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.  

Dr.-Ing Nurdiana Nordin is a passionate chemist and interdisciplinary researcher who is driven by the mission to bridge cutting-edge science with real-world solutions. She earned her B.Sc. in Pure Chemistry (2012) and M.Sc. in Organic Synthesis and Computational Chemistry (2015) from the University of Malaya, supported by the SLAB scholarship. Her scientific journey continued in Germany at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), where she completed her Ph.D. in 2020 under the Bio-Interfaces International Graduate School (BIF-IGS). There, she honed her expertise in NMR technology, microfluidic device fabrication, and bioorganic analysis under the mentorship of leading experts from the Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT) and the Institut für Biologische Grenzflächen (IBG). Throughout her career, Dr. Nurdiana has demonstrated a unique ability to merge fundamental science with technological innovation. From developing microscale biomedical systems to exploring metabolic pathways using micro-NMR platforms, her work reflects a deep commitment to impactful research. Now serving as a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Chemistry, University of Malaya, she envisions building a dynamic research team focused on smart, sustainable solutions for societal challenges—particularly in the fields of healthcare, agriculture, and environmental monitoring. Guided by Malaysia's national development goals and sustainable technology agendas, her team aims to harness advanced materials, biosensing tools, and green chemistry to create intelligent systems that benefit both industry and community. With an eye on translational impact, Dr. Nurdiana is committed to cultivating interdisciplinary collaborations and training the next generation of researchers who are not only skilled in science, but also grounded in empathy, innovation, and service to the nation.    

He was born in 1965 in Sabak Bernam, Selangor, Malaysia. His early education was from his village in Sabak Bernam before he went to Sekolah Alam Shah, Kuala Lumpur, and joined Universiti Malaya in 1985 to pursue his studies in creative and descriptive writing. He graduated in 1988 and later focused his study on publishing and book marketing for his Master degree in 1991. He finishes his three year PhD program in 2001 in magazine publishing from the University Malaya. Along the way he went to Melbourne and Stanford University, California for training courses in book publishing. In 1995 he went to London School of Printing under the CHICEA fellowship from the British Council. Since 1992, he is a lecturer in the Department of Media Studies, University Malaya and became an Associate Professor in 2002. He is a now a Professor at the Department Media and Communication Studies. He served as a Director of University Malaya Press for six years (2001-2006), Head of Department of Media Studies (2009-2010 and 2011-2017), and the Deputy Dean, Faculty of Art and Social Sciences, University Malaya (2010-2011). Since 2020, he is a Professor at the Department of Media and Communication Studies, University Malaya. Hamedi is an active speaker and trainer in the field of book publishing, magazine publishing, editing, scholarly writing, and profesional writing. His workshops in academic writing, transferring a thesis into a book, profesional writing, and editing has been conducted in almost all public university in Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. He is the chief editor for Asian Journal of Media Studies as well as sits in the editorial board of various academic journals in communications and media in Malaysia, Pakistan and Indonesia. Hamedi sits in the committee of ASEAN Scholarly Publishers Association (ASPA) in Manila, former member of Majlis Penerbitan Ilmiah Malaysia (MAPIM), a member of Association of Scholarly Publishing (ASP) in New York, the former Secretary of Yayasan Penataran Ilmu (YPI), committee member of Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair, and alumni of Stanford Scholarly Publishing (SSP). He is also the President of Malaysian Editors Association since 2011.