Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. My name is Sarmila Loganathan, and I’m 22 years old from Ipoh, a city known for its cultural attractions and unique landscape, such as the limestone hills and caves. Currently, I’m a final year student at Universiti Malaya, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biohealth. My choice of course reflects my longstanding interest in research. Taking my first step into this field, I embarked on a final year internship project at Cancer Research Malaysia (CRMY) within the Translational Cancer Biology research unit. Through this experience, I was able to apply my ac ..read more

Did you know that some people have a higher risk of getting breast or ovarian cancer because of a gene called BRCA (Breast Cancer) gene? In Europe, about 1 in 500 people inherit a mutated BRCA gene, which can increase their risk of cancer from 45% to 87% for women. For the longest long time, doctors in Asia didn’t have enough information about how this gene affects Asian women. Thanks to the work of Malaysian researchers at Cancer Research Malaysia and the University of Nottingham (Malaysia campus), we now have a better understanding. They conducted a study that is the largest of its kind, fo ..read more

A River of Hope Flows Through Melaka’s Heart In the heart of Melaka, where history and compassion connect, a history was made on the 24th of February 2024 – the first-ever Terry Fox Run in Malaysia outside of Klang Valley after more than two decades in Malaysia. Organized by Cancer Research Malaysia, the event at Melaka Rivercruise, Taman Rempah Jetty, left an indelible mark, echoing the spirit of Terry Fox and the promise of hope for a future free from the fear of cancer. Opening remarks by Cancer Research Malaysia CEO, Mr. Andy Khoo. The Terry Fox Run is a global movement, has always been ab ..read more

Dr Shivaani Remember how our old-school parents used to warn us about watching too much TV, believing that nothing good could come from it? Well, in Dr. Shivaani Mariapun’s case, watching TV was the spark that ignited her passion for science! It all began when a then 16-year-old Shivaani was watching a documentary showcasing the power of genetic information to trace human migration, which sparked her curiosity. That’s right, it wasn’t your typical teenage drama series or animated cartoon. This fascination led her to pursue a degree in genetics and molecular biology, eventually landing her an i ..read more

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. From L-R: Tiara Hassan, Dr Tai Mei Chee, Kah Yee and Dr Aimi Zafira My name is Teoh Kah Yee and I’m almost 23 years old in 2024. I come from a city that is known for two things; tau fu fah and white coffee. Yes, you guessed it – I am from Ipoh, Perak. I was raised there and completed my entire schooling, from kindergarten to high school. After completing my SPM exams, I decided to pursue a Foundation in Science program at Xiamen University Malaysia, where I was fortunate to receive a full scholarship. This opportunity was a big step for me because it was ..read more

There are thousands of kinds of jobs in the world because every person has different skills and needs. Let’s look at a few jobs and find the easiest and quickest way to describe them. What does a teacher do? They teach. What does a chef do? They cook. What does a police officer do? They catch the bad guys. Now, what about a science communicator? Did you pause a bit? Or the answer didn’t come as fast as the first 3 questions. That’s okay.! If your thought is something like “they talk about science, tell people about research, or make science easy to understand,” you’re right! It includes all of ..read more

There’s something incredibly right about sports and charity. They effortlessly blend unity and diversity to celebrate sports-related events and help fundraise for important causes. That’s exactly what HULUR Malaysia did for Cancer Research Malaysia (CRMY) when they organised the Futsal Charity Tournament. Futsal Charity Tournament For Cancer Cause In case some of you who are not familiar with HULUR Malaysia, they are a social enterprise that brings fitness, entrepreneurship, and empathy together to make a positive impact on lives, especially for those who are underprivileged, disabled, or in n ..read more

Oh mouth ulcers…. though small, it can bring significant pain and discomfort to many. Even though the experience is unpleasant, it is usually harmless and the ulcers can resolve by themselves within 10 to 14 days. But if your ulcers haven’t healed in over 2 weeks, those ulcers may be something more serious. Some of the initial signs of oral cancer include non-healing ulcers, persistent mouth swelling, unusual red or white patches in the mouth or difficulty swallowing, and unexplained loose teeth. Surprisingly, oral cancer is both prevalent and deadly in Asia, accounting for over 74% of a ..read more

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. My name is Nurhannah Nabyllah binti Ramizan and I’m originally from Kulai, Johor but currently residing in the Klang Valley area. I recently graduated from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) where I majored in Cell and Molecular Biology. During my time at university, I developed a strong interest in medical research and I was eager to pursue a career in this field. Q: What inspired you to become a scientist? My persistent childhood curiosity of course! That was the driving force behind my relentless quest for answers to every question. Science, with its st ..read more

Cancer Research Malaysia (CRMY) houses nine science units, each serving a unique purpose ranging from laboratory research to social engagement initiatives. Continuing with our Behind The Scenes series, we now engage with Dr. Pan Jia Wern, Deputy Head of Genomics and Bioinformatics (GB). He will be shedding light on the department’s projects, notable accomplishments, and the dedicated team that stands as the foundation within this unit. 1. Could you please explain the role and responsibilities of the Genomics and Bioinformatics unit within CRMY? The Genomics and Bioinformatics department at CR ..read more