ASSOCIATE PROF. DR. JAMILAH SYAFAWATI BT YAACOB

Dr. Jamilah Syafawati Yaacob completed her B.Sc (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Biotechnology) from University of Melbourne, Australia in 2007, and her M.Sc (Crop Biotechnology) from University of Nottingham (Malaysia campus) in 2009. She received her PhD in Biotechnology from University of Malaya in 2013 and was one of the recipients of the University of Malaya Excellence Awards in 2014 for completing her PhD in less than 4 years. In 2010, during her PhD candidature, she had also won a Gold Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Biosciences & Biotechnology during University of Malaya Innovation and Creativity Expo. After successfully completing her PhD, she then joined the Institute of Biological Sciences at the Faculty of Science, University of Malaya as a Senior Lecturer. Since then, she has taught and coordinated various undergraduate courses such as Biology of Organisms, Genetic Engineering in Animals and Plants, Cell and Tissue Culture and Higher Plant Physiology. At the postgraduate level, she has also helped in teaching Research Methodology, a compulsory course upon entry into postgraduate studies at the department. Since her employment as an Academic, she has served the department and University in various administrative duties, such as the programme coordinator for Bachelor of Science with Education (ISB), BSc in Biotechnology, academic advisor, final year project coordinator and many more. Her current research interest is on manipulation of plant tissue culture system for biotechnological applications, with special emphasis on stress-induced plant secondary metabolites and proteins for medicinal applications and sustainable production of functional food colorants. Her present research works include projects on understanding and manipulating plant’s response towards abiotic stress for over-expression of valuable bioactive compounds, such as in Azadirachta indica (neem). The regulation of proteins involved in the biosynthesis of these bioactive compounds or secondary metabolites are analyzed through proteomics-based approach, to allow for a better understanding of the biosynthesis pathways that has been affected. In addition to that, she is also working on the epigenetics aspect of plant phenotypic plasticity, to understand the epigenetic regulation (with focus on histone modification) in DNA repair and somaclonal variation. In recognition of her work and scientific achievements, she has won several awards such as a Gold Medal at International Invention, Innovation & Technology Exhibition (ITEX) in 2013 and a Bronze Medal at Bioinnovation Awards/BioMalaysia & Bioeconomy Asia Pacific 2013. Other than that, she is also actively participating in the scientific community and the public by taking on various roles as a judge or jury in scientific competitions and innovation programs at national and secondary school levels. These include her role as a judge for Malaysian Agricultural Invention Show (MAgIS) competition organized by Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry in 2016, and judge for science videos and scientific poem recitation competitions organized by Ministry of Education in 2017-2018, among others. Professionally, she was also one of the representatives in the working group for pineapple planting material for preparation of Malaysian Standard (organized by SIRIM Malaysia) in 2018. Outside of work and research, she also loves to join various events that promote sustainability and green environment.

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DR. AHMAD ZAHIRUDDIN BIN MOHD ZABIDI

DR. AHMAD ZAHIRUDDIN MOHD ZABIDI is a Senior Lecturer in the Malay Studies Programme, Academy of Malay Studies, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Before starting service at APM UM, he first served as a lecturer at IIUM Pagoh branch, Johor, and worked as a part-time e-tutor for core subjects such as Tamadun Islam Tamadun Asia (TITAS), Falsafah dan Isu Semasa (FIS) at Open University Malaysia since January 2022. He received his Bachelor of Hons. Public Management from Universiti Utara Malaysia, Sintok, Kedah in 2012, MA of Art Malay Studies from Academy of Malay Studies, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur in 2020, and Ph.D. of Islamic Civilization from Institut Islam Hadhari, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor in 2023 with a thesis entitled, "Pendekatan Dakwah Melalui Penulisan Kisah Nabi dan Rasul Menurut Teks Suntingan Hamdan Hassan Berjudul Surat al-Anbiya' (1990)" (Approach of Da'wah Through Writing The Stories of Prophets and Messengers According to Hamdan Hassan's Editing Text Title Surat al-Anbiya' (1990)). His expertise is Malay Socio-Religous Thought, Malay-Islamic Civilization, and the Methodology of Da'wah Writing. Among his academic books are Pemikiran Satira dalam Penulisan Dakwah (Satire Thought in Da'wah Writing) (Kota Bharu: University Malaysia Kelantan Press, 2022), Pengantar Falsafah & Isu Semasa (Introduction to The Philosophy and Current Issues) (Tanjung Malim: Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris Press, 2022) and a chapter in an edited book entitled Ketokohan dan Sumbangan Pemikir Islam Alam Melayu (Prominence and Contribution of Malay Islamic Thinkers) (Kuala Lumpur: University Malaya Press, 2022). His articles have also been published in several journals such as journal Al-Hikmah, BITARA International Journal of Civilizational Studies and Human Sciences, Jurnal Melayu Sedunia, UFUQ International Journal of Arts and Social Science Research, and Al-Irsyad: Journal of Islamic and Contemporary Issues. Before assuming the role of a lecturer and academician at the University of Malaya, he had over 15 years of extensive involvement in the publishing industry. During this period, he served as a managing editor and acquisition editor at PTS Publishing House, Institut Terjemahan Buku Malaysia (ITBM), Karangkraf Media Group, and IIUM Press. Additionally, he remained actively engaged in writing and publishing creative and semi-academic works through various popular and private publications, including print and online mass media. As a managing and acquisition editor and writer, he managed the publication of over 100 books across various genres, including academic works, authored more than 30 books spanning diverse genres, and contributed hundreds of articles and essays to newspapers, magazines, and online portals. In addition, he was actively invited as a speaker for book writing workshops. He delivered lectures in universities, mosques, and government/private office premises related to his field of studies, which focuses on socio-religious thought in Malay society, the Malay world, and Malay history.

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DR. ZULAZHAR BIN TAHIR

Zulazhar Bin Tahir is a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Malaya after he ceased his legal practice at Messrs Hamid Sultan & Rakan-Rakan in 2000. Currently, Dr. Zulazhar teaches courses on the Malaysian Legal System, Criminal Procedure, and Criminal Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Malaya. His research interests include criminal law, the Malaysian legal system, child law, welfare law, and elderly law. He has authored and co-edited numerous books and publications within these areas of expertise.

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