In 2008, Professor Dr. Chris graduated from Masters of Orthopaedic Surgery training in University Malaya at the top of the class and was awarded the ‘N. Subramaniam Award’. At the same time, his research project on ‘safety in thoracic pedicle screw’ during his training, under the supervision of Prof Dato’ Dr. Kwan Mun Keong won the ‘Mahmood Merican award’ for top research project among all Masters of Orthopaedic trainee in 2008. The research project was subsequently published in 2 international journals, European Spine Journal and Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy. His research interest is mainly in idiopathic scoliosis with more than 50 publications to date in tier 1 spine journals such as Spine, The Spine Journal and European Spine Journal. His most recent notable publications were on the subjects of dual attending surgeons to increase the safety in scoliosis surgery, accelerated recovery protocol for scoliosis surgery and safety of pedicle screws in scoliosis surgery. His publications have won the “Subir Sengupta Best Published Clinical Award 2017 and 2018” and the “P. Balasubramaniam Best Published Basic Science Award”. He is an active member of the Scoliosis Research Society and is the Fellowship Chairperson for the Asia Pacific Spine Society. He is also in the editorial board for the Asian Spine Journal and is the spine manuscript editor for the Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal. He is also a Committee Member of the Malaysian Spine Society. 

Meor Faisal Zulkifli received his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Surrey, UK, and his Ph.D. in Engineering from Imperial College London. He is currently a Senior Lecturer at Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, specializing in power generation and machine learning applications. Meor Faisal Zulkifli has significant industry experience, having served as Project Leader and Principal Researcher at TNB Research, where he led multiple projects focused on improving the efficiency of gas turbine and coal-fired power plants using advanced technologies, including AI and machine learning. During his tenure at TNB Research, he successfully led 5 major projects that collectively amounted to more than RM 10 million. His expertise lies in fuels and combustion, clean energy, power plant operations, and AI integration. Meor Faisal Zulkifli is currently working on projects related to hydrogen/ammonia combustion for industrial gas turbines, coal combustion enhancement using chemical additives, and developing intelligent systems for optimizing power plant operations.

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.