Dr. Leo Bey Fen is an Associate Professor at the Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya (UM), and a Research Fellow at the Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Centre, UM. She obtained her PhD from the London Centre for Nanotechnology, Imperial College London, UK, where she developed a strong foundation in nanomaterials and biosensing technologies.
Dr. Leo’s research focuses on the development of portable, rapid, and highly sensitive point-of-care diagnostic devices for biomedical and healthcare applications. Her work integrates nanotechnology, molecular diagnostics, and biosensor engineering to address critical challenges such as early cancer detection and food safety monitoring. She is particularly committed to advancing accessible diagnostic solutions that can be deployed in resource-limited and real-world settings, ensuring meaningful societal impact.
A defining aspect of her career is her strong emphasis on research translation. Dr. Leo is dedicated to transforming fundamental scientific discoveries into functional prototypes and deployable technologies. Her work has led to innovative biosensing platforms with strong commercialization potential, reflecting her vision of bridging the gap between laboratory research and real-world application. Through industry collaborations and technology development initiatives, she actively advances solutions that contribute to public health and community well-being.
In parallel, Dr. Leo is committed to the responsible management and protection of intellectual property arising from her research. She advocates strategic approaches to research translation, including industry partnerships and spin-off development, to maximize the societal and economic value of scientific discoveries. Her work reflects a clear vision: to ensure that fundamental research evolves beyond the laboratory into impactful technologies that benefit communities.
Dr. Leo has secured over MYR 7 million in competitive research funding and has established a distinguished publication record, with more than 100 scientific articles and book chapters, and an h-index of 35. Her work has been widely recognized through publications in high-impact journals and multiple prestigious awards for her team’s biosensor innovations, underscoring both scientific rigor and translational relevance.
Beyond research, Dr. Leo contributes actively to the global scientific and regulatory community. She serves as a reviewer for leading international journals and is involved in international standardization efforts, including as a technical committee member for ISO/TC 229 on nanotechnologies and participation in OECD-related nanomaterial certification initiatives. She also serves as Deputy Chairman of the SRSNano Task Force under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), working with the National Nanotechnology Centre (NNC) to support the National Nanotechnology Policy and Strategy (DSNN) 2021–2030 and the National Nano Products and Technology Roadmap. Her contributions help guide manufacturers, laboratories, and SMEs in meeting regulatory requirements and aligning with international standards, strengthening Malaysia’s global competitiveness.
Dr. Leo is also dedicated to mentoring the next generation of scientists and advancing education in molecular diagnostics and biomedical technologies. Through her academic leadership, she fosters innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and responsible research practices. Her collective efforts in research, translation, and capacity building reflect a strong commitment to developing impactful technologies and human capital for a healthier, more resilient, and knowledge-driven society.
