Speaker

Prof. Dr. Zainab Ngaini

Dr. Zainab Ngaini is a Professor in Organic Chemistry at the Faculty of Resource Science and Technology (FRST), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).  She obtained her first degree (BSc) in Chemistry from Syracuse University, New York in 1991. She then pursued her MSc at University Sains Malaysia (USM) in Inorganic Chemistry before moving to UNIMAS as a lecturer in 1997. Dr Zainab obtained her PhD in 2002 from University of East Anglia, UK in the field of Organic Chemistry. In UNIMAS she is actively involved in R&D, supervising 6 PhD and 27 MSc students in organic and applied chemistry.  She is actively involved in more than 40 research grants with a total of more than RM3 million in fundamental research and applied chemistry.  Dr.  Zainab has delved into the research of novel ideas to aid the conservation of our environment. She currently has over 70 published scientific papers concerning topics catalyst-free, green synthesis of carbon nanoparticles as part of a ‘waste to wealth approach’, a novel concept that utilizes waste materials as profit-making substances that are also eco-friendly. Being part of the team EcoSagoTek that won the Ecopreneur Award in 2012 for revolutionary water treatment system, Dr. Zainab’s research concerns on the management of waste materials to lessen the ecological burden into value added products.  Among others are on the usage of natural fiber and biocomposite waste material to absorb oil spills, sound absorber panel with fire retardant properties, sago wax for batik industry and many more. Her innovation in chemistry has won her several gold medals awards in local and international R&D expositions. She is also listed as an inventor of more than 10 patents.