Dr. Mundzir Abdullah is a lecturer at the Institute of Nano Optoelectronics Research and Technology (INOR), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). His research encompasses photonics, including nonlinear optics, laser material processing, optical emission spectroscopy, fiber optics sensors, and high-speed laser imaging. He has published over 80 articles in international journals and four books. Dr. Mundzir has received international recognition, delivering keynote speech at LATOS 2015 and invited lectures at Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia, and the 1st Symposium of Optical Fiber Laser Technology 2018 (SopFLAT 2018). His research has earned him multiple innovation awards, including two Gold medals and one Bronze medal at the International Invention, Innovation & Technology Exhibition (ITEX) and a Bronze medal at the International Invention, Innovation & Design Expo (INoDEx 2021). He has been invited to be an external assessor for the EURIZON Fellowship Programme "Remote Research Grants" in 2023 and 2024. Dr. Abdullah has secured research grants totaling over RM500,000 and more than RM1,300,000 as a co-PI, advancing nonlinear optical materials such as carbon nanomaterials, perovskites, organic compounds, and III-nitrides-based semiconductors. Recently, his focus on III-nitrides compound semiconductors aims to revolutionize communication technologies through novel optical devices. His efforts have helped earn HiCOE status at INOR, where he leads a sub-project on III-nitrides nanophotonics, highlighting his commitment to advancing solid-state physics and optical technologies.

Dr. Uswatun Hasanah Zaidan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences at Universiti Putra Malaysia, where she has served since 2012. She earned her PhD in Biocatalysis from UPM in 2011, receiving recognition as the best PhD student in the Chemistry Department of the Faculty of Science. Starting her career as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry at UPM, she later pursued postdoctoral research in Food Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Nottingham (2013-2015). In 2017, she was appointed as an Associate Researcher at the Halal Products Research Institute (HPRI, UPM). Initially focused on Biocatalysis, her research interests have expanded to include Food and Plant Chemical Analysis, Bioactive Compounds Characterization, Functional Food, Nutraceutical and Halal Product Science. She currently leads eight research grants (Geran Putra and I-IPS, 2016-2023) and is a co-member of a several research grants (Geran Putra Berimpak, Geran Putra-IPS and FRGS). Since 2016, Dr. Uswatun Hasanah has been actively involved in various professional societies such as MSBMB, AFOB. Throughout the years Dr. Uswatun Hasanah has participated in academic conferences, serving as an organizer, scientific reviewer, and keynote speaker. Notably, she has authored a number of proceeding papers and journal publications. In addition to her industrial work, Dr. Uswatun Hasanah has collaborated with industry partners like KOWARIS Sdn Bhd and Saliran Mampan Sdn Bhd in projects involving Stevia & Roselle and Tropical fruits. Currently she is collaborating with Al-Baladul Amin Trading for HabbatusSauda’ project and various consultation works. She is also actively engaged in community and educational initiatives as a project advisor for various schools and was invited by Media TV1 to be a panelist on the MyHalal Channel for the Maulidur Rasul program titled “Rasulullah Diet”. Passionate in teaching and learning, she was awarded Gold Medal at the Putra InnoCreative Carnival in Teaching & Learning (PiCTL) in 2020 and 2021, and a Silver medal in 2022. Recently, she was invited as an external evaluator for lecturer promotion in USIM.