UPM - Universiti Putra Malaysia

Faculty Member, Chemistry

About

Dr. Siti Mariam Mohd Nor was educated in local schools before studying Chemistry at Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (UPM) between 1992 and 1996. After graduated, she worked as a Science Teacher at Pusat Pengajian Matrikulasi, UPM until 2000, and later at Faculty of Food Science and Biotechnology, UPM as a Science Officer for 10 months. She then transferred to Faculty of Science as a Tutor and in 2002 she moved to University of Nottingham, United Kingdom to carry out doctoral studies under supervision of well known Professor of Organic Chemistry, Professor Gerald Pattenden FRS. Her PhD was awarded in 2007 on the synthesis of cyclic peptides containing thiazole and oxazoline based amino acids. In the same year she was appointed as a lecturer of Organic Chemistry at Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia. She interested in the design and development of organic synthesis methods, focusing on the synthesis of natural products and biologically important compounds. Dr. Siti Mariam currently runs a research group of one PhD student (co-supervisor), four MSc students (1 as main supervisor and 3 as co-supervisor) and four projects students, supported by Research University Grant Scheme (RUGS) and Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS). She won a Gold Medal in the Pameran Reka Cipta, Penyelidikan & Inovasi 2009 (PRPI 2009) on the synthesis of azole-based cyclic peptides and a new approach towards didmolamides.


CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS :

1. Total Synthesis of Bioactive Compounds

Target synthesis is carried out in a wide range of Natural products which include poly-azoles, lactones, lactams, macrocycles, peptides, steroids, alkaloids etc. Many of these compounds display interesting and potentially useful biological properties (anti-tumor, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory etc.) especially for pharmaceutical and drug discovery.

2. Novel Synthetic Methods

The invention of new reactions and the development of new synthetic methodologies involve radical chemistry, organometallic reagents, acid-base chemistry, metathesis etc.  The application of new synthetic methodologies in the synthesis of related Natural Products.

3. Synthesis of Natural Products Derivatives

Conversion or modification towards Natural Products structures and explore its potential biological properties.