Guide to determine ISI journal for University of Malaya

If you want to graduate from University of Malaya, you will need at least:
a. One ISI journal for MSc
b. Two ISI journals for PhD

To determine the ISI journal, the database can be access using the following step:
1. Enter http://scientific.thomson.com/mjl/
2. Refer to list with indication of 'Web of Science'
3. Search terms using Master Journal List with the 'full journal title'
4. Then, click 'coverage' - if the journal has the word Citation Index (i.e. Science Citation Index Expand), then it is one of the ISI journal approved by University of Malaya
5. If not sure, try to compare with local journal name and see the outcome
6. The list will grow from time to time.

18th Biological Science Graduate Congress 2014

The University of Malaya hosted the 18th BSGC 2014 on the 5-8 January 2014 at Faculty of Science. All participant presented their respective poster and oral presentation. Then, the participant had Dinner Congress at Armada Hotel with 9 different performance from University of Malaya, National University of Singapore and Chulalongkorn University on the 7 Jan 2014. On the 8 Jan 2014, the participants had short visit to Putrajaya and head straight back to the airport in the evening.

It was a great experience going through as a committee member and we look forward to 19th BSGC 2015.

Zoological & Ecological Network in Progress (ZENP)

The ZENP seminar is held annually at the end of the year focusing on biological diversity which were presented by postgraduate students from Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya. The aim is to present research findings and to train young researcher to be able to confidently present in front of the crowds.

The topics are divided into four categories:

1. Entomology

2. Arachnology & Ecology

3. Parasitology & Genetics

4. Mammals & Ornithology

IPPP Research Grant University of Malaya

I applied for IPPP University of Malaya research grant and got it last year. The requirement that I had to fulfill was to publish only 1 of tier 1 or tier 2 impact journal. Its a good thing that it only needs to publish ONLY 1 journal.

However, sometimes the impact journal will increase to higher tier or drop to lower tier, so be careful on this when you wish to publish to fulfill the IPPP research grant.

Membedah alat jantina labah-labah (Dissecting spider genitalia)

Spiders are amazing creatures and to determine their species is not by observing their coloration or shape, but their genitalia organ. The genitalia is like a specific key-lock where the key is fitted only to a specific lock.

Sketch the genitalia / Lukis genitalia

Here is a simple step to observe the spider genitalia.

Male spider
1. If the spider is facing you, cut the right hand part of the palp (or left palp).
2. Put under slide and observe under compound microscope.
3. Look for the placement of the embolus, conductor,

Female spider
1. Cut around the genitalia plate using a needle under dissecting microscope (40x)
2. Clean the tissue with Potassium Hidroxide (KOH) for few minutes, needle will help.
3. Merge under 70% ethanol for observation (can use olive oil to brighten the part)
4. Draw the outer and then inner part of the genitalia, without drawing you will not see the differences.

Forceps, needles, petri dish and microscope

Labah-labah merupakan benda hidup yang unik, dan melihat kepada warna atau bentuknya tidak dapat menentukan spesies, tetapi kepada bahagian alat jantina (genitalia). Genitalia adalah seperti kunci-mangga di mana hanya kunci specifik kepada pintu specifik.

Cara mudah untuk melihat genitalia

Labah-labah jantan
1. Potong belah kiri palpi
2. Letakkan pada slit kaca dan lihat di bawah mikroskop kompound
3. Lihat pada kedudukan embolus, konduktor

Labah-labah betina
1. Potong keliling bahagian plat genitalia menggunakan jarum di bawah mikroskop dissect (40x).
2. Bersihkan tisu dengan Kalium Hidroxida (KOH) untuk beberapa minit. Jarum boleh membantu.
3. Rendamkan dalam 70% ethanol untuk meneliti (boleh menggunakan olive oil)
4. Lukis bahagian luar dan dalam genitalia. Mesti lukis untuk lihat perbezaan yang ketara.

Non-ISI journals for Zoology in Malaysia

There are various journals relating to Zoology in Malaysia and are listed as Non-ISI  (no Impact Factors).

For the journals that publishes research findings related to Zoology are as follows:

1. Sarawak Museum Journal (Sarawak Museum)
2. Borneo Journal of Resource Science and Technology (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak)
3. Journal of Tropical Biology and Conservation (Universiti Malaysia Sabah)
4. Tropical Life Science Research (Universiti Sains Malaysia)
5. Journal of Science and Technology in the Tropics (Akademi Sains Malaysia)
6. Malayan Nature Journal (Malaysian Nature Society)
7. Journal of Sustainability Science and Management (Universiti Malaysia Terengganu)
8. Pertanika Journal of Tropical and Agricultural Sciences (Universiti Putra Malaysia)
9. Malaysian Journal of Science (Universiti Malaya)
10. Journal of Wildlife and Parks (still on?)

It can be a great platform to write and publish it in these journals. Then, target the ISI journals (impact factor) as you progress forward with your research findings.

Imbasan Elektron Mikroskopi (Scanning Electron Microscope)

Terdapat kaedah untuk mengambil foto bagi benda-benda kecil dan halus yang amat sukar (mustahil) untuk dilihat oleh mata kasar. Imbasan Elektron Mikroskopi merupakan suatu alat yang digunakan untuk menangkap foto dengan bantuan imbasan elekton kepada objek. Perkara paling utama untuk memasukkan objek ke dalam Elektron Mikroskopi ialah dengan memastikan objek adalah kering sepenuhnya daripada air.

1. Fixation - Maka sebelum mengambil foto, objek ini perlu menjalani proses mengeraskan objek untuk menstabilkan strukturnya (fixation).

2. Critical Point Drying - Selepas itu, objek ini perlu mengeluarkan kesemua air yang terkandung di dalamnya dan digantikan dengan acetone untuk mengelakkan objek daripada mudah kecut (critical point drying).

3. Coating - Kemudian objek ini diselaputkan dengan emas (coating) bagi memantulkan caj-caj elektron. Caj elektron yang terpancar kepada objek adalah amat kuat, dan boleh mengecutkan objek walaupun sudah mengeluarkan kesemua air semasa mengambil foto.

Selepas menjalani proses fixation, critical point drying dan coating

(Kekuatan caj-caj elektron dipantulkan daripada objek)

Selepas menjalani proses fixation, critical point drying, TETAPI tidak coating. 

(Kekuatan caj-caj elektron dikenakan ke atas objek)

Tidak menjalani proses apa-apa

(Tekanan tinggi, kekuatan caj elektron yang terkena kepada objek tanpa sebarang halangan)