On September 4, 2023, Assoc. Prof. Wimorat Sriraj, MD, Associate Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs together with Assist. Prof. Jutarop Phetcharaburanin, Assistant Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs welcomed Professor Elizabeth Jane Phillips from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, USA to our faculty.

Professor Phillips is a Professor of Medicine, Pharmacology, Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology. She focusses on the immunopathogenesis of severe adverse drug reactions and using innovative technologies to define genetic, molecular and cellular signatures.

She participated in the MD-KKU overseas visiting professor program in our Pharmacology Department between August 31 and September 10, 2023. Her visit’s objectives were to supervise and discuss pharmacogenetic testing in clinical practice at Pharmacogenetic Analysis Unit, attend the pre-congress on “Pharmacogenetics and Its Applications in Clinical Practice,” deliver a lecture “Updates on Immunopathology and Genomics of Severe Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reactions,” discuss research collaboration development with pharmacology staff, attend a special seminar related to research specialization, and supervise manuscript writing for our pharmacogenetic researchers.

The Department’s staff led by Assoc. Prof. Laddawan Sengkanprai also attended the meeting to discuss pharmacogenetic research collaboration, clinical skills development projects, and future collaborative activities between our two institutions. This visit can help MD-KKU implement pharmacogenetics for optimal drug therapy particularly in disease-risk prediction, decisions on drug dosages, drug-disease interaction management, and minimizing adverse drug reactions in patients.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith