Dr. Hakeem is a Professor at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Head of the Plant Biotechnology Research Unit at the Princess Dr. Najlaa Bint Saud Al Saud Center for Distinguished Research in Biotechnology. His academic journey includes roles as Assistant Professor at the University of Kashmir and research appointments in Malaysia. He holds a Ph.D. in Botany from Jamia Hamdard, India, with expertise in plant eco-physiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, and medicinal plant research. He has authored numerous books, journal articles, and book chapters, and serves on editorial boards for leading publishers. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology and affiliated with international scientific societies. His work focuses on advancing plant science through global collaborations and research on eco-physiological and molecular processes. Dr. Suhaib A. Bandh is Associate Professor in the Postgraduate Department of Environmental Science at Sri Pratap College Campus, Cluster University Srinagar (J&K Government). He specializes in freshwater mycology and environmental science, having earned his PhD for pioneering research on fungal diversity in Dal Lake, Kashmir. He teaches postgraduate courses in environmental science and disaster management, actively mentoring future environmental scientists. His contributions include monographs, over 20 edited volumes with leading publishers (Elsevier, Springer Nature, Taylor & Francis) including the Elsevier volume, Freshwater Mycology (2022), as well as numerous peer-reviewed articles on aquatic ecosystems, microbial ecology, and sustainability. An active member of the Academy of Plant Sciences India and the National Environmental Science Academy, he regularly participates in national and international conferences. Dr. Bandh’s work advances understanding of freshwater fungi and environmental sustainability, marking him as a leading expert in microbial (fungal) ecological research and education.Dr. Fayaz Ahmad Malla is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at Government Degree College Tral, Jammu and Kashmir, with a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. His doctoral research focused on biogas methane enrichment using selective chemical scavengers and microalgae. With expertise in waste management, renewable energy, and water conservation, Dr. Malla has contributed significantly to water auditing and enhancing agricultural water use efficiency during his tenure at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). He has published extensively in reputed national and international journals, including Ecological Engineering, Energy, Journal of Cleaner Production, Sustainability, and Recycling. Notable works include studies on biogas conditioning, Phycoremediation, and the role of microalgae in biodiesel production and wastewater treatment. Dr. Malla has co-authored books on biofuels, circular economy, and renewable energy with esteemed publishers like Elsevier, Springer, and CRC Press, and has contributed several book chapters on climate resilience, waste valorization, and environmental governance. Actively involved in academic conferences, Dr. Malla is a recognized scholar dedicated to advancing environmental sustainability and circular economy research. Mohammad Aneesul Mehmood works in the Government Degree College in Pulwama, India.
