In a commendable testament to academic excellence and impactful medical research, UTAR is proud to announce that Dr Sharifah Shahnaz binti Syed Abd Kadir, a third-year Doctor of Philosophy (Medical Science) student at the M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (MK FMHS), clinched the first prize in the Best Paper Oral Presentation at the 28th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Malaysian Society of Transplantation. The event was held from 22 to 24 May 2025 at M World Hotel, Petaling Jaya.
Held under the inspiring theme Compassion to Cure: The Transplant Journey, the annual conference convenes experts and scholars committed to improving transplantation outcomes. Dr Sharifah’s presentation, delivered on 23 May 2025 and announced the winner the following day, captured the panel’s attention with its practical relevance and scientific rigour. Her research project titled Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection/Disease and CMV-Specific Cell-Mediated Immunity (CMI) after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation (SCT) in a High CMV Seropositivity Rate Population delves into the pressing challenge of CMV infections following haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), particularly in Malaysia, where CMV prevalence is high.
Her study, conducted at Ampang Hospital, followed 72 transplant patients and employed the QuantiFERON-CMV (QF-CMV) assay to evaluate immune responses post-transplant. The research found that early impaired immunity and the presence of gut graft-versus-host disease were key predictors of CMV infection—insights that could significantly inform post-transplant care. These findings underscore the importance of immune monitoring and point towards the integration of immunological markers into clinical risk models for better patient outcomes.
“I am truly honoured and grateful to have received this recognition. It affirms the significance of our work in advancing transplant-related care, especially in resource-limited settings,” said Dr Sharifah. “This award motivates me to pursue impactful research that bridges immunology and clinical practice and opens doors to collaboration and further innovation.”
Her success is also a reflection of the dedicated mentorship provided by her supervisors, Assoc Prof Dr Leong Pooi Pooi and Academician Emeritus Prof Dr Cheong Soon Keng from UTAR, as well as Dr Tan Sen Mui from Hospital Ampang. Dr Sharifah received a trophy, a certificate, and a cash prize, underscoring the value placed on scientific excellence and translational impact in Malaysian healthcare research.
This achievement illustrates UTAR’s ongoing commitment to fostering high-calibre medical research that addresses real-world healthcare challenges. Dr Sharifah’s work not only contributes to scientific understanding but also enhances clinical practices in transplant immunology, particularly within Southeast Asia.
The university extends its heartfelt congratulations to Dr Sharifah and looks forward to the continued contributions of its researchers to both national and global healthcare improvements.
Dr Sharifah with her trophy and certificate
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