Jillian Ooi started out as an environmental social scientist but shifted to studying marine plants because she is fascinated by the sea. For her Master’s degree in Environmental Management, she explored the effects of disturbances on seaweed communities. She later earned a PhD in Seagrass Biogeography at the University of Western Australia as an Endeavour International Postgraduate Scholarship recipient. Working under the mentorship of Professor Gary Kendrick and the late Dr Kimberly Van Niel, she studied the spatial patterns and ecology of subtidal seagrasslands in the Johor islands. There, she fell irrevocably under the spell of these overlooked yet vital ecosystems. Jillian’s research consists of 3 themes: (1) investigating ecosystem functions of seagrass, particularly their roles as habitats and feeding grounds for fish and megafauna, (2) developing spatial distribution models for seagrass species in Southeast Asia, to provide an understanding of what makes a suitable seagrass habitat, and (3) developing effective restoration methods for seagrass and coral reefs. Her work has contributed to the gazettement of the Kepulauan Lima marine park in Johor (2023), strengthened protection for the Tioman Marine Park in Pahang (2007), and supported the establishment of a dugong sanctuary in Johor (2005 and 2017). Jillian enjoys working with local communities, spearheading and nurturing community-driven seagrass conservation initiatives in the Sungai Johor and Sungai Pulai estuaries. Her efforts focus on empowering local stakeholders through capacity building in seagrass monitoring and mapping. In 2015, Jillian received the Komai Fellowship to study the satoumi approach to seagrass restoration in Japan. In 2022, she was among six global researchers awarded the Pew Marine Fellowship for her work in seagrass restoration and to raise awareness about seagrass in Malaysia through the cultural arts approach. She blended the performing arts with science to create Seruan Setu, a groundbreaking gamelan music concert dedicated to seagrass ecosystems. When she is not underwater watching grass grow, Jillian is the Artistic Director and Music Director of Rhythm in Bronze, an award-winning contemporary gamelan ensemble based in Kuala Lumpur. Founded in 1997, Rhythm in Bronze is known for its pioneering efforts in showcasing the Malay gamelan as its main medium of musical expression. Jillian’s music direction and compositions for the gamelan have won awards and/or received nominations at the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards, which celebrates outstanding performances in music, dance, theatre and musical theatre in Malaysia. She considers the Sea her main source of musical inspiration. 

Dr. Marlinda bt Ab Rahman is a senior lecturer at Nanotechnology and Catalysis Research Centre (NANOCAT), University of Malaya, Malaysia since June 2018. She obtained her MS.c and Ph.D. from the University of Malaya, Malaysia in experimental physics in 2013 and 2017 respectively. Her research interests are in the area of graphene, nanomaterials, electrochemistry, and biosensors. Her current research project is on the synthesis and fabrication of graphene infused natural rubber composite for sensor applications.

Dr. Suhaili Sarif is currently a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Shariah and Management, Academy of Islamic Studies Universiti Malaya. He obtained his Bachelor Degree in Shariah (Bsh) in 1999 and Master in Business Administration (MBA) in 2002 both from Universiti Malaya. He then received his PhD in Islamic Studies (2014) from the University of Edinburgh UK. He specializes in Islamic Management, Islamic Wealth Management and Halal Management. He teaches both the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes covering many subjects within his related expertise. He has been researching on many topics related to the areas of Halal Industry, Zakat and poverty eradication, Mosque institution and Islamic Tourism Industry.