Liew Phing Pui

• Results-driven food researcher and scientist with over 16 years of experience specializing in food biotechnology.
• Expertise in research, consulting, coaching, and guest speaking in overseas markets. 
• Proven track record in project management and leadership, successfully coordinating teams and securing substantial grants. 
• Developed innovative products such as plant-based meatballs, probiotic-incorporated dairy and non-dairy beverages, and spices-incorporated edible packaging.
• Seeking a senior or managerial role to leverage skills in research and product development for continued advancements in the food industry.

UCSI University                                                                                                   Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Scientist/ Researcher                                                                                             January 2010-April 2023

• Coordinated research activities and secured RM1,232,623 in grants as a principal investigator/co-researcher for 20 projects, including:
  • Production of plant-based meatballs and burger patties with whey protein isolate and different flour through extrusion technique.
  • Microencapsulation of probiotics and its incorporation in dairy (yoghurt drinks) and non-dairy beverages (nut milk, herbal drinks and fruit juice).
  • Development of spices-incorporated edible packaging for extension of shelf life in meat-based product.
  • Probiotic incorporated carboxymethyl cellulose-chitosan edible film for packaging of fresh red snapper fish fillets.
  • 3D and 4D printing of edible films with alginate and gelatin.
  • Enzyme-aided liquefaction to produce local fruit puree and powder. 
  • Bio-remedy of sea cucumber by-products: Purification and evaluation of bioactive peptide from sea cucumber internal organs hydrolysate.
  • Concentrated betanin red dragon fruit drink with improved stability, bio-accessibility, and antioxidant activity.
  • Valorization of durian seed waste as functional food ingredients.
• Effectively communicated complex scientific concepts and research findings through 87 journal publications, delivering significant contributions to the field of food biotechnology.
• Presented at international conferences, establishing expertise in food science and technology.
• Invited speaker at events and institutions, contributing to knowledge sharing and promoting advancements in the field. 

Head of department, Food science and Nutrition                                                        July 2018-June 2022

• Provided leadership, administration, planning, and marketing for the food science department, overseeing 13 staff members and 200 students.
• Contributed to major decision-making, planning, and executions as a member of the faculty management board. 
• Strategized promotion and marketing efforts for the BSc (Hons) Food Science with nutrition program. 
• Delivered insightful guest lectures and webinars on food science and nutrition topics, sharing expertise and industry knowledge.

Lecturer                                                                                                                   January 2010-April 2023

• Mentored and coached Foundation, Bachelor, Master, and PhD students on various food-related subjects, fostering independent thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Served as a consultant for industry projects, collaborating with companies to address their specific needs. 
  • The evaluation of biochemical and nutritional contents presents in cocoa meal replacement with testing methodologies in accordance with ISO-17025, Industry Grant, with Greenlife Harvest Marketing (M) Sdn. Bhd.
  • Crude volatile compounds from F. carica: Extraction, characterization and development into an oral spray and oil capsule, Industry Grant, with Mutiara Figs Sdn. Bhd. 
• Collaborated with international partners to design and complete food-related projects, promoting global research collaborations. 
• Trained with ISO 9001: 2015 Awareness, conducted auditing for several departments, ensuring adherence to quality assurance standards.
• Award obtained: Received multiple awards, including 1st prize at the 12th Asian Conference on Lactic Acid Bacteria and Top Research Publications Contributor at UCSI University Research Excellence Award.

Universiti Putra Malaysia                                                                                            Selangor, Malaysia

Research Assistant                                                                                           June 2007- December 2009

• Conducted lab sessions and demonstrated the usage of instrumentations for food analysis.
• Provided guidance for food biochemistry, and technology of plant and animal products.

Eva Coating Sdn. Bhd.                                                                                                Selangor, Malaysia

QC cum R&D Chemist                                                                                          May 2006-February 2007

• Conducted quality control tests for 80% of coatings produced, including total solid, color, viscosity, and application tests.
• Developed and improved coating formulations to enhance competitiveness in the market.

Universiti Putra Malaysia                                                                                            Selangor, Malaysia

PhD, Food Biotechnology (CGPA: 3.825)                                                         Graduation date: April 2017

• Thesis title: Production of shelf-stable spray-dried powder from enzyme-assisted liquefied ‘cempedak’ (Artocarpus integer) fruit.
• Courses: Research Methodologies and Statistics in Food Science and Technology, Trends in Food Technology

MSc, Food Biotechnology (CGPA: 3.814)                                                         Graduation date: May 2012

• Thesis title: Purification of and factors affecting 5’-phosphodiesterase from germinating adzuki (Vigna angularis) bean.
• Course: Food Bioprocessing

BSc Biotechnology (CGPA: 3.619)                                                                   Graduation date: June 2006

• Major in Food modules
• Courses: Introduction to Food Science, Introduction to Food Processing Technologies, Halal and Haram in Food Processing, Food Chemistry, Analysis and Characterization of Food Components, Food Biotechnology