ASSOCIATE PROF. DR. ZUBAIDAH BINTI YA'COB

Dr. Zubaidah Ya’cob is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher at the Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), Universiti Malaya, whose academic career has been defined by a strong commitment to advancing One Health principles, impactful infectious disease research, transformative education, and community engagement. In recognition of her international collaborations and academic contributions, Dr. Zubaidah was appointed in 2025 as an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the School of Infections and Microbiomes, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom, strengthening her global research engagement and fostering long-term collaboration in vector ecology and emerging zoonoses. Her research expertise lies in medical and veterinary entomology, with a specialization in public health vectors, particularly ticks, mosquitoes, chiggers, sandflies, blackflies, and biting midges (Culicoides), and their roles in transmitting vector-borne diseases such as scrub typhus, rickettsioses, onchocerciasis, simian malaria, and leishmaniasis. A major focus of her current research is understanding the population dynamics of dipteran vectors, including mosquitoes, biting midges (Culicoides), and sandflies (Phlebotomus), across changing tropical landscapes, emphasizing how environmental disturbances and land-use transformation influence vector ecology, host–parasite interactions, and disease emergence in tropical ecosystems. Dr. Zubaidah has published over 70 ISI-indexed articles in reputable international journals such as One Health, Insects, PLOS ONE, Scientific Reports, Acta Tropica, Insects, Journal of Medical Entomology, and Pathogens. She has successfully secured a range of competitive national and international research grants, reflecting her strong research credibility and global engagement. Among her internationally funded projects, The Royal Society (UK) supported her work titled “Mites with Wings”, which investigates the role of avian hosts in the spread of scrub typhus–carrying mites. Through funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC, UK), she explored pathogen detection in Simulium black fly populations associated with Onchocerciasis transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. She is also an international member of a global research consortium on Onchocerciasis elimination in sub-Saharan Africa, working collaboratively with experts from the University of Liverpool, University of Oxford, New England Biolabs (USA), and the University of Sheffield, contributing entomological expertise in vector identification, pathogen detection, and disease transmission ecology. Her collaboration under the International Science Partnership Fund (UK) has led to groundbreaking research on rodent genomics and the prevalence of Orientia bacteria in domestic poultry, revealing complex zoonotic transmission pathways. Domestically, she was awarded the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) to study black fly–filarial parasite associations in Malaysia and has partnered with the Institute of Research for Development (IRD), France, to examine zoonotic disease risks in oil palm agricultural landscapes through a One Health lens. Her partnership with UMCARES extends her impact to underserved communities, delivering vector-borne disease awareness programs for primary schoolchildren and Orang Asli families, translating scientific knowledge into actionable public health benefits. Her multidisciplinary research integrates field entomology, molecular diagnostics, ecological modeling, and population genetics, demonstrating her capacity to lead innovative, solution-oriented research that advances both scientific understanding and disease control strategies. Her future work aims to investigate genetic determinants of vector competence, ecological drivers of disease emergence, and sustainable, ecologically sound vector management under the One Health framework. As an educator, Dr. Zubaidah has shown excellence in teaching and mentoring at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She teaches Biology of Organisms, Biostatistics, Statistics, and Research Methodology, promoting active learning and scientific inquiry while nurturing students’ analytical and critical thinking skills. She currently supervises five PhD candidates (two graduated) and eight Master’s students (three graduated, five ongoing). Beyond academia, Dr. Zubaidah is a science communicator and public health advocate, frequently featured on TV1’s Selamat Pagi Malaysia and Bernama TV, offering expert commentary on vector-borne diseases, particularly during flood seasons. Her community-driven initiatives, delivering health education to Orang Asli and B40 communities, earned her the Universiti Malaya Excellence Award (ACUM) in 2023 for impactful community engagement. Dr. Zubaidah also plays an active role in Malaysia’s professional entomology community. She serves as Secretary of the Entomological Society of Malaysia (ENTOMA) and is an Academic Associate Member of the Public Health Entomology Association (PEKA), reflecting her dedication to advancing entomological science and promoting national and international collaboration. Her ability to integrate science, policy, and community action continues to enhance Universiti Malaya’s reputation as a leader in public health engagement, societal impact, and One Health research excellence.

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DR. NUR FADHILAH BINTI MOHD SHARI

Nur Fadhilah is a senior lecturer in the Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya (UM). Her research is primarily focused on cryptography, data security and privacy, with a strong interest in emerging technologies such as blockchain and smart cities. Her work involves developing cryptographic protocols, privacy-preserving scheme, secure data dissemination, and secure communication frameworks to protect network, system, and data against security threats.She received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Purdue University, USA, followed by a Master of Science and a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Universiti Malaya (UM), Malaysia. Her extensive research in cryptography during her doctoral studies has influenced her current work, motivating her to develop secure and privacy-preserving solutions for safeguarding today's digital world. 

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PROFESSOR IR. DR. CHONG WEN TONG

   2019 Top Research Research Scientists Malaysia (TRSM)   Head, Universiti Malaya Center for Energy Sciences (CES)   Editorial Board Member (IJER,Wiley ; IJPEM-GT,Springer - SCI-Q1 ; ASEAN Engineering Journal)   Guest Editor- International Journal of Energy Research (SI: Sustainable Energy and Green Technologies)   Conference Chair - International Conference on Sustainable Energy and Green Technology (SEGT)   Visiting Professor - Beijing Institute of Technology, Zhuhai & North China Institute of Aerospace Engineering   Adjunct Professor - ITM Universe Vadodara, India   Member - Academy of Science Malaysia (ASM) Task Force on Carbon Free Energy   Darjah Ahli Mahkota Perlis (A.M.P.), 2018    First Prize - Anugerah Harta Intelek Negara (AHIN) 2016 - Paten Ir. Dr. Chong Wen Tong is a full professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Malaya. He graduated from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, UTM (Mechanical-Aeronautics). He was awarded the Best Student Award for his academic achievement; and obtained his Ph.D. from the same university. Dr. Chong joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Malaya (UM) after spending 10 years in various industries. Before joining UM, he was the Head of Technology and Mechanical Team in Dyson Malaysia, and has been responsible for research, design and development works on vacuum cleaner, hand dryer and bladeless fan. He led more than 30 engineers and technicians, and participated in several projects, award-winning products, patents and the creation of Dyson new technology. He is a Chartered Engineer registered by the Engineering Council (UK). He served as the Programme Coordinator (Mechanical) for about 5 years (2011-2015) and teaches Renewable Energy at the M.Eng. level in UM. His research focus is Renewable Energy & Green Technology; and he has secured more than RM 7 million research grants (HIR-MOHE, PRGS, ERGS, FRGS, UMRG, PJP, Global Partnership Award-University of Southampton and RCETS-NCKU, Taiwan). He has completed 18 research projects as principal investigator (PI) and 6 projects as co-researcher, and graduated 35 post-grad. candidates. In 2013, his FRGS project (PI) was selected as the Best FRGS 2010 Project by Malaysian Ministry of Education Malaysia (MOE) and awarded RM 50,000 for the extension works. Recently, his joint-research project with collaborators from Taiwan (National Cheng Kung University & National Ilan University) was selected for the 2016 SATU Joint Research Scheme. Dr. Chong has filed 12 intellectual property rights (3 listed in Derwent Innovation Index, ISI WoS). He is the inventor of Wind, Solar and Rain Harvester, Exhaust Air Energy Recovery System, Solar-Hydro Energy System, Eco Roof System, Eco-GreeneryTM  Outdoor Lighting System and Cross-Axis-Wind-Turbine (First Prize of the National Intellectual Property Award, AHIN 2016 (Patent Category) & WIPO Medal for Inventors). Dr. Chong won more than 25 invention and innovation awards and was invited as judge for The Crown Prince CIPTA Award 2017 in Brunei.He is the Editorial Board Member of two SCI-Q1 journal (top 10%), i.e. the International Journal of Energy Research (IJER) and International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing-Green Technology (IJPEM-GT). He has co-authored >135 ISI technical articles (h-index = 41). He is also the recipient of the University of Malaya Excellence Award 2016, Excellent Lecturer (Science & Technology). He was awarded "Energy Invention Order of Merit" in World Inventor Award Festival 2012, and "Young Researcher Award" in ISGMA 2014, Busan. He also won the "Best of the Best Award" for the research poster participated in UMRC 2013.  He involves in several professional bodies (EI, IET, IEM, WREN, IAET, AUN/SEED-Net) and served as the Honorary Treasurer of the Energy Institute, EI Malaysia. He also contributed to the development of Malaysian Standards on Dependability Management (SIRIM). He served as the National Industrial Expert (machinery & manufacturing, 2010-2012). He was invited to deliver a talk in Green Technology Seminar by the Malaysian Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water (KeTTHA) and participated in Malaysian Wind Energy Roadmap. He was invited to showcase and pilot-test his lighting system in the Kuala Lumpur Town Council (DBKL) Bicycle Track. He is the Member of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) Task Force on Carbon Free Energy, and the Member of ACCCIM Science, Technology and Innovations Committee (2017-2021). He has established strong collaboration with researchers from China and Taiwan, and is appointed as the Visiting Professor of Beijing Institute of Technology, Zhuhai and North China Institute of Aerospace Engineering. He is the Conference Chair of International Conference on Sustainable Energy and Green Technology (SEGT 2018 & 2019). He won the Second Place in the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Leaders in Innovation Fellowships – Final Pitch Session 2016/17. In 2018, Dr. Chong was awarded the WSSET Innovation Award (Renewable Energy Systems) and conferred with the Darjah Ahli Mahkota Perlis (AMP) award by His Royal Highness Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin ibni Almarhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail, The Raja of Perlis. Dr. Chong was selected for the 2019 Top Research Scientists Malaysia (TRSM) by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) and 2020 World’s Top 2% Scientists by Stanford University.

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