Staff Profile

Biography

Dr. J.J. Chew is currently Discipline Leader for the Chemical Engineering program and a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus in Malaysia. J.J. is a registered Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) with Engineers Australia. She also maintains registration on the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Engineer (APEC Engineer) Register and International Professional Engineers (IntPE) Register, Australia. J.J. completed her Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering with Honours from Curtin University of Technology in 2006. She then practised as a process engineer for 3 years before pursuing her Ph.D. studies. In 2016, her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Monash University on biomass conversion to solid biofuel was conferred. In 2017, she completed a Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching (Higher Education) from Swinburne University of Technology. On the research side, J.J. has actively supervised and co-supervised 4 Ph.D. and 4 Master students. She is also currently serving as the treasurer in IChemE Palm Oil Processing Special Interest Group (POPSIG) since 2021 as part of her community services.

Research Interests

• Biofuels and chemical from biomass and wastes
• Biomass pre-treatment
• Green solvents

Professional Memberships

• Member of The Institution of Engineers Australia (MIEAust)
• APEC Engineer and IntPE(Aus)
• Associate Member of Institute of Chemical Engineers
• Graduate Member of Board of Engineers Malaysia
• Graduate Member of Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM)
• Treasurer, IChemE Palm Oil Processing Special Interest Group (POPSIG), Malaysia

PhD/Master by Research Opportunities

Prospective higher-degree research candidates are highly welcome to enquire about research opportunities with Dr. Chew in the listed research areas. For any inquiries, please e-mail jchew@swinburne.edu.my  for more information.

Research Grants

• Reaction mechanism of acid-based catalytic wet torrefaction on oil palm trunks and empty fruit brunches; J.J. Chew (PI); FRGS Grant by Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE); Awarded amount: RM 144,744 (3 years); 2020-2023. – In progress
• Feasibility study on the transition of the oil and gas industry towards circular economy; J.J. Chew (member); FRGS Grant by Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE); Awarded amount: RM 84,200 (2 years); 2020-2022.- In progress
• Techno-economic feasibility study for the development of hydrogen production plant in Kuching; J.J. Chew (member); Research grant by SEDC Energy; Awarded amount: RM 20,000 (1 year); 2021. – Completed
• Transformation of oil palm trunk (OPT) waste into fuel and adsorbent: from experimental to supply chain management; J.J. Chew (member); Research Supervision Grant by Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak; Awarded amount: MYR 20,200 (3 years); 2019 – 2021. – In progress
• Community empowerment: Promoting safe and sustainable food production; J. Chew (member); Grant by IEEE Region 10 TENHUMCH; Awarded amount: USD 2,000 (2 months); 2020. – Completed
• Thermal insulation materials from plastic bottles waste for the construction industry in Sarawak; J. Chew (member); Bright Spark Grant by Sarawak Research and Development Council (SRDC); Awarded amount: RM 5,000 (1 year); 2019-2020. – Completed
• Effects of wet torrefaction on the physicochemical properties of oil palm biomass for fuel application; J.J. Chew (PI); Research Micro Fund by Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak; Awarded amount: RM 5,000 (1 year); 2019-2020. – Completed
• Study on the removal of tannin and lignin in palm oil mill effluent using biomass-based adsorbent; Swinburne Sarawak Research Grant;J. Chew (PI); Awarded amount MYR 17,000 (1.5 years); 2017 – 2018. – Completed

Awards

• Vice-Chancellor’s 2019 Community Engagement Award by Swinburne University of Technology – Highly Commendable