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. Goh Lim Thye is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Economics, Faculty of Business and Economics, Universiti Malaya. He currently serves as the Deputy Dean of Development. Prior to this appointment, he was the Head of the Department of Economics and previously held the role of Programme Coordinator within the same faculty. He holds a PhD in Economics, a Master of Science in International Economics, and a Bachelor Degree in Financial Economics, all from Universiti Putra Malaysia. His academic and research interests span across Development Economics, International Economics, Macroeconomics, and Applied Econometrics. Dr. Goh has extensive experience leading and collaborating in both national and international research projects. His research contributions are especially notable in regional economic development, with particular focus on ASEAN countries, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. His recent works include studies on income inequality, foreign direct investment, sustainable growth, and the effects of institutional quality and human capital on economic performance in Southeast Asia. He is also an Associate Editor of the Journal of Institutions and Economics and a life member of the Malaysian Economic Association. He has been consistently recognised for his academic excellence and service contributions, receiving multiple awards including the Excellence Service Award by Universiti Malaya. His insights are frequently sought by national media and think tanks for policy analysis and expert commentary on issues such as fiscal reforms, economic inequality, and international trade.

Dr. Muhamad Shakirin Mispan is currently a senior lecturer at the Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, teaching BSc courses including Ecology and Management of Weeds, Soil Ecology and Management, and Quantitative Ecology. He also teaches MSc courses including Applied Weed Science, Pest Management in Organic Crops, and Tropical Crop Management. He received a bachelor’s degree (BSc) in Ecology and Biodiversity in 2006 and a master’s degree (MSc) in Biology in 2010 from Universiti Malaya. He is a PhD holder in Biological Sciences from South Dakota State University, USA working on QTL mapping for weedy adaptive traits in rice; haplotype analysis for a major seed dormancy QTL region in rice; and seed longevity and photoperiod sensitivity in weedy rice. His current research focuses are mainly on the ecological genetics of weedy rice focusing on adaptation to various ecological systems, seedbank dynamics and longevity, environmental impact from various weed management, integration of sustainable agriculture for rice production, agroecology, and precision agriculture in rice farming.