Postgraduates @SBS The SBS Biopostgraduate Society Musabbihah Abdul Aziz, NurShanariah Balkis Kamarudin & Amira Suriaty Yaakop The SBS Biopostgraduate Society was established in 2018. The society aims to ensure the welfare of all postgraduates in the School of Biological Sciences (SBS), Universiti Sains Malaysia, by organising get-to-know-each-other activities and providing platforms for postgraduate students to share their thoughts on all aspects of life during their attachment with SBS. Throughout the years, the society has organized various events such as academic workshops, international conferences, and the ‘3-minute Thesis Competition’. Here, we share two recent events organized by the society from 2022 to 2023. School of Biological Sciences International Postgraduate Conference 2022 (SBS IPGC 2022) The School of Biological Sciences International Postgraduate Conference 2022 (SBS IPGC 2022) was conducted on 11-12 October 2022. The theme of the conference was “Empowering Research through Multidisciplinary Approach”, which highlighted research in five themes, i.e., Biodiversity and Natural Resources, Microbial and Biotechnology, Environment, and Conservation, Crop Management, and Entomology and Ecology. This was the second postgraduate conference organized by SBS that was opened to all postgraduate students. The first conference in 2018 was only open to Malaysian students. Due to the positive feedback from the first conference, the second conference afforded more participation to postgraduate students from universities across the world and was conducted in a hybrid mode (physical and virtual presentations). Forty-five participants from various institutions such as USM, UNIKL, UNIMAP, as well as countries including Hungary, and Nigeria, presented their research during the conference. Three presenters were awarded the best speaker award, and they were Teoh Siew Chin (first place), Shahrul Nizam Abu Bakar (second best), and Marlini Othman (third place). Four honorary keynote speakers were invited to share their research to open the conference, i.e., Prof. Dato’ Dr. Aileen Tan Shau Hwai (USM), Dr. Nadine Ruppert (USM), Dr. Vigneswari Sevakumaran (UMT) and Dr. Gbenga Festus Akomolafe (University of Lafia, Nigeria). Bio-Bulletin July 2023 43
Annual Postgraduate Meeting 2023 and Lunch with the Dean The annual postgraduate meeting for the year 2023 and lunch with the Dean was organized on 22 February 2023. Around 53 students joined the event. During this meet-up, the Dean and the Deputy Dean highlighted students’ academic responsibilities and involvements at SBS and announced the school’s incentives for postgraduates with excellent performance. New committee members were also elected for various positions in the society as shown in the table below. Attached are some of the photos taken during the events. Position Name President Mahmoud Ali Khalaf Abu Shattal Vice President Ong Jia Wei Secretary Abdullahi Yusuf Treasurer NurShanariah Balkis Kamarudin Welfare unit Aoha Yamamoto Sustainable development Nur Ardani Sport and recreation Izah Adlina Mohamad Shukri Academic Ranjitha Sambathan Multimedia Musabbihah Abdul Aziz 44 Bio-Bulletin July 2023
Dr. Amira Suriaty Yaakop is a senior lecturer at School of Biological Sciences Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and currently the advisor of SBS Biopostgraduate Society. Musabbihah Abdul Aziz is a Master of Science (Botany) student and members of Multimedia Bureau of SBS Biopostgraduate Society. Nur Shanariah Balkis Kamarudin is a Master of Science (Botany) student and Treasurer of SBS Biopostgraduate Society. Bio-Bulletin July 2023 45
Postgraduates @SBS Exploring Japan: Sakura Science Exchange Program 2022 Nurul Adilah Binti Amrannudin & Intan Haslina Ishak Sakura Science Exchange Program 2022 The Sakura Exchange Program in Science is a platform to enhance exchanges between Asia and Japan. It is a close collaboration between industryacademia-government in science and technology that provides potential youths opportunities for short-term visits to Japan. This program aims to raise the interest of Asian youths in sciences and technologies at Japanese universities, research institutions, and private companies. The Sakura Exchange Program 2022 in Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech) opened its door to me and these participants - two postgraduate students from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), and two undergraduate students from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), who were accompanied by two lecturers, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rashidah Abdul Rahim (USM) and Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr Amir Syahir Amir Hamzah (UPM). Our visit to Japan was led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shinya Ikeno, affectionately called “Ikeno sensei” from the Graduate School of Life Science and System Engineering, Kyutech. The knowledge, expertise, and cultural sharing sessions between the Malaysian and Japanese students physically began once we touched down in Japan. Ice-Breaking and Lab Tours After 10 hours of flight from Malaysia to Japan, we finally landed in Fukuoka Prefecture, Kyushu. Upon our arrival, we were welcomed by Ikeno sensei, then directly went to Kyutech to meet Ikeno Sensei’s students, our laboratory buddies. Dry yellow-orange leaves crunched beneath our feet when we walked around the campus area. The highlight of Day 1 was the ice-breaking session and lab tour at the Wakamatsu campus (Kitakyushu), the newest campus in Kyutech. Students from both countries were given opportunities to introduce themselves during the welcome party. After that, we went for the lab tours and were assigned specific laboratories for our research attachment in Ikeno sensei’s labs. We also went for a lab tour at the Tobata campus, the oldest campus of Kyutech since 1909. We were then briefed about multiple novel technologies and experimentations conducted in the Graduate School of Engineering, followed by Japanese tradition - the ‘Exchange of Gifts’ amongst USM, UPM, and Kyutech representatives. Laboratory Attachment The laboratory attachment in Ikeno sensei’s lab was organized for 21 days, in which the experiments conducted here were parts of the student’s project. Ikeno sensei’s laboratory is related to nanoparticles, functional peptides, bioprocess, biosensors, drug screening, protein engineering, microorganism cultivation, genetic engineering, and molecular biology. Knowledge and expertise were exchanged here. Students from USM were exposed to molecular biology techniques, which were gene expressions and protein expressions by using the qRT-PCR and SDS-PAGE, respectively. 46 Bio-Bulletin July 2023
Our Research Insecticide resistance in mosquitoes is caused by the insensitivity of the target site, increased activity of detoxification enzymes, cuticular resistance, and modifications in insect behaviour in avoiding the lethal effects of the insecticide. Many previous studies focused on target-site resistance and metabolic resistance, neglecting the in-depth research on cuticular resistance, particularly in genomic perspectives (Fig. 1). Cuticular resistance is caused by the alteration of cuticle genes, or proteins. The existence of pyrethroid-related cuticular multi-families’ genes such as CP1, CP2, CP6, CP8 CP14.6, CP19, endocuticle SgAbd-6, LCP30, and LCPA2B in other mosquito species call for the aim of the current study on exploring the cuticular resistance mechanism in Ae. albopictus based on the genomics approach. Experiments exploring the cuticular resistance of Ae. albopictus using the molecular approach was executed in Ikeno sensei’s lab. Both laboratory strains of larvae and adult females Ae. albopictus were preliminary optimized and tested to determine the expression of several cuticular genes using the qRT-PCR techniques. Ae. albopictus cuticular gene primers were designed and molecularly optimized. The findings revealed respective ideal primer candidates for both larvae and adults and gene expressions between technical replicates were not notably differed as similar strains were used. Additionally, the optimization of primer PCR efficiency is recommended before unravelling gene expression for field strain samples, primarily the insecticide-treated against non-treated samples (reference strain) which are unable to be performed in this experiment due to the time constraint. Trip to Hyogo, Okayama, and Hiroshima Other than conducting experiments in the laboratory, we made use of our time in Japan by visiting a few prefectures that were rich with many historical and beautiful places. We travelled to Hyogo, Okayama, and Hiroshima by riding the bullet train (Shinkansen), and experienced early winter season trips. In Hyogo Prefecture, we went to SPing-8, a synchrotron radiation facility that was developed jointly by RIKEN and Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute and owned and managed by RIKEN. After a day in Hyogo, we travelled to Okayama and enjoyed the beautiful landscape of Okayama Korakuen Garden during the late autumn season and visited the famous and historical Himeji Castle which was established during the Edo period (1603-1867). This castle was known as one of the largest castles in Japan. Many guidebooks indicate this place as a “mustsee,” especially during the cherry blossom season. Although we missed the cherry blossom season, we were still amazed by the whole scenery. We had the opportunity to experience the castle’s palace which contains many historical exhibitions, beautiful paintings on the sliding doors, and unique construction materials. We also went to the Hiroshima Prefecture, visited the city and museum, and learned about the nuclear atomic bomb tragedy in this historical city. After the 4-day trip, we returned to Kitakyushu. Bio-Bulletin July 2023 47
The Conference, Final Report Presentation, and Farewell Autumn season in the Tobata campus. A two-day virtual conference called the International Symposium and Applied Engineering and Sciences (SAES) was held on 12-13 December 2022. In SAES 2022, the researchers and students from various fields and universities participated in either oral or poster presentations related to their research. Not only that, the final reports for all experiments conducted in Ikeno sensei’s lab were also presented by Malaysian students. Before returning to Malaysia, we had our closing ceremony, where students exchanged gifts, and the certificates were given to the Sakura Science Exchange Program participants. Night view at Kitakyushu campus. Overall, it was a great honour to be considered and given the opportunity to experience the knowledge exchange and research culture in Japan, especially in Kyutech. It is a wonderful memory being able to mingle, make friends and work together with Japanese students and researchers, who always apply a set of values that put importance on social harmony, hard work, hospitability, and display modesty, and humility. Truly, Japan is a beautiful country with wonderful people. 48 Bio-Bulletin July 2023
Himeji castle. Autumn in Okayama Korakuen Garden. Samurai exhibition in the Himeji castle. Bio-Bulletin July 2023 49
Nurul Adilah Amrannudin is a PhD candidate working on the insecticide resistance mechanisms and metagenome studies in Aedes albopictus at Insecticide Resistance Research Group (IRRG), SBS, USM. Dr. Intan Haslina Ishak is a senior lecturer at the School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. Her research interest is on toxicology and insecticide resistance in medical and agricultural insect pest. She is actively conducting research using molecular approaches to understand the underlying mechanisms of resistance in insect and rodent pests. 50 Bio-Bulletin July 2023
Biosociety @USM Empowering Excellence : Biosociety’s Journey towards Academic, Social, and Entrepreneurial Growth Anis Zakiran Azmi, Husna Athirah Mohd Anuar, Muhammad Aiman Abd Rahman, Muhammad Syahmi Shamsul Bahari, Nurul Husna Zainuddin, Ras Adilah Mohd Salleh, Wan Norhumaira Madihah Masduki & Wan Nur Alya Nayli Wan Muhd Mazli INTRODUCTION Biosociety is one of the prominent associations in Universiti Sains Malaysia, comprising all undergraduate students from the School of Biological Sciences (SBS). Its mission is to transform into an excellent, integrated society that accentuates academic, spiritual, and physical excellence; and sets its vision to produce scholars who can foster the country’s productivity in the science and innovation field as well as uphold moral principles. In realising these, the Sustainable Development Goals and USM’s HEBAT agenda are required to be reflected in all Biosociety’s events and programmes, ensuring their productivity and merriment for all SBS students. Biosociety is undeniably a good platform for students to display their interpersonal and leadership skills, and some programmes held throughout its operation are highlighted below. INTRA-BIO DAY 8.0 Intra-Bio Day 8.0 was the first event conducted by Biosociety for the 2022/2023 academic session with the participation of all SBS’s first-year students. The primary aim of this event was to introduce the new students to the SBS Biosociety and the school’s environment. The day was loaded with fun games and activities that apply the Holistic and Articulate elements of the HEBAT concept, and at the same time provided students the opportunity to get to know each other and their seniors. The programme was carried out on 5 November 2022 at DK U and Padang Convex. It started with welcoming speeches from the Dean, Biosociety advisors, Biosociety members, and programme executive secretariat. The participants were then put into groups for several indoor games. Each group was required to send a representative as a leader and needed to complete 10 missions together assisted by the secretariats. Later in the day, the outdoor games were conducted. Bio-Bulletin July 2023 51
These activities enhanced the team spirit, creating stronger bonds between the participants. SCIENCE OUTREACH PROGRAMME The Science Outreach Programme 4.0 (SOP 4.0) was one of the most momentous events and collaborations handled by Biosociety. This one-day programme was held on 30 November 2022 at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Pondok Upeh, Balik Pulau, Pulau Pinang. This programme involved the committed participation of Form Three students from the host and nearby schools. The Biosociety secretariats, Zaahidah and Zahirah, deserved appreciation for giving their best effort in ensuring the programme’s success. The main objective of SOP 4.0 was to expose students to the fields of science and instil interest in choosing the Science stream for their upper secondary education. During the programme, various exciting activities and fun games were conducted such as ‘Cute Worms’ and ‘Catapult’. There were also exhibitions organised by Biosociety, such as insects’ collections showcase from the Entomology Lab, SBS. Other than that, SOP 4.0 was also a way to guide the new excos and co-excos in handling programmes, while simultaneously developing teamwork and strengthening communication skills. Group photos were taken of the secretariats and participants to commemorate the event before the day ended. ECO-PRENEURIAL CAMP The ‘Eco-Preneurial Camp’ was a programme that conceptualised entrepreneurial orientation through exposure and training in the business field. The main goal of this programme was to train participants in the business management aspect, as well as to foster the culture of entrepreneurship and innovation in producing graduates with entrepreneurial attributes, in line with the HEBAT agenda manifested by the university. This two-day programme exposed participants to the basics of management through sharing activities, followed by study tours to selected entrepreneurial and business industries specialising in small and medium enterprises involving local products. Eighty students from SBS were selected to join this programme. The first day of the programme was a visit to MARDI, Seberang 52 Bio-Bulletin July 2023
Perai (rice@MARDI). Students were exposed to the management of agricultural practices in rice production, followed by the process of making great cupcakes. On the second day, a sharing session on food control was held at Dewan Kembara 1, USM. The ‘Eco-preneurial Camp’ programme has made an impact by developing entrepreneurial skills that can help students in the future. The participants learned about the science of rice cultivation that contributes to national income and discovered the techniques of proper food handling following the standards of the Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM). The participants also learned about rice-based food alternatives that may influence them into becoming food producers and tackle food security issues, other than the appropriate methods of food handling before being marketed to customers. ‘MAJORING TALK’ Majoring Talk is a Biosociety’s annual event that spreads information about the different majors available in SBS to all second-year students. The majors subsumed under Applied Science are Entomology, Biotechnology, Agrobiology, Environmental Biology, and Aquatic Science; while the majors offered under Pure Biology are Zoology, Microbiology, and Plant Biology. Majoring Talk involves briefings from the Programme Chairperson, who elaborates on the prospects of graduates’ marketability and related job opportunities upon graduation. A Question-and-Answer session is usually conducted at the end, to provide students with inquiry platforms. Frequent questions include how to apply for specific majors, the uncertainties in choosing one, and general information. This event is important in allowing students to understand their academic and career prospects while instilling interest in a more specific field. The selection process is dependent on students’ academic performance, and sometimes interviews, managed by the Programme Chairperson. Through this event, second-year students feel more confident in choosing their preferred majors as the first step to determining their academic and career pathways. BIONIGHT Bionight is the most anticipated event by the final year student as it celebrates their effort and hard work throughout the degree years and final-year projects. It is a night to unwind, de-stress, and let loose, other than creating wonderful memories and forging relationships with peers, without thinking about impending exams for a little bit. Bio-Bulletin July 2023 53
The night gives the students time to catch up with each other as they have little to no time together before the semester concludes. As fashionistas, the students flaunt their creativity by dressing up to match the theme, and the best-dressed king and queen will be crowned at the end of the night. The wonderful event also serves as an important learning experience for the Biosociety newcomers, the co-excos, who will have to organise the event by themselves the following year. This event trains the newcomers and allows them to demonstrate their ability to be considered and appointed as future committee members. The position will be assigned based on votes and suggestions from experienced members, as well as voluntarily. BIO-CAFE One of the Biosociety’s profit-generation initiatives is the establishment of BIO-Café which will be selling hot food and beverages to everyone inside and outside of the campus. This project is carried out by Biosociety’s Department of Economics and Entrepreneurship, hence, aligned with the HEBAT’s Entrepreneurial agenda that encourages entrepreneurism in society. Each Biosociety member will contribute by running the BIO-Cafe every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They will gain knowledge on café management, and preparation of meals and beverages with highquality ingredients. The BIO-Cafe is strategically located in the SBS’s Learning Space, making it more convenient and accessible for students. Students can study comfortably and hang out with their friends in a welcoming environment, thanks to the comfortable seating provided. CONCLUSION Biosociety strives to achieve its objectives based on underlined mission and vision. Every major event that has been carried out by Biosociety thus far has shown positive impacts, especially for the students from SBS. Planned events adhere to the standards set by BHEPA, i.e., the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the five elements of the HEBAT agenda (Holistic, Entrepreneurial, Balanced, Articulate, and Thinking). Essentially, these events challenge our secretariat to unlock their full potential by exhibiting good manners and forging teamwork. Yet, we still seek to pursue our fundamental goals of further enhancing the society and establishing a prominent name in becoming USM’s leading society. Finally, as a determined organisation, we hope that we can contribute to creating a better future and contribute to USM and the world. 54 Bio-Bulletin July 2023
Anis Zakirah Azmi is a second-year student currently pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Science degree. Nurul Husna Zainuddin is a third-year student currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree with a specialization in Animal Biology. H u s n a A t h i r a h Mohd Anuar is a third-year student currently pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Science degree with a specialization in Environmental Biology. Muhammad Aiman Abd Rahman is a firstyear student currently pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Science degree. Muhammad Syahmi Shamsul Bahari is a second-year student currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree. Ras Adilah Mohd Salleh is a secondyear student currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree. Wan Norhumaira Madihah Masduki is a third-year student currently pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Science degree with a specialization in E n t o m o l o g y a n d Parasitology. Wan Nur Alya Nayli Wan Muhd Mazli is a third-year student currently pursuing a Bachelor of Applied S c i e n c e d e g r e e with a specialization in Environmental Biology. Bio-Bulletin July 2023 55
During my school days, I got excited when we had guests over, showing us new things that we do not usually encounter in the classrooms. We would have dentists who made us brush our teeth by the school drain, firemen who taught us to control the spread of fire, eco-conscious NGOs who raised awareness about recycling, and even golf coaches who exposed us to the sport. However, it is rare for me to hear about experts visiting schools to share about the environment or the flora and fauna of Malaysia. This is where I came in when my team and I organized a roadshow to talk about bat ecology in Malaysian schools. Awareness talk and discussion with students of different schools. What started as a checklist for my master’s degree, turned into something fruitful and fun for the pupils of selected primary schools in Alor Setar, Kedah. We went from school to school, for 2 hours each to share our knowledge of bat ecology and conservation. October is International Bat Appreciation Month, so it was the perfect time to spread awareness of bat conservation in Malaysia. We planned out multiple quizzes and fun activities such as group art activities during the program to keep pupils interested, curious, and receptive. Prizes were handed out to the winners to keep them motivated, and consolation prizes were given to everyone involved so that none felt left out. During group activities where the best group wins exciting prizes. Building Bat Champions Raising and Spreading Awareness for Kids of Kedah Ummu ‘Atiyyah Mohamed Talhah 56 Bio-Bulletin July 2023
On 11 October 2022, we visited our first school, SK Gunong, where 30 eager boys and girls waited eagerly to learn about bats. Since this was an academic-oriented program, I expected bored and uninterested pupils. To my surprise, the children’s curiosities, and willingness to learn made the first visit a success. On the next day, we headed to the only Chinese primary school on our list, SJKC Yih Choon, which comprised a total of 10 Chinese and Malay pupils of three different ages. I was initially surprised to learn about a Malaysian school with a small number of students, but it made sense geographically and socially, as the school is in a rural area with dominant Malay demography. A week later, we went to SK Kubang Teduh, which consisted of a total of 48 pupils who seemed very excited to see us and displayed full attention and cooperation. One of the schoolteachers said that the children were genuinely interested in our sharing as they rarely experienced anything outside of their routine in the rural area. Receiving visitors gave them a break from their monotonous schooling activities and offered some excitement. In the afternoon of the same day, we traveled to SK Sri Gunong and were greeted by 133 pupils of two different ages. With only two volunteers helping me throughout the program, we had to step up our game in handling the big number of children. The following week, we visited our last school, SK Taman Aman, which comprised a total of 156 students from three different ages. This time I was more prepared and had three more assisting volunteers to help with the program, and it was another success. Students and teachers of SK Kubang Teduh. The primary school pupils who attended the program fully were asked to complete a survey before and after the program to evaluate its success in providing knowledge and awareness. If the ‘after’ average mark is higher than the ‘before’, it indicates that the program is successful in improving the students’ knowledge of bats. For instance, 42% ‘before’ average mark, and 54% ‘after’ average mark shows that the program is successful in getting the boys’ and girls’ attention and that they have learned something during the 2-hour program. As it was my first time leading such a program, I did not expect the outcome, though I was naturally hoping to see improvement in their marks to prove the value it brings. To my relief, all five schools showed an increase in the average scores, indicating the effectiveness of the outreach program. This finding motivates me; thus, I hope to witness and be involved in many more similar activities in the future. As children Bio-Bulletin July 2023 57
are the most curious of beings, it is easier for us to provide new information to shape their young minds. Based on my experience, I believe that it would be more enjoyable and effective if such programs were conducted in smaller groups, where we can give better attention to nurture each curious mind. Group activities submitted by groups where three winning groups were chosen. For a program like this to succeed, especially with it being a fascinating, yet foreign topic to the children, extra pairs of hands were needed to assist. With the help of my supervisor, chiropterologist Dr. Nurul ‘Ain Elias, and funding from The Habitat Foundation, I was able to prepare and provide everything needed for the outreach program. Many thanks to the Ministry of Education Malaysia and Kedah State Education Department (JPN) for allowing us to conduct the program, and not to forget friends and schoolteachers who helped throughout. Group photos with the team, school students, and teachers. Ummu ‘Atiyyah Mohamed Talhah is a postgraduate student at the School of Biological Sciences, USM. Her current master’s degree focuses on the ecology of bats, specifically the ecosystem services of bats in paddy fields. She also researches the public’s awareness of bats, which provides more information on the current and potential human-wildlife conflicts. 58 Bio-Bulletin July 2023
As an RSTMH Student Ambassador, I recently attended their congress titled “Research in Progress London, 2022”, where I shared my research in One Health, the interface of public, environmental, and animal health; and networked with international researchers and students in the field. Two words to describe my journey with RSTMH: Honoured and humbled. The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly impacted the quality of our everyday life. My research project, which commenced in early 2021, was not spared. I vividly remember the challenges in the beginning, from organizing field sampling to conducting my laboratory work at USM during permitted hours of the lockdowns, as well as managing financial struggles during the onset of the pandemic. My supervisors encouraged me to apply for the RSTMH Early Career Grants program, and I successfully became their awardee in 2021. This award has since warranted numerous wonderful opportunities for me to pursue my career in the globally fast-growing field of One Health. Presenting my research on “Screening Infectious Diseases With Zoonotic Potential In Wild Southern Pig-Tailed Macaques Using Faecal Samples And Field-Modified Diagnostics”. Non-invasive approach for infectious disease screening: Is it feasible? A year into my MSc, I was appointed the RSTMH Student Ambassador, and invited to present my research in London to shed light on wildlife conservation and zoonotic diseases in Southeast Asia. Arriving in wintry London two days before the program, I prepared myself for the big event. On the day, I nervously stood on the stage feeling incredibly excited, yet nerve-wracked to share my research on non-invasive screening for infectious diseases using fecal samples from wild southern One Health in the Tropics My experience presenting my postgraduate research at the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH), London in December 2022 Celine Ng Boon Yuan Bio-Bulletin July 2023 59
pig-tailed macaques, Macaca nemestrina, to an international audience of One Health experts and students. I spoke about past disease outbreaks, demonstrating that non-human primates are potential reservoirs and hosts of zoonotic agents, highly susceptible to respiratory infections, such as tuberculosis, or shared gastrointestinal disease with livestock and domestic animals, such as giardiasis. My MSc research, using several non-invasive screening approaches for giardia, including microbiological, metagenomic, and immunological methods on macaque fecal samples, confirmed these findings and show that fecal samples of wildlife can be used for noninvasive screening. Get the latest information and opportunity in the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH) here: https://www.rstmh.org/ Moving forward, I want to assess the difference in the gut microbiome profiles of macaque populations from habitats with high vs. low human interactions. Referring to past research on hostmicrobiome relations, urbanization is associated with lower microbiota species diversity and the variation of gut microbiome composition, which could impact this endangered species’ health and long-term survival. Human-wildlife interfaces: Conflicts or coexistence? Looking at the bigger picture, my research can inform better conservation practices and advocate for more peaceful human-wildlife coexistence. I strive to bring awareness to field researchers and the public to always keep a safe distance from wildlife in avoiding zoonotic disease transmission between humans and fauna. 60 Bio-Bulletin July 2023
My presentation’s take-home message emphasized the need for more intersectoral collaboration, transparent communication, and open data sharing among researchers, policymakers, and local communities to improve public health and the conservation of wildlife and the environment. I wrapped up my speech with the following notes: “There is no doubt that we are racing against time to better understand infectious disease transmission, but being in the presence of these inspiring researchers, I have hope that we are making an impact and progressing towards better planetary health every day.” My parting remarks encouraged audience members to offer motivating words as well as ask more questions about primates and humanwildlife conflicts in Malaysia. It was a room filled with immense curiosity and thirst for knowledge on infectious diseases – from malaria to monkeypox viruses, snake venom, antimicrobial resistance research, and more. Ending this fantastic program on a high note, I was awarded the first runner-up for my oral presentation. The whole event, and especially this award, has given me greater motivation to continue my passion in the field, and I wish to inspire more young researchers like me to explore the endless opportunities in One Health. Celine is pursuing her MSc in Microbiology at the School of Biological Sciences, USM, screening infectious diseases in fecal samples of wild macaques. She aspires to integrate the One Health approach by using effective science communication for better decision-making in environmental conservation. Her passion for One Health has landed her exciting opportunities as a student ambassador for the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH), U.K., and a professional fellow in the U.S. Young Southeast Asian Leadership Initiative (YSEALI) Professional Fellowship Program 2022, where she worked closely with the local government on public health issues in Austin, Texas, U.S.A. With her enthusiasm to connect with more like-minded people and contribute bold commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals, she hopes to strengthen Malaysia’s One Health network by improving public awareness of the importance of creating human-wildlife coexistence for better planetary health. Celine Ng Boon Yuan is a MSc candidate at School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), and currently working on wildlife conservation and zoonotic diseases. She is also the Student Ambassador of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH). Bio-Bulletin July 2023 61
2023 Website: www.bio.usm.my