I’m an AI researcher and Lecturer at Monash University Malaysia’s School of Information Technology, working at the intersection of artificial intelligence and energy systems. My interdisciplinary background spans computer science, civil engineering and energy systems, with research focused on AI-driven energy management, thermal and hybrid energy storage, and renewable energy integration.
Beyond research and teaching, I am an HRD Corp Accredited Trainer and speaker, sharing applied AI and interdisciplinary research with academic, industry and technology communities.
PhD interdisciplinary (Computer Science & Civil Engineering) | MSc in Computer Science | BSc in Software Engineering
I am an AI researcher and Lecturer at Monash University Malaysia, working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, energy systems and the built environment. My interdisciplinary background spans computer science, software engineering and civil engineering.
My research focuses on AI-driven energy management for thermal and hybrid energy storage systems, renewable energy integration and climate-resilient buildings. Building on my doctoral work in machine learning for thermal energy storage air-conditioning systems, I now develop data-driven models and intelligent control strategies to improve energy efficiency, flexibility and decarbonisation.
Alongside research and teaching, I am an HRD Corp Accredited Trainer, delivering training in AI and emerging technologies. I also contribute to interdisciplinary research through the Monash Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Research Hub and engage with academic, industry and technology communities through speaking, mentoring and professional activities.
I welcome collaborations in AI for energy systems, sustainable buildings, renewable integration and climate resilience, as well as enquiries from prospective research students, industry partners and organisations interested in research, speaking or professional training.
Artificial Intelligence • Hybrid Energy Storage Systems • Thermal Energy Storage • Renewable Energy Integration • Digital Twins • Energy Optimisation • Machine Learning • Intelligent Control • Climate-Resilient Energy Systems
My research investigates how artificial intelligence can improve the coordination and operation of energy systems, particularly within buildings. I focus on combining forecasting, optimisation and intelligent control to enable more effective integration of renewable generation and energy storage.
A central theme of my work is hybrid energy storage, particularly the coordination of thermal energy storage with complementary technologies such as batteries and renewable generation. I am interested in how AI-driven energy management and digital twins can anticipate energy demand, optimise storage decisions, reduce peak loads and improve system flexibility while accounting for real-world operational constraints.
My broader research vision is to develop intelligent, explainable and scalable energy systems that support building decarbonisation, renewable energy integration and climate resilience.
Current research themes
• AI-driven energy management and intelligent control
• Thermal and hybrid energy storage systems
• Renewable energy integration and building flexibility
• Forecasting and optimisation for energy systems
• Digital twins for intelligent building energy management
• Explainable and policy-aware AI for sustainable energy systems
My research experience spans artificial intelligence, energy systems and sustainable infrastructure, with a particular focus on machine learning, forecasting and optimisation for thermal and hybrid energy storage systems. I have worked across interdisciplinary research environments bridging computer science and engineering, from doctoral research on AI-enabled thermal energy storage to current work on intelligent energy management and renewable energy integration.
As a Lecturer at Monash University Malaysia, I teach and supervise students in computing and software engineering while integrating research, real-world applications and industry perspectives into learning. My teaching approach emphasises active and project-based learning, helping students connect technical foundations with practical problems and responsible technology development.
Beyond university teaching, I am an HRD Corp Accredited Trainer and contribute to AI upskilling, professional learning, mentoring and knowledge exchange across academic and industry communities.
Earned the doctoral degree (36 month Doctoral degree) at the University of Nottingham. I had maternity leave 54 weeks and an extension of 6 months due to COVID19 pandemic.
Earned the Master of Science in Computer Science (12 months) and my Masters Research Project achieved a distinction (74%) and in overall degree achieved a Merit (64.5%).
First completed my Foundation in Engineering (12 month). Earned the Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering (36 months) with Honors and First Class (73%). My Final Year Project achieved a First Class (80%).
My academic qualifications, professional certifications and selected awards reflect my work across research, teaching, applied AI and interdisciplinary innovation.
Selected qualifications and recognitions are highlighted below.
I actively engage with academic, industry and technology communities through mentoring, judging, professional service, outreach and collaborative initiatives. These activities complement my research and teaching by creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration and wider participation in technology.
I speak at conferences, industry events, technology communities and academic forums, translating research and emerging technologies into accessible, practical conversations.
My speaking interests include applied AI, AI for energy and sustainability, emerging technologies, interdisciplinary research and education. I contribute through invited talks, technical sessions, panels and guest lectures, with an emphasis on connecting technical ideas with real-world applications.
Interested in having me speak at your event? I welcome invitations for keynotes, talks, panels, fireside conversations and guest lectures.
I develop open and accessible learning resources in AI, Python and software engineering, with a focus on making technical concepts easier to understand through practical examples and project-based learning.
These resources complement my teaching and professional training and are designed to support students, early-career learners and anyone interested in building practical technology skills.
I welcome meaningful collaborations across AI, energy systems, sustainable infrastructure and climate resilience, spanning academia, industry and professional engagement.
Research & Industry Collaboration
Open to interdisciplinary research, joint publications, grant proposals and industry collaborations in AI, energy storage, renewable integration and sustainable systems.
Student Supervision
I welcome enquiries from prospective research students whose interests align with AI for energy and sustainable systems.
Speaking
Available for invited talks, panels, and guest lectures, particularly across applied AI, AI for sustainability and interdisciplinary research.
Training
Open to deliver HRD Corp claimable AI upskilling and ESG courses.
Academic Reviewing & Examination
Open to reviewing and examination opportunities for research, theses and projects aligned with my areas of expertise.
Consulting & Technical Input
Available on a selective basis for research and technical advisory work involving AI-driven energy systems and applied AI.
Interested in working together? Please get in touch via email or LinkedIn.
Tomas Maul
Professor in Computer Science
University of Nottingham Malaysia
Jing Ying Wong
Chun Chieh Yip
Iman Liao
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My core research focuses on applying artificial intelligence to optimize energy systems—particularly renewable energy integration, energy storage, and climate-resilient infrastructure. I explore how AI can enhance sustainable cities, building technologies, and smart mobility. My interests also extend to early cancer detection using computer vision, V2X communication security for autonomous vehicles, and AI-driven solutions for urban climate adaptation. I’m passionate about environmental sustainability, investigating how drone technology and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can support waste management. Additionally, as an educator, I explore tech-driven, interactive learning environments to advance education and improve accessibility in STEM.
My most significant contributions include applying deep learning in facility management to optimize HVAC systems, leading to improved predictive maintenance, energy efficiency, and reduced operational costs. I have developed a machine learning model with a 93.4% accuracy rate for predicting water load in Thermal-Energy-Storage Air-Conditioning systems, enhancing sustainability in building operations. As part of the EY Open Science Data Challenge, I developed a location-agnostic machine learning model to support urban planning and mitigate Urban Heat Island (UHI) effects. By relying solely on environmental and structural features—without using geolocation data—the model achieved a prediction accuracy of 92%. This approach supports scalable, ethical, and transferable planning solutions for climate-resilient cities, particularly in under-mapped or data-scarce regions. Additionally, my research in educational technology has demonstrated that combining virtual reality games with traditional lectures can significantly boost learning outcomes, and I have pioneered the use of gamified virtual labs for low-risk, interactive learning in science education.
You can find my published work in various journals and conference proceedings, including Automation in Construction, Energy Nexus, Journal of Building Engineering (Elsevier), Simulation and Gaming (SAGE), and the Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education (Emerald Insights). I have also presented at IEEE and MDPI conferences. A complete list of my publications is available on my Google Scholar profile, ResearchGate profile, and LinkedIn profile.
a) Yes, I am open to research collaborations that align with my expertise in artificial intelligence, sustainable building technologies, autonomous vehicle security, and early cancer detection. I am also interested in exploring research in national security, particularly in the areas of cybersecurity and stability in the context of cyberweapons. If you have a project in mind, please feel free to contact me through my LinkedIn profile.
b) Yes, I am open to supervising final-year or Master’s-level students interested in areas such as AI, renewable energy systems, digital twins, and smart cities. If you're exploring a project aligned with my research interests, feel free to reach out.
c) I enjoy working on interdisciplinary, applied AI research that has societal and environmental impact. This includes themes like energy storage optimization, sustainable urban technologies, and secure autonomous systems.
a) Yes, I’ve collaborated with commercial stakeholders during my PhD and am currently developing proposals for MSCA and ERC grants focused on AI for sustainable energy. My goal is to expand into applied, high-impact collaborations.
b) Absolutely. I actively seek opportunities to collaborate on research that bridges academia with real-world needs—especially in energy systems, green infrastructure, and AI applications. Please reach out if you’re exploring project partnerships or joint proposals.