KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) researcher Prof Dr Lee Ping Chin was awarded the prestigious Malaysia Toray Science Foundation (MTSF) Science and Technology Award at the 29th MTSF prize presentation ceremony in Kuala Lumpur recently.

The director of the Biotechnology Research Institute at UMS was recognised for her outstanding achievements and contribution to the nation’s science and technology through her innovative technology.

Her research, jointly conducted with Prof Chua Kek Heng from University of Malaya (UM), focuses on the molecular mechanism that leads to disease diagnosis and translational biotechnology.

She received a cheque for RM30,000 from Toray Industries Inc. Japan senior vice president Hideki Hirabayashi.

The ceremony was graced by the Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia, Kastuhiko Takahasi.

Also present were Malaysia Toray Science Foundation chairman Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Omar Abdul Rahman; award committee chairman Tan Sri Prof Emeritus Dr Augustine Ong Soon Hock; and UMS Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Prof Dr Rosalam Sabartly.

MTSF is Malaysia’s premier charitable science foundation, established by Toray Japan and Toray Malaysia to promote science and technology in Malaysia since 1993.

The 29th MTSF prize presentation ceremony also commemorated the 40th anniversary and the cordial bilateral relations between Malaysia and Japan.