Professor Jayantha Gunaratne is a world-renowned leader in biomedical research with nearly three decades of pioneering contributions in the domain and talent development. He completed his first-rate training at the Scripps Institution of University of California San Diego, USA as a postdoctoral research scholar, upon his Doctor of Science degrees from the Tokyo Institute of Technology and B.Sc. (Special) in Chemistry from the University of Peradeniya.

As Senior Principal Investigator and Deputy Division Director of Cell & Molecular Therapy Division at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), A*STAR, Singapore, Professor Gunaratne leads a multidisciplinary translational research program that has delivered breakthrough innovations. His impact is attested by over a hundred publications, multiple patents and inventions, and a strong record of industry/pharma-aligned collaborations.

He is also a Professor (Adj) at the School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, and was a founding Adjunct Faculty at the Imperial College London-Nanyang Technological University Joint Medical School and a faculty member at Ruhuna University Medical Faculty, contributing significantly to medical education. Professor Gunaratne's career reflects a lifelong commitment to advancing science, translating discoveries into impactful innovations, and nurturing the next generation of scientific leaders.

Professor Veranja Karunaratne is a distinguished Sri Lankan chemist and academic, holding a B.Sc. (First Class) from the University of Colombo and a Ph.D. in Synthetic Organic Chemistry from the University of British Columbia, Canada. A Professor Emeritus at the University of Peradeniya, he has held key leadership roles, including Vice Chancellor of ESOFT University, SLTC, and SLINTEC Academy, as well as Chairman of NASTEC and the National Intellectual Property Advisory Commission.

An elected Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, Sri Lanka, and the Royal Society of Chemistry (UK), he has 17 international patents, 192 publications, and an H-index of 43, while mentoring 24 Ph.D. and 14 M.Phil. students. His accolades include the French Order of Academic Palms (2012), NSF awards, and the Presidential Award for Scientific Publication (2001-2017), cementing his legacy as a pioneer in Sri Lankan science and innovation.

His accolades include the French Order of Academic Palms (2012), NSF awards, and the Presidential Award for Scientific Publication (2001-2017), cementing his legacy as a pioneer in Sri Lankan science and innovation.

Dr. Dissanayake is a synthetic organic chemist and dedicated educator with over eight years of full-time teaching experience at undergraduate levels. She is skilled in organic synthesis, polymer synthesis, characterization techniques and working in a clean room environment.

Dr. Dissanayake has a passion for student-centered learning and consistently brought complex chemical concepts to life through engaging instruction and direct mentorship. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes clarity, creativity and connection ensuring that every learner feels empowered to reach their full potential.

In recent years, Dr. Dissanayake has developed a growing interest in the intersection of education and technology, particularly the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in teaching and learning.