A biophysicist by interest, Dr. Vengadesh Periasamy is based in Low Dimensional Materials Research Centre (LDMRC), Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as a Senior Lecturer/ Research Fellow. His field of expertise and interest mainly involves DNA electronics, Langmuir-Blodgett (LB), Biophotovoltaics (BPV) and Nanomedicine (Riboflavin, Green Synthesis of Nanoparticles for Antipathogenic and Anticancer Properties). His current research groups consist of numerous final year projects, interns, research assistants, MSc. and PhD. students comprising of various disciplines and nationality. Resulting research outputs have been published in various high impact factor journal papers, proceedings, patent, book and book chapter. Research covers a comprehensive multi-disciplinary approach whereby underlying fundamentals are thoroughly investigated to enable possible applications by constructing, characterizing and testing prototype sensors/devices. Using LB technique to fabricate pure novel DNA films, we are actively pursuing frontier research into fundamental DNA electronics, which would ultimately enable DNA genomic sequencing for rapid DNA detection and also the fabrication of DNA based environmental sensors. LB method also allows flexibility in designing different types of graphene films either as porous anodes or highly transparent conducting material. These highly customized electrodes will then be utilized to investigate bio-signals or intrinsic cellular noises from antipathogenic/anticancer reactions and other biological pathways of interest. Current research directions are therefore directed towards understanding interfacial properties by deciphering extracted bio-signals to be applied in the fields of nano-bioelectronics, nano-medicine and biomedical technology. Dr. Vengadesh’s interest in BPV is partly as a result of an MOU between University of Malaya and Centre of Research for Electrochemical Science and Technology (CREST), Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge to undertake combined research efforts in algae biotechnology. He and his group is developing LB derived high porosity graphene films for application as an anodic material in BPV platforms. Initial results indicating an increased power output and open potential suggest the possibility of substituting the currently used conventional ITO anodes. The LB method utilized allows for attaining higher electrode surface area and better attachment of biofilms. Coupled with the presence of functional groups, the films fabricated enables easier and effective algae attachment onto the graphene anode surface resulting in superior biocompatibility and hence the improved power output. Dr. Vengadesh visited CREST as a Post-doc/Academic Visitor from 21 January until 20 October 2014 to facilitate the collaborative research further and to establish a roadmap in BPV research between the two research centers.

Dr Lee is an Associate Professor at the Department of Primary Care Medicine, University of Malaya, and Head of the eLearning at the Faculty of Medicine’s UMeHealth Unit. His research interests include the influence of patient values on health decisions, strategies to promote collaborative, patient-centered care in low resource settings, and developing aids and tools to support shared decision making for various preference-sensitive health conditions. He has worked across a broad range of health topics including diabetes, cancer, genetics, HIV/AIDS, indigenous health in Sabah and Sarawak, and migrant worker health. He leads several eLearning and eHealth projects including MyViP@UM (virtual patients for medical education) and VISIT (a randomized trial to elicit patient concerns through electronic medical records to improve primary care consultations). He sits on the editorial boards for BMC Primary Care Medicine and BMC Medical Education.

Dr. Murad Abdu Saeed is currently a senior lecturer in the Department of the English Language, Faculty of Language and Linguistics, Universiti Malaya. He obtained his Ph.D. in 2016 and Master Degree in 2012 from the School of English Language Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). From 2019-2024, Dr. Murad worked as an associate professor in the Department of English Language and Translation, Qassim University. Previously, he worked as a postdoctoral in the Department of the English Language, Faculty of Language and Linguistics, Universiti Malaya (2016-2018). His main research interests are applied linguistics, academic writing, educational technologies in writing, feedback, feedback dialogue and collaborative writing. His research papers appear in journals such as Language Learning & Technology, Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, Assessing Writing, International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, Innovations in Education and Teaching International, Computers & Compositions, the Language Learning Journal, Journal of Research & Method in Education and Asian Education and Development Studies.