Ts. Dr. Zaidi Embong is a Professor of Applied Physics at the Physics and Chemistry Department, Faculty of Applied Science and Technology (FAST), UTHM, Pagoh Campus. He is also as Principal Researcher at Research Centre for Soft Soils (RECESS), Integrated Institute of Engineering (IIE), UTHM.

He received his PhD in Physics (Surface Science) from the University of Bristol in England in 2008, after obtaining MSc in Nuclear Physics and BSc in Science and Science Computer with Education (Physics) from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Skudai.

He joined UTHM as a Lecturer in 1999 and has had over 20 years of experience in teaching and research. His research specializations are in Surface Science, Nuclear Physics and Environmental Physics. Prof. Zaidi’s research interest covers a wide range of multidisciplinary area including surface science, vacuum physics and thin film, metal / alloy corrosion, nuclear physics (radioactivity monitoring and assessment) and environmental physics (soil and water remediation).

In addition, his expertise also includes nano-material characterization using high end surface analysis equipment such as X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) and Laser Raman Spectroscopy. During his PhD study, he has learned much in all of these advanced Surface Analytical techniques from Professor Emeritus G.C. Allen who is his former PhD supervisor and surface science expert at University of Bristol, England.

Prof. Zaidi has also established some research collaborations in metal corrosion and nano-materials studies with Prof T.B. Scott who is his former lab-mate and currently the Director at Interface Analysis Center (IAC), University of Bristol. From conducting a multi-million Ringgit Malaysia of XPS equipment, Prof. Zaidi has been acknowledged as XPS analysis expert in Malaysia and has conducted several professional talks in nano-material characterization workshops and seminars at institutions such as Advanced Material Research Center (AMREC) SIRIM, Kulim, Kedah, Centralised Analytical Laboratory (CAL), Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), Seri Iskandar, Perak, Science and Engineering Research Center (SERC), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Science and Catalyst Technology Center of Excellence (PutraCAT), Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), University Industrial Research Laboratory (UIRL), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Chemical Science Department, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), among others. He is also involved in consultation work and has been appointed as a Panel for the laboratory equipment for Nanotechnology Center Laboratory (NNC), MOSTI.

Prof. Zaidi used to be the Editor in Chief for Journal Science and Technology (JST), UTHM between 2008 to 2016. He has published about 100 manuscripts in Scopus and WOS index. Most of his publications are in the area of Corrosion Science and Radioactivity Monitoring studies.

He also has 15 years’ experience working as International Peer Reviewer for several high impact journals, namely, Journal of Alloys and Compound (Elsevier), Applied Surface Science (Elsevier), Chemosphere (Elsevier), Environmental Pollution (Elsevier), Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering and Materials Today (Elsevier).

In 2017, he has received two high prestige awards from Elsevier, as Outstanding Contributions in Reviewing for Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Elsevier and Applied Surface Science, Elsevier. He also contributes as International Peer Reviewer for other high impact journals such International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Taylor and Francis and Journal of Springer Nature.

Other than the above, he is also responsible in giving consultation for the national agencies. He has contributed as an assessor and interviewer panel for several activities at the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) as the interviewer for MyBrainSc and Malaysian International Scholarship (MIS) and as Applied Science and Technology cluster evaluator for Fundamental Research Grant (FRGS), KPT.

Besides, he also contributes as Physics Subject Expert for Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP). His disability as a result of Muscular Dystrophy disease after returning from England has made him one of Malaysian disabled scientists. He received the National Level Award, Special Award for Disabled Academician from Malaysia Social Welfare Department in 2018 in recognition of his excellent contribution in academic field.

As a scientist in wheelchair, he has given back to the community at the state level as the Advisor for the Malacca Deaf Sports Association (MaSDeaf), Malacca. He was invited as the speaker and motivator for Sambutan Hari Orang Kurang Upaya (OKU) dan Warga Emas, Johor to inspire the disabled community in Johor to pursue education at higher level.

Last but not least, as an educator, he has given motivational talks to some schools in Johor for National Science Week to encourage school pupils to explore and discover the nature of sciences.