10 out of 10: NUMed Students Stand Out at MAAFIM 2026 Conference
A proud moment for NUMed! 10 of our students have been selected for the MAAFIM Scholar Programme, securing 10 out of 50 available spots.
30 September 2026
Three cheers for our 10 outstanding NUMed students who were all successfully selected for the prestigious Malaysian Association for the Advancement of Functional & Interdisciplinary Medicine (MAAFIM) Scholar Programme! Securing 10 of only 50 spots available, these individuals showcased the exceptional academic calibre found within the NUMed community.
The four-day international conference explored the frontiers of brain health, functional medicine, and integrative care, offering students an incredible launchpad for their future careers. Associate Professor Dr Madihah Rushaidhi, Head of the School of Biomedical, Nutritional, and Sport Sciences and Dean of Biomedical Sciences and Coordinator noted that the event exposed students to current developments in areas such as brain health, neuroscience, integrative medicine, artificial intelligence, digital health, and translational research.
“Through the programme, students develop skills in scientific writing, research communication, poster design, and oral presentation while gaining confidence in presenting their work to academics, clinicians, researchers, and other healthcare professionals,” she added.
Co-coordinator Dr. Vasanthapriya Subramaniyam, Associate Professor and Associate Dean of Medicine, emphasised that conferences and other academic gatherings serve as vital social learning environments where students develop knowledge, confidence, communication skills, and a sense of belonging to their professional community.
“Such social interactions encourage students to challenge their existing understanding, negotiate meaning, and construct new knowledge collaboratively,” she said.
Besides that, the conference encouraged professional networking, interdisciplinary collaboration, mentorship, and academic engagement, helping students build professional relationships beyond the university.
Celebrating Big Wins
As the cherry on top, two of our students won major placements in the Best Poster Presentation category! Nadia Ailinz binti Zakaria (Year 3 MBBS) secured fourth place for her research on "The Impact of Polypharmacy on Brain Health and Cognitive Function in Older Adults." Meanwhile, Kevalin Pillay (Year 2, MBBS) took home the consolation for his poster titled "Exploring elements of video game design that promote neuroplasticity and their potential in gamification."
The scholars walked away with fresh inspiration and newfound confidence, noting how the event bridged the gap between their classrooms and real-world medical science.
Lai Jia Yen (Year 1, Biomedical Sciences) shared that participating in MAAFIM 2026 has been a highly valuable experience that bridges academic studies with real-world clinical research. “Engaging with professionals provided me with constructive comments and insightful suggestions, which ultimately provided a clear, refined direction for my future research endeavours,” she explained.
Nadia found the experience equally transformative, noting that her time attending the conference was nothing short of eye-opening, as it gave her a deeper understanding of integrative and functional medicine, areas that are not often explored in depth during traditional lectures. “This experience has solidified my dedication to research and inspired me to explore more topics and fields,” she added.
Kevalin appreciated how the platform allowed him to delve into a niche he cares deeply about, stating that being selected gave him an opportunity to explore a topic he is genuinely passionate about. According to him,” The most affirming part of this experience was realising that behind the seriousness of research and academia, there is a genuine excitement and care for these topics among the people who work in them, and it was genuinely rewarding to be part of that."
The other students who attended the conference were Shalini Partiban (Year 2, Biomedical Sciences), Isaac Hii Nian Hong (Year 1, Biomedical Sciences), Angeline Kho Yu Chee (Year 2, Biomedical Sciences), Pooja Winson (Year 3, MBBS), Pooja Chandran (Year 4, MBBS), Lew Yu Xuan (Year 3, MBBS), and Yew Jing Fei (Year 4, MBBS).
