Curriculum Vitae

DR. TIONG VUNJIA

Senior Lecturer
  • Department of Biomedical Science
    Faculty of Medicine

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • VIROLOGY
    Epidemiology
  • BIORISK MANAGEMENT
    Biosafety, Biosecurity, High Containment Labs [Training, Research]
  • VIROLOGY
    High-risk pathogens, Arthropod-borne viruses,

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION

  • PhD (Molecular Virology), (Molecular Virology)
    Universiti Malaya (UM)
  • MSC - BIOTECHNOLOGY, (Biotechnology)
    Universiti Malaya (UM)
  • BSC - BIOTECHNOLOGY, (Biotechnology)
    Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar)

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

  • Committee Members
    04 Aug 2023 - 04 Aug 2025 (University Malaya)
  • Committee Members
    01 Sep 2023 - 31 Aug 2024 (University Malaya)
  • Deputy Technical Manager
    08 Nov 2021 - present (National)
  • Task Force Member
    01 Mar 2022 - 31 Dec 2023 (Faculty)
  • Task Force Member
    01 Apr 2022 - 31 Dec 2023 (Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre, Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre)
  • Task Force Member
    04 Jul 2023 - 04 Jul 2023 (Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre, Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre)
  • Task Force Member
    19 Jun 2023 - 19 Jun 2023 (Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre, Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre)
  • Task Force Member
    05 Dec 2022 - 09 Dec 2022 (Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre, Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre)
  • Task Force Leader
    15 Nov 2022 - 15 Nov 2022 (Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre, Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre)
  • Task Force Member
    02 Sep 2022 - 02 Sep 2022 (Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre, Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre)

MEMBERSHIPS

  • MALAYSIAN BIOSAFETY AND BIOSECURITY ASSOCIATION, MEMBER
    Since 2023 (National)
  • CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL, MEMBER
    2022 to present (International)

AWARD AND STEWARDSHIP

  • Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Professional Development Award
    International Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID), 2022 (International)
  • Second prize award for poster presentation
    Colloquium on Updates on Dengue and Arbovirus Research in Malaysia, 2010 (National)

PUBLICATIONS

Article in Journal
WoS
  1. Johari, Jefree; Hontz, Robert. D. D.; Pike, Brian. L. L.; Husain, Tupur; Rusli, Norhayati; Mohd-Zain, Rozainanee; Tiong, Vunjia; Lee, Hai-Yen; Teoh, Boon-Teong; Sam, Sing-Sin; Khor, Chee-Sieng; Loong, Shih-Keng; Abd-Jamil, Juraina; Nor'e, Siti-Sarah; Yahaya, Hasmawati; Che-Kamaruddin, Naim; Garcia-Rivera, Jose. A. A.; AbuBakar, Sazaly (2023). MERS-CoV seroconversion amongst Malaysian Hajj pilgrims returning from the Middle East, 2016-2018: results from the MERCURIAL multiyear prospective cohort study, EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS. 12(1). doi:10.1080/22221751.2023.2208678
  2. Low, Zhaoxuan; Lani, Rafidah; Tiong, Vunjia; Poh, Chitlaa; AbuBakar, Sazaly; Hassandarvish, Pouya (2023). COVID-19 Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products, INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES. 24(11). doi:10.3390/ijms24119589
  3. Johari, J., Hontz, R. D., Pike, B. L., Husain, T., Chong, C. K., Rusli, N., . . . AbuBakar, S. (2021). Multiyear prospective cohort study to evaluate the risk potential of MERS-CoV infection among Malaysian Hajj pilgrims (MERCURIAL): a study protocol. BMJ Open, 11(8), 6. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050901
  4. Tan, K. K., Tiong, V., Tan, J. Y., Wong, J. E., Teoh, B. T., Abd-Jamil, J., . . . AbuBakar, S. (2021). Multiplex sequencing of SARS-Cov-2 genome directly from clinical samples using the Ion Personal Genome Machine (PGM). Tropical Biomedicine, 38(3), 283-288. doi: 10.47665/tb.38.3.069
  5. Tan, Kim-Kee; Tan, Jia-Yi; Wong, Jo-Ern; Teoh, Boon-Teong; Tiong, Vunjia; Abd-Jamil, Juraina; Nor'e, Siti-Sarah; Khor, Chee-Sieng; Johari, Jefree; Yaacob, Che-Norainon; Zulkifli, Mulya-Mustika-Sari; CheMatSeri, AsmaAnati; Mahfodz, Nur-Hidayana; Azizan, Noor Syahida; AbuBakar, Sazaly (2021). Emergence of B.1.524(G) SARS-CoV-2 in Malaysia during the third COVID-19 epidemic wave, SCIENTIFIC REPORTS. 11(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-021-01223-4
  6. Tiong, V., Hassandarvish, P., Abu Bakar, S., Mohamed, N. A., Sulaiman, W. S. W., Baharom, N., . . . Isahak, I. (2021). The effectiveness of various gargle formulations and salt water against SARS-CoV-2. Scientific reports, 11(1), 7. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-99866-w
  7. Tiong, V., Loong, S. K., Wali, H. A. M., Tan, K. K., Jee, P. F., Lim, F. S., . . . Abubakar, S. (2021). Isolation of Streptococcus cuniculi from corneal lesion in laboratory-raised mice. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, 83(2), 280-284. doi: 10.1292/jvms.20-0070
  8. Hassandarvish, Pouya; Tiong, Vunjia; Mohamed, Nurul Azmawati; Arumugam, Harsha; Ananthanarayanan, Abhishek; Qasuri, Murtaza; Hadjiat, Yacine; Abubakar, Sazaly (2020). In vitro virucidal activity of povidone iodine gargle and mouthwash against SARS-CoV-2: implications for dental practice, BRITISH DENTAL JOURNAL. . doi:10.1038/s41415-020-2402-0
  9. Jee, Pui-Fong; Tiong, Vunjia; Shu, Meng-Hool; Khoo, Jing-Jing; Wong, Won Fen; Rahim, Raha Abdul; AbuBakar, Sazaly; Chang, Li-Yen (2017). Oral immunization of a non-recombinant Lactococcus lactis surface displaying influenza hemagglutinin 1 (HA1) induces mucosal immunity in mice, PLOS ONE. 12(11). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0187718
Scopus
  1. Johari, J., Hontz, R. D., Pike, B. L., Husain, T., Chong, C. K., Rusli, N., . . . Abubakar, S. (2021). Multiyear prospective cohort study to evaluate the risk potential of MERS-CoV infection among Malaysian Hajj pilgrims (MERCURIAL): A study protocol. Bmj Open, 11(8). doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050901
  2. Khor C.-S., Tsuji R., Lee H.-Y., Nor'e S.-S., Sahimin N., Azman A.-S., Tiong V., Hasandarvish P., Teoh B.-T., Soh Y.-H., Chai J.-H., Kokubo T., Kanauchi O., Yamamoto N., Abubakar S. (2021). Lactococcus lactis strain plasma intake suppresses the incidence of dengue fever-like symptoms in healthy malaysians: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, Nutrients. 13(12). doi:10.3390/nu13124507
  3. Tan, K. K., Tan, J. Y., Wong, J. E., Teoh, B. T., Tiong, V., Abd-Jamil, J., . . . AbuBakar, S. (2021). Emergence of B.1.524(G) SARS-CoV-2 in Malaysia during the third COVID-19 epidemic wave. Scientific Reports, 11(1). doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-01223-4
  4. Tan, K. K., Tiong, V., Tan, J. Y., Wong, J. E., Teoh, B. T., Abd-Jamil, J., . . . Abubakar, S. (2021). Multiplex sequencing of sars-cov-2 genome directly from clinical samples using the ion personal genome machine (Pgm). Tropical Biomedicine, 38(3), 283-288. doi: 10.47665/tb.38.3.069
  5. Tiong, V., Loong, S. K., Mohamad Wali, H. A., Tan, K. K., Jee, P. F., Lim, F. S., . . . Abubakar, S. (2021). Isolation of streptococcus cuniculi from corneal lesion in laboratory-raised mice. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, 83(2), 280-284. doi: 10.1292/jvms.20-0070
Others
  1. Johari J, Hontz RD, Pike BL, Husain T, Rusli N, Mohd-Zain R, Tiong V, Lee HY, Teoh BT, Sam SS, Khor CS, Loong SK, Abd-Jamil J, Nor'e SS, Yahaya H, Che-Kamaruddin N, Garcia-Rivera A, AbuBakar S. (2023). MERS-CoV Seroconversion amongst Malaysian Hajj Pilgrims Returning from the Middle East, 2016-2018: Results from the MERCURIAL Multiyear Prospective Cohort Study, Emerging Microbes & Infections. 12(1), 2208678.
  2. Hassandarvish, P., Tiong, V., Sazaly, A. B., Mohamed, N. A., Arumugam, H., Ananthanarayanan, A., Qasuri, M. Hadjiat, Y. (2020). Povidone iodine gargle and mouthwash. British Dental Journal, 228(12), 900
  3. P Hassandarvish, V Tiong, NA Mohamed, H Arumugam, A Ananthanarayanan, M Qasuri, Y Hadjiat, and S Abubakar. (2020). In-vitro Virucidal Activity of Povidone Iodine Gargle and Mouthwash against SARS-CoV-2: Implications for Dental Practice. British Dental Journal. doi: 10.1038/s41415-020-2402-0 [Epub ahead of print].
  4. Tiong V, Shu MH, Wong WF, AbuBakar S, Chang LY. (2018). Nipah Virus Infection of Immature Dendritic Cells Increases Its Transendothelial Migration Across Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells. Frontiers in Microbiology, 13(9), 2747
  5. Tiong V, Lam CW, Phoon WH, AbuBakar S, Chang LY. (2017). Serum from Nipah Virus Patients Recognises Recombinant Viral Proteins Produced in Escherichia coli. Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases, 70(1), 26-31
  6. Tiong, V., J. Abd-Jamil, H. A. Mohamed Zan, R. S. Abu-Bakar, C. L. Ew, F. L. Jafar, S. Nellis, R. Fauzi, and S. AbuBakar (2015). Evaluation of land cover and prevalence of dengue in Malaysia. Tropical Biomedicine, 32(4), 587-597.
  7. Teoh BT, Sam SS, Tan KK, Danlami MB, Johari J, Shu MH, Pang SP, Nor-Amdan NA, Hashim SH, Tiong V, Abd-Jamil J, MatRahim N, Misbah S, Wong PF, Zandi K, Mahadi NM, Abubakar S. (2012). Purifying selection in the evolution of dengue virus type 1 in Malaysia. International Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2012 Jun;16(S1):e273
  8. Tiong V, Thong KL, Yusof MY, Hanifah YA, Sam JI, Hassan H. (2010). Macrorestriction analysis and antimicrobial susceptibility profiling of Salmonella enterica at a University Teaching Hospital, Kuala Lumpur. Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases, 63(5), 317-322
Article in Proceeding
  1. Tiong V, Abubakar S. (2022) Laboratory preparedness and response to the COVID-19 pandemic: challenges and lessons learnt, 7th International Symposium for Cooperation on Infectious Diseases, 18-20 May 2022, South Korea,
  2. Tiong VJ, Shu MH, Abd Rahman H, Wong WF, AbuBakar S, Chang LY. Role of immature dendritic cells in the dissemination of Nipah virus. Abstract submitted to 10th Leiden International Medical Students Conference, Leiden, Netherlands, 2017, p. 208
  3. Jee PF, Chen FS, Shu MH, Tiong V, Khoo JJ, Wong WF, Raha AR, AbuBakar S, Chang LY. (2016). Surface display of the HA1 on Lactococcus lactis: A potential candidate vaccine against influenza. 5th Asian Federation of Societies for Lactic Acid Bacteria International Symposium, Taipei, Taiwan, p. 36
  4. Tiong V, AbuBakar S, Chang LY. Escherichia coli-expressed recombinant Nipah virus attachment protein maintains its immunogenicity. (2013). Proceedings of the International Congress of the Malaysian Society for Microbiology, Langkawi, Malaysia, p. 605-606
  5. Tiong V, AbuBakar S, Chang LY. (2012). Permissiveness and survivability studies of Nipah virus infection of human monocytic THP-1 cells suggest a role in virus spread. Proceedings for 31st Symposium of the Malaysian Society for Microbiology, Sabah, Malaysia, p. 204
  6. Tiong V, Lam CW, Ooi HW, Phoon WH, Lew MH, AbuBakar S, Chang LY. (2011). Production of recombinant Nipah virus proteins and its application in diagnosis of a relapse case of Nipah virus infection. Proceedings of the International Congress of the Malaysian Society for Microbiology, Penang, Malaysia, p. 331
  7. Tiong V, Jafar FL, Ramasame SD, Ew CL, Abd-Jamil J et al.. (2010). Influence of land cover on prevalence of dengue infection in children in Malaysia. Colloquium on Updates on Dengue and Arbovirus Research in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

RESEARCH PROJECT

National
  1. 2023 - 2026, Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS)
    Elucidating The Protective Potential Of A Human Leukocyte Antigen-based Peptide Cocktail Against Sars-cov-2 ( Co-Researcher)
  2. 2021 - 2025, Others MOHE
    Characterization, Safety Profile And Immune Responses Of Candidate Vaccines Against The Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii (mdrvaks) ( Co-Researcher)
  3. 2021 - 2025, MOSTI-Funding
    Development Of Vaccines Using Mrna Technology Targeting Neglected Tropical Disease (devarna) ( Co-Researcher)
  4. 2021 - 2025, Others MOHE
    Dana Rangsangan Sukuk Pakej Ekonomi Prihatin Rakyat (sukuk Prihatin) - Dana Penyelidikan Berkaitan Penyakit Berjangkit Merangkumi Pembangunan Vaksin Serta Kajian Rawatan Dan Diagnostik ( Co-Researcher)
  5. 2023 - 2025, Others MOHE
    Antiviral Therapeutics Screening Platforms ( Co-Researcher)
  6. 2023 - 2025, Others MOHE
    Establishing An Aerobiology Laboratory For The Study Of Airborne Pathogens And Effective Air Decontamination Strategies ( Principal Investigator(PI))
  7. 2021 - 2024, MOSTI-Funding
    Susceptibility Of Recovered Covid-19 Patients And Covid-19 Vaccinated Individuals To Severe Manifestation Of Covid-19: Genetic Predisposition, Cross-reactive Immunity, And Antibody-dependent Enhancement (long Term Outcomes And Genetics: Longtong) ( Co-Researcher)
  8. 2019 - 2023, RU Geran
    Tidrec- Tropical Infections Disease Programme ( Co-Researcher)
  9. 2020 - 2023, RU Geran
    Tidrec-tropical Infections Disease Programme ( Co-Researcher)
  10. 2021 - 2023, Government Agency
    Pilot Project: Development Of Modular Mucosal Vaccine Platform Using Generally Regarded As Safe (gras) Bacteria Against Covid19 (cv07201e1004) ( Co-Researcher)
  11. 2020 - 2021, USAID
    Enhancing MyOHUN OneHealth Workforce Capability In Laboratory Detection of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) ( Co-Researcher)
International
  1. 2023 - 2023, International Funding
    Enhancing Cybersecurity And Developing a Sustainable Culture of Good Cyber Hygiene for High Containment Laboratory at TIDREC University Malaya ( Principal Investigator(PI))

CONSULTANCY PROJECT

  • Evaluation of Vtm in Inactivating and Preserving Sars-Cov-2, ADT Biotech Sdn Bhd, Project Leader/Lead Consultant
    01 Nov 2022 - 31 May 2023 (National)
  • Airborne Virus Removal of An Air Purifier Against Sars-Cov-2, Daikin Malaysia, Project Leader/Lead Consultant
    01 Apr 2022 - 01 Apr 2023 (National)
  • Services to Evaluate Antiviral Substance (2020-2022), Local and international companies, Consultant
    01 Jan 2020 - 31 Dec 2022 (National)
  • Virucidal Activity of Cupper Nano Particles Surface Coating Disinfectant Against Sars-Cov-2, Ecoat Nanion Sdn Bhd, Project Leader/Lead Consultant
    13 Aug 2021 - 10 Jan 2022 (National)

PAPER PRESENTED

PLENARY SPEAKER
  1. Fostering a culture of safety for laboratory preparedness challenges and lessons from a resource-limited setting, 2nd Malaysian Conference on Biosafety and Biosecurity 2023, MBBA (National) (21 Jun 2023 - 22 Jun 2023)
INVITED SPEAKER
  1. Pandemic Preparedness: Lessons from COVID-19, 4th SEMINAR ON BIOLOGICAL SECURITY AND SUSTAINABILITY (BIOSES 2022), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (International) (22 Jun 2022 - 22 Jun 2022)
  2. Laboratory preparedness and response to the COVID-19 pandemic: challenges and lessons learnt, 7th International Symposium for Cooperation on Infectious Diseases, c3BIRD, INID-K, TIDCL, KOICID, GLOPID-R (International) (18 May 2022 - 20 May 2022)
  3. Recollection of Nipah virus outbreak: 20 years after, a photo/video exhibition, Nipah Virus International Conference, Duke-NUS Medical School (International) (09 Dec 2019 - 13 Dec 2019)
POSTER PRESENTER
  1. Low concentration ozone for surface disinfection against SARS-CoV-2 and feline coronavirus, International Congress for Infectious Diseases, International Society for Infectious Diseases (International) (17 Nov 2022 - 20 Nov 2022)
  2. Influence of land cover on prevalence of dengue infection in children in Malaysia, Colloquium on Updates on Dengue and Arbovirus Research in Malaysia, Universiti Malaya (National) (12 Apr 2010 - 13 Apr 2010)
PRESENTER
  1. Surface display of the HA1 on Lactococcus lactis: A potential candidate vaccine against influenza, 5th Asian Federation of Societies for Lactic Acid Bacteria International Symposium (28 Nov 2016)
  2. Escherichia coli-expressed recombinant Nipah virus attachment protein maintains its immunogenicity, International Congress of the Malaysian Society for Microbiology (12 Dec 2013)
  3. Permissiveness and survivability studies of Nipah virus infection of human monocytic THP-1 cells suggest a role in virus spread, 31st Symposium of the Malaysian Society for Microbiology (13 Dec 2012)
  4. Production of recombinant Nipah virus proteins and its application in diagnosis of a relapse case of Nipah virus infection, International Congress of the Malaysian Society for Microbiology (08 Dec 2011)

ACADEMIC/PROF. SERVICES

Contribution to external organisation
  1. (2019) Biosafety & Biosecurity Training (In-House), TIDREC
  2. (2013) Asia-Pacific Biosafety Association 8th Annual Biosafety Conference, Asia-Pacific Biosafety Association
  3. (2010) Colloquium on Updates on Dengue and Arbovirus Research in Malaysia, TIDREC

SUPERVISION

Postgraduate Student
  1. (2023) The study on antiviral infectious effects of LC-plasma on healthy Malaysia citizens and its immune mechanism (Ex. Vivo), ZHAO XUAN LOW
  2. (2023) Investigation of Immune Responses Induced by GRAS Bacteria Spores-displayed Antigens against SARS-CoV-2: The Potential Importance of the Mucosal Immunity, NURUL ATIQAH NOR HAZAN
  3. (2023) ELUCIDATING NIPAH VIRUS EPITOPES THROUGH IMMUNOINFORMATICS AND EX VIVO VALIDATION, TAN XUE LI
  4. (2023) ANTIBODY-DEPENDENT ENHANCEMENT OF SARS-COV-2 AND MERS-COV INFECTIONS BY ANTI-SARS-COV-2 ANTIBODY, MOHD SUHAIMI BIN DRAMAN
  5. (2023) ESTIMATING THE RISK OF EXPOSURE TO MIDDLE EAST RESPIRATORY SYNDROME CORONAVIRUS (MERS-COV) INFECTION AMONG MALAYSIAN HAJJ PILGRIMS, MOHD ISKANDAR JEFREE BIN JOHARI
  6. (2023) IDENTIFICATION AND FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF NIPAH VIRUS B-CELL EPITOPES, TING LI JIE

COURSE ATTENDED

Internal / External Course
INTERNAL COURSE- ORGANIZED BY PTJ
  1. TIDREC RESEARCH PROGRAM RETREAT 2022, Online (18 Feb 2022 - 20 Feb 2022)
  2. EMERALD TEACHING AND LEARNING 2022, Online (08 Aug 2022 - 12 Aug 2022)
  3. FRAGMENT ANALYZER 5300 USER REFRESHER TRAINING, Whocc,Hir (04 Apr 2023 - 04 Apr 2023)
  4. TICK CELL CULTURE TRAINING, Makmal Tcb, TIDREC,Hir (05 Apr 2023 - 06 Apr 2023)
  5. UM EARLY RESEARCHER ADVANCEMENT PROGRAMME (UMERAP), Hotel Ve (09 Jun 2023 - 11 Jun 2023)
  6. CYBERSECURITY TRAINING AWARENESS TRAINING FOR LIFE SCIENCE RESEARCHERS, Seminar Room, Level 1, High Impact Research Building (20 Nov 2023 - 20 Nov 2023)
  7. CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS TRAINING, Online (21 Nov 2023 - 21 Nov 2023)
EXTERNAL COURSE
  1. ONE HEALTH BIORISK MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP: MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA , FEBRUARY 4TH-8TH 2022, Jw Marriott Hotel, Kuala Lumpur (04 Feb 2022 - 08 Feb 2022)
  2. ONE HEALTH FIELD EPIDEMIOLOGY TRAINING , Bangi Resort Hotel (09 May 2022 - 12 May 2022)
  3. INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF BIOSAFETY ASSOCIATION (IFBA) TRAINING CERTIFICATION PROGRAM IN BIORISK MANAGEMENT FOR MALAYSIAN BIORISK MANAGEMENT ADVISORS, Kuala Lumpur, Venue to Be Confirmed (23 Mar 2022 - 27 Mar 2022)
  4. AVIAN INFLUENZA SIMULATION EXERCISE, Kingwood Hotel, Sibu, Sarawak (26 Jul 2022 - 28 Jul 2022)
  5. INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCE SHIPPING COURSE, Putrajaya (05 Jul 2022 - 06 Jul 2022)
  6. AN INTRODUCTION TO CYBER RISK MANAGEMENT IN HIGH CONTAINMENT LABORATORIES , Centara Grand Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand (30 Jan 2023 - 31 Jan 2023)