Dr Song Sze Looi is a Senior Lecturer at the Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS), Universiti Malaya. She obtained her PhD in 2013 from the Universiti Malaya in the field of Algal Biotechnology. She later received a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Westminster International College. Currently, she is the Coordinator for the Degree Stacking and Mixed Mode programmes. Dr Song has gained expertise in genomics, bioinformatics, molecular phylogenetics, systematics and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) such as NextSeq, MiSeq, HiSeq and Ion Torrent. Her research includes seaweeds, oysters, nematode parasites of public health importance, insects of agricultural importance and microbiomes. She has published more than 50 papers in ISI journals for example Scientific Reports, PLoS ONE, Acta Tropica, Genetica, Phycologia, Journal of Applied Phycology and Biochemical Systematics and Ecology. Her current H-index is 13 in Publons and 14 in Scopus. Dr Song has also established research collaborations with local and international researchers. Aside from academic achievement, she is also active in sports. She won second prize in the Isometrik Challenge organized by UM's Sport Centre in 2021. She has also achieved podium finish in several marathon events such as the Brooks Kuantan Run (Champion in 10 km Women's Open) and Taiping Cross Country Run (Second Runner-up in 7 km Women's Open).

PROFESSOR DR MOHD ZULKIFLEE ABU BAKAR MMC: 36394 NSR: 133761 MB BS (Mal), M Surg ORL-HNS (Mal), FRCS (Glas), AM (Mal) Fellowship in Rhinology & Skullbase Surgery Fellowship in Head & Neck OncoSurgery (Sloan-Kettering, NYC) Certified IFHNOS Board of Head and Neck Oncology Consultant Otorhinolaryngologist, Head & Neck Surgeon   Professor Dr Mohd Zulkiflee bin Abu Bakar (AB Zulkiflee) is a Senior Clinical Consultant, Otorhinolaryngologist and Head & Neck OncoSurgeon with over 19 years of professional experience in medical field. He is a former Head (Chairman) of Department from 2015-2018.   Prof Dr Zul obtained his medical degree, MB BS in 1999 who had undergone multiple clinical postings, including junior medical officer in orthopaedics surgery, senior medical officer in urology and otorhinolaryngology, Ministry of Health Malaysia before joining university as an academician. He started his career in university as a trainee lecturer, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Malaya in 2004 under Young Academic Training Award, Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia. After completing his postgraduate clinical training in 2008, he has been involved in various undergraduate-postgraduate teachings, research projects and paper presentations mainly in basic otology, laser phonosurgery, sleep apnoea, endoscopic rhinology and skullbase surgery, neurotology specialty and head & neck oncosurgery.  He had advanced clinical exposure in Otology, Skullbase Surgery, Head & Neck Oncology at NHS Guy’s & St Thomas’ and King’s Hospital, London, UK., modified otoplasty techniques under Prof Sven Olof Wikström, Chairman of Scandinavian Ear Reconstruction Centre, Sweden.   His presence in national and international arenas has widely been established as an invited speaker, key demonstrator, facilitator and course director in various distinguished forums, workshops and seminars, namely Laser Phonosurgery Workshop, International Asian Federation of Laryngectomee Association (AFLA) – UMMC seminar, Asian Cochlear Implant Seminar, International Bonebridge Workshop, Otoplasty & Ear Reconstruction Seminar, National Vertigo Masterclass, ASEAN Young Sinus Surgeon Forum, International Rhinology Innovative Symposium (IRIS), International Symposium on Recent Advances in Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyposis (ISRNP) and regular twice a year International UM Advanced Endoscopic Rhinology & Anterior Skullbase, Advanced Otology & Lateral Skullbase Workshop. He is a co-mentor for fellows in rhinology, otology & skullbase surgery from various countries.   He is a member of department cochlear implant meeting and one of Standard and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM) Surgical Implant committee members in otology implants. He is also a member of national rhinology meeting, allergic clinic, head & neck oncology meeting, OT subcommittee forum, ear reconstruction, cleft lip & palate clinic, voice, snoring & swallowing clinic, surgical laser safety, UM Robotic Surgery committee and various advanced ORL-HNS subspecialty meetings.  He is also a member of Academy of Medicine, College of Surgeons Malaysia, and a life member of Malaysian Society of Oncology, Malaysian Medical Association. He is a member of National Conjoint Board of ORL-HNS since 2011 and a member for Malaysian Qualification Register (MQA) in ORL-HNS Masters programme. He is a member of the Medical Advisory Council (UMMC), Medical & Dental Advisory Council (UMSC) and Clinical Research Advisory Council (UM). He received Appreciation Award in 2006 and Distinguished Service Award in 2012 and 2016 from University of Malaya. He has appeared in several public media, forums, talk shows and prime-time news medical promotion on his areas of expertise.   He has published numerous papers in medical journals, ebooks and books from his field. He is a reviewer and member of editorial board for some high indexed otorhinolaryngology and surgical journals since 2009. Prof Zul is also a certified International Council Harmonisation Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP) researcher and chairman for Department Research Centre, Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Research (ORCLE). He has been a Principal Investigator or Sub-Investigator in more than 15 past and on-going registry/clinical studies especially in Audiology, Laryngology and Head & Neck Oncology. He is also a clinical and non-clinical research supervisor for diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students. He is a trained surgeon in Head & Neck Robotic Surgery.   His special areas of research and clinical interest are general/paediatrics otorhinolaryngology, endoscopic rhinology & skullbase surgery, neurotology, audiology, vertigo, tinnitus, sleep apnoea, laryngology, speech and head & neck oncology.

Professor Dr. Chua Kek Heng is an accomplished senior professor and the previous Head of the Department of Biomedical Science at the University of Malaya. His research expertise spans a broad range of topics including disease polymorphism, mutation investigation, bacterial virulence factor characterization, and diagnostic kit development. Professor Chua's commitment and hard work have led to over 200 original publications, making significant contributions to science and technology. His research has not only led to novel scientific innovations but has also improved our understanding of human disease and its associations with genetic factors and microorganisms. As a mentor and educator, Professor Chua is dedicated to training and preparing his younger staff, colleagues, and students to excel in biological research, building the next generation of scientific leaders. One of Professor Chua's significant achievements is his contribution to the study of genotyping of diseases, which has resulted in the successful mapping of important disease-predisposing markers for systemic lupus erythematosus, Crohn’s disease, and retinopathy in the Malaysian population. These findings have helped predict disease development and allow for early preventive measures. His research has also led to the development of innovative approaches, tests, and kits that allow for more cost-effective, rapid, sensitive, and specific detection and confirmation of human diseases and microbial infections. Professor Chua's efforts have been recognized at the national and international levels, with over 1500 intellectual properties, including national and international patents, trademarks, and copyrights. One of his most successful inventions is the PlasmoNex diagnostic kit for malaria, which was developed in 2011. This kit is the world's first PCR-based malaria detection system that can detect all five different species of Plasmodium (malaria parasites) in a single test. In addition to his research accomplishments, Professor Chua is also an active member of several national committees and panels, evaluating numerous grants and projects, and organizing national and international workshops to train young Malaysian researchers in molecular "bench" skills. He has delivered over a hundred presentations at various seminars, expositions, and conferences and has acted as a reviewer for many ISI (WOS) publications and international grants in his field. Professor Chua has represented the University of Malaya in numerous national and international exhibitions and competitions, receiving over 100 prestigious national and international awards, including the MTSF Science and Technology Award 2022, Biotechnology Asia Award 2005, Best Invention in Biotechnology Award 2006, USA INPEX Grand Prix Award 2008, National Intellectual Property Award 2013, World Halal Excellent Innovation Award 2013, and Top Research Scientist Malaysia 2017. He has also received recognition for his contributions to academic service and teaching, including the Excellent Lecturer Award in 2014 and Best Lecturer for Biomedical Science Teaching 2017. Overall, Professor Chua's tireless dedication to scientific research, mentorship, and innovation has resulted in significant advancements in disease detection and prevention, making him an outstanding scientist and an inspiration to the scientific community.