Originally trained as a synthetic polymer chemist specialising in living anionic polymerisation of methacrylates, Shameer went beyond that to tailoring azobenzene-functionalised molecules and studying their photoisomerisation dynamics. Now, he is working on incorporating these photoswitches in various matrices to make new and interesting smart materials. Occasionally he can be found experimenting with organic emitters and hiking in his leisure time to remain cool under fire.

Dr. Cindy Teh Shuan Ju is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine and a leading researcher in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Dr. Teh has secured substantial research funding of more than RM10 million and has authored over 130 peer-reviewed publications. She has received research grants awarded by Malaysian Government and International agencies as well as Industry partners. Dr. Cindy Teh adopts a multipronged approach in addressing the challenge of multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens. Her research integrates molecular microbiology to uncover the mechanisms underlying resistance, virulence, and transmission dynamics of hospital-acquired pathogens. In addition to investigating the pathogens themselves, she also examines the impact of antibiotics on patients’ microbiomes and studies the carriage of multidrug-resistant organisms among hospitalized patients. Recognising the importance of behavioural factors, Dr. Teh explores the psychosocial aspects influencing healthcare workers’ compliance with hand hygiene practices. Beyond the laboratory and clinical settings, Dr. Teh is also deeply committed to community outreach. She actively engages with schoolchildren through educational initiatives aimed at increasing awareness of AMR. These programmes are designed to empower the younger generation with knowledge, encouraging them to play a proactive role in combating AMR from an early age. Dedicated to bridging science and society, she authored “AMR Diary” to raise public awareness in 2023. Beyond her research contributions, Dr. Teh has been playing several key leadership roles. As Chairperson of the Institutional Biosafety and Biosecurity Committee (IBBC), she has significantly strengthened biosafety governance and oversees all university activities involving infectious agents and toxins. She was appointed as the Quality Manager of the Faculty of Medicine from 2018 to 2022, where she played a pivotal role in enhancing academic quality and institutional standards. She has also been actively involved as the panel assessor for the accreditation of programs in the University since 2022. Dr. Teh also serves as the Coordinator of the Infra Microbiology Unit, where she leads a dedicated team actively engaged by government agencies and industry partners. Under her leadership, the unit conducts microbiological studies and delivers customised training programmes aimed at capacity building and strengthening technical competencies across sectors. Professionally, Dr. Teh serves as an Academic Editor for PeerJ. She provides expert consultation to national agencies and industry on ISO 17025 compliance and biosafety systems. She has also contributed as one of the module writers for the national biosafety training programme under the Malaysia One Health University Network (MyOHUN), helping to strengthen the country’s biosafety training framework. Additionally, she plays an active role in national policy development as a member of the National Committee for the Implementation of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), supporting efforts to enhance biosafety and biosecurity governance at the national level. Dr. Teh’s contributions have been nationally and internationally recognised. She is a member of Young Scientists Network-academy of Sciences Malaysia (YSN-ASM) since 2018. She also received the prestigious L’Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Fellowship in 2021 and the MSIDC-Institut Mérieux Young Researcher Award in 2018. In addition, her innovative work has earned multiple medals at both national and international innovation exhibitions. To date, Dr. Teh has successfully supervised and graduated 8 PhD and 16 Master’s students, reflecting her strong commitment to postgraduate training and research mentorship.

Ahmad Najib bin Abdullah, dilahirkan pada 3 Mac 1966 di Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Mendapat pendidikan awal di Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Kubang Kerian ( 1973-1978). Beliau melanjutkan pengajian peringkat menengah di Ma’ahad Muhammadi Kota Bharu ( 1979-1985 ). Seterusnya beliau menyambung pengajian di Universiti Islam Madinah, Arab Saudi dan mendapat Ijazah Sarjana Muda Dakwah dan Usuluddin ( 1989 ), Sarjana Tafsir ( 1994), dan Ijazah Kedoktoran Ph.D Tafsir (1998 ). Sekembali ke tanahair, beliau berkhidmat di Ma’ahad Al-Dakwah Wa Al-Imamah sebelum diserap menjadi Kolej Islam Antarabangsa Sultan Ismail Petra ( KIAS ). Selain memegang jawatan pensyarah, beliau telah diberi kepercayaan menjadi Ketua Jabatan Dakwah dan Ketua Jabatan Usuluddin. Terakhir beliau dilantik menjawat jawatan Timbalan Ketua Eksekutif ( HEP ) KIAS. Pada 1 Januari 2008, beliau bertugas sebagai pensyarah kanan di Akademi Pengajian Islam, Universiti Malaya, cawangan Nilam Puri. Sepanjang perkhidmatan, beliau pernah dilantik menjadi Ahli Jamaah Tashih Tafsir JAKIM, Panel Pakar Aqidah JAKIM, Ahli Jawatankuasa Fatwa Negeri Perlis, Ahli Jama’ah Penulis Majalah PENGASUH, Ahli Jawatankuasa Buku Teks Yayasan Islam Kelantan ( YIK ) dan Ahli Jawatankuasa Penyelidikan dan Membasmi Ajaran Sesat (MAIK ). Di peringkat Universiti Malaya kampus Nilam Puri, beliau telah diberi amanah untuk menjawat beberapa jawatan pentadbiran seperti, Penyelaras Penyelidikan dan Pembangunan ( 2008-2011 ),Penyelaras Program Asasi ( 2011-2012), Timbalan Pengarah UM Nilam Puri ( 2013-2020) dan Penyelaras Penyelidikan dan Penerbitan UMEC, Bachok ( 2021-2024 ).