Asma Ismail

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Dr. Asma binti Ismail is a Malaysian scientist and university leader. Born on 15 June 1958 in Jitra, Kedah, she studied biology at the University of Nevada, Reno, earning a Bachelor of Science. She then earned a Master’s in Microbiology from Indiana University and a PhD in cellular and molecular biology from the University of Nevada in 1986. She is a molecular biologist who has broken several gender barriers in Malaysia. She became the first female vice-chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in 2016 and the first female vice-chancellor of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM). Earlier, she was the Director-General of Higher Education (2014–2016) and later led as President of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (2016–2019) and as Chairperson of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (2019–2021). She has also served as National Science Advisor to the Prime Minister.

At USM, she helped found the Molecular Medicine Research Institute (INFORM) and served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, later becoming Vice-Chancellor and CEO of IMU University in August 2024. Her research includes developing a rapid typhoid test (TYPHIDOT), and she has published more than 130 papers. She has received numerous honors, including the National Academic Laureate (2022) and recognition on Forbes Asia’s Top 50 Women Over 50 (2023). She has also earned several honorary degrees and memberships from universities and science academies around the world.