madihah abdul gani

PART A: About me

Name: Madihah binti Abdul Gani

Age: 24 years old

Qualifications: Bachelor in Science (Biology), National University of Malaysia (UKM). Currently pursuing Master in Bioprocess Engineering, University of Technology Malaysia.

Job Title: Research Assistant

Employer: Chemical Engineering Pilot Plant (CEPP), University of Technology Malaysia

Has been with this company for 1 year and 4 months

What drives me in my work/research: Science is the essence of technological excellence and an interesting field to explore.

3 things I can’t live without: Holy Quran, mobile phone and my green motorcycle.

Postgraduate study: This opportunity in pursuing my study in master will help my skills in doing the research and I want to achieve the targets to develop the high value products from local resources that give benefits to nation and fulfill the standard and requirement.

PART B: My background, my postgraduate study and current job

Choosing this area of research/postgraduate study:

This course give an opportunity for me to gain more knowledge in bioprocess engineering that focuses on developing products and research for the fine specialty chemical industry. This course offers a wide range of laboratory and pilot scale research capabilities. It assists in development of high value components and innovative processing technology for industries such as nutraceuticals, herbal, phytochemicals and flavour. The project also give strengthen the scientific knowledge base on needed to informe to use of natural plant resources in medical practice such as bromelain that is use as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agent. What I have been learned during the studies, I can implement it in developing a new research and can face the ever changing demands of process industry.

Starting postgraduate studies:

I started my postgraduate after a short course in ‘Herbal Plantation and Processing Technology’. I have taken a short course after finishing my bachelor in Science (Biology). This is the right timing for me to further my study in continuing the learning process, gain more knowledge and experiences and implement in research. Changing field from Science to Engineering, give me quite challenge, but nothing impossible right now to achieve the target if we work hard and smart.

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Mode of study:

I am taking master by research, a full time study. I can give full of commitment and focus on my study to ensure my schedule of work run smoothly and successfully. This type of mode is comfortable for me as I am still younger and have a lot of enthusiasm and chances to strengthen my skills and knowledge.

My research/postgraduate study:

My research study is “Study of Anti -inflammatory agent in bromelain”. The purpose of this study is to investigate and prove the efficacy of bromelain and its potential as anti cancer agent properties and therefore useful in promoting as a wound healing and other medical purposes. The challenge of this study is to purify enzyme from pineapple and to conduct the analysis using in vitro analysis. The useful medicinal properties from bromelain also will be applied in products formulation to produce natural finished products such as juice, capsules and cosmetics products. Hopefully this project will expand and develop the bromelain standard that reaches the requirement.

The best bits:

I am grateful to get the opportunity to further my study in postgraduate studies. I have learned a lot to build up self esteem, skills in doing research, spirit and knowledge. Most important thing not only learns how to apply knowledge in doing research but also learn how to market the products.

My work:

I am working at the same time as research assistant at Chemical Engineering Pilot Plant, UTM. I was assigned to assist research project related to tissue culture and nutraceutical.

The experiences and skills help me to develop my research.

Looking ahead/Life after postgraduate study:

My plan is to further my study on doctorate after completing my master. I would like to explore more exciting things in this area and intend to continue more research that give beneficial to nation.

My advice:

Grab opportunity to further the studies until doctorate. ‘Life is long learning’. We will upgrade our skills and knowledge. We will help to solve a lot of human’s problems from the beneficial research we developed. Take the challenge as an opportunity.