Zainal Ahmad received B.Eng (Hons) in Chemical Engineering from University of Surrey, UK in 1998. In 2001, he received M.Sc in Applied Process Control (with distinction) from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK. He also obtained his PhD from this university in 2005. He worked as a process engineer in a petrochemical plant before joining USM in 2000.

Besides being responsible for the undergraduates, Dr Zainal also working together with his postgraduate students in designing and conducting innovative research projects, to continually enhance his expertise and professional knowledge. In addition to that, Dr Zainal also conducted training, workshops, seminars, short courses and consultation for the chemical & process industries.

Dr Zainal main research interests include artificial neural network, process modeling, model-based control and neural network application in chemical processes. He has guided several Master and PhD students. He has several awards and more than 100 international journal/conferences publications to his credit. Dr Zainal also served as a reviewer for international journal and conferences. Involved in short courses for Aspen simulation in 2010,2011 and 2020 and also for the Fundamental Process Control and Beyond in 2005. Recently, he involved in Process Control in Industry short course organized by School of Chemical Engineering USM and also in house training for UOP (2014) and NPK (2012). He also involves in consultation in developing “AGR system” for Energy and Lab Solution for TNBR (2013/2014). He also a certified trainer from PSMB (TTT/3749) , corporate member of IEM and professional engineer with BEM.