Lyana Khairuddin

Malaysia

Public Policy (MPP), 2018
St Catherine's College, Oxford

Funding: Weidenfeld-Hoffmann/Chevening

Lyana graduated from University of Malaya in 2006 with a BSc.(Hons) First Class with Distinction, majoring in Genetics & Molecular Biology. She was awarded a PhD(Medicine-Medical Research) from The University of Queensland, Australia in 2011. Her thesis explored targeted therapy using RNA interference on Human Papillomavirus (HPV) to control cervical cancer. Lyana then expanded her research interests to include co-infection of HPV and HIV; where issues surrounding communicable diseases piqued her interest in policy. Beyond the confines of a laboratory, Lyana is an active member of civil society, founding the “Iam#26″ petition to reform the implementation of Shariah Laws in Malaysia, and the #bringbackhekebaya movement to celebrate Malaysian culture.

Her fortnightly column,”naturalLy” published by The Star Media Group is her social commentary on Malaysian life-especially calling for women’s participation, inclusivity, reform, and progressive values in local society. She has also contributed writings to other online newsportals and writes in Bahasa Malaysia for ProjekDialog.

Lyana was a 2015 YSEALI professional fellow where she engaged with the U.S.State Department, Human Rights Campaign(HRC), and the amfAR Policy Office on issues involving PLHIV.

Lyana is a Pottergeek who enjoys running.