Rate My Professor Athirah Bakhtiar

Dr Athirah Bakhtiar is a Senior Lecturer in the Malaysia School of Pharmacy at Monash University. She obtained her undergraduate degree in pharmacy, BPharm (Hons), from the International Medical University on 7 May 2010, and her Doctor of Philosophy in Medicine from Monash University on 5 October 2016, with a thesis titled 'Development of Novel inorganic nanocrystals for delivery of pDNA and siRNA to breast cancer cells'. Prior to joining the School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, as a Pharmacy Lecturer in June 2019, she worked as a lecturer at SEGi University and MAHSA University, heading the Scientific Basis of Therapeutics (Pharmacology) Department. She also has experience as a pharmacist in hospital, community pharmacy, and industry sectors and holds Full-Registered Pharmacist status in Malaysia. Bakhtiar is a member of the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society, Malaysian Academy of Pharmacy, Malaysian Society of Pharmacology and Physiology, Society of Biomaterials (USA), and Sakura Science Club (JSPS, Japan).

Her research interests encompass medical nanotechnology, applying advanced delivery approaches with biodegradable and inorganic materials to enhance drug and gene therapy delivery to breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. She investigates non-communicable diseases such as diabetes mellitus, particularly oral insulin drug delivery, and conducts clinical studies on medication safety to promote safe prescribing and dispensing in healthcare organizations. Key publications include 'Critical updates on oral insulin drug delivery systems for type 2 diabetes mellitus' (2025, co-authors: Low, C. Y. et al.), 'Anticancer potential of synthetic costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone derivatives: A systematic review' (2025, co-authors: Amer, M. F. A., Hattab, D.), 'The potential of nanoparticle-based siRNA delivery in breast cancer treatment' (2025, co-authors: Kuan, X. Y., Chowdhury, E. H.), 'Evaluation of potential drug–drug interactions with medical cannabis' (2024, co-authors: Ho, J. J. Y. et al.), and 'Acceptability of COVID-19 booster vaccine in Malaysia: a cross-sectional study' (2024, co-authors: Khoo, C. M. J. et al.). She received Complementary Medicine Education certifications (Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum) from 2019 to 2020 and delivered a keynote/plenary speech at the University of Nottingham Malaysia on 15 February 2023. Her work contributes to SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being.