Prof. Siti Azizah Mohd Nor is a principal research fellow at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu and honorary professor at Universiti Sains Malaysia. Her area of interest is in population genetics and molecular ecology for the conservation of wild and captive populations, mainly of important aquatic organisms. This encompasses studies on the identification of genetically optimal broodstock through the utilisation of molecular markers. On a regional scale there are several completed and on-going projects on fishes, with focus on the spiny eels (Mastacembelids) halfbeak (Hemirhamphodon), keli (Clarias), Rasbora, Betta, snakehead (Channa), groupers, mackerel, and nemipterids among others, to investigate how ancient river connectivity, geographical, anthropogenic signatures and historical climatic changes have shaped the genetic patterns of these fishes in the biodiversity hotspots of Sundaland (Malaysia and Indonesia) and the Mekong river delta. This has been made possible through collaborative research with colleagues from Indonesia, IndoChina, Europe and Australia who are actively working in this region. Furthermore, her team is also collaborating with scientists from the Indian continent, Middle eastern and African countries. More recently, her laboratory is embarking on genomics studies in several species for aquaculture improvement eg. Groupers, Tilapia, kelah- Tor, and snakehead Channa striata. She also has a very keen interest in the global FishBOLD DNA Barcoding initiative. This DNA barcoding data is important in molecular taxonomy and among its applications are in seafood forensics for consumer protection against seafood frauds. Her group has conducted DNA barcoding workshops in Rasht, Iran at the invitation of the Iranian Fisheries Organisation, in Vietnam in collaboration with the University of Can Tho and several other international workshops. She has been involved in several barcoding projects including of commercially important marine fishes in Malaysia and initiating a metagenome approach to identify fish spawning areas. She is also a recipient of an International Oceanic Commission Western Pacific grant for DNA barcoding of reef fishes. Through these research activities Prof. Siti Azizah has graduated more than 60 local and foreign postgraduate students and published more 150 high impact publications.

Dr. Hawis Madduppa, B.Sc., M.Sc experienced lecturer at the Department of Marine Science and Technology, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, IPB University with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Skilled in Lecturing, Biodiversity, Molecular Biology, Natural Resource Management, and Environmental Education. Skilled in Lecturing, Biodiversity, Molecular Biology, Natural Resource Management, and Environmental Education. His research interests are related to marine biodiversity and conservation, dispersal and connectivity of marine environment, ecology and biology of marine fish, population genetics (phylogeography), biosystematics, fish habitat restoration and rehabilitation, and using fish as biological indicator. Currently he is an executive director of Indonesian Blue Swimming Crab Association (http://www.apri.or.id), board of Enhancing of Marine Biodiversity Research in Indonesia – EMBRIO at the Bogor Agricultural University (http://embrio.ipb.ac.id), He actively research on whale shark across Indonesia since 2013, and he is the advisor of Whale Shark Indonesia (WS-ID), a collaborative initiative to manage and conserve whale shark in Indonesia (http://whalesharkindonesia.org), and actively involved as principal investigator in measure marine biodiversity gradients in Indonesia using Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) (http://infinitediversity.org). He also board of Biorock Indonesia, who is working for marine ecosystem restoration and rehabilitation all around Indonesia (http://www.biorock-indonesia.com). I am members of a collaborative network – the Diversity of the Indo-Pacific Network (DIPnet), by aggregating (published) population genetic data into a searchable database so that original datasets can be utilized to address questions concerning conservation of marine biodiversity, and aiming to promote collaboration and advocate best practices for conducting biodiversity research.

In the 11th AIC on Environmental & Life Sciences 2021, he will give talk about "Exploring health of the ocean ecosystem using hybrid nextgen biomonitoring".