HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS (UHABS)

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HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS (UHABS)

INTRODUCTION

The Unit for Harmful Algal Blooms Studies (UHABS) is a research unit at the Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI), Universiti Malaysia Sabah, which carries out multidisciplinary research related to harmful algal blooms (HABS) in Sabah. Research outputs from the unit form the basis for the development of sustainable and holistic strategies to assist relevant state agencies in prevention, control and mitigation of HABs.

Algal blooms are natural occurrences in aquatic environments. These blooms cause environmental or public-health threats, and it is therefore referred to as HABS. During a HAB event, algal toxins accumulate in organisms higher up the food web. HABS are deleterious to marine ecosystems, and result in public health concerns when the algae causing the blooms produce potent natural poisons known as biotoxins. These biotoxins can be transmitted via the food web where they may harm higher forms of life such as zooplankton, shellfish, fish, birds, marine mammals and even humans that feeds either directly or indirectly on them.

HABs are phenomena which occur all around the world, but in Malaysia are prevalent only in Sabah. The impacts of these phenomena appear to have increased in frequency, intensity and geographic distribution. It was first reported in 1976, where the causative organism is the dinoflagellate, Pyrodinium bahamanse var. compressum. Since 2005, with the presence of a second causative species, Cochlodinium polykrikoides, the damage caused by HABS now pose serious threats to the fisheries and aquaculture industries. This affects the economy of Sabah due to its dependence on marine and agricultural resources. Knowing the importance of HABS, this area has become one of the priority areas in BMRI.

Function of Research Unit

Develop strategies in monitoring and managing HABS in Sabah.

Aims

To serve as a research centre and reference centre for HABS.
To strengthen HABS research through multidiscipline approaches at the national and international level.
To provide consultancy and advisory services.
To develop a HABS database.
To assist government and non-government agencies in dealing with HAB-related issues.

ACADEMIC STAFF

	HEAD OF UNIT Associate Prof. Dr. Teruaki Yoshida B. Sc., M. Sc. (Soka University), Ph.D. (UKM) Expertise: Zooplankton Tel.: 088-320 000 ext. 2582 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	RESEARCH FELLOW Associate Prof. Dr. Sitti Raehanah Muhamad Shaleh B. Fish. Sc., Ph. D. (UPM) Expertise: Aquaculture, Planktonology Tel.: 088-320 000 ext: 2583 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	RESEARCH FELLOW Dr. Abentin Estim B. Fish. Sc. (UPM), M. Sc., Ph. D. (UMS) Expertise: Water Quality Tel.: 088-320 000 ext 2592 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	RESEARCH FELLOW Dr. Sujjat Al-Azad B. Sc. Fisheries, M. Sc. Fisheries (BAU), M. S. Trop. Aq. (AIT), Ph. D. (UM) Expertise: Aquaculture, Environmental Biotechnology Tel.: 088-320 000 ext: 2595 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	RESEARCH FELLOW Dr. Madihah Jaffar Sidik B. Sc. Marine Science (UMS), M. Sc. Marine Science (UMS), Ph. D. Physical Oceanography & Marine Optics (Prifysgol Bangor University) Expertise: Physical Oceanography Tel.: 088-320 000 ext: 2600 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	RESEARCH FELLOW Dr. Mohd. Tamrin Bin Mohd. Lal B. Sc. Biotechnology (UMS), M. Sc. Aquaculture (UMS), Ph. D. (UMS) Expertise: Microbiology, Marine Biotechnology Tel.: 088-320 000 ext: 2602 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	RESEARCH FELLOW Dr. Kenneth Francis Rodrigues B. Sc., M. Sc. (India), Ph. D. (UMS) Expertise: Molecular Genetics Tel.: 088-320 000 ext: 5599 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	RESEARCH FELLOW Miss Grace Joy Chin Wei Lie B. Sc. (Malaya), M. Sc. (UMS) Expertise: Molecular Biology Tel.: 088-320 000 ext: 5591 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	ASSOCIATE RESEARCH FELLOW Associate Prof. Dr. Normawaty Binti Mohammad Noor B. Sc., M. Sc. (UPM), Ph. D. (UCPH) Expertise: Marine Biotechnology, Harmful Algal Blooms & Toxins Tel.: Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	ASSOCIATE RESEARCH FELLOW Associate Prof. Dr. Samsur Bin Mohamad B. Sc. (UPM), M. Sc., Ph. D. (Nagasaki University) Expertise: Biological Sciences Tel.: 082-582 941 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
	ASSOCIATE RESEARCH FELLOW Associate Prof. Dr. Lim Po Teen B. Sc., M. Sc. (UKM), Ph. D. (Kitasato University) Expertise: Harmful Algal Blooms & Toxins, Biological Oceanography Tel.: 097-785 003 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.