Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ninie Suhana Abdul Manan is a lecturer and researcher at Universiti Malaya, recognised for her expertise in electrochemistry, advanced materials, and ionic liquids. She completed her PhD at Queen's University Belfast, focusing on the electrochemical behaviours of inorganic species—such as sulfur, mercury, and rare-earth elements (Lanthanides)—in ionic liquids. Her strong foundation in electrochemistry drives her research, particularly in redox processes and ion exchange at interfaces, contributing to significant advancements in electroanalytical chemistry. Her research portfolio underscores her contributions to developing state-of-the-art electrochemical sensors for the precise detection and quantification of chemical species. With applications in environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics, Dr. Abdul Manan has excelled in creating non-enzymatic biosensors and innovative electrode surface modifications.  Dr. Abdul Manan is also at the forefront of research on ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DES), celebrated for their non-volatility, tunability, and environmental friendliness. Her work investigates these solvents for applications in electrochemistry, separation technologies, metal recovery, redox flow battery, and enhancing absorbents' efficiency in removing industrial contaminants, promoting sustainable industrial practices and green chemistry solutions. A significant milestone in her career was her 2017 collaboration with Lynas (M) Sdn. Bhd., where she was involved in developing ionic liquid-based methods for extracting heavy rare-earth elements, aiming to reduce acid consumption in the stripping process. She is a key member of the University of Malaya Centre for Ionic Liquids (UMCiL) and the Malaysia Ionic Liquid Research Society (MRILS), where she serves on the committee for 2024. Dr. Abdul Manan played a pivotal role in registering the society under ROS in 2016, where she was the first vice-chairman. Moreover, she actively engages with national and international industries through her work at the Center of Excellence for Rare Earth Elements for Analysis, Technology, and Exploration (CREATE) at Universiti Malaya focusing on midstream activities. Throughout her career, Dr. Abdul Manan has secured more than RM 2 million in research funding as a principal investigator and co-researcher for various projects to show her dedication to research activities. In her department, Dr. Abdul Manan holds various leadership roles, including Chair of the Postgraduate Bureau (2020) and Chair of the Undergraduate Bureau (2024). Her academic career is further distinguished by key responsibilities such as Program Coordinator, MQF Coordinator, Timetable Coordinator, Academic Advisor, and participation in multiple task forces, reflecting her steadfast dedication to academic and institutional development. Since 2013, Dr. Abdul Manan has been actively involved in training Malaysia’s International Chemistry Olympiad team, representing the country as a Scientific Observer (2014 and 2015) and Head Mentor (2018 and 2024). She was a key figure in establishing the Malaysian Association Science Olympiads (MASO), registering it under the Registrar of Societies (ROS), and currently serves as its first treasurer (2023-2024). Dr. Abdul Manan has received numerous awards for her work, including the UM Excellent Service Awards (2014, 2017) and the Certificate of Excellent Service (2023). The Academy of Sciences Malaysia recognized her with a prestigious award, inducting her into the Young Scientist Network (2023-2026), showcasing her leadership and commitment to scientific excellence.

Dr Airina is currently a Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University Malaya. She earned both her Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry) and Master of Science (Lipid Biochemistry) degree from University Malaya in 2003 and 2008 respectively. In 2013, she graduated from University of Cambridge, United Kingdom with a PhD in Pharmacology. Her PhD thesis work focuses on magnetoreception. A study on how animals having the ability to detect the Earth’s magnetic field whereby her research was to understand the cellular basis and the mechanism underlying the single domain magnetite of magnetoreceptor cells in fish. Her research interests include looking at the uses of natural products especially form Traditional Malaysian plants as an alternative medicine. She is interested in investigating the phytochemistry, molecular biology of medicinal plants and bioassays activity of natural products. Her current research includes the study of various traditional plants that help to reduce hypertension, lowering blood sugar level and oxidative stress. This is an important area to explore as there is still a general lack of knowledge and much misinformation remain about natural products in plants and their uses by people. Besides that, her research interest includes the study of proteolytic enzymes and anti-inflammatory activities of the Butterfly leaf, Christia vespertilionis. Dr Airina is also looking at venturing into projects which involves anti-cancer properties from medicinal plants. Besides doing research, she is teaching undergraduates students of Biohealth Program, Institute of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, University Malaya. Her core teaching subjects includes Pharmacology, Drug Analysis and Analytical Biochemistry. Besides that, she has been teaching various Laboratory courses due to her expertise in Biochemistry. On top of that, Dr Airina has supervised more than 15 undergraduate students for their final year projects and currently supervising and co-supervising up to 4 graduate students. She is the Principal investigator for a research grant and a Co-PI of a research collaborating with MAHSA university. She has authored and co-authored more then 5 research papers with a number of conference proceedings. She was also appointed as the Secretary and fellow of the Fifth Residential college and has been a residential college fellow for almost 10 years. She is dedicated towards helping students to improve in their soft skills abilities and to expose students towards community engagement programs. Dr Airina is the fellow advisor for various established programs such as the Education Malaysia (EDUMAS), Malaysian Blood Donation (NBD) and other community engagement programs.

Edmund Terence Gomez Gomez is Professor of Political Economy at the Faculty of Economics & Administration, Universiti Malaya. He specializes in state-market relations and the linkages between politics, public policies, and enterprise development -- a subject on which he has published extensively, writing not only for academia but also more widely.  He has held appointments as Visiting Professor at: the School of International Relations & Pacific Studies at the University of California-San Diego, USA (2014-2015); the Department of Political Science at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, USA (2013-2014); and at Kobe University, Japan (May-August 2002). Other academic appointments include Visiting Fellowships at: the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies, Denmark (October-November 2004); the Australian National University, Canberra (February 2002); and at the Asian Studies Department, Murdoch University, Australia (January-December 1993). He was also Senior Research Fellow at the Department of East Asian Studies, Leeds University, United Kingdom from 1996-1999. From 2005-2008, Terence served as Project Manager and Research Coordinator of the programme area ‘Identities, Conflict and Cohesion’ at the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) in Geneva, Switzerland. He has undertaken various research projects and convened numerous international conferences–among others, on political-business linkages in East Asia; the growth of national and transnational ethnic Chinese enterprise; the history of Chinese communities and their enterprises in Australia, Britain and Southeast Asia; ethnic conflict and social cohesion in Asia; equity distribution and government intervention in Malaysia –all of which have received funding from various local and global agencies, including the Sasakawa, Sumitomo and Toyota Foundations of Japan, the Department of Education and Training in Australia, the Christensen Fund (USA), the British Academy, and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) of the United Kingdom. He serves on the editorial board and advisory committee of the following international journals: East Asia: An Internationaal Quarterly, Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs, Sojourn: Journal of Social Issues in Southeast Asia and Asian Journal of Comparative Politics. He is also editor of the 'Chinese Worlds' Series and the 'Malaysian Studies' Series for Routledge, London & New York.