Biographical note

Dr. Abu Zahrim Yaser is an Associate Professor in Waste Processing Technology at the Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia. He is a member of Institutions of Chemical Engineers (United Kingdom), Board of Engineers (Malaysia), MyBIOGAS (Malaysia), and a visiting scientist at the University of Hull. He obtained his PhD from Swansea University (UK), MSc from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (Malaysia) and BEng from University of Malaya (Malaysia). His research mainly focuses on waste processing technology. He has published 10 books, 20 book chapters, 47 journals and 50+ other publications. He was the Guest Editor for Environmental Science and Pollution Research special issue. He won several medals in innovation competition including gold medal at iENA 2018, Germany. His innovation entitled “UMS Organic Compost” helps Sabah state to win “Best State Innovation Award” at IGEM 2019. His invention, the Auto Turning Active Zone Yield Composter (Auto AZY) has been adopted by Tongod District Council, Sabah, for managing their organic waste. Besides that, he is actively involved as a reviewer for several journals. Elsevier (UK) has recognized him as among the Outstanding Reviewers for Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering (2018). Dr. Junidah Lamaming is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Sabah. She obtained her Ph.D. in 2016 in the field of nanocellulose and nanofiber science and technology from Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia. In 2015, her PhD research was awarded as the Best Research by the university and won awards in the university publication category. In 2017, he was awarded with Outstanding reviewer by Carbohydrate Polymers, Elsevier United Kingdom. Her research interests include nanocellulose fiber and applications, polymer blends, reinforced/filled polymer composites, adsorbents, characterization and production of lignocellulose-based composites and fire retardants, bioadhesives and biopolymers using sustainable methods. Over the years, she has published more than 40 articles in a significant number of high impact journals, conference papers, chapter in books, and books in her related research areas. She also contributes her expertise and knowledge by reviewing more than 40 international and national publications. She is a member of Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT). Dr. Daniel Johnson is an Assistant Professor of Civil and Urban Engineering at NYU Abu Dhabi. His main research interests have been in the fields of membrane separation research, advanced water treatment, membrane surface characterisation, and colloid and interface science, all primarily within the context of improving wastewater treatment technology and processes. He has published over 60 articles and book chapters and has taught courses in environmental engineering, wastewater treatment, membrane technology and colloid engineering. Dr. Nidal Hilal is a Professor of Engineering and Director of NYU Abu Dhabi Water Research Center. He is a Chartered Engineer in the United Kingdom (CEng), a registered European Engineer (Euro Ing), an elected Fellow of both the Institution of Chemical Engineers (FIChemE), and the Learned Society of Wales (FLSW). He received his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering in 1981 followed by a master's degree in advanced chemical engineering from Swansea University in 1986. He received his PhD degree from Swansea University in 1988. In 2005 he was awarded a Senior Doctorate, Doctor of Science degree (DSc), from the University of Wales in recognition of an outstanding research contribution in the fields Water Processing including Desalination and Membrane Science and Technology. He was also awarded, by the Emir of Kuwait, the prestigious Kuwait Prize (Kuwait Medal) of Applied Science for the year 2005 and Menelaus Medal 2020, by the Learned Society of Wales, for excellence in engineering and technology. His research interests lie broadly in the identification of innovative and cost-effective solutions within the fields of nano-water, membrane technology, and water treatment, including desalination, colloid engineering and the nano-engineering applications of AFM. He has published 8 handbooks, 82 invited book chapters, and around 500 articles in the refereed scientific literature. He has chaired and delivered lectures at numerous international conferences and prestigious organizations around the world. Nidal sits on the editorial boards of a number of international journals, is an advisory board member of several multinational organizations, and has served on/consulted for industry, government departments, research councils, and universities on an international basis.