(L-R) En Zaidi Bin Abdul Hamid ( Executive Secretary, Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO), Dr Zarina Binti Aspanut, Dr Zainovia Lockman, Dr Azura Binti A. Rashid, Andrew Stanleick ( MD, L’Oréal Malaysia) & Tay Ai Leen ( Corporate Communications Director, L’Oréal Malaysia)

(L-R) En Zaidi Bin Abdul Hamid ( Executive Secretary, Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO), Dr Zarina Binti Aspanut, Dr Zainovia Lockman, Dr Azura Binti A. Rashid, Andrew Stanleick ( MD, L’Oréal Malaysia) & Tay Ai Leen ( Corporate Communications Director, L’Oréal Malaysia)

Kuala Lumpur, 10 November 2009: L’Oréal Malaysia ‘For Women in Science’ Fellowships 2009 today granted three young female researchers RM20,000 financial assistance to pursue their proposed research in Malaysia. The Award ceremony was held at the prestigious Hilton Kuala Lumpur with the presence of the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for UNESCO –En. Zaidi Bin Abdul Hamid, and representatives from the partner institutions.

Launched in 2006 the L’Oréal Malaysia ‘For Women in Science’ program has the support of the Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO and in partnership with the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, and the Ministry of Higher Education.

L’Oréal Malaysia ‘For Women in Science’ National Fellowships award was developed to provide assistance, encouragement and recognition to women who contribute to scientific progress around the world.

The 3 winners are Dr Azura Binti A. Rashid, 33, Senior Lecturer at the School of Materials & Minerals Resources Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia; Dr Zarina Binti Aspanut, 34, Senior Lecturer at Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya and Dr Zainovia Lockman, 33, Lecturer at the School of Materials & Minerals Resources Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia.

From left, Dr Zarina Bt Aspanut, Dr Zainovia Lockman & Dr Azura Bt A. Rashid

From left, Dr Zarina Bt Aspanut, Dr Zainovia Lockman & Dr Azura Bt A. Rashid

Dr Azura’s project is to produce an eco-friendly and biodegradable natural rubber latex films by using sago starch as a biodegradable additive in natural rubber latex. This research has high commercial potential in the latex industry and will also promote environmental responsibility and sustainability and could reduce solid waste disposal problems.  Dr Zarina’s research is about fabrication and characterization of embedded gold nanoparticles in silicon dioxide thin film. The outcome of her studies will enable the development of an attractive material for producing good quality single electron device with optimized deposition condition which is beneficial to electronic device application such as sensors.

Dr Zainovia’s research studies the formation of Tungsten Oxide (WO3) Nanotubes, a material for Electrochromic Smart Window. It is anticipated that this project will contribute to the development of material for energy saving smart window and hence contribute towards the field of green technology and sustainability for future generation.

Since its inaugural launch in 2006, the L’Oréal Malaysia FWIS program has awarded 12 outstanding young women researchers in Malaysia. The For Women in Science program is a major part of philanthropy work which the company believes in and as a good citizenship to link closely the group’s economic growth with strong ethical principles and a genuine awareness of responsibilities to give back to society.