Invited Speakers

Dr. Vipat Kuruchittham has over 15 years of experience working in and managing health and education programs across Southeast and South Asia, working with international organizations, U.S. government agencies, ministries of health and agriculture, and international and regional NGOs. For much of this time, Vipat has led the regional drive to embed One Health knowledge and skills into the next generation of One Health professionals as the Executive Director of Southeast Asia One Health University Network (SEAOHUN). SEAOHUN is a regional network of over 102 universities in 8 Southeast Asian countries, working to develop a resilient and competent One Health workforce by leveraging education, research, and training excellence. He holds a Ph.D. in Health Systems Engineering with a minor in public health from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.  

Prof. Dr. Latiffah Hassan is a veterinary public health epidemiologist and academician at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). She has over a decade experience in one health project management, strategic planning, program curation and management of one health expertise and trainings in Malaysia.  She provides consultative, expertise or leadership roles in the INGSA-NASEM Countering Zoonotic Spillover of High Consequence Pathogens project, Southeast Asia One Health University Network, International Board of One Health Examiners for One health, GREASE Regional Network, Regional Public Health Network and FAO’s and UNEP committee for One Health, Wildlife, and Livelihoods.  She has appeared in high-level forums and panel discussions organized by the European Union, FAO, WAOH and the Economist.  She is currently the Coordinator of Malaysia One Health University Network.

Dr. Prasad Kuduvalli serves as Director of Scientific Programs at Health Security Partners (HSP), a Washington DC-based nonprofit organization focused on building health security capacity globally. Prasad has worked with partners worldwide to bolster biosafety, biosecurity and biorisk management systems globally through policy development, institutional capacity strengthening and workforce development programs. He is a member of the International Federation of Biosafety Associations Equity Focused Coordinating Committee (IFBA-ECC) and the Asia-Pacific Biosafety Association (A-PBA). He earned his Ph.D. from the Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Noor Dzuhaidah Osman is a law lecturer from Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia and holds many key responsibilities such as Coordinator for PhD in Law, Committee Member for Biosecurity and Biosafety USIM, Secretary for International Law Unit ILU USIM, Ketua Unit Bicara Sivil, Klinik Guaman USIM  and Coordinator for MOU FSU USIM with Suleyman Demirel Universiti, Kazakhstan. She has been a Keynote and invited speakers and lecturer at local and international levels such as at the Institut Tadbiran Awam Negara (INTAN) KL for Master/PhD Research Method, UNSOED Indonesia,UNISSA Brunei, VSUES Russia, Hukuk Fakultesi, Suleyman Demirel University, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Italy, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, Netherland, Belgium. She has written 100 popular articles at newspapers such as Berita Harian, Utusan Malaysia, Sinar Harian, The New Straits Times, New Sarawak Tribune and The Malaysian Reserve. Dr. Noor Dzuhaidah’s accolades include 2 silver medals for Civil Procedure MOOC during IUCEL and ECONDEV 2022, Best Research Paper during ICOLGAS 2020 in UNSOED, Indonesia, ERASMUS Grant for Staff Exchange Programme to teach at Suleyman Demirel University, Turkey 2021-2022, CIL NUS Singapore scholarship for  ASEAN Law Advanced Programme 2022 and Fellowship for 2022 United Nations Regional Course in International Law for Asia-Pacific. Her research areas include pandemic and national security, cyberbiosecurity and good governance.

Joko has broad background in microbiology, with specific trainings and expertise in virology-immunology, animal model development, and viral disease surveillance. His research includes the efforts to develop vaccines for HIV and DENV infection utilizing non-human primates. As PI or co-Investigator on several Ministry of Health-, Ministry of Finance-, and Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology -funded grants, he explored the susceptibility of Indonesian non-human primate species for alternate laboratory animal in research for human health, as well as exploring the potential viral distribution in the wildlife reservoirs. Joko had several past and current assignments, such as the Director of Primate Research Center at IPB University (2005-2017), Country Coordinator of USAID-PREDICT project in Indonesia (2011-2020), Coordinator of One Health Laboratory Network (OHLN) at Indonesia One Health University Network (INDOHUN, 2018-2021), and Vice Coordinator of INDOHUN (2021-present).  

Dr Adiratna received her MD and PhD degree from The University of Tokushima, Japan. She is currently working as an Immunologist at the Institute for Medical Research, NIH Malaysia. She heads the Primary Immunodeficiency laboratory and her research interests are genomics, genetics, and immunomodulation with special focus in immune related diseases especially Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (PID). Her recent study on PID in Ministry of Health had shown that whole exome sequencing enhances the capacity to diagnose PID, allowing more PID patients to receive appropriate therapy and disease management in Malaysia. She had also reported many distinctive PID presentations emphasizing the unique disease patterns of PIDs in Malaysia. Besides that, she is also one of the reference persons for vaccines and has been appointed an expert panel of drug control authority in the Ministry of Health. Dr Adiratna is also a GMAC member since year 2012. During the COVID pandemic, her study on COVID vaccine was used to support the national policy offering booster vaccination for COVID vaccine recipients. With the findings, her team was awarded as one of the distinctive research projects that translated data to decision making in clinical research at the 15th National Conference for Clinical Research in 2022. Her research on PID also received the best biomedical research in National Institutes of Health Malaysia for the year 2021.  Dr Adiratna’s recent focus also includes Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR-T), research on targeted immunotherapy for Leukaemia in order to diversify treatment choice of Leukaemia in Malaysia.    

Dr. Noor Haza Fazlin binti Hashim received her doctorate in Microbiology from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in 2014. She currently served as a research officer at Water Quality Laboratory, National Water Research Institute Malaysia (NAHRIM). She is an experienced environmental microbiologist where her work mainly focusing on microbial adaptation, antimicrobial resistance in water bodies, and enzyme technology. She is appointed as a member of the technical working group, National Antimicrobial Resistance Committee (2018-2021). Apart from that, Dr. Noor Haza Fazlin is an active member of Malaysia Society of Applied Biology where she has served as a deputy treasurer since 2020.

Ir. Dr. R. Tiruselvam is a Specialist Lab Consultant -Biocontainment & Biosecurity with Biogard Asia (M) Sdn. Bhd. He has 14 years of experience in providing expert assistance globally on issues of biosafety, biocontainment and biosecurity. He is part of a team of microbiologists, biosafety professionals, architects & engineers that bring hands‐on practical experience in developing national biosafety and biosecurity policies and guidelines, and in the design, certification and operation of BSL3 laboratories. He is recognized by the Ministry of Health Singapore and is a part of the MOH-Approved Facility Certification Body (MOH-AFCB) as an Engineering Professional. He has provided specialists laboratory consultancy for clients from Malaysia, Brunei, Myanmar, Indonesia and Singapore. Has has done BSL3 certification for clients in Singapore such as Temasek Life Sciences, National Public Health Laboratory and Defense Science Organisation.

•Maureen Ellis is the Executive Director of the International Federation of Biosafety Associations (IFBA) whose mission is the Safe, secure and responsible work with biological materials. The IFBA facilitates partnerships between their worldwide network of Biosafety Associations and national governments in strengthening global health security. IFBA’s programs include developing national biosafety/biosecurity strategies, advancing biorisk management best practices, certifying the competency of individuals handling biological materials, undergraduate education in biosafety & biosecurity, south-to-south peer mentorship, and advancing diversity, equity, & inclusion in global biosafety & biosecurity. Formerly, Ms. Ellis was the Advisor to Canada’s Global Partnership Program where she was responsible for delivering biosafety and biosecurity programs worldwide. She also served as Director to Canada’s Public Health Agency Office of Biosafety, and Director of the WHO’s Collaborating Centre for Biosafety.

Professor Dr. Chai Lay Ching is an accomplished microbiologist and professor at Sunway University, where she also holds the esteemed position of Pro Vice Chancellor (Education). As the former Chair of the Young Scientists Network-Academy of Sciences Malaysia (YSN-ASM) from December 2019 to March 2023, she led the country's top young researchers committed to contributing to the national ecosystem beyond their individual research interests. In this role, she inspired and engaged young academics to re-examine their role in shaping higher education for the future. She is currently serving as the interim committee member of ASEAN Young Scientists Network to promote scientific excellence in the ASEAN region. Professor Chai's research focuses on infectious microorganisms, food safety, and microbiological risk assessment. She is highly respected and frequently called upon to serve on committees and lead initiatives related to food safety and security at both national and regional (ASEAN) levels. She also actively participates in academia-industry projects. For her significant contributions to microbiological safety research, Professor Chai was awarded the Malaspina International Award by the International Life Science Institute (ILSI) in 2017. She currently serves as the scientific advisor of ILSI South East Asia Region, providing invaluable guidance and advice on food safety risk assessment. Professor Chai is a strong advocate for responsible research in Malaysia and ASEAN, actively promoting biosafety and biosecurity. As one of the primary authors of the first Malaysian Educational Modules on Responsible Conduct of Research in Malaysia, she has played a vital role in promoting research integrity, dual-use research, inclusivity, and excellence. She also served as an expert and author of Practical Toolkit for Practicing Responsible Biological Science and Mitigating Biotech Risks by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). She is also a fellow of 2019 Engaging Young Scientists from the Global South in Biosecurity Diplomacy of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. In addition to her past role as Chair of YSN-ASM, Professor Chai has also been appointed as a member of National Science Council Malaysia (2022-2023) to represent the young scientists in Malaysia. Her numerous awards and recognitions include the prestigious L’Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Award in 2018, Marie Claire’s Amazing Woman in Malaysia 2019, Prestige’s 40 under 40 Malaysia 2019, and the Asian Women Entrepreneurs Leadership Award 2019.

Abu Bakar Webb studied and completed his law degrees in the UK and Australia. He was admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya in 2000 and as an advocate of the High Court in Sabah and Sarawak in 2014. He is also a part time law teacher. His area of research is on environmental law and policy with special interest on Biosafety law. He attended courses in Assessment and Regulation of Genetic Engineering and Genetically Modified Organisms at Norwegian Institute of Gene Ecology, University of Tromso, Norway and International Law-Making and Diplomacy at the University of Joensuu, Finland. He is the author and co-author of several articles in professional journals and presented papers at numerous national and international conferences. He is also a columnist with the local newspaper and writes about contemporary issues on environmental law and policy . 

Dr Yuwana Podin is a senior lecturer at the Institute of Health and Community Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) specializing in laboratory and field investigation of outbreaks for endemic diseases such as hand-foot-and mouth disease and melioidosis in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. Dr Podin holds a PhD in molecular microbiology and has served as a short-term consultant for World Health Organization for two emergencies; post-tsunami in Aceh, Indonesia in 2006 and the AH1-N1 pandemic in WHO HQ, Geneva, Switzerland in 2009. As a member of the Malaysian Biosafety and Biosecurity Association (MBBA) and an alumni of the Malaysian Biosafety Officer Training (MABOT), she has been involved in the biosafety and biosecurity advocacy programmes in Malaysia and around the Southeast Asian region since 2015. In addition to being a principal investigator at UNIMAS, she is also serving as the Biosafety Officer for the university. Dr Podin is also an activist for HIV/AIDS advocacy work in Sarawak and Malaysia since 2000.

Dr Subhash J. Bhore has a broad background in biology and biotechnology. He has over 23 years of progressive working experience, 14 years in academic settings, and over eight years in the biotech industry. Subhash is an International Federation of Biosafety Association’s certified professional for Biosecurity, Biorisk Management, and BSC. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed papers and guided nearly 100 postgraduate and undergraduate students. He has vast experience in developing and implementing training programs. He is a member of various professional associations, including the American Biological Safety Association (ABSA International), the Malaysian Biosafety and Biosecurity Association (MBBA), and the Indian Society for Biosafety (SBS). As Chairman of the Institutional Biosafety Committee of AIMST University, he took the initiative to implement Biosafety and Biosecurity Month in Malaysia before the Coronavirus global pandemic. During the global pandemic of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), he envisioned and implemented Biosafety and Biosecurity Month remotely. A unique dialogue session on “One Health Workforce Development and Preparedness to Face Emerging Zoonotic Diseases” was a part of it. He has developed and implemented remote trainings to boost biosecurity and biosafety in Southeast and South Asia. He is passionate about biosecurity, biosafety, and biorisk management; hence, he actively promotes the importance of it for sustainability. He firmly believes that effective biorisk management is the foundation for one health. He serves as a consultant and subject matter expert to international agencies involved in strengthening biosecurity, biosafety, sustainability, and global health security. He received a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Genetics from the National University of Malaysia.

Dr Eva Tiong Vunjia is a Senior Lecturer at the High-risk Pathogens and Clinical
Research Unit at the Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre (TIDREC) at Universiti Malaya. She manages the Biosafety Level 3 facility at TIDREC and has extensive experience working with high-risk pathogens, including Nipah virus, MERS-CoVand SARS-CoV-2.
Her current research focus is on the surveillance of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases that have substantial implications for public health, with an emphasis on outbreak preparedness. Eva is also an IFBACertified Professional for Biorisk management and serves as a trainer for TIDREC’s Biosafety and Biosecurity Training Programme. Aside from research, she is also a passionate advocate for safe science and fostering a culture of biosafety and biosecurity, both within and beyond the laboratory.