Dr. Rofina Yasmin Othman

Dr. Rofina Yasmin Othman is a Malaysian academic and scientist with a career experience of more than three decades in plant biotechnology and virology. She is currently the Chairperson of MRANTI since October 2023. Before this she served as the Chief Executive Officer of UM Capital Berhad, focusing on innovation management and university startups. Dr. Othman retired from Universiti Malaya in May 2021, where she had been a prominent figure for over 30 years, most notably as Associate Vice Chancellor for Industry & Community Engagement and as Director of the University Malaya Centre for Innovation and Commercialisation.

Dr. Othman’s academic journey began with a BSc in Microbiology from the University of Surrey, followed by an MSc in Virology from the Universiti Malaya. She earned her PhD in Plant Virology from the University of East Anglia, where she was a Chevening Scholar. Her career includes significant roles such as Undersecretary at the National Biotechnology Division in Malaysia's Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, and serving on the boards of various organisations like Xeraya Capital and the Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre (MaGIC).

Throughout her career, Dr. Othman has been recognised for her contributions to science and technology. She has received the ITEX Gold Award for her work on the Orchidshield Viral Protection Solution and holds several patents related to agricultural innovations. As a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia and a member of various esteemed groups, she continues to make an impact in the field of biotechnology through her research and leadership.

Dr. Rofina Yasmin Othman is a prominent figure in the field of biotechnology, recognised for her significant contributions to science and innovation. Her educational journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of Surrey in the UK. This was followed by a Master of Science in Virology from Universiti Malaya in Malaysia. Dr. Othman further advanced her studies by obtaining a PhD in Plant Virology from the University of East Anglia, where she was honoured as a Chevening Scholar.

Dr. Othman’s career spans over three decades, during which she has held several notable positions. Early in her career, she served as the Undersecretary at the National Biotechnology Division in Malaysia's Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation. In this role, she was involved in shaping Malaysia’s biotechnology policies and managing its implementation. Her work in this position helped to advance the country's biotechnology sector and foster innovation.

Following her tenure in the government, Dr. Othman took on influential roles in academia and industry. She was the Director of the University of Malaya Centre for Innovation and Commercialisation (UMCIC), where she led efforts to manage intellectual property, facilitate industry engagement, and support technology transfer. Her work at UMCIC was crucial in building the university’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and promoting partnerships with industry. She also served as Associate Vice Chancellor for Industry & Community Engagement at Universiti Malaya, focusing on enhancing collaboration between the university and external stakeholders.

In 2021, Dr. Othman retired from her public service role and briefly served as the CEO of UM Capital Berhad. This position allowed her to continue her work in innovation management and support university startups. She has also been actively involved with various organisations. She is a board member at Xeraya Capital, a venture capital firm focusing on life sciences, and the Malaysian Global Innovation & Creativity Centre (MaGIC), which supports innovation and entrepreneurship in Malaysia.

Dr. Othman has received several accolades for her work. She was awarded the ITEX Gold Award for her development of the Orchidshield Viral Protection Solution, a testament to her impact on agricultural science. Additionally, she holds multiple patents for innovations in agricultural biotechnology. Her dedication to her field is further recognised through her role as a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia and her involvement with international research groups.

Currently, Dr. Othman is the Chairperson of MRANTI, a role she began in October 2023. She is also an Honorary Professor at the Institute of Advanced Studies and an adjunct professor at the International University of Malaya-Wales. Her ongoing work includes founding Leaf Edge Technologies, a plant biotech innovation company, and contributing to advancements in plant science and virology. Dr. Othman’s career is marked by her commitment to advancing science and technology, and she continues to influence the field through her research, leadership, and innovation.

Dr. Rofina Yasmin Othman envisions a world where biotechnology and innovation lead to sustainable growth and better global health. She aims to connect scientific research with real-world uses, making sure that new discoveries in plant science and virology help people everywhere. Dr. Othman wants to encourage teamwork between universities, businesses, and governments to speed up technological progress. Her goal is to build a future where biotechnology helps solve major problems like food shortages and disease, ultimately improving lives and protecting the environment.