Strengthening Regional Scientific Collaboration: Dr Adzzie’s SASEAF Fellowship at NUS

Dr Adzzie Shazleen Azman from the School of Science, Monash University Malaysia, is the first academic from MUM to be awarded the SG Academies South-East Asia Fellowship (SASEAF) in 2023. She is also one of three Malaysian researchers, and among 13 recipients from across Southeast Asia, to receive the prestigious fellowship.

Dr Adzzie recently began her fellowship in 2025 and is currently based at the Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, under the supervision of Associate Professor Justin Chu Jang Hann. Her research focuses on the antiviral activity of a compound derived from one of her potential novel Actinomycetes strains, aiming to combat viral infections. Her one-and-a-half-year project is fully funded by the host principal investigator and the National Research Foundation (NRF) of Singapore, administered by the Singapore National Academy of Science (SNAS).

Reflecting on her experience so far, Dr Adzzie shared:

“My initial collaboration with my current host PI opened the door to this opportunity, and I’m very grateful to the School of Science for its continuous support, which enabled me to pursue this fellowship. Over the past four months, I’ve been focused on advancing the project, which is set for completion by December 2026. This collaboration will continue when I return to MUM. Each week, I have the privilege of engaging with international researchers through research seminars and activities organized by the Infectious Diseases Translational Research Program (IDTRP) Community. These interactions have been invaluable, not only deepening my understanding of the field but also sparking new ideas and potential collaborations that could shape the next phase of my work.”

Through her work, Dr Adzzie continues to advance scientific knowledge and contribute to research excellence and innovation. Her journey also reflects Monash University Malaysia’s commitment to meaningful collaborations that foster shared learning and growth.

The SASEAF Program is a competitive initiative that promotes collaboration between Singapore’s leading institutions and researchers across Southeast Asia, supporting impactful research and regional scientific advancement.