Background and Objectives
The Asia Pacific Society of Human Genetics (APSHG) is a non-profit organization, founded in 2006, comprising persons involved or interested in the study of human genetics in the Asia Pacific Region. The membership which include scientists, clinical geneticists, genetic counselors and students, has steadily increased over the past years and it welcomes members from all the major countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
APSHG was registered in Singapore on February 17, 2006 after the inaugural meeting on November 12, 2005 in Bangkok, Thailand. The APSHG was accepted as Full Member of the International Federation of Human Genetics Societies (IFHGS) on August 6, 2006 in Brisbane, Australia during the 11th International Congress of Human Genetics (ICHG).
Some of the events held by the APSHG include setting up a Working Group on Consolidating Newborn Screening, training workshops on birth defects surveillance and dysmorphology and co-hosting the Federation of Asia Oceania Biochemistry and Molecular Biology conference. The APSHG held its first Summer School and Bioinformatics Course in Hong Kong in 2016, and an Autumn School of Clinical Genetics in Singapore in 2018.
The objectives of the Society are:
1. to promote research in basic and applied human and medical genetics;
2. to integrate professional and public education in all areas of human genetics;
3. to provide a forum where scientists can share their research findings as well as increase or spread knowledge and understanding of human genetics among the various professionals including health professionals, health policy makers, legislators and the general public.
Founding Members
- China - Chen Zhu
- Hong Kong - Stephen Lam
- Indonesia - Sangkot Marzuki & Herawati Sudoyo
- Malaysia - M Nizam Isa & Thong Meow-Keong
- Philippines - Carmencita Padilla & Eva Maria Cutiongco-de la Paz
- Singapore - Lai Poh-San & Ivy Ng
- Taiwan (ROC) - Chen Yuan-Tsong & Paul Hwu Wuh-Liang
- Thailand - Suthat Fucharoen & Pornswan Wasant
Past Presidents
- Pornswan Wasant, MD, Thailand (2006-2008)
- Carmencita Padilla, MD MAHPS, Philippines (2008-2010)
- Stephen Lam, MD, Hong Kong (2010-2012)
- Meow-Keong Thong, MD, Malaysia (2012-2015)
- Poh-San Lai, PhD, Singapore (2015-2017)
- Eva Maria Cutiongco-de la Paz, MD, Philippines (2017-2019)
Executive Committee
| President | Thanyachai Sura, MD, Thailand |
| President-Elect | Brian Chung, MD, Hong Kong |
| Immediate Past President | Eva Maria Cutiongco-de la Paz, MD, Philippines |
| Secretary | Mercy Laurino, MS CGC PhD, Philippines |
| Treasurer | Breana Cham, MS, Singapore |
| Auditor | Juliana Lee, FHGSA, Malaysia |
Board Members
| B.R.Lakshmi, MD, India |
| Catherine Lynn Silao, MD, PhD, Philippines |
| Duangrurdee Wattanasirichaigoon, MD, Thailand |
| Sultana Faradz, MD, Indonesia |
| Yin-Hsiu Chien, MD, Taiwan |
| Zilfalil Bin Alwi, MD, Malaysia |
Current and past exco members and country representatives. Photo taken during 10th APCHG Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 6-8th December 2012