Deputy Dean
Qualifications:
- PhD (Molecular Microbiology)- Lincoln University, New Zealand (NZ)
- BSc (Hons) Biotechnology- University of Sunderland, United Kingdom (UK)
Teaching and research experience :
TEACHING
- Associate Professor – School of Applied Sciences, QIU (2022 to present)
- Senior Lecturer – School of Biological Sciences, QIUP (2018 to 2021)
- Lecturer- School of Biological Sciences, QIUP (2016-2017)
- Tutor & Laboratory Demonstrator, Faculty of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Lincoln University, New Zealand (2011- 2015)
- Courses: Bioinformatics, Quantitative Genetics, Research Methodology & Data Analysis, Food Science & Nutrition, Biodiversity & Ecosystems, Genomics & Proteomics, Plant Science, Biometrics, Bioexperimentation
RESEARCH
- Anti-cancer potential & mechanism of action of bacterial endophytes against colon cancer
- Characterisation of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and their effects on plant growth
- Effect of nutrient priming on the germination, growth and nutritional values of Amaranthus cruentus
- Role of Carica papaya WRKY transcription factors in response to high salinity stress
- Phylogenetic analyses of rhizobial housekeeping and symbiosis genes
- Plant nitrogen (N) nutrition of legumes (15N natural abundance, 15N isotope dilution)
- Effect of biofertilisers on dry matter production of vegetables under different external [N]
- Molecular identification of fruit flies via cytochrome C subunit I (COI) gene sequence
Research Areas of Interest:
- Positive plant-microbial interactions, biofertilisers, seed priming, molecular phylogenetics, population genetics
Grants, Awards & Scholarships
GRANTS
- Internal Research Grant Scheme, Quest International University (2022 – 2024) (Principal Investigator)
Project Title: Deciphering the anti-cancer potential & mechanism of action of bacterial endophytes associated with Annona muricata (L.) against colon cancer
- Internal Research Grant Scheme, Quest International University (2022 – 2024) (Co-Researcher)
Project Title: Antifungal activity of Plectranthus amboinicus against candidiasis: in vitro and in vivo studies.
- Science & Technology Research Grant (MTSF), Toray Science Foundation, Japan (2018 – 2020) (Principal Investigator)
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 (2018 – 2022) (Co-researcher)
Project Title: Investigation of the role of Carica papaya WRKY transcription factor in response to abiotic stress
AWARDS
- Malaysian Technology Expo (MTE) 2023 (Spray and Shield) – 1 Gold Award & 2 Specials Awards (NIBM & National Cancer Society Malaysia) (Co-researcher)
- Malaysian Technology Expo (MTE) 2023 (FungAway Pad) – Silver Award (Co-researcher)
- Best Oral Presentation, International Conference on Food and Industrial Crops 2022 (Principal Investigator)
- Malaysian Technology Expo (MTE) 2020, (RhizoBac Biofertiliser) – Bronze Award (Principal Investigator)
SCHOLARSHIPS
- Research Writing Scholarship, Lincoln University, New Zealand (2015)
- Doctoral Scholarship, Lincoln University, New Zealand (2011 – 2014)
- Doctoral Scholarship, Meadow Mushroom Ltd., New Zealand (2012)
- New Zealand Plant Protection Society Travel Grant (2012)
Professional Memberships
- Malaysia Board of Technologists. Professional Technologist (Biotechnology) (PT20120055)
- Technological Association of Malaysia. Member (M7429)
- Asian Federation of Biotechnology. Member (MY00562)
- Malaysian Biosafety & Biosecurity Association. Member (A194)
- Malaysian Society of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. Member (OM-2017-006)
- European Federation of Biotechnology. Member
Administrative appointment / Committee Involvement
Current
- Deputy Dean, Faculty of Integrated Life Sciences (2021 – present)
- Institutional Biosafety Committee member (2018 to present)
- Centre for Research & Innovation Curriculum Committee member (2018 to present)
- Centre for Research & Innovation Assessment Committee member (2018 to present)
Past
- Head of School of Biological Sciences (2019 – 2021)
- Chairperson, Biotechnology Curriculum Development Committee (2019 to 2021)
- Chairperson, Environmental Technology Curriculum Development Committee (2019 to 2021)
- Head of Research Cluster, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Steering Committee (2020)
- Programme Coordinator – BSc (Hons) in Biotechnology (2017 -2020)
- Biosafety Officer (2016- 2018)
- Occupational, Safety & Health Committee member (2016-2018)
- Joint Research & Animal Ethics Committee member (2016-2018)
- Biotechnology Club Advisor (2016 – 2018)
Publications
Book Chapters
- Chong, H. Y. & Liu, W. Y.Y. (2024). Role of endophytes on plant growth and performance. In Husen, Azamal (Ed.), Biostimulants in Plant Protection and Performance. Elsevier Science.
- Liu, W. Y. Y. & Poobathy, R. (2021). Biofertilizer Utilization in Forestry. In Inamuddin, Mohd Imran Ahamed, Rajender Boddula & Mashallah Rezakazemi (Eds.), Biofertilizers: Study and Impact (1st ed., pp.1-37). Wiley-Scrivener.
Pearson Textbook Contributions
- Microbiology: An Introduction (14th global edition) by Tortora, Funke & Case (Year 2024)
- Becker’s World of the Cell (10th global edition) by Hardin & Bertoni (Year 2022)
- Brock Biology of Microorganisms (16th global edition) by Madigan, Bender, Buckley, Sattley & Stahl (Year 2021)
- Microbiology: An Introduction (13th global edition) by Tortora, Funke & Case (Year 2020)
Journal Articles
- Thanganathan, S., Liu, W. Y. Y. & Kamariah, H. (2021). Horizontal gene transfer among nitrogen fixing bacteria in the gut of termite Coptotermes gestroi. Malaysian Journal of Microbiology, 17(5), 493-504.
- Hodge, S., Merfield, C. N., Liu, W. Y. Y. & Tan, H. W. (2021). Seedling Responses to Organically-Derived Plant Growth Promoters: An Effects-Based Approach. Plants, 10(4), 660.
- Hodge S., Ward, D. F., Merfield, C. N., Liu W. Y. Y. & Gunawardana, D. (2017). Seasonal patterns of drosophilid flies and parasitoid wasps attracted to rotting fruit and vegetable baits in Canterbury, New Zealand. New Zealand Entomologist, 1-9.
- Liu, W. Y. Y., Premaratne, M., Creswell, R., Dash, D., Jack, D. & Andrews, M. (2016). Gorse is a ‘facultative’ nitrogen fixer. Journal of New Zealand Grasslands, 78, 181-184.
- Sheu, S. -Y., Chen, M.-H., Liu, W. Y. Y., Andrews, M., James, E. K., Ardley, J. K., De Meyer, S. E., James, T. K., Howieson, J. G., Coutinho, B. G., & Chen, W. –M. (2015). Burkholderia dipogonis sp. nov., isolated from root nodules of Dipogon lignosus in New Zealand and Western Australia. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, 65, 4716-4723.
- Wigley, K., Liu, W. Y. Y., Khumalo, Q., Moot, D. J., Brown, D. S., & Ridgway, H. J. (2015). Effectiveness of three inoculation methods for lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) in two Canterbury soils. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 58(3), 292-301.
- Liu, W. Y. Y., Ridgway, H. J., James, T. K., James, E. K., Chen, W. M., Sprent, J. I., Young, J. P. W., & Andrews, M. (2014). Burkholderia sp. Induces Functional Nodules on the South African Invasive Legume Dipogon lignosus (Phaseoleae) in New Zealand Soils. Microbial Ecology, 68, 542-555.
- Liu, W. Y. Y., Ridgway, H. J., James, T. K., Premaratne, M., & Andrews, M. (2012). Characterisation of rhizobia nodulating Galega officinalis (goat’s rue) and Hedysarum coronarium (sulla). New Zealand Plant Protection, 65, 192-196.
Conference Proceedings
- Thanganathan, S., Bakar, F. B. A., Liu, W. Y. Y., & Hasan, K. (2022). Significance of Papaya (Carica papaya) WRKY2 Transcription Factor in Salinity Stress Response. e-Proceeding International Conference on Food and Industrial Crops. Faculty of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences and Institute of Ecosystem Science Borneo, UPMKB, Bintulu, Sarawak. ISBN 9789672636915
- Thanganathan, S., Bakar, F. B. A., Liu, W. Y. Y., & Hasan, K. (2021). The Characterization of Carica papaya WRKY Transcription Factors in Response to Salinity Stress. In 1st Postgraduate Seminar on Agriculture and Forestry 2021 (PSAF 2021) (p. 23).
- Tay, K. Z., Selvaneru, R., Ow, Y.W., & Liu, W. Y. Y. (2018). Host Specificity and Efficacy of Rhizobial Symbionts of Leucaena leucocephala (petai belalang) in Ipoh, Malaysia. Asian Federation of Biotechnology Malaysia Chapter International Symposium 2018, 18- 21 August 2018. Sarawak, Malaysia.
- Black, A. D., Ryan-Salter, T. P., Liu, W. Y. Y., Moot, D. J., Hill, G. D. & Andrews, M. (2015). Bradyrhizobia with a distinct nodA gene nodulate the exotic Lupinus polyphyllus L. in New Zealand soils. Proceedings of the XIV International Lupin Conference, 21- 26 June 2015. Milan, Italy.
- Andrews, M., Ardley, J. K., Liu, W. Y. Y., James, T. K., Ridgway H. J., James, E. K., & Sprent, J. I. (2014). Similar strains of Burkholderia spp. nodulate the South African invasive legume Dipogon lignosus in New Zealand and Australian soils. Proceedings of the 17th Australian Nitrogen Fixation Conference, 29 September- 2 October 2014 (pp. 96-97). Adelaide, Australia.
- Wigley, K., Liu, W. Y. Y., Moot, D. J., & Ridgway, H. (2014). Nodulation frequency of a naturalized rhizobia in lucerne and its effect on dry matter production. Proceedings of the 17th Australian Nitrogen Fixation Conference, 29 September- 2 October 2014 (pp. 73-74). Adelaide, Australia.
- Liu, W. Y. Y., Williams, L., Carter, N., & Andrews, M. (2009). The mechanisms of action of the cereal growth promoting Rhizobium radiobacter strain 204: an assessment. Aspects of Applied Biology, 98, 183-188.
- Liu, W. Y. Y., & Thynne, B. (2009). The ability of Rhizobium radiobacter strain 204 to inhibit the growth of Fusarium culmorum. Aspects of Applied Biology, 98, 217-220.
Others (Thesis & Newsletter)
- Liu, W. Y. Y. (2014). Characterisation of rhizobia and studies on nitrogen fixation of common weed legumes in New Zealand. Lincoln University, Lincoln, New Zealand.
- Liu, W. Y. Y., Ridgway, H., James, T., Larsen, S., & Andrews, M. (2014). The South African invasive legume Dipogon lignosus has brought Burkholderia rhizobial symbionts into New Zealand. Trilepidea, 126, 7.
