Staff Directory
Academic Qualifications
- 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
Associate Professor Dr. Norafiza Binti Zainuddin is an academician and active researcher at the Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), with extensive research expertise in cancer genetics, epigenetics, molecular diagnostics, non-invasive prenatal testing, and emerging environmental health risks. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Genetics from Uppsala University, Sweden, and has over two decades of experience in biomedical and translational research. Her core research focuses on DNA methylation, microRNA biology, and gene expression profiling in human diseases, particularly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, colorectal cancer, neuro-oncology, and prenatal disorders using cell-free fetal DNA approaches. In recent years, Dr. Norafiza has expanded her research portfolio to include microplastics exposure and its implications for human health, with a specific emphasis on the detection, isolation, and characterization of microplastics in human breast milk. She has led and contributed to funded research projects investigating chemical and enzymatic digestion methods for microplastics analysis, reflecting her commitment to addressing contemporary environmental and public health challenges. Dr. Norafiza has served as principal investigator and co-researcher for numerous nationally funded grants, including FRGS, RIGS, Knowledge Transfer Programme, and institutional grants. Her scholarly output comprises a substantial number of peer-reviewed publications in Scopus-, Web of Science-, and MyCite-indexed journals, covering epigenetic biomarkers, molecular screening strategies, human milk microRNAs, and environmental contaminants. She is actively involved in postgraduate supervision and serves as a reviewer for several international scientific journals, contributing to the advancement of molecular medicine and environmental health research in Malaysia.
Area of Specialisation
- Biotechnology ~ Biotechnology ~ Molecular Biology ~ Other Molecular Biology n.e.c. - Molecular Biology of Cancer
- Natural Science ~ Biological Sciences ~ Genetics ~ Other Genetics n.e.c. - Clinical Genetics and Cancer Research
- Natural Science ~ Biological Sciences ~ Genetics ~ Molecular Genetics - Genetics, Epigenetics, SNP, Pyrosequencing, DNA Methylation
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 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
- 2024 - 2025 : Member of Profesional Body / Association: (Ordinary Member), Malaysian Nature Society
- 2026 - 2027 : Member of Profesional Body / Association: (Ordinary Member), Malaysian Association of Nutrigenomics and Nutrigenetics
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 | 2024/2025 2023/2024 2022/2023 2021/2022 2020/2021 |
| BIOMEDICAL PRACTICUM II | 2024/2025 2023/2024 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 | 2025/2026 2024/2025 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 | 2024/2025 2023/2024 2021/2022 2020/2021 2019/2020 2018/2019 |
| HAEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY | 2013/2014 2011/2012 |
| HUMAN GENETIC | 2012/2013 |
| Human Molecular Genetics | 2024/2025 |
| IMMUNOLOGY | 2013/2014 |
| INDUSTRIAL TRAINING | 2024/2025 |
| INTRODUCTION TO BIOMEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCES | 2016/2017 2015/2016 2014/2015 2013/2014 2012/2013 |
| LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT | 2011/2012 |
| MEDICAL HAEMATOLOGY | 2025/2026 |
| 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 | 2025/2026 2024/2025 2023/2024 2022/2023 2021/2022 2020/2021 2019/2020 |
| MOLECULAR CANCER RESEARCH | 2025/2026 2023/2024 2022/2023 2021/2022 2020/2021 2019/2020 |
| MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTIC | 2025/2026 2024/2025 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 | 2025/2026 2024/2025 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 | 2024/2025 2023/2024 2022/2023 2021/2022 2020/2021 2019/2020 2018/2019 2017/2018 |
| PRINCIPLES OF PATHOLOGY | 2025/2026 |
| RESEARCH PROJECT 1 | 2025/2026 2021/2022 2020/2021 |
| RESEARCH PROJECT 2 | 2025/2026 2024/2025 2023/2024 2022/2023 2021/2022 2020/2021 |
| SPECIAL TOPICS IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES | 2025/2026 |
Supervision
|
The Insignificant Differences Of Foetal-Specific Methylation Ratio Of Differential Methylation Region In Cell-Free Foetal
Dna Maternal Plasma For Down Syndrome Determination.
Ph.D
Completed
2024
Main Supervisor
|
|
Specific Micrornas Among Milk Siblings: An Epigenetics Approach Towards Understanding The Basis Of Milk Kinship.
Master
Completed
2025
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
|
|
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
|
|
In Vitro Cytotoxicity Study Of Melastoma Malabathricum Linn.: The Effects Toward Mmp-13 Expression And Apoptosis.
Master
Completed
2015
Co-supervisor
|
|
Ibdv 3529/92 Segment A Orf 2 Gene Analysis And Expression Studies In Pichia Pastoris.
Master
Completed
2015
Co-supervisor
|
|
Prevalence Of Episiotomy In Normal Vaginal Delivery And Its Associated Factors In Rajshahi
Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh.
Master
In Progress
Main Supervisor
|
|
Prenatal Development Toxicitystudyofmps Particle In Pregnantsdrats.
Master
In Progress
Co-supervisor
|
Research Projects
Completed
| 2023 - 2024 | 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. |
| 2023 - 2025 | Sustainable EcoTourism Practices in Kampung Kuala Sat, Jerantut, Pahang: Community-based Awareness, Prevention and Response on Zoonotic Leptospirosis and Melioidosis Diseases |
| 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
| 2025 - Present | Demographic study and clinical outcomes of Brain Tumor at SASMEC@IIUM (2015 ? Present |
| 2025 - Present | Detection, Identification, and Quantification of Microplastics in Pasteurized Donor Human Milk at Halimatussaadia Mother?s Milk Centre, Sultan Ahmad Shah Medical Centre @IIUM. |
| 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) |
Awards & Recognition
| 04 Jun, 2007 | Merit Scholarship Programme for High Technology - Islamic Development Bank | International |
Publications
Articles
| 2015 | Epigenetic silencing status of p16INK4a and MGMT promoter regions identified qualitatively in diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Public Health Genomics, 18 (supp.1) pp. 20-20 |
| 2014 | Expression of segment a of infectious bursal disease virus in pichia pastoris. Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology, 8 spl () pp. 875-879 |
| 2014 | The MDM2 polymorphism SNP309 is associated with clinical characteristics and outcome in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. European Journal of Haematology, 93 (6) pp. 500-508 |
| 2013 | Cytotoxicity effect of melastoma malabatricum on skin melanoma and cervical cancer in vitro. The Open Conference Proceedings Journal, 4 () pp. 249-249 |
| 2013 | Genomic analysis and comparison of very virulent infectious bursal disease virus (vvIBDV) affecting Malaysian poultry chickens with other IBDV strains. Annals of Biological Research, 4 (5) pp. 92-104 |
| 2011 | Is a TNF alpha polymorphism responsible for mutations in the TP53 gene?. Scandinavian Journal of Immunology, 73 (2) pp. 154-155 |
Conference or Workshop Items
| 2014 | 16S rRNA gene sequencing for phylogenetic analysis of Malaysian sea anemones. In: 2nd International Symposium and Workshop on Functional Genomics and Structural Biology, |
| 2014 | Detection of p16INK4a (p16) methylation in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma using methylation-specific PCR. In: International Health Conference IIUM 2014, |
| 2014 | Qualitative detection of p16INK4a tumor suppressor gene methylation in diffuse large b-cell lymphoma using methylation-specific PCR. In: KAHS Research Week, |
| 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 , |
Books
| 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 |