Rate My Professor Iekhsan Othman

Professor Iekhsan Othman is a Professor of Biochemistry in the Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences at Monash University Malaysia. He obtained his BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry from the University of Bristol in 1979 and PhD in Molecular Neurobiology from Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of London, in 1983. His academic career commenced at the University of Malaya in 1983 as a Lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, advancing to Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, Head of Department from 1996 to 2000, Professor from 2000 to 2006, and Deputy Dean (Infrastructure and Development) from 2000 to 2003. Since July 2006, he has been Professor at Monash University Malaysia, serving as Head of Biomedical Sciences from 2006 to 2018, Deputy Head of School (Research and Graduate Research), Director of the Proteomics and Metabolomics Platform, and Director of the LC-MS/MS platform. He has taught biochemistry, neurochemistry, and toxicology to medical, dental, pharmacy, and science students, supervising 19 PhD, 13 Masters, and 28 Honours students to completion, and currently oversees 16 PhD, 1 Masters, and 2 postgraduate diploma students.

Othman's research specializations encompass neurotoxicology, natural products chemistry, cancer, and proteomics, with a focus on Malaysian snake venoms, neurotoxins, and biologically active molecules exhibiting anticancer and antivenom potential. He pioneered the Malaysian Proteomic Analysis Facilities (MAPAF) in 2002 and contributed to the Quality Management System certification for the University of Malaya Faculty of Medicine. With over 100 publications, more than 90 in ISI/Scopus-indexed journals, notable works include studies on b-bungarotoxin actions (Journal of Neurochemistry, 1982), neurotoxic 3H-b-bungarotoxin (European Journal of Biochemistry, 1982), and the chapter 'The Application of Proteomics Technology in Clinical Research' (2005). He has received awards such as the Fulbright Scholar Programme (1988/89), Royal Society Malaysian Fellowship (1994/95), two Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science Awards (1995, 2000), University of Malaya Excellence Service Awards (1999-2002), and Monash University Pro-Vice Chancellor Excellence Awards for Teaching, Research, and Administration (2009-2013). Othman holds leadership roles including President of the Malaysian Society of Toxinology, council member of the Asian Human Proteomic Organization, and editorial board positions.