A Year 3 Industrial Biology student from the Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), has successfully completed an international research internship at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, where she contributed to advanced studies on deep-sea microbial communities under the supervision of researcher from the Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE).
Ong Jie Ying, a Year 3 student from the Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, has completed her research internship with SCELSE at NTU. This placement is under the guidance of postdoctoral researcher Dr. Yvonne Hii Yiik Siang, as part of her work on isolation and cultivation of bacterial strains obtained from deep-sea samples. The internship programme provided an invaluable platform for our student to gain practical experience in microbial isolation, characterisation, and molecular analysis, particularly involving deep-sea bacteria—microorganisms that thrive under extreme oceanic conditions. These bacteria are of growing interest in the field of environmental and industrial biotechnology due to their unique metabolic capabilities and potential applications in bioremediation, natural product discovery, and bioengineering.
According to Jie Ying, this internship programme was first proposed and promoted by the Department of Biosciences to fellow students as Dr. Yvonne Hii Yiik Siang from NTU was seeking students interested in learning and contributing to her deep-sea microbial research project. Upon learning about the project, Jie Ying approaches Assoc. Prof. Chm. Dr. Mohd Firdaus Abdul Wahab for participation, which he encouraged and supported Jie Ying to seize this golden opportunity. With guidance and endorsement, she successfully proceeded through the application process, which included administrative arrangements such as the Training Employment Pass (TEP) facilitated by the National University of Singapore (NUS). She also received funding support from the School of Undergraduate Studies of UTM, which helped make this international research placement possible. The strong support and mentorship from both supervisors played a key role in enabling her to secure this opportunity and embark on this meaningful international research experience.
During her placement, Jie Ying was actively involved in the isolation and cultivation of bacterial strains obtained from deep-sea environmental samples, which required careful handling and optimisation of culture conditions such as nutrient composition, salinity, and aeration to support microbial growth. She conducted morphological characterisation through microscopic observations, documenting variations in terms of colony appearance, pigmentation, and surface texture across different media. In addition, she performed genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extraction, quantification, and purity assessment as preparatory steps for downstream molecular analysis such as 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene sequencing. Through these methods, she contributed to the identification and preliminary characterisation of 15 distinct bacterial isolates based on their colony morphology on basal and marine agar media, complemented by cellular morphology visualised under an inverted microscope. The findings provided an important foundation for understanding the adaptation and metabolic diversity of deep-sea bacteria, which hold potential applications in biotechnology and environmental research.
“I learned a lot and gained extensive hands-on experience throughout the internship,” Jie Ying shared. “The experience has helped me develop stronger critical-thinking skills and the ability to approach and solve problems in a more scientific and analytical way.”
In addition to her laboratory work, Jie Ying had also seized the opportunity to participate in the SCELSE Open House, where she had explored various ongoing research projects and toured advanced facilities. Undeniably, the event offered her valuable insights into interdisciplinary microbial research and opportunities to engage with SCELSE researchers and postgraduate students. During the event, she attended several research seminars and Q&A sessions, gaining valuable exposure to various innovative projects. Among these, the most impressive to her was the presentation on the establishment of a plastic-associated microbial community derived from the superworm gut microbiome, which showcased groundbreaking microbial approaches toward plastic biodegradation and environmental sustainability.
“The SCELSE Open House was really fun and gave me the opportunity to explore many ongoing research projects,” Jie Ying shared. “It was inspiring to see how researchers from different fields collaborate to address real-world environmental challenges.”
Throughout her internship, she had developed essential research and analytical skills, particularly in experimental design, data collection, and result interpretation. The hands-on laboratory experience enhanced her ability to plan and execute experiments systematically, troubleshoot procedures, and analyse outcomes critically. These experiences not only strengthened her scientific reasoning and problem-solving abilities but also deepened her understanding about the extensive studies on microbial systems and the rigorous, collaborative nature of scientific research, preparing her in future academic and professional scientific pursuits.
Jie Ying expressed her heartfelt appreciation to UTM, especially the School of Undergraduate Studies (UGS), for providing financial assistance that supported her for this international internship. She also conveyed her sincere gratitude to her supervisors — Dr. Yvonne Hii Yiik Siang, Assoc. Prof. ChM. Dr. Mohd Firdaus Abdul Wahab, and the laboratory management team at SCELSE, NTU for their invaluable guidance, mentorship, and continuous encouragement throughout her research placement. In addition, she extended her thanks to her family and friends for their constant moral support. Last but not least, steadfast support and dedication in promoting international internship opportunities for students by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shafinaz Shahir, Dean of the Faculty of Science, must be acknowledged as well.
This internship exemplifies UTM’s ongoing commitment in fostering global research engagement and experiential learning opportunities for its students. By participating in such international research programmes, students could undoubtedly gain exposure to world-class research environments and develop essential scientific, technical, and interpersonal competencies. Such experiences not only enhance their academic and professional growth but also strengthen UTM’s global partnerships with leading institutions. Through these international collaborations, UTM continues to nurture research-oriented, globally competent graduates equipped to contribute meaningful advancement of science, technology, and sustainable innovation.
