Dr. Chiu Chee Kidd is an Associate Professor in University of Malaya and a Consultant Spine Surgeon in University Malaya Specialist Centre. He specializes in spinal surgery for patients with disorders of the thoracic and lumbar spine with focus on degenerative, deformity and traumatic pathologies. Dr. Chiu is an active member of numerous professional spine societies such as the Malaysian Spine Society (MSS), Asia Pacific Spine Society (APSS), AOSpine and Scoliosis Research Society (SRS). Dr. Chiu’s expertise was grounded on his research on spinal disorders and had published his researches in both local and international journals. His master’s degree thesis won the “Singapore Medical Journal Best Published Article of the Year”. His researches also won several awards in local and international conferences. Amongst them were the International Minimal Invasive Surgery Spine Congress Best Oral Paper Presentation Award, 4th International MSS Scientific Congress Best Research Award, Bioeconomy Innovation Award, PECIPTA 2017 Gold Award, Asia Pacific Spine Society & Asian Spine Journal Best Clinical Research Award, 47th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Spine Surgery and Related Research English Presentation Award, 1st Annual Meeting of the Singapore Spine Society First Prize Award, Malaysian Spine Society Presidential Best Research Award, 48th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Spine Surgery and Related Research Gold Prize English Presentation Award and Korean Society of Spine Surgery Best Paper Award. Dr. Chiu is a peer reviewer for several local and international journals such as Scientific Reports, PLoS ONE, BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica, Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal, Journal of Orthoapedic Surgery, Asian Spine Journal, Journal of Investigative Surgery, Clinical Interventions in Aging, Current Medical Research & Opinion and Medical Devices Evidence and Research. He had been awarded as the “top ten reviewer” by Journal of Orthoapedic Surgery.

Acquainting with technical and teoritical knowldege together with skills in the molecular functionalization and composite system of areas in natural (polysaccharide) and synthetic (polyolefin) derived of polymers. The previous research projects was concerned on physical and chemical modifications of polymers with the main objective to enchane its parent properties on mechanical, thermal, solubility, degradability, selectivity and  adsorption ability. The interfacial, rigidity and homogeneity of the modified polymer is the major considerations in order to meet the potential application as the membrane separation of organic pollutants. The outcomes of this projects is knowledge and methodology on molecular modification of chitosan (as a model of polymer) through cross-linking process as a reinforcement agents to increase the said properties of polymer composites. 14 numbers of ISI journals including one review paper has been managed to be published through out the research project. Currently,  looking for the new research opportunities to functionalize the nano based materials (metal oxide based, carbon based, metal etc) with polymer materials in order to increase the functionality, dispersion ability, homogeneity and resistancy of the nano materials. Initiated with research project on band gap re-engineering approach of nano-particle TiO2 with various organic dopants (carbon, nitrogen, sulfur) and chitosan as a support for photoctalyst system on the application of organic pollutants degradation. It is expected that, modified nano-particle TiO2 could be utilize satisfactory in both ultra-violet and visible light, seperatible effectively from the suspension of pollutant mixture, highly selectivity, and re-cycleable. The polymer fucntionalize nano-particle project is then continue to the second project; with nano-particle Fe3O4 coated with polycarboxylic, polyamine and polyol based. The main objective of the project is to modulate the composition, size and magnetic properties of nano-particle Fe3O4 as a metal detectable agent for the nitrile glove formulation. While, the third current project is focused on the thermal and magnetitie properties of nano-particle Fe3O4/Au as a anti-cancer agent. Nano-coated Fe3O4/Au with chitosan and ethylene cellulose for colon drug delivery system is expected to minimize the limitations on premature drug release, poor translation of biorecognition propertyand inffective colon targetting.

Currently serving as the Head of the Department of Parasitology at the Universiti Malaya (UM), Professor Dr. Lau Yee Ling has an impressive academic background. In 2008, while awaiting her PhD viva, she began her academic career as a lecturer at Monash University Sunway Campus. During her tenure at Monash University, she received two Monash University Research Grants, which allowed her to pursue her research in the field of molecular parasitology. In 2009, she returned to her alma mater, the University of Malaya, as a Senior Lecturer. Her dedication and contributions led to her receiving tenure in 2010, followed by promotions to Associate Professor in 2013 and Professor in 2019. She was appointed a fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia in 2019. Professor Lau's scientific pursuits have primarily revolved around the comprehensive investigation of Plasmodium knowlesi, a zoonotic parasite known for its significant role in the development and transmission of malaria. Her research focuses on utilizing advanced molecular techniques to identify, detect, and characterize these parasites in both human and animal hosts. By employing state-of-the-art molecular methods, Professor Lau aims to advance our understanding of Plasmodium knowlesi and its interactions with its hosts, ultimately contributing to the development of effective control and prevention strategies. Throughout her career, Professor Lau has collaborated with local and international researchers, resulting in the publication of over 240 ISI journals. Her published work has accumulated a total WoS citation index of 4861 and an H-index of 35. Her exceptional research achievements have also enabled her to secure various international and local research grants, including the NIH R01, Wellcome Trust, Hubert Curien Partnership-Hibiscus (PHC-Hibiscus), ASEAN-India Collaborative R&D scheme, GCRF Global Impact Acceleration Account (GIAA) Impact Fund, Wellcome Trust, High Impact Research Grant, University of Malaya Research Grant, FRGS, E-science, LRGS, among others. The cumulative research funding she has obtained exceeds RM6 million. Additionally, she has obtained multiple intellectual property rights for her work on the rapid molecular diagnosis of dengue, malaria, and COVID-19. Professor Lau's commitment to mentoring and guiding students is evident through the successful completion of 13 master's and 20 PhD students' studies since 2009. Currently, she supervises 2 master's and 11 PhD students, further contributing to the education and development of future researchers in the field of parasitology. With her extensive background in grant management, she has held various administrative roles, such as Head of the Grant Management Unit in the Health and Translational Medicine Cluster and Faculty of Medicine. Additionally, she has served as a committee member for evaluating applications for FRGS, LRGR, and TRGS at both national and international levels. In 2017, she established the Science Café, which has become the primary platform for research communication between clinicians and scientists at the Faculty of Medicine. She has also been involved in multiple committees, including the University of Malaya Institutional Biosafety and Biosecurity Committee (IBBC), Animal Experimental Unit, Faculty of Medicine Risk and Quality Management, and has served as an internal auditor for the Faculty of Medicine. Currently, she holds the position of editor-in-chief for the Journal of Health and Translational Medicine (JUMMEC) at the University of Malaya, as well as editor for the Asia Pacific Journal of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology and associate editor for BMC Infectious Diseases. Her contributions to the scientific field have led her to become a regular reviewer for prestigious international journals, such as Nature Scientific Reports, Lancet, PLOS One, Parasites & Vectors, Malaria Journal, International Journal of Tropical Disease & Health, and others. Due to her extensive experience and reputation in the field of molecular parasitology, Professor Lau is highly sought after as a speaker and consultant both locally and internationally. She has actively participated in professional societies, such as the Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (MSPTM), where she served as a council member in 2018-2019, and the Malaysian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (MSBMB), where she held the position of Honorary Secretary in 2017-2019 and the President in 2019-2023. Professor Lau's passion for research is equaled by her dedication to teaching and education. In her classes, she not only ensures that her lectures are easy to understand but also strives to engage students by incorporating recent articles and real-life scenarios to demonstrate the practical relevance of the subject matter. Due to her enthusiasm for education, she volunteered to be the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Phase II coordinator in 2011 and later became the PBL main coordinator in 2018. Recently, she has been actively involved in organizing PBL training workshops for the UMMP program. Professor Lau has received several prestigious awards, including the MSMBB Best Scientist Award 2023, MTSF's Science & Technology Award for Year 2020, the University of Malaya Excellent Service Award three times in 2011, 2013, and 2015, and the MSPTM Nadchadtram Medal in 2014. She has also been recognized multiple times internationally and nationally for her innovative research, including winning the Grand Prize in the National Exclusive Innovation Challenge Award 2018 and Korea Creative Invention Contest 2018.