Meet the Judges for Science Castle in Asia 2024!
Get ready to meet the brilliant minds behind the judging panel! These experts are leaders in their fields, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to SCIENCE CASTLE. Learn more about the judges who will be evaluating and inspiring the next generation of innovators! We are very honored to announce the judges of this conference.
| Name | Background |
Dr. Satomi Maeda |
After graduating from high school, she went to the United States, where she earned a master's and doctorate in human factors psychology from Wright State University. She joined Leave a Nest in 2010 and has been involved in developing training programs for young researchers, teacher training, and Since April 2018, as the director of the Leave a Nest Education Research Center, he has been working with school teachers on research. Since April 2018, as the director of the Leave a Nest Education Research Center, he has been working with school teachers on research related to evaluating and fostering non-cognitive skills. |
Ts. Natalya Dato' Shamsuar |
Ts. Natalya Dato' Shamsuar, believes in nurturing excellence in STEM and communication through stakeholder collaboration. A seasoned jury member for various STEM and innovation competitions, dedicated to fostering innovation and guiding emerging talent. She is currently the Director of Strategic Marketing in MMU and had served as the Deputy Director of Entrepreneur Development, lecturer and specialist in the Faculty of Creative Multimedia, MMU. She is also actively involved with Parents Teachers Associations since 2014 and is a lifetime member of Women's Institute of Pahang. |
Mr. Yong Kum Cheng |
Mr Yong Kum Cheng graduated from University Putra Malaysia with a Bachelor of Science Biotechnology in 1998. He joined the Production Department of Ajinomoto (Malaysia) Berhad in March 1998 and over the years, he moved up the corporate ladder and served under various capacities. Mr. Yong was appointed to the Board of Ajinomoto (Malaysia) Berhad on 1 April 2023. He is deeply passionate about education, believing it to be a guiding star for the future. Mr. Yong is committed to nurturing and inspiring the younger generation, contributing to the development of tomorrow’s leaders. |
Dr. Wong Yi Li |
Dr. Wong Yi Li, a PhD graduate from Tohoku University, brings a diverse background in cancer research, autoimmunity, and regenerative medicine. During his time at Tohoku University, he focused on studying inhibitory receptors on autoimmune B cells in SLE disease. After completing his studies, Dr. Wong joined a pharmaceutical company as a research scientist, where he contributed to next-generation mesenchymal stem cell research, identified new stem cell sources, and worked on skin epidermal cells. Later, he shifted his focus to developing over-the-counter and medicinal eye drops. Now, as he relocates to a subsidiary in Hong Kong, Dr. Wong is excited to apply his expertise to the emerging field of regenerative medicine. |
Mr. Ang Kah Heng |
Ang heads the Innovation and Industry Development Department under the Technology Hub Development Division at Cyberview, where he oversees Smart City initiatives and the Cyberview Living Lab programs. These programs span across the Talent, Accelerator, Pilot, and Enterprise pillars, driving innovation and growth in the tech ecosystem. Prior to this role, Ang served as a Regional Manager for Asia, focusing on business development and attracting digital technology investment from Greater China. With over 10 years of experience in industry talent development and talent analytics for both startups and scaleups, Ang brings a wealth of expertise to his position. He holds a Master's degree in Software Engineering and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®). |
Dr. Adam L Cronin |
Dr. Adam L. Cronin's research centers on the evolution and ecology of social organisms, with a particular interest in how varying social systems and the flexibility inherent in these systems allow organisms to adapt to environmental changes and balance life-history trade-offs. His work seeks to understand the adaptive responses of social organisms to ecological pressures, examining both individual and colony-level behaviors. To address these complex questions, Dr. Cronin employs field and laboratory studies, focusing on Hymenopteran model systems such as bees, wasps, and ants. These social insects serve as ideal subjects to explore behavioral strategies within an eco-evolutionary framework. |
Dr. Nurhayani Romeo |
Dr. Nurhayani Romeo is a Senior Lecturer in Mathematics Education at the Faculty of Education, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Selangor, Puncak Alam Campus, and serves on the National STEM Association (NSA) Committee. She teaches Integrated STEM Education to students pursuing various Bachelor of Science Education degrees, aiming to prepare future teachers for STEM education in Malaysia. In addition to her research, Dr. Nurhayani is actively involved in community outreach through the artSMart Project, which focuses on local service, education, art, and cultural activities. These include workshops, tutorials, and cultural carnivals. |
Dr. Hamidah Musa |
Assistant Professor Dr. Hamidah Musa currently holds the position of Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs and Learning Innovation at the Faculty of Education, Prince of Songkla University (PSU), Pattani Campus, Thailand. Formerly a chemistry teacher at PSU Demonstration Secondary School, she now serves as a chemistry lecturer within the faculty. Dr. Hamidah is recognized for her expertise in STEM education and has contributed extensively to the field through numerous academic publications. |
Dr. Wan Zuhainis Wan Zuhainis Saad |
Associate Professor Dr. Wan Zuhainis Saad serves as the Head of the Department of Microbiology at the Department of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia. She holds a Ph.D. from Universiti Putra Malaysia, specializing in Biological Sciences, with a focus on Applied Microbiology and Mycology. Dr. Wan Zuhainis has made significant contributions in her field, combining her expertise in microbiology with applied research to address critical issues in biotechnology and biomolecular sciences. |
Dr. Izzat Fahimuddin Bin Mohamed Suffian |
Dr. Izzat Fahimuddin Bin Mohamed Suffian is an Assistant Professor in Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine at the Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, where he has worked since 2016. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Science and Engineering from Kobe University, Japan, and a PhD in Pharmacology from King’s College London. His research focuses on developing nanoscale drug delivery systems for cancer therapy. Dr. Izzat has received prestigious awards, including the Wellcome Image Awards, and is currently part of the CEO@Faculty Programme 2.0, working with Maybank’s Chief Human Capital Officer to enhance his leadership skills. |
We would like to invite high school students from Cyberjaya, Putrajaya, and the Klang Valley to attend as visitors and observe the oral and poster presentations on Sunday, October 20. Please contact Aisyah at [email protected] to RSVP.
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