Zohrah binti Haji Sulaiman is a Bruneian ichthyologist and professor, currently serving as the vice-chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB). In 2006, she discovered three new species of Gastromyzon fish in the Temburong River: Gastromyzon aeroides, Gastromyzon cranbrooki, and Gastromyzon venustus. Her research focuses on molecular genetics and biodiversity, with significant contributions to ichthyology, including the identification of new fish and mussel species. Additionally, she holds patents related to biodiesel production from local paddy varieties.

Early life and education

In 1987, Zohrah graduated with a BSc Tech (Hons) in applied biology from the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology in Cardiff. She then graduated in 1988 with an MSc in food science from the University of Reading. Later, in 1994, she received a PhD in genetics from the University of Southampton.

Career

In 1988, she started working as a school teacher, and in 1989, she enrolled in Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD). After that, became Deputy Vice-Chancellor at UBD. In 2013, she moved to UTB, where she was named Vice-Chancellor in 2015. She is the recipient of the ASEAN Science and Technology Meritorious Service Medal and the ASAIHL Fellowship.

In 2006, she discovered three new species of Gastromyzon fish in the Temburong River alongside her colleagues from the National University of Singapore: Gastromyzon aeroides, Gastromyzon cranbrooki, and Gastromyzon venustus. She and her colleagues made the discovery of new freshwater mussels in Borneo in 2021.

She and her PhD student jointly held two patents related to the manufacturing of biodiesel from the local paddy known as "Laila." From 1994 to 2013, she was a genetics, population, and molecular genetics instructor at UBD. She was named an Honorary Professor at the College of Science at Swansea University from 2018 to 2023, an adjunct professor at UBD from 2020 to 2022, and an instructor of biology in the School of Applied Sciences and Mathematics, UTB since 29 October 2020.

A MoU was signed by UTB Vice-Chancellor Zohrah, Brunei Shell Petroleum, and Shell Deepwater Borneo on 3 December 2020, with the aim of advancing artificial intelligence collaboration under the "AI: Gift to Nation." In order to improve student exchanges, academic partnerships, and cybersecurity measures in Brunei, UTB and ITPSS signed a MoU on 20 March 2023, with her playing a significant role in the signing. In her capacity as deputy chairperson, she welcomed a group from the Konsortium Universiti Universitas Borneo (KUUB) on 23 January 2024, to talk about upcoming joint initiatives that supports talent development, innovation, and education among Borneo universities.

Selected works

  • Hj Shahdan, Hj Ramlee (2005). . Bandar Seri Begawan: Brunei Museum Department. p. 51. ISBN 9991730273.
  • Tan, Heok Hui (2006). . Zootaxa. 1117: 1–19. doi:.
  • Sulaiman, Zohrah; Peter Kee Lin Ng; et al. (2006). . Integrative Zoology. 1 (1): 12–14. doi:. PMID .
  • Chan, Raymond Ho Ming; Simanjuntak, Putri Maharani (1998). . Bandar Seri Begawan: Universiti Brunei Darussalam. p. 14.
  • Ahasan Habib (2016). . Oceanologica Acta. 35 (10): 76–82. doi:.
  • Ahasan Habib (2016). . Zoology and Ecology. 26 (2): 93–99. doi:.
  • Kumar, Prabitha vinodh (2016). . Biofuels. 7 (2): 191–200. doi:.
  • Baker, Kate; Chadwick, Michael A.; et al. (2016). . Zoological Studies. 55 (37). doi:.
  • Baker, Kate; Chadwick, Michael; et al. (2016). . Ecosphere. 7 (12). doi:. hdl:.
  • Ahasan Habib (2017). . Zoology and Ecology. 26 (4): 245–250. doi:. eISSN . ISSN .
  • Polgar, Gianluca; Zaccara, Serena; et al. (2017). . Journal of Fish Biology. 90 (5): 1926–1943. doi:. PMID .
  • Tan, Heok Hui; Lim, Kelvin Kok Peng (2018). . Zootaxa. 4379: 24–46. doi:. eISSN . ISSN . PMID .
  • Zieritz, Alexandra; et al. (Zieritz et al.) (2020). . pp. 2235–2253.
  • Zieritz, Alexandra; et al. (Zieritz et al.) (2021). . Wiley. p. 14. doi:.
  • Lim, Mei-Ann; Taha, Hussein (June 2021). "Genetic structure of selected finfish populations in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador". Marine Biodiversity. 51 (3). doi:.

Personal life

Zohrah is married to Kassim bin Haji Daud, and they have a son together.

Honours

Zohrah has earned the following honours;