I am a researcher in human genetics specialising in copy number variations (CNVs) and the impacts of such genetic variations in human health. I am equipped with a comprehensive research background which include biotechnology (BSc), human molecular genetics, population genetics, genomics, cytogenetics, molecular and cellular biology, bioinformatics, high-performance computing and biostatistics (MSc, PhD). My aim is always to promote wellness and lifestyle solutions through scientifically-driven values and tools in providing personalised disease screenings, therapeutics and preventive strategies, specifically using structural genomic variations (and other genetic variations) as potential therapeutic and screening targets for non-communicable diseases, also known as NCDs (i.e. cancer, obesity, diabetes). As an educator, I always believe in the importance of education to create long-lasting awareness in health.  Specifically, I am interested to investigate differential patterns of structural genomic variations in order to identify the plausible causes, or origins of NCDs in our Malaysian population. I am fascinated by the diversity of our ethnic composition and intrigued to see the genetic patterns of such diverse background. Given the opportunity and the right collaborations, it is hoped that together, we could delineate the genomic architecture of our unique population, which could eventually provide more informative data that are beneficial in our fight against such diseases. My previous work thus far has involved the integration of various bioinformatics components in genetic analytics, and I would like to continue doing so since big data technology is becoming a norm in current and future biological scientific research.

Firuza Begham Mustafa is a Professor at the Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Malaya. Her research focus is agriculture geography, environmental geography, and aquaculture. She has collaborated with local and international researchers and produced more than 150 publications, including in WOS-ISI journals, books, chapters, conference papers and posters. Most of her papers are published in reputable international journals such as the Journal of Ocean Engineering and Science (Q1, IF 4.803), Soil and Water Conservation Research (Q1, IF 7.481), International Review of Hydrobiology (Q1, IF 1.878), Soil Use and Management (Q3, IF 3.672), Acta Geophysica (Q3, 2.293), and Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography (Q3, IF 2.000). She has also written chapters for many international books published by Springer, Routledge, Taylor & Francis, Pearson Learning Solutions, CRC Press and Emerging Technologies and Research. She has also published nine scientific books in her field of interest and specialization. The books entitled Akuakultur Udang Harimau (Tiger Shrimp Aquaculture) Geografi Pertanian (Agriculture Geography) and Geografi Tanih (Soil Geography), Metodologi Terpilih dalam Geografi (Selected Methodology in Geography) are published by the Universiti Malaya Press. Geografi Pohon Lontar is the most recent book published in 2023 by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. The first-of-its-kind book about palmyra internationally covers the palm's geographical, botanical, and socio-cultural features. Her two books were also published by the International publisher, Springer Nature entitled Methodological Approaches in Physical Geography (2022) and Methodological Approaches in Integrated Geography (2023). The research work has been funded by international and local research grant i.e High Impact Research Grant (HIR), University of Malaya Research Grant (UMRG), KPM Community Research Grant, FRGS, LRGS, and others, with cumulative research funding amounting to at least RM2 million. She has several intellectual property rights (IP), and 10 international and local post-graduates completed their studies under her supervision. She won Gold Medal for Innovation and Creativity Expo (2010), Silver Medal for Learning Improvement and Teaching Enhancement Research (Liter) in 2018, Bronze Medal for Malaysia Technology Expo in 2010, Bronze Medal for Bioinno Awards in 2010, Bronze Medal for PECIPTA in 2009 and Bronze Medal for Biomalaysia in 2009. She also received Anugerah Perkhidmatan Cemerlang in 2019 and Sijil Perkhidmatan Cemerlang in 2011, 2018 and 2021. She won Anugerah Cemerlang Universiti Malaya (ACUM) (Universiti Malaya Excellent Award) 2022 for Teaching (non-science). She was also appointed as Visiting Fellow at Qinghai National University, China and Visiting Researcher at Aligarh Muslim University, India. She actively participated Theo Murphy High Flyers Think Tank of Australia entitled “Stressed ecosystems: better decisions for Australia (2011) and High Flyers Think Tank on Australia’s population: shaping a vision for our future (2012)” organized by the Australian Academy of Science (AAS). Between 2016-2021, she was also a Council Member of the International Geographical Union Commission on Commission Marginalization, Globalization, and Regional and Local Responses- C16.29, a member of the International Geographical Union for Commission on Geographical Education, a member of the Southeast Asian Geography Association (SEAGA) and the Centre for Global Geography Education (CGGE) training by Association of American Geography (AAG). She is an Associate Fellow (AFMSA) of the Malaysian Scientific Association (MSA). She has served on the Editorial Board of the Malaysian Journal of Tropical Geography (MJTG), Editorial Board of Water Conservation Management (WCM), Editorial Board of Geology, Ecology and Landscapes (GEL), Trout Journal of Atatürk, Turkey, Annals of the national of Association of Geographers, India and the International Journal of Creative Industries (IJCREI). She is an active reviewer in ISI-WOS journal reviewer including top-tier journals, the Science of the Total Environment, Frontiers of Earth Science, Arabian Journal of Geosciences, Journal of Public Affairs, Quaestiones Geographiceae, Land Degradation & Development, Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, Current Urban Studies and Natural Resources Forum and many others including local journal. She also serves as Auditor for Malaysia Qualification Agency (MQA) since 2009 for Geography and Environmental subjects and had audited program in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Islam Antarabangsa, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, SEGi University, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman and many other university and private colleges. She acted as the PhD thesis examiner for more than 10 candidates from the University of Madras, Chennai and Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, India; the University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh, Peshawar University in Pakistan and other Malaysian Universities. She had delivered lectures in many national and international seminars and conferences including in Switzerland, Austria, Turkey, Egypt, Australia, India, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Nepal, Cambodia, Vietnam, Brunei, Philippines, Bangladesh and Korea.    

Dr Madiha Baharuddin is currently a Senior Lecturer at the Applied Science with Islamic Studies Programme, Academy of Islamic Studies, University of Malaya (UM). She graduated with first class honours in her first degree of Applied Science with Islamic Studies, University of Malaya, majoring in Information Technology. It is not only the first, but one and only bachelor’s degree in Malaysia that offers a double major programme between Islamic Studies and Science. During her PhD studies, she was appointed as a visiting fellow of University of Paris, France under the mentoring and supervision of one distinguished Emeritus Professor Dr Roshi Rashed. She started her academic career in UM after the completion of her PhD from UM in 2015. Her academic interest is primarily to understand the relationship between the development of science/technology and Islam, particularly within the context of its historical backgrounds, Islamic science, and what science and technology may contribute to the Muslim society. She teaches and supervises both undergraduate and postgraduate courses/students that relate Islam, science and technology. She also has been actively engaging with university’s aim and administration since her appointment. She was appointed by the Vice Chancellor of UM as the Coordinator of Applied Science with Islamic Studies Programme for six (6) years. Throughout those years, she has been actively engaging herself in research as Principle Investigator for one of UM Research Grants entited Applied Science With Islamic Studies Programme: A Research On Its Curriculum Design. Her research also includes proposing a better curriculum in order to integrate Islam and science in higher degree institutions.