I'm a Senior Lecturer at the English Language Department, Faculty of Languages and Linguistics. After more than two decades of working in language, communication and skills development, I joined UM in 2019 to contribute to progressing the field of health(care) discourse in Malaysia and beyond. In my current role, I teach languages and linguistics courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level, while supervising and conducting research. Research Focus - Improving Health & Wellbeing by Applying a Discursive ToolkitI study matters related to language, health(care) and wellbeing, applying qualitative and discursive perspectives to address problems and inform practice in provider-patient interaction, health education and other related topics. I am particularly interested in analysis of real-life interaction, to answer questions on how people "do things" with language in health-related contexts. For example, how do doctors and patients collaboratively make decisions about treatment, manage chronic health conditions, and discuss concerns by interacting with each other in person or online? I'm also interested in communication in healthcare education, interprofessional discourse and patient education, alongside how people express and make meaning of health-related issues via their talk and stories. My current funded  projects include studies on professional socialisation of house officers (FRGS), patient experience of gum disease (IIRG, UM). Expertise -Enhancing Language and Communication in Diverse SettingsBeyond my research and academic duties, I help enhance language and communication in academic and professional settings, applying a diverse knowledge and skillset composed over 25 years of experience. Before joining academia, I was engaged in various positions mostly as a consultant/independent contractor, including as a language/content service provider for over 15 years and as a language/communication skills instructor for over 17 years. In these roles, I provided language consulting services and skills training for corporate and individual clients in Malaysia and internationally. I have a CELTA qualification and am a HRDF certified trainer. My work history is available at https://my.linkedin.com/in/ayeshah-syed-0468293 Professional Activities and LeadershipAt UM, I have been actively involved in advancement of research and academic practices. From 2022-2024, I led the research portfolio at the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics as the Deputy Dean of Research and Innovation, with other appointments including as the Protem-Deputy Head of the Medical Devices Centre of Excellence, UM and Taskforce member for UM's Programme Educational goals. Outside the university, I  am involved in professional associations related to languages and linguistics and social advancement, including Persatuan Bahasa Moden Malaysia (President, 2022-2024, Vice President-2024 - 2026, Exco member since 2013) and the citizens' movement organisation, the Association of Voices of Peace, Conscience and Reason (Exco member - since 2016, Treasurer-2025-present).Research Collaboration and Supervision Opportunities I welcome potential collaborations aligned with my expertise and also enjoy connecting with other researchers to learn about their work, gain insight into new contexts, fields and perspectives and explore how I might contribute to their research activities.  In terms of postgraduate supervision, I supervise projects that apply discursive approaches to address problems in health-related contexts, focusing on interaction. Note to potential supervisees: I have limited availability for 2025-2026 due to a heavy supervision load. 

In 2017,  after completing my PhD at The University of Sydney, I joined the Pharmacology Department, Universiti Malaya as a senior lecturer. My research interest is in groups of molecules secreted during cellular stress, injury, and inflammation called damage-associated molecular pattern molecules (DAMPs). They have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases and cancer. My aim is to better understand their secretory pathway(s) and the mechanism(s) by which they contribute to cancer development and progression, especially in colorectal cancer. I hope that with more profound knowledge in these areas, more future studies will be conducted, paving the way for discovering novel pathways that can be targeted to combat cancer.  In addition to my interest in inflammation and cancer research, I am also passionate about teaching.  I am involved in teaching Pharmacology subjects for various Bachelor degree courses including Dentistry, Nursing, Medicine, and Biomedical Science. I am also the coordinator of Biomedical Science in the Pharmacology department. 

  Dr. Ina Ismiarti Shariffuddin is a Professor and Senior Consultant in Anaesthesiology at the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia. She earned her MBChB from the University of Dundee, Scotland, followed by a Master of Anaesthesiology and a Master in Medical Education (Distinction) from Universiti Malaya. She completed a paediatric anaesthesia fellowship at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, and trained in paediatric liver transplantation at Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China. Beyond paediatric anaesthesia, Dr. Ina is a passionate advocate for perioperative patient blood management, advanced airway techniques, and sustainable anaesthesia practices. She actively drives innovation, improves patient outcomes, and advances the field through clinical research, education, and global collaborations. As Chief Editor of the Malaysian Journal of Anaesthesiology, she plays a key role in shaping academic discourse. Dr. Ina has held esteemed leadership roles, including President of the Malaysian College of Anaesthesiologists, the Malaysian Society of Anaesthesiologists, and the Malaysian Society of Paediatric Anaesthesiologists. She serves on the Executive Committee of the Asian Society of Paediatric Anaesthesiologists and was appointed by the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA) to develop its inaugural Leadership Module, highlighting her global recognition. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she played a pivotal role in maintaining high standards of patient care and safety as Head of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre. Her contributions to medical education have been widely recognised, with her pioneering work in integrating Basic Life Support training for Malaysian youth earning prestigious awards, including the “Ronald Harden Innovation in Medical Education Award (2024)” and the “Rogayah Jaafar Award for Innovation in Health Professions Education (2024)”. Dr. Ina’s dedication to innovation is reflected in two patents and one copyright in Anaesthesia and Critical Care, translating clinical insights into practical solutions that enhance patient safety and efficiency. Her current work focuses on advancing medical education, environmental sustainability in healthcare, and patient blood management in anaesthesia. Professor Dr. Ina Ismiarti Shariffuddin is a Professor and Senior Consultant Anaesthesiologist at the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya. She earned her MBChB from the University of Dundee, followed by a Master of Anaesthesiology and a Master in Medical Education (Distinction) from Universiti Malaya. She completed fellowship training in paediatric anaesthesia in Singapore and advanced training in paediatric liver transplantation in China. Dr Ina is passionate about perioperative patient blood management, advanced airway techniques, and sustainability in anaesthesia. As Chief Editor of the Malaysian Journal of Anaesthesiology, she promotes academic excellence and clinical innovation. She has led numerous national organisations, including as President of the Malaysian College of Anaesthesiologists, President of the Malaysian Society of Anaesthesiologists, and President of the Malaysian Society of Paediatric Anaesthesiologists. She currently serves as President of the College of Anaesthesiologists, Academy of Medicine of Malaysia. Internationally, she sits on the Executive Committee of the Asian Society of Paediatric Anaesthesiologists and contributed to the WFSA’s inaugural Leadership Module. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she led as Head of Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care at UMMC. Her award-winning innovations, patents, and global collaborations reflect her enduring commitment to education, sustainability, and leadership in anaesthesia.