Associate Professor Dr. Cindy Teh Shuan Ju is an internationally recognised microbiologist, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) researcher, entrepreneur, and IFBA-certified Biorisk Management Professional at the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya. Her expertise spans microbial genomics, molecular microbiology, hospital epidemiology, microbiome research, biosafety, and biosecurity. Through interdisciplinary and translational research, she integrates cutting-edge genomic technologies, molecular diagnostics, and implementation science to address global challenges in antimicrobial resistance, emerging infectious diseases, and laboratory biosafety.

Dr. Teh is an established international research leader whose work has attracted substantial global investment, with approximately 70% of her competitive research funding supported by international agencies and collaborators. She has successfully secured more than RM11 million in competitive research funding and published over 140 peer-reviewed scientific papers in leading international journals. Her research has significantly advanced the understanding of antimicrobial resistance, pathogen evolution, host–microbe interactions, rapid diagnostic technologies, and infection prevention, contributing to improved infectious disease surveillance, patient management, and public health.

As Principal Investigator, Dr. Teh leads multinational and multicentre research programmes involving universities, hospitals, public health institutions, and industry partners globally. She has successfully coordinated international collaborations on antimicrobial resistance surveillance, pathogen genomics, microbiome research, One Health initiatives, and healthcare-associated infections, bringing together multidisciplinary teams to harmonise research methodologies, integrate genomic and clinical data, and translate scientific discoveries into healthcare practice and policy.

Recognising that combating antimicrobial resistance requires more than technological innovation, Dr. Teh also investigates the behavioural and psychosocial factors that influence infection prevention practices among healthcare professionals. Her implementation research examines healthcare workers' compliance with hand hygiene and other infection prevention measures, generating evidence that informs behavioural interventions and strengthens antimicrobial stewardship and patient safety programmes.

An advocate for research translation and innovation, Dr. Teh is the Founder of Aptanova, a biotechnology startup established to combat antimicrobial resistance and strengthen infection prevention through cutting-edge aptamer technology. Aptanova develops next-generation diagnostic and infection control solutions for the rapid detection of multidrug-resistant pathogens and precision microbial detection. Through this venture, she is translating academic discoveries into commercially viable technologies that have the potential to transform clinical diagnostics, antimicrobial stewardship, and global infection control.

Beyond research, Dr. Teh is internationally recognised for her leadership in biosafety, biosecurity, and laboratory biorisk management. As an IFBA-certified Biorisk Management Professional and global trainer in biosafety and biosecurity, she has led numerous regional and international capacity-building programmes, equipping researchers, healthcare professionals, laboratory personnel, and policymakers with best practices in biosafety, biosecurity, and biorisk management. Her contributions have strengthened laboratory systems and workforce capacity in support of global health security and One Health initiatives.

Dr. Teh currently serves as Chairperson of the Institutional Biosafety and Biosecurity Committee (IBBC) at Universiti Malaya, where she provides strategic oversight for institutional biosafety governance and regulatory compliance. She also serves on Malaysia's National Committee for the Implementation of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), contributing to national strategies and policies on biosafety, biosecurity, and biological threat preparedness. Through the Malaysia One Health University Network (MyOHUN), she has developed biosafety training curricula and delivered professional training programmes that have strengthened biosafety and biosecurity capacity across the region.

Her international standing extends beyond research. Dr. Teh has been invited to moderate expert discussions on antimicrobial resistance at international seminars organised by the European Union, facilitating dialogue among scientists, clinicians, public health experts, and policymakers on global strategies to combat AMR. She is widely recognised as a global trainer and scientific leader who fosters international partnerships between academia, healthcare, government agencies, and industry to accelerate innovation and strengthen preparedness against emerging infectious disease threats.

Committed to ensuring that scientific knowledge benefits society, Dr. Teh actively champions public engagement and science communication. She leads educational outreach programmes that introduce schoolchildren to the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance, inspiring the next generation to become informed advocates for responsible antimicrobial use. To further enhance public awareness, she authored the AMR Diary in 2023, translating complex scientific concepts into accessible educational resources for the wider community. These initiatives reflect her commitment to bridging science, education, and society while fostering a culture of responsible antimicrobial stewardship.

As coordinato of the Infra Microbiology Unit at Universiti Malaya, Dr. Teh provides strategic leadership in microbiological diagnostics, translational research, laboratory quality management, and specialised testing services. Under her leadership, the unit has expanded its research capabilities, strengthened international collaborations, and established itself as a trusted regional centre for microbiological research, antimicrobial resistance surveillance, and professional training.

Dr. Teh's scientific excellence and leadership have been recognised through prestigious awards, including the L'Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science Young Talent Fellowship (Malaysia) and the MSIDC–Institut Mérieux Young Researcher Award. She is an active member of the Young Scientists Network–Academy of Sciences Malaysia (YSN-ASM) and serves as an Academic Editor for PeerJ, contributing to the advancement of international scientific scholarship and research excellence.

A dedicated mentor and academic leader, Dr. Teh has successfully supervised 9 PhD and 18 Master's graduates while mentoring numerous early-career researchers and clinician-scientists. Through her internationally recognised leadership in research, innovation, biosafety, entrepreneurship, implementation science, and public engagement, she continues to shape the global response to antimicrobial resistance by advancing collaborative science, developing transformative diagnostic technologies, strengthening laboratory systems, influencing behavioural change, and translating research into meaningful health and societal impact.