE
President, Pharmacological Society of Singapore