About Sunway Centre for Planetary Health

Dr. Mahmood is a Professor of Planetary Health at Sunway University. A medical professional with more than two decades of experience managing health crises in disasters and conflict settings, her previous appointments include: Under Secretary General for Partnerships at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC); Chief of the World Humanitarian Summit secretariat at the United Nations; and Chief of the Humanitarian Response Branch at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

In 2020, she was appointed a Senior Fellow of the Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Centre to help reach the goal of making one billion people more resilient to climate change, migration, and human security challenges by 2030. She was also the Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Malaysia on Public Health, a member of the Government of Malaysia's Economic Action Council and Climate Action Council, and most notably the founder of MERCY Malaysia, a Southern-based international humanitarian organisation.

Dr. Mahmood has received numerous international and national awards including the ASEAN Award in 2019 and the Merdeka Award in 2015 for excellent contribution to community development in Malaysia and the region. Her international awards include the prestigious Isa Award for Services to Humanity in 2013 from the Kingdom of Bahrain, often referred to as the "Nobel peace prize equivalent in the Gulf".

Maisarah Faiesall is a First-Class graduate of International Relations with Mandarin from the University of Nottingham, Malaysia, with experience in research and analysis, new media communications, and youth engagement in both the public and private sector.

Previously, Maisarah served as a researcher to the Prime Minister of Malaysia's Public Health Advisor, working on public health and disaster risk reduction.

Maneesha is a recent master's graduate from Johns Hopkins University SAIS, with a concentration in Development, Climate and Sustainability and a bachelor's degree in economics and International Relations from Boston University. She has a range of experience in international development, non-profit and academia roles and is deeply passionate about climate policy and history.

Aina Aaliyah is the Policy, Strategy and Advocacy Executive at the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, where she leads the Global Health Governance as a Public Service (GHGAPS) program. She actively seeks to bridge youth voices to diplomacy, translating grassroots' insights into policy with a focus on climate resilience and planetary health.

Aina holds a Bachelor's degree in International and Strategic Studies from Universiti Malaya, minoring in Southeast Asian Studies. She is an alumna of the YSEALI fellowship and small grants program, currently leading Little Green Dots, a rewilding pilot project in Hat Yai, Thailand.

Her advocacy is rooted in art-ivism, fossil-free living, and urban rejuvenation — championing green infrastructure, placemaking, and public transportation. She strives to make planetary health accessible and a lived reality to all beyond the Klang Valley.

Dr Fatimah Ahmad holds the position of Chief Scientist at the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health and is co-chairing the Programme Committee for the Planetary Health Summit. She obtained her PhD in Environmental Science from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia with a primary research interest in air quality.

Her experience includes projects commissioned by the Department of Environment Malaysia and serving as Subject Matter Expert for the national Environmental Monitoring Program.

Dr. Loo Yen Yi is an ornithologist with research interests in animal behaviour and biodiversity conservation, holding a Doctoral degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Auckland.

Her current appointment at SCPH explores the role of biodiversity conservation in planetary health, with research funded by The Habitat Foundation and Cornell University's Lab of Ornithology.

Dr Noorul Ezyan Nor Hashim is an ornithologist specialising in ecological and behavioural studies of birds, graduated from University of Malaya in 2021.

She is a Research Analyst for Programme, Policy, and Advocacy at SCPH, managing youth engagement programmes aimed at empowering youth in planetary health movements.

Aiza Nadira is a research analyst at the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, where she supports projects at the intersection of sustainability, climate and health. With a background in clinical research and a master's degree in infectious disease from the University of Glasgow, she brings a strong foundation in scientific inquiry and project design.

Aiza's work spans data-driven research, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge translation. Passionate about bridging science and policy, she contributes to evidence-based initiatives that promote planetary well-being and sustainable futures.

Hannah is a Research Analyst at SCPH specialising in education, knowledge, and learning, developing educational programmes and resources for wide audience accessibility.

Holding an MBBS degree from the University of Malaya, she has a versatile skill set spanning biological sciences, data science, advocacy, and interdisciplinary studies.

Husna is an Executive in Science Communications and Advocacy at the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, where she skillfully translates complex science into compelling narratives. She also serves as the dedicated project lead for Ipoh Doughnut Economics, helping the city aim for that sweet spot of social and ecological well-being.

Her foundation is solid, with a Bachelor's degree in Urban and Regional Planning and a Master of Science in Built Environment, focused on indicators for environmental resilience. Her current passions revolve around studies on healthy and sustainable cities.

Nazia is a qualified professional with a strong background in social work and human rights, completing her postgraduate studies in Social Work from Jamia Millia Islamia University in India.

She has extensive experience working with the National Commission for Women (Government of India), and collaborations with German and Dutch organisations focused on capacity building and facilitation.

Bio coming soon.

Bio coming soon.

Nurul Hamizah Kefli is a dedicated Project Coordinator Officer at the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, where she plays a central role in advancing the Ipoh Doughnut Economics initiative, an internationally recognised project that earned Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh the 2024 UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour.

Her leadership spans event execution, stakeholder alignment, and project management, ensuring meaningful outcomes across multidisciplinary teams. Her work reflects a deep commitment to driving sustainable transformation and positioning Ipoh as a model city for inclusive, climate-resilient growth.

Misfahulhairah Shariff is a Research Assistant at the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, where she supports the Centre's mission to advance research, education, and action at the intersection of human and planetary well-being. She also serves as a Project Assistant for the Regional Hub for Asia Climate Change and Health (REACH) project.

She holds a Master of Science in Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering from Universiti Putra Malaysia and brings experience in laboratory research, scientific documentation, and programme coordination. Passionate about health and sustainability, she is dedicated to advancing research that promotes healthier people and a more resilient planet.

Nor Wahyuni Binti Abdull Rahim is a graduate of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam, holding a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication with a major in Publishing. She brings over 11 years of experience in administrative roles across academic and non-academic settings.

Her interest in planetary health was sparked by her involvement in Go Green initiatives and community engagement. She has actively contributed to several planetary health-related events, including PHAM2025, MOHE workshops, and Journalist Training programs.

Laila Iskandar is the Head of Communications at the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, where she applies her expertise in public relations, digital marketing, and corporate communications to develop and execute the centre's communication strategy.

She holds a Master's in Mass Communication from Universiti Teknologi MARA (2020) and a Bachelor's in Islamic Banking from the International Islamic University Malaysia (2014).

Hamizah is a skilled Social Media Manager renowned for her expertise in social media, holding a degree in Public Communications from the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.

She serves at the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, overseeing prominent campaigns including Planet Saving Meals, Planetary Future Fridays, and Generation Green.

Aina Masturina holds a Bachelor (Hons) in Corporate Communications and a Diploma in Computer Systems and Networking, blending her expertise in digital communication and technology with a strong foundation in strategic messaging. She began her career at 1 Utama Shopping Centre, where she spent three years as a Public Relations and Sustainability Executive.

Currently serving as a Communications Executive at the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, Aina is driven by a deep commitment to raising awareness on environmental and social issues, and aspires to leverage digital storytelling to inspire collective action towards a healthier, more sustainable planet.

Nadia is a Communications Executive and Graphic Designer at the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, where she leads the creative direction for the organisation's visual communications and branding initiatives.

A graduate of Management & Science University, Nadia was awarded the Best Student Award in her major, Graphic Design. With a deep passion for visual storytelling, she transforms complex ideas into impactful visuals that resonate with diverse audiences.