Dr Tan Boon Chin is an Associate Professor holding the position of Deputy Director at the Centre for Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture (CEBAR) at the University of Malaya (UM). He completed his BSc in Biotechnology at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and a PhD in Plant Biotechnology at the University of Nottingham. Dr Tan was employed by UM as a postdoctoral research fellow before taking up the senior lecturer role. Dr Tan's interests span the fields of plant molecular biology and biochemistry. His current research aims to combine omics and molecular approaches to understanding the regulatory mechanism of transcription factors in environmental-stressed crops, hoping to find ways to improve crop tolerance for near-future climates. These include (1) developing a product in the form of biostimulants to mitigate climate stress for these crops, (2) developing appropriate educational programmes for farmers to promote sustainable agriculture, and (3) making recommendations to policymakers. Dr Tan's research interests also encompass genetically manipulating biosynthetic pathways in plants to produce beneficial bioactive compounds. Additionally, he explores the potential of using plants as an alternative platform for producing high-value recombinant pharmaceutical proteins. He received several awards, including the Royal Society-Newton Advanced Fellowship (2017), the Travel Award for the Asia Pacific Biosafety Association Conference from the United States Department of State Biosecurity Engagement Program (2017), and the Alltech Young Scientist Award 2012/13. Dr Tan is currently the Lead Consultant for the National Biosafety Policy project. He is also an Associate Editor of the Journal of Plant Growth Regulation (JPGR) and an Editorial Board Member of BMC Plant Biology, Heliyon, Molecular Biotechnology (MOBI), Asia Pacific Journal of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (APJMBB), Discover Food, Discover Plants, and the Journal of Agribusiness Marketing (JAMA). Dr Tan is also the President of the Malaysian Society for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (MSMBB), an Honorary Secretary of the Asia Oceania Agricultural Proteomics Organization (AOAPO), a council member of the Malaysian Proteomics Society (MAPS), Malaysian Society of Plant Physiology (MSPP), and Malaysian Society of Systems and Synthetic Biology (MyBioSS), and an eLife Community Ambassador.  His research group is committed to dedicating their expertise and ideas to catalyse efforts toward achieving the second Sustainable Development Goal (SDG2). See the interview: https://www.springernature.com/gp/researchers/the-source/blog/blogposts-communicating-research/enhan...

Associate Professor Dr. Selamat Amir was born in the small village town Kg. Pangkalan Kunak , Sabah. His early studies began at SK Pekan Kunak and al-Madrasah al-Thanawiyyah al-Diniyyah al-Islamiyyah Kunak (SMUIK). He was then was offered to pursue foundation study at the Islamic Studies Foundation level of the University of Malaya, Nilam Puri Kelantan. then completed his studies at the Bachelor's Degree level in Usuluddin (Major in al-Quran and al-Hadith) with distinction. At the same time, he was also involved in Advanced Arabic Language Courses at Qatar University. He received a scholarship offer and sponsorship to continue his studies directly to the level of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the field of 'Tafsir and Quranic Studies'.  Until now, his areas of expertise have included Quranic and Tafsir Studies, Quranic Exegesis, Methodology of Quranic Exegesis, Usul Tafsir, Al-Qur'an and Science, Quranic Philosophy, I'jaz Al-Quran, Al-Quran and ICT . His expertise and experience are further highlighted by his active involvement in the field of research and academic writing when he has published 14 books, 21 book chapters, 30 journal articles, 12 proceedings papers, 170 other publications (including mass media publications) and presented research at 27 international conferences. (about 243 publications in total by August 2023). All of these writings cover areas of Quranic and Tafsir Studies, Quranic Exegesis, Methodology of Quranic Exegesis, Usul Tafsir, Al-Qur'an and Science, Quranic Philosophy, I'jaz Al-Quran, Al-Quran and ICT. In fact, he also supervises postgraduate candidates in and outside the country at the master's and doctoral levels. In addition, he also received research grants from various funding including government agencies, universities, non- governmental organizations, industries and faculty grants with a cumulative grant amount totaling with totals around RM 2,350,000.00 (RM 2.3 million, until Oktober 2024) As a result of his active involvement in research and experience in the field of Tafsir and Quranic Studies, he has been appointed as an expert panel referring to the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) and the Malaysian National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI) for the review of Al-Quran interpretation and translation as well as current issues related to the study of al-Quran interpretation in Malaysia. he also was appointed as an expert panel to the Sabah State Department of Islamic Religious Affairs (JHEAINS) and Sabah Islamic Religious Council (MUIS). His expertise is also needed in the context of the national mass media when he is also invited to give his views on the National TV channel, Selamat Pagi Malaysia, TV1 RTM and Apa Khabar Malaysia, Bernama TV as well as Berita Harian and Utusan Malaysia newspaper columns. In addition, he was also invited to collaborate with the Publication Planning Division, Department of Broadcasting Malaysia, RTM for the publication of 165 articles (Jan 2022 - August 2023) for Radio Klasik RTM. His expertise and contribution were also recognized by receiving several awards in research and being invited as a speaker and panel expert at national and international level. In addition, Dr. Selamat also shared his experience and research abroad such as at Qatar University, France Sorbonne University, London Oxford University Islamic Studies Research Centre, Jordan University WISE, Saudi Arabia's Madinah Islamic University and Istanbul University, Turkey, also Universitas Darussalam Gontor Indonesia. He currently serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Al-Quran and Al-Hadith, Academy of Islamic Studies, Universiti Malaya Kuala Lumpur and is a Fellow at the Centre of Quranic Research, University of Malaya (CQR).

AP Dr. Wey Mang Chek graduated with Bachelor of Dental Surgery (University of Malaya, 1991) to serve in 3 different private clinics in the urban and suburban areas for 6 years. Following an Oral Maxillofacial Residency at University of Malaya, she obtained Fellowship in Dental Surgery (Royal College of Surgeons of England, 1998), and after practising in the private, taught at University of Malaya in Jan 2000, and continued postgraduate training in Orthodontics at University of Hong Kong (2003) and obtained Master of Orthodontics, MOrth (Hong Kong) in 2005, then Membership in Orthodontics from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (2006). She was subsequently awarded the Fellowship in Dental Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (2015). She started as Senior Lecturer in 2007 and then Associate Professor in 2017 and until now have taught the Bachelor of Dental Surgery undergraduate program and the Master of Orthodontics postgraduate program full time for 21 years. Having supervised 6 postgraduate and 12 undergraduate research projects to completion, with 2 on-going postgraduate research projects, she has a wide scope of research interest including growth modification with functional appliances, dentofacial deformities, orthodontic treatment need, teeth erosion, temporary anchorage devices, oral health of special groups, facial morphology, self-ligating orthodontic appliances, micro-osteoperforation in accelerating orthodontic tooth movement, sleep apnea, dental education, stem cell research and Class III management Her recognition in research include receiving numerous awards including the Unilever Award In Hong Kong (2006), College Of Dental Surgeons Of Hong Kong Outstanding Poster Award (2007), Overall Winner for Dentsply Table Clinic International Association For Dental Research Malaysia Division and Runner-up Oral Presentation Winner (2008), Best Poster Presentation at the 36th Asia Pacific Dental Students Association Congress (2009), First Prize Poster Presentation at the 3rd National Dental Students Scientific Conference, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (2011), 2nd Runner-up Poster Competition at the 38th Asia Pacific Dental Students Association Congress, Bangkok, Thailand (2011), ICID 2015 Second Prize Oral Presentation (2015), 1st Winner Research Oral Presentation at the 10th Asia Pacific Orthodontic Conference & 11th Indonesian Association Of Orthodontists Annual Meeting (2016), 3rd Prize Award (Poster), Consolation Prize Award Overall Category at the 17th Dental Students' Scientific Conference 2016, Faculty Of Dentistry, University Of Malaya, Oral Presentation Competition Winner at the Malaysian Association of Orthodontists’ International Scientific Conference and Trade Exhibition (2019) and top 10% Researcher of Faculty of Dentistry 2020. She currently has 18 publications, 16 ISI-indexed. She is a reviewer for 4 international ISI journals and 3 national journals. She has been invited as external examiner for Royal Colleges of England and Glasgow, Master and PhD postgraduate programs at University of Malaya and UiTM and judge for poster and oral competitions at conferences. She has held the post of Chairperson of the Scientific Reviewers’ Panel for Asia Pacific Orthodontic Conference in 2014. She was part of the UMRG grant panel review.