Lecturer in Restorative Dentistry at the University of Malaya with 9 years of clinical experience. Completed Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) and Master of Clinical Dentistry (MClindent) in Restorative Dentistry from Universiti Malaya. Key academic and research interests include dental materials, digital dentistry, and operative dentistry. Actively involved in research and academic presentations, with several awards received for oral and poster presentations at national and international conferences. Currently serving as Secretary for the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Malaysian Section (2024–2026), contributing to the advancement of dental research and professional collaboration.

Dr. Chui Pin Leaw is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences (IOES), University of Malaya. Her research pertains to marine protistology and phycology, focusing on the studies of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). Her research spans ecology, taxonomy, molecular systematics, evolution, and the genetics and toxigenesis of harmful toxic microalgae. She commenced her academic career at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) in September 2008 as a senior lecturer DS51 in the Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, and a Research Fellow at the Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation (IBEC). She obtained her First Class BSc. (H), in Marine Science from the National University of Malaysia (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) and subsequently earned her MSc. and Ph.D. in Marine Science from the same institution. She is affiliated with professional organizations pertinent to her field of study, including the International Society for the Study of Harmful Algae (ISSHA), the Phycological Society of America (PSA), and the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). She is actively engaged in editorial responsibilities, having been appointed as a reviewer for high-impact factor journals (BMC Evolutionary Biology, PlosONE, Harmful Algae, Scientific Reports), and has served as a regional editor on the editorial board of Harmful Algae News. Throughout her academic tenure, she has mentored over 40 undergraduate students, six Ph.D. candidates and 16 MSc students who have completed their studies under her guidance. 

Dr. Abubakar Abubakar Usman is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of International and Strategic Studies at Universiti Malaya (UM), Malaysia, where he specializes in globalization, development, and the politics of Africa and the Middle East. With a multidisciplinary academic background spanning International Relations, Diplomacy, and Islamic Finance, Dr. Usman is a prolific scholar whose work bridges theory and policy. Academic LeadershipDr. Usman currently serves as a Guest Lecturer at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, teaching Politics and International Relations of the Middle East. He has also been invited as a Guest Speaker at institutions such as Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Nile University Nigeria, where he shared expertise on diplomacy, conflict resolution, and strategic studies. His teaching philosophy emphasizes critical thinking and real-world applicability, honed through roles as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and as an English instructor for Saudi Schools Kuala Lumpur. Research ContributionsA dedicated researcher, Dr. Usman has held prestigious fellowships, including as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at IIUM’s Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance (IIiBF), where he explored the intersection of Islamic finance and global development. As a Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Africa Studies Circle at the Asia Middle East Centre for Research and Dialogue (AMEC), he fosters cross-civilizational dialogue and evidence-based policy recommendations. His research has been published in high-impact journals such as South African Journal of International Affairs, Global Society, and Contemporary Islam, and he has contributed chapters to Routledge and Palgrave Macmillan volumes on Islamic finance, African diplomacy, and human rights. Dr. Usman actively engages in peer review for Web of Science-indexed journals, including Security Journal and SN Social Sciences, and is currently developing two book projects: The Political Economy of Africa-Asia Relations (Routledge) and Coups in 21st Century Africa (Palgrave Macmillan). His doctoral thesis on Boko Haram’s media strategies and master’s research on Islamic finance as a development tool reflect his commitment to addressing pressing global challenges. Policy and Public EngagementBeyond academia, Dr. Usman is a sought-after commentator on African geopolitics, contributing to platforms like Africa@LSE, Daily Trust, and The Conversation. His analyses on ECOWAS, military coups, and Nigeria’s foreign policy have shaped public discourse. He has also served as an interpreter and translator for Malaysian government agencies, leveraging fluency in English, Arabic, and Hausa. Education and Honors PhD in International Relations (Globalization & Development), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Master of Diplomacy and Strategic Studies (CGPA: 4.00), UKM Master of Political Science (CGPA: 3.83), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) BA in Arabic/Mass Communication, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria Professional Affiliations Member, International Studies Association (ISA) Associate Member, International Society for Development and Sustainability (ISDS) For a full list of publications and research projects, visit his Google Scholar or ORCID profiles. Contact:Email: abubakar.usman@um.edu.my | Phone: +60 162417993Address: Department of International and Strategic Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya