Dr Faith Kwa

Biography

Dr Kwa is an academic with multiple high impact factor publications in chronic disorders (e.g. haematological malignancies, Friedreich's ataxia and age-related macular degeneration) and epigenetics. She has undertaken extensive research investigating potential treatment and diagnostic strategies for various types of leukaemia. Dr Kwa has made novel observations that low doses of selected epigenetic modifiers (i.e. histone-deacetylase inhibitors) in combination therapies can potentiate cytotoxicity in leukaemia cells resistant to conventional chemotherapeutic drugs. She has also identified the use of a unique monoclonal antibody as a drug-vehicle for targeted leukaemia therapy and diagnostic tool. In recent times, Dr Kwa has been testing the use of natural compounds with epigenetic properties in age-related macular degeneration. Dr Kwa’s passion in exploring new and targeted therapeutic approaches with superior efficacy for the treatment of human diseases continues.

Another primary focus of Dr Kwa's role has been to deliver a transformative learning experience for her students in Higher Education by designing classes that engage them in active learning and to develop them into life-long learners. She has been a recipient of multiple university teaching awards and a co-investigator in successful grants. Having coordinated and taught in nine different courses with student numbers ranging from 20 to over 300 thus far, her diverse learning and teaching experience has provided her with a great insight into the challenges and dynamics of teaching multi-disciplinary cohorts of undergraduate and postgraduate students. Receiving positive student feedback gives Dr Kwa great satisfaction and keeps her inspired to create new pedagogical methods to further enhance a quality teaching and learning milieu. Dr. Kwa is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in the UK.

Dr Kwa's current role is Senior Lecturer and Course Director for the Bachelor of Health Science degree. Her teaching interests are in Research Methods, Pathology and Molecular Biology.  Dr. Kwa also welcomes enquiries from students interested in pursuing Honours and PhD degrees in the above research areas.