Introduction

Dr. James Woon graduated from the National University of Malaysia with a PhD in Biochemistry. He obtained his BSc in Microbiology in the same university. Trained to be a biochemist, James is specialised in recombinant protein expression and enzyme characterisation. 

Prior to his enrollment in NUMed Malaysia, he was a part-time lecturer in HELP College of Arts and Technology. James was the module leader for General Biological Sciences, a core subject for this American Degree Program. 

James is also a weekly columnist of Sin Chew Daily since 2018, the largest circulating Chinese newspapers in South East Asia. Occasionally, he gives pre-recorded commentaries for Ai FM, a local Chinese radio station on a wide range of current topics. 

Qualifications

PG.Cert. (Medical Education) - Newcastle University

Ph.D. (Biochemistry) - National University of Malaysia 

B.Sc. (Microbiology), First-class honours - National University of Malaysia 

Roles and Responsibilities 

• Teaching - BMS and MBBS
• Administrative roles - Internal auditor for Malaysia Research Assessment (MyRA), Member of NUMed Research and Innovation Committee, Internal moderator of NUMed Foundation in Science Biology 2 exam papers                                      

Impacts and Recognitions

2021-  Awarded a Fellowship of Higher Education Academy (FHEA), UK

2018 - Nominated for Newcastle Teaching Excellence Awards  (3 nominations)

Biomedical Sciences 

BMN1001 Biochemistry (Module Leader)

BMN1002 Cell biology

BMN1004 Practical Skills in Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences

BMN1006 Pharmacology

BMN1007 Physiology

BMN1008 Practical Skills in Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences 2

BMN2012 Clinical immunology and viral pathogens

MBBS

Year 1:  Diabetes - Energy production, protein metabolism, inter-relationships of metabolic pathways

Current Projects

(1) The impact of Malaysia Research Assessment (MyRA) rating system to the research culture at a single-faculty university: NUMed experience

Previous Experience

Molecular cloning, expression and characterisation of novel cellobiohydrolases for efficient biomass conversion. 

Research Profiles

• Google Scholar
• ResearchGate
• Publon

• Woon JSK, Mackeen MM, Illias RM, Mahadi NM, Broughton WJ, Murad AMA, Bakar FDA. Cellobiohydrolase B of Aspergillus niger over-expressed in Pichia pastoris stimulates hydrolysis of oil palm empty fruit bunches. PeerJ 2017, 1-22.
• Woon JSK, King PJH, Mackeen MM, Mahadi NM, Seman WMKW, Broughton WJ, Murad AMA, Bakar FDA. Cloning, Production and Characterization of a Glycoside Hydrolase Family 7 Enzyme from the Gut Microbiota of the Termite Coptotermes curvignathus. Molecular Biotechnology 2017, 59(7), 271-283.
• Woon JSK, Mackeen MM, Mahadi NM, Illias RM, Murad AMA, Bakar FDA. Expression and characterization of a cellobiohydrolase (CBH7B) from the thermophilic fungus Thielavia terrestris in Pichia pastoris. Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry 2016, 63(5), 690-698.
• Woon JSK, Mackeen MM, Sudin AH, Mahadi NM, Illias RM, Murad AMA, Bakar FDA. Production of an oligosaccharide-specific cellobiohydrolase from the thermophilic fungus Thielavia terrestris. Biotechnology Letters 2016, 38(5), 825-832.
• Woon JSK, Murad AMA, Bakar FDA. Isolation, molecular cloning and expression of cellobiohydrolase B (CbhB) from Aspergillus niger in Escherichia coli. In: 2015 UKM FST Postgraduate Colloquium. 2015, Selangor, Malaysia: AIP Publishing.
• Woon JSK. Early path to good health. The Star, 2017. Newspapers.
• Woon JSK. Science of vaccines. The Star, 2016. Newspapers.
• Woon JSK. Bracing for the next infectious disease. Star Media Group, 2018. Available at: https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/letters/2018/03/14/bracing-for-the-next-infectious-disease/.