DR. NOR AZIAN ABDUL MURAD, UMBI DIRECTOR (2019-2021)

A new year represents a new beginning for everyone, including for us in UMBI.

We would like to congratulate Dr. Nor Azian Abdul Murad, who has been appointed as the Director of UMBI from 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2021.

Dr. Azian is one of the pioneers of UMBI. She joined the institute in 2003 as a Science Officer after completing her Master’s degree, and has personally helped to develop UMBI from a small research institute, to the HiCOE (Higher Education Centre of Excellence) it is now.

Dr. Azian was in the University of Queensland, Australia, from 2007 to 2010 for her PhD under the mentorship of Prof. Dr. Martin Lavin. Being a versatile researcher, besides being exposed to mitochondrial research during her PhD program, she was later involved and became a key driver in many of UMBI’s genomics medicine projects, particularly in Non-communicable diseases (NCD) such as hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson’s disease) and rare diseases. She is a key collaborator in many research involving clinicians from UKM’s Faculty of Medicine, and has written many research grants and publications. She is also heavily involved in postgraduate student supervision.

Prior to her appointment as UMBI Director, Dr. Azian was the Chief Technical Officer for UMBI from August 2012 to August 2013, Head of Quality Assurance from October 2015 to March 2018, and the Deputy Director (Academic and International Affairs) from  April 2018 to December 2018.

All UMBIans would like to congratulate Dr. Azian on her appointment as our Director, and we look forward to her leadership of our research institute.