After graduating from Western Michigan University, I was given the opportunity to serve in various industries. I started my career as Personnel Assistant in the hotel industry in 1998. Then, I pursued a similar career as Human Resources Executive in the manufacturing and insurance industries in 2000 and 2001, respectively. I ended my career in human resources after leaving the insurance industry in 2003 and continued my studies in Diploma in Education (TESL)(Kursus Perguruan Lepasan Ijazah /Ministry of Education) at the International Languages Teacher Training Institute (IPBA) in 2004. In 2005, I began my career in teaching at two government polytechnics in Kota Kinabalu and Port Dickson prior to my transfer of service to Universiti Malaya as Language Teacher DG41 in 2007. Presently, I hold the post as Language Lecturer DG48 in the English Language Department, Faculty of Languages & Linguistics.

Finding patterns of variation in biology fascinating, I chose to study genetics and molecular biology in Universiti Malaya, graduating in 2002 with first class honours. Subsequently, I turned to the roots of the study of patterns of variation - statistics, receiving my MSc in statistics from Universiti Malaya in 2005. I completed my PhD in statistics at the National University of Singapore in 2009. Since 2010, I have been with Universiti Malaya. Currently, I am an associate professor at the Institute of Mathematical Sciences, and a fellow of the Royal Statistical Society, UK. My research interest broadly covers the area of data science, machine learning, bioinformatics, ecology, and medical statistics. Since 2010, I have worked in over 20 projects as the principal consultant statistician, and conducted numerous workshops on statistics, bioinformatics, and R programming. Presently, I head the UM Centre for Data Analytics, which focuses on establishing collaborative research and engagement between the industry and the academia in Malaysia. I enjoy reading, travelling, nature walks, and more recently, engaging fellow scientists in Twitter space.

Hasmahzaiti Omar has served as an Associate Professor at the Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya since January 2014. She earned her PhD in Animal Conservation in 2013, following the completion of her BSc and MSc in Biological Conservation. Her research primarily focuses on the systematics and molecular evolution of Southeast Asian mammals, with a particular emphasis on small mammals. She has a keen interest in various aspects of animal studies, including systematics, taxonomy, biogeography, conservation, zoonotic diseases, pest control and management, genetics, ecology, and multidisciplinary research involving interactions between small terrestrial mammals and larger mammals. Hasmahzaiti actively collaborates with industries, the Wildlife Department of Malaysia, and the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. She also maintains strong networks with international universities, research centers, and museums. She is a Committee Member of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) program, a member of the Laboratory Animal Science Association of Malaysia (LASAM), and a Committee Member of the Universiti Malaya Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (UM IACUC). She currently serves as the Coordinator of the Museum of Zoology at Universiti Malaya.