Hi, I am an Associate Professor at the Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS), Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya (UM), and the Founding Director of the Universiti Malaya Sustainable Development Centre (UMSDC) since 2022. I began my academic career at UM after completing my PhD in Science and Technology Policy at SPRU, University of Sussex, in 2009. My educational background includes a BSc in Ecology from the Insitute Biological Sciences, Universiti Malaya and an MSc in Environmental Management and Policy from the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE), Lund University, Sweden. My research primarily explores the intersection of science, technology, and innovation (STI) with environmental sustainability, particularly within the context of sustainable development and the challenges faced by late-industrializing countries. Over the years, I have expanded my interdisciplinary approach to contribute to Sustainability Science, engaging in areas such as sustainability transitions, education for sustainable development, participatory watershed management, place-based citizen science, and social innovation. I am actively involved in teaching and supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students, integrating environmental sciences with STI policy, management, and governance. My commitment to campus sustainability dates back to my student years and continues today. From 2009 to 2013, I served as Deputy Coordinator and later Principal Coordinator of UM’s ecocampus initiative. In 2014, I became the founding Director of UMCARES, the university’s Sustainability and Community Centre at the time (now rebranded as UM's Community Engagement), and played a key role in shaping the UM Campus Sustainability Living Lab Programme during my tenure.  Within the civil society, space I was the founding principal coordinator of UM’s Water Warriors, one of the university’s pioneering greening movements and Living Lab, focusing on participatory watershed conservation. Today, I continue to contribute as an academic volunteer, working alongside dedicated colleagues and students across generations to promote environmental stewardship, within the UM campus and beyond. Additionally, I serve as an advisor to Inspirasi Kawa, a community-based environmental organization in Kuala Selangor, and Sekitar Kita, a university-based social enterprise. I am also a research associate with the social enterprise Urban Biodiversity Initiative (UBI) Beyond Malaysia, I represent UM in regional and international sustainability networks, including the ASEAN University Network on Ecological Education and Culture (AUN-EEC) and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Malaysia Chapter. Previously, I was a networking fellow under the Universities and Research Council Network on Innovation for Inclusive Development in Southeast Asia (UNIID-SEA) and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Asia Core Programme on Asian-Oriented Integrated Watershed Management. For more details, please visit my my full UMEXPERT profile. 

ChM Dr Joon Ching Juan is Professor of Catalysis and Nanotechnology at Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Centre (NANOCAT), Universiti Malaya, Malaysia. Currently, he has been appointed as Chair of Frontier Natural World Research Cluster at Universiti Malaya and Head of International Co-operation relation at NANOCAT. He obtained his BSc (Hons) Chemical Technology (2003) and PhD in Chemistry (2007) degrees from the National University of Malaysia, Malaysia.             He has been actively involved in various research activities especially in the area of nanomaterial and catalysis. Most of his research activities are focused on understanding the and manipulating nano-structure to be applied in environmental and energy. Up to date, he has managed to publish more than 200 WoS publications with an h-index of 47 (10,348 citations). With his expertise and experience, he has received about RM 9,500,000 (ca. USD 2,000,000) grants from national, industry and international organizations such as The World Academy of Science Grant (TWAS, UNESCO), E-science fund (MOSTI), and industry grants. As a strong believer in research driven innovation, he has filed eight patents to be used in industries.             He is also the recipient of several prestigious awards and recognition including 2% Top Scientist in the World by Sandford University (2022-2020), Ten Outstanding Young Malaysian (2020) by Junior Chamber International,  Future Academician Award by Ministry of Education (2018), Malaysia Research Star Award by Ministry of Education (2017), National Young Scientist Award by Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (2016), outstanding paper award by Elsevier (2018), Pro Vice Chancellor Award in Teaching, Monash (2012), and just few to mention. Besides being engaged in teaching and research, he also serves as Fellow of Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC, UK), Chartered Chemist (CSci, UK), Chartered Scientist (CSci, UK), Member of Malaysia Institute of Chemistry (IKM), and others.             In term leadership and administration, he is elected as the President of Balai Ikhtisas Malaysia (BIM) which oversee all professional bodies, Treasurer of Federation of Asian Chemistry Society (FACS), National Representative/Associate member of IUPAC in Chemistry and the Environment Division, Associate Member of IUPAC in Chemical Research Applied to World Needs (CHEMRAWN), council member and honorary secretary of Malaysian Institute of Chemistry (IKM). In addition, he also appointed as radiation protection officer (RPO), chemical safety and security officer training (CSSO), deputy quality manager (DQM), National Focus Group Member Globally Harmonized System (GHS), National technical committee member of Nanotechnologies (ISO Standard), National committee Member, Industry Standards Committee on Environmental Management (ISC Z). He has conducted various courses, talks, keynote, and plenary lecture on chemical safety and security, green synthesis laboratory, water pollution, photocatalysis wastewater treatment, biofuel, bioenergy, etc. With his experience and expertise, he has also been appointed as consultant and advisor to many governments’ bodies and industries.

Dr. Rusdi Abd. Rashid is a graduate of University Malaya obtaining the degree MBBS in 1998. He continued with a Masters in Psychological Medicine in University of Malaya and completed his master degree in year 2006. He received  addiction training course  in Turning point , Melbourne in year 2007 and Open Medical Institute , Salzberg , Austria in year 2008. Subsequently, he undergo the fellowship program under  the WHO Collaborating Centre in Korea for Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Community Mental Health in the same  year. He is currently a senior lecturer in the University of Malaya and  the chief coordinator of the University Malaya Center for Addiction Sciences(UMCAS) and coordinator for substance abuse treatment services, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC). Dr Rusdi has involved with most of pilot addiction treatment program in Malaysia. He is a Clinical Co-investigator and Visiting psychiatrist for Pilot Methadone Program in Pengkalan Chepa Prison, Kota Bharu, Malaysia(2008-2009). He is also a clinical Co-investigator, Prison-Community Link Project on Harm Reduction (PICOL-HR or Project HARAPAN) 2009 – present.  He is a Committee members for National Methadone Maintenance Program, Malaysia(2006-present). He is a  Project Coordinator for Spiritual Enhanced Drug Addiction Rehabilitation (SEDAR) Program: Pilot Methadone Project in Ar-Rahman Mosque, Malaysia(2009-present). He is a Committee members and visiting psychiatrist for Pilot Methadone Program in Government Drug Rehabilitation Centre (PUSPEN PERSADA), Malaysia(2010-present) and  a Committee members and visiting Psychiatrist for Pilot Methadone Program in Aftercare Centre National Anti-Drug Agency (NADA)-2007-2009.