Department of Biotechnology IIUM

13/07/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Our Award Recipient! 🎉

We are proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of Mr. Ochieng Anthony Norbert Oduor from Department of Biotechnology, Kulliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, who has been honored with the Best Poster Presenter Award at the 8th International Conference and Postgraduate Colloquium of Environmental Research (POCER 2026), held on 8–9 July 2026 at the University of Nottingham Malaysia.

Mr Anthony is a PhD student under the supervision of Dr Mardiana Mohd Ashaari and Dr Azzmer Azzar Abdul Hamid. He is working on the Isolation and Characterization of Biosurfactant-Producing Bacteria from Petroleum Sludge Obtained from Refineries at Zanzibar, Tanzania for Bioremediation Application.

Oil spills pose a serious concern to marine ecosystem, wildlife and coastal environment. The oil toxicity and the physical damage it inflicted by fouling threatens the lives of many inhabited animal, leading to the destruction of the ecosystem.

Current commercial surfactants for oil spill clean up are known to be inefficient as some of the chemicals produce harmful by-products which can lead to another source of contamination.

In contrast, the utilization of biosurfactant as a potential dispersant for oil spill kit may overcome the drawback of the commercial surfactants as it is eco-friendly, biodegradable and more cost-effective.

This prestigious recognition reflects his dedication, excellence in research, and exceptional presentation skills. His accomplishment is a testament to the high standards of scholarship and innovation that continue to inspire our academic community.

Please join us in congratulating Mr. Oduor on this well-deserved achievement. We wish him continued success in his research journey and future endeavors!

👏 Congratulations once again, Mr. Ochieng Anthony Norbert Oduor!

30/06/2026

24/06/2026

Dear all our beloved students. All the best for your exam.

If you're feeling nervous about your exam, stop telling yourself, "I'm nervous," "I'm scared," or any other negative thought.

Instead, say this to yourself:

✨ I have a strong and capable mind.

✨ I remember what I have studied.

✨ I have prepared well and done my best.

✨ Everything I need is already within me.

✨ When I read the questions, the answers come to mind clearly.

✨ I am calm, focused, and confident.

✨ I think clearly and manage my time wisely.

✨ I understand more than I realize.

✨ I can overcome challenges and solve problems effectively.

✨ Every question is an opportunity to demonstrate what I know.

✨ I am intelligent, capable, and resilient.

✨ I trust the effort I have put into my studies.

✨ I will answer each question with confidence and clarity.

✨ My lecturers will see the knowledge and understanding I have gained.

✨ I am ready for this exam.

✨ I am going to do my best, and my best is enough.

✨ With Allah's help, I can face this exam with courage and peace.

✨ Insya-Allah, Allah will make things easy for me, bless my efforts, and grant me success.

Remember:

Your mind listens to the words you repeat.
When you change your thoughts, you strengthen your beliefs.
When you strengthen your beliefs, you change how you act.
And when you change how you act, you can change your outcomes.

Believe in your preparation.
Trust your journey.
Stay calm.
Stay focused.

You've got this. 💪📚✨

22/06/2026

🌟 Celebrating Excellence in Research and Innovation! 🌟

Our heartfelt congratulations to the academic members of the department for their outstanding achievements at the International Research and Innovation Day (IRID) IIUM 2026, hosted by the Research Management Centre of the International Islamic University Malaysia.

With the theme “Research and Innovation for a MADANI Future,” IRID 2026 showcased groundbreaking ideas, multidisciplinary collaboration, and impactful research that contributes to the advancement of society and nation-building.

We are proud to celebrate the success of our esteemed colleagues:

🥇 Gold Award
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suhaila Mohd Omar
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Noor Hasniza Md Zin

🥈 Silver Award
• Asst. Prof. Dr. Nor Faezah Anzari
• Asst. Prof. Dr. Siti Fairuz Che Othman

🥉 Bronze Award
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Normah Haron

These achievements are a testament to your dedication, perseverance, creativity, and commitment to advancing knowledge through meaningful research and innovation. Your success not only brings honour to the department and university but also inspires colleagues, students, and future researchers to pursue excellence and make a positive impact on society.

May this recognition serve as a catalyst for even greater accomplishments in the years ahead. We look forward to seeing your continued contributions towards shaping a brighter, more innovative, and sustainable future.

👏 Congratulations once again on this well-deserved recognition!

25/05/2026

We recently had an insightful health talk by Yakult at our department, and it was a great reminder of how important gut health is to our overall wellbeing 🦠✨

Here are some interesting facts about probiotics and gut health that we learned:

✅ Probiotics are live “good bacteria” that help maintain a healthy digestive system.

✅ Not all good bacteria are considered probiotics — they must survive gastric acid and bile juices, reach the intestine alive, and perform beneficial functions in our body.

✅ Our gut bacteria start colonising from the moment we are born.

✅ Stress can increase harmful bacteria and reduce good bacteria in our gut.

✅ Lack of sleep may disrupt the balance of our gut microbiota.

✅ Smoking or va**ng can affect gut pH and create an unhealthy environment for beneficial bacteria.

✅ Excessive or improper use of antibiotics may weaken the body’s natural ability to fight infections and affect healthy gut bacteria.

A healthy gut contributes not only to digestion, but also to immunity and overall health. Small lifestyle changes like balanced nutrition, quality sleep, stress management, and healthy habits can make a big difference 💙

Thank you to the Yakult team for the informative and engaging session!

25/05/2026

Have you ever considered your DNA as a piece of hardware and your lifestyle choices as the software that runs it?

Standford scientist and expert Dr. Lucia Aronica explains that while our genetic code is fixed, epigenetics allows us to influence which genes are activated or suppressed through the consumption of epi-nutrients.

These beneficial compounds, found in plant-based foods and certain animal products, help regulate inflammation and can effectively lower a person's biological age.

In a study on twins, it was demonstrated that high fiber and specific methyl donors or bioactives can rewire our biology for improved longevity. Ultimately, her study emphasizes that personalized nutrition serves as a powerful tool for optimizing health regardless of a person's specific dietary pattern.

Source : Standfor Lifestyle Medicine https://lifestylemedicine.stanford.edu/nutrition-epigenetics/

19/05/2026

🌱 Unlocking the Circular Economy Potential in Healthcare Facilities! 🏥🔄

We are thrilled to highlight the resounding success of the First Session of the Medical Plastic Recycling Project Briefing held at SASMEC@IIUM! on 18th May 2026.

Managing healthcare waste comes with highly unique challenges. However, equipping our dedicated frontline healthcare staff with proper source-sorting protocols is a massive step forward toward achieving a truly sustainable, green healthcare facility. By target-collecting clean, non-contaminated medical plastics at the ward level, we are actively closing the loop and keeping high-value polymers out of landfills.

This impactful knowledge transfer community project is proudly led by our department members; Dr. Suhaila Mohd Omar , Dr. Mardiana Mohd Ashaari and Dr. Hanum Yaa'kub.

This initiative is made possible through a strategic and synergistic collaboration between:

🏛️ Department of Biotechnology, Kulliyyah of Science, IIUM

🏥 Sultan Ahmad Shah Medical Centre (SASMEC@IIUM)

🤝 PENMEDIC Group Sdn. Bhd.

⚙️ AdvancePact Sdn. Bhd.

🏆 Double Congratulations! 🏆
A special shout-out to our brilliant quiz champions, BR. DANIAL and BR. TENGKU MOHD IKHWAN, for proving their recycling smarts and taking home the event prizes! 🎁

To all our newly appointed SASMEC Plastic Ambassadors—thank you for your incredible energy and commitment. Let’s lead by example and show that healing our patients and healing our planet go hand-in-hand! 🌍💚