JOHOR BAHRU, 23 July 2026 – The Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), proudly congratulates Dr. Amirah Farhan Binti Kamaruddin from the Department of Chemistry on successfully securing a prestigious research grant from the Kurita Water and Environment Foundation (KWEF), Japan.
Dr. Amirah was awarded Japanese Yen 400,000 to undertake a one-year research project entitled “Bilirubin Oxidase-Augmented Polyimide-Based Biosensor Membranes for Heavy Metal Remediation in Malaysian Environmental Water”, which will be carried out from October 2026 to September 2027.
The research focuses on developing innovative biosensor membranes by integrating the enzyme bilirubin oxidase into polyimide-based materials for the detection and remediation of heavy metal contaminants in environmental water. The project aims to produce a multifunctional membrane capable of simultaneously monitoring water quality while contributing to the removal of hazardous metal pollutants, offering a sustainable solution for environmental protection.
Heavy metal contamination remains one of the major challenges affecting water resources worldwide, posing significant risks to ecosystems and public health. By combining advanced membrane technology, enzyme engineering, and environmental chemistry, this research is expected to enhance the sensitivity, selectivity, and practical applicability of biosensor platforms for real-time water quality assessment and remediation.
The project reflects UTM’s commitment to pioneering interdisciplinary research that addresses critical environmental issues through innovative scientific solutions. The outcomes are expected to contribute to sustainable water management practices while supporting the development of next-generation sensing technologies for environmental monitoring.
This achievement also strengthens UTM’s growing international research collaborations and aligns with the University’s aspirations under the UTM ASCEND 2030 agenda. Furthermore, the project contributes directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
The Faculty of Science extends its sincere congratulations to Dr. Amirah Farhan Binti Kamaruddin on this remarkable accomplishment and wishes her every success in conducting this internationally funded research, which is expected to generate significant scientific and societal impact in the field of environmental water technologies.
