Staff Directory


Norafiza Binti Zainuddin

Academic Qualification

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Genetics - Doctor of Philosophy, Uppsala University, Sweden
  • Master of Science (Medical Sciences) - Masters Degree, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
  • Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science) - Bachelor Degree, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

Norafiza Binti Zainuddin (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)

Associate Professor
IIUM Kuantan Campus

KULLIYYAH OF ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES


znorafiza@iium.edu.my
5232


Expert Profile


Dr. Norafiza Zainuddin is an Associate Professor at the Department of Biomedical Science, Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences, IIUM. Dr. Norafiza obtained her BSc (Hon) from University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Campus in Biomedical Science. She completed a 4-year research Masters degree from Universiti Sains Malaysia in the field of Human Genetics. She then pursued her PhD at the Uppsala University, Sweden in 2006 in the field of Oncology and Clinical Genetics, under the Islamic Development Bank (Jeddah) Scholarship Award, Merit Scholarship Programme for High Technology. Upon completion of PhD, she returned to Malaysia in May 2010 and continued her career as an academician at the International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus. Her main research interests are in molecular biology, genetics and epigenetics. Dr. Norafiza is committed to promoting sustainability and STEM education among schoolchildren, and highly supported sustainable ecotourism practices in community, particularly in Pahang. She is currently involved in community-based awareness, prevention and response on zoonotic leptospirosis and melioidosis, which is a collaborative project composed of IIUM Biomedical Science and Marine Science researchers. She is also actively conducting assessments on COVID-19 transmission knowledge and preventive actions in ecotourism areas with a group of IIUM Biomedical Science researchers and collaborators from the Department of Tourism Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA. Apart from these, Dr. Norafiza is also involved in a joint research project with Universiti Putra Malaysia on the molecular characterization of Canine Distemper virus as a threat to the Malayan Tiger. In addition, she has a deep interest and long-term engagement in molecular genetics and epigenetics fundamental research. One of her active projects is to identify lactation-specific microRNAs, which may be potential biomarkers that contribute to milk-kinship in Islam. In her previous research, Dr. Norafiza had explored the roles of DNA methylation, mutation, polymorphism, gene expression and microRNA overexpression in B cell lymphomas and other cancers, as well as in trisomy 21 cases. 


Area of Specialisation


  • Biotechnology ~ Biotechnology ~ Molecular Biology ~ Other Molecular Biology n.e.c. - Molecular Biology of Cancer
  • Natural Science ~ Biological Sciences ~ Genetics ~ Molecular Genetics - Genetics, Epigenetics, SNP, Pyrosequencing, DNA Methylation
  • Natural Science ~ Biological Sciences ~ Genetics ~ Other Genetics n.e.c. - Clinical Genetics and Cancer Research


Professional Membership


  • 2015 - 2016: Member of Profesional Body / Association: (Associate Member), Malaysian Oncological Society
  • 2017 - 2018: Member of Profesional Body / Association: (Member), Human Genome Organisation
  • 2018: Member of Profesional Body / Association: (Lifetime Member), Malaysian Association for Cancer Research
  • 2018: Member of Profesional Body / Association: (Lifetime Member), Persatuan Sains Bioperubatan Malaysia
  • 2021: Member of Profesional Body / Association: (Lifetime Member), Abu Hurairah Sociey for Animals (reg no PPM-101-10-28082019)
  • 2021: Member of Profesional Body / Association: (Lifetime Member), Persatuan Sains Bioperubatan Negeri Pahang
  • 2022: Member of Profesional Body / Association: (Lifetime Member), Malaysian Society of Human Genetics
  • 2024 - 2024: Member of Profesional Body / Association: (Ordinary Member), Persatuan Genetik Malaysia
  • 2024 - 2024: Member of Profesional Body / Association: (Ordinary Member), Malaysian Society For Biochemistry and Molecular Biology


Teaching Responsibilities


ADVANCED HAEMATOLOGY 2017/2018 2015/2016 2014/2015 2013/2014
ADVANCES IN BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2019/2020
BASIC IMMUNOLOGY 2014/2015 2013/2014
BASIC PATHOLOGY 2023/2024 2022/2023 2021/2022 2020/2021 2019/2020 2018/2019
BIOMEDICAL PRACTICUM A 2019/2020 2018/2019 2017/2018 2016/2017 2015/2016
BIOMEDICAL PRACTICUM B 2020/2021 2019/2020 2018/2019 2017/2018 2016/2017 2015/2016
BIOMEDICAL PRACTICUM I 2022/2023 2021/2022 2020/2021
BIOMEDICAL PRACTICUM II 2022/2023 2021/2022 2020/2021
DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY FOR HEALTH SCIENCE 2012/2013
DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2012/2013
EMBRYOLOGY & ONCOLOGY 2013/2014
ETHICS & LAW FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS 2019/2020 2017/2018 2015/2016
ETHICS AND LAW FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS 2023/2024 2022/2023 2021/2022 2020/2021
FINAL YEAR RESEARCH PROJECT 1 2019/2020 2018/2019 2016/2017
FINAL YEAR RESEARCH PROJECT 2 2018/2019 2017/2018
FOUNDATION PATHOLOGY 2016/2017 2015/2016 2014/2015 2013/2014
FOUNDATION PATHOLOGY FOR MEDICAL IMAGING 2021/2022 2020/2021 2018/2019 2017/2018
FUNCTIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY 2011/2012
GENETICS 2017/2018 2016/2017 2015/2016 2014/2015 2013/2014
HAEMATOLOGY 2023/2024 2021/2022 2020/2021 2019/2020 2018/2019
HAEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY 2013/2014 2011/2012
HUMAN GENETIC 2012/2013
IMMUNOLOGY 2013/2014
INTRODUCTION TO BIOMEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCES 2016/2017 2015/2016 2014/2015 2013/2014 2012/2013
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT 2011/2012
Molecular Biology 2015/2016 2012/2013 2011/2012
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & CYTOGENETIC TECHNIQUES 2018/2019 2017/2018 2016/2017 2015/2016 2014/2015
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY TECHNIQUES 2023/2024 2022/2023 2021/2022 2020/2021 2019/2020
MOLECULAR CANCER RESEARCH 2023/2024 2022/2023 2021/2022 2020/2021 2019/2020
MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTIC 2023/2024 2022/2023 2021/2022 2020/2021
NUTRITION AND GENES 2012/2013 2010/2011
OCULAR GENETICS 2023/2024 2022/2023 2021/2022 2020/2021 2019/2020 2018/2019
PAEDIATRIC AUDIOLOGY & SPEECH 2016/2017 2015/2016 2012/2013
PAEDIATRICS AUDIOLOGY AND SPEECH 2019/2020 2018/2019 2017/2018
Paediatrics for Audiology and Speech Sciences 2023/2024 2022/2023
PARASITOLOGY AND ENTOMOLOGY 2012/2013
PATHOLOGY 2013/2014
PATHOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY 2023/2024 2022/2023 2021/2022 2020/2021 2019/2020 2018/2019 2017/2018 2016/2017 2015/2016 2014/2015 2013/2014
PATHOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2021/2022 2020/2021
PATHOLOGY, HISTOPATHOLOGY & CYTOLOGY 2017/2018 2016/2017 2015/2016 2014/2015 2013/2014
PRINCIPLES OF GENETICS 2023/2024 2022/2023 2021/2022 2020/2021 2019/2020 2018/2019 2017/2018
RESEARCH PROJECT 1 2021/2022 2020/2021
RESEARCH PROJECT 2 2022/2023 2021/2022 2020/2021


Supervision


Indentifying The Dna Methylation Differences In Cell-Free Fetal Dna (Ccfdna) & Assessment Of Knowledge And Attitudes Of Pregnant Women For Ccfdna- Based Prenatal Diagnosis Of Trisomy 21 In Kuantan.
Ph.D Completed 2024 Main Supervisor
Collaboration Between Allied Science And O&G In A New Subject Related To Genetic Engineering That Might Open A New Scope For Future Health Problem Solving.
Master Completed 2022 Co-supervisor
Phylogenetic Analyses Of Malaysia Sea Anemone In Selected Locations.
Master Completed 2022 Co-supervisor
Identification Of Epigenetic Methylation Silencing In Diffusing Large B Cell Lymphoma In East Coast Malaysia.
Master Completed 2016 Main Supervisor
Ibdv 3529/92 Segment A Orf 2 Gene Analysis And Expression Studies In Pichia Pastoris.
Master Completed 2015 Co-supervisor
In Vitro Cytotoxicity Study Of Melastoma Malabathricum Linn.: The Effects Toward Mmp-13 Expression And Apoptosis.
Master Completed 2015 Co-supervisor
Cloning And Production Of Fused Protein Consisting Of Viral Protein 2 From Infectious Bursal Disease Virus And Hemagglutinin-Neuraminidase From Newcastle Disease Virus.
Master Completed 2015 Co-supervisor
Specific Micrornas Among Milk Siblings: Anepigenetics Approach Towards Understanding Thebasis Of Milk Kinship.
Master In Progress Main Supervisor


Research Projects


Completed
2018 - 2020 Transferring knowledge on childhood sexual abuse to kindergarten teachers
2015 - 2019 Circulating microRNA Expression in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Towards Understanding of its Role in Oncogenesis and Tumor Progression.
2014 - 2018 Epigenetics of Schizophrenia: A Focus on the DNA Methylation Mechanism and Expression of DISC1 Gene
2013 - 2016 The Epigenetics Status of B-Cell Lymphoma In Malaysia: A Focus on DNA Methylation and Gene Expression.
2012 - 2013 Exploring the Knowledge and Awareness of University Students on the Deadly Diseases, Cervical Cancer and H1N1 Influenza, as well as the Practice of Vaccination against HPV and H1N1
2011 - 2014 RU 2011 -In vitro anticancel activityof underutilized Melastoma malabathricum L (senduduk) on several cancer cell lines.
2011 - 2013 RU 2011 - Genetic screening of the Common GJB2 (Connexin26) 35DELG Mutation in Non-Syndromic Hearing Loss Patient at IIUM Hearing and Speech Clinic.
2010 - 2012 Food Habits among Adolescents with Reported Parental Overweight
2010 - 2013 Formation of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus-Like Particles in Pichia Pastoris
On-Going
2023 - Present Sustainable EcoTourism Practices in Kampung Kuala Sat, Jerantut, Pahang: Community-based Awareness, Prevention and Response on Zoonotic Leptospirosis and Melioidosis Diseases
2023 - Present Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) Assessments on COVID- 19 Transmission Knowledge and Preventive Actions among Operators of International Attraction Ecotourism Areas in Rural Pahang State, Malaysia.
2021 - Present CANINE DISTEMPER VIRUS: EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR GENETICS STUDIES ON DOMESTIC AND STRAY DOGS AND ITS THREAT TO THE CONSERVATION OF MALAYAN TIGER (Panthera tigris tigris Jacksonii)
2019 - Present Specific microRNAs among milk siblings: An epigenetics approach towards understanding the basis of milk kinship
2015 - Present Identifying the DNA Methylation Differences in Cell-free Fetal DNA: An Approach towards Non-invasive Prenatal Diagnosis of Trisomy 21 in Malaysia
2015 - Present Differential Expression and Pathway Analysis of miR-744 AND Mir-101 in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
2013 - Present IIUM MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY RESEARCH CLUSTER (iMoleC)


Award & Recognition


04 Jun, 2007 Merit Scholarship Programme for High Technology - Islamic Development Bank International


Publications


Article

2011 Is a TNF alpha polymorphism responsible for mutations in the TP53 gene?. Scandinavian Journal of Immunology, 73 (2) pp. 154-155
2011 Quantitative evaluation of p16INK4a promoter methylation using pyrosequencing in de novo diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Leukemia Research, 35 (4) pp. 438-443
2011 TP53 mutations are infrequent in newly diagnosed chronic lymphocytic leukimia. Leukemia Research, 35 (2) pp. 272-274
2010 Lack of association between the MDM2 promoter polymorphism SNP309 and clinical outcome in chronic lymphocytic leukimia. Leukemia Research, 34 (3) pp. 335-339
2008 TP53 mutations predict for poor survival in de novo diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of germinal center subtype. Leukemia Research, 33 () pp. 60-66
2005 Malignant glioma: The involvement of loss of allelic heterozygosity and PTEN mutations in a group of Malay patients. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 36 (3) pp. 748-756
2004 Presence of allelic loss and PTEN mutations in malignant gliomas from Malay patients. Medical Journal of Malaysia, 59 (4) pp. 468-479
2003 Molecular genetic analysis of phosphatase and tensin homolog and p16 tumor suppressor genes in patients with malignant glioma. Neurosurgical Focus, 14 (4) pp. 1-7
Conference or Workshop Item

2013 Mitochondrial genes sequencing of Malaysian sea anemones – Towards IIUM Molecular Ecology Database (IMED). In: IIUM Research, Invention and Innovation Exhibition (IRIIE) 2013,
2011 Involvement of the P53 pathway and P161NK4A in the pathogenesis of b-cell lymphomas. In: International Health Conference IIUM 2011 ,
Book

2010 Molecular genetic analysis in B-cell Lymphomas : a focus on the p53 pathway and p16INK4a. Uppsala University, Sweden, ISBN: 978-91-554-7729-5