Sunway MSc Life Science Student Wins Conference Presentation Award
Sunway University MSc in Life Sciences student Shobana Gabriel Jabanathan was awarded the “Best Research Poster Award” for her research entitled “Development of Molecular Methods for Rapid Detection of Brain-eating Amoebae” at the 2nd International Conference for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (ICMBB) 2017.
Under the supervision of Professor Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui and Professor Naveed Khan, Distinguished Professor and Head of the Department of Biological Sciences, Shobana’s research focuses on the brain-eating amoebae (Acanthamoeba spp., Balamuthia mandrillaris and Naegleria fowleri) in Malaysia’s water sources. These amoebae are known to cause severe life-threatening infections which involve the eyes, skin, lungs and brain. Her research is also supervised by Professor Saidur Rahman, Distinguished Research Professor and Head of Research Centre for Nano-Materials and Energy Technology, and Dr Abdul Khaliq Rasheed, Research Fellow from the Centre.
Shobana Gabriel Jabanathan
Shobana, who will be completing her studies in MSc in Life Sciences this August, shared that the research aims to develop molecular methods for rapid detection of brain-eating amoebae, and to determine the occurrence of brain-eating amoebae in public water supplies in Malaysia.
“I am glad to be part of the conference as it was also an eye opener for others on the presence of these brain-eating amoebae in public water supplies in Malaysia,” said Shobana who presented her research project under the Medical Biotechnology and Molecular Biology category. Sharing her experience presenting at the Conference, the former student of SMK Assunta learnt it is important to design an effective poster to convey her research better to others.
“I hoped to create more awareness to the community and physicians on the prevalence of these brain-eating amoebae in Malaysia’s public water supplies as many are unaware of their presence,” said Shobana who completed her degree in Medical Biotechnology at Sunway University.
“Having clean water supply systems is becoming a serious issue worldwide and worryingly, these amoebae can be found in water, soils and contact lens solution. I had an interest in this topic as we Malaysians spend much time indulging in water-related activities where there is an increased risk of infections due to these amoebae.”
Shobana receiving the Best Research Poster Award in the 2nd International Conference for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (ICMBB) 2017. Right is Associate Professor Dr Kanthimathi Subramaniam, President of the Malaysian Society for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Describing her participation at the conference as a great experience, Shobana had the opportunity to gain in depth understanding of various research topics. “I also got to meet, explore and exchange ideas with researchers and scientists from various countries,” she said.
Shobana, who was taken aback with her achievement in the Conference said, “To present your poster is a privilege, and to be recognised for it is even more fulfilling.”
Held at Persatuan Alumni Universiti Malaya (PAUM) Clubhouse in Kuala Lumpur, the 2nd International Conference for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (ICMBB) 2017 aimed to unite scientists with industry experts in an effort to translate basic research into practical applications to benefit humanity.
Organised by the Malaysian Society for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (MSMBB),
the two-day conference covered multidisciplinary topics on advances in molecular biology and biotechnology in agriculture, environment, bioenergy and biorefinery, and medicine. The Conference is co-organised by the Asian Federation of Biotechnology Malaysia Chapter (AFOB-MC) and Monash University Malaysia.
