Cheow Yuen Tan

Research Interests

Biophotonics Cell Metabolism Microscopy Reproductive Biology

Dr Cheow Yuen Tan

Int Grant-Funded Researcher A

School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences

College of Health

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD as Co-Supervisor only - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Available For Media Comment.

Dr Tiffany Tan was awarded her PhD in 2022 for the innovative use of optical imaging to detect metabolic signatures associated with oocyte and embryo quality (mouse model). 

Dr Tiffany is now an early career researcher in the Reproductive Success Group within the Robinson Research Institute, the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing, and the School of Biomedicine, led by Dr. Kylie Dunning.

Tiffany's research focuses on using non-invasive light-based technologies to better understand the biology underpinning healthy oocyte (egg) and early embryo. Expanding from her PhD work, she is now using her expertise to build on interdisciplinary research, taking light-based technologies to diagnose embryo health and applying this to agriculturally important species.

Research topic: Non-invasive optical imaging techniques to measure changes in cellular metabolism to predict oocyte and embryo health. 

Interest: Non-invasive optical imaging approach; autofluorescence of endogenous fluorophores; oocyte and embryo quality; metabolism

 

Date Position Institution name
2022 - ongoing Postdoctoral Researcher Adelaide University
2022 - ongoing Manager Adelaide University, IVF Vet Solutions
2020 - 2022 Quality Coordinator University of Adelaide, IVF Vet Solutions
2018 - 2020 Research Assistant University of Adelaide
2015 - 2017 Research Assistant University of Adelaide

Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
2023 Award The Ross Wishart Memorial Award The Australian Society for Medical Research Australia 1000

Language Competency
Chinese (Mandarin) Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review
English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review
Malay Can read, write, speak and understand spoken

Date Institution name Country Title
2017 - 2022 University of Adelaide Australia PhD
2014 - 2015 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Health Science (Honours)
2011 - 2014 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Microbiology and Immunology; Biochemistry)

Year Citation
2026 Li, T., Chow, D. J. X., Li, S., Rose, R. D., Tan, T. C. Y., & Dunning, K. R. (2026). Once, twice, three times frozen: viability and post-transfer outcomes of fresh and vitrified-warmed mouse embryos. Human Reproduction, 41(7), 1-10.
DOI
2026 Chow, D. J. X., Tan, T. C. Y., Dholakia, K., & Dunning, K. R. (2026). Evaluating Preimplantation Embryo Metabolism Through Imaging of Cellular Autofluorescence. Methods in Molecular Biology Clifton N J, 3038, 171-195.
DOI
2025 Campugan, C., Perrella, C., Lim, M., Tan, T. C. Y., Schartner, E., Arita, Y., . . . Dunning, K. (2025). Microrheology of the cumulus-oocyte matrix using optical tweezers. Journal of Physics: Photonics, 7(2), 10 pages.
DOI Scopus3 WoS4
2024 Chow, D. J. X., Tan, T. C. Y., Upadhya, A., Lim, M., Dholakia, K., & Dunning, K. R. (2024). Viewing early life without labels: optical approaches for imaging the early embryo†. Biology of Reproduction, 110(6), 1157-1174.
DOI Scopus14 WoS12 Europe PMC7
2023 Dwapanyin, G. O., Chow, D. J. X., Tan, T. C. Y., Dubost, N. S., Morizet, J. M., Dunning, K. R., & Dholakia, K. (2023). Investigation of refractive index dynamics during in vitro embryo development using off-axis digital holographic microscopy. Biomedical Optics Express, 14(7), 3327-3342.
DOI Scopus14 WoS10 Europe PMC10
2022 Tan, C., Mahbub, S., Campbell, J., Habibalahi, A., Campugan, C., Rose, R., . . . Dunning, K. (2022). Non-invasive, label-free optical analysis to detect aneuploidy within the inner cell mass of the preimplantation embryo. Human Reproduction, 37(1), 14-29.
DOI Scopus41 WoS37 Europe PMC31
2022 Campugan, C. A., Lim, M., Chow, D. J. X., Tan, T. C. Y., Li, T., Saini, A. A., . . . Dunning, K. R. (2022). The effect of discrete wavelengths of visible light on the developing murine embryo. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 39(8), 1825-1837.
DOI Scopus17 WoS14 Europe PMC13
2022 Tan, T. C. Y., Brown, H. M., Thompson, J. G., Mustafa, S., & Dunning, K. R. (2022). Optical imaging detects metabolic signatures associated with oocyte quality. Biology of Reproduction, 107(4), 1014-1025.
DOI Scopus16 WoS15 Europe PMC12
2022 Yagoub, S. H., Lim, M., Tan, T. C. Y., Chow, D. J. X., Dholakia, K., Gibson, B. C., . . . Dunning, K. R. (2022). Vitrification within a nanoliter volume: oocyte and embryo cryopreservation within a 3D photopolymerized device. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 39(9), 1997-2014.
DOI Scopus8 WoS7 Europe PMC8
2022 Yagoub, S. H., Lim, M., Tan, T. C. Y., Chow, D. J. X., Dholakia, K., Gibson, B. C., . . . Dunning, K. R. (2022). Correction to: Vitrification within a nanoliter volume: oocyte and embryo cryopreservation within a 3D photopolymerized device.. J Assist Reprod Genet, 39(10), 2435.
DOI Scopus2 WoS1 Europe PMC1
2022 Tan, T. C. Y., & Dunning, K. R. (2022). Non-invasive assessment of oocyte developmental competence. Reproduction Fertility and Development, 35(1-2), 39-50.
DOI Scopus17 WoS15 Europe PMC9
2021 Santos Monteiro, C. A., Chow, D. J. X., Leal, G. R., Tan, C. Y., Reis Ferreira, A. M., Thompson, J. G., & Dunning, K. R. (2021). Optical imaging of cleavage stage bovine embryos using hyperspectral and confocal approaches reveals metabolic differences between on-time and fast-developing embryos. Theriogenology, 159, 60-68.
DOI Scopus27 WoS27 Europe PMC22
2019 Frank, L. A., Rose, R. D., Anastasi, M. R., Tan, C., Barry, M. F., Thompson, J. G., & Brown, H. M. (2019). Artificial blastocyst collapse prior to vitrification significantly improves Na+/K+-ATPase-dependent post-warming blastocoel re-expansion kinetics without inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress gene expression in the mouse. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 31(2), 294-305.
DOI Scopus9 WoS10 Europe PMC8
2018 Brown, H., Green, E., Tan, T., Gonzalez, M., Rumbold, A., Hull, M., . . . Thompson, J. (2018). Periconception onset diabetes is associated with embryopathy and fetal growth retardation, reproductive tract hyperglycosylation and impaired immune adaptation to pregnancy. Scientific reports, 8(1), 2114-1-2114-13.
DOI Scopus39 WoS37 Europe PMC34
2018 Shathili, A. M., Brown, H. M., Everest-Dass, A. V., Tan, T. C., Parker, L. M., Thompson, J. G., & Packer, N. H. (2018). The effect of streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia on N-and O-linked protein glycosylation in mouse ovary. Glycobiology, 28(11), 832-840.
DOI Scopus15 WoS13 Europe PMC11
2016 Tan, T., Ritter, L., Whitty, A., Fernandez, R., Moran, L., Robertson, S., . . . Brown, H. (2016). Gray level co-occurrence matrices (GLCM) to assess microstructural and textural changes in pre-implantation embryos. Molecular Reproduction and Development, 83(8), 701-713.
DOI Scopus30 WoS25 Europe PMC14
2015 Brown, H. M., Tan, C. Y. T., & Thompson, J. (2015). Metaboloepigenetics: providing alternate hypotheses for regulation of gene expression in the early embryo. Animal Reproduction, 3, 437-443.

Year Citation
2026 Dunning, K., Dholakia, K., Chow, D. J. X., & Tan, C. Y. (2026). Evaluating Preimplantation Embryo Metabolism Through Imaging of Cellular Autofluorescence. In A. Harvey, & D. Gardner (Eds.), The Preimplantation Embryo (pp. 171-195).

Year Citation
2023 Dwapanyin, G. O., Chow, D. J. X., Tan, T. C. Y., Dubost, N. S., Morizet, J. M., Dunning, K. R., & Dholakia, K. (2023). Digital holographic microscopic assessment of embryo quality. In Frontiers in Optics: Proceedings Frontiers in Optics + Laser Science 2023, FiO, LS 2023 (pp. FM1E.2). Online: Optical Society of America.
DOI
2019 Dunning, K. R., Campugan, C., Tan, C., Mahbub, S., Goldys, E., Thompson, J., . . . Mustafa, S. (2019). Hyperspectral imaging of the early embryo: can it detect chromosome abnormalities and predict IVF success?. In Label-free Biomedical Imaging and Sensing (LBIS) Vol. 10890:108900I (pp. 1-3). online: SPIE.
DOI Scopus2 WoS1
2015 Brown, H., Tan, T., & Thompson, J. (2015). Metaboloepigenetics: providing alternative hypotheses for regulation of gene expression in the early embryo. In Animal Reproduction Vol. 12 (pp. 437-443). Brazil: Brazilian College of Animal Reproduction.
WoS3

Year Citation
2023 Li, T., Li, S., Chow, D. J. X., Rose, R., Tan, T. C. Y., & Dunning, K. (2023). Impact of repeated cryopreservation on embryo health and implantation potential.
DOI

SCHOLARSHIP AND ACADEMIC AWARDS

2026 College of Health Strategic Research Initiative 2026 Stream C (AUD 19,327) Co-investigator
2025  Robinson Research Institute Step Funding (AUD 35,000) Chief Investigator B
2025 Robinson Research Institute Step Funding (AUD 15,000) Chief Investigator B
2024 Berns-SPIE SPARK Grant (AUD 148,000) Primary Investigator
2023  Australian Society for Medical Research Ross Wishart Memorial Award (AUD 1,000)
2023 Society for the Study of Reproduction - International Trainee Travel Award (AUD 1500)
2022 RRI Career Development Award (AUD 1000)
2022 Adelaide Medical School Publication Awards (AUD 100)
2021 Faculty of Health and Medical Science Publication Excellence Award (AUD 5000)
2021 ESHRE Basic Science Award for Oral Presentation (AUD 3300)
2020 Society of Reproductive Biology (SRB) ART Lab Solutions Investigator Award (AUD 500)
2019 Society of Reproductive Biology (SRB) Travel Award (AUD 200)
2019 Robinson Research Institute 2019 Travel Grants Program (Round 2) (AUD 600)
2019 ARC Centre for Nanoscale and Biophotonics Student Travel Award (UNSW – Collaboration Work) (AUD 5000)
2018 Best Poster - Annual Conference of ARC Centre for Nanoscale and Biophotonics
2018 ARC Centre for Nanoscale and Biophotonics Student Travel Award (UNSW – Collaboration Work) (AUD 2000)
2018 ARC Centre for Nanoscale and Biophotonics Student Travel Award (Publication Masterclass) (AUD 1000)
2017-2022 Research Training Program Scholarship (Full time PHD Candidate) (AUD 24 000 per annum)
2025-2026 Facilitator, Medical Studies 3 Embryo Assessment Practicals (MEDI_3001)
2024 Lecturer, Assisted Reproductive Technologies Research Integrated Learning 12-week embryology course HLTH SC 3016

                                 

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2023 Co-Supervisor Does cryopreservation induce aneuploidy in embryos? Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Tong Li

Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
2024 - 2025 Co-Supervisor Investigating the impact of near-infrared light on preimplantation embryo health The University of Adelaide - Honours Part Time Georgina Varley
2023 - ongoing Co-Supervisor Impact of discrete wavelengths of light on mouse preimplantation embryo development University of Adelaide - Honours Full Time Shan Li
2023 - ongoing Co-Supervisor Investigating the role of IVF procedures and genetics on embryo metabolism University of Adelaide - Honours Full Time Wenyu Li
2022 - 2023 Co-Supervisor Impact of repeated cryopreservation on embryo health and implantation potential University of Adelaide BHMS Honours (Medical Subplan) Honours Full Time Tong Li

Date Role Committee Institution Country
2023 - ongoing Member The Science Network Committee Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing Australia
2022 - ongoing Treasurer The Australian Society for Medical Research The Australian Society for Medical Research Australia

Date Role Membership Country
2023 - ongoing Member Society for the Study of Reproduction United States
2018 - ongoing Member The Society for Reproductive Biology Australia

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