Dr. Kishneth Palaniveloo received his early education in Kedah (1991–2003) before obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Marine Science (2007) from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). He is a trained PADI Divemaster and actively participated in teaching, recreational diving, and scientific diving activities that supported educational and research programmes. Thereafter he was briefly attached to the Kota Kinabalu Fisheries Department and Marine Research Foundation (MRF), contributing to research on marine resource management and conservation. He later completed a Master’s degree in Fermentation Biochemistry (2008–2010), followed by a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Advancement of Biodiversity with a focus on Marine Ecological Chemistry at UMS. His doctoral research centred on the isolation, characterization, and structural elucidation of secondary metabolites from marine invertebrates. His work discovered novel compounds and chemical skeletons from soft corals (Alcyonacea) and the sea hare Aplysia dactylomela. During his PhD, he isolated nearly 80 secondary metabolites from both marine and terrestrial sources. His training, which included a research attachment at Jeju National University (Korea), emphasized advanced analytical and spectroscopic techniques, linking natural products chemistry with ecological function and pharmaceutical potential. After completing his PhD, Dr. Kishneth joined a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) project as a researcher for a research training at Kyushu University (Japan) where he investigated the structure and diversity of soil microbial communities, expanding his expertise from marine chemical ecology to terrestrial microbial ecology and strengthening his capabilities in environmental molecular biology and natural products research. In 2017, Dr. Kishneth joined the Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences (IOES), Universiti Malaya as a Senior Lecturer. He was appointed Laboratory Coordinator in 2020 and, since 2023, as the Head of the Marine Biotechnology Unit. His research integrates biodiversity, marine chemical ecology, and biogeochemistry, focusing on: (1) soft coral species and chemical diversity; (2) algal metabolites; (3) microbial community profiling using next-generation sequencing (NGS); and (4) carbon stock assessment and mangrove adaptation under environmental and climatic changes, contributing to blue carbon and conservation initiatives. His passion for chemical diversity supports collaborations with pharmaceutical scientists and drives his interest in product development. Dr. Kishneth publishes and reviews for numerous indexed scientific journals, including Ecological Indicators, Journal of Applied Phycology, and 3Biotech, reflecting his multidisciplinary reach across marine biodiversity, chemical ecology, and sustainable bioprospecting. He has secured approximately RM5 million in total research funding as principal investigator and co-researcher. His projects cover soft coral chemotaxonomy, mangrove genetic diversity, bioactive compound discovery, and composting technology, aligning with national priorities for marine resource sustainability. He currently has 25 ISI-indexed publications and an H-index of 12 with over 540 citations. He actively supervises MSc and PhD students and teaches Marine Biotechnology annually. He is also involved in developing the Master’s curriculum for IOES. Beyond academia, Dr. Kishneth plays an active role in professional societies and scientific advocacy. He served three terms as the Honorary Secretary of the Malaysian Society of Marine Sciences (MSMS), contributing to national task forces and committees on biodiversity conservation with the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Fisheries Department, resulting to the gazettement of marine protected areas in Melaka. He is also a member of the International Association for Biological Oceanography, the Malaysian Society of Natural Products, and an associate of the Centre for Natural Products Research and Drug Discovery (CENAR), Universiti Malaya. His achievements are recognized through various local and international collaborations and awards, including the Universiti Malaya Excellence Service Award (2022), the JICA Training Award on OTEC and DSW Applications (2022), and several gold awards at research innovation competitions (2009, 2012, 2025). Dr. Kishneth Palaniveloo aims to continue advancing research and teaching in marine science, natural product chemistry, and ecosystem sustainability in line with national and university aspirations for scientific innovation and marine resource stewardship.

Dr. Mohd Aizat Bin Mohd Zain is a dedicated Senior Lecturer and researcher whose work investigates the molecular and behavioral mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric disorders. His long-term goal is to develop a new theory on the pathophysiology of mental disorders, especially schizophrenia, which may help in developing more effective treatments. To achieve this, he is particularly interested in the areas of neurophysiology and psychiatry. Education and Foundational Research Dr. Aizat's academic journey is rooted in the University of Malaya, where he obtained his Bachelor of Biomedical Science (2009). He continued his specialization at the institution, earning his Master of Medical Science (2013) with a dissertation focused on "Gene Expression and Association Analyses of HTR2A and PDLIM5 Genes in Bipolar Disorder." He completed his doctoral studies, achieving a PhD in Medical Science (2019) in the specialized field of behavioural cognitive neuroscience, Pharmacology, and Molecular Biology. His PhD thesis, "Investigation on the Role of PDLIM5 Gene in Cognitive Function Using Mouse Models," paved his expertise in translational neurobiology and the use of sophisticated animal models to study human mental disorders. Research Focus, Impact, and Publications Dr. Aizat's core research investigates how dendritic spine abnormalities contribute to cognitive impairment observed in neuropsychiatric conditions, specifically depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. He employs a multi-faceted approach, specializing in rodents cognitive behavioral testing, animal model development, and molecular profiling to identify brain region-specific changes and potential biomarkers. His contributions to the field are evidenced by several publications and citations in reputable, peer-reviewed Q1 and Q2 journals. He has earned competitive funding, including the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) and the Tun Ahmad Sarji Research Endowment Grant (TASREF) to pursue his research interests. Beyond publication, Dr. Aizat is an active member of the Malaysian Society of Neurosciences and regularly engages with the global scientific community. This includes serving as an Invited International Keynote Speaker and Webinar Speaker on the neurobiology of learning and memory, and acting as a scientific judge and external reviewer for international conferences and academic institutions. Professional Experience Currently, Dr. Aizat serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya (since August 2025). His professional career includes significant academic leadership, previously holding roles as a Senior Lecturer and Head of Programme at University College MAIWP (UCMI), and as a Lecturer and Head of Department at Mahsa University. He has also successfully completed a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Malaya and contributed to vital public health initiatives, including coordinated research on nicotine addiction; breast and colorectal cancers; AIDS among fishermen in northern Malaysia; and investigating health status among coastal communities in Sabah. This highlights his commitment to applying his scientific knowledge to address societal needs and challenges.  

Dr. Sujaya Singh received her undergraduate medical training at Calicut University, Kerala, India. Subsequently she moved to Malaysia and worked in various hospitals under Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM) as House Officer and Medical Officer. After working for 5 years in KKM, she underwent Ophthalmology Specialist training at the University of Malaya. Subsequently she pursued sub specialization in Cornea and Anterior Segment at L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India and also the Malaysian cornea fellowship programme withexit Certification in December 2015. She worked as a Cornea specialist at Hospital Sungai Buloh and currently practising at University of Malaya. Her particular interests are in management of cornea and anterior segment diseases.