FAScinate November 2022

The second instalment of 2022’s FAScinate series was held on 22 November 2022, featuring another four members of ASM’s Expert Network to present science and technology topics in a casual and easily understandable format. The theme of November’s FAScinate was Precision Biodiversity.

Precision Biodiversity is a complementary next-generation technological approach to conserve, monitor and manage biological resources using advanced technology platforms for protection of the planet as well as for socio-economic returns.

For example, artificial intelligence, or AI, and Internet of Things, or IoT for short, are utilised for documentation, tracing, and analysis of biodiversity socio-economic benefits. The goal is to establish healthy societies supported by a healthy planet.

Malaysia, which is the 12^th most mega-biodiverse country on Earth, has a responsibility to manage its conservation efforts and biodiversity.

By adopting Precision Biodiversity, the country will show the world how next-generation technologies can effectively help conserve, monitor, and manage our biological resources alongside a bio-revolution and protect the planet. Humans and machines working together can effectively and efficiently address the challenges confronting biodiversity issues today.

The Death of Seri Gumum Dragon in Tasik Chini Basin

Professor Dato’ Dr Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah is a well-recognised mammologist with great interest in both the taxonomy and ecology of mammals, especially bats and small non-volant mammals.

His specialty is combining traditional taxonomy with molecular evidence in understanding evolution and biogeography. He has registered 300 DNA sequences of bats species into the NCBI GenBank, some of which could be described as new genetic species.

Apart from research work, Professor Dr Mohd Tajuddin is also actively involved in administration and management, having held positions of authority at several universities, organisations as well as research centres and panels.

What Makes Ice Cream Smooth and Creamy?

Dr Lim Phaik Eem is a Professor and the Head of Marine Biotechnology Unit at the Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Universiti Malaya. She is one of the founders and the current secretary of the Consortium of Southeast Asian Seaweed Taxonomy (SEASTax). She has more than 20 years of research experience on seaweeds and has more than 180 publications.

With her involvement in GCRF Global SeaweedSTAR programme, a problem-based multidisciplinary approach was adopted to address main issues affecting the seaweed cultivation and processing industries.

Eyes in the Sky, Boots on the Ground: Using Satellites to Better Manage Our Forests

Dr Nur Hazwani Abdul Bahar is a conservationist and an expert in physiology of trees and crops. This member of the Young Scientist Network of ASM consistently finds new avenues to apply her expertise in broader areas of sustainable resource management and environmental conservation.

In the past few years, she has been coordinating forest conservation and restoration initiatives in partnership with local and indigenous communities and the Tropical Rainforest Conservation & Research Centre. More recently, she has been exploring green/sustainable financing mechanisms for conservation, as well as landscape-level Environmental, Social, and Governance criteria.

Her high-impact research projects in the areas of plant physiology, food production, and sustainability have been published in top journals and reports.

Conserving Endangered Species with Artificial Intelligence (AI)

One of the senior technology leaders with ten years of experience in research, start-up, and corporate, Dr Afnizanfaizal Abdullah is an expert in artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and cloud computing.

Dr Afnizanfaizal’s first deep-tech start-up company went through a few rounds of fundraising before being acquired by a world-leading drone service company in 2022.

Dr Afnizanfaizal has contributed to the talent pool by developing 200 data science and engineering professionals; coaching and mentoring early start-up funders; and helping companies and organisations to secure more than 100 million US dollars’ worth of projects.

His exceptional know-how of technology in academia and business development has provided him with vast resources and established networks in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the US.