Driven and focused; born with the spirit of an academic, and the soul of an explorer; Saiful received a PhD in Molecular Parasitology from Imperial College, London in 2006 after which he immediately joined Universiti Malaya as an academic. Currently he is a professor of Biochemistry in the Faculty of Science. More than 12 PhD and 15 MSc students have graduated under Saiful’s supervision. With over 70 publications (WOS) and an h-index of 22, Saiful is a recognized authority in the field of proteomics and has multiple collaborations with researchers across the globe. He has received more than RM 5 million in research grants. Saiful also holds various management responsibilities. Of particular note are his roles as Deputy Dean (2015-2017) and Dean (2017-present) of the Frontiers of the Natural World Research Cluster (formerly known as Frontier Science Research Cluster), and currently as the Director of IPPP. In this role, his responsibilities include ensuring growth and development of  research within UM, managing internal research grants, training researchers to empower them, developing UM’s niche and thrust areas, engaging stakeholders, and various other tasks related to research and innovation.

Dr Nor Adinar BAHARUDDIN received her Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in 2010 from the University of Otago, New Zealand. Her thesis is on bone healing in animal model. Dr Baharuddin returned home and continues research in her field of interest; on periodontal screening tools, biomarkers for periodontitis, regeneration, animal model and obesity related to periodontal disease. She has published articles in various international journals.  At present, she is a Professor (Periodontology) at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya Kuala Lumpur. She has 28 years of experience in teaching, research and management roles. Among all, she has served as the Deputy Dean of Research from February 2022 until December 2024; and the Head of Department in 2006 and from 2011-2014. She played a pivotal role in positioning the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, among the Top 100 in the QS World University Ranking by Subject 2025, establishing it as Malaysia’s sole ranked programme in the field. She has been involved in curriculum development for both undergraduate and postgraduate programme. She contributes as a panel for the Accreditation Assessment for the Postgraduate Dental Education and a committee member for the DentSEdC under the Dental Specialist Assessment Programme Committee for Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA). She also serves as a committee for the Professional Qualifying Examination for the Malaysian Dental Council.    

Dr Meshari Al-Daihani attained a B.A. in accounting at Kuwait University-College of Business Administration, a foundational degree that provided him with a strong understanding of financial principles, which he later applied to Islamic finance. He then pursued a master in Accounting at Al al-Bayt University – Jordan, and a Master's in Islamic Finance and Banking with high distinction from the recognised College of Business at the Northern University of Malaysia (UUM), an AACSB accredited with a ranking of 400 in QS 2024, 90th in Asia and 2nd in Malaysia (2 Master degrees). In addition, He has attained a PhD in Islamic Finance and Banking with high distinction from the recognised Academy of Islamic Studies at the University of Malaya (UM) with a ranking of 65 in QS 2024, 16th in Asia and 1st in Malaysia. As an accomplished and passionate academician. Dr. Al-Daihani has dedicated over five years to academic and research in Islamic finance-related disciplines. Dr Al-Daihani has obtained many professional certificates in Islamic Finance (Islamic Financial Planner (IFP) IBFIM.His professional certifications further underscore Dr. Al-Daihani's expertise in Islamic finance. He is a certified Shariah Adviser and Auditor (CSAA) from AAOIFI, a Vocational Master in Islamic Economics from EAIFE, and an Islamic Certified Trainer from the Islamic Economic Club-Kuwait University. These certifications not only demonstrate his comprehensive knowledge in Islamic finance but also his commitment to continuous learning and professional development in his field.Islamic Certified Trainer (Islamic Economic Club-Kuwait University). Dr. Al-Daihani's research has made a significant Impact in the field of Islamic finance. His publications in top-quartile indexed journals, including numerous articles in peer-reviewed indexed Scopus and Web of Science publishers, have contributed to the body of knowledge in Islamic finance. His work, including publications in the Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research (Emerald), International Journal of Social Ecology and Sustainable Development (IGI Global Publishing), Sustainability (MDPI) and Computers in Human Behaviour Reports (Elsevier) (forthcoming), among others, have been well-received. He has also shared his insights as a speaker at many conferences, webinars, seminars and workshops, further amplifying the influence of his research.