“Explore Research Frontiers in Tropical Biology & Beyond”
Spatial ecologyAwareness and conservationStrengthening wildlife protectionAdvancing wildlife researchCommunity engagementSustainable conservation practicesEthnobotanical dimensionSystematic StudyDiversity and ecologyEcological nichePioneering research
Pangolin Research Program
Miss Brenda De Ozanda Kula is a Master’s by Research student at the Institute for Tropical Biology & Conservation (ITBC). She is currently conducting her study under the Pangolin Research Program, a collaborative initiative between ITBC, UMS and Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu, led by Dr. Lauretta Andrew Laneng with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fiffy Hanisdah Saikim as co-researcher.
Her project focuses on the Sunda Pangolin (Manis javanica), one of the Critically Endangered species listed in the IUCN Red List. The research aims to understand the pangolin’s spatial ecology, including movement patterns, burrow site selection and habitat use while exploring how nature-based tourism can support awareness and conservation efforts.
By studying this elusive nocturnal mammal, Brenda’s research contributes essential knowledge to the management of pangolin habitats and the development of conservation strategies in Sabah. Her work also underscores the role of research-based tourism initiatives in strengthening wildlife protection and public engagement.
Through this program, ITBC continues its commitment to advancing wildlife research, community engagement, and sustainable conservation practices in Borneo.
Nature Tourism Research
Meet Mohd Shafiq bin Hassan, a Master’s by Research (Nature Tourism) student at the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ITBC). His research, funded under the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme – Early Career (FRGS-EC) by the Ministry of Higher Education, focuses on the communities living within the Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark (KUGGp).
Guided by Dr. Mohamad Syahrul Nizam Ibrahim (Principal Investigator) with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fiffy Hanisdah Saikim and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sharina Abdul Halim as co-researchers, Shafiq’s study explores conservation behaviour through the Integrative Model of Behaviour Prediction (IMBP), examining how attitudes, social norms and self-efficacy influence pro-environmental intentions among local communities.
His fieldwork revealed that many residents maintain diverse home gardens, cultivating plants for food, medicine and cultural practices. This inspired him to integrate an ethnobotanical dimension into his study, linking the people’s relationship with plants to conservation values and sustainable living.
Through this research, ITBC continues its mission of blending science, culture and community towards a harmonious coexistence between people and nature, sustaining both biological and cultural diversity within the Geopark.
Uncovering The Hidden World of Tropical Fungi
Deep in the heart of Sabah’s rainforests, Ily Azzedine Alaia MH Subari is uncovering the hidden world of tropical fungi. Her PhD research focuses on the Systematic Study of Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms) and Polyporales (Non-Gilled Mushrooms), exploring not only their fascinating diversity but also their potential biological activities.
By combining morphological identification, molecular phylogenetic analysis, and bioactivity testing, Ily bridges field exploration and laboratory innovation. From trekking deep into the forest to collecting specimens, to conducting DNA extractions and biological assays, her work reveals the powerful link between biodiversity, biotechnology, and sustainability.
Ily’s PhD research is supervised by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jaya Seelan Sathiya Seelan, who also leads the project funded under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12) Federal Fund, through a collaboration between the Yayasan Sabah Group (YSG), the Sabah Forestry Department (SFD), and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).
Through her passion and perseverance, Ily hopes to contribute to the conservation and scientific understanding of Sabah’s fungal biodiversity, while showcasing the untapped potential of tropical fungi in shaping future innovations in medicine, biotechnology and sustainable living.
Diversity & Ecology of Filmy Ferns (Hymenophyllum)
Introducing Christabelle Eugenie Damasus, a Master’s by Research student at the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ITBC), under the supervision of Dr. Florina Anthony and Dr. Luiza Majuakim.
Her research explores the diversity and ecology of filmy ferns (Hymenophyllum), an intricate and understudied genus known for its fragile, translucent fronds and remarkable sensitivity to environmental changes. These ferns thrive only in highly humid, shaded habitats within tropical to temperate montane ecosystems, making them vital bioindicators of forest health.
Through extensive fieldwork along an elevational range from 1,000 m to 3,200 m above sea level in Sabah, Christabelle aims to describe the ecological niche and distributional patterns of these ferns and identify the key abiotic factors influencing their survival.
Her findings are expected to contribute crucial insights to biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation strategies, particularly in safeguarding fragile montane ecosystems that serve as natural climate refuges.
eDNA Barcoding Library for Loaches
Meet Jasrul Dulipat, a passionate PhD student at Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, supervised by Ts. Dr. Soo Chen Lin, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Liew Thor Seng, and Prof. Dr. Tadashi Kajita! Jasrul is on an exciting journey exploring the loach community along the breath-taking altitude gradients of Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, which is supported by the FRGS and involves collaboration with Sabah Parks.
What sets Jasrul apart? Jasrul’s research goes beyond conventional methods. He is not just capturing fish; he is pioneering research by establishing a DNA barcoding library for loaches and utilizing cutting-edge environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis. During his field survey, he discovered that one of the loach species, Glaniopsis denudata, inhabits at an astonishing 2256 meters above sea level, making it the highest-altitude fish recorded in Malaysia!. His work is crucial for understanding biodiversity and informing conservation efforts in this unique ecosystem.
Why should you join us?. As a student in our program, you'll get the chance to work on ground-breaking projects like Jasrul's, collaborate with industry partners and international experts, and develop advanced research skills. Plus, you’ll be part of a vibrant academic community, just like Jasrul, who actively joins expeditions, seminars, workshops, postgrad retreats, and presents his findings at conferences and contributes to journals. His PhD journey even took him to the Iriomote Station at the University of Ryukyus, Japan, where he gained hands-on experience that few can match!
Sustainable Limestone Management
Shaelza Shaca Shalmon, a Nature Tourism student at the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ITBC) is conducting an inspiring study that bridges limestone conservation and community development in the Kinta Valley, Perak.
Supervised by Dr. Marcela Pimid and co-supervised by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Liew Thor Seng, and supported through the MyBrain 2.0 Scholarship, her research focuses on developing sustainable approaches that protect the fragile limestone ecosystem while empowering local communities who depend on it.
With valuable guidance and collaboration from Dr. Zulqarnain Mohammad (Head of Ipoh Doughnut Economic City, Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh), the Pejabat Daerah & Tanah Kinta, local community leaders, Tasik Cermin, and the Lost World of Tambun, Shaelza’s project explores how conservation and livelihoods can coexist harmoniously.
The research aims to uncover practical pathways that balance the pressures of industrial and tourism development with environmental protection. By engaging local stakeholders and decision-makers, the project fosters meaningful partnerships that integrate ecological preservation with socio-economic resilience.
Ultimately, this research contributes toward creating a replicable model for sustainable limestone management, one that promotes eco-tourism, supports local well-being, and safeguards Malaysia’s unique natural heritage. Through initiatives like this, ITBC-UMS continues to drive biodiversity research, community engagement and sustainable innovation as part of its mission to be the “Brain of Borneo.”
Wild Bornean Elephants Monitoring
Meet Siti Hasmaliza Hassem, a passionate postgraduate researcher from the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ITBC), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), whose study shines a light on one of Borneo’s most remarkable yet vulnerable species, the Bornean elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis).
Her research, titled “Dung Persistence Rates of Wild Bornean Elephants in the Lower Kinabatangan Floodplain,” explores how long elephant dung remains in the environment and what factors influence its decay. This non-invasive, dung-based method provides crucial insights for monitoring elusive and wide-ranging species, helping scientists refine population estimation models through improved dung count surveys. Beyond its scientific contribution, this study delivers the first standardized dataset on dung persistence rates for Bornean elephants in the Lower Kinabatangan — paving the way for more accurate monitoring frameworks and stronger conservation strategies for the species.
Her work embodies ITBC’s mission to integrate science, conservation, and community for the future of Borneo’s biodiversity.
Identifying Poisonous Mushrooms
Introducing Nur Amanina Binti Usimin, a Master’s by Research student at the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ITBC. Under the guidance of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jaya Seelan Sathiya Seelan (Main Supervisor) and Dr. Praneetha Palasuberniam (Co-supervisor, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UMS), Amanina is delving deep into the mysterious world of fungi focusing on the diversity of the genus Amanita, which intriguingly includes both edible and deadly species.
Her research employs molecular analysis and chemical profiling to accurately identify Amanita species and uncover their chemical diversity, offering potential insights into both toxicology and pharmacology. In Sabah, Amanita has been linked to mushroom poisoning cases that cause severe neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms, posing serious risks to public health. In collaboration with the Sabah State Health Department, her study aims to assist medical professionals in identifying poisonous mushrooms involved in poisoning cases. Beyond the laboratory, Amanina actively engages with local communities to raise awareness about the dangers of consuming wild mushrooms and promote safe, informed practices.
Through her research, she hopes to build a comprehensive scientific database of Amanita species in Sabah, contribute to the medical and scientific community, and empower the public with life-saving knowledge.
Zombie Fungi, Entomopathogenic Fungi from Sabah
Muhammad Shahbaz is a PhD candidate at the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), under the supervision of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jaya Seelan Sathiya Seelan. His doctoral research focuses on the molecular phylogeny, chemical profiling, and antifungal activities of entomopathogenic fungi from Sabah (Northern Borneo).
These “zombie fungi,” famous for their ability to parasitize and manipulate insect hosts, are being described for the first time in Malaysia through the collaborative taxonomic and molecular investigations conducted by Shahbaz and his supervisor. His study combines morphological characterization and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses to uncover the diversity and evolutionary relationships of these fungi, contributing valuable data on Malaysia’s unexplored fungal biodiversity.
In addition, Shahbaz examines the chemical composition and antifungal potential of these fungi. By studying their bioactive secondary metabolites, he evaluates their efficacy against major crop pathogens, emphasizing their potential role as eco-friendly biocontrol agents and their significance in sustainable agriculture and biotechnology.
“Your Next Step: Postgraduate Excellence at UMS”
Postgraduate Programmes (By Research)
