Faisal Khan's Lab

PhD (Zoology) Texas Tech University, USA // Masters (Zoology) Texas Tech University, USA // BSc (Hons) Biotechnology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

I am interested on the systematics and molecular evolution of Southeast Asian mammals; particularly bats.  I would like to understand the diversity of several genera in these groups, looking for common patterns in their distribution and origin. This allow me to understand the extent to which biogeography of Southeast Asia has shaped the genetic diversity of mammals in this region.

Morphology, based on museum vouchers and molecular markers are the two tools used to address the questions above, in order to identify evolutionary lineages that can be used to establish taxonomic units.  I am also keen to move forward with the advancement of genomic field by incorporating bioinformatics to better utilize natural history collection.

Contact Details:
Email: fanwaral@gmail.com
Address: Department of Zoology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Phone: +6082582988

BSc (Hons) Animal Resource and Management, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

My research title is "Biogeography of Sunda Shrew (Crocidura monticola) based on Genetic and Morphology" which is conducted to investigate if the populations from geographically isolated areas have differences in their morphological features and genetic structures. C. monticola is an ideal species for biogeographical studies because they can be found both in Peninsular Malaysia and also Bornean Malaysia, having a short life span, relatively difficult to cross sea channels and it is commonly captured during sampling. The genetic analysis will be targeting on mtDNA cytochrome b (Cyt b) and the morphological analyses will be on the body, cranial and dental measurements. I am interested on this species because at the moment, there is no study that had been done regarding the biogeographical status of this species in Malaysia. 


This study will be the pioneer study in Malaysia and will contribute towards better understanding about this species, thus help in their conservation efforts. Personally, studying mammals is my passion. 

Contact Details:
Email: amsyari.morni92@gmail.com
Address: Department of Zoology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Master degree (MSc) in Molecular Ecology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak // Bachelor degree (BSc) in Animal Resource Science and Management, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

I am a PhD student in UNIMAS supervised by Associate Professor Dr. Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan.

My current research is on the species distribution modelling of human commensal rodents in Sarawak and understanding the microbiome diversity of studied species. This is essential in identifying potential disease outbreak and hotspot in Sarawak. Combining the knowledge on microbial occurrence and host distribution range, we will able to identify the potential area of disease outbreak. This research will provide information on bacteria harboured by human commensal rodents that are critical for the conservation of their natural ecological services and the pathogens of health concern that they bear. This project's outcome has significant potential for national agricultural development, human health, and is consistent with recent national biological policy

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Email: julius9214@yahoo.com

             juliuswill14@gmail.com

Linkedin profile: www.linkedin.com/in/juliuswilliamdee

Address: Department of Zoology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia

Phone: 0145562070

BSc (Hons) Animal Resource and Management, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

My research is focusing on gut microbiome of non-human primates. I am looking into details on

the host-microbe mutualistic relationship. By identifying the factors affecting the variations and

diversity in gut microbiome, we will be able to understand the different feeding behavior of

primates in shaping the gut microbiome, the roles of microbes in helping its host in the

adaptation process and the variation in microbe species might be useful to describe the evolution

of primate lineages. Besides that, any detection of the pathogenic bacteria in the gut microbiome

will provide insight on the primate’s role as host reservoir of disease-causing bacteria that will be

useful in managing human public health in the future.

This study implements the Next-generation sequencing technology in which pyrosequencing of

16S rRNA will be done. Metagenomic analysis will be carried out to reveal total microbial

communities, identify its function and thus explaining the factors influencing diversity of the gut

microbiome.

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Contact Details:
Email: farhanamz@outlook.com
Address: Department of Zoology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
 

BSc (Hons) Animal Resource and Management, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

My main interest is on conservation ecology of primates, especially Orangutan. I would like to focus on conservation of Orangutan by looking into their diet and feeding ecology. The Orangutan has always been my interest and hope to have a chance to contribute in the conservation of this majestic species.

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My Master’s research is entitle “Nutrients Intake on the Foods Given to Pongo Pygmaeus in Selected Areas in Sarawak and Study of Their Feeding Behaviour”. I would like to compare the nutrients in the food that been consumed by the Orangutan by analysing their foods and also the faeces. The study will also provide a better understanding on its feeding behaviour based on different type of populations which is wild and captive. I hope this study will able to help in the study and conservation of this species.

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Contact Details:

Email: mzahid292@yahoo.com

Address: Department of Zoology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia

BSc (Hons) Animal Resource and Management,  Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

Bioacoustics surveys on echolocating bats in Kubah National Park will provide a useful insight on the activity patterns of bats at higher and lower elevation, whether it will result in significant differences of bat foraging and socializing pattern. I am also looking into the effects of climatic changes and insect abundance towards the bat activity pattern. In conjunction with the bioacoustics survey, this project also involves the capturing of bats for collecting calls from different species captured and study the diversity of bats species in Kubah NP and therefore building bat’s call library as references.

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Contact Details:

Email: rittaemy@gmail.com

Address: Department of Zoology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.

BSc (Hons) Animal Resource and Management, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

In Malaysia, there are three species under genus Trachypithecus namely Trachypithecus cristatus, Trachypithecus selangorensis and Trachypithecus obscurus. However, these genus is unresolved especially with the potential hybridisation between members of the genus. Therefore, my research project is “Phylogenetic Relationships of the Genus Trachypithecus from Malaysia and Ecology of Trachypithecus cristatus at Bako National Park, Sarawak”.

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In this study, I expected that the ecological data will able to provide information to better manage T. cristatus in Borneo whereas the genetic data for the genus will be able to clarify the species status in Malaysia.

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Contact Details:

Email: wannursyafinaz@gmail.com

Address: Department of Zoology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia

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BSc (Hons) Animal Resource and Management, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

My interest is in conservation biology and molecular biology. My project entitles ‘A Systematics study of genus Tupaia and morphometric analyses in Malaysia. My current study is focusing on the phylogenetic and morphometric of genus Tupaia. These small mammals get a lack of attention from the scientist. However, there is a decreasing in number due to deforestation and rapid development in some areas. Therefore, I am eager to understand the relationship within the genus and their distribution in Malaysia, especially in Borneo.

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I hope at the end of the project, I will contribute knowledge for better understanding the member in this genus and helps in the conservation of the species.

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Contact Details:

Email: syamzuraini@gmail.com

Address: Department of Zoology, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia

BSc (Hons) Animal Resource and Management, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

My research title is “Genetic, Morphology and Echolocation Variation within Bamboo Bats in Malaysia”. Two genera of bamboo bats are known from the genus Tylonycteris and Glischropus in Malaysia. Both genera can be distinguished from each other using obvious morphological diagnostic characters. However, confusion arises within the genus Tylonycteris where the clear morphological boundary has not been reported. Similarly, multiple new species have been described within genus the Glischropus complex, but none has been reported for Malaysia. These raise the question if there is cryptic diversity within these species. To assess the genetic variation and phylogenetic relationship within the species, Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I (COI), Cytochrome B (Cyt B) and seven nuclear intron markers will be targeted. The external and craniodental character will be measured for morphological analyses. Then, the echolocation variation will be analyzed by using Kaleidoscope Echolocation software. This study is expected to provide a better understanding of the taxonomy and systematics of Malaysian Bamboo bats.