Staff Directory

Academic Qualification
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ocean Science) - Doctor of Philosophy, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
- Master of Science in Microbiology - Masters Degree, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
- Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology - Bachelor Degree, Dublin City University, Ireland
Zaima Azira Bt. Zainal Abidin (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)
Associate Professor
IIUM Kuantan Campus
KULLIYYAH OF SCIENCE
Other's position:
Deputy Dean, Kulliyyah of Science
zzaima@iium.edu.my
5048
Expert Profile
Zaima Azira Zainal Abidin obtained her BSc (Hons) Biotechnology from Dublin City University (DCU), Ireland under Yayasan Tenaga Nasional (YTN) scholarship. She pursed her MSc (Microbiology) in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia doing research in plant biotechnology followed by PhD (Marine Science) from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia specializing in marine actinomycetes particularly in natural product discovery. She has joined Kulliyyah of Science, IIUM since 2003 as Assistant Lecturer in Department of Biotechnology and in 2013 she was appointed as Asst. Prof. Dr.
Her research interest include environmental microbiology particularly actinomycetes from underexplored locations, microbial natural product and molecular biology. She has completed several research grants as Principal Investigator - IIUM Endownment Fund, RAGS and FRGS and she also co-researches several other research collaborations. She has won several medals in IRIE exhibition and she is also active in publications.
Her research interest include environmental microbiology particularly actinomycetes from underexplored locations, microbial natural product and molecular biology. She has completed several research grants as Principal Investigator - IIUM Endownment Fund, RAGS and FRGS and she also co-researches several other research collaborations. She has won several medals in IRIE exhibition and she is also active in publications.
Area of Specialisation
- Biotechnology ~ Biotechnology ~ Molecular Biology ~ Molecular and Structural Biology - Plant biotechnology
- Natural Science ~ Biological Sciences ~ Microbiology ~ Other Microbiology n.e.c. - Marine microbiology
- Natural Science ~ Marine Sciences ~ Marine Biochemistry ~ Marine Natural Products - Bioactive compounds from marine actinomycetes
Research Projects
Completed
2020 - 2022 | PEMELIHARAAN DAN PEMULIHARAAN TASIK DI KOMPLEKS YAYASAN PAHANG DAN KAWASAN SEKITAR |
2020 - 2022 | The Effectiveness of EM Mudball in Remediating Balok River |
2019 - 2022 | In vitro propagation of Etlingera elatior J. (Torch ginger) via indirect regeneration |
2019 - 2023 | Study of Catechol 2,3-Dioxygenase gene in oil clean-up crews isolated from Sungai Balok. |
2018 - 2022 | Microbial Biotransformation of Sesquiterpenoid and Diarylheptanoid from Curcuma sp. By Actinomycetes strains towards Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Cancer Activities |
2018 - 2020 | Empowerment of fisherman-communities in Segari, Perak through participation in mangrove conservation and reforestation initiatives |
2017 - 2022 | The effect of coculture on rare actinomycete, Actinophytocola sp. with live/dead cells of bacteria in eliciting secondary metabolite production |
2016 - 2019 | Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) of genes involved in flowering of Stevia rebaudiana |
2016 - 2020 | The screening of xylanase from Kuantan mangrove actinomycetes |
2015 - 2018 | Over expression of Actinomcyete relA and rshA genes to enhance secondary metabolite production |
2014 - 2016 | The Screening for Potential Xylan, Cellulose and Lignin Biodegradation Activities from Microbial Communities in the South East Pahang Peat Swamp Forest Sediment and Peat Water |
2014 - 2018 | Microbial Diversity of Pekan Peat Swamp Forest Soil and their Functional Potential Through Cultivation and Metagenomic Approach |
2013 - 2016 | Screening of Mangrove Actinomycetes and Their Antimicrobial Potentials |
2013 - 2016 | Screening of Chloroplast Promoters for Hevea Chloroplast Transformation |
2012 - 2015 | Heavy metal and Antibiotic Resistance of the Bacterical Flora in Sediments of Coastal Water of Pahang, Malaysia |
2012 - 2014 | Growth and Survival of Malaysian Sport Fish Tor tambroides Fry by Applying Phototropic Bacteria as Feed Supplement. |
2011 - 2013 | (RU2011) Isolation, diversity, and antimicrobial screening of actinomyctes isolated from mangrove sediments in Tanjung Lumpur, Pahang |
2006 - 2012 | Studies on Mangrove in Pulau Toba, Langkawi |
2005 - 2007 | Physico-Chemical Characteristics and Sediment Environment of the Coastal Water, Pulau Tuba and its Nearby Islands, Langkawi |
On-Going
2015 - Present | Sponge-associated fungal diversity with functional analysis of halogenase and cellulase |
2004 - Present | Functional Food and Nutraceuticals Research Unit (FFNRU) |
- | Profiling fatty acids and mineral composition of Antarctic microalgae and their potential application in fish nutrition |
Publications
Article
Conference or Workshop Item
Book
2020 | Bioprospects of coastal ecosystem and sustainable resource management. Noor Publishing, ISBN: 978-620-2-79106-9 |
Book Section
Monograph
2021 | Cadangan Pemeliharaan dan Pemuliharaan tasik di kompleks Yayasan Pahang dan kawasan sekitar. In: IIUM Entrepreneurship and Consultancies Sdn Bhd., |