Curriculum Vitae

DR. NISHAKANTHI A/P GOPALAN

Senior Lecturer
  • Dean Office
    Faculty of Medicine

BIOGRAPHY

Dr Nishakanthi Gopalan is a Senior Lecturer at the Medical Humanities and Ethics Unit (MedHEU), a newly established unit within the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya (UM). She is a biotechnologist by training with a PhD in research ethics and policy implication particularly looking at stem cell technology. During this time, she published her key findings in several reputable high-impact bioethics journals.

Dr Nisha is the former programme coordinator of the Master of Health Research Ethics (MOHRE), a programme developed in collaboration with the Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University (JHU). Besides teaching in MOHRE, she also provides ethics lectures in other programmes in the faculty. Dr Nisha also contributes as an external member of the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) Medical Research Ethics Committee. She is one of the instructors for the Introduction to Health Research Ethics, an online course in FutureLearn. She also facilitates the APRU Health Research Ethics course. Dr Nisha’s research interest includes different aspects of ethics such as bioethics, research and clinical ethics on diverse topics ranging from emerging technologies, health research, and aesthetic medicine. Currently, she is working on the Fogarty-NIH bioethics training grant with Johns Hopkins as well as on the ethics of genetic testing among Parkinson’s patients. 

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • APPLIED PHILOSOPHY
  • RESEARCH ETHICS
  • BIOETHICS & REGULATORY POLICY
  • CLINICAL ETHICS
  • ETHICS
  • ETHICAL THEORY

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION

  • PHD BIOETHICS & REGULATORY POLICY, (Bioethics & Regulatory Policy)
    Universiti Malaya (UM)
  • MSC (BIOTECHNOLOGY), (Biotechnology)
    Universiti Malaya (UM)
  • BSC (HONS)(BIOTECHNOLOGY), (Biotechnology)
    Universiti Malaya (UM)

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

  • Task force to integrate medical humanities and ethics syllabus into UMMP Programme
    21 Dec 2022 - 31 Dec 2024 (Dean Office, Faculty of Medicine)
  • Task Force Member
    03 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2024 (University Malaya)
  • Programme Coordinator
    17 Oct 2022 - 28 Jun 2024 (Dean Office, Faculty of Medicine)
  • Member of Research Integrity & Ethics Unit (RIEU)
    01 Apr 2021 - present (Dean Office, Faculty of Medicine)
  • Medical Humanities and Ethics (MedHEU)
    07 Jun 2021 - present (Dean Office, Faculty of Medicine)
  • Course Coordinator
    03 Oct 2022 - 27 Oct 2023 (Dean Office, Faculty of Medicine)
  • 18 Oct 2021 - 20 Oct 2023 (Dean Office, Faculty of Medicine)
  • 18 Oct 2021 - 20 Oct 2023 (Dean Office, Faculty of Medicine)
  • Master of Health Research Ethics (MOHRE) -- MQF7001 Health Research Methods
    10 Oct 2022 - 10 Oct 2023 (Department)
  • Committee Members
    04 Oct 2022 - 16 Nov 2022 (Dean Office, Faculty of Medicine)
  • Master of Health Research Ethics (MOHRE) -- MQF7003 Foundation in Research Ethics
    10 Oct 2022 - 10 Oct 2022 (Department)
  • Fellow
    01 May 2019 - 28 Jul 2021 (Dean Office, Faculty of Medicine)

MEMBERSHIPS

  • ASIA PACIFIC BIOETHICS EDUCATION NETWORK (APBEN), MEMBER
    Since 2021 (International)
  • QUALITATIVE RESEARCH ASSOCIATION OF MALAYSIA (QRAM) MEMBERSHIP, MEMBER
    Since 2021 (National)
  • MEMBER OF THE QUALITATIVE RESEARCH ASSOCIATION MALAYSIA (QRAM), MEMBER
    Since 2021 (National)
  • A MEMBER OF THE ASIAN BIOETHICS ASSOCIATION (ABA), MEMBER
    2017 to 2022 (International)

AWARD AND STEWARDSHIP

  • Ist Prize in Oral Presentation in Stem Cell & Cancer Symposium (2018)
    University of Malaya (UM), 2018 (University)

PUBLICATIONS

Article in Journal
WoS
  1. Tackett, Sean; Ng, Chirk Jenn; Sugarman, Jeremy; Daniel, Esther Gnanamalar Sarojini; Gopalan, Nishakanthi; Tivyashinee, Tivyashinee; Kamarulzaman, Adeeba; Ali, Joseph (2023). Defining Malaysia's health research ethics system through a stakeholder driven approach, DEVELOPING WORLD BIOETHICS. . doi:10.1111/dewb.12396
  2. Gopalan, Nishakanthi; Mohamed Noor, Siti Nurani; Salim Mohamed, Mohd (2021). The Pro-Medical Tourism Stance of Malaysia and How it Affects Stem Cell Tourism Industry, SAGE OPEN. 11(2). doi:10.1177/21582440211016837
  3. Gopalan, Nishakanthi; Nor, Siti Nurani Mohd; Mohamed, Mohd Salim (2020). Regulation of Stem Cell Technology in Malaysia: Current Status and Recommendations, SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ETHICS. 26(1), 1-25. doi:10.1007/s11948-019-00111-5
  4. Nishakanthi, Gopalan (2019). The Shortage of Malaysian Stem Cell Ethics in Mainstream Database: a Preliminary Study, ASIAN BIOETHICS REVIEW. 11(4), 437-460. doi:10.1007/s41649-019-00102-5
  5. Gopalan, Nishakanthi; Nor, Siti Nurani Mohd; Mohamed, Mohd Salim (2018). Global Human Embryonic Stem Cell Laws and Policies and Their Influence on Stem Cell Tourism, BIOTECHNOLOGY LAW REPORT. 37(5), 255-269. doi:10.1089/blr.2018.29088.ng
Scopus
  1. Gopalan N. (2023). Ethical and Regulatory Gaps in Aesthetic Medical Practice in Top Asian Medical Tourism Destinations, Asian Bioethics Review. . doi:10.1007/s41649-023-00267-0
  2. Tackett S., Jenn Ng C., Sugarman J., Daniel E.G.S., Gopalan N., Tivyashinee, Kamarulzaman A., Ali J. (2023). A Competency Framework for Health Research Ethics Educational Programs: Results from a Stakeholder-Driven Mixed-Method Process, Ethics and Human Research. 45(3), 29-39. doi:10.1002/eahr.500166
  3. Tackett S., Ng C.J., Sugarman J., Daniel E.G.S., Gopalan N., Tivyashinee T., Kamarulzaman A., Ali J. (2023). Defining Malaysia's health research ethics system through a stakeholder driven approach, Developing World Bioethics. . doi:10.1111/dewb.12396
  4. Gopalan, N., Mohamed Noor, S. N., & Salim Mohamed, M. (2021). The Pro-Medical Tourism Stance of Malaysia and How it Affects Stem Cell Tourism Industry. SAGE Open, 11(2). doi: 10.1177/21582440211016837
Others
  1. Tackett, S., Ng, C. J., Sugarman, J., Daniel, E. G. S., Gopalan, N., Tivyashinee, T., Kamarulzaman, A., & Ali, J. (2023). Defining Malaysia's health research ethics system through a stakeholder driven approach. Developing world bioethics, 10.1111/dewb.12396. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/dewb.12396
Chapter in Books
  1. Ng, C.J. and Gopalan, Nishakanthi (2023) Intricacies of Working with HIV Stigma and Vulnerable Populations in a Multi-ethnic Country. Frost, C. J., Carlson, M., Benson, L. S., & Gren, L. H. (Ed). In Global Research Ethics: Case Studies from international research contexts. Milton Park, Oxfordshire, England: Routledge .
Article in Proceeding
  1. Patrick Engkasan , J., Gopalan , N., Daniel, E. G. A. S., & Tivyashiness. (n.d.). 21st FERCAP ONLINE INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE. In Pedagogical Changes during the COVID Disruption.
  2. Gopalan, N., Mohamed, M.S., & Mohd Noor., S.N (2018). Stem Cell Technology in Malaysia: Addressing the Ethical Misconduct in Pursuant of Scientific Responsibility. In the 17th International Conference of the Asia Pacific Association of Surgical Tissue Banks (APASTB2018) in Bangi-Putrajaya Hotel, Selangor, Malaysia.
  3. Gopalan, N., and Mohamed, Mohd Salim. (2018) Regulatory Challenges in Clinical Translation of Stem Cell Technology in Malaysia. Extended Abstract Presented at the Stem Cell & Cancer Symposium 2018, University Malaya, Malaysia.
  4. Gopalan, N., & Mohamed, M. S. (2017). The Development and Progress of Research Ethics and Policy of Stem Cell Technology in Malaysia. Paper presented at the National Postgraduate and Scholars Conference on Science, Technology and Society 2017 (STS 2017) University of Malaya.
  5. Gopalan, N., Mohamed, M.S., & Mohd Noor, S.N. (2017). Guidelines, Policies, Law? How best to Address the Ethics of Stem Cell Research in Malaysia. In the 5th International Conference On Social Sciences Research (ICSSR) (pp. 52-69) in Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Other Publications
  1. 1.Dr Mohammad Firdaus Bin Abdul Aziz & Dr Nishakanthi Gopalan. The Bigger Picture : Ethics in New Frontier of Medicine https://www.bfm.my/podcast/the-bigger-picture/health-and-living/ethics-in-new-frontiers-of-medicine - Mass Media(Newspaper,Radio,Tv,Popular Magazine)
  2. Dr Azlina Ahmad Annuar & Dr Nishakanthi Gopalan. Brain Waves #35: Bioethics of Human-Animal Chimera. https://www.bfm.my/podcast/the-bigger-picture/health-and-living/brain-waves-bioethics-of-human-animal-chimaeras - Mass Media(Newspaper,Radio,Tv,Popular Magazine)

RESEARCH INTEREST

  • Stem cell research (Research ethics; regulatory implication; ELSI)
  • Emerging technologies (ELSI)
  • Clinical ethics (Epistemic injustice)

PAPER PRESENTED

INVITED SPEAKER
  1. Clinical Ethics, Clinical Ethics Workshop, UMMC Clinical Ethics Committee (University) (25 Sep 2023 - 26 Sep 2023)
  2. Research and Publication Misconduct, Introduction to clinical research series 2, CRC Hospital Kuala Lumpur (National) (25 Sep 2023 - 25 Sep 2023)
  3. Research 101 For Healthcare Worker, UMMC RESEARCH CARNIVAL 2023: INVITATION AS A CONFERENCE / WORKSHOP SPEAKER, CIC, UMMC (University) (11 Sep 2023 - 11 Sep 2023)
  4. Introduction to Health Research Ethics, The Basic Principles of Research Ethics, Decision-making Capacity in Research, Handling Research Data & Biological Samples, Ethics & Informed Consent in Clinical Research Workshop, HKL (National) (12 Jun 2023 - 12 Jun 2023)
  5. How the Coronavirus Pandemic Inspires Us to be More Ethical at Work and in Life, , Virtual Mobility Program: Humanising Science , Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya  (University) (11 Oct 2021 - 15 Oct 2021)
  6. Ethical Standards and Their Application to Research during Public Health Emergencies, 22nd NIH Conference , National Institute of Health (NIH) (National) (21 Sep 2021 - 23 Sep 2021)
  7. Ethical Standards and Their Application to Research During Public Health Emergencies, 22nd NIH Scientific Conference, National Institutes of Health and the Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health Kuala Lumpur (APACPH-KL) (National) (21 Sep 2021 - 23 Sep 2021)
  8. Stem Cell Technology in Malaysia: Addressing the Ethical Misconduct in Pursuant of Scientific Responsibility, 17th International Conference of the Asia Pacific Association of Surgical Tissue Banks (APASTB2018) in Bangi-Putrajaya Hotel, Selangor, Malaysia, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Society of Malaysia (National) (30 Aug 2018 - 30 Aug 2018)
ORAL PRESENTER
  1. Epistemic Injustice and Its Philosophical Value in Medical Education, ASIA PACIFIC BIOETHICS EDUCATION NETWORK (APBEN) CONGRESS 2023 MANILA, APBEN (International) (01 Jun 2023 - 03 Jun 2023)
  2. Teaching and Assessment as a Single Dynamic Pedagogy in the Process and Product of Learning, Asia Pacific Bioethics Education Network (APBEN) Annual Conference 21 - 22 May 2022 , Asia Pacific Bioethics Education Network (APBEN) (International) (21 May 2022 - 22 May 2022)
  3. The Ethico-Legal Challenges of Stem Cell Technology in Malaysia, 14th World Conference on Bioethics, UNESCO Chair in Bioethics. (International) (07 Mar 2022 - 10 Mar 2022)
  4. Daniel, E., Engkasan, J., Gopalan, N., & Tivyashinee, T. (2021). Pedagogical Changes during the COVID Disruption. In 21st FERCAP Online International Annual Conference. Thailand., 21st FERCAP Online International Annual Conference, Forum for Ethical Review Committees in the Asian and Western Pacific Region (FERCAP)  (International) (09 Dec 2021 - 11 Dec 2021)
PRESENTER
  1. Ethical and Regulatory Review of Aesthetic Medicine , 19th Forum For Ethical Review Committee in the Asian & Western Pacific Region (FERCAP) International Conference 2019 , FERCAP (International) (25 Nov 2019 - 27 Nov 2019)
  2. Aesthetic Medicine in Malaysia: The Ethical & Regulatory Concerns, 20th International Conference on Contemporary Issues in Science, Engineering & Management (ICCI-SEM - 2019), Institute of Research and Journals (IIRAJ) (International) (04 Apr 2019 - 05 Apr 2019)
  3. REGULATORY CHALLENGES IN CLINICAL TRANSLATION OF STEM CELL TECHNOLOGY IN MALAYSIA, Stem Cell & Cancer Symposium (SCCS) 2018 (17 Oct 2018)
  4. Guidelines, Policies, Law? How best to Address the Ethics of Stem Cell Research in Malaysia., 5th International Conference On Social Sciences Research (ICSSR), World Conferences.Net (International) (27 Mar 2017 - 27 Mar 2017)

ACADEMIC/PROF. SERVICES

Evaluation
  1. (2020) 3mt Thesis, University, (Reviewer)
  2. (2020) Ethics, Law and Professonalism in Dentistry Undergraduate Study,, University, (Reviewer)
  3. (2020) National Human Embryo and Embryoid Research Policies: a Survey of 22 Top Research-Intensive Countries, International, (Reviewer)
Media appearance
  1. (2021) Bfm ; The Bigger Picture : Ethics in New Frontier of Medicine, University, (Interview)
  2. (2020) Bfm Brain Wave Segment, University, (Interview)

SUPERVISION

Postgraduate Student
PhD/ Doctoral
  1. (2023) IMPROVING DIAGNOSTIC QUALITY IN BIOCHEMICAL GENETICS LABORATORY TO ENHANCE EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH INBORN ERROR OF METABOLISM., SIVASANGKARI A/P SUPREMANIAM
Master
  1. (2023) GENETIC TESTING IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE : PATIENT PERSPECTIVES AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS, JOANNA PRIYA GERARD
  2. (2022) Ethical Issue of Using Social MEdia for Health-Based Research in Southeast Asia, R SUNTARI RAMACHANDRAN
  3. (2022) Ethics and Guidelines Concerning Secondary Use of Real-World Clinical Samples for Research in Southeast Asia: a Scoping Review, JENIFFER LANDICHO
  4. (2022) A Scoping Review of the Ethical Guidelines of Human Genetic & Genomic Study Among SEA Countries, NUR ATIK
  5. (2021) The Moral Voice of Ethics Review Boards: A Practice in Search of Theory, LEANDER MARQUEZ
  6. (2021) Ethical challenges of human brain computer interface (BCI) Research: A scoping review, TAN PEI YI
  7. (2020) TBD, Lui Sze Chiang & Wulmar Cerio
  8. (2020) Ethical Issues in Research Involving Patients with Mental Illness, WULMAR CERIO
  9. (2020) Exploring the perspective of Malaysian Children and their parents in their decision for Children to participate in research, SZE CHIANG LUI

TEACHING

Master
  1. (2023) MQD7019 - Nursing Leadership and Healthcare Management
  2. (2023) MQF7002 - Research Project
  3. (2022) MQF7007 - Ethical Issues of Emerging Sciences
  4. (2022) MQF7003 - Foundations of Research Ethics
  5. (2022) MQF7001 - Health Research Methods
  6. (2021) MQF7011 - Healthcare Law and Ethics
  7. (2021) MQF7001 - Literature Review - Health Research Methods
  8. (2021) MQF7001 - Health Research Methods
  9. (2021) MQF7011 - Healthcare Law and Ethics
Bachelor
  1. (2023) MIC2021 - Biomedical Ethics
  2. (2023) MIC3009 - Ethical Practices in Biomedical Science
  3. (2023) UMMP - Universiti Malaya Medical Programme
  4. (2022) MIC3009 - Ethical Practices in Biomedical Science
Microcredential
  1. (2023) Introduction to Health Research Ethics, https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/health-research-ethics

COURSE ATTENDED

Internal / External Course
CONFERENCE
  1. 19TH FORUM FOR ETHICAL REVIEW COMMITTEES IN THE ASIAN AND WESTERN PACIFIC REGION (FERCAP) INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, Usm, Pulau Pinang (25 Nov 2019 - 26 Nov 2019)
INTERNAL COURSE- ORGANIZED BY PTJ
  1. BENGKEL EKSESAIS SEMAKAN KURIKULUM BAGI PROGRAM IJAZAH TINGGI, FAKULTI PERUBATAN UNIVERSITI MALAYA , Putrajaya Marriot Hotel (25 Aug 2020 - 26 Aug 2020)
  2. EMERALD TEACHING AND LEARNING 2022, Online (08 Aug 2022 - 12 Aug 2022)
  3. EMERALD RESEARCH AND SUPERVISION, UM (16 Aug 2022 - 17 Aug 2022)
  4. FLIPPED CLASSROOM (POST-EMERALD) WORKSHOP, Universiti Malaya (19 Sep 2022 - 19 Sep 2022)
  5. ORGANISING A TWO-FULL DAY MASTER OF HEALTH RESEARCH ETHICS (MOHRE) FAKULTY DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP , Aloft,Kuala Lumpur (05 Oct 2022 - 06 Oct 2022)