Dr. Zeeniya Hassan Kamil is an Assistant Professor of Microbiology at The Maldives National University, with over a decade of experience in academic research and clinical trials. Her expertise lies in leading multidisciplinary projects, particularly in the areas of antimicrobial resistance, environmental health, and the health impacts of climate change. She is also recognized for developing innovative educational tools and mentoring students across undergraduate, MSc, and PhD levels.
Dr. Kamil played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Maldives’ first Genome Sequencing Laboratory, actively contributing to its initial testing and training phases. Her leadership capabilities are further highlighted through her management of the EU-funded Climate Change Diplomacy Leadership and Resilience Project, where she contributed to initiatives to promote resilience and adaptation strategies. Additionally, she played key role in the development of a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) integrating Augmented Reality (AR), designed to enhance learning experiences for students in South Asia and Small Island Developing States.
As a curriculum developer, Dr. Kamil has designed and aligned new courses at The Maldives National University with global challenges such as climate change and public health. She also facilitated a research workshop in collaboration with the University Paris Cité, University of Liège, and the University of Economics in Bratislava, fostering multidisciplinary research on climate change and healthcare system resilience.
Dr. Kamil earned her PhD in Applied Microbiology from the University of the West of England, UK in 2014. Her doctoral research on Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy contributed valuable insights into alternative approaches to antibiotics, addressing the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance.

MSc Public Health (Global Health) (Distance Learning), King’s College London, UK (2020 – Present)

 PhD in Applied Microbiology, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK (2014)
Thesis: In vitro studies comparing activities of Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy and Electrochemically Activated Solutions

 MSc Biomedical Science, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK (2005)
Dissertation: The isolation of E. coli DH5 alpha mutants with defects in the pyrimidine synthesis pathway

 BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and Chemistry, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK (2003)
Dissertation: The effects of caffeine on the surface anatomy of Vero cells and its consequences on herpes simplex virus infection

• Antimicrobial Resistance in Low- and Middle-Income Countries and Novel Antimicrobial therapies
• Genomic Sequencing and Food Safety
• Climate Change Impacts on Public Health
• Project Management and Interdisciplinary Research
• Development of MOOCs and Digital Learning Tools

1. Microbiology
2. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
3. Environmental Health
4. Health Protection and Promotion
5. Scientific and Analytical Skills
6. Science Communication
7. Research Methods and Experimental Design
8. Advanced Research Methods

Climate Change Diplomacy Leadership and Resilience Project: Key researcher in an EU-funded initiative conducted in collaboration with the University Paris Cité, University of Liège, and the University of Economics in Bratislava. Played a pivotal role in designing the bachelor’s degree program on climate change, including developing the course structure, writing modules, conducting benchmarking, and successfully navigating the course approval process. Additionally, contributed significantly to organizing and delivering a Summer School, fostering international partnerships, and advancing strategies for resilience and adaptation in climate diplomacy.

MOOC Development for Climate Change and Health: Contributed to the development of an innovative MOOC integrating augmented reality (AR), in partnership with researchers from the University Paris Cité and the University of Heidelberg. This MOOC, which earned the Best Poster award at the MIT Learn With MOOC Conference, addresses the multidimensional impacts of climate change, with a focus on South Asia and Small Island Developing States.

Genome Sequencing Laboratory Facility: Successfully contributed to the establishment of the first Genome Sequencing Laboratory in the Maldives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded by USAID and WHO Maldives, this initiative enhanced the nation’s capabilities in genetic research and pathogen surveillance.

Understanding Health Impacts of Imported Chicken: Principal Investigator of an ongoing genomic analysis project investigating bacterial contamination and antimicrobial resistance in imported poultry. Funded by The Maldives National University, this research aims to provide critical insights into food safety and public health.

1. Maldives National University Research Grant: Genomic analysis of bacterial contamination in imported chicken.
2.  Antimicrobial Resistance in Maldives: Project funded by The Maldives National University and WHO Maldives.

Completed Projects:

1. Aminath Anaan Abdul Hannan (2022), BSc Biology, The Maldives National University, Isolation and Identification of Salmonella spp. and E. coli from Chicken Eggs in Greater Male’.
2. Mariyam Shaufa (2022, BSc Biology, The Maldives National University,  Microbiological Evaluation and Antibiotic Susceptibility of E. coli and Salmonella spp. from Frozen Chicken Sold in the Maldives.
3. Wing-Sze Lau (2022), MSc Medical Microbiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine: Prevalence and antibiotic resistance of Salmonella and E. coli in poultry in Greater Malé.

Ongoing Projects:

1. Zsofia Gason (2024), Master in Public Health Sciences, University of Liège: Exploring public perceptions of climate change and its impact on adaptation in the Maldives.

1. Spagnul, C., Greenman, J., Wainwright, M., Kamil, Z., & Boyle, R. W. (2016). Synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation of a new photoactive hydrogel against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 4(11), 1822-1831. https://doi.org/10.1039/c5tb02569a
2. Mohamed, S., & Kamil, Z. (2022). Baseline assessment on national use of chemicals and associated risks. Ministry of Environment, Maldives. Retrieved from https://www.undp.org/maldives/publications/baseline-assessment-national-use-chemicals-and-associated-risks-2022

Conference Proceedings:

1. Advancing Climate Change and Health Learning in Maldives: A MOOC with Augmented Reality Integration, IEEE Learn with Massive Open Online Courses Conference, MIT Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, October 2023 (Award: Best Poster)
2. A Review of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Livestock Farmers on Antimicrobial Resistance in South Asia: International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research, Theveli, 2024, The Maldives National University
3. Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Bacterial Isolates in a Tertiary Care Hospital in the Maldives: A Retrospective Study, International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research Theveli 2023, The Maldives National University
4. Shaping Island Futures: Urban, Health, and Sustainability Resilience in the Maldives and Small Island Developing States, International Conference on Innovations in Engineering, Science and Technology for Sustainable Development, The Maldives National University (ICEST 2023)
5. Public Knowledge, Risk perceptions and Attitudes Towards COVID-19 During the Early Phase of Pandemic in the Maldives, International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research Theveli, 2021, The Maldives National University
6. Multi-drug resistant Acientobacter species isolated from various patient samples at a tertiary care hospital in the Maldives, American Society of Microbiology, Microbe, Conference, San-Francisco, USA, June 2019
7. Development of bioluminescent bacterial reporter assay to study Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy Postgraduate Research Forum, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, UWE, Bristol, March 2011 (Award: Best Poster)

1. Member, American Society of Microbiology, USA
2. Member of Society for General Microbiology, UK.
3. Member, Society of Applied Microbiology, UK.
4. Attended professional development programs including the IEEE MOOC Conference at MIT and the WHO South-East Asia Genomic Surveillance Workshop.
5. Health Projects Monitoring and Evaluation Course / 2019 World Bank, Washington DC, USA
6. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine & University of Cambridge, London, UK, Antimicrobial Resistance: A Multidisciplinary Approach Short Course / 2018

1. Clinical Expertise Committee: Medical Laboratory Technology and Clinical and Health Technology, Maldives Allied Health Council-2021-present
2. Academic Editor: Chemical and Biotechnology Engineering, Maldives Journal of Engineering and Technology (MJET)-2024-present
3. Organizing Committee for ICEST 2025
4. Member of Faculty Curriculum Committee – Faculty of Engineering, Science and Technology, 2023-present