Jillian Ooi started out as an environmental social scientist but shifted to studying marine plants because she is fascinated by the sea. For her Master’s degree in Environmental Management, she explored the effects of disturbances on seaweed communities. She later earned a PhD in Seagrass Biogeography at the University of Western Australia as an Endeavour International Postgraduate Scholarship recipient. Working under the mentorship of Professor Gary Kendrick and the late Dr Kimberly Van Niel, she studied the spatial patterns and ecology of subtidal seagrasslands in the Johor islands. There, she fell irrevocably under the spell of these overlooked yet vital ecosystems. Jillian’s research consists of 3 themes: (1) investigating ecosystem functions of seagrass, particularly their roles as habitats and feeding grounds for fish and megafauna, (2) developing spatial distribution models for seagrass species in Southeast Asia, to provide an understanding of what makes a suitable seagrass habitat, and (3) developing effective restoration methods for seagrass and coral reefs. Her work has contributed to the gazettement of the Kepulauan Lima marine park in Johor (2023), strengthened protection for the Tioman Marine Park in Pahang (2007), and supported the establishment of a dugong sanctuary in Johor (2005 and 2017). Jillian enjoys working with local communities, spearheading and nurturing community-driven seagrass conservation initiatives in the Sungai Johor and Sungai Pulai estuaries. Her efforts focus on empowering local stakeholders through capacity building in seagrass monitoring and mapping. In 2015, Jillian received the Komai Fellowship to study the satoumi approach to seagrass restoration in Japan. In 2022, she was among six global researchers awarded the Pew Marine Fellowship for her work in seagrass restoration and to raise awareness about seagrass in Malaysia through the cultural arts approach. She blended the performing arts with science to create Seruan Setu, a groundbreaking gamelan music concert dedicated to seagrass ecosystems. When she is not underwater watching grass grow, Jillian is the Artistic Director and Music Director of Rhythm in Bronze, an award-winning contemporary gamelan ensemble based in Kuala Lumpur. Founded in 1997, Rhythm in Bronze is known for its pioneering efforts in showcasing the Malay gamelan as its main medium of musical expression. Jillian’s music direction and compositions for the gamelan have won awards and/or received nominations at the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards, which celebrates outstanding performances in music, dance, theatre and musical theatre in Malaysia. She considers the Sea her main source of musical inspiration. 

Dr Snehlata Samberkar is a Medical Lecturer at the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya. She received her basic medical qualifications from Mumbai University, along with an additional postgraduate degree. She received her masters degree from Universiti Malaya. She has served in the field of Anatomy for 20 years both in Fiji and Malaysia. She has published articles in local and international (WOS) indexed journals and 2 book chapters.She is currently an editorial team member for the Journal of Kidney Cancer and VHL. Her research interests include the study of tumour biomarkers in RCC, anatomy education and hyperglycemia in pregnancy. She is also associated with USM (Indonesia) for the extension of her project. Recently, she started a SHE program for undergraduate students at the University of Malaya. This program focuses on "conducting a Bibliometric Review using AI tools"

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 11 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.