Board of Trustees

Dr Gavin Quek

Founder and Chair

Gavin is a dentist who graduated from the University of Adelaide, with a strong interest in the integration of oral health within broader healthcare systems.

During his time in Australia, he was actively involved in professional organisations and policy work, most notably serving as Chair of the National Oral Health Committee under the Australian Dental Association (ADA). In this role, he contributed to national-level discussions and initiatives aimed at improving oral health outcomes and strengthening the role of dentistry within the wider healthcare landscape.

Alongside this, he has held governance and advisory roles across multiple organisations, including serving as a Board Member of the ADA's Dental Health Foundation (Australia), Director of Volunteering Tasmania, Board Member of the Australian Red Cross (Tasmania), and National Councillor of Australian Red Cross - contributing to strategic direction, governance, and community-focused initiatives at both state and national levels.

He has also been recognised as the Australian Dental Association’s Outstanding Young Dentist (2025), and was awarded Tasmania’s Young Achiever of the Year (2023) and Hobart's Young Citizen of the Year (2023) for his contributions to oral health advocacy and community service.

His experiences working within structured healthcare systems and established not-for-profit environments in Australia have informed his approach to building initiatives grounded in accountability, governance, and long-term impact.

Dr Shane Quek

Trustee

Shane is a dentist who graduate from Manipal University, and Trustee of the Malaysian Dental Health Foundation.

As a founding supporter of the Foundation, he contributes to its governance and oversight, helping guide its mission to improve oral health outcomes for disadvantaged communities in Malaysia

International Advisors

Professor Gregory Peterson

International Advisor, Malaysian Dental Health Foundation

Distinguished Professor Gregory Peterson is a highly respected Australian pharmacist, researcher and health services leader with extensive experience in clinical pharmacology, medication safety, health service improvement and health informatics.

He is Distinguished Professor of Pharmacy and Chair of the Human Research Ethics Committee at the University of Tasmania, and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Canberra. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with health systems, government agencies, universities, professional organisations and community healthcare providers to improve patient outcomes across hospital, community and aged-care settings.

Professor Peterson has led major multidisciplinary research and health improvement initiatives, including the nationally recognised RedUSe project, which promoted the appropriate use of sedative medicines across 150 aged-care facilities in Australia. His work has contributed to health service redesign, medication safety, organisational improvement and stronger integration between academic research and frontline healthcare delivery.

Alongside his academic career, Professor Peterson continues to practise as a community pharmacist, ensuring that his research remains grounded in the real-world needs and experiences of patients and healthcare professionals.

He has supervised more than 60 higher degree research students, secured over AUD60 million in competitive research funding as Chief Investigator, and published more than 680 peer-reviewed papers. His contributions have been recognised through numerous honours, including Australian Pharmacist of the Year and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.

As International Advisor to the Malaysian Dental Health Foundation, Professor Peterson provides strategic guidance on research, ethics, health service innovation, multidisciplinary collaboration and the integration of oral health within broader healthcare systems. His expertise will support MDHF in developing evidence-based, ethical and sustainable programmes that improve access to care and health outcomes for underserved communities

Dr Lila Landowski

International Advisor, Malaysian Dental Health Foundation

Dr Lila Landowski is a multi-award-winning neuroscientist and lecturer at the University of Tasmania, as well as Vice President of Science & Technology Australia. She is a regular expert science communicator for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and other media outlets, and a keynote speaker represented by Saxton Speakers. Her research spans diverse fields, including stroke, nanotechnology and nerve regeneration.

Over the past 15 years, Lila has taught across the Bachelor of Medicine and programs in Dementia Care, Medical Research, Biotechnology, Pharmacy, Nursing, Paramedicine and Science, as well as the Master of Medical Research and Master of Dementia programs. She has received the University of Tasmania’s highest recognition for teaching and community engagement through Vice-Chancellor’s Citations.

Lila has a strong personal commitment to community health and wellbeing. Through radio, television, public talks, and print and digital media, she makes the world of science accessible, engaging and relevant to the wider community. Her achievements include being named the Premier’s Young Achiever of the Year and receiving an AIPS Young Tall Poppy Science Award. She has also been a finalist for an Australian Museum Eureka Prize and Young Australian of the Year, and was featured in the documentary Catching Opportunity. Her 2023 TEDx talk, “6 Secrets to Learning Faster, Backed by Neuroscience,” is among the most-watched TEDx talks released since 2023.

A leading voice in STEM, education and science advocacy, Lila has been recognised as a Superstar of STEM and a “Science Superhero” by Australia’s Chief Scientist. She is also an ambassador for public school education and a patron of National Science Week.

Lila’s multidisciplinary expertise, commitment to public health and exceptional ability to translate scientific evidence into accessible messages provide invaluable input to the Malaysian Dental Health Foundation (MDHF). Her perspective strengthens MDHF’s approach to evidence-based health education, community engagement and advocacy, while helping the Foundation communicate the importance of oral health as an integral part of overall health and wellbeing.