Syahriel Abdullah | Researcher / Lecturer
Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Dr. Syahriel Abdullah is a Senior Lecturer at the Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ITBC), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), where he leads strategic research initiatives at the intersection of tropical biodiversity and advanced drug development. Based in Borneo, a global biodiversity hotspot, he is dedicated to demonstrating that remarkable, high-impact pharmaceutical innovation is being conducted far beyond the traditional hubs of the West. Previously lead local biotechnological company for product formulation, his current primary research focus lies in Biochemistry and Natural Products Isolation, where he specializes in the characterization of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. As a Committee of UMS Research Cluster for Medical and Life Sciences, Borneo Innovative Centre for Utilization of Resources in Ethnopharmacology (BIoCURE), as well as a member of Borneo Research on Algesia, Inflammation & Neurodegeneration (BRAIN), a significant pillar of his current research involves the study of Sabah native plant species containing phytocannabinoid derivatives and mimicry compounds, a project currently undergoing pre-clinical stage evaluations to determine their therapeutic potential, especially for antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and insomnia. His work is also particularly noted for the discovery of novel antibacterial compounds from tropical fungi, which have demonstrated remarkable activity against clinically significant pathogens, including multi-drug resistant bacteria, with a novel mechanism of action. Beyond academia, he serves as a Scientific Advisor for several biotech and exploration firms, including Agri-Biotech Marketing and Mawali Adventure Tours, where he provides technical oversight for the development of commercially viable sustainable products. He is a recognized Professional Technologist (P. Tech.) by the Malaysia Board of Technologists and holds editorial positions, including Associate Editor for the Journal of Transaction on Science and Technology. He has authored numbers of high-impact publications in journals, and has been awarded multiple research grants for investigating Sabah’s microbial and medicinal riches. Internationally, he is a visiting lecturer and researcher positions in South Korea and Indonesia, further bridging the gap between Southeast Asian tropical research and global biotechnology. He holds a Ph.D. in Biotechnology from Universiti Malaysia Sabah, and currently continues to translate tropical microbial and plant riches into sustainable, commercially viable drug candidates for the global stage.