Chong Ee Seng( Award Conferred 15 October 2025)
Title of Thesis:‘ The Impact of Anticipatory Stress( Fear) On Circadian Rhythmicity of Habenular Neurons in Zebrafish.’
Emerging evidence demonstrates that circadian rhythm disruption is highly linked with chronic stress factors such as infection and human relationships. However, the neural and molecular mechanisms underlying the circadian rhythm disruption caused by chronic stress remain underexplored. This thesis aimed to explore whether and how prolonged stress exposure affects the circadian rhythmicity of habenular neurons and sleep and social behaviors in zebrafish. This study has provided valuable insights into the intricate interaction between the circadian clock, the glutamatergic system, and behavioral performance, demonstrating the role of habenular circadian function in stress and sleep regulation through glutamatergic modulation of the habenula.
Supervisor: Associate Professor Satoshi Ogawa Associate Supervisor: Dr Chuin Hau Teo
Dinyadarshini Johnson( Award Conferred 15 October 2025)
Title of Thesis:‘ A Double-blind, Randomized Controlled Trial of Probiotic Intervention in Patients with Clinically Diagnosed Depression: A Pilot Study.’
This thesis evaluates the preliminary efficacy and feasibility of probiotics intervention in patients with clinically diagnosed depression. A pioneering probiotics study is presented in a Malaysian setting involving patients with clinically diagnosed depression that demonstrates a feasible methodological approach and supports the progressive expansion of probiotics as a potential stand-alone therapeutic within the clinical management of patients with mild MDD and as a preventive intervention for individuals at risk of developing depressive disorder.
Supervisor: Dr Vengadesh Letchumanan Associate Supervisor: Associate Professor Lee Learn Han Associate Supervisor: Associate Professor Sivakumar Thurairajasingam
Hsien Siang Lee( Award Conferred 17 September 2025)
Title of Thesis:‘ Pharmacological Evaluation of Local Malaysian Fruits and their Phytochemicals for Epileptic Seizure-like Activity in Zebrafish Larvae Model.’
Despite having multiple generations of anti-seizure medication, about a third of people with epilepsy( PWE) are drug-resistant and suffer from recurrent seizures. Hence, there is a need to find alternative methods to achieve seizure control and improve quality of life. Fruits are a promising alternative that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds. This study evaluates three commonly consumed tropical fruits in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, durian, mangosteen, and rambutan, for pro- and anti-seizure activity using zebrafish larvae seizure model. This study aims to evaluate fruits that can work against or synergistically with the currently available treatments for epilepsy.
Supervisor: Associate Professor Satoshi Ogawa Associate Supervisor: Dr Alina Arulsamy Associate Supervisor: Associate Professor Mohmad Farooq Shaikh Associate Supervisor: Dr Yeong Keng Yoon
Izzati Adriana Binti Mohd Zahir( Award Conferred 17 September 2025)
Title of Thesis:‘ Role of Spexin in Central Reproductive Control.’
This thesis investigates the multifunctional neuropeptide spexin, as a neuromodulator of reproductive factors in the brain as a consequence of chronic social stress. Using the Nile tilapia model, chronic social stress inhibited spexin ' s receptor in the brain. Spexin signals were observed closely with reproductive neurons. Spexin treatment into the brain inhibited the expression of a major central reproductive factor. Thus, spexin can directly modulate reproductive signals in the brain. However, this inhibitory action may be prevented under social stress as a protective mechanism. This study gives an insight into spexin ' s physiological actions in the brain, as an evolutionary conserved neuropeptide.
Supervisor: Associate Professor Tomoko Soga Associate Supervisor: Associate Professor Satoshi Ogawa Associate Supervisor: Associate Professor Nisha Angela Dominic
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