Session 5 - Functional Biotics and its Applications in Southeast Asia (11:35 - 14:00 hr)
Session Chair:
Prof Yuan Kun LEE, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Prof Yuan Kun Lee, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Prof Yuan Kun Lee is a University Fellow at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore. He is past-President of the International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS), Asian Federation of Society for Lactic Acid Bacteria (AFSLAB) and the Singapore Society of Microbiology and Biotechnology (SSMB). His research interests include the effect of diet on the cross-talk between the gastrointestinal microbiota and the host, and microbial fermentation processes in the production of food and pharmaceuticals and the treatment of waste. Prof Lee has published over 260 papers in international peer-reviewed scientific journals, presented 117 talks at international & local conferences, contributed 52 chapters in books, and authored 9 monographs. In addition, he has 3 patents to his name. Prof Lee received his PhD from the University of London, United Kingdom.
Prof Jun Kunisawa is Deputy Director General of National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Japan, and serves as Director of Microbial Research Center for Health and Medicine, one of centers in NIBIOHN. He also serves as Adjunct/Visiting Professor at Osaka University, Kobe University, The University of Tokyo, Hiroshima University and Waseda University, Japan. He was awarded his Ph.D. from Osaka University at 2001, and received postdoctoral training at University of California, Berkeley, USA. In 2004, he was recruited by The University of Tokyo, where he spent 9 years as Assistant and Associate Professor before moving to NIBIOHN to establish a new laboratory in 2013. In 2019, he was promoted to Director, and subsequently to Deputy Director General in 2024. His research has been focusing on the immune regulation by gut environment (e.g., diets and commensal bacteria) and its association with immune diseases and health. He is also doing translational research for the development of vaccines, medicines, and healthcare.
Ms Goh Peen Ern is Senior Manager Nutrition Communication for the BENEO-Institute, BENEO Asia-Pacific. She is responsible for translating and communicating the science and the health benefit platforms of BENEO’s nutritional ingredients. Peen Ern previously worked in applied scientific research in the health supplement industry. She identified and designed health supplements by translating the nutritional science and marketing insight into commercial applications. Prior to joining the food industry, Peen Ern also practised as a clinical dietitian in general and acute care hospitals in Singapore. She has also conducted nutrition-related talks and workshops for the public and healthcare professionals. She received her BSc (Honours) in Food Science and Technology from the University of New South Wales, Australia, a Master in Human Nutrition from Deakin University, Australia, and a Master of Dietetic Studies from the University of Queensland, Australia.
Dr. Siti Muslimatun is senior lecturer and Head of Food Science and Nutrition Department at i3L, Indonesia. She is also Indonesia Country Committee Scientific Coordinator at ILSI SEA Region, member of the Advisory Panel on Asia Soybean Excellent Centre (ASEC) – Human Protein commissioned by the U.S. Soybean Export Council, and Chairperson of Forum Tempeh Indonesia. Her research interests include nutritional assessment, micronutrients, and maternal and child nutrition. She is the Editorial Member of the Malaysian Journal of Nutrition and Jurnal Gizi dan Pangan, and peer-reviewer of many national and international journals. Dr. Muslimatun was previously Deputy Director for Program Development and Consultancy, lecturer and researcher in SEAMEO RECFON. Her research was in the areas of nutritional assessment, micronutrient deficiencies, and food security across Indonesia and in Timor Leste. Dr. Muslimatun graduated from Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia, and obtained her Masters in Nutrition from the University of Indonesia, and PhD in Human Nutrition at Wageningen University, Netherlands.