Professor Dr. Ahmad Zaharin Aris, CEnv, FAPM, FASc, FIAS, FTWAS

PROFESSOR DR. AHMAD ZAHARIN ARIS, CEnv, MRSC, FAPM, FIAS, FTWAS, FASc has been a trailblazer in the realm of hydrochemistry and environmental forensics studies in Malaysia. His innovative work has played a significant role in establishing national and international guidelines and policies on environmental and health issues. He has successfully instituted various outstanding programs, including creating comprehensive chemical databases for fingerprinting and a hub for training and technological transfer in environmental forensics. Recognized as one of Malaysia's top researchers in environmental science, he is also a globally acclaimed scientist and academician in his field. Professor Dr. Ahmad Zaharin’s excellence has been acknowledged with numerous awards, including: Top Research Scientist Malaysia (2019), Finalist for the Zayed International Prize (Young Scientists Award for Environmental Sustainability), Young Scientist Award by Universiti Putra Malaysia (2013), Vice Chancellor Fellowship Award (2012 and 2022), Nominated for TWAS Earth Sciences Prize (2015), Nominated for the Merdeka Award 2024 - 'Outstanding Scholastic Achievement', Selected as Malaysia’s Final Candidate for Frontiers Planet Prize, 2nd Edition 2023-2024, Recipient of the Malaysia APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research, and Education (“ASPIRE”) in 2019 and 2022 Apart from these, he has been recognized globally, with accolades such as being acknowledged among the World Top 2% Scientists (subject-wise) for 2020-2025. His exceptional merit led him to become the youngest elected Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (FASc - ASM), as well as the youngest elected Fellow of the Academy of Professor Malaysia (FAPM) in 2023. Professor Dr. Ahmad Zaharin has served as an Associate Editor for several top-tier journals, including Nature Scientific Reports, Journal of Hazardous Materials, and Environmental Geochemistry and Health. His academic journey saw him being appointed as a professor at the young age of 33. Presently, he holds the position of Senior Professor specializing in the fields of Hydrochemistry, Environmental Chemistry and Analysis, and Environmental Forensics. He is also the Director at the International Institute of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences at Universiti Putra Malaysia. His academic contributions continue as an adjunct professor at UCSI University in Malaysia, Airlangga University in Indonesia, and a visiting professor at Universitas Sumatera Utara and Universitas Islam Indonesia. Most recently, Professor Dr. Ahmad Zaharin was elected as a Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), UNESCO and as a Fellow of the Islamic World Academy of Sciences (IAS), recognizing his exceptional contributions to the advancement of science in developing countries and Islamic world. Prior to the present appointment, he was the Dean, Deputy Director, Deputy Dean as well as the Head of the Environmental Forensics Research Centre at UPM. He also actively involved as a member of various committees internationally and locally including as advisor and strategic solution panel for Green Growth Asia Foundation and few other organizations and industries. He also sits in the board of advisor for Master of Environmental Forensics curriculum development for Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Environmental Chemistry Program and Environmental Technology Program at Universiti Technology MARA, Master in Climate Change, Mater in Marine Science and Environmental Science programs at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Environmental Technology program and Master of Environmental Science at Universiti Sains Malaysia and Polytechnic Division, Ministry of Higher Education for its Environmental Science curriculum as well as an external assessor for academic promotion (associate professor and professor) at few international and local universities. He is a board member for one international master joint program sponsored by Erasmus Plus (Erasmus +) by the European Union (EU). Long an advocate for the research university as an engine of innovation and economic growth for the country, Ahmad Zaharin Aris also strived to shape emerging national policy on Mainstreaming Natural Resource Management Towards Achieving Sustainable Development for Eleventh Malaysia Plan 2016-2020. Some of his research findings have been used to set up guidelines and policies on environmental issues for example in setting up the National Water Quality Standards, revising the National Drinking Water Quality Standards which involves the incorporation of new parameters, particularly emerging pollutants, spurred by the outcomes and publications of his research, National Lake Water Quality Standards and National Groundwater Quality Standards for Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Malaysia and Ministry of Health Malaysia. Being involved with the community has been always part of his research mission and orientation, enabling local people to gain a better understanding and benefits from the findings after the research projects were completed. Recently, he sits as the advisor, steering committee member and expert advisor to the Department of Environment (DOE) Malaysia in their “Legislative Provisions for Inclusion of Environmental Forensic in Prosecution”. In this provision, the DOE will place greater emphasis on the precautionary principle approach as one of the key considerations towards enhancing the environmental protection legislative framework of Malaysia. The precautionary principle enables rapid response in the face of possible danger to human, animal or plant health, or to protect the environment. The principle may be invoked when a phenomenon is identified by scientific or objective evaluation to have potentially adverse effects; case-in-point environmental contamination that resulted in severe environmental damage. In 2014, the government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago invited him as an advisor for establishment plan of the Institute of Environmental Forensics, for the country – a deep international recognition of his contributions and expertise. Besides, various government agencies and private sectors are now proposing and adopting the Environmental Forensics approach as part of their environmental monitoring, assessment, and policy revision strategies. This shows the results of his hard work on establishing and promoting environmental forensics in the country has paid off where it successfully brought to public or policy makers’ attention in significant environmental sustainability issues with mobilizing action towards their solution. He has instituted many impressive and successful programs including establishing comprehensive chemical databases for fingerprinting and hub for training and technology transfer in environmental forensics. Besides, he also plays an important role in helping few agencies for the revision of their analytical analysis especially for the environmental samples. He also played a significant role as the team leader and a key resource person in the production of several policy papers and technical reports for stakeholders, particularly the Government of Malaysia. These include the "Public Awareness Study on Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) Malaysia 2022," which is crucial for policymakers to plan and implement strategies that ensure STI is easily understood and more appealing to the general public in Malaysia. The "Baseline Study of the National Indicators for Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy (DSTIN) 2021-2030" serves as a fundamental reference for stakeholders, policymakers, and the academic community, in addition to measuring achievements and trends in the implementation of the country's STI programs. The "Environmental Compliance Star Rating Study" aims to assess the feasibility of recognition for industries complying with the Environmental Quality Act, 1974 (EQA, 1974), as a means to evaluate, measure, appreciate, publicize, and encourage healthy competition in self-regulation for environmental conservation. Additionally, the "Study on the Presence of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDC) in Malaysia's Water Sources: Detection, Human Health Impact, and Socioeconomic Effects" acts as a pioneering national-scale study in the aspect of emerging pollutants in water resources. Youngest to many • PhD at the age of 25 in 2009 – youngest in Malaysia • Youngest Associate Professor in Malaysia at the age of 30 • Youngest Professor to be Appointed in Malaysia at the age of 33 • Youngest Senior Professor to be Appointed in Malaysia at the age of 36 (VK6) and 42 (VK5) • Youngest Fellow of Academy Sciences of Malaysia to be Inducted in the academy history at the age of 38 • Youngest Fellow of Academy of Professor Malaysia to be Inducted at the age of 39. • Youngest Fellow, The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), UNESCO to be inducted at the age of 41. • Youngest Fellow, The Islamic World Academy of Science (IAS), to be inducted at the age of 42.