From left: Dr Chang, Director of UTAR’s Institute of Postgraduate Studies Prof Dr Faidz bin Abd Rahman, Yeoh, Dr Ong and UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat.
Two researchers from the Faculty of Science were of the fourteen recipients of the Science and Technology Research Grant (STRG) funded by the Malaysia Toray Science Foundation (MTSF). Both received their grants at the 22nd MTSF Prize Presentation Ceremony held at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on 24 November 2015.
Lecturer Dr Ong Siew Teng received a RM20,000 research grant for her proposal, titled “Combination and optimization of sorption and photodegradation processes for various dyes removal”. Dr Ong’s co-researcher is Dr Michelle Ng Yeen Tan. In this project, attention is focused on combining both sorption and photodegradation techniques to remove different types of dyes. In addition, the significant variables in affecting the removal process will also be identified and optimised using experimental design.
Dr Ong receiving the STRG certificate and cheque from the guest of honour, Deputy Secretary-General (Science), Dato’ Dr Zulkifli Mohamed bin Hashim who represented the Minister of Science, Technology & Innovation.
Dr Ong’s continuous effort in research has previously won her the International Foundation for Science (IFS) research grant in 2008. For Dr Ong, receiving this STRG is double happiness as she also won the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) 2015 Travel Award for Chemists from Under-Represented Countries at the IUPAC 2015 World Chemistry Congress held at Busan, Korea recently.
Research scholar Yeoh Loo Yew also received a RM20,000 research grant for his proposal titled “Protective Roles of Leaves’ Anti-oxidative Enzymes in Chloroplastic Electron Transport”. Chloroplasts are organelles involved in oxygenic photosynthesis and biosynthesis of important nutrients. Based on electrochemical principles, scientists have made use of electron transport properties of isolated chloroplasts to build biofuel cells or biosensors. Most researchers use spinach as the source of chloroplasts but since spinach is also a source of food, this study explores the chloroplastic electron transport properties of leaves that have little commercial value.
“I am thankful that MTSF has provided an opportunity for researchers like me to pursue my passion in research and contribute to scientific progress. This research grant will not only help fund my research but also provide an incentive for me to do better. I appreciate UTAR for providing me a resourceful environment to carry out my research. My supervisor and also my co-researcher, Dr Chang Ying Ping, guided me well throughout the research and she encouraged me to apply for the MTSF research grant. I would also like to thank the laboratory officers for their help and my family and friends for their constant encouragement and support when I needed them,” Yeoh added.
The Malaysia Toray Science Foundation (MTSF) is Malaysia’s premier charitable science foundation established by TORAY Japan and TORAY Malaysia to promote science and technology in Malaysia through supporting deserving Malaysian scientists, young researchers and science educators. Yearly, some RM600,000 in research grants, cash prizes and administrative expenses are spent through the three annual incentive programmes of the Science and Technology Award, the Science and Technology Research Grant, and the Science Education Award.
拉曼大学 Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
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拉曼大学学院 Tunku Abdul Rahman University
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