Dr. Lim Hong Ngee developed a nanotech-powered blood test paired with a smartphone app, bringing breast cancer screening closer to home and making diagnosis more accessible and affordable.

Through the Grant, she explored nanomaterial-based sensors to detect biomarkers like microRNAs and tumor-linked proteins—capable of spotting disease signals at ultra-low levels, down to one in a million billion. 

Such initiatives support a shift toward decentralised, on-the-spot healthcare, especially critical in regions where nearly 50% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed only in the later stages due to poor screening access (WHO, 2023).

From improving cancer diagnostics to developing advanced materials for clean energy and water, Dr. Lim’s work tackles some of today’s challenges. Based at Universiti Putra Malaysia, Dr. Lim received the Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment in 2014.