Documenting the Diversity and Potential of Polyporaceae Mushrooms in Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve, Penang

Grant Type:

Research Grant

Year:

2026

State(s):

Penang

Project Leader:

Dr Rosnida Tajuddin

This study builds upon a 2019 study and explores the diversity and ecological roles of Polyporaceae fungi in Penang Hill and Teluk Bahang. It seeks to build foundational knowledge, assess potential applications, and support conservation planning and local research capacity.

This project is a continuation of fungi study by Dr. Rosnida in 2019, focusing on a specific group of mushroom (Polyporaceae) to produce a baseline inventory of these ecologically significant wood-decaying fungi, and their potential medicinal and biotechnological value.

Dr Rosnida Tajuddin

Universiti Sains Malaysia

Dr. Rosnida Tajuddin, a mycologist at Universiti Sains Malaysia, explores the rich diversity of macrofungi and ectomycorrhizal fungi in Malaysian rainforests. Holding a PhD from the University of Aberdeen, she actively contributes to scientific expeditions and co-authored national mushroom safety guidelines. Passionate about public engagement, she inspires citizen mycologists to share fungi sightings, helping to map species across regions. Dr. Rosnida believes communities play a lasting role in preserving fungal heritage and ecological balance.

Universiti Sains Malaysia is one of the top public universities. Located in Gelugor, Malaysia, It is the only university in Malaysia to be awarded APEX (Accelerated Programme for Excellence) status by the Ministry of Higher Education. USM is a school of biological sciences running specialized research labs mainly concentrating on wildlife ecology, entomology, and tropical forest management. USM offers various fields such as Natural Sciences, Applied Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Building Science, and Humanities. In June 2026, USM was awarded 5th place globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings.