Dr. Elayaraja Aruchunan is a distinguished scholar, researcher, and industry expert specializing in data science for ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), applied machine learning, and computational analytics. With over 18 years of experience, he has made groundbreaking contributions to numerical analysis, computational applied statistics, and big data analytics, earning a reputation as a thought leader in the field. His academic journey commenced in 2008 at Curtin University Malaysia, where his exceptional research led to the prestigious Australian Government Scholarship in 2012, enabling him to pursue a PhD at Curtin University, Australia. Successfully completing his doctorate in 2018, Dr. Aruchunan continued his tenure at Curtin until 2020 before joining Universiti Malaya, where he currently serves as a senior lecturer in the Department of Decision Science, Faculty of Business and Economics. His work focuses on ESG data science, decision analytics, and AI-driven sustainability solutions, positioning him at the forefront of transformative research in these areas. Dr. Aruchunan’s expertise extends beyond academia into real-world problem-solving through advanced machine learning and deep learning applications. His research is dedicated to developing innovative algorithms and methodologies that address complex challenges in big data analytics, predictive modeling, and applied mathematics. His prolific contributions are widely recognized, with numerous high-impact journal publications, conference presentations, and research projects funded by national and international bodies. A passionate educator, Dr. Aruchunan is also an accredited HRD Corp trainer, conducting specialized training programs for government agencies and industry professionals. His training focuses on big data, data science, machine learning, and deep learning, equipping participants with cutting-edge skills in Python applications, data mining, and applied AI. His programs are meticulously designed to bridge academic theory and industry applications, empowering professionals with practical expertise in the evolving digital landscape. Beyond research and training, Dr. Aruchunan is committed to STEM education outreach and academic collaboration, mentoring postgraduate scholars, and engaging in knowledge-sharing initiatives with both local and international researchers. He is an active member of several esteemed professional bodies, including IEEE, PERSAMA, IAENG, and IACSIT, reinforcing his influence in the global data science community. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Dr. Aruchunan was appointed to the prestigious Young Scientist Network by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, a testament to his leadership in scientific research and his dedication to advancing Malaysia’s research capabilities. With an unwavering commitment to data-driven innovation, education, and sustainability, Dr. Elayaraja Aruchunan continues to shape the future of ESG analytics, AI-driven decision-making, and applied machine learning, leaving a profound impact on academia, industry, and society.

Afiq received his First-Class Honors Degree in Biotechnology from the Malaysia University of Science and Technology (MUST) in 2013. He received the MUST President's Award for academic excellence and being the most accomplished student in his class. In 2014, he decided to follow his passion for research and enrolled in an MSc program in Genetic Manipulation and Molecular Cell Biology at the University of Sussex, UK. After completing his MSc program, Afiq gained valuable research experience by working as a research assistant at the Cancer Research Center (CaRC), Institute for Medical Research (IMR) in Kuala Lumpur. In 2015, he was awarded an Academic Training Fellowship (SLAB/SLAI) by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education to pursue his PhD at the University of Glasgow, Scotland. His doctoral research focuses on the discovery of new antiviral HIV-1 and VSV restriction factors. His findings have been published in reputable scientific journals and have gained the interest of the global scientific community. After completing his PhD in 2019, he worked as a post-doctoral researcher at the MRC-Centre for Virus Research (CVR) at the University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK. In 2020, he returned to Malaysia to work as a senior lecturer in the microbiology program at the Institute of Biological Sciences, Universiti Malaya (UM), Kuala Lumpur. He currently teaches public health microbiology, diagnostic microbiology, microbial pathogenesis, and virology to undergraduate students. In addition to teaching, he also conducts research on various aspects of microbiology, with a particular focus on viral diseases. His research aims to understand the mechanisms of viral replication and pathogenesis as well as develop novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of viral infections. He actively collaborates with other researchers, both locally and internationally, to contribute to the global understanding of infectious diseases. In 2023, he was awarded a prestigious ASEAN-India Research & Training (A-IRTF) Fellowship from the Department of Science & Technology, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India for 3-month research attachment at the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi (IIIT-Delhi).

In 2017,  after completing my PhD at The University of Sydney, I joined the Pharmacology Department, Universiti Malaya as a senior lecturer. My research interest is in groups of molecules secreted during cellular stress, injury, and inflammation called damage-associated molecular pattern molecules (DAMPs). They have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases and cancer. My aim is to better understand their secretory pathway(s) and the mechanism(s) by which they contribute to cancer development and progression, especially in colorectal cancer. I hope that with more profound knowledge in these areas, more future studies will be conducted, paving the way for discovering novel pathways that can be targeted to combat cancer.  In addition to my interest in inflammation and cancer research, I am also passionate about teaching.  I am involved in teaching Pharmacology subjects for various Bachelor degree courses including Dentistry, Nursing, Medicine, and Biomedical Science. I am also the coordinator of Biomedical Science in the Pharmacology department.