Prof.(Dr.) MIS. Safeena

Cinque Terre

Professor in Botany
Dept. of Biological Sciences
Faculty of Applied Sciences

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Basic Information

Prof. MIS SAFEENA

Designation Professor in Botany
Department / Unit Dept. of Biological Sciences
Faculty Faculty of Applied Sciences
Tele. No. +94 67 2260893
Mobile No. +94 77 6943957
Email safeenim@seu.ac.lk

Qualifications

  • PhD in Agricultural Biology (Biotechnology) (UPDN)
  • MSc in Post Harvest Technology of Fruits and Vegetables (UPDN)
  • BSc (Hons) (UPDN)
  • Post - Doc. Michigan State University, USA, Full Bright - Borlaug Fellowship - 2006.

Positions Held

CONTRIBUTIONS TO UNIVERSITY/ NATIONAL/ INTERNATIONAL
  • Dean, (14.06.2010 to 13.06.2013 and 24.07.2013 – 23.07.2016), Faculty of Applied Sciences, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka.
  • Acting Vice Chancellor, (In 5 occasions during 2012, 2013 and 2015), South Eastern University of Sri Lanka.
  • Head, (March, 2008- June, 2010), Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka.
  • Member of the Standing committee on Higher Education of the National Education Commission (NEC) from 1st July 2020 to date
  • Director, (Jan, 2005 – Jan, 2008), Staff Development Centre, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka.
  • Served as a coordinator for establishing faculty of biomedical sciences, South Eastern University Sri Lanka from 18. 02. 2016 – 17. 02. 2017
  • Deputy proctor, (2003 and 2006). Faculty of Applied Sciences, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka.
  • Academic Sub Warden, (2003). South Eastern University of Sri Lanka.
  • Students’ Counselor, (in 1998, 2004, 2005 and 2008), Faculty of Applied Sciences, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka.
  • Chairperson, (in 2012, 2013 and 2014), Annual Science Research Sessions, Faculty of Applied Sciences, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka.
  • University Coordinator/ Inter University Biology Quiz Competition (2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021).
  • Co Controller Examiner (2015, 2016 and 2017). Bio-system Technology Examination. Department of Examination, Sri Lanka.
  • Served as a Senate member (non exofficio), South Eastern University from 18. 01. 2007 to 17 03.2008
  • Coordinator, (March 2007- March 2009), for gender aspects in CIDA restore project. CIDA Restore project, University of Guelf, Canada.
  • Project coordinator - UNFPA (2004 – 2006), South Eastern University of Sri Lanka.
  • Expert in Ecological aspects (2006), for Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) on Tsunami Permanent Housing Sites in Sri Lanka.
  • Institutional coordinator (2003- 2004), for the National Biosafety framework Development Project (NBFDP), Ministry of Environment and Natural resources.
  • Chief Editor of Proceedings of Annual Science Research Sessions (2016) and International Symposium (2017), South Eastern University of Sri Lanka
  • Reviewer of Journal of Gene (Elsevier, 2019) and Springer Nature, Singapore (2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021).
  • Principal proposal writer and Grant coordinator (2012- 2015) to win highly competitive (three rounds) World Bank grant (25 Million) for the improvement of degree programme at Faculty of Applied sciences, SEUSL.
  • Main initiator for Commencing of four (04) special degree programmes and an extended four-year degree in Applied Sciences, SEUSL (2012)
  • Coordinator of Agriculture Biotechnology Outreach Program, 24th – 28th September 2012.
  • Organizing Committee member of International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE), 15th Biennial Conference – 2019, held from 25th - 27th March 2019.
  • Organizing Committee member Asia Pacific Quality Network (APQN) for 15th Annual Academic Conference (AAC) – 2019, held from 29th-30th March 2019.
  • Contributed to collect information for “Biotechnology Research and Application Landscape of Sri Lanka: the past, the present and the future” Organized by Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) in 2019.
  • Served as a evaluator, Teaching and Assessment and English Language Skill Enhancement (ELTA – ELSE) department Level Proposal, AHEAD Operation in 2019, Ministry of City Planning, Water Supply and Higher Education.
  • Served as a judge in the Free Paper Sessions, District General Hospital, Ampara, 22nd – 24th November 2017.
CONTRIBUTION TO QUALITY ASSURANCE ACTIVITIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION
  • Director, (from October 2019 to Date), Centre for Quality Assurance (formerly IQAU), South Eastern University of Sri Lanka
  • Serving as a member of the standing committee on Quality Assurance and Accreditation Council/ UGC from 10.01.2017 –to date.
  • Serving as an observer of the standing committee on Legal Studies/ UGC from 27.02.2020 to date.
  • Served as an observer of the standing committee on Legal Studies/ UGC from 07.02.2019 to 06.02.2020.
  • Served as an observer of the standing committee on Legal Studies/ UGC from 10.05.2018 to 06.02.2019.
  • Participated and gain training in quality aspects in Higher Education in The International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) forum (May 1st – 5th, 2018), Mauritius.
  • Program Reviewer in National Universities/ Degree programs in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, (2017), Rajarata University, QAAC/ UGC.
  • Program Reviewer in National Universities/ Degree programs in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, (2017), Eastern University, QAAC/ UGC
  • Program Reviewer in National Universities/ Degree programs in Faculty of Commerce and Managements (2018), University of Jaffna, QAAC/ UGC.
  • Program Reviewer in National Universities/ Degree program in Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Peradeniya (2019), QAAC/ UGC.
  • Program Reviewer in National Universities/ Degree program in University of Sri Jaywardenepura and University of Jaffna (2020), QAAC/ UGC.
  • Subject reviewer National Universities/ Faculty of Science, Eastern university (2007) and Vavuniya Campus, University of Jaffna (2010), QAAC/ UGC.
  • Principle Self Evaluation Report writer, Institutional Review (2019), South Eastern University of Sri Lanka.
  • Principle Self Evaluation Report writer, Institutional Review (2009), South Eastern University of Sri Lanka.
  • Institutional Reviewer (2015), Advanced Technological Institutes, HETC, World Bank project.
CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD) / EXTENSION – UNIVERSITY/ NATIONAL
  • Director, (from October 2019 to Date), Centre for Quality Assurance (formerly IQAU), South Eastern University of Sri Lanka
  • Resource person in the induction programme for academic staff (Batch IV), conducted by Staff Development Centre, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, held from 04th -12th July 2020.
  • Resource person in the induction programme for academic staff (Batch IV), conducted by Staff Development Centre, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, held on 12.09.2020.
  • Served as Resource person in evaluation of the teaching practice session under the induction programme for newly recruited Academic staff (Batch IV), conducted by Staff Development Centre, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, held on 26.09.2020
  • Served as regional resource person for the training programme conducted by the Quality Assurance Council on 16.06.2020 for prospective programme reviewers. QAC/ UGC.
  • Served as Resource person in evaluation of the teaching practice session under the induction programme for newly recruited Academic staff (Batch III), conducted by Staff Development Centre, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, held on 24.11.2020
  • Resource person in the induction programme for academic staff (Batch III), conducted by Staff Development Centre, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, held on 13.07.2019.
  • Resource person in the induction training programme on Teaching Methodology, conducted by Staff Development Centre, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, held on 09.12.2012.
  • Resource person in the induction programme for academic staff conducted by Staff Development Centre, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, held on 09.03.2010.
  • Resource person in the Teacher training programme (A/L) conducted by the National Science and Technology Commission (NASTEC) in collaboration with the Provincial Director of Education, Eastern Province, held on 14th and 15th February 2013 at Faculty of Applied Sciences, SEUSL, Sammanthurai.
  • Resource person in the Teacher training programme for G.C.E (A/L) Biology teachers of Trincomalee district conducted by the Provincial Department of Education, Eastern Province in collaboration with the National Science and Technology Commission (NASTEC) held on 11th and 12th January 2013 at Trincomalee.
  • Resource person in the subject review workshop for academic staff of the Faculty of Islamic Studies and Arabic Language (FIA), SEUSL, held on 30.12.2013 at FIA, SEUSL .
  • Resource person in the curriculum revision workshop for academic staff of the Faculty of Islamic Studies and Arabic Language (FIA), SEUSL, conducted in collaboration with Staff Development Centre, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, held on 29.08.2018 at SDC, SEUSL.
  • Resource Person in the team of expertise for conducting site evaluation of proposals submitted for Department / Unit -level ELTA-ELSE DPs during the period 01.11.2018-03.11.2018 , conducted by the AHEAD, Ministry of Higher Education.
  • Resource person in the pre-workshop of programme review -2020 for the academic staff of Faculty of Engineering, SEUSL, held on 09.08.2019 in the auditorium of main building of Faculty of Engineering, SEUSL.
  • Resource person in the seminar to evaluate the beliefs of college students on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) conducted by the Addalaichenai National College of Education on 16.05.2015.
  • Resource person and the keynote speaker to the inauguration of Technology stream to the G.C.E(A/L) students of Mahmud Ladies College, which was held on 06.05.2016 at Mahmud Ladies College, Kalmunai.
  • Resource person in the Molecular plant breeding short course organized by the Institute of International Agriculture, Michigan State University, USA in collaboration with the Council for Agricultural Research Policy (CARP), Sri Lanka, held on February 25 – 27, 2008 at the Agricultural Biotechnology Center (AgBC), University of Peradeniya.

Teaching Areas

  • Molecuar Biology
  • Plant Physiology
  • Plant Pathology
  • PHT F & V

Research Interest

  • Biotechnology
  • Plant physiology Medicanl Plants

Conference Publications

  • S. T. Warusavithana and M. I. S. Safeena (2021). Identifying secondary metabolite content and antioxidant potential in selected commercially available medicinal plants. 10th Proceedings of ASRS, Faculty of Applied Sciences, SEUSL.
  • Ibuprofen binds DNA: evidenced through fluorescence spectroscopic and molecular docking. 9th International Symposium Proceedings of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 27th – 28th November 2019, PP. 373-381.
  • MIS Safeena. Effect of crude extract mixtures of five selected medicinal plant species on Malassezia sp. 9th International Symposium Proceedings of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 27th – 28th November 2019, PP. 365-372.
  • MIS. Safeena and A. Cheanieha Queene. Plant Fungi as Potential Biocontrol agents for water Hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes Mart. Solms. Proceedings of National Symposium on Invasive Alien Species, Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, 20th January 2017, PP. 51-58.
  • MIS. Safeena, T. Sasmina. Effect of biofertilizer (with mycorrhiza inoculum), cowdung, nitrogen and phosphorous on growth and yield of three varieties of amaranth. 8th International Symposium Proceedings of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 17th – 18th December 2018, PP. 113-123.
  • ALF Jumani, MIS Safeena, R Senthilnithy. A Study on binding of hydroxamic acid derivative to DNA: experimental and computational approach. 5th Annual Science Research Sessions Proceedings of Faculty of Applied Sciences, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 15th December 2016, PP. 217-224.
  • T Komathy, MIS Safeena, MCM Zakeel. Present status of in silico approach for micro-RNA identification. 6th International Symposium Proceedings of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 20th-21st December 2016, PP. 380-387.
  • MAF Sumaiya, MIS Safeena, R Senthilnithy. Experimental and molecular docking studies on DNA binding interaction of derivative of N-Arylhydroxamic Acid. 6th International Symposium Proceedings of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 20th-21st December 2016, PP. 388-395.
  • MCM Zakeel, MIS Safeena, FMM T Marikar. Biology teachers’ beliefs about biotechnology and biotechnology education in the Eastern province of Sri Lanka. 4th International Symposium Proceedings of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 2nd -3rd August 2014, . 462-468.
  • M. I. S. Safeena, A.C. Queene. Effect of Mycoherbicides on Waterhyacinth [Eichhornia crassipes Mart.Solms]. 7th International Symposium Proceedings of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 7th - 8th December 2017, PP. 239-247.
  • Cheanieha A Queene, MIS Safeena, MCM Zakeel. Identification of suitable potential pathogens for biocontrol of water hyacinth. 5th Annual Science Research Sessions Proceedings of Faculty of Applied Sciences, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 15th December 2016, PP. 231-236.
  • AM. Razmy, MIS. Safeena and BF. Fathima Asmiya. Carbon credit concept in Rice production in Sri Lanka. 3rd International Symposium Proceedings of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 6th – 7th July 2013, PP.83-84.

Journals

  • M. I. S. Safeena,Y. Dissanayake, M.C.M. Zakeel, L. Warnakula, R. Cooray, D.A.R.K. Dayarathna (2021). An improved method for efficient recovery of high quality DNA from date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L; Arecaceae). MethodsX. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2021.101384.
  • MIS Safeena, Y Dissanayake, MCM Zakeel, L Warnakula, R Cooray,D.A.R.K.Dayarathne. 2021, An improved method for efficient recovery of high quality DNA from date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L; Arecaceae), MethodsX 8, 101-384
  • M. C. M. Zakeel, M. I. S. Safeena and T. Komathy. 2019, In silico identification of microRNA and their target genes in watermelon (Citullus lanatus), Scientia Horticulturae, 2019, 252: 55 – 60.
  • M.I.S. Safeena. 2020, A review on recent development of nano – biotechnology: An effective and promising pathway for crop production, International Journal Botany Studies, 2020, 5 (6): 427 – 433.
  • M.I.S Safeena, Sonali Gunawardana and Darshana Wickramasinghe. 2020, Antimicrobial activity of traditionally used medicinal plants against human pathogenic bacteria and fungi, International Journal Botany Studies, 2020, 5 (6): 269 – 273.
  • Mohamed Ismail Sithy Safeena, Sonali Gunawardana and Darshana Wickramasinghe. 2020 Antimicrobial Activity of Azadirachta indica and Coscinium fenestratum against Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA, International Journal of Science and Research Methodology, 2020, 16 (4): 104 – 109.
  • M.I.S Safeena, V.A Sumanasinghe and D.C Bandara. 2003, Identification of RAPD markers for salt tolerance in rice, Tropical Agricultural Research, 2003, 15: 39 – 50.
  • MIS Safeena, DC Bandara 2006 Antioxidant response of rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties to salt stress at different growth stages. Tropical Agricultural Research, 2006, 18: 322-333.
  • MIS Safeena and JSM Nethmi Numesha Samarakoon. 2020, Antioxidant potential of 12 medicinal plants of Sri Lanka, Journal of medicinal Plants Studies, 2020, 8(5): 170-177.
  • MIS Safeena, DC Bandara, VA Sumanasinghe. 2002, Effect of salt stress on leaf area, rate of photosynthesis and proline accumulation of rice varieties at different growth stages, Tropical Agricultural Research,2002, 14: 87 – 96.
  • MIS Safeena and Jayani Kalinga. 2020, Qualitative and quantitative screening of secondary metabolites in selected medicinal plants of Sri Lanka, Journal of medicinal Plants Studies, 2020, 8(5): 94-100.
  • Halima E Awale, M Ismail Safeena, Veronica A Vallejo, JD Kelly. 2008, SQ4 SCAR marker linked to the CO-2 GENE on Bll appears to be linked to the UR-11 GENE. Annu.Rep.Bean Improv.Coop., 2008, 51: 174-175.
  • MIS Safeena, 2020 DNA binds to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Evidences through In vitro and In silico studies. Journal of Science, 2020, 1(1): 1-11.
  • SFMMT Marikar, MCM. Zakeel and MIS. Safeena. 2018, Teachers’ Beliefs and Understanding about biotechnology and the effect on biotechnology education in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh Education Journal, 2018, 17(1):51-60.
  • Mohamed Zakeel, Mohamed Ismail Safeena, Faiz Marikar. 2016, Biology teachers’ beliefs about biotechnology and biotechnology education in Sri Lanka, School Science Review, 2016, 97(360): 63-69),
  • Ibuprofen binds DNA: evidenced through fluorescence spectroscopic and molecular docking. 9th International Symposium Proceedings of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 27th – 28th November 2019, PP. 373-381.
  • MIS Safeena. Effect of crude extract mixtures of five selected medicinal plant species on Malassezia sp. 9th International Symposium Proceedings of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 27th – 28th November 2019, PP. 365-372. http://ir.lib.seu.ac.lk/bitstream/handle/123456789/3941/41.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y"
  • MIS. Safeena and A. Cheanieha Queene. Plant Fungi as Potential Biocontrol agents for water Hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes Mart. Solms. Proceedings of National Symposium on Invasive Alien Species, Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment, 20th January 2017, PP. 51-58.
  • MIS. Safeena, T. Sasmina. Effect of biofertilizer (with mycorrhiza inoculum), cowdung, nitrogen and phosphorous on growth and yield of three varieties of amaranth. 8th International Symposium Proceedings of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 17th – 18th December 2018, PP. 113-123.
  • ALF Jumani, MIS Safeena, R Senthilnithy. A Study on binding of hydroxamic acid derivative to DNA: experimental and computational approach. 5th Annual Science Research Sessions Proceedings of Faculty of Applied Sciences, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 15th December 2016, PP. 217-224.
  • T Komathy, MIS Safeena, MCM Zakeel. Present status of in silico approach for micro-RNA identification. 6th International Symposium Proceedings of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 20th-21st December 2016, PP. 380-387.
  • MAF Sumaiya, MIS Safeena, R Senthilnithy. Experimental and molecular docking studies on DNA binding interaction of derivative of N-Arylhydroxamic Acid. 6th International Symposium Proceedings of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 20th-21st December 2016, PP. 388-395.
  • MCM Zakeel, MIS Safeena, FMM T Marikar. Biology teachers’ beliefs about biotechnology and biotechnology education in the Eastern province of Sri Lanka. 4th International Symposium Proceedings of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 2nd -3rd August 2014, . 462-468.
  • M. I. S. Safeena, A.C. Queene. Effect of Mycoherbicides on Waterhyacinth [Eichhornia crassipes Mart.Solms]. 7th International Symposium Proceedings of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 7th - 8th December 2017, PP. 239-247
  • Cheanieha A Queene, MIS Safeena, MCM Zakeel. Identification of suitable potential pathogens for biocontrol of water hyacinth. 5th Annual Science Research Sessions Proceedings of Faculty of Applied Sciences, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 15th December 2016, PP. 231-236.
  • AM. Razmy, MIS. Safeena and BF. Fathima Asmiya. Carbon credit concept in Rice production in Sri Lanka. 3rd International Symposium Proceedings of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 6th – 7th July 2013, PP.83-84.Planning the Research: 40 %"
  • MIS Safeena. Application of biotechnology to boost economy: A review with the special reference to Sri Lanka. 3rd International Symposium Proceedings of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 6th – 7th July 2013, PP. 63-67
  • MIS Safeena. SCAR marker linked to the Co-2 gene for the anthracnose in common dry bean. 2nd International Symposium Proceedings of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 25th-27th May 2012, PP. 187-189.
  • MIS Safeena. Effect of salt stress on some physiological parameters of rice (Oryza Sativa L.) at seedling stage. 2nd International Symposium Proceedings of South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, 25th-27th May 2012, PP.184-186.
  • MIS. Safeena. The bereft women of the East: Micro enterprises; The difference between survival and living. Workshop proceedings on rebuilding of tsunami affected areas in the Southern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka held on 27th-28th March 2009 at Hotel Tourmaline, Kandy Sri Lanka, PP. 173-177.

Book Chapters

  • N. D. SooriyaarachchiM. C. M. Zakeel, M. I. S. Safeena, and K. M. R. D. Abhayapala (2021). Role of Rhizosphere and Endophytic Microbes in Alleviation of Biotic and Abiotic Stress in Plants. R. Soni et al. (eds.), Microbiological Activity for Soil and Plant Health Management, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-2922-8_9. Springer. Pp 195 -234.
  • Safeena M.I.S., Zakeel M.C.M. (2019) Strategies for the Management of Soil-Borne Pathogens and Crop Production Under Saline Environment. In: Ansari R., Mahmood I. (eds) Plant Health Under Biotic Stress. Springer, Singapore.
  • Zakeel M.C.M., Safeena M.I.S. (2019) Biofilmed Biofertilizer for Sustainable Agriculture. In: Ansari R., Mahmood I. (eds) Plant Health Under Biotic Stress. Springer, Singapore.
  • Safeena M.I.S., Zakeel M.C.M. (2020) Nanobiotechnology-Driven Management of Phytonematodes. In: Ansari R., Rizvi R., Mahmood I. (eds) Management of Phytonematodes: Recent Advances and Future Challenges. Springer, Singapore.
  • Zakeel M.C.M., Safeena M.I.S. (2020) Metagenomic Insights Into Interactions Between Plant Nematodes and Endophytic Microbiome. In: Ansari R., Rizvi R., Mahmood I. (eds) Management of Phytonematodes: Recent Advances and Future Challenges. Springer, Singapore.