Associate Professor Dr. Jeyasakthy Saniasiaya is a Consultant Paediatric
Otorhinolaryngologist and Head of Peaediatric Otorhinolaryngology Unit at the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya. She is widely recognised for her contributions to advancing paediatric ENT services, translational research, and academic leadership in Malaysia and internationally.
She obtained her medical degree and specialist training in Otorhinolaryngology before pursuing advanced subspecialty training in Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology at Starship Children’s Hospital, New Zealand, and Paediatric Audiovestibular Medicine at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom. She is a Fellow of the European Board of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (FEBORL-HNS).
Clinically, she has pioneered several innovative multidisciplinary services in Malaysia, including establishing the first Paediatric Vestibular and Balance Clinic in Southeast Asia, as well as the first Paediatric Saliva Control Clinic and Paediatric Aerodigestive and Swallowing Service in the country. Her work is centred on delivering holistic, patient-focused care while seamlessly integrating clinical excellence with research and education.
Her research interests focus on paediatric aerodigestive conditions, including paediatric airway reconstruction, vestibular disorders, and biomarker discovery, particularly the role of the gut microbiome in underlying disease mechanisms. She has led and contributed to research on paediatric airway disorders, with a strong emphasis on elucidating the fundamental and mechanistic pathways underlying conditions such as laryngotracheal stenosis. In parallel, she is actively exploring the gut–brain and gut–ear axis, particularly in children with vestibular migraine and related disorders. Her work bridges clinical observations with biological mechanisms, advancing the field of translational paediatric otolaryngology.
Recognised among the World’s Top 2% Scientists (Stanford/Elsevier) for four consecutive years since 2021, Associate Professor Jeyasakthy is a highly prolific researcher, with over 200 publications in peer-reviewed journals, including substantial contributions to top-tier (Q1/Q2) indexed journals. She serves as an Academic Editor for PLOS ONE and holds Editorial Board positions in high-impact international journals, including the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology and ENT Journal, reflecting her global academic leadership and sustained research impact.
Beyond research, she is actively involved in regional and international collaborations, including initiatives under the International Federation of Otorhinolaryngological Societies (IFOS) and paediatric ENT networks across the Asia-Pacific. She is committed to capacity building, mentoring young clinicians and researchers, and advancing evidence-based practice.
Her contributions extend to public health advocacy in paediatric hearing and vestibular health, where she has led school-based screening programmes and awareness initiatives aligned with global efforts such as World Hearing Day. She is particularly passionate about advancing awareness of paediatric airway conditions, with a strong focus on tracheostomy care, promoting early recognition, safe airway management, caregiver empowerment, and social acceptance to improve outcomes and quality of life for affected children. Associate Professor Jeyasakthy is also an invited speaker at international conferences and the
editor of two textbooks in paediatric otorhinolaryngology, reflecting her commitment to education, knowledge dissemination, and impactful clinical scholarship.
Overall, her work embodies a unique integration of clinical innovation, translational research, and academic leadership, with a steadfast commitment to improving the health and quality of life of children locally and globally.
