TROPICAL BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION INSTITUTE

E-mail: pejtbcu@ums.edu.my

DIRECTOR
PROF. DATIN DR. MARYATI MOHAMED
BSc. (Gadjah Mada), Ph.D. ( London)

DEPUTY DIRECTOR I
DR. HENRY BERNARD
BSc. (Malaya), MSc. (Reading), Ph.D. ( Copenhagen)

DEPUTY DIRECTOR II
DR. IDRIS MOHD. SAID
BSc. (Lancaster), Ph.D. (UKM)

ASSISTANT REGISTRAR
EN. ZAIDIE @ MOHD ZAIDIE ADILAI
DPA (UiTM), B.Soc.Sc. (UMS)

The Tropical Biology and Conservation Institute was founded in 1996 with the main aim of establishing a centre of excellence in research in the area of tropical biology and conservation. The Institute aspires to become a centre for research and reference, as well as teaching at postgraduate level in the area of tropical biology and conservation in Southeast Asia. In pursuant of this aspiration, the Tropical Biology and Conservation Research Institute carries out researches, trainings and workshops and offers postgraduate programmes by research and by coursework.

The Institute has a biology lab, an organic chemistry lab, a GIS lab, a SEM lab and a DNA lab that are fully functional and equipped with the latest research apparatus such as Image Analyser, DNA Sequencer, PCR Thermocycler, Scanning Electron Microscope, Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometer, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Map Digitizer. As a centre of reference and research in biosystematic and biodiversity in Borneo, the Institute has BORNEENSIS - a modern depository centre for housing plant and animal specimens, genetic resource and traditional knowledge. In addition, the Institute has access to several renown field centres including the Danum Valley Conservation Area, Tabin Wildlife Reserve and Maliau Basin. The Institute also establishes international linkages that are capable of reinforcing and coordinating research, experts and information exchange and producing expert researchers to meet the region’s demand at present and in the future.

FIELDS OF STUDIES

By Coursework

• MSc. in Taxonomy and Biodiversity

By Research  

• Taxonomy and Biodiversity of Insects
• Taxonomy and Biodiversity of Plants
• Taxonomy and Biodiversity of Animals
• Animal and Plant Ecology
• Advancement of Biodiversity
• Nature Tourism
• GIS / Remote Sensing
• Genetic and Molecular Biology

 International linkages that the Tropical Biology and Conservation Research Institute have included those with JICA, Darwin Initiative, ARCBC, GTZ and DANCED. The Institute receives research grants such as the Darwin Initiative, IRPA and National Biotechnology Directorate from the Ministry of Science Technology and Inovation, Ministry of Education, government and private agencies. Research topics being pursued by the Institute include:

1. Taxonomy and diversity studies and databasing of Sabah’s floral and faunal reference collection.
2. Documentation of the uses of flora and fauna in ethnic healthcare in Sabah.
3. Isolation and structural elucidation of bioactive compounds from Sabah’s flora and fauna.
4. Population genetics structure and endangered species conservation in Sabah.
5. Nature tourism in Sabah: Mapping and forecasting of vegetation types using GIS/remote Sensing approach.

ACADEMIC EXPERTISE

Charles Santhanaraju Vairappan, Dr.
BSc, MSc., PhD (Hokkaido)
Specialisation: Marine Natural Product Chemistry

Henry Bernard , Dr.
BSc. (Malaya), MSc. (Reading), Ph.D ( Copenhagen)
Specialisation: Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology

Homathevi Rahman , Dr.
BSc. (UKM), Ph.D (UMS)
Specialisation: Taxonomy, Entomology and Conservation Biology

Idris Mohd. Said, Dr.
BSc. (Lancaster), Ph.D (UKM)
Specialisation: Plant Taxonomy, Pteridophyte and Orchids

Kartini Saibeh, Dr.
BSc., MSc. (USM), Ph.D (Reading)
Specialisation: Botany/Taxonomy

Maryati Mohamed , Prof. Dr.
BSc. (Gadjah Mada), Ph.D ( London)
Specialisation: Insect Taxonomy / Ecology and Conservation Biology

Monica Suleiman , Dr.
BSc. (UPM), Ph.D ( Manchester)
Specialisation: Bryology, Taxonomy and Biosystematics

Nazirah Mustaffa, Dr.
BSc. (UMS), MSc. (Durham) Ph.D (UMS)
Spesialisation: Genetic, Entomolgy and Conservation