Finding patterns of variation in biology fascinating, I chose to study genetics and molecular biology in Universiti Malaya, graduating in 2002 with first class honours. Subsequently, I turned to the roots of the study of patterns of variation - statistics, receiving my MSc in statistics from Universiti Malaya in 2005. I completed my PhD in statistics at the National University of Singapore in 2009. Since 2010, I have been with Universiti Malaya. Currently, I am an associate professor at the Institute of Mathematical Sciences, and a fellow of the Royal Statistical Society, UK. My research interest broadly covers the area of data science, machine learning, bioinformatics, ecology, and medical statistics. Since 2010, I have worked in over 20 projects as the principal consultant statistician, and conducted numerous workshops on statistics, bioinformatics, and R programming. Presently, I head the UM Centre for Data Analytics, which focuses on establishing collaborative research and engagement between the industry and the academia in Malaysia. I enjoy reading, travelling, nature walks, and more recently, engaging fellow scientists in Twitter space.

Mohamad Suffian bin Mohamad Annuar is a leading researcher in bioprocess technology and advanced biomaterials, with a particular focus on medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoates (mcl-PHA) derived from bacterial fermentation of local renewable resources. These mcl-PHA are prized for their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and versatile properties, making them ideal for a wide range of applications. His research group has pioneered the development of mcl-PHA-based hydrogels, which exhibit exceptional water absorption and mechanical strength, making them suitable for tissue engineering and controlled drug delivery systems. His team has also explored the use of mcl-PHA in creating bone scaffolds that support cell growth and closely mimic natural bone structures. Furthermore, they have advanced the field by developing mcl-PHA nanoparticles, which hold significant potential for targeted drug delivery and biomedical imaging applications. Additionally, their investigations into mcl-PHA-based composites and blends have shown promise for renewable energy and water purification applications. With a research approach that balances fundamental and applied aspects, his research group contributes over 120 publications in reputable scientific journals. He has successfully supervised 16 Ph.D. and 33 Master's projects to completion. His laboratory, known for its multi-disciplinary scientific approach, has secured research funding in excess of MYR 4 million through its own projects and collaborative efforts, and continues to welcome and foster multi-disciplinary scientific collaborations.

Associate Prof. Sr Dr. Brennan Brit Anak Kayan is a lecturer at the Department of Building Surveying, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and a Visiting Professor at College of Architecture and Energy Engineering, Wenzhou University of Technology (WZUT), Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China. He has graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Building Surveying) (Hons) in 1999 and received a Master of Science (Building) in 2003, both from the University of Malaya and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (Construction Management) from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK) in 2013. Brit has over 20 years of experience as an academician and two years in industrial practice, latterly specializing in ‘Green Maintenance’, sustainable materials and repair and building conservation. Professionally, Brit is a full Member of the Royal Institution of Surveyors, Malaysia (MRISM) (since 2007) and a Registered Conservator of the Department of National Heritage, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), Malaysia (since 2015). Brit has been delivering high-quality teaching in building conservation, professional practice, construction technology, university-community engagement, multi-disciplinary studio-based and building surveying subjects.  Brit undertakes research and consultancy activities within the Faculty of Built Environment and Sustainability Science Research Cluster of the University of Malaya (SusCi); in low carbon building materials, building dilapidation, Environmental Maintenance Impact (EMI), sustainable repair approach of ‘Green Maintenance’ using  Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach in heritage buildings conservation. Brit’s previous research works give insight into how ‘Green Maintenance’ is essential for the retention of embodied energy (CO2 emissions reduction or lowering carbon) and cost saving that relates directly to the longevity of the repair materials and techniques (low carbon-cost).  He also employed construction technologies to stimulate university-community engagement in achieving sustainable maintenance and repair of vernacular houses. His current research establishes the correlation between intervention and embodied carbon expenditure in terms of environmental sustainability. Brit has attained PI status for grant funding totalling RM 224,300.00 and Co-Researcher status for RM 158,000.00 and has the publication of more than 20 academic reviewed journals, two(2) books entitled  Heritage Buildings Conservation: Current and Emerging Perspectives and Green Maintenance of Heritage Buildings-A Sustainable Repair Approach [published by University of Malaya Press, a member of Majlis Penerbitan Ilmiah Malaysia/Malaysian Scholarly Publishing Council Council  (MAPIM)] in 2022 and 2020 respectively, two chapters in a book, more than 20 conference or proceedings papers, 3 technical reports and 7 other publications. He was awarded the RISM Excellence Award 2006 for Best Article on Surveying, Web of Science (WoS) Incentives Award for Quartile 1/Tier 1 journal publication in 2012 and Gold Medal in the National Research and Innovation Expo in 2004. Brit has been actively involved in consultancy projects with the role as registered conservator/consultant under the UMConsult (formerly known Unit Perundingan Universiti Malaya i.e. UPUM), working with various organisations such as the Department of National Heritage (Jabatan Warisan Negara Malaysia, JWN), Ministry of Home Affairs (Kementerian Dalam Negeri Malaysia, KDN), Think City, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB), National Department for Culture and Arts (Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara, JKKN). Brit was also awarded the 2016 Excellence Service Award and the 2015 and 2006 Excellence Service Certificate. In July-August 2014 Brit has involved as a resource person and moderator in The Development of Asean Youth Heritage Leaders: Through Volunteerism and Community Engagement (AYVP 2014), jointly organized by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), University of Malaya (UM), Ministry of Education, Malaysia, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Malaysia, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia, ASEAN, UNESCO, Melaka and George Town World Heritage Site and The United States Agency for International Development (USAID).  Brit also has also involved as a co-instructor in Liverpool John Moores (LJMU) Inbound Programme since 2014 and UM Post Disaster Reconstruction Team in 2015 and a co-coordinator of Program Penelitian Merdeka Belajar-Kampus Merdeka (PMBKM) in 2021-2022 and Implementation Agreement of Joint Academic and Research Activities for the period of 2022-2025 between Department of Architecture and Planning, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Indonesia (USK) and Department of Building Surveying, Universiti Malaya (UM). Brit is a Editorial Board Member of Journal of Design and Built Environment (JDBE), RAUT Journal, and Editorial Board as Regional Advisory Editorial for Europe and Africa/Reviewer of JoDA-Journal of Digital Architecture, co-editor Journal of Surveying, Construction and Property (JSCP) and a reviewer for KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, the Journal of Cleaner Production, World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development (WJSTSD) and, International Journal of Building and Adaptation (IJBPA), Energy and Buildings, International Journal of Real Estate Studies, International Journal of Sustainable Tropical Design Research and Practice, KEMANUSIAN-The Asian Journal of Humanities, Cities, Smart and Sustainable Built Environment (SASBE), Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, Facilities, Construction Innovation, and has written articles for the Structural Survey: Journal of Building Pathology & Refurbishment,  RICS Building Conservation Journal, Smart and Sustainable Build Environment (SASBE), Journal of Cultural Heritage Management (JCHMSD), Journal of Surveying, Construction and Property (JSCP), Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Environment Management (JTHEM), Chemical Engineering Transactions (CET), The Malaysian Surveyor, International Journal of Technology (IJTECH), The Australian Journal of University-Community Engagement (AJUCE), Journal of Design and the Built Environment (JDBE), in diverse subject of ‘greening maintenance’, sustainable repair and materials, life cycle assessment, sustainable maintenance management, sustainable development of historic property and environment and and etc. Currently, he is a supervisor to 4 PhD students (3 completed and 1 ongoing) in conservation framework and policy of traditional urban settlement conservation framework and policy of traditional urban settlements, low carbon-cost repair, quantification of embodied carbon expenditure for repair, cultural landscape of hill stations, and evaluation of building dilapidation and 4 Master students (completed) in the built heritage maintenance and performance, digitization of heritage museum, facilities management and pest control in public property. Administrative duties in which Brit has been involved include Co-ordinator of Master of Facilities & Maintenance Management (MFMM) (2022-2024), Committee Member of Undergraduate Programme and Building Surveying Promotion (2014-2016), Member of Examination Boardlist (2017-2018) & (2019-2020), Faculty of Built Environment's Graduate Employability Coordinator (2021-2023) and Thinking Matters: Mind and Intellect Cluster of Student Holistic Empowerment (SHE) Coordinator (since 2022).  Previously, Brit has been appointed as reviewer of UM Postgraduate Research Grant for 2014-2015 and appointed as scientific committee cum reviewer for IBCC 2016, 2018, 2021 and 2022, and IBSC-BEURC 2025.