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Centre Name: |
Centre for Biodiversity Research (CBR) |
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Chairperson: |
Assoc Prof Dr. Tee Chong Siang |
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Description of Centre:
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CBR is a research centre that carries out researches in various fields, such as natural product research, molecular biology, biotechnology, microbiology, biochemistry and aquatic biology. It has a total of 69 members in year 2013 who are from different faculties in UTAR with different expertise in various research disciplines. Members obtain research fund from both external and internal sources to support their studies. Other than focusing in promoting research, CBR also organised workshops and seminars to share knowledge and experience among researchers and public. |
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Research area:
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Biotechnology Natural Product Microbiology Aquatic Biology Molecular Biology Biochemistry Chemistry |
Activities in 2013
Summary
of activities
List of all events organized from January till December 2013 (in chronological order).
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No. |
Date |
Event |
|
1 |
8 Jan, 2013 |
Biosafety and Fume Hood Awareness Seminar |
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2 |
14 Jan, 2013 |
Animal Ethics, Laboratory Safety and Design
Seminar |
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3 |
13-14 April, 2013 |
Penang International Science Fair |
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4 |
13- 14 May, 2013 |
UTAR NPFASS 2013 |
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5 |
28- 29 June, 2013 |
Agriculture Technology Seminar Series VII |
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6 |
27 Jun 13, 2013 |
Honorary Talk by Professor Dr. Kalai Mathee |
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7 |
1 Oct, 2013 |
CBR day |
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8 |
30 Dec, 2013 |
Agriculture Technology Seminar Series VIII |
The two-day seminar consisted five sessions which covered five science topics namely Chemical Science, Biotechnology, Health Sciences, Molecular Biology and Agricultural Science which not only saw erudite professors being keynote speakers and moderators but also postgraduate students presenting their research findings. The seminar also had participants displaying informative posters on their research topics.
Prominent speakers : Prof Dr Taufiq- Yap Yun Hin from Universiti Putra Malaysia, Dr Anthony Ho from Taylor's University, Prof Dr Tengku Sifzizul bin Tengku Muhammad from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Prof Dr Choo Kong Bung from UTAR were invited to give keynote talk.
NPFASS also awarded prizes for the oral presentation and poster presentation at the seminar. List of the winners in random order is as follows:
Oral Presentation:
- Fan Sook Ha, UTAR, Molecular screening of leptin and leptin receptor gene variants and their association with obesity phenotypes in the Kampar suburban population.
- Jamie Kok Mei-Lin, Taylor's University, Antibacteria and antioxidant potential of crude sagassum polycystum in relation to their carotenoids and phenolic contents.
- Tan Kar Soon, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Effect of light intensities and photoperiod on proteolytic activities in purple non-sulfur marine bacterum Afifella marina.
- Lim Sheng Jye, UTAR, Establishment of induced pluripotent stem cells from keratinocytes.
- Sivakamy Sunthiram, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Synthesis of novel polymeric anti-tuberculosis drug.
Agricultural Technology Seminar Series VII - Integrated Farming Systems'
Jointly organised by the Faculty of Science and UTAR Centre for Biodiversity Research and sponsored by KLK Berhad, the one-and-half day agricultural science seminar was indeed a convention of great minds. The seminar featured accomplished keynote speakers, ranging from a successful CEO of a local plantation company to learned professors, who shared their expertise and research findings in the industry with the rapt audience.
List of speakers:
- Mr. Joseph Tek (CEO IJM Plantation Bhd.)
- Dr. Francis Ng (International Collaborative Partner Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, UTAR) (Former Deputy Director General Forest Research Institute Malaysia)
- Prof. Ognyan Kostov (Nexus Technology Consultancy Sdn Bhd c/o Legenda Madu Sdn Bhd)
- Mr. Adam Jaelani (OM3 Fish Sdn Bhd)
- Ms. Cheng Poh Guat (Gano Farm Sdn Bhd)
- Prof. Dr. Peter Ooi (Professor, UTAR)
- Dr. Azizan Abd. Rashid (Director of the Strategic Breeding Research Center, MARDI)
- Dr. Madonna C. Casimero (IRRI Representative, Myanmar)
Prof Lee delivering his welcome address.
Dean of
Faculty of Science Assoc Prof Dr Lim Tuck Meng presenting a token of
appreciation to second keynote speaker Dr Francis Ng.
Agricultural Technology Seminar Series VIII ‘Enhancing Agro-Biodiversity’
The Agriculture Technology Seminar Series VIII "Enhancing Agro-Biodiversity" was held at UTAR Perak Campus on 30 November 2013. The seminar was jointly organised by UTAR Centre for Biodiversity Research and Faculty of Science. The seminar has been enjoying the constant support from faculty staffs, students and sponsors. Approximately, 200 participants, ranging from students, staffs to agriculturists and enthusiasts attended the seminar. The seminar also saw the presence of keynote speakers from local and abroad.
The speakers included:
1) Tan Wee Hee, United Malacca Berhad Senior Agronomist
2) Assoc Prof Dr Hafidzi bin Mohd Noor, Universiti Putra Malaysia,
3) Dr Mohamad Roff Mohd Nor, MARDI Director of Strategic Planning and Innovation
4) Prof Dr Paul Teng Piang Siong, Nanyang Technology University, Singapore
5) Dr Amporn Winotai, Department of Agriculture, Bangkok, Thailand.
KLK Bhd. and Param Agricultural Soil Surveys (M) Sdn. Bhd. were the two main sponsors for this seminar.
Dr Tee giving his opening remarks.
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