Prof. Lim is the leading scientist in the region on Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) research. His scholarly contributions extend beyond mere publications, encompassing groundbreaking scientific discoveries, capacity building, and impactful networking through his involvement in HAB-related national and international organizations. He has published over 170 scientific papers, including 111 ISI papers. His impressive H-index of 28 (Web of Science), and >2467 total citations (WoS) reflect the influence of his work.   Prof. Lim plays an active leadership role internationally in various HAB-related bodies. He has been the Vice President of the International Society for the Study of Harmful Algae (ISSHA) for three consecutive terms (2018-Present); a Council member of ISSHA (2016-2018); the Vice-chair and Committee member of UNESCO IOC SCOR GLOBALHAB Program (2016-2019, 2020-2023); the Co-chair of the UNESCO-IOC WESTPAC Harmful Algal Blooms Program (WESTPAC-HABs) (2010-Present).   To date, he has secured and completed over 20 research projects, with research grants amounting to more than 5 million received from national and international funding agencies. His research has led to the identification of more than 15 harmful algal species that are new to science and many new records in the country. Notably, several of these species are named after him to recognize his achievements in HABs research for the past two decades, including Pseudo-nitzschia limii, Heterocapsa limii, and Alexandrium limii, a testament to his enduring impact in this field. He contributes to various national and international working groups in his area of expertise, serving as a task team member of UNESCO IOC IPHAB, an expert panel in the National Technical Working Group of Biotoxins and HABs, and the Task Force of Import/Export Seafood Product and Safety (DOF Kelantan).  He is an international advisory committee member of T-SMART Marine Station of Xiamen University (2016-Present), and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Tokyo (2019-present). Dr. Lim's expertise extends to editorial responsibilities. He serves as an associate editor to ISI journals, Elsevier’s Journal of Harmful Algae (Q1) (2018-Present), and Plankton and Benthos Research (PBR). His outstanding contributions have garnered national and international acclaim. He was awarded the ASM Top Research Scientist of Malaysia (TRSM) in 2021; and recognized as a senior scientist under the Chinese Academy of Science, President International Fellowship Initiative (CAS-PIFI) in 2024. He was awarded the Senior Visiting Fellowship of the State Key Lab in Marine Environmental Sciences (MEL), by Xiamen University for three consecutive years (2018-2019, 2020-2021). Dr Lim has delivered >150 presentations at national and international conferences, including a plenary talk at the International Conference on Harmful Algae, Hiroshima Japan in 2023. He has also been invited to deliver an ASM Fascinate Talk, and numerous seafood safety and biosecurity outreach and educational talks to relevant authorities. In his academic career over the two decades, he has been responsible for teaching and course development at undergraduate to postgraduate levels. More than 60 final-year project (FYP) students, 37 MSc students, and 12 Ph.D. candidates have completed their studies under his supervision.    Po Teen is a registered consultant under the Natural Resources and Environmental Board (NREB) and a registered subject specialist under the Department of Environment Malaysia (DOE). He is actively involved in consultancy projects whenever his expertise in marine science is needed.    Dr. Lim Po Teen began his academic career at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) in 2000 and was promoted to Senior Lecturer (2008) and Associate Professor (2013).  He joined  UM in January 2014 to lead the newly established Bachok Marine Research Station at the Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences, UM, and was promoted to full Professor in 2024.    updated December 2024

Dr. Asmak Ab Rahman is a Professor at the Department of Shariah and Economics, Academy of Islamic Studies, Universiti Malaya (UM). She holds a PhD in Islamic Economics, as well as a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Shariah from UM. As an expert in Islamic economics and finance, Dr. Asmak’s research covers various areas, with particular emphasis on Islamic insurance, Islamic finance, Islamic banking, Islamic social finance, and Shariah.Throughout her career, Dr. Asmak has held several prestigious positions. She has served as the Head of the Department of Shariah and Economics at the Academy of Islamic Studies, Universiti Malaya. She currently serves as the Deputy Dean of Research and Innovation, Academy of Islamic Studies, Universiti Malaya, and is also a Committee Member of the Universiti Malaya Zakah Fund. In addition, she contributes her expertise to academic publishing as a Managing Editor and is currently the Editor-in-Chief of the faculty journal, Jurnal Syariah.Her expertise is widely recognised within the Islamic finance industry. She currently serves as a Shariah Committee Member for Affin Islamic Bank Berhad, FWD Takaful, and Permodalan Usahawan Nasional Berhad. Previously, she served on the Shariah Committees of Tabung Haji (1 May 2016 – 30 April 2025), Ambank Islamic (1 July 2011 – 30 June 2022), SME Bank (1 April 2011 – 30 June 2022), Hong Leong MSIG Takaful (1 March 2014 – 31 March 2023), BIMB Investment (1 November 2008 – 31 March 2022), and AIA AFG Takaful (1 November 2011 – 1 November 2013).Dr. Asmak is a prolific scholar with numerous publications in books, book chapters, and academic journals. Her most recent book, Higher Education Finance and Islamic Endowments, was published by Routledge. She has a Scopus H-Index of 14 and a Web of Science (WOS) H-Index of 11. She has secured multiple research grants from government and industry sources. Under her supervision, 38 PhD students have successfully completed their studies and are now serving in various institutions locally and internationally.She is a member of the Association of Shariah Advisors in Islamic Finance (ASAS) and the International Council of Islamic Finance Educators (ICIFE). Additionally, she is a registered Shariah Advisor with the Securities Commission Malaysia.

Dr. Melasutra is a Registered Town Planner under the Town Planner Act (Act 538) and also a member of the Malaysian Association of Social Impact Assessment. She has 30 years of experience at the University Malaya as a lecturer at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and currently in the Faculty of Built Environment. Her teaching subjects are related to urban land use planning, social planning, planning theory, and recreational planning. She has carried out collaborative research with the Nippon Foundation under the purview  of Asean University Network- Disability and Public Policy on research related to the inclusivity learning environment.  The inclusive learning environment study was further extended for the Ministry of Higher Education,Malaysia.  She has published in books, book chapters, and journals and involved in consultation works related to urban planning issues, sustainable development planning, and social impact assessment studies. She has supervised a number of Ph.D. students in the field of sustainable urban governance and planning. Professional Recognition: While serving UM, she was also involved in several state and local agencies planning related matters such as Social Impact Assessment study, Urban Redevelopment, Development Plan studies. She has been appointed as Council Member for Petaling Jaya City Council in 2008-2012 and be part of the One Stop Center committee for planning approval matters.  She has been appointed as Local Agenda 21 committee member and Panel Evaluation member for Anugerah Perdana Komuniti Petaling Jaya.  She also has been appointed as the Public Hearing Panel Committee for City Hall of Kuala Lumpur for the Structure and Local Plan - Review and Alteration process. Currently, she is a Panel Review Member of Melaka Social Impact Study- appointed by PlanMalaysia  Melaka.  In recognition of her involvement and contribution in sustainable planning-related matters at the local level i.e City Council of Petaling Jaya- she has been awarded as one of the recipients of 10 Thematic Champion of Petaling Jaya Sustainable, Smart and Resilient  2030 awards for Learning City  (2022).