Assistant Professor Ts Dr Lee Yu Zhao
Head of Programme, Master of Science
Additional Role:
ManagerAcademic Qualifications
PhD (Molecular Medicine)
BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science
Areas of Interest
Immunopharmacology
Cell Signalling and Molecular Medicine
Allergy and Inflammation
Natural Products
Research
- Name of grant: Research Excellence & Innovation Grant (REIG)
- Funder: UCSI University
- Project Title: Vitamin E and Alcohol Withdrawal-Induced Depressive Phenotypes – Possible Preventive Effect
- Code: REIG-FPS-2023/043
- Duration: 2023-2025
- Role: Co-investigator
- Amount: RM 50,000
- Status: Completed
- Name of grant: Research Excellence & Innovation Grant (REIG)
- Funder: UCSI University
- Project Title: The Relationship between Gestational Weight Gain and Leukocyte Telomere Length in Newborns
- Code: REIG-FMHS-2022/057
- Duration: 2022-2025
- Role: Principal investigator
- Amount: RM 50,000
- Status: Completed
- Name of grant: Research Excellence & Innovation Grant (REIG)
- Funder: UCSI University
- Project Title: Circadian Rhythm in Mothers and Child and Its Association with Fetal Growth and Telomere Length
- Code: REIG-FMHS-2022/059
- Duration: 2022-2025
- Role: Co-investigator
- Amount: RM 49,960
- Status: Completed
Publications (Selected)
- Pharmacological effects of cardamonin in metabolic diseases: a review on preclinical studies. Inflammophamacology (2026) 34(4), 2317-2335 (WoS/ Scopus indexed, IF = 6.3, WoS Q1 Scopus Q1)
- Neurobiology of chronic caffeine use and withdrawal: Mechanisms, effects and implications. Food and Chemical Toxicology (2026) 207. (WoS/ Scopus indexed, IF = 3.5, WoS Q1 Scopus Q1)
- Purpurin as a promising anticancer agent: A review of preclinical evidence. Fitoterapia (2026) 189, 107052. (WoS/ Scopus indexed, IF = 2.6)
- Neurobiological Mechanisms of Ketamine Use, its Addiction, and Withdrawal: A Mini Review. Current Reviews in Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology (2026) 21(1), 1-11. (Wos/ Scopus indexed, IF 0.9, Scopus Q2)
- The application of seaweed-based food products for ketogenic diet: Opportunities and prospects. Future Foods (2025) 12, 100833. (WoS/ Scopus indexed, IF = 8.2, WoS Q1 Scopus Q1)
- TGFβ1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition is associated with stathmin downregulation and increased microtubule stability in bronchial epithelial cells. Molecular Medicine Reports (2025) 32(6), 319. (WoS/ Scopus indexed, IF = 3.5, WoS Q2 Scopus Q1)
- Effects of fermented soybean supplementation on secretory immunoglobulin A, myeloperoxidase, and antioxidant capacity: a randomised, placebo-controlled dietary intervention trial. Discover Food (2025) 5(1), 408. (WoS/ Scopus indexed, IF = 3.7, Scopus Q2)
- Antidiabetic potentials of gypenosides: A review on the preclinical effects in glucose and insulin modulation as well as diabetes-related complications. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology (2025) (WoS/ Scopus indexed, IF = 3.1, WoS Q2 Scopus Q2)
- Chronic Stress-Associated Depressive Disorders: The Impact of HPA Axis Dysregulation and Neuroinflammation on the Hippocampus—A Mini Review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2025) 26(7), 2940. (WoS/ Scopus indexed, IF 4.9, Scopus Q1 JCR Q2)
- Mcl-1 is an important target protein for kaempferol from persimmon leaves in sensitizing ABT-199 to induce apoptosis in hepatoma cancer cells. Medical Oncology (2025) 42(5), 146. (WoS/ Scopus indexed, IF 3.5, JCR Q2 Scopus Q2)
Professional Bodies
- Registered Medical Laboratory Scientist, Malaysian Allied Health Professions Council (MAHPC)
- Professional Technologist, Malaysian Board of Technologists (MBOT), Malaysia
- Affiliate, Young Scientist Network–Academy of Sciences Malaysia (YSN-ASM)
- Life Member of the Malaysian Nutrition Society
- Member of the Malaysian Institute of Medical Laboratory Science
Awards and Recognition
- Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certified
- Copyrights: 2
Contribution to Society
- Secretariat Member of UCSI Institutional Ethics Committee
- Public health education and community outreach
- Organiser of CME programmes and research workshops
