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Biosafety Expert
(EXP)
last updated: 05 Oct 2026
Kumitaa Theva Das completed her BSc in the US and did her PhD in one of the pioneer labs of genome editing in the US. With close to 20 years of experience in genome editing, she plays an active role in raising awareness about new technologies through talks locally, regionally and globally, and through the development of new guidelines. She is the chairperson of a sub-section of Malaysia’s Genetic Modification Advisory Committee and serves as a member of Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group who developed the additional voluntary guidance materials for conducting case-by-case risk assessments of living modified organisms containing engineered gene drives.
Person:Dr. Kumitaa Theva DasUniversity Lecturer, Institute for Research in Molecular MedicinePhone: +604 653 4856,Fax:Email: kumitaa@usm.my,Website:Related OrganizationInstitute for Research in Molecular Medicine USM (INFORMM)Academic or research instituteInstitute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM) Universiti Sains MalaysiaGelugor, Pulau Pinang
11800, MalaysiaPhone: +604 653 4801, +604 653 4813, +604 653 4814,Fax:Email: admin_informm@usm.my,Website: https://informm.usm.my/,
1985
Malaysia
- Malaysian
Universiti Sains Malaysia
EN
Academic or research institute
University Lecturer
EN
Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine
EN
2024-08
Academic or research institute
Research, teaching medical and grad students, conducting training and raising awareness related to new technologies, development of new SOPs, programs and guidance material, risk assessment for applications related to contained use and release of GMOs in Malaysia, development of new SOPs and guidance material, and involved in development of biosafety policies and legislations.
- Malaysia
Universiti Sains Malaysia
EN
Advanced Medical and Dental Institute
EN
2014-01
2024-08
Academic or research institute
Research, teaching medical and grad students, conducting training and raising awareness related to new technologies, development of new SOPs, programs and guidance material, risk assessment for applications related to contained use and release of GMOs in Malaysia, development of new SOPs and guidance material, and involved in development of biosafety policies and legislations.
B.Sc. in Biotechnology
EN
University of California Davis
EN
2004-08
2008-08
Ph.D. in Genetics
EN
University of California Davis
EN
2008-08
2013-12
- Biotechnology research and development
- Environmental risk assessment
- Capacity development
- Public awareness, education and participation, including access to information
- Risk management
- Wong, M.T.J., Zulkifli, N. D., Ravichandran, T., Vasodavan, K., Al-Shaibah, O., Himel, G. M. S., Achuthan, A., Anthonysamy, M. A., Das, K. T. (2026). “The evolution of AI-integrated genome editing and its challenges.” Mammalian Genome. doi.org/10.1007/s00335-026-10248-x
- Kalidasan, V., Das, K. T. (2023). “Advancing precision medicine with gene and cell therapy in Malaysia: Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI).” Human Gene Therapy. doi: 10.1089/hum.2023.139
- Kalidasan, V., Das, K.T. (2021). “Is Malaysia ready for human gene editing: A regulatory, biosafety and bioethics perspective.” Front. Bioengineering and Biotechnology. doi:10.3389/fbioe.2021.649203
- World Society for Virology (WSV)
- International AIDS Society (IAS)
- Association of Women in Science (AWIS)
- Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Risk Assessment (AHTEG) on Risk Assessment for Convention on Biological Diversity | 2025 - Participated and provided input for discussions related to the TOR
- Content expert on the Landscape of Engineering Biology in Malaysia | Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Government of United Kingdom, South and Southeast Asia Research and Innovation Hub (SSEARIH), and Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation (Bioeconomy Corporation) | 2024 - Participated and provided input for discussions related to engineering biology
- Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Risk Assessment (AHTEG) on Gene Drive for Convention on Biological Diversity | 2023 - Participated and provided input for the development of new voluntary guidelines related to the TOR
| Language | Level |
|---|---|
| excellent | |
| fair | |
| Malay | excellent |
Technical Committee
- Participant of the Open-ended Online Forum on Risk Assessment and Risk Management | Convention on Biological Diversity | 2025
- Genetic Modification Advisory Committee (GMAC) | Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability | 2022 – Present
Invited Speaker
- Advances and Risks of Gene Editing. Invited speaker for 3rd Malaysian Conference on Biosafety and Biosecurity by Malaysian Biosafety and Biosecurity Association. 22-24 June 2026.
- Discussion on Research including Emerging Biotechnology Trends. Invited speaker at UK - Malaysia Precision Breeding Forum. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 9th March 2026.
- Status and Process for Biosafety Regulation on Gene Editing in Malaysia. Invited speaker at Seminar on Precision Agriculture and Gene Editing Technology for Sustainable Food Production – Science and Communication. MARDI Headquarters, Selangor. 18th September 2024.
- Malaysia’s National Experiences and Approaches to Advances in LMO Risk Assessment Frameworks and Existing Regulations. Invited speaker at the Global Risk Assessment Workshop, Convention on Biological Diversity. Montreal, Canada. 30 – 31 October 2023.
Awards
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Global Health Travel Award | 2026
- International Society of Infectious Diseases and European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Fellowship | 2018 - 2019
- Global Fellows Research Academy Award by International AIDS Society, Sidaction, Department of Science and Technology | 2017
