Associate Professor & Head of Programme for Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biotechnology – School of Applied Sciences (SAS)
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
- Senior Lecturer – School of Biological Sciences, QIUP (2017 to present)
- Lecturer- School of Biological Sciences, QIUP (2014-2017)
- Tutor & laboratory demonstrator, School of Biological Sciences, USM, Penang, Malaysia (2007- 2013)
- Courses: Microbiology, Genetics, Cell & Molecular Biology, Applied Microbiology, Advanced Molecular Biology, Recombinant DNA & Genetic Modification, Introduction to Forensic Science & Analysis.
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 mechanisms of gene expression in PHA producing bacteria
- Plastic degrading microorganisms to solve waste problem
- Prevalence of antibiotic resistance bacteria in environment and food
- Interaction of microbes through quorum sensing (QS) system
- Molecular mechanism of stress resistance in plants using Transcription Factors (TF).
Grants, Awards & Scholarships:
- 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)
SCHOLARSHIPS
- National Science Fellowship (NSF) for PhD, Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) (2008 – 2011).
- National Science Fellowship (NSF) for MSc, Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) (2002 – 2004).
Professional memberships:
- Malaysia Board of Technologists. Professional Technologist (Biotechnology) (PT22080239).
- Malaysian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (MSBMB). (OM-2014-007).
- Malaysian Society for Microbiology (MSM). (MSM/M/16/17/LOM18).
- Malaysian Society for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (MSMBB). (M2023018)
- Persatuan Genetik Malaysia (PGM). (PGM1014)
- Asian Federation of Biotechnology (AFOB). (MY00564)
Major Research Interest
- Elucidation of PHA biosynthesis regulatory elements from PHA producers.
- Studies on genes involved in biofilm formation from bacteria isolated from used contact lens solution.
- Isolation and characterization of plastic degrading bacteria from landfill area.
- Isolation of nitrogen fixing bacteria from termite gut.
- Transcriptomic data analysis of Antarctic psychrophilic yeast, Glaciozyma Antarctica PI12″
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
- Sarannia T., Kamariah H. (2018). Diversity of Nitrogen Fixing bacteria Associated with Various Termite Species. Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science 41 (3), 925-940.
- Felicia C. K. X., Kamariah H. (2018). Isolation and Molecular Identification of Bacteria in Contact Lens and Solution. AFOB-Malaysia Chapter International Symposium 2018. Kuching, Sarawak. 18-21 August 2018.
- Sarannia T., Astha L. S., Kamariah H. (2020) Prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria isolated from raw chicken meat. Malaysian Journal of Microbiology, Vol 16(4) 2020, pp. 302-311.
