Mohamad Che Zain | Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Mohamad Che Zain | Biological Sciences | Best Researcher Award

 Dr. Mohamad Che Zain, University of science Malaysia, Malaysia

Dr. Mohamad Shazeli Che Zain is a Senior Lecturer and Principal Investigator at Universiti Sains Malaysia, specializing in phytochemistry, sustainable bioscience technology, and pharmaceutical chemistry. His research focuses on the green extraction and standardization of plant-based bioactives, particularly flavonoids, for wound healing and dermatological applications. With multiple national patents, international publications, and innovation awards, Dr. Che Zain is recognized for translating natural product research into impactful health solutions.

Profile

Orcid

Summary:

Dr. Mohamad Che Zain is a highly accomplished and emerging leader in biological sciences and phytochemical research. His consistent contributions to sustainable biosciences, bioactive formulation, and translational phytochemistry have marked him as a top performer among early-career and mid-career scientists in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

🎓 Education

Dr. Mohamad Shazeli Che Zain completed his PhD in Phytochemistry at Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2021, where he conducted advanced research in bioactive compounds from Malaysian botanical sources. Prior to this, he obtained his Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the International Medical University in 2017, laying the foundation for his interdisciplinary expertise in chemistry and pharmaceuticals.

💼Experience

Dr. Shazeli is currently serving as a Senior Lecturer and Principal Investigator at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), leading research at the Bioresource Technology Division, School of Industrial Technology. Since 2023, he has been involved in teaching, student supervision, and active community engagement. From 2021 to 2023, he worked as the R&D Executive and Lead Researcher at Nexus Wise Sdn Bhd, where he established a phytochemistry lab for GMP-compliant herbal product development. Between 2017 and 2020, he was a Graduate Research Fellow and Tutor at Universiti Putra Malaysia, co-teaching undergraduate courses and leading lab-based research on medicinal plant extracts.

🔬Research Focus

Dr. Shazeli specializes in phytochemistry, sustainable bioscience technology, pharmaceutical chemistry, and precision herbal medicine. His work emphasizes green processing methods for plant-based extracts, particularly flavonoid-enriched products derived from oil palm and Melicope ptelefolia for wound care, dermatological and nutraceutical applications. He is actively engaged in translating his findings into industrial-scale innovations that support regenerative and dermatological health.

🛠️Skills

Dr. Shazeli possesses expertise in natural product extraction, microencapsulation, bioassay development, chromatographic analysis, and intellectual property filing. He is proficient in the development of nanotechnology-based formulations and green extraction technologies using deep eutectic solvents. As a licensed Professional Technologist in Chemical Technology, an Accredited HRD Trainer, and an active member of multiple scientific bodies, he combines scientific rigor with leadership in academic, industrial, and community contexts. His scientific communication and STEM outreach activities highlight his commitment to science education, policy translation, and public engagement.

🏆Awards

He has received numerous national and international accolades, including multiple gold medals at the 2025 International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition (ITEX), the Overall Runner-Up and Gold Medal at the 2025 International Research and Innovation Symposium Competition, and the APEX Young Scholar 5.0 Award at USM. Earlier honors include the Best Thesis Award from the Malaysian Natural Products Society, the Top 15 Chrysalis Award by the Young Scientist Network-ASM, and several travel grants and innovation awards from academic and research institutions since 2019.

📚 Publications

Title: Valorization of kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) into high‐value therapeutic agents: an updated review on extraction techniques, phytochemicals, pharmacological activities and encapsulation technologies
Author: Mohamad Shazeli Che Zain
Year: 2025
Journal: Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture

Title: Transforming agricultural waste into sustainable bioadsorbents and advanced bioaerogels from durian (Durio zibethinus) peel
Author: Mohamad Shazeli Che Zain
Year: 2025
Journal: Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining

Title: Microencapsulation of Elaeis guineensis leaf extract powder enriched with bioflavonoid preserves its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties: spray drying optimization and powder characterization
Author: Mohamad Shazeli Che Zain
Year: 2024
Journal: Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization

Title: Spray Drying Microencapsulation of Antioxidant Bioflavonoids: A Bibliometric Analysis and Review on Recent Research Landscape (2013–2023) and Process Optimization
Author: Mohamad Shazeli Che Zain
Year: 2024
Journal: Journal of Food Process Engineering

Title: One-pot synthesis of polysaccharide/gelatin amorphous hydrogels impregnated with a bioflavonoid derived from Elaeis guineensis leaf: wound healing and drug release properties
Author: Mohamad Shazeli Che Zain
Year: 2024
Journal: DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Title: Macroporous polymeric resin for the purification of flavonoids from medicinal plants: A review
Author: Mohamad Shazeli Che Zain
Year: 2024
Journal: Journal of Separation Science

Conclusion:

Dr. Mohamad Che Zain is a strong and highly deserving candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. His research originality, impact on health sciences, community engagement, and scientific leadership collectively exemplify the values and excellence that the award seeks to recognize. With continued global engagement and commercialization efforts, he is poised to make even greater contributions to science and society.

Setia Sari Girsang | Biological Sciences | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Setia Sari Girsang | Biological Sciences | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Setia Sari Girsang, Indonesia National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia

Dr. Setia Sari Girsang is a Research Professor at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) of Indonesia, specializing in soil science and plant nutrition. With over two decades of experience, she leads research on sustainable agriculture, precision fertilization, and the utilization of biofertilizers in sub-optimal lands. Her work supports improved food security and environmental sustainability in Indonesia.

Profile

Scopus

Summary:

Dr. Setia Sari Girsang exemplifies scientific excellence and leadership in agricultural and environmental research. Her extensive experience, impactful research outputs, and commitment to advancing sustainable farming practices contribute to food security and rural development in Indonesia. She is an active contributor to both academic literature and national innovation programs, and her work directly benefits communities in challenging agro-ecological settings.

🎓 Education

Setia Sari Br Girsang, Ph.D., holds a robust academic background in soil science. She earned her Ph.D. in Soil Science from Universitas Sumatera Utara in 2000, followed by a Master’s degree in the same field from the same university in 2007. Her foundational education was completed with a Bachelor’s degree in Soil and Environmental Science from the University of the Philippines Los Baños in 2016. This academic journey has firmly established her expertise in soil and plant nutrition, environmental science, and sustainable agricultural practices.

💼Experience

Dr. Girsang currently serves as a Research Professor at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) within the Agricultural and Food Research Organization. Since 2022, she has also led a research group focused on developing location-specific innovation technologies for managing dry, wet, acidic, and other sub-optimal lands. Prior to this, from November 2021 to September 2024, she was a Senior Researcher at the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development under the Ministry of Agriculture. Her leadership and research roles have been instrumental in advancing agricultural resilience and environmental sustainability in Indonesia.

🔬Research Focus

Dr. Girsang specializes in soil science and plant nutrition, with a focus on precision agriculture, nutrient management, and sustainable farming. Her recent research includes developing information systems for precision fertilization of rice, enhancing regional agricultural commodities, optimizing rice production using zinc-solubilizing microbes, and utilizing rhizosphere microbes for phosphate management. She has also explored the use of biomass waste to improve corn productivity on acidic dry land and studied nitrogen efficiency in sorghum as an alternative animal feed.

🛠️Skills

Her expertise spans soil fertility, plant nutrition, nutrient cycling, microbial biofertilizers, precision agriculture, and sustainable land management. She has significant experience in using modeling tools like cellular automata and artificial neural networks to predict land use changes and agricultural outcomes. Additionally, she has contributed to knowledge-sharing through international training programs on agricultural policy and sustainability standards.

🏆Awards

In 2023, she was honored with the Satyalancana Karya Satya award for 20 years of dedicated service, recognizing her significant contributions to the agricultural research sector and her commitment to advancing food security and sustainable development in Indonesia.

📚 Publications

  • Title: Site-specific nutrient management for rice using soil properties to adjust phosphorus and potassium supply from compound NPK fertilizer
    Year: 2025
    Authors: Girsang, S.S.; Castillo, R.L.; Buresh, R.J.
    Journal: Field Crops Research

  • Title: Impact of certified rice seed on farmers’ income in Simalungun District, North Sumatra
    Year: [Year not specified]
    Authors: Savitri, S.; Setyaningrum, W.F.; Parhusip, D.; Sayaka, B.; de Brauw, A.
    Journal: [Conference Paper – No journal source available]

Conclusion:

Dr. Setia Sari Girsang is a highly suitable and deserving nominee for the Research for Women Researcher Award. Her achievements embody the spirit of this award—demonstrating not only technical brilliance but also leadership, mentorship, and societal relevance. Recognizing her with this award would not only honor her past contributions but also inspire continued excellence and innovation from women researchers in agriculture and environmental science across Southeast Asia and beyond.