Dr. Muhamad Shakirin Mispan is currently a senior lecturer at the Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, teaching BSc courses including Ecology and Management of Weeds, Soil Ecology and Management, and Quantitative Ecology. He also teaches MSc courses including Applied Weed Science, Pest Management in Organic Crops, and Tropical Crop Management. He received a bachelor’s degree (BSc) in Ecology and Biodiversity in 2006 and a master’s degree (MSc) in Biology in 2010 from Universiti Malaya. He is a PhD holder in Biological Sciences from South Dakota State University, USA working on QTL mapping for weedy adaptive traits in rice; haplotype analysis for a major seed dormancy QTL region in rice; and seed longevity and photoperiod sensitivity in weedy rice. His current research focuses are mainly on the ecological genetics of weedy rice focusing on adaptation to various ecological systems, seedbank dynamics and longevity, environmental impact from various weed management, integration of sustainable agriculture for rice production, agroecology, and precision agriculture in rice farming.

Bibliography: Professor Dr Wan Haliza Abd. Majid (2021)   Dr Wan Haliza Abd. Majid graduated with Bachelor in Physics from University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, UK in 1988. Initially, she worked in the Physics department, University Malaya as a tutor from 1990-91 while she was completing her Master’s Degree. Upon completing her PhD in 1994 from the University of Sheffield (UK), she was attached to the Matriculation Centre (PASUM) from 1994-2000, University Malaya as a lecturer before transferring to the Physics Department in 2000. Currently, her research interest is related to pyroelectric and ferroelectric properties of organic materials, fabrication and device characterization of an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) and photo-sensing and signal processing of biomaterials, quantum dots, and their applications. She has participated in many seminars, workshops, conferences and community engagement projects related to the Physics education program. Her involvement in research led her to lead (Principle Investigator) various research grants since the year 2000 which include, Short Term Research Fund (PJP-UM), University Malaya Research Grant (UMRG), High Impact Research Grant (HIR-UM), Exploratory Research Grant Scheme (ERGS-MOHE), ScienceFund (MOSTI), Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS-MOHE) and Long Term Research Grant (LRGS-MOHE).  She has been invited as one of the panel reviewers/evaluators for various grants awarded by MOHE and MOSTI at the university and national level since 2012. Internationally, her involvement as one of the panel reviewers for the Slovak Research And Development Agency starts from the year 2016 until recently. Currently, she is the Head of Low Dimensional Materials Research Center (LDMRC) (since 2016), the Chief Editor of Malaysian Journal of Science (MJS) (since 2020), the Chairperson for MASS Chapter of University Malaya (since 2019) and Committee member for Institute of Physics (IFM) (since 2021). She was appointed as Deputy Dean of Research and Higher Degree at the Faculty of Science (2010-2014), Dean (2017-2019) and Deputy Dean (2016-2017) of Institute of Postgraduate Studies (IPS). She is committed to equipping graduates at the tertiary level with knowledge, technology and values that can be used to interact positively with society at large.

Dr. Sabzali Musa Kahn was born in Besut, Terengganu, Malaysia. He graduated with a degree in visual arts from Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang. He then pursued his Masters in Education from Universiti Putra Malaysia and he obtained his Doctorate (Ph.D) in Architecture Studies from Universiti Putra Malaysia. He started his career as a consultant in government and corporate sectors. He was one of the committee who founded Universiti Industri Selangor, Malaysia (UNISEL). In addition, he was appointed as the secretariat member to develop the master action plan for the Ministry of Unity and Development Community, Malaysia. His participation in various major exhibitions organized by universities, galleries, state and National Art Gallery has greatly enhanced his knowledge and experience as an artist. He is also involved with visual arts research, theatre and workshops in the aspect of creative teaching for the pre-school children, people with disabilities and in curriculum development of visual art studies at the university level. He has won several competitions in art and design. Some of the awards obtained were Main Incentive gift from Art Media exhibition 2006, Special Award Art Media VIII,2009 and Special award Art Media IX,2010. He is the gold medalist for Innovation and Creativity EXPO 2010, University of Malaya, Malaysia. In 2015, he won the national gold medal at Innovation and Invention Competition Through Exhibition (iCompEx) and Cahaya Kasih President’s Award from Maybank, Malaysia. His research on the use of new materials and techniques in visual art production has won him Excellence University of Malaya Award for 2015 under the Arts and Creativity Category. He held position as the head jury for batik art drawing category at the international level which was organized by Rehabilitation Council Malaysia (MCR). He represented Malaysia for visual art category and was the first Malaysian selected to be head jury in the 8th International Abilympic 2011 at Seoul,Korea. His ongoing effort and contribution has brought gold medal to Malaysia in the International Abilympic 2011. This has been a great achievement for the country at the international level to have won a gold medal for the last 32 years. Dr. Sabzali active participation in the social work at local and international level has made great impact to the society. Creativity activities and education based on visual art are incorporated into his social works. He was the Visual Art Coordinator and Deputy Director (undergraduate) at the Cultural Centre, University Malaya. Currently, he is the Dean at Academy of Malay Studies, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.