EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Last Updated: Nov 2011
Dr. Ho Wei Seng was born in Sarikei, Sarawak. After completing his primary and secondary education in Sarikei, he pursued his tertiary education at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Selangor. He graduated his B.Sc. (Hons.) in Genetics in 1998 and enrolled in the Master of Science in Genetics in the same year. However, he was promoted the following year to pursue Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree in Genetics, and was awarded the Tunku Abdul Rahman Scholarship from Yayasan Sarawak. He graduated in 2002 and joined the Faculty of Resource Science and Technology (FRST), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) as a lecturer in the same year. Now, he is a senior lecturer at the Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, UNIMAS.
Since joining UNIMAS, he has worked diligently at understanding the genetic and molecular processes controlling economically and ecologically complex traits in commercially important tree species such as Borneo Ironwood, Shorea species, Kelampayan, Sawih, Dabai and Acacia species using genomics and informatics approaches. Thus far, the results of his research have been published in many international and national refereed journals, and presented in conferences, symposia and seminars (113 papers), including gene bank entry of DNA sequences (25). Several academic and research awards (12), and research grants (~ RM 1.6 million) were also received in recognition of his active involvement and contributions in teaching and research for the past 10 years.
He contributed significantly in building the critical mass and intellectual capital related to forest genomics and tree improvement in Sarawak by establishing the Forest Genomics and Informatics Laboratory (fGiL, http://fgilab.com) at the Faculty. This laboratory is established under a 5-year joint industry-university partnership research programme (a MoU sealed between Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) and UNIMAS, dated 15 Nov 2006) aimed at providing applied research and development (R&D) and technical support towards the development of high value planted forests for maximum returns in Sarawak. Now, this research area has been identified as one of the niche areas at the departmental level years ago. Together with his research teams, he has successfully developed the species-specific DNA marker systems for genotyping Kelampayan and Sawih; the ‘Touch-incubate-PCR’ (a.k.a fasTip-X Kit) approach for preparing plant tissues for high throughput genotyping, and the world first large-scale genomic resource in Kelampayan (NcdbEST aka CADAMOMICS) for wood formation. They are beginning to see the fruits of their labour in research.
Over the last 10 years, he has provided academic and research guidance, and successfully supervised and co-supervised 50 Bachelor of Science students and 4 postgraduate students from FRST as well as 4 researchers/interns from SFC and USM in plant/forest genetics, genomics, molecular cloning of genes related to wood quality traits in tree species, tree improvement and molecular marker techniques. Currently he is supervising 8 postgraduate students (1 Ph.D and 7 M.Sc., by research) and 6 undergraduate students, both from local and overseas. He has also been appointed by the Faculty to examine numerous undergraduate dissertations, besides involved in industrial training supervision of 90 students from different states in Malaysia.
His active involvement in research has boosted his teaching abilities. The courses that he has taught at the undergraduate level include General Genetics, General Physiology, Cell Biology, Recombinant DNA Technology, Instrumentation and Laboratory Management, Cell and Tissue Culture, Field Techniques for Biotechnology, Crop Breeding and Improvement, Applications of Biotechnology 2, Conservation Biology, Evolution and Population Genetics, and etc. He is also actively participated in developing online teaching and learning (T&L) aid via Morpheus. His efforts and commitments in online T&L had recognized by UNIMAS and awarded two “UNIMAS Outstanding Online Course Award” in 2004 and 2009 from CALM, UNIMAS. He also developed a laboratory manual on forensic DNA typing for Application in Biotechnology 2 practical classes in helping students to better understand the basic scientific principles involved in DNA typing and ultimately to develop the curiosity and confidence to further explore questions and issues involving scientific investigations.
Apart from teaching and research, he remains an active participant or member in various organizations and committees at university/faculty/department level. Among others are UNIMAS Representative (Stakeholder) for the Global Plan Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of PGFRA in Malaysia, MOA-MARDI-FAO project, Institution Representative (Sarawak Region) and Member for Genetics Society of Malaysia (PGM), Member for Malaysian Society for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (MSMBB), Member for FRST Research and Publication Committee, Secretary for Recombinant DNA Techniques Workshop (Department of Molecular Biology), Chairman for the MABIC-MOE-MPBCRC (Australia) Biotechnology Awareness Workshop, Chairman for the Next Generation Sequencing Technologies Workshop (PGM-FRST-illumina-Beijing Genomics Institute, BGI) and etc. He had also appointed as a peer reviewer for several international and national journals related to his areas of expertise. He also served as Coordinator of Industrial Training Programme for the Faculty from 2009-2011, Coordinator of Practical for Biology Courses, a joint cooperative effort between FRST-UNIMAS and Faculty of Science and Technology, Open University of Malaysia (OUM) from 2006-2010 and in 2004 co-authored the teaching module - Environmental Biology, and etc.
He was conferred by UNIMAS the Excellent in Service Award in 2007. Through his research work on forest genomics and tree improvement, he led his research teams to win recognition and awards at national and international levels: Gold Medal (UNIMAS, 2011), Silver Medal (ITEX, 2010), Bronze Medal (PECIPTA, 2011), Bronze Medal (UNIMAS, 2010), Best Poster Award (2009, 2010) and Research Grant Award from MTSF (2000). Since receiving his Ph.D in 2002, he has awarded 9 research grants totaling RM 1,598,574.00 for the period of 2002-2011.
With all these significant contributions and achievements, he is very confident in bringing his research teams to greater heights, i.e. to build research reputation for quality research, and to translate new discoveries and innovations into useful products and services by licensing these technologies for commercial applications. This could be achieved by strategically implementing the multi-disciplinary research programme (2011-2015) entitled “Genomics-based breeding in Kelampayan: from gene sequences to breeding tools”, a joint research programme by UNIMAS-SFC-BGI-STA. Sarawak Timber Association (STA) has agreed in principle by providing sufficient funding to support this research programme. STA is the major player in the timber industry in Sarawak, whereas BGI is currently the largest genomic organization in the world with a focus in research and application in personalized healthcare, agriculture, conservation and bioenergy fields. The success of this research programme will give a significant impact in raising the University’s global standing via smart partnership with BGI and the future development of timber-based industry in Sarawak, in fact, it is one of the ten priority industries under the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) that will accelerate the State’s economic growth and development to transform Sarawak into a developed State by year 2020.
Since joining UNIMAS, he has worked diligently at understanding the genetic and molecular processes controlling economically and ecologically complex traits in commercially important tree species such as Borneo Ironwood, Shorea species, Kelampayan, Sawih, Dabai and Acacia species using genomics and informatics approaches. Thus far, the results of his research have been published in many international and national refereed journals, and presented in conferences, symposia and seminars (113 papers), including gene bank entry of DNA sequences (25). Several academic and research awards (12), and research grants (~ RM 1.6 million) were also received in recognition of his active involvement and contributions in teaching and research for the past 10 years.
He contributed significantly in building the critical mass and intellectual capital related to forest genomics and tree improvement in Sarawak by establishing the Forest Genomics and Informatics Laboratory (fGiL, http://fgilab.com) at the Faculty. This laboratory is established under a 5-year joint industry-university partnership research programme (a MoU sealed between Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) and UNIMAS, dated 15 Nov 2006) aimed at providing applied research and development (R&D) and technical support towards the development of high value planted forests for maximum returns in Sarawak. Now, this research area has been identified as one of the niche areas at the departmental level years ago. Together with his research teams, he has successfully developed the species-specific DNA marker systems for genotyping Kelampayan and Sawih; the ‘Touch-incubate-PCR’ (a.k.a fasTip-X Kit) approach for preparing plant tissues for high throughput genotyping, and the world first large-scale genomic resource in Kelampayan (NcdbEST aka CADAMOMICS) for wood formation. They are beginning to see the fruits of their labour in research.
Over the last 10 years, he has provided academic and research guidance, and successfully supervised and co-supervised 50 Bachelor of Science students and 4 postgraduate students from FRST as well as 4 researchers/interns from SFC and USM in plant/forest genetics, genomics, molecular cloning of genes related to wood quality traits in tree species, tree improvement and molecular marker techniques. Currently he is supervising 8 postgraduate students (1 Ph.D and 7 M.Sc., by research) and 6 undergraduate students, both from local and overseas. He has also been appointed by the Faculty to examine numerous undergraduate dissertations, besides involved in industrial training supervision of 90 students from different states in Malaysia.
His active involvement in research has boosted his teaching abilities. The courses that he has taught at the undergraduate level include General Genetics, General Physiology, Cell Biology, Recombinant DNA Technology, Instrumentation and Laboratory Management, Cell and Tissue Culture, Field Techniques for Biotechnology, Crop Breeding and Improvement, Applications of Biotechnology 2, Conservation Biology, Evolution and Population Genetics, and etc. He is also actively participated in developing online teaching and learning (T&L) aid via Morpheus. His efforts and commitments in online T&L had recognized by UNIMAS and awarded two “UNIMAS Outstanding Online Course Award” in 2004 and 2009 from CALM, UNIMAS. He also developed a laboratory manual on forensic DNA typing for Application in Biotechnology 2 practical classes in helping students to better understand the basic scientific principles involved in DNA typing and ultimately to develop the curiosity and confidence to further explore questions and issues involving scientific investigations.
Apart from teaching and research, he remains an active participant or member in various organizations and committees at university/faculty/department level. Among others are UNIMAS Representative (Stakeholder) for the Global Plan Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of PGFRA in Malaysia, MOA-MARDI-FAO project, Institution Representative (Sarawak Region) and Member for Genetics Society of Malaysia (PGM), Member for Malaysian Society for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (MSMBB), Member for FRST Research and Publication Committee, Secretary for Recombinant DNA Techniques Workshop (Department of Molecular Biology), Chairman for the MABIC-MOE-MPBCRC (Australia) Biotechnology Awareness Workshop, Chairman for the Next Generation Sequencing Technologies Workshop (PGM-FRST-illumina-Beijing Genomics Institute, BGI) and etc. He had also appointed as a peer reviewer for several international and national journals related to his areas of expertise. He also served as Coordinator of Industrial Training Programme for the Faculty from 2009-2011, Coordinator of Practical for Biology Courses, a joint cooperative effort between FRST-UNIMAS and Faculty of Science and Technology, Open University of Malaysia (OUM) from 2006-2010 and in 2004 co-authored the teaching module - Environmental Biology, and etc.
He was conferred by UNIMAS the Excellent in Service Award in 2007. Through his research work on forest genomics and tree improvement, he led his research teams to win recognition and awards at national and international levels: Gold Medal (UNIMAS, 2011), Silver Medal (ITEX, 2010), Bronze Medal (PECIPTA, 2011), Bronze Medal (UNIMAS, 2010), Best Poster Award (2009, 2010) and Research Grant Award from MTSF (2000). Since receiving his Ph.D in 2002, he has awarded 9 research grants totaling RM 1,598,574.00 for the period of 2002-2011.
With all these significant contributions and achievements, he is very confident in bringing his research teams to greater heights, i.e. to build research reputation for quality research, and to translate new discoveries and innovations into useful products and services by licensing these technologies for commercial applications. This could be achieved by strategically implementing the multi-disciplinary research programme (2011-2015) entitled “Genomics-based breeding in Kelampayan: from gene sequences to breeding tools”, a joint research programme by UNIMAS-SFC-BGI-STA. Sarawak Timber Association (STA) has agreed in principle by providing sufficient funding to support this research programme. STA is the major player in the timber industry in Sarawak, whereas BGI is currently the largest genomic organization in the world with a focus in research and application in personalized healthcare, agriculture, conservation and bioenergy fields. The success of this research programme will give a significant impact in raising the University’s global standing via smart partnership with BGI and the future development of timber-based industry in Sarawak, in fact, it is one of the ten priority industries under the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) that will accelerate the State’s economic growth and development to transform Sarawak into a developed State by year 2020.