Malaysia

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Aris, Ahmad Zaharin


Current nationality
Malaysia
Current country of residence
Malaysia
Biodata
Aris is a senior professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia. His research focuses on hydrochemistry, environmental chemistry, and environmental forensics—with special emphasis on the development of analytical methods and the identification, behaviour, remediation, and health implications of metals and emerging pollutants in the environment. In recognition of his contributions, he has received numerous awards, including Malaysia Scopus Research Excellence Awards (Groundbreaking Contributions) 2024 and Malaysia Winner for ASPIRE - APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research, and Education (2022, 2019). His pioneering work has shaped environmental policies and guidelines both at national and international level, in areas related to water quality, public health, and environmental forensics. Zaharin leads multidisciplinary research initiatives and environmental translational research, working closely with policymakers to turn scientific findings into outcomes through public engagement. He also serves actively as an advisor, chair, and member of various governmental and private-sector committees at local and international levels.
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Last updated on 12/08/2025

Bin Abdul Rahman, Mohd Basyaruddin


Current nationality
Malaysia
Current country of residence
Malaysia
Biodata
Bin Abdul Rahman is a senior professor of chemistry at Universiti Putra Malaysia, who was appointed as a distinguished visiting scholar at the University of California, Berkeley. He received his PhD in catalysis chemistry (at Southampton University) and was a post-doctoral Fellow in structural biology (Edinburgh University). He has secured more than 32 million Malaysian Ringgit worth of research grants worldwide in biocatalysis, computational chemistry and nanodelivery. Additionally he has published more than 300 papers, presented over 450 papers, graduated more than 80 postgraduates. To his credit he also more than 25 patents and more than 100 awards. He has received recognitions as a young scientist from international bodies and was named the Face of Science at Malaysia for his contribution to engaging youth in science. He was the founding chairman of the Malaysian Young Scientists Network and held positions like deanship and directorship at various institutions. He is currently the chair of ISTIC-UNESCO governing board, and coordinates and mentors in professional academic training, and in STEM and sustainability outreach activities nationwide and globally.
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ADDRESS
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
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Last updated on 12/08/2025

New, Siu Yee

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Current nationality
Malaysia
Current country of residence
Malaysia
Biodata
New is an associate professor with the School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM). She obtained a Bachelor of Science (Hon.) in industrial chemistry from the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, and earned her PhD degree from the National University of Singapore. She then worked as a research scientist at the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, A*Star, Singapore before taking up her current job at UNM. Her main research interest is in developing DNA-based nanosensors to detect different analytes, such as cancer biomarkers and viral DNA. With computational aid, her group designs DNA probes using simulation algorithm, and then tests them at the bench. Such an approach has reduced random ill-attempts and overall costs, easing sensors customization for different types of targets. She was a Highly Commended Finalist of Women of the Future Southeast Asia, Science, Technology & Digital Category (2020), and received the L’Oréal-UNESCO Fellowship for Women in Science (2021). New is a Young Scientist Network-Academy Science Malaysia affiliate, a member of the Malaysian Institute of Chemistry and of the Committee of Royal Society of Chemistry Malaysia Chapter.
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ADDRESS
School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia
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Last updated on 05/05/2025

Sekaran, Shamala Devi

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Current nationality
Malaysia
Current country of residence
Malaysia
Biodata
Sekaran, Research Associate at UCSI Hospital, is a Fellow of the Academy of Science Malaysia (since 2017) and of the Royal Society of Pathologists, London (since 2019). Her main expertise is in infectious diseases, with more than 270 published papers, over 6,000 WoS citations, and a h-index of 42. To date, 24 Masters and 23 PhDs have graduated under her supervision. The main areas of investigation are on Dengue and other infectious organisms. She has received multiple awards for kits developed, owns more than 20 patents, and was awarded Woman Bioinnovator of the year (2008) and 'Anugerah Innovasi Negara 2009 for Molecular Diagnostics of Dengue Infections'. She investigates the effects of diabetes and obesity on severe dengue, setting up serological assays to differentiate flaviviruses and vaccine development. Recently, she ventured into stem cells for regenerative medicine. She directed the WHO collaborating centre (2003–2007), a member of the faculty committee for postgraduate degrees, counsellor and coordinator for various degree programmes. Sekaran was also the head of the virology diagnostic laboratory at the University Malaya Medical Centre (2001–2007).
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DATE OF BIRTH
 
 

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PHONE
(+60 1) 2225-3292
ADDRESS
17 Jalan 10/10F, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
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Last updated on 12/09/2025

Salit, Mohd Sapuan


Current nationality
Malaysia
Current country of residence
Malaysia
Biodata
Salit is a professor (Grade A) of composite materials at the Department of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). He earned a BEng in mechanical engineering at University of Newcastle, Australia, a Master of Science in engineering design at Loughborough University (UK), and a PhD in material engineering at De Montfort University (UK). He is a professional engineer, and Fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers International, Academy of Sciences Malaysia, The World Academy of Sciences, International Academy of Bionic Science, International Artificial Intelligence Industry Alliance, International Society for Development and Sustainability, Plastic & Rubber Institute Malaysia, Malaysian Scientific Association, and Institute of Material Malaysia. He is an honorary member of the Asian Polymer Association and founding chairman and honorary member of the Society of Sugar Palm Development & Industry, Malaysia. He was the recipient of a TWAS Award in engineering sciences, and of the William Johnson International Gold Medal.
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DATE OF BIRTH
 
 
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Last updated on 11/08/2025

Hamid, Aizan

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Current nationality
Malaysia
Current country of residence
Malaysia
Biodata
Hamid is a distinguished social scientist and a pioneering figure in gerontology, renowned for her contribution to gerontology education, research, and policy development in Malaysia and the surrounding region. She established a multi- and trans-disciplinary research institute at Universiti Putra Malaysia, in 2002, and was appointed as its founding director. The Institute was awarded the national status of Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing, in 2015, and Hamid remained as its first director until 2020. The institute spearheaded research programmes and established postgraduate programmes in social gerontology, medical gerontology, and gerontechnology, which attracted local and international students. As a professional in the field of gerontology, Hamid sits in several national and international committees related to population aging. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Science Malaysia and is actively involved in civil society organisations related to older persons and social welfare development in Malaysia. She was an independent director of the Private Pension Administration Malaysia (2020–2024), and was appointed as chairperson from 25 June 2024 until 2026.
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Last updated on 02/05/2025

Abd Rahman, Noorsaadah

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Current nationality
Malaysia
Current country of residence
Malaysia
Biodata
Abd Rahman obtained her PhD in organic synthesis from Cambridge University in 1990 and subsequently joined the Department of Chemistry at the University of Malaya. From 2006–2014, she was the director of the Institute of Research Management and Monitoring, and in 2015 she was appointed deputy vice-chancellor (research & innovation) of University of Malaya, until her official retirement in November 2021. In 2014, she was named a Fellow of the Malaysian Academy of Sciences (ASM) and was bestowed the Top Research Scientist Award (TRSM). In 2018, she was elected Fellow (ChM) of the Institut Kimia Malaysia and, in 2024, she was named a Fellow of The World Academy of Science. She chairs the Malaysian Open Science Alliance (MOSA) that oversees the implementation of the national open science initiatives (MOSP) since 2019. In 2024, she was elected as the Secretary-General of ASM.
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Public contact information

PHONE
(+60 19) 507-6340
ADDRESS
Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Last updated on 01/07/2024

Lai, Khin Wee

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Current nationality
Malaysia
Current country of residence
Malaysia
Biodata
Lai received his PhD in biomedical engineering from the Malaysia University of Technology and Ilmenau Technical University in Germany through the German Academic Exchange Service PhD Sandwich Programme. He is currently an associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University Malaya, and chief technology officer of BioSight Sdn Bhd. Lai was awarded a fellowship by the Association of Commonwealth Universities by the UK in 2021 for his research on recovered COVID-19 patients’ risk of hospital readmission. Later, Lai was conferred the Young Engineer Award 2021 by the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia. Lai was also awarded the IEEE-EMBS Early Career Achievement Award 2021 by the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society Malaysia Chapter the same year. Lai was elected as Fellow of Engineers Australia and Fellow of Institute of Engineers Malaysia. In 2022, Lai was bestowed the Board of Engineers Malaysia Most Prominent Young Engineering Leader Award by the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
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AFFILIATED UNTIL

Public contact information

PHONE
+60379677627
ADDRESS
Biomedical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur
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Last updated on 11/08/2025
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