Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Lai Chin Wei [PhD, BEng(Hons) | PEng, PTech, CEng (UK), MIEM, MIMechE (UK)] is currently a full professor in Nanotechnology & Catalysis Research Centre, "National Higher Institution Centre of Excellent (HiCoE)", University of Malaya. Lai’s main research interests are in the areas of chemically modified/functionalized metal oxide photocatalysts and carbon graphene materials, especially for sustainable development to diverse the inclusive science, technology, and innovation in environmental pollution management and energy storage technology. As a scholar and an indication of the global impact of research work (top 2% scientists in a global list), Lai’s works have been published in more than 300 refereed international top-tier journals with Scopus h-index of 53, 8 patents (granted 3 patents), 100 book chapters, and 100 international proceedings in materials science, physics, chemistry, and renewable energy researches. In all, Lai has reviewed more than 1300 papers in the past few years, mainly for top international journals / conferences and now serving as associate editors, guest editors, topic editors and editorial board members for several prestigious high impact international journals. Lai served as section editor/editor for a book entitled “Encyclopedia of Energy Storage: Capacitors/ Supercapacitors 2022” (Elsevier ISBN: 978-0-12-819730-1), “Encyclopedia of Green Materials: Green Materials for Additive Manufacturing 2024” (Springer ISBN: 978-981-16-4921-9), “Nanotechnology in Cosmeceuticals 2025” (Elsevier ISBN: 978-0-44-330184-1), and "Nanocomposites for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment 2025" (Springer ISBN: 978-981-95-1368-0).  The utilization of long-lasting “photocatalysis technology” using nanomaterials to solve global warming and reduce environmental impacts has been the passion for Lai. Lai’s research findings aid in building the fundamentals knowledge and groundbreaking industry collaboration experience with many multinational companies/institutions/NGOs, which help direct research efforts towards critical aspects in nanomaterial development for various innovative advancements. Lai currently holds multiple positions as “product advisor” and “scientific technical consultant” for > 8 multinational companies since 2021. Lai’s research has been funded by the Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia, MOHE, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of Malaysia, MOSTI, internal University funding, international funding and industry grants. In total, Dr. Lai has secured research funding exceeding RM 7.5 million. As a testament to his mentorship and leadership in research, he has successfully supervised 16 PhD and 20 MSc graduates to completion. Meanwhile, Lai is appointed as national and international peer evaluation panel for Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), Eurostars 3 (ESTARS3)- a joint program between the EUREKA network and the European Commission, Innovation Fund Denmark Applications, Qatar National Research Fund and Dean's Research Fund from The Education University of Hong Kong (Eduhk) since 2020. Indeed, Lai is providing leadership development opportunities that privilege to bridge the gap between academia and industry, fostering collaboration and driving innovation to impact the world using nanotechnology. Being a reputable researcher, his enthusiasm and dedication towards research work, Lai has won numerous special awards or medal winners in International exposition on research innovation, invention & solution (> 22 gold/silver awards). Recently, Lai was recognized on the 2025 Asian Scientist 100 list by Asian Scientist Magazine (Singapore) for his outstanding contributions to photocatalysis and sustainable development. Through his work nanomaterials and catalysis field, Lai was awarded as JCI TOYP - Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World 2024 (Academic Leadership and Accomplishment), APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research and Education (ASPIRE) 2023 National Winner, IAAM Scientist medal 2023, Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) Best Young Member Award 2022, JCI TOYM - Ten Outstanding Young Malaysians 2021 (Academic Leadership and Accomplishment), National Young Scientist Award 2019 by The Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change (MESTECC), MASS Young Researcher Award 2018 by Malaysian Solid State Science & Technology Society, a finalist of National Young Scientist Award 2018 by Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of Malaysia (MOSTI), University of Malaya Excellence Awards 2015 in the category of outstanding researcher - UM Young Researcher (Sciences Discipline) and USM Persada Kencana Award for Best Thesis (Ph.D. Category Engineering) 2014. Lai’s scholastic achievement and thought leadership are recognized locally and internationally. He has been appointed as the "Adjunct Research Advisor" for Shoolini University, India (2022-25), "Foreign Expert/Professional" for Shanghai JiaoTong University, China (2022-23), "Visiting Professor", "Adjunct Professor" for Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia (2024-25), "Visiting Lecturer" for Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia (2024), "Visiting Professor" for National Taipei University of Technology, Taiwan (2024), "Visiting Professor" for King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Thailand (2025), "Adjunct Professor" for Faculty of Science and Data Analytics, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Indonesia (2025), "Visiting Professor" for Shanghai JiaoTong University, China (2025-26), "Foreign Expert/Professional" for Southwest Forestry University, China (2025-30), "Visiting Professor" for The University Of Sydney, Australia (2025), "Adjunct Professor" for University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, India (2025-27), "Visiting Top Professor" for Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Indonesia (2025-26)  and "Scientific Advisory Committee" for Amala Institute of Medical Sciences, India (2025). Lai is honoured to be listed among the top 2% scientists in a global list since 2020 till up to date (2025) compiled by the prestigious Stanford University, USA and awarded as Top Peer Reviewer in Cross-Field & Materials Science powered by Publons (Top 1% of Reviewers) since 2019. On professional qualifications, Lai successfully registered as a Professional Engineer (PEng) in Material Engineering discipline with the Board of Engineers (BEM) and registered as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) with the Engineering Council, UK as well as registered as a Professional Technologist (PTech) in Nanotechnology discipline with the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT). Meanwhile, Lai is an active member in The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM, MAL), Energy Institute (EI, UK), Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE, UK) and Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC, UK). In overall, Dr. Lai believes that nanotechnology will hold great potential for solving real-world challenges and positively affect the living standards of mankind for a better living environment. Dr. Lai is recognized as among the calibre and outstanding young scientists in the country who have the potential of advancing the scientific ecosystem in Malaysia. Dr. Lai's vision and direction in academic career are addressing global challenges with advanced nanomaterials design and development for a sustainable future.  

Bibliography: Professor Dr Wan Haliza Abd. Majid (2021)   Dr Wan Haliza Abd. Majid graduated with Bachelor in Physics from University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, UK in 1988. Initially, she worked in the Physics department, University Malaya as a tutor from 1990-91 while she was completing her Master’s Degree. Upon completing her PhD in 1994 from the University of Sheffield (UK), she was attached to the Matriculation Centre (PASUM) from 1994-2000, University Malaya as a lecturer before transferring to the Physics Department in 2000. Currently, her research interest is related to pyroelectric and ferroelectric properties of organic materials, fabrication and device characterization of an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) and photo-sensing and signal processing of biomaterials, quantum dots, and their applications. She has participated in many seminars, workshops, conferences and community engagement projects related to the Physics education program. Her involvement in research led her to lead (Principle Investigator) various research grants since the year 2000 which include, Short Term Research Fund (PJP-UM), University Malaya Research Grant (UMRG), High Impact Research Grant (HIR-UM), Exploratory Research Grant Scheme (ERGS-MOHE), ScienceFund (MOSTI), Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS-MOHE) and Long Term Research Grant (LRGS-MOHE).  She has been invited as one of the panel reviewers/evaluators for various grants awarded by MOHE and MOSTI at the university and national level since 2012. Internationally, her involvement as one of the panel reviewers for the Slovak Research And Development Agency starts from the year 2016 until recently. Currently, she is the Head of Low Dimensional Materials Research Center (LDMRC) (since 2016), the Chief Editor of Malaysian Journal of Science (MJS) (since 2020), the Chairperson for MASS Chapter of University Malaya (since 2019) and Committee member for Institute of Physics (IFM) (since 2021). She was appointed as Deputy Dean of Research and Higher Degree at the Faculty of Science (2010-2014), Dean (2017-2019) and Deputy Dean (2016-2017) of Institute of Postgraduate Studies (IPS). She is committed to equipping graduates at the tertiary level with knowledge, technology and values that can be used to interact positively with society at large.

Dr. Muhammad Asri Mohd Ali is a Senior Lecture at the Department of Political Science, Public Administration and Development Studies, Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. He received his Ph.D in Political Study from University of Malaya (UM) specializes in voting behavior, public policy, governance and state-society relations. He is regularly invited by the mainstream media in Malaysia to share his opinion on the country's political dynamic. He is also actively in moderating social discourses on current issues in Malaysia organized by National Council Professor (NCP) where he is one of the research fellow there starting from 2016 to 2024.