Rate My Professor Michelle Yap

Dr. Michelle Yap serves as Senior Lecturer and Program Director of the Medical Bioscience program at the School of Science, Monash University Malaysia. She leads the Toxin Pharmacology Research Group, with primary research interests in pharmacology and toxinology, proteomics, molecular modeling and protein-protein interactions, immunoinformatics and immunopharmacology, and protein biochemistry. Her work focuses on the molecular mechanisms of cytotoxins, aiming to develop next-generation biotherapeutics for global health challenges, including neglected tropical diseases such as snakebites. Yap earned her PhD in Molecular Medicine, specializing in Toxicology and Pharmacology, from Universiti Malaya, where her thesis examined the toxinological, proteomics, and pharmacokinetics characterization of Equatorial spitting cobra (Naja sumatrana) venom. She also holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Biochemistry from Universiti Malaya. Throughout her academic career, she has advanced venom research and environmental toxin monitoring, contributing to innovative solutions like MicStrip™ Connect, a portable community-driven system for real-time toxin detection using a mobile app and cloud-based data sharing.

Yap's contributions are recognized through numerous awards, including the Bronze Medal and Special Award at the International Research & Information Science Expo (iRISE) 2025 for MicStrip™ Connect, Gold Medal at the 34th International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition Malaysia for the invention 'PLANT B', Bronze Award at the 2nd Research Officer National Symposium (ReONS) 2024, and CERIC European Research Infrastructure Consortium Fast-Track Access. She received the Excellence in Graduate Research Supervision Award in 2025 for her strong record in higher degree by research supervision. Key publications include 'Targeting cobra venom cytotoxin: a linear 40-mer ssDNA aptamer-based antivenom confers neutralisation potentials against cobra venom-induced cytotoxicity' (2026, Archives of Toxicology), 'Annexin A2 is a potential membrane protein target of cobra venom cytotoxin' (2025, Toxicon), 'A spatiotemporal study of a recreational freshwater lake: Ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry profiling of cyanotoxins and the dermal toxicity assessment' (2025, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry), 'High-throughput virtual screening, pharmacophore modelling and antagonist effects of small molecule inhibitors against cytotoxin-induced cytotoxicity' (2025, Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics), and 'Guarding our water together: the silent threats and sustainable solutions of cyanotoxins monitoring in freshwater' (2025, The Biochemist). As guest editor for Frontiers in Pharmacology and member of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Yap influences her field. She delivers public lectures, such as the GIU Seminar 2025, organizes STEM workshops, and engages in outreach like the Zero Waste Campaign, aligning her efforts with UN Sustainable Development Goals including Good Health and Well-being, Clean Water and Sanitation, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Climate Action, Life Below Water, and Life on Land. Her research has garnered media attention, notably during International Snakebite Awareness Day campaigns.