Professor Dr THONG Meow Keong studied medicine and trained in Paediatrics at the University of Malaya. He received genetics training in Singapore and was a Fellow in Clinical Genetics at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide and as a Senior Fellow at the renowned Murdoch Childrens Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia. He was recognized as the first board-certified clinical geneticist in Malaysia and helped established Clinical Genetics as a subspecialty in the National Specialist Register Malaysia. He established the first Genetics clinic with genetic counselling service at the University Hospital Kuala Lumpur in 1995 and headed the Genetics & Metabolism Unit at the Department of Paediatrics. He received a Doctorate in Medicine from University of Malaya in 2004, for research on the molecular genetics of beta thalassaemia and discovering the molecular basis of beta thalassaemia in the Kadazandusuns in Sabah.   Professor Thong was a Fulbright scholar at the Center for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, USA and a past recipient of the 8th Royal College of Physicians of London and Academy of Medicine of Malaysia Annual Research Award, Australia-Malaysia Fellowship in Research Excellence, the Travel Award by the Asian Society for Pediatric Research Japan, University of Malaya Distinguished Service awards. He also won three gold medals in ITEX and Biotechnology Asia invention and innovation competitions. In 2019, he received the Minister of Education of Malaysia Award for Curriculum Design and Innovation as well as University of Malaya's Excellence Award for 'Distinguished Research in Science'. He was also the recipient for the prestigious American Society of Human Genetics Advocacy Award 2022. Professor Thong has published over 110 peer-reviewed publications on research work done on genetic disorders that hitherto have not been well documented in the various Asian subpopulations. He co-authored 8 books, including Handbook of Hospital Paediatrics (2nd edition), Problem-based Learning in Medical Sciences and Rare Journeys of Love and 15 book chapters, including a chapter in the prestigious Oxford monograph Genomics and Health in the Developing World and presented in many national and international conferences, including 180 proceedings and 6 keynote lectures. He worked closely with the Ministry of Health Malaysia in developing the counselling module for thalassaemia and other clinical practice guidelines. He collaborated with the World Health Organization and March of Dimes in preparing a document on management of birth defects and haemoglobinopathies as well as rare diseases. He was the lead author for two policy papers on 'Rare Diseases in Malaysia' written in conjunction with the Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) He was the past President of the Asia-Pacific Society of Human Genetics, founding Vice President of the Medical Genetics Society of Malaysia, Chairman of the Clinical Genetics sub-speciality committee of the National Specialist Register Malaysia, appointed member of the Education committee member in Paediatrics by the Malaysian Medical Council and President of the College of Paediatrics, Academy of Medicine of Malaysia. He was the Head, Department of Paediatrics, University of Malaya from 2009 – 2011 with the notable achievement of overseeing the successful transition of the Department of Paediatrics to the new Women’s and Children’s Health Complex of UMMC. He was also appointed as the founding Head, Genetic Medicine unit of the University Malaya Medial Centre. He was elected as a Fellow of Academy of Medicine of Malaysia, Academy of Medicine Singapore and Academy of Sciences Malaysia. He was elected a steering committee member of the Global Genomic Medicine Collaborative (G2MC) in 2022. Professor Thong is also a reviewer for international journal manuscripts, research grant applications as well as an examiner for national and international medical examinations in Sydney, Melbourne, Dhaka and Hong Kong. He co-authored the new Malaysian Paediatrics postgraduate curriculum in conjunction with the National Postgradaute Medical Curriculum Writing project. He organized the 10th Asia-Pacific Conference on Human Genetics and is the founding National Advisor to the Malaysian Rare Disorders Society since 2004 and a Trustee of the Rare Disease Alliance Foundation of Malaysia. He helped established the Genetic Counselling Society of Malaysia. He organised the first UM-Chinese University of Hong Kong Certificate Course in Clinical Genetics and Genomics at the University of Malaya. His current interests include delineation of rare disorders, preventive and curative strategies for genetic disorders, genetic counselling, inborn errors of metabolism. medical education and access to genetics and genomics services in developing countries. He is involved in gene therapy for patients and  other clinical trials for genetic diseases. He has obtained over 20 research grants and has international collaborations with renowned centres in Australia, Saudi Arabia, USA, Japan and Hong Kong. 

Associate Professor Dr. Chen Yeng is an expert in cancer biomarker discovery, biosensor development, and natural therapeutics, with a multidisciplinary approach that bridges nanotechnology, molecular biology, and biomedicine. Her expertise is particularly evident in her work on innovative diagnostic technologies and personalized therapeutic solutions, targeting both cancer and infectious diseases. Her research interests span several cutting-edge areas. One of her primary focuses is the identification and characterization of cancer biomarkers, particularly through novel approaches targeting at immunogenic host proteins. This line of research explores how immunogenic proteins’ interventions might modulate cancer risk, representing an innovative intersection of microbiology, proteomics, and oncology. Dr. Chen is also deeply engaged in developing advanced diagnostic tools, including nanobiosensors with enhanced sensitivity and specificity. These devices, designed to detect critical biomarkers such as those associated with tuberculosis, blood clotting disorders, and oral cancer, are transformative for early disease detection. Her work in biosensors, utilizing materials like gold nanoparticles and zinc oxide nanolayers, has set new standards in diagnostic accuracy and reliability. Another cornerstone of her research is the study of natural plant extracts for therapeutic applications, particularly in cancer treatment. She investigates the biochemical and pharmacological properties of these extracts, focusing on their mechanisms of action, such as inducing apoptosis, causing cell cycle arrest, and promoting mitochondrial dysfunction in cancer cells. Her exploration of natural products' roles in modulating microRNAs further highlights her innovative approach to cancer research. Dr. Chen’s expertise also extends to the antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and genoprotective properties of herbal compounds, offering potential preventive and therapeutic solutions for chronic diseases. These studies underline her commitment to sustainable and natural approaches in healthcare. Her contributions to genomics and proteomics, particularly in large-scale screening for biological markers, further demonstrate her role as a leader in translating complex biological data into meaningful clinical applications. By combining her deep understanding of molecular biology with a focus on real-world impact, Dr. Chen has established herself as a pioneer in her field. Dr. Chen’s academic influence is demonstrated by her impressive h-index of 28 (ResearchID) and 39 (Scopus), with over 4,500 citations to her name. Her extensive publication record spans high-impact journals, contributing significantly to advancements in dentistry, oncology, and biomedical engineering. She is recognized as a top scientist in Malaysia, ranking among the leading figures in dentistry according to the AD Scientific Index.As a respected peer reviewer for prestigious journals, including Coordination Chemistry Reviews, Periodontal 2000, Biosensors and Bioelectronics, and Cancer Letters, Dr. Chen plays a critical role in maintaining the quality of research within her fields of expertise. Her contributions extend to academic leadership, where she had supervised and graduated over 20 postgraduate students, including 12 PhD candidates, nurturing the next generation of scientific leaders.Her leadership in dental education accreditation has further solidified her impact on academic excellence. She has played pivotal roles in the reaccreditation of dental programs at the University of Malaya and other institutions, ensuring that these programs meet global standards.Through her commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, Dr. Chen has partnered with industry leaders to translate research findings into practical healthcare solutions, such as rapid diagnostic tools and personalized treatments. These collaborations exemplify her ability to bridge scientific discovery with real-world applications.In summary, Dr. Chen’s expertise and research interests reflect a holistic approach to biomedical science, integrating cutting-edge technologies with sustainable practices. Her work not only pushes the boundaries of knowledge in cancer research and diagnostics but also has the potential to transform patient care and public health globally.  

Mashitah Hamidi is an Associate Professor of Migration Studies at the Department of Social Administration and Justice, Universiti Malaya. Her research interest is focusing on migration and displacement groups. She is currently a Head of Department of Social Administration and Justice and Deputy Head of Population and Migration Research Center, Universiti Malaya. She obtained her Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Human Development and Masters in Human Resource Development (MHRD) from Universiti Putra Malaysia. She pursued her PhD in Sociology at La Trobe University, Australia. Her areas of research include development studies, social integration, advocacy and social services systems of transnational labor and gendered migration, stateless and refugee groups. She handled numerous research include Indonesian Women Migrants in Malaysia, Stateless Children in Kuala Lumpur, Rohingya refugee community. She is a permanent committee member of ATIPSOM for the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF). Mashitah is involved as a Consultant team at National level projects such as Malaysian Social Workers Knowledge and Practice (2018), Inclusive Campus Framework for Disable Students – MyU-OKU (2019) and Sarawak Well-Being Index (2019-2020). She delivered a Keynote speech at the 1st World Conference on Gender Studies (WCGS) 2019 and was appointed as a Visiting Professor at the Sociology Education Department, Faculty of Social Science Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia in 2022.