Associate Professor and Head of Programme for Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology (Honours)
Qualifications:
- Doctor of Philosophy (Molecular Biology), School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
- Master of Science (Biotechnology), School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia
- Bachelor of Applied Science (Biotechnology) Honours
Teaching and Research Experience:
TEACHING
- 1 March 2025 – Present: Associate Professor, School of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Integrated Life Sciences, Quest International University
- 2 March 2017 – 28 Feb 2025: Senior Lecturer, School of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Integrated Life Sciences, Quest International University
- 2 Jan 2014 – 1 July 2017: Lecturer, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Quest International University Perak
Programmes taught:- Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology (Honours)
- Bachelor in Environmental Technology (Honours)
- Diploma in Environmental Technology
RESEARCH
- Internal Research Grant Scheme, Quest International University (2022 – 2024) (Co-Researcher)
Project Title: Deciphering the anti-cancer potential & mechanism of action of bacterial endophytes associated with Annona muricata (L.) against colon cancer. - Fundamental Research Grant Scheme, Ministry of Education, Malaysia (2020 – 2023) (Co-Researcher).
Project Title: Elucidating the role of proline in enhancing phosphorus use efficiency in rice cultivation under phosphorus deficient condition. - Fundamental Research Grant Scheme, Ministry of Education, Malaysia (2018 – 2022) (Principal Investigator).
Project Title: Investigation of the role of Carica papaya WRKY transcription factor in response to abiotic stress. - Endowment grant by Codon Genomics Sdn Bhd. (2021) (COGEN/IGNITE/2021/08)
Project Title: Transcriptomic analysis of stress-related Carica papaya.
- Science & Technology Research Grant (MTSF), Toray Science Foundation, Japan (2018 – 2020) (Co-Researcher).
Project Title: Characterisation of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria associated with Leucaena leucocephala, a potential biomass energy source in Malaysia.
- Fundamental Research Grant Scheme, Ministry of Education, Malaysia (2014 – 2017) (Co-Researcher).
Project title: Influence of glycerine pitch on the mechanism of regulation of 4HB monomer compositions in the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) biosynthesis.
Research Areas of Interest:
- Molecular biology and genetics of gene expression in bacteria, plants, and cancer cells.
- Regulation of stress-responsive genes and pathways involved in plant growth and adaptation.
- Plant–microbe interactions for enhancing abiotic stress tolerance.
- Applied and environmental microbiology for sustainable agriculture and environmental solutions.
- Genetic regulation of bioplastic producing bacteria.
Grants, Awards & Scholarships
- Fundamental Research Grant Scheme, Ministry of Education, Malaysia (2026 – 2029)(Co-Researcher).
Project title: Unraveling the interplay between proline application and rhizospheric soil metatranscriptome on the growth and yield traits of rice under salinity stress. - Fundamental Research Grant Scheme, Ministry of Education, Malaysia (2023 – 2026) (Co-Researcher).
Project title: Elucidating the Plant-Microbe Interaction of Newly Isolated Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) Frateuria aurantia UMK PS-3 through Genome Sequencing and Transcriptomic Analysis for Sustainable Agriculture Practices - Fundamental Research Grant Scheme, Ministry of Education, Malaysia (2018 – 2021) – Principal Investigator
Project title: Investigation of the role of Carica papaya WRKY transcription factor in response to abiotic stress - Fundamental Research Grant Scheme, Ministry of Education, Malaysia (2014 – 2017) – Co-researcher
Project title: Influence of glycerine pitch on the mechanism of regulation of 4HB monomer compositions in the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) biosynthesis - Science & Technology Research Grant (MTSF), Toray Science Foundation, Japan (2018 -2020) – Co-researcher
Project Title: Characterisation of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria associated with Leucaena leucocephala, a potential biomass energy source in Malaysia. - National Science Fellowship (NSF), MOSTI (2008 – 2011)
- National Science Fellowship (NSF), MOSTI (2002 – 2004)
Professional memberships:
- Professional Technologist, Malaysian Board of Technologists (MBOT)
- HRD Corp Accredited Trainer
- Malaysian Society for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (MSMBB)
- Malaysian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (MSBMB)
Administrative appointment / committee involvements
Current:
- Head of Programme (BSc. in Biotechnology) (2022 – present).
- Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) member (2018 – present)
- Biotechnology Curriculum Development Committee (2020 – present)
- Indoor Club Advisor (2019 – present)
Past:
- Programme Coordinator (BSc. in Biotechnology) (2020 – 2022).
- Programme Coordinator – Master of Science (2015 -2016)
- Biotechnology Club Advisor (2016 – 2018)
Research Projects
Ongoing
- Elucidation of PHA biosynthesis regulatory elements in Pseudomonas sp.
- Isolation and molecular identification of plastic degrading bacteria from landfill area.
- Identification of genes from bacteria involved in PE degradation.
Completed
- Isolation and molecular identification of nitrogen fixing bacteria from termites gut.
- Isolation and molecular identification of bacteria from contact lens and solution.
- Isolation and molecular identification of antibiotic resistant bacteria from chicken.
Grants
- FRGS grant – Co-researcher titled ‘Influence of glycerine pitch on the mechanism of regulation of 4HB monomer compositions in the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) biosynthesis’ (2014 -2017)
Publications
- Teh Chui Yao, Rattanak Sambath Lee, Kamariah Hasan, Clement Kiing Fook Wong (2024). Identification of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in selected rice phosphate transporter (OsPHT) genes. Asian Pacific Journals of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. Vol 32(1): 57-64.
- Kloee Kher Yan Kong, Rattanak Sambath Lee, Kamariah Hasan, Clement Kiing Fook Wong, The Chui Yao (2024). Proline Priming enhances seed vigour and biochemical attributes of rice (Oryza sativa L.) during germination. Tropical Life Sciences Research. 35(3): 149-163)
- Ozeer, F. Z., Kamariah Hasan (2022). Molecular Identification of bacteria with Quorum Sensing Inhibition Properties from Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve. 2nd International Scientific Conference on Indigenous crops (COSAFS 022). 21-24 Sept 2022: 62-65.
- Sarannia T., Wendy, L.Y.Y., Kamariah H. (2021). Horizontal Gene Transfer Among Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria in The Guts of Termite Coptotermes gestroi. Malaysian Journal of Microbiology. Vol 17(5) 2021:493-504
- Fauziah, A.B., Pavitra, P., Kamariah, H. (2020). The Construction of Plant Expression Vector Harboring Carica papaya L. WRKY gene in Escherichia coli. Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology 28(S2):47-57.
- Sarannia, T., Sanglidevan, A. L., Kamariah, H. (2020). Prevalence Of Antibiotic Resistance Bacteria Isolated from Raw Chicken Meat. Malaysian Journal of Microbiology. Vol 16(4) 2020.
- Sarannia T. and Kamariah H. (2018). Review Article: Diversity of Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria Associated with Various Termite Species”. Journal of Tropical and agricultural science (JTAS) Vol 41(3).
