Daren Kumar A/L Joseph (left) receiving the Young Scientist Award. Three talented individuals from IMU University, Nur Sarah Bt Azhar (Biomedical Science final-year student), Parvinpal Kaur (IMU Biomedical Science and MSc in Molecular Medicine alumna), and Daren Kumar A/L Joseph (Senior Regional Programme Advisor, Marketing and Enrolment Office) won Young Scientist Awards (YSA) at the 34th MACB Conference 2024 in collaboration with the 2nd MyBiomed Symposium held at the Royale Chulan, Kuala Lumpur on 22 to 23 July 2024. There were four YSA prizes altogether in this category.
The conference was jointly organised by the Malaysian Association of Clinical Biochemists (MACB) and the Malaysian Biomedical Science Association (MyBiomed), featuring international speakers, biomedical science university students, clinical scientists from the Ministry of Health, and academics who showcased their research findings. The theme of this year’s conference was ‘Towards Holistic, Integration, and Sustainability in the Medical Laboratory’.
Nur Sarah Bt Azhar
In the YSA oral presentation, Sarah showcased her final year project entitled “Photoprotective Bioactivity of Pseudokirchneriella Subcapitata Extracts on Ultraviolet Light-Irradiated Human Keratinocytes.” Supervised by A/Prof Lim Chooi Ling, A/Prof Wong Chiew Yen and A/Prof Lee Choy Sin (IMU), Sarah and her peers discovered that the microalgae extract demonstrated significant effects on keratinocyte viability and migration (wound healing) properties, forming the basis for further elucidation of its photoprotective mechanisms.
Parvinpal Kaur
Parvinpal delivered a compelling talk on her Masters project ‘Epigenetic Changes Modulated by Inhibitor of Kappa B Kinase Alpha (IKKα) in a Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) Cell Line’.
Her findings contribute towards a clearer understanding about the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer, which is notoriously challenging to diagnose. Her research mentors were A/Prof Lim Chooi Ling (IMU) and A/Prof Chung Fei Lei (Sunway University).
Daren Kumar A/L Joseph
Daren’s impressive presentation was on ‘Unravelling the Behavioral Changes Following Cosmos Caudatus Aqueous Extract Supplementation on AlCl3-Induced Rats’. Together with his supervisor Prof Nor Fadilah Rajab (UKM) and co-investigators A/Prof Arimi Fitri Mat Ludin (UKM), Dr Farah Wahida Ibrahim (UKM), Dr Nur Aishah Che Roos (UPNM), and Prof Suzana Shahar (UKM), his study unravelled the neuroprotective capability of C. caudatus against AlCl3-induced neurotoxicity in a murine animal model.
A/Prof Kok Yih Yih
Associate Dean (Academic),
School of Health Sciences
A/Prof Kok Yih Yih was invited to deliver a toxicology-themed symposium talk at the conference. Her lecture, entitled ‘Plastic Pollution: The Hidden Costs of Convenience’, drew great interest from the participants on the impact of micro- and nanoplastics from the environment on human health.
The awardees’ accomplishments emphasise IMU University’s commitment towards cultivating a strong research culture in the biomedical sciences, whilst nurturing young leaders in the health professions who lead with a service mindset.
What Our Award Winners Say
‘This experience was intriguing and enchanting like no other. I didn’t even know it was possible for me, a naive undergraduate student, to even come this far in research. But this was all possible due my supervisor, A/Prof Dr Lim Chooi Ling, my friends, and family for always guiding and supporting me to achieve the impossible!’
– Nur Sarah Bt Azhar
‘Winning the Young Scientist Award has been an exhilarating and humbling experience. This achievement is a testament to all the hard work and effort I’ve put in as well as the unwavering support and resources provided by my supervisors and IMU University.’
– Parvinpal Kaur
‘Working and studying have always been challenging to juggle, but IMU has provided me with the flexibility and support needed. This support made it possible for me to win the Young Scientist Award at the recent 34th MACB Conference and 2nd MyBiomed Symposium.’
– Daren Kumar A/L Joseph
Written by A/Prof Lim Chooi Ling
