Best Poster Presentation Award at
international integrative medicine congress

Two Master of Science in Biological Science students, Esther Koh Jia Yee and Wong Chi Hau, from the Department of Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Science (FSc), UTAR, achieved notable recognition at the 5th MAAFIM International Congress on Integrative Medicine & Healthcare 2025, which was held from 18 to 21 September 2025 at the Glenmarie Hotel & Golf Resort, Shah Alam.

Supervised by FSc academic Assoc Prof Dr Chew Choy Hoong, both students were selected as MAAFIM Student Scholarly Recipients, entitling them to complimentary full conference registration valued at RM1,300. The selection reflects the quality, relevance, and research rigour of their academic work in the field of integrative medicine and healthcare.

Further elevating the achievement, Esther Koh was awarded the Best Poster Presentation Award for her research poster titled Natural Antimicrobials to Combat Antibiotic Resistance: A Focus on Medium-Chain Fatty Acid. Her study addressed the growing global health challenge of antibiotic resistance, which has increasingly reduced the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics.

Esther Koh explained that her research focused on lauric acid (LA), a medium-chain fatty acid, and its monoglyceride derivative, glycerol monolaurate (GML), as potential natural antimicrobial agents. These compounds may serve as alternative or complementary strategies to existing antibiotics by reducing selective pressure on bacteria and limiting the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains. The study supports the principles of integrative medicine by combining natural compounds with evidence-based scientific approaches to tackle contemporary healthcare challenges.

The research was inspired by the rising prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria and the limited development of new antibiotics. Esther Koh also highlighted that Malaysia’s strong palm oil and coconut industries, which are rich sources of medium-chain fatty acids, further motivated the focus of her study. Key findings revealed that while lauric acid demonstrated modest antibacterial activity, glycerol monolaurate exhibited more pronounced and consistent antibacterial effects.

Reflecting on her research journey, Esther Koh shared that optimising experimental conditions to ensure reliable and reproducible results was among the main challenges faced. Presenting her findings to a diverse international audience also required careful preparation. These challenges were overcome through continuous troubleshooting, guidance from her supervisor, and repeated practice, which helped strengthen her confidence and presentation skills.

She also acknowledged the strong support received from her supervisor and the department. “The continuous academic guidance, critical feedback, and encouragement from my supervisor, together with the supportive research environment provided by the Department of Allied Health Sciences, played a vital role in this achievement,” she said.

The MAAFIM International Congress on Integrative Medicine and Healthcare serves as a reputable platform for researchers, healthcare professionals, and academics to exchange knowledge and showcase advancements in integrative and evidence-based healthcare practices, providing valuable exposure for emerging researchers such as UTAR students.