Thursday November 26, 2009

Making their mark

By AZHARIAH KAMIN

Contributions by women scientists are recognised by L’Oreal.

THE contributions made by women scientists for the advancement of science are invaluable. A number of them have made their mark in their chosen areas of research. Bearing that in mind, the L’Oreal Malaysia For Women in Science National Fellowships programme was developed in 2006; it is open to all women researchers.

The award was developed to provide assistance, encouragement and recognition to women who contribute to scientific progress.

Each year, a jury panel chooses three recipients, who each receive RM20,000 as financial assistance to pursue their research work in Malaysia. The programme is jointly conducted with the Malaysian National Commission for Unesco and supported by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry and Higher Education Ministry.

At the forefront of research: (From left) Dr Zarina Aspanut, Dr Zainovia Lockman and Dr Azura A. Rashid are recipients of the L’Oreal Malaysia for Women in Science Fellowships 2009.

This year, the winners are Dr Azura A. Rashid, Dr Zarina Aspanut and Dr Zainovia Lockman, each chosen for their unique research and innovations in three different fields: producing eco-friendly and biodegradable latex films using sago starch; fabrication and characterisation of embedded gold nanoparticles in silicon dioxide thin film; and studying the formation of tungsten oxide nanotubes, a material for electrochromic smart window.

“Women all over the world are revolutionising science. The programme awards and supports these women who are contributing to the scientific enhancements that are transforming our world,” acknowledged L’Oreal Malaysia managing director Andrew Stanleick during the award presentation ceremony in Kuala Lumpur recently.

“It changes the face of science by building a community that helps future generations of women scientists.”

Internationally, the programme has provided financial assistance and helped almost 900 women in 90 countries worldwide to further their pursuit and contributions in the field of science.

For Azura, 33, the focus of her project is to produce an eco-friendly natural rubber latex film based on an easily renewable natural resource – sago starch.

“The successful production of biodegradable latex gloves will promote environmental responsibility and sustainability, which can reduce solid waste disposal,” said Azura, a senior lecturer at the School of Materials and Minerals Engineering at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang.

Zainovia, 33, is focusing on the formation of tungsten oxide nanotubes and nanorods as this type of windows can promote energy efficiency; the electricity used for lights and air conditioning can thus be reduced.

“It is anticipated that the use of tungsten oxide nanorods and nanotubes will produce a higher efficiency electrochromic device to be used in smart windows and hence, contribute towards the field of green technology and sustainability for the future generation,” said Zainovia excitedly.

“I feel that any technology which contributes to energy-saving is worth investing in. The L’Oreal Malaysia for Women in Science award is beneficial in helping to kickstart this project, which can be translated into a commercial made-in-Malaysia product and technology,” added Zainovia, who is also a senior lecturer at the School of Materials and Minerals Engineering at USM.

The study of fabrication and characterisation of embedded gold nanoparticles in silicon dioxide thin film is important to Zarina, 34, who is senior lecturer at the physics department, Faculty of Science at Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.

“The presence of gold can modify the properties of the film to fit the applications in nanotechnology, such as sensors and solar cell,” she explained. She added that her study will be able to provide a platform to develop an attractive material for producing good quality single electron device with optimised deposition condition, which is beneficial to electronic device application.