My research centers on clinical and molecular hepatology, pharmacogenomics, and omics-based approaches, withparticular emphasis on metabolic-dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), also known as fatty liver disease. I amactively engaged in advancing research on MASLD with a focus on translational applications in primary care settings.Currently, I am a part of a multidisciplinary team addressing various MASLD populations, including MASLD in individuals livingwith HIV and chronic kidney disease.

Fumitaka Furuoka is a Japanese economist who has lived in Malaysia since 1987. From 1991 to 1999, he worked as a senior assistant at the Consulate General of Japan in Penang. Since 1999, Fumitaka moved to academia and has taught economics at three Malaysian public universities, namely, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), and Universiti Malaya (UM). His academic expertise is in the field of applied economics, which involves applying economic and econometric theories to address real-world critical financial issues and problems. As an applied economist, he aims to provide insights from his research to inform the development of effective policies that foster sustainable development, reduce regional disparities, and move society toward achieving economic and social justice.  In his research in the field of applied economics, he focuses on economic equity between countries (i.e., the problem of inequality of economic development level in different countries), as well as economic equity within countries (i.e., the problem of inequality of income distribution in a specific country). Regarding economic equity between countries, he has conducted extensive research on diverse and pertinent global economic issues, such as poverty reduction, unemployment, economic growth/development, and renewable energy. In 2006, he published a book on Japanese foreign aid titled New Challenges for Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) Policy. The book examines how Japan’s aid policy can contribute to reducing poverty and enhancing the well-being of developing countries, particularly those in Southeast Asia. As to economic equity within countries, the primary focus of Fumitaka's research is promoting “employment for all” which is closely aligned with Target 8 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He firmly believes that employment for all, including people with disabilities, is the basic foundation for a sustainable and more humane economy (Ekonomi Madani). This belief has led him to write a book on employment for people with disabilities entitled Disability and Employment: Towards a Humanistic Economy. The book was published by Springer in 2024. He also wrote another book, co-authored with Dr Yosuke Uchiyama, on employment for people with disabilities, entitled "Youth and Employment: Creating a Productive and Dynamic Society," which was published by the same publisher in 2025. This research direction has a strong practical orientation, and Fumitaka considers work in this area to be of ultimate importance for achieving economic equity and providing employment opportunities to people with disabilities or young people. In short, his research aims to identify barriers and initiate policies that promote and enable economic inclusion, employment, and justice for all.

  Dr Sr Yasmin Mohd Adnan has been with the Department of Real Estate, Faculty of Built Environment since 2001 until her retirement as a Professor in 2024. Currently, she is taking on the role of Honorary Professor in the same department. During her term at the university, she was the Head of the Department of Estate Management from 2004 to 2007, from 2015 to 2018, and was the Deputy Dean (Undergraduate Studies) from 2019 to 2021. Before joining the University of Malaya, she worked in a property consultancy firm, a bank, the property subsidiary of PETRONAS, the national oil company and KLCC Urusharta. Her career spans over 30 years in the areas of valuation, property and facilities management within the real estate practice and academic sectors. A valuer and property manager by training and professionally registered with the Board of Valuers, Appraisers, Estate Agent and Property Managers, Malaysia, Dr Yasmin has been involved in several major research projects in real estate focusing on commercial real estate studies, real estate sustainability (management & development) as well as real estate economics and has published in several local and international journals. She is also currently a fellow and member of several professional organisations which include the Royal Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM), Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (UK) and Malaysia Institute of Property and Facility Managers, Malaysia and has held various positions in RISM including as a council member, examination board member, editorial board member, education and accreditation board as well as past Secretary of the Property Surveyors Division. In addition, she was a board member of the Pacific Rim Real Estate Society from 2011 to 2017. She was the chief editor of the International Journal of Property Sciences, a journal of the Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya. She has also chaired international conferences, including the Pacific Rim Real Estate Society conferences held twice (jointly with the Royal Institution of Surveyors, Malaysia - partnering universities committee) in Kuala Lumpur.