Zulkhairul Naim bin Sidek Ahmad

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Malaysia

Zulkhairul Naim bin Sidek Ahmad

Zulkhairul Naim bin Sidek Ahmad (Naim) is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher in Public Health at Universiti Malaysia Sabah. He specializes in environmental health, climate change, and maternal and child health. Early in his career, while working in rural Sabah, Naim witnessed the devastating impacts of climate change firsthand: families losing access to clean water and children suffering from vector-borne diseases worsened by shifting weather patterns. These experiences fueled his commitment to addressing health disparities and building resilience in marginalized communities. Naim spearheaded a climate change education program for young students in rural areas, equipping them with STEM-based problem-solving skills and empowering them to become catalysts for change within their families and communities. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to public health, health equity, and social justice, Naim was awarded the prestigious 40 Under 40 Public Health Catalyst Award 2023 by the Boston Congress of Public Health. Through the Equity Initiative, he aims to strengthen his advocacy skills, bridging scientific evidence and community needs to drive systemic reform. Naim believes that bold, visionary leadership is essential in combating climate change and restoring the natural world—and he is committed to being one of those leaders.