Curriculum Vitae

DR. ANJANNA KUKREJA

Medical Lecturer
  • Department of Medicine
    Faculty of Medicine
  • anjanna
  • 60379492129

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Anjanna Kukreja is an Infectious Diseases Physician and Lecturer at Universiti Malaya, Malaysia, with specialized training in internal medicine, general infectious diseases, and antimicrobial stewardship. She is most passionate about HIV medicine, particularly as it relates to women with HIV. She spearheads the WoW+ project, short for the “Wellness of Women living with HIV Project”, an initiative targeting the comprehensive health needs of WLWH, from mental health to metabolic wellness. Her ultimate goal is to launch a Women’s Wellness Clinic tailored for this group.

Driven by a fervor for education, Dr. Anjanna teaches and mentors both undergraduate and postgraduate students. She was instrumental in the development of antimicrobial stewardship modules for an e-learning platform, fusing academic excellence with innovative teaching methods. Over the years, she has held pivotal organizational roles in various workshops, antibiotic awareness, and World AIDS Day programs.

Dr. Anjanna is also a member of international organizations such as the Royal College of Physicians, Ireland, and the International Aids Society. Nationally, she holds the position of committee member of the Malaysian Society of Infection Control & Infectious Diseases (MyICID), underscoring her dedication to infectious diseases in Malaysia.

Her academic accolades include publications in international journals like the Journal of the Int. AIDS Society (JIAS) and presentations at events like the MyHIV Forum and IAS meetings.

Additionally, Dr. Anjanna is a distinguished CHIMERA Fellow, a capacity-building program by the Fogarty International Center and the US NIH's National Institute of Mental Health. Through the CHIMERA Fellowship, she received specialized training in qualitative research focusing on the intersection of HIV and mental health in the Asia-Pacific region. She is also a Cooper HIV/AIDS Research Training (CHART) Fellow with the Kirby Institute UNSW, gaining expertise in quantitative research to strengthen evidence-based HIV care. Through these programs, she is dedicated to conducting meaningful research that informs policy and improves clinical outcomes for women with HIV.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION

  • MRCPI, (Medicine)
    Royal College of Physicians, Ireland
  • Med Surg Obst, (Medicine)
    Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

  • Antibiotic Stewardship Committee Member
    22 Jan 2024 - 21 Jan 2027 (University Malaya)
  • Development of Position Statement on Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs) in Older Adults
    22 Sep 2024 - 30 Nov 2024 (National)
  • Committee Members
    27 Mar 2024 - 30 Sep 2024 (Department)
  • Editor Kes Modul 'Problem-Based Learning (PBL)'
    18 Jan 2024 - 31 May 2024 (Deputy Dean's (Undergraduate) Office, Faculty of Medicine)
  • Committee Members
    20 Jan 2024 - 21 Jan 2024 (Department)

MEMBERSHIPS

  • LIFE MEMBER, ELECTED EXCO MEMBER FOR MYICID, COMMITTEE MEMBER
    Since 2023 (National)
  • COLLEGIATE MEMBERSHIP, MEMBER
    2018 to 2025 (International)

AWARD AND STEWARDSHIP

  • Cooper Hiv and Aids Research Training (Chart) Fellowship
    2024, Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney,  (International)

PUBLICATIONS

Article in Journal
WoS
  1. Ng, Wei Leik; Ng, Chirk Jenn; Teo, Chin Hai; Ang, Tan Fong; Lee, Yew Kong; Hadi, Haireen Abdul; Chiang, De Min; Noor, Mohd Khairi Mohd; Omar, Sharifah Faridah Syed; Ong, Hang Cheng; Wong, Pui Li; Kukreja, Anjanna; Chiew, Thiam Kian; Ong, Sim Ying; Azhar, Abdul Muhaimin Noor (2024). Feasibility and acceptability of a dengue self-monitoring system to reduce treatment delay in Malaysia: A single-centre pilot randomised controlled trial, DIGITAL HEALTH. 10. doi:10.1177/20552076241277710
  2. Rajasuriar, R.; Kukreja, A.; Zulhaimi, N. S.; Loh, C. Y.; Lee, C. S.; Ho, W. Y.; Shaharuddin, S.; Alias, W. M. H. Wan; I-Ching, J.; Hisham, S.; Ahsan, A.; Omar, S. F. Syed; Kamarulzaman, A. (2022). Immunogenicity of the BNT 162b2 mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 variants in people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in Malaysia, JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL AIDS SOCIETY. 25, 166-166
  3. Rajaram, Ruveena; Puvanendran, Nisha; Lee, Wai-Kin; Prasad, Ram; Omar, Sharifah Faridah Syed; Ponnampalavanar, Sasheela; Wong, Pui-Li; Basri, Sazali; Azwa, Raja Iskandar Shah Raja; Sulaiman, Helmi; Kukreja, Anjanna; Ng, Rong-Xiang; Johari, Bushra Megat; Ong, Hang-Cheng; Mahadeva, Sanjiv (2021). COVID-19 and liver dysfunction: Preliminary data from a single centre in Malaysia, JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY. 36, 272-273
  4. Roslan, N. S., Yusoff, M. S. B., Ab Razak, A., Morgan, K., Shauki, N. I. A., Kukreja, A., . . . Bakit, P. (2021). Training Characteristics, Personal Factors and Coping Strategies Associated with Burnout in Junior Doctors: A Multi-Center Study. Healthcare, 9(9), 14. doi: 10.3390/healthcare9091208
  5. Chia, P. Y., Sengupta, S., Kukreja, A., Ponnampalavanar, S. S. L., Ng, O. T., Marimuthu, K. (2020). The role of hospital environment in transmissions of multidrug-resistant gram-negative organisms. Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control, 9(1), 11. doi: 10.1186/s13756-020-0685-1
  6. Li, C. M., Ying, F. J., Raj, D., Li, W. P., Kukreja, A., Omar, S. F. S., . . . Rajasuriar, R. (2020). A retrospective analysis of the care cascades for non-communicable disease and mental health among people living with HIV at a tertiary-care centre in Malaysia: opportunities to identify gaps and optimize care. Journal of the International AIDS Society, 23(11), 6. doi: 10.1002/jia2.25638
  7. Loong, L. S.; Ponnampalavanar, S.; Lai, P. S. M.; Omar, S. F. Syed; Sohail, A.; Wong, P. L.; Ong, H. -C.; Kukreja, A.; Ng, R. X.; Tan, L. T.; Tan, C. H.; Lee, C. E.; Lim, K. Y.; Thursky, K.; James, R. (2020). Antimicrobial prescribing trends and appropriateness in a tertiary teaching hospital in Malaysia, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES. 101, 91-92. doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2020.09.263
  8. Neelamegam, M.; McStea, M.; Kukreja, A.; Malavade, S.; Omar, S. F. Syed; Wong, P. L.; Chong, M. L.; Shaktivel, R.; Cysique, L.; Kamarulzaman, A.; Kamaruzzaman, S. B.; Rajasuriar, R. (2020). HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) in people living with HIV in Malaysia: Results from the malaysian HIV and aging (MHIVA) study, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES. 101, 292-293. doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2020.09.764
  9. Ponnampalavanar, S.; Imtiaz, M. T.; Rasidin, M. Z. Mohamad; Kukreja, A.; Rajandra, A.; Sohail, A.; Velayutham, R.; Hong, W. H. (2020). A pilot study on knowledge, attitude and perception regarding infection control practices among medical and nursing students in a teaching hospital, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES. 101, 330-330. doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2020.09.866
  10. Ponnampalavanar, S.; Kukreja, A.; Amir, A.; Mahmud, R. (2020). First case report of paragonimiasis in a Malaysian man, TROPICAL BIOMEDICINE. 37(1), 24-28
  11. Ahmad, Sherrini Bazir; Cheong, Chin Sum; Lim, Shen-Yang; Rahmat, Kartini; FaizatulIzzaRozalli; Sekaran, Shamala Devi; Sulaiman, Helmi; Ponnam-palavanar, Sasheela; Lim, Kheng Seang; Tan, Chong Tin (2016). Multimodal strategy to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections in the ICU of a tertiary teaching hospital, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES. 101, 321-321. doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2020.09.838
  12. Kho, K. L., Koh, F. X., Singh, H. K. L., Zan, H. A. M., Kukreja, A., Ponnampalavanar, S., Tay, S. T. (2016). Case Report: Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses and Murine Typhus in a Malaysian Teaching Hospital. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 95(4), 765-768.
Scopus
  1. Ng W.L., Ng C.J., Teo C.H., Ang T.F., Lee Y.K., Abdul Hadi H., Chiang D.M., Mohd Noor M.K., Syed Omar S.F., Ong H.C., Wong P.L., Kukreja A., Chiew T.K., Ong S.Y., Noor Azhar A.M. (2024). Feasibility and acceptability of a dengue self-monitoring system to reduce treatment delay in Malaysia: A single-centre pilot randomised controlled trial, Digital Health. 10. doi:10.1177/20552076241277710
  2. Rajaram R.B., Jayaraman T., Khoo X.-H., Saravanaa N., Kukreja A., Johari B.M., Fareeda Muhammad Gowdh N., Lee W.-K., Sooi C.-Y., Basri S., Ng R.-X., Ong H.-C., Wong P.-L., Syed Omar S.F., Mahadeva S. (2024). Liver dysfunction in adults with COVID-19 infection: A longitudinal study with transient elastography evaluation, JGH Open. 8(8). doi:10.1002/jgh3.13118
  3. Kho K.L., Koh F.X., Singh H.K.L., Zan H.A.M., Kukreja A., Ponnampalavanar S., Tay S.T. (2016). Case report: Spotted fever group rickettsioses and murine typhus in a Malaysian teaching hospital, American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 95(4), 765-768. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.16-0199
Chapter in Books
  1. Sulaiman, H., Kukreja, A., & Cheng, O. H. (2024). Protozoan diseases: Cryptosporidiosis, Giardiasis, and other intestinal protozoan diseases. In Elsevier eBooks (pp. 777–803). https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-323-99967-0.00205-2
Article in Proceeding
  1. Kukreja, A., Ponnampalavanar, S., Hamzah, H. C., Saaibon, S., Hashim, A., Yap, M. H., Yip, H.W., Ragunathan, A., Ruslan,S.R. , Sitaram, P.N. & Hasan, M. S. (2020). Multimodal strategy to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections in the ICU of a tertiary teaching hospital. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 101, 321.
  2. Ponnampalavanar, S. S. L. S., Kukreja, A., Basri, S., Goh, S. S. L., Tze, R. C. S., Ong, Y., ... & Kamarulzaman, A. (2023). SG-APSIC1208: Association between severity of COVID-19 pneumonia and vaccination status in a tertiary-care teaching hospital in Malaysia. Antimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology, 3(S1), s2-s2.

RESEARCH PROJECT

National
  1. 2022 - 2024, Allianz Malaysia Berhad
    Assessment of Post-acute COVID Syndrome (PACS) and Serological Response in Confirmed COVID-19 Patients in the University of Malaya Medical Centre ( Co-Researcher)
  2. 2021 - 2023, GRANT FROM DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE (DOM)
    Evaluation of gaps in Cervical Cancer Screening and Prevention among women living with HIV (WLHIV) in a tertiary teaching hospital in Malaysia ( Principal Investigator(PI))
  3. 2021 - 2023, INSTITUTE FOR CLINICAL RESEARCH
    SOLIDARTY TRIAL PLUS ( Co-Researcher)
Private
  1. 2024 - 2027, MERCK SHARP & DOHME (M) SDN. BHD.
    A PHASE 3, RANDOMIZED, ACTIVE-CONTROLLED, DOUBLE-BLIND CLINICAL STUDY TO EVALUATE THE ANTIRETROVIRAL ACTIVITY, SAFETY, AND TOLERABILITY OF DORAVIRINE/ISLATRAVIR (DOR/ISL 100 MG/0.25 MG) ONCE-DAILY IN HIV-1 INFECTED TREATMENT-NA VE PARTICIPANTS ( Co-Researcher)
  2. 2023 - 2025, ASTRAZENECA AB (PUBL)
    A PHASE I/III RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND STUDY TO EVALUATE THE SAFETY AND NEUTRALIZING ACTIVITY OF AZD5156/AZD3152 FOR PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS OF COVID-19 IN PARTICIPANTS WITH CONDITIONS CAUSING IMMUNE IMPAIRMENT ( Co-Researcher)
International
  1. 2024 - 2031, AUSTIN HEALTH
    STUDY ON IMPACT OF PENICILLIN ALLERGY DELABELING PROGRAM IN UNIVERSITY MALAYA MEDICAL CENTRE (UMMC): INTERNATIONAL NETWORK OF ANTIBIOTIC ALLERGY NATIONS (INAAN) ( Co-Researcher)
  2. 2023 - 2025, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY SINGAPORE (NUS)
    EARLY IMPACT THERAPY WITH CEFTAZIDIME-AVIBACTAM VIA RAPID DIAGNOSTICS VERSUS STANDARD OF CARE ANTIBIOTICS AND DIAGNOSTICS IN PATIENTS WITH HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED BLOODSTREAM INFECTION, HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA, OR VENTILATOR-ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA DUE TO PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA OR CARBAPENEMASE PRODUCING ENTEROBACTERALES ( Co-Researcher)
  3. 2024 - 2025, International Funding
    Perform To Protest ( Principal Investigator(PI))
  4. 2020 - 2024, CHINESE UNIVERSITY HONG KONG
    Functional decline and quality of life in people aging with HIV in Asia ( Co-Researcher)
  5. 2022 - 2024, Tan Tock Seng Hospital Pte Ltd
    EARLY ORAL STEP-DOWN ANTIBIOTIC THERAPY VERSUS CONTINUING INTRAVENOUS THERAPY FOR UNCOMPLICATED GRAM-NEGATIVE BACTERAEMIA (THE INVEST TRIAL) ( Co-Researcher)
  6. 2023 - 2024, National University of Singapore
    A Clinically-Oriented Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network for Healthcare-associated infections (ACORN-HAI) ( Co-Researcher)
  7. 2023 - 2023, The Foundation for Aids Research (amfAR)
    FACILITATORS AND BARRIERS TO INTEGRATING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES INTO ROUTINE OUTPATIENT HIV CLINICAL CARE FOR WOMEN LIVING WITH HIV (WLWH) AT THE UNIVERSITY MALAYA MEDICAL CENTRE, MALAYSIA ( Principal Investigator(PI))
  8. 2021 - 2022, THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND
    Investigator Driven Randomized Controlled Trial of Cefiderocol versus Standard Therapy for Healthcare Associated and Hospital Acquired Gram- negative Blood Stream Infection (GAME CHANGER) ( Co-Researcher)

PAPER PRESENTED

INVITED SPEAKER
  1. Prioritizing Research Topics: Cervical Cancer among Women with HIV, TREAT Asia Network Meeting, TREAT Asia (International) (08 Oct 2024 - 08 Oct 2024)
  2. The WoW+ Project: Addressing Holistic Health in Women Living with HIV, DNDi's 20th Anniversary in South-East Asia (SEA) Forum on Gender, Health, and Science R&D, DNDi (International) (27 Feb 2024 - 27 Feb 2024)
ORAL PRESENTER
  1. Facilitators and Barriers to Mental Health Service Integration in Outpatient HIV Care: Insights from Women Living with HIV in Malaysia, Asia-Pacific AIDS & Co-Infections Conference, Virology Education (International) (27 Jun 2024 - 29 Jun 2024)
  2. Gaps in Mental Health Screening and Linkage to Care amongst Women Living with HIV in a Malaysian Tertiary Teaching Hospital, All International epidemiology Databasases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) Meeting, IeDEA (International) (04 Apr 2024 - 05 Apr 2024)
  3. BONE HEALTH IN MALAYSIAN WOMEN LIVING WITH HIV: UNCOVERING THE PORES IN OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENING AND MANAGEMENT IN A HIGH-RISK POPULATION., Malaysian Osteoporosis Society Annual Scientific Meeting, Malaysian Osteoporosis Society (National) (09 Sep 2023 - 10 Sep 2023)
POSTER PRESENTER
  1. Health outcomes among ageing women living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in Malaysia, Asia Pacific AIDS and Co-Infections Conference (APACC) 2024, Virology Education (International) (27 Jun 2024 - 29 Jun 2024)
  2. Mental Health-seeking Behaviour and Literacy among Women Living with HIV: An Exploratory Qualitative Study at a Tertiary Teaching Centre, Asia-Pacific AIDS & Co-Infections Conference (APACC) 2024, Virology Education (International) (27 Jun 2024 - 29 Jun 2024)
  3. Can AI Chatbots Assist Clinicians in Managing HIV-Related Opportunistic Infections? A Comparative Evaluation of Accuracy and Readability of ChatGPT 3.5, Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot., Asia Pacific AIDS and Co-Infections Conference (APACC) 2024, Virology Education (International) (27 Jun 2024 - 29 Jun 2024)
  4. Cognitive Health Matters: Facilitators and Barriers to The Integration of A Multi-Disciplinary Cognitive Rehabilitation Programme for Persons Living with HIV(PWH) in an HIV Clinic in Malaysia: A Pre-Implementation, Qualitative Study., Asia Pacific AIDS and Co-Infections Conference (APACC) 2024, Virology Education (International) (27 Jun 2024 - 29 Jun 2024)
  5. Incidence, predictors and health outcomes associated with cognitive frailty in people ageing with HIV., Asia Pacific AIDS and Co-Infections Conference (APACC) 2024, Virology Education (International) (27 Jun 2024 - 29 Jun 2024)
  6. Integrating cervical cancer screening into outpatient HIV services for Women Living with HIV in a Malaysian Tertiary Teaching Hospital, 12th IAS Conference on HIV Science, International AIDS Society  (International) (23 Jul 2023 - 26 Jul 2023)
  7. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on HPV Infection, Cervical Cancer, and HIV Amongst Women Living With HIV in a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Malaysia, Asia Pacific AIDS & Co-Infection Conference, Virology Education (International) (08 Jun 2023 - 10 Jun 2023)
  8. Gaps in Mental Health Screening and Linkage to Care Amongst Women Living With HIV in a Malaysian Tertiary Teaching Hospital, Asia Pacific AIDS & Co-Infection Conference, Virology Education (International) (08 Jun 2023 - 10 Jun 2023)
  9. Integrating Cervical Cancer Screening Into Outpatient HIV Services for Women Living With HIV in a Malaysian Tertiary Teaching Hospital, Asia Pacific AIDS Co-Infection Conference (APACC), Virology Education  (International) (08 Jun 2023 - 10 Jun 2023)

ACADEMIC/PROF. SERVICES

Evaluation
  1. (2024) Manuscript Review, National, (Reviewer)
  2. (2024) Manuscript Review, National, (Reviewer)
  3. (2024) Chairperson, Assessor for Proposal Defence: Arulvani Rajendra (17029296/2), University, (Internal Assessor)
  4. (2023) Mmedsc Dr. Faiz Mashood. Title: Ecg as a Risk Assessment Score for Scd Prediction in Hfref, University, (Internal Examiner)
Contribution to event
  1. (2025) Scientific Committee Member, International, (Event Organiser)
  2. (2024) Panelist, International, (Panelist/Moderator)
  3. (2024) Organizing Committee, International, (Event Organiser)
  4. (2024) Organising Committee Member - Involved in Scientific Programme, Logistics, Advertising Materials, International, (Event Organiser)
Media appearance
  1. (2024) Health On Traxx (Hot) - Discussion On Aids, National, (Panelist/Moderator)
  2. (2024) Top 5 At 5: Rising Hiv Cases Among Tertiary Students, National, (Interview)
  3. (2024) Bfm Health & Living: What Women Living With Hiv Go Through, National, (Interview)

SUPERVISION

Under Graduate Students
  1. (2023) Prevalence of Menopausal Symptoms and Gaps in Care among Woman Living with HIV

PATENT/IPR

  • The Wellness Of Women Living with HIV Project - The WoW+ Project
    COPYRIGHT
  • Dengue self-monitoring system via mobile application (Dengue Aid)
    COPYRIGHT

COURSE ATTENDED

Internal / External Course
CONFERENCE
  1. ALL IEDEA MEETING IEDEA = INTERNATIONAL EPIDEMIOLOGY DATABASE TO EVALUATE AIDS, Golden Palace Hotel, Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) (03 Apr 2024 - 06 Apr 2024)
  2. TREAT ASIA NETWORK MEETING, Conrad Hotel, Bali Indonesia (06 Oct 2024 - 09 Oct 2024)