Ms. Melissa Saw
CEO
LuFloc Sustainable Aquatech Sdn. Bhd.

Ms. Melissa is the founder of LuFloc, a startup pioneering sustainable super-intensive shrimp farming. With prior hands-on experience in traditional shrimp farming, a degree in biomedical engineering from Imperial College London, and a full stack developer, she brings a unique blend of technical expertise and passion for sustainability to her work.

Melissa is committed to leading Lufloc’s mission in shrimp farming that is both economically viable and environmentally sustainable, through lowering disease risk, optimizing yields, whilst ensuring highest quality shrimp supply to support food security.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murni Marlina Abd Karim
Deputy Director
International Institute of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences (I-AQUAS)

Dr. Murni Karim is an Associate Professor at the Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture and also a Deputy Directer at the International Institute of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia. She obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from UPM and a Ph.D. from the University of Rhode Island, United States. She is also currently an honorary secretary of the Asian Fisheries Society. She has made significant contributions to fish disease management and the aquatic biotechnology field. Her research interest involves the use of multidisciplinary approaches for the prevention and management of infectious diseases in aquaculture. She has published extensively and numerous journal articles and has led and participated in major research projects. She has won awards for her research and teaching innovations, and developed significant industry and international collaborations. A mentor to many students and an active member of academic and professional communities, her work has had a broad impact on aquaculture and aquatic sciences.

Prof. Dato’ Dr. Aileen Tan Shau Hwai
Director
Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), USM

Prof. Dato’ Dr. Aileen Tan Shau Hwai, a Marine Science Professor at Universiti Sains Malaysia, holds Fellow status in the Academy of Science Malaysia. Currently, she directs USM’s Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies (CEMACS), heads the Asia-Pacific University-Community Engagement Network (APUCEN), and serves as Vice Chair of IOC Western Pacific (WESTPAC). She has been elected as the first woman president of the 60-years old UNITAS Malacologica, which is based in Belgium, from 2013-2016. She sits on the board of Partnership for Observations of the Global Oceans (POGO) and plays pivotal roles in organizations like CoastPredict, Global Ocean Corps, EquiSea, GO2NE and Global Partnership in Marine Litter. Specializing in mariculture and mollusc conservation, she champions green aquaculture, empowering coastal communities in Malaysia while prioritizing environmental protection. Recognized with the Top Research Scientist Award in Malaysia (TRSM) in 2020 for her expertise in “Mariculture and Marine Ecology, Biodiversity & Conservation”, she fosters community empowerment and environmental stewardship, earning accolades for her giant clam conservation efforts, including the Best Women Scientist award. She has initiated several Malaysia Book of Records for her contribution in molluscan studies. 

Prof. Dr. Jennifer Ann Harikrishna
Director
Centre for Research in Biotechnology for Agriculture (CEBAR), UM

Prof. Jennifer Ann Harikrishna completed her BSc in Microbiology at the University of Surrey then her PhD in Molecular Genetics at Cranfield University, before moving to the USA for a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of California in San Francisco. In Malaysia, she has held positions at TropBio Research Sdn. Bhd., University Putra Malaysia and Malaysia University of Science and Technology. Prof. Jenni is currently a Professor of Genetics and the Director of CEBAR at the Universiti Malaya. Prof. Jenni is also an Honorary Visiting Fellow in the Department of Genetics and Genome Biology at the University of Leicester, UK.

Mr. Kumaran Rajagopal
Principal Agronomist
Sime Darby Plantation Research Sdn. Bhd.

Mr. Kumaran Rajagopal, a seasoned professional with an impressive 24-year background in Research and Development (R&D), complemented by 5 years of expertise in plantation management. His extensive contributions encompass groundbreaking research and effective management strategies within the domains of oil palm and rubber agronomy and production.

Dr. Kazuki Nakamae
Senior Researcher
PtBio Inc.

Dr. Kazuki Nakamae obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees and a Ph.D. in molecular genetics at Hiroshima University, Japan. He is currently a senior researcher at PtBio Inc. and an Assistant Professor at PtBio’s Collaborative Laboratory of Bio-DX, Genome Editing Innovation Center, Hiroshima University, Japan. He has contributed to genome editing and bioinformatics. He established some automated design and analysis software for CRISPR editing. He also devised a novel algorithm for quantifying the off-target effect on phenotype in academia, while he is currently committing to several genome analysis projects in collaboration with Japanese companies in PtBio Inc.

Mr. Jason Ng Chin Aik,
Manufacturing Vice President
Cell AgriTech Sdn Bhd

Mr. Jason Ng Chin Aik, boasting over 15 years of extensive experience in manufacturing. His niche expertise lies in areas such as quality management systems, product & process design, validation, and regulatory requirements. Jason currently holds a pivotal role as Manufacturing Vice President of Cell AgriTech Sdn Bhd. He also contributes his expertise to several committees and advisory boards, such as the Government Affairs and Regulatory and Technical Committee of AMMI, as well as the Industry Advisory Board in Applied Science Medical Biotech at the International Medical University.

Mr. Syed Naufal Putra Syed Ja’afar
Founder
Biovet International Sdn. Bhd.

Mr. Syed Naufal Putra Bin Syed Ja’afar brings a wealth of experience to his role as Founder at Biovet International Sdn. Bhd. With a background spanning various leadership positions in the veterinary sector, he served as the Head of the Department of Veterinary Services in the Jasin District of Melaka from 2013 to 2018 before assuming the role of Head of Training Department for Veterinary Services in the Melaka State. Graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine from UPM in 2023, he continued to excel, taking on the position of Head of the Bureau of Livestock and Fisheries Department in the Johor State of Teraju Council from 2024 to 2027. Additionally, Mr. Syed Naufal Putra contributed to his community as the Deputy Vice President of the Red Crescent Society in the Jasin District from 2020 to 2022. His diverse expertise and commitment to service make him a valuable asset to Biovet International Sdn. Bhd.

Professor Dato’ Dr. Quaza Nizamuddin Bin A Hassan Nizam
Head of School of Veterinary Medicine
Taylor’s University

Professor Dato’ Dr. Quaza Nizamuddin Bin A Hassan Nizam, esteemed as the Head of School for the School of Veterinary Medicine within the Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences at Taylor’s University, boasts a distinguished academic and professional journey. Graduating with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Universiti Pertanian Malaysia in 1984, he pursued further academic excellence, attaining a Master of Science in Tropical Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Veterinary Medicine from the Free University Berlin, Germany, in 1994. Dr. Quaza’s illustrious career includes serving as the Director General of Veterinary Services Malaysia from June 5th, 2017, to March 9th, 2020. During this tenure, he held significant roles such as President of the Malaysian Veterinary Council, Chairman of the Animal Welfare Board, and Chairman of the Feed Board, showcasing his leadership acumen and commitment to advancing veterinary sciences. With a rich background in education, he has adeptly instructed para-professionals and farmers at the Veterinary Training Institute. Dr. Quaza’s hands-on experience extends to the successful management of large-scale beef and dairy farms, demonstrating his profound expertise in livestock production and animal health over his remarkable 38-year career.

Mr. Razwan Zakaria
Chief Product Officer
Aerodyne Group

Mr. Razwan is appointed as Chief Product Officer for AGRIMOR to develop and market new agriculture 4.0 solutions in UAV precision technologies, IoT systems, and mechanization. He currently leads a team of 210 people consisting of UAV pilots, innovators, engineers, and technicians. Razwan has 15 years of experience in management and technology development-related projects. His specialization is projected in the areas of electronics and oil & gas. He was also responsible for setting up and operationalizing Aerodyne Australia. Assisted Group and Director of Operations for operations in different states in Australia.

In his capacity, he has also led Digital Transformation projects for clients in the telecommunications, power, renewable energy, and the oil & gas industry. Client and stakeholder engagements to formulate UAV use case, the scope of operations, methodologies, testing, and validation for clients in Australia, the United States, Latin America, the United Kingdom, Europe, and the Middle East.

Dr. Kuhan Chandru
Research Fellow
Institute of Climate Change

Dr. Kuhan Chandru received his Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology in 2005 and his Master’s degree in Environmental Geochemistry in 2010 in Malaysia. He obtained his Ph.D. in Advance Material Chemistry focusing on prebiotic chemistry at the Yokohama National University in 2013 supported by the Japanese MEXT scholarship.

Upon his graduation, he was recruited by the Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) working on hydrothermal vents’ prebiotic chemistry. He was a research fellow at the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague from 2018 to 2020, and the National University of Malaysia from 2018 to date.

The focus of his current work is to discover new chemistries that could have facilitated or enabled the origins of (microbial) life. His work has featured in major international newspapers and magazines such as the Guardian and Indian Express, New Scientist and Science News, and international and local channels such as Syfy and BFM

Dr. Norilmi Amilia Ismail
CEO, Founder
SpaceIn Sdn. Bhd.

Dr. Norilmi Amilia Ismail is the founder and CEO of SpaceIn, a small satellite manufacturing company for IoT applications, and a senior lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). She is also the first President and co-founder of Malaysia Space Initiative, a non-profit organisation with a mission to help advance the Malaysian space industry. She is on the committee for the Malaysia Space Industry Consortium, too. She is currently a mentor for Space4Women mentoring program, organised by the United Nations Outer Space Affair (UNOOSA). She is a fellow of Karman Project,  an independent, non-profit foundation gathering global leaders shaping the Space sector’s future.  Norilmi holds a master’s degree in Space Mission Analysis and Design and a PhD in Mechanical engineering from the University of Glasgow, United Kingdom. Her research interest are focus on small satellite system and High Altitude Platform. She is driven by a deep-seated desire to make a meaningful impact through her involvement with SpaceIN and other organisations. Her mission is to ensure that the advantages of space technology are harnessed to benefit humanity at large.