Dr. Loh Kar Hoe (K.-H. L.) is a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences (IOES), University of Malaya. He graduated with a B.Sc. majoring in aquaculture before pursuing his research in fish reproductive for his M.Sc. in NTOU, Taiwan. He obtained his Ph.D. in Fisheries Science from the NTOU in 2009 for doctoral work on taxonomy and molecular phylogeny of moray eels (Mureanidae). After his Ph.D., he spent one year at the Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taiwan as a postdoctoral researcher. He joined IOES July 2011 as a research fellow. He’s team have discovery eight new species eels (Gymnothorax pseudokidako 2021, Gymnothorax pseudomelanosomatus 2015, Neenchelys gracilis 2015, Pylorobranchus hoi 2012, Gymnothorax melanosomatus 2011, Uropterygius oligospondylus 2008, Gymnothorax taiwanensis 2008, Gymnothorax shaoi 2007), and a lot of new recorded fish from Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Japan, and Taiwan. In addition to studying Malaysian fish otoliths, he is also working on the fisheries assessment work on sharks and rays. A total of 47 ISI articles have been published, and 26 technical reports of the IUCN Sciaenidae Red List assessments in 2020. He has collaborative research on the genetic diversity, population genetics of marine organisms; Reef fish diversity and abundance in Malaysian water through DNA barcoding and eDNA in Malaysia. Another study focuses on microplastics in the gill and stomach of fish. He recently secured a research grant to “Resolving systematics of Cephalopods using morphological and molecular approaches in Malaysia”, and “Environment DNA matebarcoding illuminates the diversity of sharks and rays” funded by WWF-Malaysia.

Nurul Asmaa Akmal is currently serving as a Senior Lecturer at the Academy of Malay Studies, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from Universiti Malaya, where she specialised in socio-cultural and labour studies with a particular focus on the Malaysian cleaning sector. Her academic trajectory bridges the intersections of social sciences, cultural studies, and contemporary labour realities, positioning her as an emerging scholar in socio-economic and 3D (dirty, dangerous, difficult) work research. Her research interests are diverse yet interconnected, encompassing waste management, Malay cleaners, 3D workers, social labelling, quality of life, and sustainability issues aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). She has published several journal articles and presented research internationally on waste management and the lived experiences of workers in low-skilled and marginalised sectors. In addition to labour studies, Dr. Nurul Asmaa Akmal is actively engaged in the field of Malay language pedagogy, particularly in teaching Malay as a second or foreign language. Her areas of interest include communicative approaches, situational Malay (Malay situational learning), and the integration of cultural context into language acquisition. Her commitment to language education reflects her passion for expanding global appreciation of the Malay language and enhancing the learning experience of foreign students. Her scholarship also extends to Malay socio-cultural studies, including research on adat, traditional practices, and kearifan tempatan (local wisdom). She explores how cultural heritage, belief systems, and community-based knowledge shape identity, resilience, and the continuity of Malay civilisation in both rural and contemporary urban contexts. This includes work related to cultural rituals, community traditions, and intergenerational transmission of values. Furthermore, her academic involvement includes the field of Malay economics and entrepreneurship, where she examines traditional and modern economic practices, entrepreneurial characteristics among Malay communities, and socio-cultural factors influencing business sustainability. Her insights contribute to discussions on economic empowerment, resilience, and the evolving landscape of Malay entrepreneurship in Malaysia’s socio-economic development. Through her wide-ranging scholarly contributions, Dr. Nurul Asmaa Akmal remains committed to advancing knowledge in labour studies, socio-cultural research, language pedagogy, Malay entrepreneurship, and sustainability, while actively engaging in community-oriented initiatives in line with Universiti Malaya’s mission of academic excellence and societal impact.

Feng-Hsu Lee, a Taiwanese composer, has received numerous awards, among them, the first prize of the Washington International Competition for Composition (2012), the runner-up of the Minnesota Orchestra Composer Institute (2010), the Anthony and Carolyn Donato Prize of the Eastman School of Music (2008), the second prize in the Literature and Arts Creation Award of the Ministry of Education in Taiwan (2008), the first prize of the Taipei Percussion Composition Competition (2002), the first prize of the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra International Composition Competition (2001), etc. Until now, he has accepted commissioned works from the Council for Cultural Affairs Taiwan, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand, Evergreen Symphony Orchestra, YinQi Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Association of Vocal Artists of R.O.C., Central Connecticut State University Chamber Players, Performance 20/20 of the Hartt School, Taipei Century Choir, Tabernacle Women’s Choir, Taiwanese Choral Society of Rochester, Chiasong Ensemble, Sharing Chamber Orchestra, Camerata Youth String Orchestra, Lien Percussion, Sylvanus Ensemble, Composition VII Saxophone Quartet, Ensemble Yeon, The Woven Sounds, and Oboe Duo Agosto. Currently he works as a senior lecturer in Department of Music, Faculty of Creative Arts at Universiti Malaya. He holds the degrees of music composition from The Hartt School (DMA), Eastman School of Music (MM), National Taiwan Normal University (MFA) and Soochow University (BL, Music), studying with Larry Alan Smith, Stephen Michael Gryc, Robert Carl, David Macbride, Ricardo Zohn-Muldoon, Carlos Sánchez-Gutiérrez, and Gordon Shi-Wen Chin. For more information, please visit his website: http://fenghsulee.com