Dr. Matthew Chidozie Ogwu is an interdisciplinary environmental scientist and Assistant Professor of Sustainable Development at Appalachian State University, USA. He holds a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Seoul National University, South Korea, and degrees in Plant Biology and Biotechnology from the University of Benin, Nigeria. Dr. Ogwu&s expertise spans integrated ecology, environmental health, and sustainability science, focusing on One Health and EcoHealth frameworks. His research includes natural resource management, microbiome applications in health and agriculture, environmental monitoring, and food waste valorization. An award-winning mentor and educator, Dr. Ogwu has published widely, including journal articles, book chapters, and edited volumes with Springer, Wiley, Taylor and Francis, and Elsevier. He is committed to participatory and decolonial approaches in environmental and human health governance, working with communities in the Global South and the United States to advance sustainability and foster the next generation of environmental leaders. His works continue to advance convergence research approaches integrating One Health and EcoHealth perspectives to address complex sustainability and health challenges globally.

Dr. Sylvester Izah is a distinguished faculty member at Bayelsa Medical University in Yenagoa, Nigeria. Dr. Izah holds dual Ph.D. in Public Health, and Applied Microbiology and Environmental Health, an M.Sc. in Applied Microbiology, and a B.Sc. in Biological Sciences from Niger Delta University, Nigeria. In addition to his teaching role, he holds the position of Assistant Director of Academic Planning, Research, and Innovations at the university. Dr. Izah is a licensed environmental health specialist in Nigeria. His expertise spans various disciplines, including the assessment and management of air, soil, and water quality, as well as toxicology, hygiene, sanitation, food science, waste management, biodiversity, and sustainability. Dr. Izah's academic prowess is highlighted by an impressive research and publication portfolio, which includes more than 300 peer-reviewed publications. His work extends to the publication of edited books with renowned publishers such as Springer and Elsevier, contributions to book chapters in publications by Elsevier, Springer, and Taylor and Francis, as well as numerous journal articles.