Denny Ng – Optimisation of network – Best Researcher Award

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Denny Ng – Optimisation of network – Best Researcher Award

Prof Dr. Denny Ng distinguished academic and researcher in the field Optimisation of network. He  holds a distinguished position as the Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology at Sunway University Malaysia, where he continues to shape the future of engineering education and research. Prior to this role, he served as the Head of the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Heriot-Watt University, Malaysia, demonstrating his commitment to academic excellence and leadership.

🌐 Professional Profiles

Educations📚📚📚

Prof. Ng earned his Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Chemical Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and completed his PhD at the University of Nottingham, Malaysia. With expertise spanning various domains, including sustainable production and consumption strategies, optimization of the palm oil industry’s value chain, energy management, and resource conservation, he has authored over 250 publications, attaining an impressive h-index of 43.

Academic and Research Leadership:

At the University of Nottingham, Malaysia, Prof. Ng held pivotal roles such as Head of Business Engagement and Innovation Services (BEIS), Professor of Process Design and Integrated Biorefinery, and Founding Director of the Centre of Sustainable Palm Oil Research (CESPOR). His contributions to academia and research have been recognized globally, as evidenced by his election as Chair of Academic Research on Palm Oil Sustainability (ARPOS) and receipt of prestigious awards such as the Tan Sri Emeritus Professor Augustine S H Ong International Special Award on Innovations and Inventions in Palm Oil (Young Scientist).

Professional Affiliations and Accolades:
Prof. Ng’s professional affiliations include Fellowship with the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) in the United Kingdom, Fellowship with The Higher Education Academy (UK), and memberships in esteemed engineering institutions. He has been honored with numerous awards, including recognition as one of the Top 2% of scientists in his field by the Stanford List and acknowledgment as one of the most innovative individuals shaping the future of Asia by GenerationT.asia (GEN.T List Honours).

Impact and Recognition:

Prof. Ng’s impact extends beyond academia, as he actively engages in industrial consultation projects, leveraging his research output to address real-world challenges. His efforts have been supported by over RM 3 million in research grants from government and industry sources. He has been celebrated for his contributions to science and technology, receiving accolades such as the Global IChemE Young Chemical Engineer of the Year and the Ten Outstanding Young Malaysian Award for Scientific and Technological Development. He exemplifies academic excellence, leadership, and innovation in sustainable engineering. His multifaceted contributions to research, education, and industrial collaboration underscore his commitment to advancing engineering solutions for a sustainable future.

Awards

Throughout his illustrious career, Professor Ir. Denny K. S. Ng has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards and accolades, affirming his exceptional contributions to engineering, technology, and sustainable development.

Recognized as the Best Engineering and Technology Scientist in Malaysia for 2024 by Research.com, Prof. Ng’s groundbreaking research and innovative solutions have garnered widespread acclaim. His outstanding achievements have also been acknowledged internationally, with consecutive appearances on the renowned Stanford List, ranking among the Top 2% of scientists in his main subfield discipline in 2023, 2021, and 2019.

In 2021, Prof. Ng was honored with the esteemed Tan Sri Emeritus Professor Augustine S H Ong International Special Award on Innovations and Inventions in Palm Oil by the Malaysian Oil Science and Technology community, underscoring his pioneering work in sustainable palm oil research.

His impact extends beyond academia, as evidenced by his recognition as a Finalist of The Principal’s Research Impact and Engagement (PRIME) Awards: Established Academic Award 2021 at Heriot-Watt University, showcasing his dedication to impactful research and engagement.

Acknowledged as One of the most innovative people and ideas shaping the future of Asia by GenerationT.asia (GEN.T List Honours 2019), Prof. Ng’s visionary approach to entrepreneurship, technology, and social impact has been instrumental in shaping the region’s trajectory.

Among his notable achievements, Prof. Ng was named the 2018 Top Research Scientist in Malaysia by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, further solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in the field. Additionally, he was honored with the prestigious Vice Chancellor Award in 2018 from the University of Nottingham, UK, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the institution.

Internationally, Prof. Ng’s excellence has been celebrated with awards such as The 1st World Wu Clans Excellence Award in 2017. He was also recognized as an Honoree of the Ten Outstanding Young Malaysians Award in 2017, emphasizing his significant contributions to scientific and technological development.

His early career achievements were highlighted when he qualified as a Finalist for the Ten Outstanding Young Malaysians Award in 2015, reflecting his promising trajectory in scientific and technological advancement.

Prof. Ng’s multifaceted contributions, innovative research, and dedication to sustainability have earned him widespread acclaim and solidified his position as a trailblazer in the field of engineering and technology.

Throughout his career, Professor Ir. Denny K. S. Ng has played an integral role in various international and national scientific committees, conferences, and events, showcasing his commitment to advancing the fields of engineering and chemical sciences. As an esteemed member of the International Scientific Committee for the International Conference on Process Integration, Modelling and Optimisation for Energy Saving and Pollution Reduction (PRES) since 2018, Prof. Ng contributes his expertise to promote energy efficiency and environmental sustainability on a global scale. His leadership extends to serving as the Conference Chair of the 33rd Symposium of Malaysian Chemical Engineers (SOMChE 2022) from 2021 to 2022, where he facilitated discussions on cutting-edge research and industry trends. Additionally, he has lent his expertise to numerous committees, including the Local Scientific Committee for the International Conference on Energy Materials (ICEM) 2021 and the Scientific Committee for the YSN-ASM International Scientific Virtual Conference (ISVC) 2021, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the scientific agenda and fostering collaboration among researchers. Prof. Ng’s involvement in international programs such as the 9th PSE Asia 2020 and the 17th Congress of the Asian-Pacific Confederation of Chemical Engineering in 2017 highlights his dedication to promoting excellence in research and innovation on a global scale. Domestically, he has served as a Representative of National Committee Member and contributed his expertise to various symposiums and conferences, including the Symposium of Malaysian Chemical Engineers (SOMChE) and the Process System Engineering Asia (PSE Asia) series. Prof. Ng’s leadership and active participation in these committees underscore his commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and fostering collaboration within the scientific community.

📝🔬Publications📝🔬

Hemamalini Rawindran – Life Cycle Analysis Award – Best Researcher Award

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Hemamalini Rawindran – Life Cycle Analysis Award – Best Researcher Award

Dr. Hemamalini Rawindran distinguished academic and researcher in the field Life Cycle Analysis. As a Research Officer at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS in 2023, she was primarily engaged in a project funded by Yayasan UTP focused on analyzing the nutritional values of protein-rich microalgae-palm kernel expeller bio-composite feeds. Additionally, she conducted Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies pertaining to membrane utilization for remediating microalgal wastewater and the upcycling of microplastics in marine environments.

Transitioning to her role as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia from September 2023 to the present, she has been actively involved in a HiCoE project grant. Her responsibilities include the development of a solid matrix polymer inclusion membrane, where she is tasked with creating a mathematical model to evaluate electrodriven ion flux into the membrane. Moreover, she conducts sustainable metric analyses on the polymer inclusion membrane and assesses ion migration using a dual casting solution approach. In addition to her research duties, she is also involved in reviewing technical papers and converting findings into coherent paragraphs for publication.

 

🌐 Professional Profiles

Educations📚📚📚

She holds a PhD in Science by Research (Grade A) from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, completed between 2020 and 2023, which was funded by the prestigious HiCoE grant focusing on the thermochemical conversion of biomass. During her doctoral studies, she notably contributed to the development of a novel attached microalgal system and spent three months on a Fellowship under AMTEC at UTM. She demonstrated remarkable productivity by authoring 7 papers and co-authoring 20 papers. Additionally, she supervised 7 Final Year Project (FYP) students, resulting in 3 Q1 and 1 Q2 publications. Furthermore, she actively participated in educational activities, conducting laboratory sessions and tutorials for undergraduate (UG) students. She also provided assistance to UG students in virtual reality and augmented reality STEM-based classes, showcasing her commitment to fostering learning environments. Her academic excellence was recognized with the High Achiever Award and Graduate on Time (GOT) award.

Prior to her doctoral studies, she completed her Master’s in Science by Research (Grade B) at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS from 2016 to 2019. This program, funded by a PETRONAS Research grant, focused on the elimination of surfactants in produced water from Enhanced Oil Recovery. During this time, she authored 2 papers and gained valuable experience through conducting laboratory and tutorial sessions for foundation students. She also spent one year on attachment at AMTEC, UTM, focusing on membrane development.

Her academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Biology from Tunku Abdul Rahman College / Campbell University, USA, which she completed from 2011 to 2014. Her Final Year Project (FYP) explored the effect of carbonated beverages on human tooth density, and she graduated with Second Upper Class honors.

Research Colloborations

She has actively engaged in various collaborations with prestigious institutions such as the University of Tasmania (UTas), Australia, Petronas Research Sdn Bhd, Aston University, UK, and AMTEC at UTM. Notably, her collaborative efforts have led to significant contributions in several areas.

One of her notable achievements includes the development of a polymer inclusion membrane using a dual-solution casting approach, aimed at enhancing membrane technology. Additionally, she conducted a comprehensive review on the environmental sustainability aspects, focusing on the greenness of polymer inclusion membranes.

Moreover, she demonstrated her commitment to sustainability by repurposing spent coffee grounds for cultivating attached microalgae, as highlighted in Aston University’s bulletin. This innovative approach garnered attention for its eco-friendly application.

Her research findings have been published in high-impact journals, including a notable publication in a Q1 journal with an Impact Factor (IF) of 15.9 (RSER) in 2017-2018, focusing on the development of PVDF-TiO2 membrane for treating oil and gas surfactant-rich wastewater. Additionally, her work during a three-month fellowship in 2021 resulted in publications in two journals: one with a Q2 IF of 2.6 (Molecular Biotechnology) and another with a Q1 IF of 8.9 (Environmental Research), focusing on the development of a PET membrane from waste drinking bottles for treating microalgal harvested wastewater.

Furthermore, she successfully completed a mini-project funded by Petronas Research Sdn Bhd (PRSB), where she developed a membrane validation method for Petronas surfactants using HPLC. This endeavor resulted in the development of a membrane capable of treating surfactant-rich produced water with an impressive 98% rejection rate, as published in a Q1 journal with an IF of 11.1 (JCP).

Throughout her collaborations and individual projects, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and dedication to advancing sustainable membrane technologies and addressing environmental challenges in various industrial sectors.

📝🔬Publications📝🔬