NeuroBiology & Genetics Group
"To educate and inspire through discoveries"
PAST MEMBERS OF NBGG
Postdoctoral Fellows
Dr. Mansour Azimzadeh
Postdoctoral Fellow (Electrophysiology)
Universiti Putra Malaysia
15 November 2022 – 14 November 2024
Mentors: AP Dr. Michael Ling (Main) & AP Dr. Cheah Pike See
PhD Graduates
Huang Tan
Doctor of Philosophy (Neuroscience)
(Self-Sponsored)
(2021-2025)
Supervisors: Michael KH Ling & Sharida Fakurazi
Research title: “Bioinformatic and Functional Analyses of REST Dysregulation in Down syndrome iPSC-derived Neural Progenitors, Astrocytes and Organoids”
Last known position: Neurosurgeon (China)
Heidarzadehpilehrood Roozbeh
Doctor of Philosophy (Human Genetics)
(Self-Sponsored)
(2020-2024)
Supervisors: Michael Ling, Habibah Abdul Hamid (Main), Malina Osman & Maryam Sakinah binti Mohamad Rom
Research title: “Identification of Novel Biomarkers in Malay Polycystic Ovary Syndrome through Bioinformatics and Transcriptomics Analyses”
Last known position: Postdoctoral Researcher
Shahidee Zainal Abidin
Doctor of Philosophy (Neuroscience)
(MyBrain)
(2014-2019)
Supervisors: Michael KH Ling, Norshariza Nordin & Syahrilnizam Abdullah
Research title: “Establishment and characterization of an in vitro system with stable and regulatable miR3099 gene expression to study murine neurogenesis”
Last known position: Senior Lecturer, UMT.
Han-Chung Lee
Doctor of Philosophy (Neuroscience)
(MyBrain)
(2013-2018)
Supervisors: Michael KH Ling, Norshariza Nordin & Sharmili Vidyadaran
Research title: “In utero characterization of neurogenesis in Ts1Cje mouse model for Down syndrome”
Last known position: Diagnostic Laboratory Analyst
Usman Bala
Doctor of Philosophy (Neuroscience)
(SGRA)
(2013-2016)
Supervisors: Pike-See Cheah, Mei-I Lai & Fauziah Othman
Thesis title: “Identification of molecular mechanism responsible for hypotonia in adult Ts1Cje mouse model of Down syndrome”
Last known position: Head of Department of Human Anatomy, Gombe State University, Nigeria
Kai-Leng Tan
Doctor of Philosophy (Neuroscience)
(MyBrain)
(2012-2016)
Supervisors: Pike-See Cheah, Sharmili Vidyadaran & Lai Mei I
Thesis title: “The identification of disrupted molecular networks involved in brain maturation and function in the Ts1Cje mouse model of Down syndrome”
Last known position: Lecturer
MSc Graduates
Lam Xin Jieh
Master of Science (Neuroscience)
(SGRA UPM)
(2022-2024)
Supervisors: Pike-See Cheah & Sandra Maniam
Research title: “Neuroprotective Role Of Lithium-Mediated Rest Restoration To Ameliorate Oxidative Stress In Down Syndrome Cell Model”
Last known position: Manager at Tuition Centre
Mariam Ahmed Abdelbadie
MSc Candidate (Human Genetics)
(Self-sponsored)
(2022-2025)
Supervisors: Michael Ling, Habibah Abdul Hamid (Main) & Zalinah Ahmad
Research title: “Association Of Dennd1a, Lhcgr, Fshr, Thada, And Cyp17a1 Gene Polymorphisms With Anovulatory Infertility In Malay Women With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.”
Last known position: TBU
Hamizun bin Hamzah
Master of Science (Neuroscience)
(JPA)
(2015-2019)
Supervisors: Michael KH Ling, Norshariza Nordin & Maizaton Atmadini Abdullah
Research title: “Evaluation of Ruxolitinib as a supplement for neurogenesis enhancement in the brain of Ts1Cje mouse model for Down syndrome”
Last known position: Malaysian Government Officer
Eryse Seth
Master of Science (Neuroscience)
(MyBrain/GRF)
(2016-2019)
Supervisors: Cheah Pike See & Cheah Yoke Kqueen
Research title: “Metabolic profiling of neurospheres derived from E15.5 cerebral cortex of Ts1Cje mouse model for Down syndrome”
Last known position: PhD candidate at Monash University Malaysia.
Hadri Hadi Bin Md Yusof
Master of Science (Neuroscience)
(SGRA)
(2013-2017)
Supervisor: Michael KH Ling & De Ming Chau
Thesis title: “Gamma-secretase activity in the brain of Ts1Cje mouse model for Down syndrome”
Last known position: Lecturer, IUMW.
Asraa Faris
Master of Science (Genetics)
(2016-2018)
Supervisors: Michael KH Ling, Abhi Veerakumarasivam & Rozita Rosli
Research title: “The screening of BDNF single nucleotide polymorphisms and the BDNF level of Malaysian diagnosed with major depressive disorder”
Last known position: PhD candidate (Japan)
Melody Pui-Yee Leong
Master of Science (Genetics)
(MyBrain/SGRA)
(2014-2017)
Supervisors: Michael KH Ling & Rozita Rosli
Research title: “Transcriptomic profiling of adult skeletal muscle in Ts1Cje mouse model for Down syndrome”
Last known position: PhD candidate at University of Melbourne, Australia.
Chai-Ling Lim
Master of Science (Neuroscience)
(MyBrain/GRF)
(2014-2017)
Supervisors: Pike-See Cheah, Rajesh Ramasamy & Johnson Stanslas
Research title: “Metabolic and functional characterisation of adult skeletal muscle in Down syndrome mouse model: insights into the muscle weakness seen in human condition”
Last known position: PhD candidate
Ameerah Jaafar
Master of Science (Genetics)
(MyBrain/GRF)
(2012-2015)
Supervisors: Feizel Alsiddiq & Michael KH Ling
Thesis title: “Screening of Arx, Cdkl5 and Stxbp1 gene mutations in Malaysian paediatric patients with early-onset epileptic encephalopathy by HRM technique”
Last known position: PhD candidate in UiTM / Business Owner
Angeline Jia-Wen Leong
Master of Science (Neuroscience)
(MyBrain/GRF)
(2012-2016)
Supervisors: Pike-See Cheah & Syahrilnizam Abdullah
Thesis title: “Molecular characterisation of novel miRNAs in the developing mouse brain”
Last known position: PhD candidate at University of Newcastle, Australia.
FYP Students
Goh Bing Cheng
FYP Student, Biomedical Science Programme, Universiti Putra Malaysia (2023 – 2024)
Research title: “The Effect Of Lithium Administration On Motor Skills And Neurobehavioural Alteration In Adult Mice”
Supervisors: Michael Ling (Main), Pike-See Cheah & Mansour Azimzadeh
Aina Aisyah binti Mohammad Amin Woon
FYP Student, Biomedical Science Programme, Universiti Putra Malaysia (2023 – 2024)
Research title: “The Development And Validation Of An Affordable, Specific, And Sensitive Assay To Detect Mycoplasma In Cell Culture Media”
Supervisors: Michael Ling (Main) & Pike-See Cheah
Teh Jie Teng
FYP Student, Biomedical Science Programme, Universiti Putra Malaysia (2023 – 2024)
Research title: “Identification Of Transcriptional Targets Of Rest In Down Syndrome Hipsc-Derived Cerebral Organoids Via Chip-Pcr Approach”
Supervisors: Michael Ling (Main), Pike-See Cheah & Shahidee Zainal Abidin
Lim Shi En
FYP Student, Biomedical Science Programme, Universiti Putra Malaysia (2022 – 2023)
Research title: “Evaluation Of Motor Skills And Neurobehavioural Changes In Adult Mice After Prenatal Ruxolitinib Treatment”
Supervisors: Michael Ling (Main) & Pike-See Cheah
Nurul Syahirah binti Mazhar
FYP Student, Biomedical Science Programme, Universiti Putra Malaysia (2022 – 2023)
Research title: “The Role Of Ruxolitinib In Astrogenesis Via Modulation Of The Jak/Stat Signaling Pathway In The Newborn Mouse Brain”
Supervisors: Michael Ling (Main) & Pike-See Cheah
Lim Chong Teik
FYP Student, Biomedical Science Programme,Universiti Putra Malaysia
(2021 – 2022)
Research title: “Spatiotemporal Analysis Of Rest Expression In The Brain Of Ts1cje Mouse Model Of Down Syndrome”
Supervisors: Michael Ling (Main) & Pike-See Cheah
Crystal Arthini Arrumugam
FYP Student, Biomedical Science Programme,Universiti Putra Malaysia
(2021 – 2022)
Research title: “Construction And Validation Of Mammalian Expression Vector For Human Rest Coding Sequence”
Supervisors: Michael Ling (Main) & Pike-See Cheah
Interns
Hadri Hadi bin Yusof
IMU
(March-May 2014)
Esad Eseoglu
Gebze Institute of Technology, Turkey
(June-August 2014)
Marzieh Mahmoudi
Universiti Malaya
(June-August 2015)
Siti Aqilah Adbul Khair
Universiti Malaya
(June-August 2015)
Mohamad Shafiz bin Abdul Jalil
Universiti Malaya
(June-August 2015)
Eunice Yee
Sunway University, Malaysia
(Jan-April 2016)
Jia-Wei Ng
Sunway University, Malaysia
(Jan-April 2016)
Wong Jyen Yiee
Neuroscience and Behaviour Programme, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York, USA
(June-July 2016)
Khoh Wan Xin
Intern (Practicum)
Universiti Putra Malaysia
(Aug-Oct 2021)
Er Yen Ling
Intern (Practicum)
Universiti Putra Malaysia
(Aug-Oct 2021)
Lim Chong Teik
Intern (Industrial Training)
Universiti Putra Malaysia
(Aug-Oct 2021)
Crystal Arthini Arrumugam
Intern (Industrial Training)
Universiti Putra Malaysia
(Aug-Oct 2021)
Cindy Liew
Intern (Industrial Training)
Universiti Putra Malaysia
(Dec 2021-Aug 2022)
Nur Aida Binti Mohamad Shah
Intern (Industrial Training)
Universiti Putra Malaysia
(Augt 2022)
Lau Siew Mei
Intern (Industrial Training)
Universiti Putra Malaysia
(Aug 2022)
Aina Aisyah binti Mohammad Amin Woon
Intern (Industrial Training)
Universiti Putra Malaysia
(Aug 2022)
Chang Joe Yan
Intern (Industrial Training)
Universiti Putra Malaysia
(Aug 2022)
Heng Zee Thung
Intern (Industrial Training)
Universiti Putra Malaysia
(Aug 2022)
Sandra Ong Li Shan
Intern (Industrial Training)
St. Joseph International School
(July-Aug 2022 & May-July 2023)
Xenia Thielmann
Intern (DAAD Rise Worldwide)
Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Germany
(July-Sept 2023)
Navaroshini A/P Bala Muraly
Intern (Industrial Training)
Universiti Malaya
(Aug-Oct 2023)
Joanne Lau Zhi Han
Intern (Industrial Training)
Universiti Malaya
(Aug 2023)
Theo Chun Hao
Intern (Industrial Training)
Universiti Malaya
(Mac-June 2024)
Abubakar Umar Anka
PhD intern
Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria
(Nov 2023-Nov 2024)
Isa Aisha Ideola
Intern (Industrial Training)
Universiti Putra Malaysia
(Aug-Oct 2024)
Research Associates
Maryam Abbaspour Babaei
(2010-2012)
Wei-Hong Siew
(2012-2014)
Mohd Hamdi Noor
(2012-2013)
Aminuddin bin Baharuddin
(2015-2016)
Omar Habib
(2017-2018)
Jinan Shamou
(2021-2023)