WP_Query Object
(
    [query] => Array
        (
            [post_type] => event
            [posts_per_page] => 5
            [type] => 
            [area] => 
            [before] => 
            [after] => 
            [tags] => 
            [showtitle] => 
            [meta_query] => Array
                (
                    [relation] => AND
                    [0] => Array
                        (
                            [key] => _ilsi_date
                            [value] => 2024-09-17
                            [compare] => >=
                        )

                )

            [paged] => 1
            [meta_key] => _ilsi_date
            [orderby] => meta_value
            [order] => ASC
        )

    [query_vars] => Array
        (
            [post_type] => event
            [posts_per_page] => 5
            [type] => 
            [area] => 
            [before] => 
            [after] => 
            [tags] => 
            [showtitle] => 
            [meta_query] => Array
                (
                    [relation] => AND
                    [0] => Array
                        (
                            [key] => _ilsi_date
                            [value] => 2024-09-17
                            [compare] => >=
                        )

                )

            [paged] => 1
            [meta_key] => _ilsi_date
            [orderby] => meta_value
            [order] => ASC
            [error] => 
            [m] => 
            [p] => 0
            [post_parent] => 
            [subpost] => 
            [subpost_id] => 
            [attachment] => 
            [attachment_id] => 0
            [name] => 
            [pagename] => 
            [page_id] => 0
            [second] => 
            [minute] => 
            [hour] => 
            [day] => 0
            [monthnum] => 0
            [year] => 0
            [w] => 0
            [category_name] => 
            [tag] => 
            [cat] => 
            [tag_id] => 
            [author] => 
            [author_name] => 
            [feed] => 
            [tb] => 
            [meta_value] => 
            [preview] => 
            [s] => 
            [sentence] => 
            [title] => 
            [fields] => 
            [menu_order] => 
             => 
            [category__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [category__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [category__and] => Array
                (
                )

            [post__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [post__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [post_name__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag__and] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag_slug__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag_slug__and] => Array
                (
                )

            [post_parent__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [post_parent__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [author__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [author__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [search_columns] => Array
                (
                )

            [ignore_sticky_posts] => 
            [suppress_filters] => 
            [cache_results] => 1
            [update_post_term_cache] => 1
            [update_menu_item_cache] => 
            [lazy_load_term_meta] => 1
            [update_post_meta_cache] => 1
            [nopaging] => 
            [comments_per_page] => 50
            [no_found_rows] => 
        )

    [tax_query] => WP_Tax_Query Object
        (
            [queries] => Array
                (
                )

            [relation] => AND
            [table_aliases:protected] => Array
                (
                )

            [queried_terms] => Array
                (
                )

            [primary_table] => wp_21_posts
            [primary_id_column] => ID
        )

    [meta_query] => WP_Meta_Query Object
        (
            [queries] => Array
                (
                    [0] => Array
                        (
                            [key] => _ilsi_date
                        )

                    [1] => Array
                        (
                            [0] => Array
                                (
                                    [key] => _ilsi_date
                                    [value] => 2024-09-17
                                    [compare] => >=
                                )

                            [relation] => OR
                        )

                    [relation] => AND
                )

            [relation] => AND
            [meta_table] => wp_21_postmeta
            [meta_id_column] => post_id
            [primary_table] => wp_21_posts
            [primary_id_column] => ID
            [table_aliases:protected] => Array
                (
                    [0] => wp_21_postmeta
                    [1] => mt1
                )

            [clauses:protected] => Array
                (
                    [wp_21_postmeta] => Array
                        (
                            [key] => _ilsi_date
                            [compare] => =
                            [compare_key] => =
                            [alias] => wp_21_postmeta
                            [cast] => CHAR
                        )

                    [mt1] => Array
                        (
                            [key] => _ilsi_date
                            [value] => 2024-09-17
                            [compare] => >=
                            [compare_key] => =
                            [alias] => mt1
                            [cast] => CHAR
                        )

                )

            [has_or_relation:protected] => 
        )

    [date_query] => 
    [request] => SELECT SQL_CALC_FOUND_ROWS  wp_21_posts.ID
					 FROM wp_21_posts  INNER JOIN wp_21_postmeta ON ( wp_21_posts.ID = wp_21_postmeta.post_id )  INNER JOIN wp_21_postmeta AS mt1 ON ( wp_21_posts.ID = mt1.post_id )
					 WHERE 1=1  AND ( 
  wp_21_postmeta.meta_key = '_ilsi_date' 
  AND 
  ( 
    ( mt1.meta_key = '_ilsi_date' AND mt1.meta_value >= '2024-09-17' )
  )
) AND ((wp_21_posts.post_type = 'event' AND (wp_21_posts.post_status = 'publish' OR wp_21_posts.post_status = 'acf-disabled')))
					 GROUP BY wp_21_posts.ID
					 ORDER BY wp_21_postmeta.meta_value ASC
					 LIMIT 0, 5
    [posts] => Array
        (
            [0] => WP_Post Object
                (
                    [ID] => 30161
                    [post_author] => 353
                    [post_date] => 2024-08-15 08:01:27
                    [post_date_gmt] => 2024-08-15 08:01:27
                    [post_content] => 

				

		BACKGROUND
	
				
	
Technological change is occurring at an unprecedented rate in the global agri-food value chain. New biotechnologies are a major part of this transformational change, including precision agriculture technology and new plant breeding techniques such as gene editing for targeted modification of plant genomes. In combination with innovative practices for monitoring and managing food and agricultural systems, they are opening up new pathways to delivering sustainable food production systems of the future.
It is, thus, important that key stakeholders along the value chain and regulatory authorities share the latest scientific knowledge on the 
	
safety assessment, updates on status and advancement as well as regulatory approach towards potential adoption of these technologies. There is also increasing recognition of needs to engage and educate the broader community and consumers through innovative communication tools to impart knowledge and mitigate any misperception of these technologies.
This seminar to be held back-to-back in Singapore and Malaysia aims to bring together key stakeholders to share scientific updates and facilitate stakeholders' engagement, addressing issues and perspectives on new biotechnologies, safety assessment, regulatory development and communication strategies.



		PROGRAM
	
					Malaysia, September 18, 2024
											Expand
					
 
					Singapore, September 19, 2024
											Expand
					

	
Note: Topic and title of presentations are subject to change upon final confirmation with invited speakers.
			
							Download Malaysia Program
					
			
							Download Singapore Program
					

		ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
	
					Malaysia, September 18, 2024
											Expand
					
Dato' Dr Mohamad Zabawi bin Abdul Ghani, Director General, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), Malaysia
Dato' Dr. Mohamad Zabawi serves as the Director-General of MARDI and possesses expertise in soil science, particularly in soil conservation, agroecological zonation, climate change, green technology, and water stress physiology. He obtained his Ph.D. in Water Stress Physiology and an M.Sc. in Tropical Agriculture from The Reading University in 2006 and 1993, respectively. His B.Sc. in Agriculture Science, specializing in Soil Physics and Conservation, was earned from Universiti Putra Malaysia in 1988. Dato' Dr. Mohamad Zabawi is actively engaged in various climate change-related committees and has delivered technical papers on climate change, green technology, and biomass energy in local and international forums, while also contributing to environmental publications.
Mr Timothy Harrison, Regional Agricultural Counselor, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)
Tim joined the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur in July 2021 as regional agricultural counselor for Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei. In this role, Tim oversees the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) activities in the region, including crop reporting and forecasts, trade promotion, and bilateral cooperation on agriculture and food security.  Previously, Tim was FAS's first head of post in Astana, Kazakhstan.  He has also served as agricultural attaché in Mexico City and worked at USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C.  Prior to joining USDA, Tim worked on agricultural trade policy issues and market development in the private sector.  Tim holds a bachelor's degree in International Relations from the University of California, Davis, and a master's degree in International Trade and Investment Policy from George Washington University.
Mr Geoffry Smith, ILSI SEA Region
Mr. Geoffry Smith is President of ILSI Southeast Asia Region based in Singapore, and a Representative of the branch to the ILSI Global Assembly. He is also the Chairman of the Essential Micronutrients Foundation, a non-profit organization which addresses micronutrient deficiencies globally as a public health issue. In addition, he is Director of Nutrition Strategies International which deals with food and nutrition issues in developing countries. Mr. Smith serves as a member of the editorial board of the journal Food and Nutrition Bulletin. Prior to his current positions, Mr. Smith was the Global Director, Health Chelates for Akzo Nobel Functional Chemicals, and directed the global business for these compounds in food and nutrition as well as pharmaceutical applications. He was responsible for the global project within Akzo Nobel addressing iron deficiency anemia.
Prof Wayne Allen Parrott, Professor, University of Georgia, USA
Prof. Wayne Allen Parrott received a degree in agronomy from the University of Kentucky, and MS and PhD degrees in Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He joined the faculty at the University of Georgia in 1988, where he is now a Distinguished Research Professor. Since arriving at Georgia, he has been conducting research on the development, use and safety of transgenic (i.e., GM) and edited crop plants, using grant monies from USDA-NIFA, NSF, DOE and the United Soybean Board. He has published a guide for environmental risk assessment of GMOs, along with ~ 120 journal articles in refereed publications and 15 book chapters. He has served terms on the editorial boards of Plant Cell Reports, Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture, and Crop Science. He has served as elected chair of the biotechnology section of the Crop Science Society of America and of the plant section of the Society for In Vitro Biology, and is a fellow of both societies, as well as of the AAAS. He served a term as a co-director for the NSF Plant Genome Research Program, and currently serves as the past-secretary and annual meeting program chair for the American Society of Plant Biologists. He is actively engaged in training graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and teaches graduate-level courses in crop genetics. He formerly taught undergraduate courses in agroecology and sustainable agriculture. He has traveled extensively throughout Latin America and other countries, and advised legislators and regulators in the various countries on the requisites for a functional regulatory system that ensures the safety of GM products.
Mr Amin Asyraf Tamizi, Research Officer, Agri-Omics and Bioinformatics Programme, Biotechnology and Nanotechnology Research Centre, MARDI, Malaysia
Amin Asyraf Tamizi is a Research Officer at the Biotechnology and Nanotechnology Research Centre, MARDI, where his current research focuses on CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing of local rice cultivars and the molecular systematics of Nepenthes carnivorous pitcher plants in Peninsular Malaysia.

Amin graduated from Michigan State University, the United States, in 2013 with a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology/Biotechnology. His core expertise lies in Genetic Engineering and Molecular Biology, and he has served MARDI for ten years (since 2014). During this time, he has been integral to the team that genetically engineered disease-resistant Arabidopsis, rice and papaya, and recently he developed a new CRISPR/Cas9 delivery system for local rice. Additionally, Amin has applied his expertise in molecular systematics to identify and publish several new species of Nepenthes pitcher plants that he and his team discovered in remote mountains. His research findings have been published in nearly 20 journal papers covering the fields of genomics, genetic engineering, gene editing, and molecular taxonomy.
Dr Kumitaa Theva Das, Senior Lecturer, Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
 Dr. Kumitaa Theva Das completed her BSc in the US and did her PhD in one of the pioneer labs of genome editing in the US. With more than fifteen years of experience in genome editing, she focuses on developing CRISPR as a therapeutic tool against infectious diseases.

Her national and international funded CRISPR projects have been published in high-impact journals including Nature Medicine and Nature's Scientific Reports, and garnered her numerous awards, including one which led to her attachment at the University of Oxford.

Dr. Kumitaa Theva Das is a co-chair for one of the sub-groups of Malaysia's Genetic Modification Advisory Committee and is part of the ad hoc technical expert group on genome editing under the United Nations Environment Program. She also works with international bodies to improve policies to make genome editing as a gene therapy accessible to low- and middle-income countries.

Dr. Kumitaa Theva Das frequently shares her expertise in genome editing through public speaking engagements, including TEDx talks and appearances in mass media.
Dr Tan Yong Quan, Covering Specialist Team Lead, Bioengineering, National Centre for Food Science, Singapore Food Agency, Singapore
Dr. Tan Yong Quan is the Covering Specialist Team Lead of the Bioengineering Team at the National Centre for Food Science under the Singapore Food Agency (SFA). He is leading risk assessment and regulatory work related to foods enabled by modern biotechnology at the SFA. He graduated with a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the National University of Singapore.
Dr Gabriel Romero, Executive Director, Philippines Seed Industry Association (PSIA), Philippines
Dr. Gabriel Romero is the Executive Director of The Philippine Seed Industry Association (PSIA), and Country Head Philippines of North Hill Group. Prior to that, he was the Senior Regulatory & Scientific Affairs Lead of Monsanto Philippines for 10 years. He also served as Genebank Manager, Director of Crop Biotechnology Center and Acting Deputy Executive Director for Research at the Philippine Rice Research Institute. He holds a Ph.D. in Genetics from University of California, Davis, USA, and a Master of Philosophy in Plant Breeding from the University of Cambridge, UK, and a BS in Biology from the University of the Philippines at Los Baños. Among his awards are The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM), Outstanding Young Scientist from the National Academy of Science and Technology, and Faces of Biotechnology from the Department of Agriculture.
Dr Mahaletchumy Arujanan, Executive Director, Malaysian Biotechnology Information Center (MABIC), Malaysia
Dr Mahaletchumy Arujanan is the Global Coordinator of the BioTrust-ISAAA and the Executive Director of Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre (MABIC). She has a PhD in science communication and Master of Biotechnology from University of Malaya, and a degree in Microbiology from Universiti Putra Malaysia. She is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Petri Dish ­- the first science newspaper in Malaysia and also co-founded Science Media Centre Malaysia. She started the Asian Short Course on Agribiotechnology, Biosafety Regulations and Communications (ASCA) and developed the 1st science communication training programme for scientists in Malaysia. Maha also initiated the Science Communication Advisory Board under COMSTECH (Pakistan) to promote science communication in OIC Member States. She is an Adjunct Lecturer at Monash University Malaysia and AIMST University; sits on Industry Advisory Panel for seven universities; and served as a Biosafety Outreach specialist for UN FAO, Sri Lanka. Maha is listed as the world's 100 most influential people in biotechnology by Scientific American Worldview 2015. She is also listed in the honorific list of Women in Biotechnology Law and Regulation, Biotechnology Law Report (USA) 2015. Maha won the 2010 Third World Academy of Science Regional Prize for Public Understanding of Science for East, Southeast Asia and Pacific Region. She is a board member of the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT) and is also on the advisory board for Mustafa Science and Technology Foundation (Iran), Alliance for Science (USA); and Farming Future Bangladesh; and Genetic Literacy Project (USA). Maha is also on the editorial board of the European Federation of Bioeconomy Journal. She is also on the Selangor Bio Advisory Council to provide advice on bioeconomy development in the state. She has published chapters, papers and articles on science/biotech communication, bioeconomy and biotechnology development.
Prof Dr Rofina Yasmin Othman, Honorary Professor, Institute for Advanced Studies, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia
Dr. Yasmin, is an Honorary Professor at the Institute of Advanced Studies, Universiti Malaya having served the University as an academic, researcher and administrator for more than 30 years.  Her research explored the application of molecular tools to facilitate solutions for agriculture particularly of tropical crops. Concurrently she has a keen interest in policies, ethics and socioeconomics of science and technology. She was a two-term member of the National Biosafety Council and is currently a member of the National Bioethics council. She is a fellow and council member of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia and is the chairman of MRANTI Corporation, a National Technology Commercialization Accelerator and Technology Park initiative reflecting her experience in this area. This included secondments as Undersecretary of the National Biotechnology Division at the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation and appointments as Director of the University's tech transfer office (UMCIC). She is also currently chairman of Life Science Venture firm Xeraya Capital and founder of Leaf Edge Technologies, an innovation platform focusing on promoting uptake of advances in plant science R&D.
Ms Li Xin Kang, Genetic Modification Advisory Committee (GMAC) Secretariat, Singapore
Kang Li Xin serves as the Secretariat for Genetic Modification Advisory Committee (GMAC) Singapore, which is a national advisory committee tasked with overseeing and offering scientifically rigorous advice on the research, development, production, release, use, and handling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) within Singapore. Through supporting the Subcommittee of Public Awareness in GMAC, she organises outreach activities aimed to enhance the public's awareness and understanding of GM technology. Li Xin is also part of the Research Office in Agency for Science, Technology and Research in Singapore (A*STAR) where she contributes to the governance of research in A*STAR, in compliant with the Human Biomedical Research Act (HBRA).
 
					Singapore, September 19, 2024
											Expand
					


		ORGANIZER
	
				
				

		CO-ORGANIZERS
	
				
				
				

		CONTACT
	
	
If you have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact the following:
	For Malaysia:

Dr. Rogayah Sekeli and/or Dr. Zulkifli Ahmad Seman

Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI)

Email: lynn@mardi.gov.my ; szula@mardi.gov.my
	For Singapore:

ILSI Southeast Asia Region

Singapore

Tel: 65 6352 5220

Email: event@ilsisea.org.sg


                    [post_title] => Seminar on Precision Agriculture and Gene Editing Technology for Sustainable Food Production – Science and Communication
                    [post_excerpt] => 
                    [post_status] => publish
                    [comment_status] => closed
                    [ping_status] => closed
                    [post_password] => 
                    [post_name] => precision-agriculture-gene-editing-2024
                    [to_ping] => 
                    [pinged] => 
                    [post_modified] => 2024-09-18 01:31:29
                    [post_modified_gmt] => 2024-09-18 01:31:29
                    [post_content_filtered] => 
                    [post_parent] => 0
                    [guid] => https://ilsisea-region.org/?post_type=event&p=30161
                    [menu_order] => 0
                    [post_type] => event
                    [post_mime_type] => 
                    [comment_count] => 0
                    [filter] => raw
                )

            [1] => WP_Post Object
                (
                    [ID] => 30139
                    [post_author] => 353
                    [post_date] => 2024-07-29 05:11:16
                    [post_date_gmt] => 2024-07-29 05:11:16
                    [post_content] => 

				
												Overview				
												Program Outline				
												Register				
												Submit Poster				
												About the Organizers 				
						Overview
											BACKGROUND

Co-organized by Sunway University and the Nutrition Society of Malaysia, and in collaboration with Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, the symposium will collaborate with key local and regional institutions, bringing together subject experts including renowned scientists, regional practitioners and researchers, industry leaders in the field, health officials and regulators to share latest advancement and new knowledge on human and gut microbiome research in Asia and SE Asia.

From clinical to translational science and applications, the symposium will provide an exciting platform to exchange, harness the science, stimulate innovations in tools and product development that will help inform on appropriate dietary recommendations to address nutrition and health gaps, facilitate regulatory development and forge partnerships in advancing the field for consumer health benefits in Southeast Asia.
OBJECTIVES

Advance knowledge link on gut microbiome to health and disease, focusing on Asian populations
Provide regional landscape and initiate collaboration in SE Asia to generate data and further research and product development
Promote innovation and regulatory development for consumer and market
Develop insights and recommendations for research and regulatory guidance
Facilitate discussion on pre-competitive collaborative research opportunities

						Program Outline
											
Day 1 - November 25, 2024, 08:45 - 18:00 hr

Session 1 - Human Gut Microbiota - Updates on Science and Research in Southeast Asia
Session 2 - Technologies and Food Innovations to Advance Gut Microbiota and Health
Session 3 - Infant Gut Microbiota and Health
Panel Session

Day 2 - November 26, 2024, 08:30 - 18:00 hr

Rapid-fire Poster Presentation Session - for Shortlisted Posters
Session 4 - Gut Microbiota, Metabolic Health and the Gut-brain Axis
Session 5 - Functional Biotics and its Applications in Southeast Asia
Session 6 - Developments in Regulations and Consumer Insights in Southeast Asia


Panel Session

Please refer below for the full program and presenters details.
 
						Register
											

*Local Rates are applicable to participants residing in Malaysia.

**Only for NSM members from academia, NGO, or self-employed; NSM membership number to be provided.


Postgraduate Students submitting poster will enjoy 20% discount off registration fees.
Malaysian Registrants: Nutrition Society of Malaysia, co-organiser of the symposium, will apply to HRD Corp to obtain permission to enable eligible participants to apply for claims.
 
Click below to complete the online registration:


						Submit Poster
											Registered participants from academia, industry, and government institutions are invited to present their research work. A dedicated 1-hour session will be held where selected authors can give a flash presentation of their posters.

Postgraduate students submitting a poster can enjoy a 20% discount on their registration fee.
Click below for the detailed guidelines in submitting your abstract and poster:


Submission Deadline: October 18, 2024, 23:59hrs (SGT)


For further inquiries, please contact event@ilsisea.org.sg.
						About the Organizers 
											
ILSI SEA Region


ILSI Southeast Asia Region (ILSI SEA Region) is a regional branch of the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI), a nonprofit, worldwide organization whose mission is to provide science that improves human health and well-being, and safeguards the environment. Established in 1978 and headquartered in Washington, DC, USA, ILSI carries out its work through a global network of 10 entities across the world. ILSI has specialized consultative status with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

ILSI SEA Region seeks to achieve ILSI's mission by fostering collaboration among experts from academia, government, and industry, to provide a balance of perspectives and ensure its scientific outcomes are useful at the local, national and international levels. Its activities include scientific meetings and conferences, capability development programs, and research and community projects. ILSI SEA Region's scientific programs are guided by the principles of integrity, independence and transparency. By maintaining our neutrality and independence, we have worked closely and effectively with our key stakeholder groups from academia, industry, international organizations and governments.
School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Malaysia
Sunway University is one of Malaysia's leading private universities. Upholding values-based education, the University strives to ensure the campus community develops a sustainable mindset by embracing an ecological worldview, understanding systems perspective, and developing emotional intelligence. Sunway University is part of the Sunway Education Group which is owned and governed by the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, Malaysia's largest education-focused social enterprise, where operating surpluses are channelled back into the institutions or disbursed as scholarships, research grants and faculty or facility expansion funds.

The Sunway University School of Medical and Life Sciences is dedicated to revolutionising healthcare development in the region. The School comprises five Academic Departments and Research Centres, including the Sunway Microbiome Centre - a Centre that focuses on the research of microbiota in health and disease. The Sunway Microbiome Centre collaborates nationally and internationally with researchers across multiple disciplines to advance microbiome research, and unravel how naturally existing microbial species in the digestive system influence the occurrence and progression of a variety of human illnesses and diseases.
Nutrition Society of Malaysia
Established in 1985, the Nutrition Society of Malaysia is a non-profit professional organisation with 500 members, comprising mainly of nutritionists. Its objectives are to 1) promote, advance, and disseminate scientific knowledge of food and nutrition, and 2) promote healthy eating and active living amongst all Malaysians. As a professional organisation, NSM is guided by a simple belief - the more people understand food and nutrition, the better they can care for their health and wellbeing. For that reason, NSM supports the advancement of research, sharing practical insights and important discoveries for the benefits for all. NSM also support the Government's efforts in promoting healthy nutrition in the society to combat nutrient deficiencies as well as diet-related chronic diseases in the country (e.g. obesity, diabetes, hypertension and coronary heart disease). In caring for the community, NSM continuously disseminate practical nutrition information to the young and old alike, guiding them to discover the benefits of good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.
Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University (LKCMedicine, NTU), Singapore
NTU is a research-intensive public university ranked amongst the world's top universities. It is also home to world-renowned autonomous institutes including the Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering. Apart from its main campus, NTU also has a medical campus in Novena, Singapore's healthcare district.

Established in 2010 by NTU, Singapore in partnership with Imperial College London, the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) aims to be a model for innovative medical education and a centre for transformative research. The School's primary clinical partner is the National Healthcare Group, a leader in public healthcare and quality medical expertise, facilities and teaching. LKCMedicine is transitioning to an NTU Medical School, ahead of the 2028 successful conclusion of the NTU-Imperial partnership to set up a Joint Medical School. The School welcomed its first intake of the NTU MBBS programme in August 2024, emphasizing themes including precision medicine and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare, with an expanded scope in the medical humanities.

		SYMPOSIUM PROGRAM
	

		DAY 1: November 25, 2024
	
	08:00 - 08:45 hr Registration

08:45 - 09:00 hr Opening and Welcome Remarks

		DAY 2: November 26, 2024
	
	
08:30 - 09:30 hr Breakfast Refreshment & Poster Presentation Session

		SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
	
	
Explore our various sponsorship opportunities and take part in this important meeting! For more details, please email event@ilsisea.org.sg

		ORGANIZER
	
				

		CO-ORGANIZERS
	
				
				

		COLLABORATOR
	
				

		CONTACT
	
	
If you have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact the following:
	For Local Participants:

Dr. Tee E Siong

Malaysia

Email: estee@nutrihealth.com.my
	For Overseas Participants:

ILSI Southeast Asia Region

Singapore

Tel: 65 6352 5220

Email: event@ilsisea.org.sg


                    [post_title] => Advancing Gut Microbiome Research  for Applications in Health and Food Innovation
                    [post_excerpt] => 
                    [post_status] => publish
                    [comment_status] => closed
                    [ping_status] => closed
                    [post_password] => 
                    [post_name] => microbiome-2024
                    [to_ping] => 
                    [pinged] => 
                    [post_modified] => 2024-09-17 04:34:26
                    [post_modified_gmt] => 2024-09-17 04:34:26
                    [post_content_filtered] => 
                    [post_parent] => 0
                    [guid] => https://ilsisea-region.org/?post_type=event&p=30139
                    [menu_order] => 0
                    [post_type] => event
                    [post_mime_type] => 
                    [comment_count] => 0
                    [filter] => raw
                )

        )

    [post_count] => 2
    [current_post] => -1
    [before_loop] => 
    [in_the_loop] => 
    [post] => WP_Post Object
        (
            [ID] => 30161
            [post_author] => 353
            [post_date] => 2024-08-15 08:01:27
            [post_date_gmt] => 2024-08-15 08:01:27
            [post_content] => 

				

		BACKGROUND
	
				
	
Technological change is occurring at an unprecedented rate in the global agri-food value chain. New biotechnologies are a major part of this transformational change, including precision agriculture technology and new plant breeding techniques such as gene editing for targeted modification of plant genomes. In combination with innovative practices for monitoring and managing food and agricultural systems, they are opening up new pathways to delivering sustainable food production systems of the future.
It is, thus, important that key stakeholders along the value chain and regulatory authorities share the latest scientific knowledge on the 
	
safety assessment, updates on status and advancement as well as regulatory approach towards potential adoption of these technologies. There is also increasing recognition of needs to engage and educate the broader community and consumers through innovative communication tools to impart knowledge and mitigate any misperception of these technologies.
This seminar to be held back-to-back in Singapore and Malaysia aims to bring together key stakeholders to share scientific updates and facilitate stakeholders' engagement, addressing issues and perspectives on new biotechnologies, safety assessment, regulatory development and communication strategies.



		PROGRAM
	
					Malaysia, September 18, 2024
											Expand
					
 
					Singapore, September 19, 2024
											Expand
					

	
Note: Topic and title of presentations are subject to change upon final confirmation with invited speakers.
			
							Download Malaysia Program
					
			
							Download Singapore Program
					

		ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
	
					Malaysia, September 18, 2024
											Expand
					
Dato' Dr Mohamad Zabawi bin Abdul Ghani, Director General, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), Malaysia
Dato' Dr. Mohamad Zabawi serves as the Director-General of MARDI and possesses expertise in soil science, particularly in soil conservation, agroecological zonation, climate change, green technology, and water stress physiology. He obtained his Ph.D. in Water Stress Physiology and an M.Sc. in Tropical Agriculture from The Reading University in 2006 and 1993, respectively. His B.Sc. in Agriculture Science, specializing in Soil Physics and Conservation, was earned from Universiti Putra Malaysia in 1988. Dato' Dr. Mohamad Zabawi is actively engaged in various climate change-related committees and has delivered technical papers on climate change, green technology, and biomass energy in local and international forums, while also contributing to environmental publications.
Mr Timothy Harrison, Regional Agricultural Counselor, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)
Tim joined the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur in July 2021 as regional agricultural counselor for Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei. In this role, Tim oversees the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) activities in the region, including crop reporting and forecasts, trade promotion, and bilateral cooperation on agriculture and food security.  Previously, Tim was FAS's first head of post in Astana, Kazakhstan.  He has also served as agricultural attaché in Mexico City and worked at USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C.  Prior to joining USDA, Tim worked on agricultural trade policy issues and market development in the private sector.  Tim holds a bachelor's degree in International Relations from the University of California, Davis, and a master's degree in International Trade and Investment Policy from George Washington University.
Mr Geoffry Smith, ILSI SEA Region
Mr. Geoffry Smith is President of ILSI Southeast Asia Region based in Singapore, and a Representative of the branch to the ILSI Global Assembly. He is also the Chairman of the Essential Micronutrients Foundation, a non-profit organization which addresses micronutrient deficiencies globally as a public health issue. In addition, he is Director of Nutrition Strategies International which deals with food and nutrition issues in developing countries. Mr. Smith serves as a member of the editorial board of the journal Food and Nutrition Bulletin. Prior to his current positions, Mr. Smith was the Global Director, Health Chelates for Akzo Nobel Functional Chemicals, and directed the global business for these compounds in food and nutrition as well as pharmaceutical applications. He was responsible for the global project within Akzo Nobel addressing iron deficiency anemia.
Prof Wayne Allen Parrott, Professor, University of Georgia, USA
Prof. Wayne Allen Parrott received a degree in agronomy from the University of Kentucky, and MS and PhD degrees in Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He joined the faculty at the University of Georgia in 1988, where he is now a Distinguished Research Professor. Since arriving at Georgia, he has been conducting research on the development, use and safety of transgenic (i.e., GM) and edited crop plants, using grant monies from USDA-NIFA, NSF, DOE and the United Soybean Board. He has published a guide for environmental risk assessment of GMOs, along with ~ 120 journal articles in refereed publications and 15 book chapters. He has served terms on the editorial boards of Plant Cell Reports, Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture, and Crop Science. He has served as elected chair of the biotechnology section of the Crop Science Society of America and of the plant section of the Society for In Vitro Biology, and is a fellow of both societies, as well as of the AAAS. He served a term as a co-director for the NSF Plant Genome Research Program, and currently serves as the past-secretary and annual meeting program chair for the American Society of Plant Biologists. He is actively engaged in training graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and teaches graduate-level courses in crop genetics. He formerly taught undergraduate courses in agroecology and sustainable agriculture. He has traveled extensively throughout Latin America and other countries, and advised legislators and regulators in the various countries on the requisites for a functional regulatory system that ensures the safety of GM products.
Mr Amin Asyraf Tamizi, Research Officer, Agri-Omics and Bioinformatics Programme, Biotechnology and Nanotechnology Research Centre, MARDI, Malaysia
Amin Asyraf Tamizi is a Research Officer at the Biotechnology and Nanotechnology Research Centre, MARDI, where his current research focuses on CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing of local rice cultivars and the molecular systematics of Nepenthes carnivorous pitcher plants in Peninsular Malaysia.

Amin graduated from Michigan State University, the United States, in 2013 with a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology/Biotechnology. His core expertise lies in Genetic Engineering and Molecular Biology, and he has served MARDI for ten years (since 2014). During this time, he has been integral to the team that genetically engineered disease-resistant Arabidopsis, rice and papaya, and recently he developed a new CRISPR/Cas9 delivery system for local rice. Additionally, Amin has applied his expertise in molecular systematics to identify and publish several new species of Nepenthes pitcher plants that he and his team discovered in remote mountains. His research findings have been published in nearly 20 journal papers covering the fields of genomics, genetic engineering, gene editing, and molecular taxonomy.
Dr Kumitaa Theva Das, Senior Lecturer, Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
 Dr. Kumitaa Theva Das completed her BSc in the US and did her PhD in one of the pioneer labs of genome editing in the US. With more than fifteen years of experience in genome editing, she focuses on developing CRISPR as a therapeutic tool against infectious diseases.

Her national and international funded CRISPR projects have been published in high-impact journals including Nature Medicine and Nature's Scientific Reports, and garnered her numerous awards, including one which led to her attachment at the University of Oxford.

Dr. Kumitaa Theva Das is a co-chair for one of the sub-groups of Malaysia's Genetic Modification Advisory Committee and is part of the ad hoc technical expert group on genome editing under the United Nations Environment Program. She also works with international bodies to improve policies to make genome editing as a gene therapy accessible to low- and middle-income countries.

Dr. Kumitaa Theva Das frequently shares her expertise in genome editing through public speaking engagements, including TEDx talks and appearances in mass media.
Dr Tan Yong Quan, Covering Specialist Team Lead, Bioengineering, National Centre for Food Science, Singapore Food Agency, Singapore
Dr. Tan Yong Quan is the Covering Specialist Team Lead of the Bioengineering Team at the National Centre for Food Science under the Singapore Food Agency (SFA). He is leading risk assessment and regulatory work related to foods enabled by modern biotechnology at the SFA. He graduated with a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the National University of Singapore.
Dr Gabriel Romero, Executive Director, Philippines Seed Industry Association (PSIA), Philippines
Dr. Gabriel Romero is the Executive Director of The Philippine Seed Industry Association (PSIA), and Country Head Philippines of North Hill Group. Prior to that, he was the Senior Regulatory & Scientific Affairs Lead of Monsanto Philippines for 10 years. He also served as Genebank Manager, Director of Crop Biotechnology Center and Acting Deputy Executive Director for Research at the Philippine Rice Research Institute. He holds a Ph.D. in Genetics from University of California, Davis, USA, and a Master of Philosophy in Plant Breeding from the University of Cambridge, UK, and a BS in Biology from the University of the Philippines at Los Baños. Among his awards are The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM), Outstanding Young Scientist from the National Academy of Science and Technology, and Faces of Biotechnology from the Department of Agriculture.
Dr Mahaletchumy Arujanan, Executive Director, Malaysian Biotechnology Information Center (MABIC), Malaysia
Dr Mahaletchumy Arujanan is the Global Coordinator of the BioTrust-ISAAA and the Executive Director of Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre (MABIC). She has a PhD in science communication and Master of Biotechnology from University of Malaya, and a degree in Microbiology from Universiti Putra Malaysia. She is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Petri Dish ­- the first science newspaper in Malaysia and also co-founded Science Media Centre Malaysia. She started the Asian Short Course on Agribiotechnology, Biosafety Regulations and Communications (ASCA) and developed the 1st science communication training programme for scientists in Malaysia. Maha also initiated the Science Communication Advisory Board under COMSTECH (Pakistan) to promote science communication in OIC Member States. She is an Adjunct Lecturer at Monash University Malaysia and AIMST University; sits on Industry Advisory Panel for seven universities; and served as a Biosafety Outreach specialist for UN FAO, Sri Lanka. Maha is listed as the world's 100 most influential people in biotechnology by Scientific American Worldview 2015. She is also listed in the honorific list of Women in Biotechnology Law and Regulation, Biotechnology Law Report (USA) 2015. Maha won the 2010 Third World Academy of Science Regional Prize for Public Understanding of Science for East, Southeast Asia and Pacific Region. She is a board member of the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT) and is also on the advisory board for Mustafa Science and Technology Foundation (Iran), Alliance for Science (USA); and Farming Future Bangladesh; and Genetic Literacy Project (USA). Maha is also on the editorial board of the European Federation of Bioeconomy Journal. She is also on the Selangor Bio Advisory Council to provide advice on bioeconomy development in the state. She has published chapters, papers and articles on science/biotech communication, bioeconomy and biotechnology development.
Prof Dr Rofina Yasmin Othman, Honorary Professor, Institute for Advanced Studies, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia
Dr. Yasmin, is an Honorary Professor at the Institute of Advanced Studies, Universiti Malaya having served the University as an academic, researcher and administrator for more than 30 years.  Her research explored the application of molecular tools to facilitate solutions for agriculture particularly of tropical crops. Concurrently she has a keen interest in policies, ethics and socioeconomics of science and technology. She was a two-term member of the National Biosafety Council and is currently a member of the National Bioethics council. She is a fellow and council member of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia and is the chairman of MRANTI Corporation, a National Technology Commercialization Accelerator and Technology Park initiative reflecting her experience in this area. This included secondments as Undersecretary of the National Biotechnology Division at the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation and appointments as Director of the University's tech transfer office (UMCIC). She is also currently chairman of Life Science Venture firm Xeraya Capital and founder of Leaf Edge Technologies, an innovation platform focusing on promoting uptake of advances in plant science R&D.
Ms Li Xin Kang, Genetic Modification Advisory Committee (GMAC) Secretariat, Singapore
Kang Li Xin serves as the Secretariat for Genetic Modification Advisory Committee (GMAC) Singapore, which is a national advisory committee tasked with overseeing and offering scientifically rigorous advice on the research, development, production, release, use, and handling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) within Singapore. Through supporting the Subcommittee of Public Awareness in GMAC, she organises outreach activities aimed to enhance the public's awareness and understanding of GM technology. Li Xin is also part of the Research Office in Agency for Science, Technology and Research in Singapore (A*STAR) where she contributes to the governance of research in A*STAR, in compliant with the Human Biomedical Research Act (HBRA).
 
					Singapore, September 19, 2024
											Expand
					


		ORGANIZER
	
				
				

		CO-ORGANIZERS
	
				
				
				

		CONTACT
	
	
If you have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact the following:
	For Malaysia:

Dr. Rogayah Sekeli and/or Dr. Zulkifli Ahmad Seman

Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI)

Email: lynn@mardi.gov.my ; szula@mardi.gov.my
	For Singapore:

ILSI Southeast Asia Region

Singapore

Tel: 65 6352 5220

Email: event@ilsisea.org.sg


            [post_title] => Seminar on Precision Agriculture and Gene Editing Technology for Sustainable Food Production – Science and Communication
            [post_excerpt] => 
            [post_status] => publish
            [comment_status] => closed
            [ping_status] => closed
            [post_password] => 
            [post_name] => precision-agriculture-gene-editing-2024
            [to_ping] => 
            [pinged] => 
            [post_modified] => 2024-09-18 01:31:29
            [post_modified_gmt] => 2024-09-18 01:31:29
            [post_content_filtered] => 
            [post_parent] => 0
            [guid] => https://ilsisea-region.org/?post_type=event&p=30161
            [menu_order] => 0
            [post_type] => event
            [post_mime_type] => 
            [comment_count] => 0
            [filter] => raw
        )

    [comment_count] => 0
    [current_comment] => -1
    [found_posts] => 2
    [max_num_pages] => 1
    [max_num_comment_pages] => 0
    [is_single] => 
    [is_preview] => 
    [is_page] => 
    [is_archive] => 
    [is_date] => 
    [is_year] => 
    [is_month] => 
    [is_day] => 
    [is_time] => 
    [is_author] => 
    [is_category] => 
    [is_tag] => 
    [is_tax] => 
    [is_search] => 
    [is_feed] => 
    [is_comment_feed] => 
    [is_trackback] => 
    [is_home] => 1
    [is_privacy_policy] => 
    [is_404] => 
    [is_embed] => 
    [is_paged] => 
    [is_admin] => 
    [is_attachment] => 
    [is_singular] => 
    [is_robots] => 
    [is_favicon] => 
    [is_posts_page] => 
    [is_post_type_archive] => 
    [query_vars_hash:WP_Query:private] => 88943c930033af4be0f3f85d51df90ea
    [query_vars_changed:WP_Query:private] => 
    [thumbnails_cached] => 
    [allow_query_attachment_by_filename:protected] => 
    [stopwords:WP_Query:private] => 
    [compat_fields:WP_Query:private] => Array
        (
            [0] => query_vars_hash
            [1] => query_vars_changed
        )

    [compat_methods:WP_Query:private] => Array
        (
            [0] => init_query_flags
            [1] => parse_tax_query
        )

)