Dr. Kam Suan Pheng holds a PhD in Agronomy-Soil Science from Cornell University and brings over 35 years of experience in research and teaching across institutions such as Universiti Sains Malaysia, the International Rice Research Institute, and the WorldFish Center. She has played key roles in environmental initiatives including founding Penang Hills Watch and advising on ecology and climate networks, with a longstanding commitment to community awareness on floods and river conservation.