Rate My Professor Wern Chai (Brian Chia)

Dr Wern Chai (Brian Chia) serves as a Lecturer in Pharmacy and Pharmacology in the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health, at Adelaide University. He graduated with a BPharm (Hons) in 2014 and a PhD in Pharmacy (Pharmacology) in 2020 from the University of South Australia. As a registered pharmacist, he has practiced in academia, research, and community pharmacy, including complex compounding. He is a vaccinating pharmacist and has completed the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia's prescribing training for antibiotics in uncomplicated urinary tract infections in South Australia. Since 2021, he has served as a Subject Matter Expert for examinations at the Australian Pharmacy Council; since 2020, as a member of the Evaluation Network: Antimicrobials for Therapeutic Guidelines; and since 2018, as a Board Examiner for the Pharmacy Board of Australia. He also contributes as an Early Career Pharmacist for the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (SA/NT).

Brian's primary research focuses on the discovery and development of antimicrobial agents with novel mechanisms of action targeting resistant pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii. His work addresses antimicrobial resistance through innovative therapeutic strategies to improve patient outcomes, informed by real-world clinical practice. He explores expanded roles for community pharmacists in antimicrobial stewardship and preventative health, bridging laboratory research with frontline healthcare. Key publications include 'Intrinsic, adaptive and acquired antimicrobial resistance in Gram-negative bacteria' (2017, 313 citations), 'Cinnamaldehyde derivatives act as antimicrobial agents against Acinetobacter baumannii through the inhibition of cell division' (Frontiers in Microbiology, 2022), 'Quantifying the non-remunerated services provided by pharmacists in community pharmacies: a direct observational study' (International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 2025), 'Impact of medicine shortages on Australian pharmacists' professional practice and patient care: a nationwide survey' (Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, 2025), and 'Exploring Student Self-Efficacy and Agency in Traditional Versus Gamified Pharmacology Tutorials: A Cross-Sectional Survey' (American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 2026). Awards include Rising Star in Pharmacy (AJP 2021), Emerging Leader in Science (APSA 2022), UniSA Unstoppable Enhanced Learning Award (2025), and CHS Seed Grant (University of South Australia, 2025). He is eligible to co-supervise Masters and PhD students and available for media comment.