Since its establishment in 2002, the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences (ICMS) of the University of Macau (UM) has been striving to develop postgraduate education and training of scientific talents. Wan Jianbo, Li Peng and Yu Hua, the first three PhD candidates in the Institute, successfully passed their thesis defenses in July 2008. Awarded with outstanding grades, their theses were highly acknowledged and praised by examination committees constituted by university professors from the United States, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macao. The birth of the three PhDs in Biomedical Sciences evidences the fruitful achievements of the Institute in research and the nurture of professionals in Chinese Medicine. Their researches are sponsored by the Science and Technology Development Fund of Macao SAR, Research Committee of the University of Macau, Laboratory of Prof. Kang Jing-Xuan (Harvard Medical School), The Hong Kong Research Grants Council, Hong Kong Jockey Club, etc.

Wan Jianbo’s thesis titled “Study on Quality Control and Atheropretective Effect of Panax” comprehensively adopts the knowledge and techniques of phytochemistry, pharmaceutical analysis and pharmacology to investigate the anti-atherosclerotic effect and its quality control methods. An invention patent has been applied for his research in China. Chaired by Vice Rector of UM Prof. Rui Martins, the examination committee of Wan’s thesis defense consisted of Prof. Che Chuntao, Professor and Dean of the School of Chinese Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prof. Lee Shoei-Sheng, Professor and Dean of the School of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University, Prof. Han Yifan, Professor and Vice Director of the Institute of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Prof. Kang Jingxuan, Professor of Harvard Medical School, Chief Researcher of Massachusetts General Hospital, and Wan’s Thesis Co-Supervisor, Prof. Wang Yitao, Director of ICMS and Wan’s Thesis Supervisor, and Dr. Simon Lee, Assistant Professor of ICMS.

Li Peng’s thesis titled “Chemical and Pharmacological Studies on Angiogenesis Inhibitors from Salvia Miltiorrhiza” systematically researches on Salvia Miltiorrhiza from the aspects of chemical components, quality control and pharmacological activity. Chaired by Rector of UM Prof. Iu Vai Pan, the examination committee of Li’s thesis defense included Prof. Kang Jingxuan, Professor of Harvard Medical School, Chief Researcher of Massachusetts General Hospital, Prof. Lee Shoei-Sheng, Professor and Dean of the School of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University, Prof. Han Yifan, Professor and Vice Director of the Institute of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Prof. Wang Yitao, Director of ICMS and Li’s Thesis Supervisor, and Prof. Li Shaoping, Associate Professor of ICMS.

Yu Hua’s thesis titled “Study on the Physiochemical Properties and Pharmacokinetics Profiles of Novel Anti-Alzheimer’s Dimer” systemically investigates the physiochemical properties and pharmacokinetics characteristics of an anti-Alzheimer’s dimmer on the existing research basis. Chaired by Rector of UM Prof. Iu Vai Pan, the examination committee consisted of Prof. Kang Jingxuan, Professor of Harvard Medical School, Chief Researcher of Massachusetts General Hospital, Prof. Che Chuntao, Professor and Dean of the School of Chinese Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prof. Lee Shoei-Sheng, Professor and Dean of the School of Pharmacy, National Taiwan University, Prof. Han Yifan, Professor and Vice Director of the Institute of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Yu’s Thesis Supervisor Prof. Wang Yitao, Director of ICMS, and Dr. Simon Lee, Assistant Professor of ICMS.

Caption: First Batch of PhDs in ICMS (from left): Yu Hua, Wan Jianbo and Li Peng