Introducing the Judges of Science Castle Asia 2025!

We are honored to announce the distinguished judging panel for Science Castle Asia 2025. These accomplished leaders bring extensive expertise and experience from their respective fields. As members of the panel, they will not only evaluate the projects but also inspire and guide the next generation of innovators. Their participation is a testament to the significance of this conference and its role in fostering scientific advancement.

	Dr. Kihoko Tokue is the Managing Director of Leave a Nest Singapore Pte. Ltd. She holds a PhD in Science (Behavioral Biology) from Rikkyo University, an MSc in Science from the University of New England, and a BSc, graduating Magna Cum Laude, from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Born in Tokyo and raised in Singapore and Thailand, she was also educated in the US and Australia. She has work experience in Thailand as a researcher and lecturer at King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi. Dr. Tokue joined Leave a Nest in 2011, founded Leave a Nest Malaysia in 2013, and became President of Leave a Nest Singapore in 2016. Her vision is to establish Leave a Nest Asia as a leading global hub for advancing science and technology to promote global happiness.
	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.
	Ms. Yuka Oshima joined Focus Systems Co., Ltd. in 2021. She has promoted the adoption of information security products, such as data encryption, and content security products, including copyright protection for digital data like still images and videos. She is also involved in planning and promoting services that utilize IoT devices. Currently, alongside initiatives to advance collaboration with startups and academia, she is vigorously pursuing these efforts.
	Prof. Dr. Maki Tsujimura is a Professor of Hydrology and Water Resources/Water Environment at the Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, and serves as Dean of the School of Transdisciplinary Science and Design, University of Tsukuba, Malaysia (UTMy). A specialist in groundwater hydrology and governance, he has conducted research and education in Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, Mongolia, Tunisia, Malawi, and Iran. His work includes rainfall-runoff processes and groundwater-surface water interactions in Klang and Langat River watersheds. He supervise international students, integrating their thesis outcomes into his courses while crediting their contributions.
	Prof. Dr. Ratna Ediati is a senior lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Data Analytics, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS). She obtained her B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Chemistry from Institut Teknologi Bandung in 1984 and 1991, and her Doctorate in Chemistry from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST), UK, in 2003. For the past five years, her research has focused on the development of Metal-Organic Framework (MOF)-based materials and porous silica materials utilizing natural resources for environmental remediation. She has led approximately 20 national research projects funded by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), and ITS.
	Dr. Nisha Govender is the CEO cum CTO of Nanofertech Sdn. Bhd., a pioneering Malaysian startup specializing in nanotechnology-driven agricultural solutions. She leads the development of Lamatu, the company’s flagship controlled-release fertilizer coating technology, which leverages agrowaste-derived nanoparticles to improve nutrient efficiency, reduce environmental loss, and support farmers with cost-effective crop solutions. Under her dual leadership roles, Nanofertech has advanced from laboratory research to pilot-scale production, reshaping fertilizer technology and contribute to a greener and  more resilient farming.

We also proudly present the judges for the Science Castle Grant Ajinomoto (Malaysia) Berhad, who will be evaluating the five-month research journey of all ten awardee schools. Their commitment ensures that the grant program nurtures meaningful scientific exploration and innovation.

	Dr. Arief Izzairy Zamani is a systems biologist with a Ph.D. from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. His expertise includes metabolomics, microbiology, and biotechnology, supported by a strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals including Q1 journal and recognition at regional scientific conferences. He has been actively involved in international R&D collaborations, including with Brandenburg University of Technology (Germany) and Institut Teknologi Bandung (Indonesia), and also brings industrial research experience from his time at Sime Darby Technology Centre, where he worked on microbial bioconversion using palm oil. Arief is dedicated to fostering innovation ecosystems that bridge science, talent, and industry. He is currently involved in human and talent development initiatives, empowering researchers and students through programs such as the Venture Builder and Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Training (SCENT).
	Mr. Akihiko Nozaki was appointed to the Board of Ajinomoto (Malaysia) Berhad as an Executive Director on 1 April 2025. Mr. Nozaki graduated from Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo, with a Master of Business Administration in March 2005. He joined Ajinomoto Co., Inc Japan in 2005 and began his career with the Chugoku Branch in Hiroshima and has since held various positions in Japan and overseas within the Ajinomoto Group of Companies.
	Mr. Boon Lee serves as CEO of Sustainable Food Asia (Malaysia), guiding projects and partnerships across Southeast Asia. His career began in scientific research, specializing in neuroscience, and that evidence-driven mindset continues to shape his work in food science and sustainability. He focuses on translating research into practical applications, from healthier product development to resilient, responsible supply chains, by convening corporates, startups, and research institutions. Passionate about cross-border collaboration, Boon Lee helps bridge Japan and ASEAN markets to accelerate innovation with measurable impact on people and the planet.

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 October 18-19. Register at https://linktr.ee/sciencecastle to RSVP.