For some, wound care is a matter of treatment. For Dr. Khairul Anuar Mat Amin, it has been a lifelong passion. As an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Sciences at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), Dr. Khairul has spent over 15 years investigating the most basic and yet significant question of all: What is the best wound dressing material?

His research began when he developed an early interest in biopolymers such as gellan gum, a naturally occurring compound with immense biomedical potential. From that point on, his research expanded into the production of wound dressings using various methods—films, hydrogels, and scaffolds—with the goal of facilitating faster, safer healing.

But what makes him even more interesting is the way he brings these materials to life. By incorporating them with stingless bee honey, collagen, titanium dioxide, clay, and plant extracts, he produces dressings that combine scientific rigor with nature’s healing touch. Even palm oil-based polyurethane has made its way into his work, showing his commitment to sustainability as well as innovation.

Dr. Khairul’s lab is not the only place where his work is pursued. As a mentor, he has mentored two PhD students and seven Master’s students, nurturing the next generation of researchers who will continue the search for better wound care solutions. He is equally impressive in his own achievements—17 competitive research grants secured, over 70 papers published in high-impact journals, and an h-index of 19 on Scopus—all strong markers of a researcher whose reach extends far beyond his field.

But research is only a piece of his story. Since 2016, Dr. Khairul has held management positions, ranging from Acting Deputy Dean (Talent and Research) at the School of Fundamental Science to Head of Business Development at UMT Jaya Holdings, and Deputy Director of the Centre for Research Innovation Management. Today, he serves as the Director of Innovation and Commercialization Center (ICC), leading efforts to translate scientific discovery into real world applications, a mission close to his heart.

His entrepreneurial mission is manifested in his venture, Bee Lab Sdn. Bhd., a company that he founded to spread the word to the general public about wound care developments. During his tenure, his products MediMadu Paste, HoneyGel wound dressings, and Kelulut Paste have brought honey to the forefront of modern medical application. Under his hands, honey has emerged as an essential part of wound care products in medicine. Of these, MediMadu Paste is one of the best-known as it has been scientifically proven to be effective and has also been recognised by the Ministry of Health (MOH), Malaysia.

To patients and health care workers, these are not just medical supplies; they are the real results of many years of research.

He has received multiple awards over the years for excellent teaching and research, and for exemplary service at UMT. Outside of the awards and titles, though, what distinguishes Dr. Khairul is his sense of mission: to embrace science as a means of repairing the world and to ensure its lessons move beyond journals into hospitals, clinics, and the communities they serve.

From the laboratory and classroom to the boardroom and the marketplace, Dr. Khairul Anuar Mat Amin is that rare combination of scientist, mentor, leader, and entrepreneur. His mission is a reminder that innovation is not only about finding something new, but also about changing people’s lives.