Professor Dr. Azhar Ariffin earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with honors from Universiti Malaya in 1993, followed by a Ph.D. in Asymmetric Organic Synthesis from the University of Nottingham, UK, in 1999. Upon completing his studies, he returned to Malaysia and began his career as a young lecturer in the Chemistry Department at the University of Malaya. Over the years, he climbed the academic ranks, achieving the status of Associate Professor in 2003 and attaining the position of full Professor in 2016. From 2021 to 2022, Professor Dr. Azhar Ariffin served as the Head of the Chemistry Department before assuming the role of Deputy Dean of Research at the Faculty of Science from 2022 to 2024. Currently, he holds the position of Deputy Dean of Development at the Faculty of Science. His research endeavors predominantly focus on organic synthesis, with a specific interest in developing bioactive compounds, including derivatives of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), oxadiazole, thiadiazole, and triazole for use as antioxidants. Additionally, he explores the synthesis of various derivatives of quinazoline for potential applications in anticancer treatments. Currently, his research involves the creation of carbazole derivatives for their utility in organic light-emitting diode (OLED) materials, with a focus on improving the C(sp²)-N bond formation through the Buchwald-Hartwig reaction under microwave irradiation. Professor Dr. Azhar Ariffin's contributions extend beyond his home institution, as he served as an Experienced Researcher at Kaunas University of Technology from 2019 to 2023 under the MEGA HORIZON 2020 PROJECT: MARIE SKŁODOWSKA-CURIE RESEARCH AND INNOVATION STAFF EXCHANGE.

Dr. Mohd Salim Mohamed is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Science and Technology Studies, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science (2006), a Master of Science (2009), and a Doctor of Philosophy (2014). His scholarly expertise is anchored in bioethics, with particular emphasis on biomedical ethics and policy, sustainability ethics, and ethics education. At the institutional level, Dr. Salim serves as a reviewer for the Universiti Malaya Research Ethics Committee (UMREC) and as Coordinator of the Master of Sustainability Science (Open and Distance Learning) programme, reflecting his active engagement in research governance and academic leadership. Dr. Salim’s research addresses a wide range of ethical issues, including ethical decision-making in medicine, gender-related ethical concerns, sustainability ethics, research ethics, and the advancement of ethics education. He is deeply committed to knowledge dissemination and has actively presented his work at international conferences in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Indonesia, contributing to regional and global bioethics discourse. His scholarly contributions have been published in leading international journals, including Science and Engineering Ethics, Ethics & Behavior, Journal of Religion and Health, Accountability in Research: Policies and Quality Assurance, Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics, Biotechnology Law Report, Academic Ethics, and Revista Română de Bioetică, among others.As an educator, Dr. Salim teaches a range of ethics courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including Ethics and Safety, Bioethics and Society, Ethics in Science and Technology, and Ethics of Knowledge and Profession. His teaching philosophy emphasizes critical ethical reasoning, interdisciplinary engagement, and real-world application. Dr. Salim is a member of the International Association of Bioethics (IAB) and the Asian Bioethics Association (ABA), underscoring his commitment to advancing bioethics scholarship, education, and policy engagement at both regional and international levels.

Dr. Phang Kean Chang is a distinguished clinical scientist, academician, and bioethicist currently serving as Senior Lecturer at the Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya. With a multidisciplinary foundation comprising a PhD in Pathology, dual Master’s degrees in Health Research Ethics and Medical Sciences (Pathology), and a BSc in Biohealth Science, Dr. Phang has built an exceptional career at the intersection of molecular medicine, ethics, and leadership in academic research.   He heads the Medical Research Ethics Unit (MREU) at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, where he has led transformational improvements in ethical review systems, spearheaded training programmes for researchers and reviewers, and successfully hosted the 23rd FERCAP International Conference. As Coordinator of UMHealth under the Associate Vice Chancellor's Office, Dr. Phang has also played a key role in institutional strategic health initiatives with the five key health entities in the University. His research spans molecular diagnostics, digital pathology, cancer immunotherapy, and bioethics. He is actively involved in multiple national and international research projects, including private clinical trials and the Wellcome funded Global Health Bioethics Network (GHBN), a collaboration with the University of Oxford. His scholarly contributions include peer-reviewed publications in pathology, oncology, and bioethics, and he has co-authored national and international policy papers, such as Malaysia’s Decentralised Clinical Trials (DCT) Guidance Document. Dr. Phang is a Chartered Scientist (UK Royal Society of Biology), a Senior Research Fellow with the GHBN, steering committee of Southeast Asia Bioethics Network, and a member of the Young Scientists Network-Academy of Sciences Malaysia. He has received multiple recognitions, including the Certificate of Excellent Service (UM, 2025), and fellowships from WHO, NIH (USA), and WCG IRB–New York University Langone Health. Renowned for his commitment to ethical leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration, Dr. Phang continues to influence health policy, research governance, and academic development both nationally and internationally.