Mardiana Idayu Ahmad received her PhD in Sustainable Energy Technologies University of Nottingham, United Kingdom, and is currently an Associate Professor in Environmental Technology at Universiti Sains Malaysia. She is also a Fellow of the World Society on Sustainable Energy Technologies (WSSET). Her research expertise spans environmental technology, environmental management, and engineering science, with a particular focus on sustainable energy technologies and bio-based micro-nano materials for environmental applications. Over her career, she has served as principal investigator and co-investigator in numerous high-impact projects, and has published over 200 scholarly works, including journal articles, research books, book chapters, and conference papers. An active member of the WSSET, Malaysian Board of Technologists and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), she has engaged extensively with global experts, and contributed as a committee member for multiple regional and international conferences. Beyond academia, she has been actively involved in consultancy projects in sustainable energy and environmental technology, collaborating with industry and client organizations, effectively bridging research with practical applications to address complex real-world challenges.Abdul Khalil H.P. Shawkataly, F.I.M.M.M. (UK), F.I.A.A.M. (Sweden), widely known as Abdul Khalil H.P.S., is an internationally renowned expert and professor in biopolymers and biocomposites, particularly biopolymer-based aerogels. He currently serves as the Vice Chancellor of Universiti Islam Melaka (UNIMEL), Malaysia. He earned his Doctoral Degree in Biocomposites from the University of Wales, United Kingdom, and has been affiliated with the School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) since 1992. Over more than 32 years, he has built an extensive career in teaching and research, focusing on sustainable materials for diverse applications in engineering, environmental science, biomaterial, biomedical, and other industrial sectors. He is a Fellow of the International Association of Advanced Materials (FIAAM), Sweden, and the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (FIMMM), United Kingdom. He has received numerous prestigious accolades, including the World Class Professor title (2018-2022) from the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture, the Malaysia Rising Star Award, multiple Malaysia Research Star Awards, and the Top Research Scientist Malaysia designation by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia. He has published over 400 indexed papers, garnered more than 20,000 citations, and holds an H-index of 70 (Scopus). In addition, he has authored seven books, contributed to 50 book chapters, and serves on the editorial boards of six ISI/Scopus-indexed journals, while having reviewed over 300 reputable research articles. His research has catalyzed numerous international collaborations, and his expertise is recognized through adjunct professorships at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Malaysia; Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), Indonesia; and Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK), Indonesia. In recognition of his exceptional contributions to global research, scholarly publications, and academic leadership, he has been awarded the Doctor Honoris Causa (D.HC.) by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (MoECRT), Indonesia, through Universitas Syiah Kuala.
