For more information, please contact us via the following details:
KM20, Jalan Borneo Heights, Semengoh, 93250 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
+6082610610
+6082611535
biosar[at]sbc.org.my
Dato Dr Yeo Tiong Chia
Contact Form
Chief Executive Officer, VU7
Phone
+6082-610610 ext. 128
Profile
Education
1993-2000
University of Washington, Seattle
Ph.D. Immunology
Thesis Advisor
Patrick J. Concannon Ph.D.
Ph.D. Thesis Committee Members
Michael J. Bevan Ph.D.
Department of Immunology, University of Washington
Barbara Trask Ph.D.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Paul J. Martin M.D.
School of Medicine, University of Washington
Thesis
“Nijmegen Breakage Syndrome: Role of Nibrin in Antigen Receptor Gene Rearrangement and Cellular Responses to Ionizing Radiation”
1988-1991
California State University, Los Angeles
B.Sc Biochemistry
1986-1988
Citrus College, Azusa California
Scholarship
ScholarshipFull support in PhD study
Immunology Department, University of Washington Training Grant
(1999-2000)
Benaroya Immunology Training Grant
(1995-1998)
CalBiochem Foundation Award for Summer Research August (1990)
Employment
(2002- current)
Chief Executive Officer 1 May 2014 - Current
Appointed as Acting Chief Executive Officer to perform and discharge duties of Chief Executive Officer from 1 May 2014 – current.
Appointed to cover the duties of Chief Executive Officer with effect from 12 January 2014 to 30 April 2014.
Appointed as Acting Director of SBC to perform and discharge duties of Director and CEO, pending the appointment of new Director on 24 Aug 2006 to 11 Jan 2007.
Senior Research Officer 2002-2012
Chief Scientist 2013- 11 January 2014
R&D Programme
The Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC)
Job description:
• Management of laboratories and research officers projects
• Implementation of SBC R&D Programmes
• Oversees R&D collaborations with local and international institutions
• Vetting and preparation of agreements
• Represent CEO in various capacities and cover CEO’s duties when assigned
• Reports directly to Head of Department
Oversee Projects/R&D Collaborations
• Natural Product Library (core business of SBC)
-setting up a library of extracts from indigenous plants and microbes for bioactive compound screening
• Drug Discovery & Development
• Development of a natural product compound, Silvestrol, for anti-cancer therapy
• Innovations using natural ingredients and functional molecules for product development
• Key roles in R&D collaborations and partnerships
(2002- current)
Post-doctoral fellow with:
Jane Cardosa Ph.D.
Institute of Health and Community Medicine
Universiti Sarawak Malaysia (UNIMAS)
Project: Cloning of single chain fragment variable (scfv) against Nipah antigens and expression of Nipah viral genes.
(1991-1993)
Lab Research Technician at The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Cell Biology with Dr. Mich B.Hein (Present address: Heliose Corporation, 117 North Jefferson, Suite 100, Chicago, IL 60661)
Project: Expression of protein antigens in tobacco and alfalfa plants to study their potential use as oral/mucosal vaccines.
(1990-1991)
Undergraduate Research Assistant at California State University Los Angeles Department of Biology with Dr. Alan H. Goldstein (email address:
Project: Isolation and cloning of a mineral phosphate-solubilizing gene from Pseudomonas cepacia.
Work Related Performance and Achievements
| Patent | Filed a patent WO2012030206 A1 on behalf of the State Government on Molecular Method to Identify Aglaia stellatopilosa in 2010 |
| Patent | Filed a patent PI2020004121 on behalf of the State Government on A Composition for the Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases in 2020. |
| Patent | Filed a patent PI2020007106 on behalf of the Sarawak Biodiversity Council on Compound for treating Neurodegenerative Diseases and Its Isolation Method Thereof in 2020 |
Exceptional Service
Anugerah Perkhidmatan Cemerlang 2004, 2010
Service Certificate of Appreciation/Excellence from State Secretary for Service and Performance (2009, 2010 & 2011, 2012)
Awarded Pingat Bintang Kenyalang (PBK) – 2016
Awarded Pingat Perkhidmatan Cemerlang (Emas) (PPC) - 2021
Appointment and Affiliation
Ahli Jawatankuasa Teknikal Pembangunan Dasar Inovasi Sosial (DIS) 2023-2030
Ahli Jawatankuasa Induk bagi Jawatankuasa Kebangsaan Penyelidikan dan Pembangunan Perubatan Herba (JKPPH) bagi Tahun 2022 – 2023 (1 Februari 2022 – 31 Disember 2023)
Ahli Tetap Jawatankuasa Teknikal berkenaan Biodiversity (NSC Z/TC 13) (1 Januari 2022 – 31 Disember 2024)
Ahli Jawatankuasa Pemandu bagi Program Dana Pembangunan Usahawan Bumiputera (DPUB) Sarawak 2021 – TERAJU dan SBC (Project Steering Committee – PSC) (Ahli Tetap) (8 September 2021 – 8 September 2026)
Ahli Jawatankuasa Penasihat Pihak Berkuasa Kompeten Kebangsaan (National Competent Authority – NCA)
(Anggota Tetap) (24 November 2021 – 30 November 2023)
Member of ASM Biotechnology Advisory/Thought Leader Group for Formulation of National Biotechnology Policy (NBP) 2.0
(May – July 2021)
Ahli Jawatankuasa Teknikal Kumpulan Wang Amanah Tabung Amanah Konservasi Sumber Asli Nasional (NCTF) bagi Sesi 2020-2022
Industry Advisory Member
Thoughts for Food-World pioneer and leader in next-gen innovation and startup acceleration for food and agriculture
South East Asia and Regional Hub (2020-current)
Leader of Innovation Cluster
Sarawak Economic Action Council (2020)
Lembaga Biokeselamatan Kebangsaan (Anggota Tetap) (1 September 2022 – 31 Ogos 2024)
(1 September 2020-31 Ogos 2022)
SBC Technical Committee on Access and Benefit Sharing
(August 2019 – present)
Ahli Jawatankuasa Pemandu (Steering Committee) untuk Projek Penyediaan Pelan Perancangan/Panduan Bagi Pembangunan Industri Perubatan Tradisional dan Komplementari (T&CM) dan Memperkukuhkan Pengawalseliaan Perkhidmatan T&CM di Malaysia
(Ahli Silih Ganti) (2018 - now)
Ahli Jawatankuasa Teknikal (Technical Committee) untuk Projek Penyediaan Pelan Perancangan/Panduan Bagi Pembangunan Industri Perubatan Tradisional dan Komplementari (T&CM) dan Memperkukuhkan Pengawalseliaan Perkhidmatan T&CM di Malaysia
(Ahli Tetap) (2018 - now)
Ahli Jawatankuasa Pelaksana Bagi Pelan Tindakan Traditional and Complementary Medicine Blueprint 2018 – 2027 (Healthcare) (Ahli Tetap) (2018 – 2027)
Member of Sarawak Course Advisory Committee (SCAC) at Faculty of Engineering, Computer & Science, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus
Member of the Establishment Committee (EC),
Sarawak Research and Development Council
(19 March 2019 – 28 February 2021)
Member of the Finance, Grants and Investment Committee (FGIC),
Sarawak Research and Development Council
(19 March 2019 – 28 February 2021)
Member of the Audit Committee (AUDC),
Sarawak Research and Development Council
(19 March 2019 – 28 February 2021)
Secretary to the Sarawak Biodiversity Council
(1 March 2022 – 29 February 2024)
(1 March 2020 - 28 February 2022)
(1 March 2018 – 29 February 2020)
(1 April 2016 – 31 March 2018)
(1 April 2014 – 31 March 2016)
Secretary, SBC Establishment Committee
(3 April 2018 – current)
Secretary, SBC Finance & Investment Committee
(3 April 2018 – current)
Member, SBC Disciplinary Committee
(3 April 2018 – current)
Member of Pustaka Park Advisory Committee (PPAC), Pustaka Negeri Sarawak (1 August 2017 – 31 July 2019)
Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Computer & Science, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus (1 March 2017 - 1 March 2020)
Member of Sustainable Development Solutions Network Malaysia (2017-2018)
Member of National Biosafety Board (NBB) (4 January 2017 – 3 January 2019)
Pegawai Pengelas di bawah Seksyen 2B Akta Rahsia Rasmi 1977 (23 August 2016)
Balanced Scorecard Champion (2016 - current)
Audit Committee Member of the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) (4 June 2015 - current)
Advisor to Competency Profiling & Assessment (CPA) Committee (2014 - current)
Committee Member of the Sarawak Information Technology and Resources Council (SITRC) (5 September 2014 – 4 September 2016)
Chairman of the Board of Survey for Asset Write-Off (2013 - current)
Member of the Safety and Health Committee of SBC (2013 - 2015)
Member of the Advisory Committee, School of Engineering, Computing and Science at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak (Biotechnology Program) (1 March 2012 - 28 February 2013)
Member of SBC Quotation and Tender Committee (2011-2014)
Assistant Treasurer for SBC Kelab Sukan & Rekreasi SBC (Sports Club) (2011 - 2012)
Council Member for SIAS (Sarawak Institute of Agriculture Scientists) (2010 – 2012)
Member of the State Intellectual Property Working Committee (23 June 2009)
Member of the Sarawak State Intellectual Property (IP) Working Committee (1 April 2009 - 30 November 2010)
Councilor for SIAS (Sarawak Institute of Agriculture Scientists) 2008 - 2012 for 2 terms
Vice Organizing Chairman of the International Symposium on “Biodiversity-Biotechnology: Gateway to Discoveries, Sustainable Utilization and Wealth Creation” (2008)
Promotion Records
Senior Research Officer from Q47 to Q52 in 2006
Senior Research Officer to Chief Scientist from Q52 to Q54 in 2012
Special Assignments
Appointed as Acting Director to perform and discharge duties of Director and CEO, pending the appointment of new Director on 24 Aug 2006 to 11 Jan 2007
Key Papers
1-3 October 2018 SynBioBeta 2018
Mission Bay San Francisco
Speaker
26 – 28 February 2018 Sarawak Dialogue
Riverside Majestic Hotel, Kuching, Sarawak
Panellists: “How Can Sarawak Benefit From Its Biodiversity In The Area of Health”
21 – 23 November 2017 World Islamic Economic Forum Foundation (WIEF)
Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, Sarawak
Masterclass Session - Session: Can Herbology Discover Cures for Tomorrow's Diseases?
1 – 3 December 2016 29th Symposium of Malaysian Chemical Engineers (SOMChE) 2016
Miri Marriott Resort & Spa, Miri, Sarawak
Plenary Speaker: “From Nature to Sustainable Products and Energy”
8 – 10 August 2016 ITH Technical Conference 2016 Trans Pacific Partnership: Impact on Thailand's Economy, Society and Health System, Bangkok, Thailand
Panellist: “Session Traditional knowledge and genetic resource (TK & GR), traditional
medicine and biodiversity and benefit sharing: what Thailand should do”
31 May – 2 June 2016 International Conference on Beneficial Microbes Duangjitt Resort & Spa, Phuket, Thailand
Keynote Speaker: “Bioprospecting the Rainforest in a Meaningful Way”
12-13 Nov 2013 3rd Screening Asia, Biopolis, Singapore
Paper presented: “Building Screening Partnerships with Natural Products from Sarawak's Biodiversity”
4-6 Feb 2013 Antimicrobial Resistance 2013, Bangkok,
Thailand
Paper presented: “Rediscovering Natural Products for New Drugs”
7 Nov 2012 BioMalaysia, Kuala Lumpur
Paper presented: “Building a Discovery Partnership with a Major Pharma: the Novartis and Sarawak Biodiversity Centre Collaboration on Microbial Discoveries”
23 Nov 2011 Screening Asia, Singapore Genome
Institute, Singapore
Paper presented: “Efforts to Diversify a Natural Product Library for Screening”
24 Oct 2011 International Symposium on Rehabilitation of Tropical Forest Ecosystem, The Royal Chulan, Kuala Lumpur
Paper presented: “Sarawak Biodiversity Centre: Establishment of a Natural Product Library and Exploration of Microbial Diversity”
6-8 July 2010 2nd International Biotechnology and Biodiversity Conference, Johor Bahru, Johor
Paper presented: “Prospect in Biodiversity: The Biodiscovery Programme at SBC”
24-25 February 2010 UK-Malaysia Symposium on Drug Discovery and Development for Cancer, Subang Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan
Paper presented: “Bioprospecting Sarawak’s Genetic Resources”
20 November 2008 Biodiversity and Biotechnology Symposium Hilton Kuching
Paper presented: “Silvestrol: An Emerging Compound for Cancer Therapy”
29 May 2008 Academy Sciences Malaysia Biodiversity Conference on Biodiversity and National Development, Kuala Lumpur
Paper presented: “From a Library of Indigenous Plants to Natural Product Discovery and Development: On-Going Sarawak’s Experience”
International Training
IGNITE Programme, Cambridge University, UK
28 June-4 July 2009
Publications:
1. Broad anti-pathogen potential of DEAD box RNA helicase eIF4A–targeting rocaglates. Scientific Reports. Obermann, W., Azri, M. F. D. B., Konopka, L., Schmidt, N., Magari, F., Sherman, J., Silva, L. M. R., Hermosilla, C., Ludewig, A. H., Houhou, H., Haeberlein, S., Luo, M. Y., Häcker, I., Schetelig, M. F., Grevelding, C. G., Schroeder, F. C., Lau, G., Taubert, A., Rodriguez, A., Heine, A., Yeo, T. C., Grünweller, A. and Taroncher-Oldenburg, G..
2. Streptomyces sp. AC04842: Genomic Insights and Functional Expression of Its Latex Clearing Protein Genes (lcp1 and lcp2) When Cultivated with Natural and Vulcanized Rubber as the Sole Carbon Source. Frontiers in Microbiology, 13, 2022, 1085. Basik, A. A., Trakunjae, C., Yeo, T. C., & Sudesh, K..
3. Inhibition Effect of Extract of Psychotria viridiflora Stem on α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase and Its Application in Lowering the Digestibility of Noodles. Frontiers in Nutrition, 8, 2021, 701114. Chen, Q., Toy, J. Y. H., Seta, C., Yeo, T. C., & Huang, D..
4. Rubber degrading strains: Microtetraspora and Dactylosporangium. Polymers, 13(20), 2021, 3524. Basik, A. A., Nanthini, J., Yeo, T. C., & Sudesh, K.
5. Microbial degradation of rubber: Actinobacteria. Polymers, 13(12), 2021. Basik, A. A., Sanglier, J. J., Yeo, C. T., & Sudesh, K..
6. Actinomycetes isolated from Wetland and Hill Paddy during the warm and cool Seasons in Sarawak, East Malaysia. Basik, A. A., Juboi, H., Shamsul, S. S. G., Sanglier, J. J., & Yeo, T. C., 2021. Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Food Sciences, 2021, 774-780.
7. “Antimicrobial activities of Plantactinospora sp. KBS50, a rare marine-derived actinomycete from the coastal area of Sarawak” Malaysian Journal of Microbiology Vol 15(2) 2019, pp. 111-119 Holed Juboi, Siaw San Hwang, Tiong Chia Yeo and Peter Morin Nissom
8. “Anthelmintic activity of selected ethno-medicinal plant extracts on parasitic stages of Haemonchus contortus” Parasites & Vectors 2016 1;9:187. Epub 2016 Apr 1. Rasika Kumarasingha, Sarah Preston, Tiong-Chia Yeo, Diana S L Lim, Chu-Lee Tu, Enzo A Palombo, Jillian M Shaw, Robin B Gasser, Peter R Boag
9. “Inhibition of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell proliferation and synergism of cisplatin with silvestrol and episilvestrol isolated from Aglaia stellatopilosa” Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 2016; 11(6):2117-2126. Maelinda Daker, Jiun-Tzen Yeo, Norhasimah Bakar, Asma Saiyidatina Aishah Abdul Rahman, Munirah Ahmad, Tiong-Chia Yeo Alan Soo-Beng Khoo
10. “Cyclopenta[b]benzofuran and Secodammarane Derivatives from the Stems of Aglaia stellatopilosa” Journal of Natural Products; 2016; 79:784-791. Nuraqilah Othman, Li Pan, Michele Mejin, Julian C. L., Voong, Hee-byung Chai, Caroline M. Pannel, A. Douglas Kinghorn and Tiong C. Yeo.
11. “Identification of anti-tubercular Lipophilic natural products from Malaysian Streptomyces species”
Journal of Natural Products; 2015; 8:75-84. Shetty N., Dong W., Delgado E., Basik A.A., Betin K.S., Yeo T.C., Sacchettini J., Williams H. Jr, Baker D.
12. “Flemingin-Type Prenylated Chalcones from the Sarawak Rainforest Plant Desmodium congestum”
Journal of Natural Products; 2015; 78 (8), 2141-2144. Karlee A. Rees, Cindy Bermudez, David J. Edwards, Alysha G. Elliott, Jovita E. Ripen, Cynthia Seta, Johnny X. Huang, Matthew A. Cooper, James A. Fraser, Tiong Chia Yeo, and Mark S. Butler.
13. “Luteipulveratus halotolerans sp. Nov., an actinobacterium (Dermacoccaceae) from forest soil”
International Journal of Systematic Evolutionary Microbiology; 2015; 65: 4113-4120
Holed Juboi, Ann Anni Basik, Sunita Sara Gill Shamsul, Phil Arnold, Esther K. Schmitt, Jean-Jacques Sanglier, Tiong Chia Yeo
14. “A nucleotide signature for identification of Aglaia stellatopilosa Pannell”
Molecular Biotechnoly. 2014 Jul;56(7): p671-9. Ng BL, Omarzuki M, Lau GS, Pannell CM, Yeo TC
15. “Comparative antimicrobial activity of South East Asian plants used in Bornean folkloric medicine”
Journal of Herbal Medicine. Volume 4, Issue 2, June 2014: p 96–105. Savithri Galappathie, Enzo A. Palombo, Tiong Chia Yeo, Diana Lim Siok Ley, Chu Lee Tu, François M. Malherbe, Peter J. Mahon
16. “Enhancing a search for traditional medicinal plants with anthelmintic action by using wild type and stress reporter Caenorhabditis elegans strains as screening tools”
Int J Parasitol. 2014 Apr; 44(5): p291-8. Kumarasingha R, Palombo EA, Bhave M, Yeo TC, Lim DS, Tu CL, Shaw JM, Boag PR.
17. “Building a discovery partnership with Sarawak Biodiversity Centre: a gateway to access natural products from the rainforests”
Comb Chem High Throughput Screen. 2014 Mar; 17(3): p 192-200. Yeo TC, Naming M, Manurung R.
18. “Evidence of Synergistic Activity of Medicinal Plant Extracts against Neuraminidase Inhibitor Resistant Strains of Influenza Viruses”
Advances in Microbiology; 2014; 4: 1260-1277. Rajasekaran, D., Palombo, E.A., Tiong Chia, Yeo., Lim Siok Ley, D., Lee Tu, C., Malherbe, F. and Grollo, L.
19. “Identification of traditional medicinal plant extracts with novel anti-influenza activity”
PLoS One. 2013 Nov 27;8(11): e79293. Rajasekaran D, Palombo EA, Chia Yeo T, Lim Siok Ley D, Lee Tu C, Malherbe F, Grollo L.
20. “A method for identification of Aglaia stellatopilosa”
Patent: Publ.of the Int.Appl. with Int.search report - World Intellectual Property Organization. Application: WO2011MY00061 on 31 May 2011. Publication 08 March 2012. Yeo TC, Ng BL, Omarzuki M.
21. “Photodynamic Activity of Plant Extracts from Sarawak Borneo” Chemistry & Biodiversity (2012) Jong WW, Tan PJ, Kamarulzaman FA, Mejin M, Lim D, Ang I, Naming M, Yeo TC, Ho ASH, Teo SH, Lee HB. (8):1475-86
22. “Nuclear export of NSB1 is required for normal cellular responses to radiation” Mol Cell Biol (2009) Vissinga CS, Yeo TC, Warren SE, Brawley JV, Phillips J, Cerosaletti KM, Concannon P. 29(4):1000-6. Epub 2008 Dec 15.
23. “Silvestrol: An Emerging Compound for Cancer Therapy” TC Yeo. Proceedings of the International Symposium (edited by Manurung et al.), Biodiversity-Biotechnology: Gateway to Discoveries, Sustainable Utilization and Wealth Creation. Kuching Sarawak Malaysia. 19-21 November 2008.
24. “V(D)J rearrangement in Nijmegen Breakage Syndrome” Molecular Immunology (2000) Yeo TC, Xia D, Hassouneh S, Yang XO, Sabath DE, Sperling K, Gatti RA, Concannon P, Willerford DM. 37(18):p 1131-9.
25. “Retroviral expression of the NBS1 gene in cultured Nijmegen breakage syndrome cells restores normal radiation sensitivity and nuclear focus formation” Mutagenesis (2000) Cerosaletti KM, Desai-Mehta A, Yeo TC, Kraakman-Van Der Zwet M, Zdzienicka MZ, Concannon P. 15(3):p 281-6.
26. “Identification and characterization of a mouse homolog of the gene mutated in Nijmegen Breakage Syndrome” Cytogenet Cell Genet (1999) Vissinga CS, Yeo TC, Woessner J, Massa HF, Wilson RK, Trask BJ, Concannon P. 87(1-2):p 80-4.
27. “Expression of cholera toxin subunits in plants” Ann-N-Y-Acad-Sci. (1996) Hein MB. Yeo TC. Wang F. Sturtevant A. (792):p 50-6.
28. “Cloning of a mineral phosphate-solubilizing gene from Pseudomonas cepacia” Appl-Environ-Microbiol. (1995) Babu-Khan S. Yeo TC. Martin WL. Duron MR. Rogers RD. Goldstein AH. 61(3): p 972-8.