Wan Nurainie Binti Wan Ismail

Tutor, BSc (UNIMAS)

EMAIL: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Research interest

The emergence of wildlife diseases in human populations is a growing global problem. The process of emergence is generally thought as a result from changes in some aspect of the host-pathogen association or due to changes on the environment and the population structure. Many zoonotic diseases are transmitted to humans or other animals by insect or other arthropods as their vectors. For example, mosquitoes are well-known vectors of several wildlife zoonoses, such as dengue fever, chikugunya and Japanese encephalitis. Yesinia pestis can be spread by fleas and Leishmania by sand-flies, whereas ticks are essential in the spread of Borrelia burgdorferi that causes Lyme disease. The ability of parasites to infect a host species depends on various factors, including how often the parasite encounters a susceptible host species, and the genetic compatibility between parasite and host.

My focus for the MSc research is to investigate host-parasite-vector interactions. I will use molecular techniques to characterize parasite infections and also to determine their interactions. It includes cellular and molecular relationship between the pathogens and their vectors.

Understanding the ecology of vector-borne and wildlife zoonoses and the influence factors is also crucial in prediction of the occurrence zoonotic diseases and for targeting disease surveillance. My PhD research interest also includes modeling the effect of development on the risk of those zoonotic diseases. For example, the emergence of dengue and chikugunya in new geographic locations and the continued global spread of exotic disease vectors. In relation to this, information on the possible impacts of climate change and changing agricultural practices on potential vectors are needed.

Publications & Conference Proceedings

Wan Nurainie Wan Ismail, Wahap Marni, Huzal Irwan Husin and M.T. Abdullah. 2009.  Herpetofauna Report on Lanjak Entimau Scientific Expidition. Biodiversity Seminar of Eastern Lanjak Entimau: Hidden Jewel of Sarawak, 4th – 5th March 2009, Grand Margherita Hotel, Kuching, Sarawak (Poster presentation).

Wan Nurainie Wan Ismail, Mohd Hanif Ridzuan Mat Daud, Zahirunisa Abd Rahim, Mustafa Abd Rahman and MT Abdullah.  2008. Utility of Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) Gene as DNA Barcode for Selected Species of Bats, Birds and Squirrel. 10^th Symposium of the Malaysian Society of Applied Biology 2008, 06^th -08^th November 2008, Merdeka Palace Hotel and Suites, Kuching.  (Poster presentation)

Andy Kho Han Guan, Isa Sait, Wahap Marni, Huzal Irwan Husin, Eileen Lit, Roberta Chaya Tawie, Sigit Wiantoro, Anang Setiawan Achmadi, Mohd Ridwan Abdul Rahman@Tahir, Mohd Fizl Sidq Ramji, Mohd Hanif Ridzuan Mat Daud, Zahirunisa Abd Rahim, Wan Nurainie Wan Ismail, Mohd hasri Al-Hafiz Haba, Rahah Mohd Yakub, Faisal AK, CJ Laman, AA Tuen, Murtedza Mohamed and MT Abdullah. 2008. Checklist of Small Mammals and Birds at Bukit Lima Forest Park, Bukit Aup Park and Naman Plantation, Sibu.