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untuk bioremediasi efluen kilang minyak sawit, explaining their dominance in the wastewater.
sisa organik yang paling banyak dan sukar For her PhD research, the focus shifted to
untuk diuruskan. Pada tahun 1985, Profesor using the microalgae for bioremediation of
Phang diperkenalkan kepada keajaiban dan palm oil mill effluent, the most abundant and
keunikan rumpai laut, ketika menghadiri difficult organic waste to be managed. In 1985,
Bengkel Latihan Commonwealth Science Professor Phang was introduced to the wonder
Council (CSC) mengenai Sebatian Bioaktif dari and beauty of the seaweeds, while attending a
Organisma Marin di James Cook University, Commonwealth Science Council (CSC) Training
Australia. Kajian menarik terhadap rumpai laut Workshop on Bioactive Compounds from
di Great Barrier Reef telah mendorong Profesor Marine Organisms at James Cook University,
Phang untuk mendokumentasikan rumpai Australia. The seaweed collection trips at
laut di rantau ini. Pada waktu itu, maklumat the Great Barrier Reef convinced Professor
mengenai rumpai laut di Malaysia dan kawasan Phang to return to Malaysia and document the
sekitarnya amat kurang. Sejak itu, Profesor seaweeds of the region. There was almost no
Phang telah menghasilkan penerbitan tentang information on the seaweeds in Malaysia and
pelbagai aspek alga tropika, terutamanya yang the surrounding region, except for scattered
berkaitan dengan potensi sebagai sumber reports on the economic utilisation of some
biokimia, biofuel, bioelektrik, serta sebagai agen species. She has since published on many
bioremediasi air sisa. Sebagai seorang guru, aspects of the tropical algae, especially with
pendidik dan Profesor di Institut Sains Biologi, regards to their potential as sources of valuable
Profesor Phang mengajar kursus dalam bidang biochemicals, biofuel, bioelectricity, as well as
Fikologi dan Bioteknologi Alga dan seterusnya for bioremediation. As a teacher, educator and
mengembangkan bidang ini. Beliau terlibat Professor in the Institute of Biological Sciences,
secara langsung dengan pembangunan dua Professor Phang developed and taught courses
program pascasiswazah, Sarjana Bioteknologi in Phycology and Algae Biotechnology. She
dan Sarjana Teknologi (Pengurusan Alam was involved directly with the development of
Sekitar), di mana beliau bertindak sebagai two postgraduate programmes, the Master of
penyelaras program selama beberapa tahun. Biotechnology and the Master of Technology
Pengiktirafan terhadap sumbang bakti (Environmental Management), which she also
Profesor Phang terbukti melalui beberapa coordinated for many years.
anugerah yang telah diterima oleh beliau Recognition of Professor Phang’s
seperti, International Foundation of Science/ contribution are seen in the numerous awards
bestowed upon her, including the International
King BAUDOUIN Award (1993); Anugerah
Naib Canselor Pencapaian Sepanjang Hayat Foundation for Science/King BAUDOUIN
(Penerbitan), Universiti Malaya (2008); Top Award (1993); the Vice-Chancellor’s Life-Time
Research Scientist Award, Akademi Sains Achievement Award (Publications), University of
Malaysia (2012), Newton Prize Malaysia, UK Malaya (2008); Top Research Scientist Malaysia,
Government Department for Business, Energy Academy of Science Malaysia (2012); Newton
Prize Malaysia, UK Government Department for
and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), United Kingdom
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS),
(2017) dan Anugerah Penyelidik Cemerlang
United Kingdom (2017) and the Outstanding
(Universiti Malaya) (2017).
Profesor Phang merupakan anak bongsu Researcher Award (Distinguished Researcher),
daripada tiga orang adik-beradik yang terdiri University of Malaya (2017).
daripada pendidik dan penjawat awam yang The youngest of three children in a family
berdedikasi. Bapa beliau seorang guru besar brought up by a disciplinarian headmaster for
dan ibu beliau seorang jururawat yang sentiasa a father and a dedicated nurse for a mother,
patuh berbakti. Mereka menjadi teladan Professor Phang grew into a disciplined but
kepada Profesor Phang, yang kemudiannya caring mentor for the young students put
mengembangkan dirinya sebagai mentor yang under her charge. The 96 postgraduates that
amat berdisiplin tinggi tetapi sangat penyayang

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