Helmy is a co-founder of SERI and its first CEO. A practising respiratory specialist, he is the Head of the Lung Centre at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur and a co-founder of Asthma Malaysia, a NGO advocating greater empowerment for patients with asthma.

One of twenty global recipients of the Inter Academy Medical Panel's Young Physician Leader award and a part of Tatler's Gen T, Helmy was appointed as a technical adviser on tobacco control and a special adviser to two previous Health Ministers. He is a columnist with The Star, and is regularly sought after by the media for his views on issues related to policy.

Prior to founding SERI, Rashaad worked as a policy advisor to a Malaysian Member of Parliament. He also was as an analyst at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore with a research focus on federalism, institutionalism and public policy, publishing in academia as well as in media.

Rashaad also spent four years as an editorial manager at an e-commerce An avid musician, Rashaad has played drums in local bands for over 10 years and can still be found behind the kit at live music venues across the city.

Syafiqa Zakaria is a driven and versatile leader with a strong academic background in international affairs and political science. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs Management from Universiti Utara Malaysia, focusing on Political Science, International Relations, Malaysia's Political Economy, and International Law. Her career has spanned across political, creative, and community-driven sectors. She has worked as a Parliament Officer for prominent leaders such as Nurul Izzah Anwar and Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik and served as a Councilor for Majlis Bandaraya Subang Jaya.

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Her creative journey led her from the Creative Department to her current role as Operations Manager at SERI. Passionate about cultural diplomacy, policy, strategic defense, and social work, Syafiqa is committed to driving change through innovation and advocacy.

Sara is a sociology graduate from the University of Manchester, with a deep interest in human behavior and how societies function. She started her career in the insurance industry, focusing on developing agents and fostering growth within the field. After gaining valuable experience, Sara made a career pivot into the world of think tanks, where she focuses on stakeholder management, working to build and maintain relationships with key partners, while supporting impactful research. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys hiking and exploring the outdoors.

Daniel is a Health Economics master graduate from the University of York, with a deep
passion for using his skills to reduce health inequalities and improve healthcare access. His recent work has focused on the economics of tobacco control, specifically exploring the impact of tobacco taxation in Malaysia. In this role, he has advocated for evidence-based policies and cost-effective interventions aimed at improving public health outcomes.
 

During his placement at the Centre for Health Economics in York, Daniel developed an
interest in applying a cross-sectoral approach to health issues, recognising the
interconnectedness of health with various sectors. An earnest reader and Star Wars fan, Daniel enjoys reading novels and comic books and exploring the lore and mythologies of the Star Wars universe. He also occasionally dabbles
in baking.

Jannah is an MA Gender Studies graduate from the University of Malaya with interest in feminist and digital culture research. She is also a gender equality advocate working with local and regional NGOs as research and digital advocacy consultant.

Vyshnavi holds a B.A. in Political Science and Government with a minor in Global Affairs from Western Michigan University. Before joining SERI, she gained extensive experience working with the Michigan state government and a prominent senator, where she spent a year advocating for the passage of a gun safety storage bill. Additionally, she worked as a voter protection associate on a campaign, focusing on educating voters about their rights and ensuring that every vote was counted.

Passionate about human rights and social justice, she strives to create meaningful change through her work. Outside the office, she enjoys strength training, running, and reading political and philosophical literature.

Aliya is passionate about research and the ways it can create meaningful change. Trained as an electrical engineering graduate, her curiosity for patterns and problem-solving naturally drew her towards the world of data. Today, she is building her expertise in quantitative data analysis while continuing to explore her interests in social issues, gender equality, and sustainable development, transforming ideas and numbers into insights that matter.

Outside of work, Aliya brings the same curiosity to her personal passions. She’s rarely without her headphones, always switching between songs, and loves capturing skyscrapers and cityscapes for her curated Instagram page. Her favorite pastime is unwinding at coffee shops, enjoying cozy local cafes as the perfect setting for catch-ups with friends and family. On playful days, you might even find her inventing quirky new languages with her twin nephews.

Farthinie is a recent graduate with an honors degree in Public Relations from UiTM. Known for her vibrant energy and friendly personality, she joins SERI with a strategic mindset and passion for current issues and advocacy. Previously working as a Public Relations Consultant and Marketing Specialist, she developed her critical thinking skills and cultivated strong relationships with media professionals and influencers. Her communication skills and marketing expertise now support SERI’s efforts in shaping strategy and enhancing brand visibility.​

She enjoys long drives with her favorite music, spending quality time with loved ones, and exploring new places to travel. She’s also a big fan of live music and enjoys attending concerts whenever she can.

Claudia is a final-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Social Science in International Relations at Taylor's University Malaysia who is committed to addressing pressing social inequalities and fostering positive change. When she is not immersed in research and analysis, she finds solace and inspiration in the world of literature and music.

In Malaysia, Claudia can often be found volunteering with refugee children, providing them with educational support and emotional encouragement. She continues to seek out opportunities to broaden her experiences in the IR field, striving to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Originating from the vibrant archipelago of Indonesia, she is an individual who is drawn to thought-provoking essays and philosophical discourse, seeking to delve into the complexities of life and society.

Ian is a final-year student currently pursuing a Bachelor of Social Science in International Relations with a minor in Journalism at Taylor's University. His curiosity about how factors such as institutions, policies, history, education, and language shape contemporary Malaysian society has led him to SERI with the hope of constructing a better Malaysian society through impactful policy recommendations that address social inequalities.

In his free time, Ian can be seen hanging out with his friends or stamp-hunting around Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, a hobby that was reignited after travelling to Japan.