RESEARCHER PROFILE

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emelia Osman

BSc. (UKM), MSc. (London), Ph.D (UKM)
A PhD graduate from Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia and hold a position as a senior lecturer in the Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, UKM. She specialises in molecular parasitology with emphasis on biomarker discovery and molecular diagnostics for parasitic diseases.

Research Interest

  • Molecular diagnosis
  • Serum proteomic

Latest Publication

  1. Genasan, D., Rajamanikam, A., Azzani, M., Osman, E., Subramaniyan, V., Nazmi, N.N.M., Rahim, N.S.A., Khalip, N.M.A., Azman, N.A.A.N., Kumarasamy, V.  (2026).  Epidemiology of human Entamoeba histolytica intestinal infection in malaysia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.  – Tropical Biomedicine.  1 – 9. 
  2. Emelia binti Osman.  (2026).  Terperangkap dalam hutan, apa risiko kesihatan yang perlu ditanggung?.  – Portal Berita Rasmi UKM: Kolumnis.
  3. Emelia binti Osman.  (2026).  Terperangkap dalam hutan, apa risiko kesihatan yang perlu ditanggung?.  – Malaysia Gazette.
  4. Vinoth Kumarasamy, Emelia Osman, Rosnah Sutan, Addyrio Madais, Fara Nur Marina Maarif, Nur Emilia Ellina Mohd Imran, Hamizah Aina Ahmad Badruddin, Putri Sabrina Mohamed Yusoff .  (2026).  Physicians knowledge and attitudes toward strongyloidiasis: a preliminary study at a Malaysian tertiary hospital .  – Medicine & Health.  688 – 698. 
  5. Nur Amani Syakirin Noor Razali, Nur Anurah Hani Mohd Akmal, Nur Eisya Wardina Mohd Khir, Aaron Khoo Hooi Kean, Meram Azzani, Emelia Osman, Nabil Mohammad Azmi, Vinoth Kumarasamy.  (2026).  Modulatory role of blastocystis-derived solubilized antigens in colorectal carcinogenesis: a systematic review.  – Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology.  1 – 8. 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aishah Hani Azil

BBioMedSc. (UKM), MSc.BCDPV (Liverpool), Ph.D (Australia)
Dr. Aishah Hani Azil is a senior lecturer at the Department of Parasitology & Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, UKM with over 15 years of teaching experience in the field of medical entomology and parasitology. She has been involved in dengue vector research since he was a master's student at UKM until her MSc (Liverpool) and Ph.D (UniSA). Her latest research includes mosquito-borne diseases surveillance, vector control, Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes and oviposition attractants for Aedes. She has also written many articles in newspapers, magazines and virtual education portals.

Research Interest

  • Medical entomology
  • Artificial blood feeding
  • Entomophobia
  • Vector surveillance and control

Latest Publication

  1. Manimegalai Varathaju, Rafidah Ali, Hanipah Shahar, Aishah Hani Azil.  (2026).  Preliminary evaluation of a low-cost ceramic-based artificial blood feeding system for Aedes aegypti colonisation in insecticide resistance testing.  – International Scientific Conference on Entomology and Pest (ISCEP) 2026. 
  2. Aishah Hani Azil, Muhammad Luqman Nasaruddin.  (2026).  Integrating gemini gems AI to enhance mosquito identification in higher education: The hexavector UKM application.  – International Scientific Conference on Entomology and Pest (ISCEP) 2026.
  3. Aishah Hani binti Azil.  (2026).  Crossing that bridge: My story of choosing a path in life and career in parasitology and medical entomology.  – Majalah Scope / Scope Magazine. 
  4. Aishah Hani binti Azil.  (2026).  Pembebasan nyamuk ber-wolbachia: peranan bakteria baik menumpaskan denggi.  – Portal Berita RTM.
  5. Muhammad Iyadyaqin Sufi Mohamed Nazari, Nantha Kumar Jeyaprakasam dan Aishah Hani Azil.  (2026).  Optimisation of a simple alternative feeding method for mosquito colonization.  – 3rd Malaysian Biomedical Science Association Symposium. 

Dr. Anisah Nordin

DVM (UPM), MMedSc. (UKM)
Anisah Nordin received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in 1997 and had served as a veterinary officer in a local dairy farm before continuing her studies and receiving the MMedSc. degree in the field of Parasitology & Medical Entomology in 2002 at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Currently, she is a senior lecturer in the Department of Parasitology & Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, UKM where she has set up a specialized laboratory for culture and maintaining the lifespan of free living amoebas that have been isolated from the environment and clinical samples. She is also a Member of the Working Committee on Animal Welfare (Research) Regulations, Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, and President of  Laboratory Animal Science Association of Malaysian (LASAM).

Research Interest

  • Free living amoeba
  • Medical parasitology

Latest Publication

  1. Nurfariha Firdaus, Noraina Ab Rahim, Anisah Nordin.  (2025).  Optimizing fixatives and stains for preserving Trichomonas vaginalis morphology: a comparative study.  – Simposium Parasitologi & Perubatan Tropika 2025.
  2. Siti Nur Aliah Rosly, Wan Haslina Wan Abdul Halim, Lam Chen Shen, Noraina Ab Rahim, Anisah Nordin.  (2025).  Prompt diagnosis and treatment of acanthamoebic keratitis in a contact lens uses: a case report.  – Simposium Parasitologi & Perubatan Tropika.
  3. Nurfariha Firdaus, Noraina Ab Rahim, Anisah Nordin.  (2025).  Optimising fixatives and stains for preserving Trichomonas vaginalis morphology: a comparative study.  – Medicine & Health.  24 – 24.
  4. Anisah Nordin, Noraina Ab Rahim.  (2025).  Co-occurrence of intracellular Pseudomonas aeruginosa DNA in Acanthamoeba isolates from keratitis patients diagnosed at Parasitology and Medical Entomology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia..  – 20th Asia Pacific Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infection (APCCMI 2025). 
  5. Anisah binti Nordin.  (2025).  Etika penggunaan haiwan dalam penyelidikan, pengujian dan pengajaran: Prinsip 3R dan justifikasi saintifik penggunaan haiwan. 

Dr. Azlin Muhammad @ Mohd Yasin

MBBChBAO (Ireland), MPH (Tropical Medicine) (Australia)
She is a passionate educator and has 17 years of experience in educating undergraduate and postgraduate medical students including Master’s Degree students such as Doctor of Pathology and Doctor of Public Health. Currently, she is also involved in Personal and Professional Development (PPA) courses especially related to communication skills modules. Dr. Azlin is also a consultant parasitologist for diagnostic laboratory services in Malaysia with expertise in intestinal parasites and tissue parasites. She is also a member of the Faculty Evaluation Committee and internal auditor for master's and postgraduate programs at UKM. She tends to conduct research in the field of intestinal parasitic infections among Orang Asli and children in Malaysia. To date, she has published more than 50 articles in international research journals, authored 2 chapters in a book as well as written 2 books on parasitic infections and tropical health.

Research Interest

  • Tissue parasites
  • Soil transmitted helminth
  • Ectoparasites

Latest Publication

  1. Aishah Hani Azil, ‘Azlin Muhammad @ Mohd Yasin, Siti Nor Azreen Abdul Manap, Nur Athirah Ahmad Fahmi, Noor Wanie Hassan, Mirabell Chua Pue Meen, Haarenjeevi Krishna Kumar, Nur Fakhira Sharina Md Shafie, Syahirul Azzif Arkam. (2025). Tungau di kulit muka anda – Sahabat atau musuh dalam diam?. – Buletin Resmi Research and Medicine Innovation.
  2. Emelia Osman, Chee Loon Leong, Rahmah Noordin, Jeeta K. Muthumanikam, Anjana Kukreja, Khairiah Ibrahim, Anizah Rahumatullah, ‘Azlin Mohd Yasin, Abdullah Ariff .  (2025).  Strongyloidiasis mimicking lymphatic filariasis: A case of hypereosinophilia with scrotal involvement.  – Simposium Parasitologi & Perubatan Tropika. 
  3. Emelia Osman, Chee Loon Leong, Rahmah Noordin, Jeeta K. Muthumanikam, Anjana Kukreja, Khairiah Ibrahim, Anizah Rahumatullah, ‘Azlin Mohd Yasin, Abdullah Ariff .  (2025).  Strongyloidiasis mimicking lymphatic filariasis: A case of hypereosinophilia with scrotal involvement.  – Medicine & Health, 13-13. 
  4. Wathiqah Wahid, Nurul Nabihah Zahanordin, Nurly Syakirin Mohd Arshad, Nur Athirah Ahmad Fahmi, Habib Abdul Hakim Esa, Zeti Rahayu Abdul Karim, Azlin Muhammad .  (2025).  Diagnostic challenges in non-endemic helminthiases: A case series from malaysia.  – Medicine & Health.  40 – 40. 
  5. Wathiqah Wahid, Nurly Syakirin Mohd Arshad, Nurul Nabihah Zahanordin, Nur Athirah Ahmad Fahmi, Ahmad Azri Mohamad, Zeti Rahayu Abdul Karim, Azlin Muhammad.  (2025).  Disseminated strongyloidiasis in immunocompromised patients: A case series from malaysia.  – Medicine & Health.  38 – 38. 

Dr. Syamsa Rizal Abdullah

BBioMedSc. (UKM), MSc.MBPDC (Liverpool), Ph.D (UKM)
SYAMSA RIZAL ABDULLAH, PhD (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia) is a senior lecturer in the Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, UKM. He specialises in entomology forensic and medical entomology. He has vast experience in education, research, academic writing and laboratory diagnostic services pertaining to the field of entomology forensic and medical entomology in which he specialises.

Research Interest

  • Forensic entomology
  • Medical entomology
  • Parasitology

Latest Publication

  1. Uthaya Kumar Rajasingam, Raja Aidil Hasif Raja Raziff, Erin Erisha Rudzuan, Thiviya Asoga, Qi Wei Lim, Farah Dayana Zahedi, Suhaili Zainal Abidin, Syamsa Rizal Abdullah.  (2026).  Positive correlation between house dust mite density in residential college and nasal symptom severity among students.  – Medicine & Health.  21 – 21. 
  2. Syamsa Rizal Abdullah.  (2026).  Berengga alat penyiasat.  – Metro Ahad. 
  3. Syamsa Rizal Abdullah.  (2026).  Hama debu rumah: Musuh mikroskopik kediaman.  – Dewan Kosmik. 
  4. Nor Asyikin Mat Hayin, Syamsa Rizal bin Abdullah.  (2025).  Asyik menggaru dek kutu.  – Metro Ahad.
  5. Ken Wong Siong Hou, Syamsa Rizal Abdullah, Mohd Rafizul Mohd Yusof, Ahmad Firdaus Mohd Salleh, Syed Nabil.  (2025).  Extensive palatal necrosis secondary to Chrysomya bezziana myiasis: a case report.  – Archives of Orofacial Sciences.  59 – 68.

Dr. Zulkarnain Md Idris

BSc. (UKM), MSc. (USM), Ph.D (Sweden)
Dr. Zulkarnain Md Idris is a senior lecturer and parasitologist in the Department of Parasitology & Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, UKM. He is a PhD graduate from the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC) at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden (2012-2017). His PhD research has received several awards including the sole recipient of the World Infection Fund (Världsinfektionsfonden, Vif) award from the Swedish Initiative in 2014 for his contributions in efforts and methods to combat disease transmission in developing countries. As a recipient of the ASEAN Science and Technology Innovation Fund (ASTIF) from the ASEAN Secretariat, he is currently actively conducting research to detect the potential and risk of zoonotic malaria infections, asymptomatic Plasmodium knowlesi in Peninsular Malaysia, malaria transmission and molecular research in Southeast Asia. as well as research on food-borne trematode, Opisthorchis viverrini infection in the sub-Mekong region, Thailand.

Research Interest

  • Epidemiology & surveillance of malaria
  • Food-borne trematode
  • Parasites transmission

Latest Publication

  1. Kumuthamalar Sangaran, Noor Wanie Hassan, Si Jie Goh, Ameera Aleeshya Mohd Fadrul Izwan, Zulkarnain Md Idris.  (2026).  Serological surveillance for malaria elimination in southeast asia: A scoping review.  – Malaria Journal.  1 – 34. 
  2. Zulkarnain Md Idris.  (2026).  Cacing undang barah.  – Harian Metro. 
  3. Misra Helma Firdaus, Dina Syazana Ho Imran, Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, Tam Jenn Zhueng, Mohd Hafizi Abdul Hamid, Zulkarnain Md Idris, and Mohd Rizal Abdul Manaf.  (2026).  Strategic resource allocation for malaria elimination in endemic settings: A systematic review of cost-effectiveness evidence.  – Frontiers in Public Health.  1 – 9.
  4. Phaichayon Sodamuk, Weerawat Patthaisong, Noor Wanie Hassan, Kumuthamalar Sangaran, Sriwipa Chuangchaiya, Zulkarnain Md Idris.  (2026).  Molecular evidence of a high prevalence of Opisthorchis viverrini infection in an endemic community in Sakon Nakhon Province, Northeastern Thailand.  – Tropical Medicine and Health.  1 – 11. 
  5. Zulkarnain Md Idris, Paul Cliff Simon Divis, Inke Nadia Diniyanti Lubis, Sriwipa Chuangchaiya.  (2026).  Sero-epidemiological analysis of malaria transmission intensity: Community-based cross-sectional studies in near-elimination settings in Southeast Asia.  – 62nd Annual Scientific Conference of The Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine 2026.

Dr. Wathiqah Wahid

MBBS (UM), MMedSc. (UKM)
Dr. Wathiqah obtained her Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from the University of Malaya, Malaysia. After a few years of clinical service under the Ministry of Health Malaysia, she aspires to pursue her career in academia. She joined Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and completed her Master of Medical Sciences with a specialty in Parasitology where her research project focused on lung parasitic infection. She currently holds the post of lecturer in the Department of Parasitology & Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, UKM and her commitment to graduate student training continues. Her research focuses on clinical parasitology and medical entomology. Besides, she is also interested in exploring research with the One Health approach.
 

Research Interest

  • Helminthology
  • Immunoparasitology
  • Tropical medicine

Latest Publication

  1. Wathiqah Wahid, Barathan Muttiah, Wan Akmal Azamuddin Wan Mohamad, Muhammad Muqharabbin Muhammad Zulkarami, Muhammad Zarif Haikal Baharuddin, Zarith Nameyrra Md Nesran and Alfizah Hanafiah.  (2025).  Univariate analysis of Helicobacter pylori infection among rural indigenous communities.  – 12th Asian Postgraduate Course on Neurogastroenterology & Motility 2025. 
  2. Barathan Muttiah, Wathiqah Wahid, Asif Sukri and Alfizah Hanafiah.  (2025).  Towards effective Helicobacter pylori eradication: Emerging therapies in the wake of antibiotic resistance.  – International Journal of Molecular Medicine.  1 – 36. 
  3. Barathan Muttiah, Wathiqah Wahid, Alfizah Hanafiah.  (2025).  Impact of health education on infectious disease knowledge in indigenous communities in Northwestern Malaysia.  – Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease.  1 – 13.
  4. Barathan Muttiah, Wathiqah Wahid, Asrul Abdul Wahab, Alfizah Hanafiah.  (2025).  Co-infection dynamics of Helicobacter pylori and helminths: A double-edged sword.  – International Journal of Molecular Sciences.  1 – 17.
  5. Wathiqah Wahid, Nurul Nabihah Zahanordin, Nurly Syakirin Mohd Arshad, Nur Athirah Ahmad Fahmi, Habib Abdul Hakim Esa, Zeti Rahayu Abdul Karim, Azlin Muhammad .  (2025).  Diagnostic challenges in non-endemic helminthiases: A case series from Malaysia.  – Medicine & Health.  40 – 40.

Dr. Vinoth Kumarasamy

BSc. (UM), Ph.D (UM)
Dr. Vinoth Kumarasamy is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Parasitology & Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), with a PhD from the University of Malaya. His research focuses on the relationship between infectious organisms and colorectal cancer, particularly the role of Blastocystis hominis, as well as viral and bacterial infections in cancer progression and patient outcomes.
His multidisciplinary research also covers molecular mechanisms of infection–cancer interactions, opportunistic infections in cancer patients, vaccine development, nano-drug delivery systems using natural products, and environmental microbial management. Overall, his work aims to identify novel therapeutic targets and develop innovative strategies for the prevention and treatment of infection-associated cancers.

Research Interest

  • Association between infectious organisms and colorectal cancer
  • Impact of viral and bacterial infections on cancer
  • Advance drug delivery systems
  • Preventive and therapeutic strategies

Latest Publication

  1. Swarup Sonar, Asmit Das, Sidhanti Nyahatkar, Rajib Dhar, Ketki Kalele, Vinod R.M.T. Balasubramaniam, Ling Shing Wong, Vinoth Kumarasamy, and Vetriselvan Subramaniyan.  (2026).  Hybrid exosomes: A rising horizon for precision cancer therapy.  – RSC Advances.  1292 – 1309. 
  2. Vinoth Kumarasamy.  (2026).  Let us not forget these tropical diseases.  – The Star Online (Wellness). 
  3. Ahmed Raza Hashmi, Mahendran Sekar, Ling Shing Wong, BR Prashantha Kumar, Nur Najihah Izzati Mat Rani, Vinoth Kumarasamy.  (2026).  Bixin beyond colour: Expanding therapeutic horizons through the integration of pharmacological potential with modern drug design and delivery strategies.  – Drug Design, Development and Therapy.  1 – 21. 
  4. Ankita Bhatia, Jyoti Mehta, Ahmed Raza Hashmi, Mahendran Sekar, Anwesha Bandyopadhyay, Tarun Pal, BR Prashantha Kumar, Nur Najihah Izzati Mat Rani, Ling Shing Wong, Vinoth Kumarasamy.  (2026).  From ancient spice to advanced science: Therapeutic, nutraceutical and nanotechnological insights into the fruits of piper longum linn for modern drug development.  – Drug Design, Development and Therapy.  1 – 24. 
  5. Vinoth Kumarasamy.  (2026).  Neglected diseases.  – The Star Sunday, Star Health.

Dr. Anizah Rahumatullah

BSc. (AIMST), MSc. (USM), Ph.D (USM)
Dr. Anizah Rahumatullah holds a PhD in Molecular Medicine from Universiti Sains Malaysia and currently serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Parasitology & Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Her areas of expertise include molecular parasitology, the development of diagnostic assays (PCR, ELISA, and rapid tests), and the production of recombinant monoclonal antibodies using phage display technology for parasitic and zoonotic diseases.

Research Interest

  • Molecular parasitology
  • Molecular diagnostic development (PCR)
  • Recombinant monoclonal antibody production using phage display technology
  • Development and evaluation of immunological assays for parasitic and zoonotic diseases.

Latest Publication