Main image via Pacific Standard
Quick! Name us the first Malaysian scientist that pops into your head!
Admit it, those names probably won’t come as quickly as Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, and Nikola Tesla. Heck, you may even have an easier time naming Sheldon Cooper from the TV series The Big Bang Theory.
via GIPHY
As sad as fessing up to the fact that we know more about scientists from other nations than our own makes us, it also serves as a reminder of our ignorance. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing because discovery can be born out of ignorance. As Albert Einstein puts it, “the important thing is not to stop questioning”.
With that said, we are proud to introduce these five Malaysian scientists making the world a better place…
#1 Indran Mathavan
Image via The Star Online
Despite a motor impediment called dysarthria that causes one to stutter, Klang-born Indran Mathavan went on to win a scholarship opportunity from the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry to join Nobel laureate Dr Venkatraman Ramakrishnan to study the structure of oil palm proteins.
His most recent recorded work involves working on membrane protein crystallography which contributes to a study on how germs wage war on one another when starved of nutrients in hopes of gaining an insight into how to combat antimicrobial resistance.
#2 Professor Sir Khaw Peng Tee
Image via Moorfields Eye Hospital
With a name containing two honorifics, you would assume that KL-born Professor Sir Khaw Peng Tee is incredibly smart and has made significant contributions to the world of science. And you would be right.
Trained in both general medicine and ophthalmology, Sir Khaw Peng Tee then did a doctorate in cell and molecular biology of ocular wound healing. He is the man behind the development of surgical techniques such as the Moorfields Safer Surgery System which have significantly improved the outcome of glaucoma surgery. Sir Khaw Peng Tee also developed new anti-scarring regimens that has become standard practice today.
#3 Datuk Dr Mazlan Othman
Image via SOSCILI
Get ready to be proud and inspired because the list of firsts is quite an impressive one with Datuk Dr Mazlan Othman. Apart from being Malaysia’s first astrophysicist, she is also the first woman from the University of Otago, New Zealand to earn a PhD in physics, the first director of Malaysia’s National Space Agency, the first head of the Angkasawan Project, and the first Malaysian to serve as director to the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs.
Datuk Dr Mazlan Othman’s contributions are equally as impressive having successfully launched Malaysia’s first astronaut into space and setting up the National Planetarium among other things.
#4 Dr Chua Pei Cheng
Image via University of Stavanger
Meet the winner of Yara’s Birkeland Prize 2015! Dr Chua Pei Cheng received the prestigious award for her thesis in the field of oil and gas that addressed problems relating to gas hydrate plugging, which contributed to overcoming major challenges in production and transportation of gas and condensate.
Dr Chua Pei Cheng’s research has led to “practical solutions”, according to Pierre Herben, Chief Technology Officer in Yara, such as the Low Dosage Hydrate Inhibitors which has been proven to perform better with much less environmental impact.
#5 Dr Betty Sim Kim Lee
Image via Scientific Malaysian Magazine
Malaria is one of the deadliest illness in the world, with an estimated casualty of 438,000 people in 2015 alone according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). But, thanks to Kota Bahru-born Dr Betty Sim Kim Lee and husband Dr Stephen L Hoffman, a whole malaria parasite vaccine called PfSPZ vaccine may soon be used to prevent malaria in malaria endemic countries.
Dr Betty Sim Kim Lee estimates that the vaccine will dramatically reduce and then eliminate 200 million clinical cases of malaria once it is licensed and deployed.
Indran Mathavan, Professor Sir Khaw Peng Tee, Datuk Dr Mazlan Othman, Dr Chua Pei Cheng, and Dr Betty Sim Kim Lee are proof that Malaysia and Malaysians have what it takes to contribute to the betterment of the world through science.
So, if you are looking to pursue in degree in science, then you definitely want to be at the Study UK Exhibition on 18 November 2017. Specifically, you’ll want to attend the “Geek on Fleek: Science is the New Sexy” seminar held at Hall 1 (Seminar Room 1) at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from 2.30pm to 3.15pm.
Conducted by the Young Scientists Network-Academy of Sciences Malaysia (YSN-ASM), this seminar will give you a chance to learn from top UK-trained Malaysian scientists on how scientific achievements and advancements can go beyond the confines of a laboratory to make a positive impact on everyday life.
Admission is free, but pre-registration is highly encouraged. Register at: https://my.edukexhibition.org/en. For details on all seminars and to receive reminders, download the Study UK app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.