Zulaikha Mokhtar | Environmental Challenges | Best Researcher Award

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Mrs. Zulaikha Mokhtar  – Environmental Challenges  – Best Researcher Award

Alignment with Award Category

Zulaikha Mokhtar’s research and professional contributions align seamlessly with the Best Researcher Award’s emphasis on innovation, impact, and sustainability. Her work demonstrates a commitment to advancing both theoretical and practical aspects of environmental engineering, making her a strong contender for this recognition.

Department of Environment| Malaysia

         Profile

🎓Early Academic Pursuits 

Education and Training

Zulaikha Mokhtar’s journey into the field of chemical engineering began with a strong academic foundation. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Putra, Malaysia, where she developed a keen interest in environmental compliance and industrial process optimization. Her pursuit of excellence continued with a Master of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering from The University of Queensland, Australia, where her research focused on advanced environmental engineering solutions. This robust educational background laid the groundwork for her dynamic career in regulatory compliance and sustainability initiatives.

 

💼Professional Endeavors 

Academic Positions

Zulaikha’s career is marked by impactful roles in the Department of Environment, Malaysia:

  1. Senior Assistant Director, Legal and Forensics (2021 – Present):
    • Spearheaded forensic strategies and policies to strengthen investigative capabilities.
    • Designed and conducted capacity-building programs, equipping officers with skills in environmental law enforcement.
    • Developed comprehensive SOPs for forensic investigations, ensuring regulatory compliance.
  2. Senior Assistant Director, Environmental Compliance (2021 – 2024):
    • Reduced environmental non-compliance incidents through proactive initiatives.
    • Implemented advanced effluent management technologies and directed environmental impact assessments to align with national and international standards.
    • Collaborated with stakeholders to champion sustainability goals in alignment with Malaysia’s environmental commitments.
  3. Head of Prosecution Division (2013 – 2021):
    • Played a pivotal role in prosecuting 4,825 cases with a remarkable 98.7% conviction rate.
    • Assessed industries for regulatory compliance and improved enforcement outcomes significantly.
  4. Head of Enforcement Division (2010 – 2013):
    • Investigated public complaints and resolved pollution control issues.
    • Maintained an industry compliance rate of 98.6% and ensured timely complaint investigations.

 

📚Contributions and Research Focus on Environmental Challenges

Zulaikha Mokhtar’s career reflects a steadfast commitment to addressing environmental challenges: Effluent Management: She has pioneered the adoption of innovative effluent management technologies, optimizing resource efficiency while ensuring regulatory compliance. Regulatory Leadership: Her expertise in environmental stewardship and legal enforcement has led to landmark prosecutions that reinforce Malaysia’s regulatory excellence. Capacity Building: Through training and development initiatives, she has empowered teams across Malaysia to effectively implement environmental regulations and forensic analyses. Research and Innovation: Zulaikha’s work bridges academia and practice, focusing on developing scalable, sustainable solutions for industrial and environmental challenges.

 

🏆Accolades and Recognition 

Zulaikha’s dedication and excellence have been widely recognized: 2021: Excellence Service Award for the year of Service 2020. 2021: Special Appreciation from the Ministry of Environment and Water for prosecution under Section 124K, SOSMA. 2013 & 2017: Certificates of Appreciation from the Environmental Institute of Malaysia for her contributions to training programs. 2003: Education Award for JPA Scholarship for her degree program. 2022: HLP Kenal Pasti (Federal Training Scholarship) for her Master of Philosophy.

 

🌍 Impact and Influence 

Community Impact

Zulaikha’s leadership has had a transformative effect on Malaysia’s environmental landscape: Strengthened Enforcement: Her efforts have enhanced regulatory compliance and reduced industrial environmental violations. Prosecutorial Excellence: Her work in prosecuting environmental violations has set new benchmarks for legal enforcement in Malaysia. Sustainability Advocacy: By promoting sustainability practices across industries, she has contributed to Malaysia’s environmental stewardship goals.

 

🔮Legacy and Future Contributions 

Zulaikha Mokhtar’s legacy lies in her relentless pursuit of environmental excellence. As a trailblazer in chemical engineering and environmental compliance, she has set a high standard for future professionals. Her vision for scalable and innovative solutions ensures that her work will continue to inspire generations to address environmental challenges. Moving forward, Zulaikha aims to further her impact by leveraging her expertise to drive global sustainability initiatives and mentor the next generation of environmental engineers.

 

Conclusion

Zulaikha Mokhtar (P.Eng, MIEM, ACPE, MIEAust CPeng) stands out as a dynamic force in chemical engineering and environmental compliance. Her career is a testament to the power of expertise, innovation, and leadership in addressing critical environmental challenges. By championing sustainability and regulatory excellence, Zulaikha exemplifies the spirit of the Environmental Challenges Award and inspires global action toward a sustainable future.

 

📚Publications

Challenges for Compliance with Industrial Effluent Regulations—An Industry Perspective

Authors: Zulaikha Mokhtar; Steven Kenway; Irdayanti Mat Nashir
Journals: Challenges

<b>Review of Malaysia&apos;s Environmental Waterways&apos; Compliance with Industrial Effluent Discharge </b> <br/> <br/>

Authors: Zulaikha Mokhtar
Journals: Science Open Preprints

Lap Ah Tse | Environmental and occupational health | Best Researcher Award

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Lap Ah Tse | Environmental and occupational health | Best Researcher Award

The Chinese University of Hong Kong - Hong Kong

Professional Profiles:

Google Scholar Profile

Scopus Profile

Orcid Profile

Researchgate Profile

Linkedin Profile

Early Academic Pursuits:

Shelly Lap-ah Tse began her academic journey earning a Bachelor of Medicine from FuDan University, Shanghai, in 1991. Her quest for knowledge continued with a Ph.D. in Public Health at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) in 2003, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Hygiene in 2007, also from CUHK.

Professional Endeavors:

Her professional career spans various roles at CUHK, progressing from Public Health Doctor at FuDan University in Shanghai to Associate Director at the Institute of Space and Earth Information Science (CUHK). Her academic positions at CUHK evolved from Assistant Professor to her current role as Professor at the JC School of Public Health and Primary Care.

Contributions and Research Focus

Her research primarily centers on cancer etiology, occupational and environmental health risks, and preventive measures. Her work delves into diverse topics such as industrial dust, shift work's impact on circadian rhythms and sleep, workplace safety amidst COVID-19, and e-waste recycling. Notably, her research on smoking cessation and its effect on reducing lung cancer mortality among Chinese silicotic workers showcased the tangible benefits of intervention strategies.

Accolades and Recognition

Her contributions haven't gone unnoticed. Her received several awards, including the Second Class Award of State Scientific and Technological Progress in 2014 for her work on Industrial Dusts' Pathogenesis and Prevention Strategies. Her recognition extends to honors like the National Excellence in Science and Technology from the Shenzhen Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Council and the Global Scholarship Programme for Research Excellence.

Impact and Influence

Her impact resonates in her prolific publication record, with an H-index of 37 on Web of Science and an H-index of 46 on Google Scholar. Her extensive collaborations, leadership roles in professional societies, and advisory positions within government bodies reflect her influence in shaping occupational and environmental health policies.

Legacy and Future Contributions

Her legacy lies in her multifaceted contributions to understanding occupational and environmental health risks, advocating for policy changes, and promoting healthier work environments. Her future contributions are poised to further advance preventive measures against occupational hazards, environmental pollutants, and their impact on public health.

Citations:

Citations              9149

h-index                  50

i10-index             151

Notable Publications:

1 Fine particulate air pollution and daily mortality. A nationwide analysis in 272 Chinese cities R Chen, P Yin, X Meng, C Liu, L Wang, X Xu, JA Ross, LA Tse, Z Zhao,(616)-2017

2 Incidence and mortality of lung cancer: global trends and association with socioeconomic status MCS Wong, XQ Lao, KF Ho, WB Goggins, SLA Tse (387)-2017

3 Meta‐analysis on shift work and risks of specific obesity types M Sun, W Feng, F Wang, P Li, Z Li, M Li, G Tse, J Vlaanderen, ...(343)-2018

4 Meta‐analysis on night shift work and risk of metabolic syndrome F Wang, L Zhang, Y Zhang, B Zhang, Y He, S Xie, M Li, X Miao, ...(326)-2014

5 Urinary sodium excretion, blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and mortality: a community-level prospective epidemiological cohort study A Mente, M O'Donnell, S Rangarajan, M McQueen, G Dagenais, ...(314)-2018

6 A meta-analysis on dose–response relationship between night shift work and the risk of breast cancer F Wang, KL Yeung, WC Chan, CCH Kwok, SL Leung, C Wu, EYY Chan, ...(247)- 2013

7 Association of estimated sleep duration and naps with mortality and cardiovascular events: a study of 116 632 people from 21 countries C Wang, SI Bangdiwala, S Rangarajan, SA Lear, KF AlHabib, V Mohan, ...(245)- 2019

8 Sleep quality, sleep duration, and the risk of coronary heart disease: a prospective cohort study with 60,586 adults XQ Lao, X Liu, HB Deng, TC Chan, KF Ho, F Wang, R Vermeulen, T Tam, ...(236)-2018

9 Effects of coarse particulate matter on emergency hospital admissions for respiratory diseases: a time-series analysis in Hong Kong H Qiu, IT Yu, L Tian, X Wang, LA Tse, W Tam, TW Wong (231)-2012

10 Urban blue space and health and wellbeing in Hong Kong: Results from a survey of older adults JK Garrett, MP White, J Huang, S Ng, Z Hui, C Leung, LA Tse, F Fung, ...(108)-2019