Research Areas
- Mathematical Modelling
- Delay Differential Equation
- Fuzzy Set Theory
- Dynamical System Modelling
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Normah Maan has a research portfolio in mathematical modelling, dynamical systems, delay differential equations, fuzzy systems, and applied mathematics across health, environment, and industrial applications. Her research focuses on developing analytical and computational models to solve real-world problems such as tumour–immune interaction, harmful algal blooms (HABs), nonlinear harvesting systems, environmental emissions, epidemiology, and complex engineering processes.
Over the years, she has secured nine (9) research grants as Principal Investigator, amounting to more than RM 626,700, and has contributed as Co-Researcher in over 27 national and university grants, with a cumulative project value exceeding RM 1.7 million.
Her research leadership includes national-level grants (FRGS, TRGS, UTM Tier 1 & Tier 2, UTM Fundamental Research), industry-linked projects, and interdisciplinary collaborations in science, engineering, and applied mathematics. These projects span advanced topics such as optimal control strategies in tumour hyperthermia therapy, fuzzy-time delay systems, harmful algal bloom modelling, graph-theoretical emission analysis, and nonlinear dynamical systems in ecology and public health.
As Principal Investigator
Dr. Normah has led multiple high-impact research projects focusing on mathematical modelling and innovative analytical methods. Among her key projects are:
- Tumor–Hyperthermia Immunotherapy Model with Optimal Temperature Control Strategy (FRGS)
- New Natural Transform–Homotopy Analysis Method for Nonlinear Delay Differential Equations(UTMFR)
- Mathematical Modelling of Macrophage Interaction in Breast Cancer (Tier 1)
- Modelling of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in Malaysian Waters (TRGS)
- Mathematical Modelling of Tumor Population with Immune Suppression (FRGS)
- Symmetry Analysis for Delay Differential Equations (Tier 1)
- Dioxin Emission Modelling in Incineration Systems (Tier 2)
- Fuzzy-Time Delay Modelling for Tumor Cell Growth (FRGS)
- Modelling the Multi-Stage RDC Control System (FRGS)
Her projects contribute to biomedical modelling, environmental protection, engineering optimisation, and theoretical advancements in mathematics.
As Co-Researcher / Scientific Member
Dr. Normah has collaborated in more than 27 multidisciplinary projects, covering areas such as:
- Prey–Predator systems with harvesting and delays
- Fuzzy DEMATEL for water resource management
- Epidemiological parameter learning via Bayesian inference
- EEG spatial analysis in epilepsy
- Mathematical modelling for environmental systems
- Numerical and algebraic computation in polynomial systems
- School-level mathematics competency and STEM education
- Nonlinear hydrodynamics and mass transfer in engineering columns
- DNA damage modelling for ionizing radiation
- Industrial optimisation for crane scheduling and berth allocation
- Numerical algorithms for engineering and computation
These projects reflect her versatility in applying mathematical and computational tools across diverse scientific and engineering domains.
Research Summary
| Role | No. of Projects | Total Value |
| Principal Investigator – National Grants | 5 | RM 446,800 |
| Principal Investigator – UTM Grants | 4 | RM 180,100 |
| Co-Researcher – National Grants | 11 | RM 550,100 |
| Co-Researcher – UTM Grants | 16 | RM 583,220 |
Total Research Involvement:
➡️ 35 projects
➡️ Cumulative value exceeding RM 1.7 million
Research Identity
Her research excellence is grounded in:
- Deep theoretical foundations in differential equations and dynamical systems
- Application of mathematics to biomedical, environmental, and engineering problems
- Development of new analytical and computational methods
- Strong interdisciplinary collaboration across science, engineering, and technology
- Continuous contribution to national research agendas through FRGS, TRGS, and UTM flagship grants
