Kaj Winther

Denmark

Kenneth B. Storey

Canada

Dr. Kenneth B. Storey, Ph.D., F.R.S.C., is a Professor of Biochemistry at Carleton University in Ottawa and holds the Canada Research Chair in Molecular Physiology. He received his B.Sc. from the University of Calgary and his Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia. Ken is a world leader in the field of biochemical adaptation. He uses tools of enzymology, protein chemistry and molecular biology to identify the adaptations of gene regulation and enzyme structure/function that support amazing animal phenomena including hibernation, freezing survival, estivation and anoxia tolerance with a particular focus on the mechanisms metabolic rate depression that support these phenomena. Ken is a prolific author and speaker – he has over 1000 publications to his name and has given hundreds of talks around the world. Ken won the 2010 Flavelle medal in Biological Sciences from the Royal Society of Canada, “CryoFellow” of the CryoBiology Society in 2012   and the 2011 Fry medal from the Canadian Society of Zoologists.  For more information visit 

http://www.kenstoreylab.com/

Girish C. Melkani

United States

Girish Melkani acquired a Ph.D. degree from Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India (A CSIR premier Drug Institute) & Kumaun University, Nainital, India. He pursues his postdoctoral training at  Cal State San Marcos, CA, and San Diego State University, CA. Currently, he is an Associate Professor of Pathology at UAB School of Medicine. He has published more than 45 papers in reputed journals including Science, Nature Communications, Cell Metabolism, and Aging Cell.   His lab is currently funded with 3-R01 and 4th R01 has been approved for funding.  Dr. Melkani has served/serving on various committees and grant review panels. He has been also serving on the editorial board of three journals.  

Prof. Ricardo Garay

France

Dr. Ricardo P. GARAY is Director of Research (retired) at CNRS (French National Council of Scientific Research) and President of the non-profit association Craven (Villemoisson, France). He graduated as Doctor in Medicine from the School of Medicine (University of Buenos Aires) and as Chemist from the School of Sciences (University of Buenos Aires). R. Garay is the author of 351 publications in International Medical and Scientific journals, mostly in the area of Pharmacology and Therapeutics. In these last years, R. Garay regularly published Expert Opinion Articles in the area of CNS drugs. Since 2020, R. Garay has been actively working in the field of aging and longevity.

Prof. Lee Hyer

USA

Dr. Hyer is the author of over 300 articles and book chapters, as well as five books. He has just completed a new book “Older Adults: Assessment and Clinical Treatment Model for Holistic Care..” He has also had over 70 grants from all sources, government and industry. He directs the Memory Project at Mercer, the Parkinson’s Disease Program at Mercer, and the Traumatic Brain Injury Program. In addition, he is a professor at the PhD program in Clinical Medical Psychology at Mercer School of Public Health. He teaches PhD Medical psychology students, geriatric fellows, and medical students. He is licensed in two states and is boarded in psychology (ABPP).
Recently he retired from the Georgia Neurosurgical Institute and Mercer School of Medicine.

Dr. Hyer specialized in older adults and brain disorders. He targeted cognitive decline, largely older adults with mild cognitive decline and dementia. In addition to cognition, his model for older adults includes depression, anxiety, health, and life adjustment. He directed a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Clinic at Family Medicine. He has been active too with pain patients, those with general pain issues and those with back problems seeking a spinal cord surgery. He has recently published also on the assessment and adjustment of heart patients, especially LVAD patients. Finally, he has been involved in the assessment and treatment of patients seeking bariatric surgery. He is now living in Savannah GA, and is involved as Professor in the new Psychiatry Residency Program at Gateway Behavioral Health and Mercer School of Medicine.

Dr. Hyer is a psychology board (ABPP) in clinical psychology. He has been awarded Distinguished Psychologist in the VA system 6 times and has been awarded accolades from University of Medicine and Dentistry (UMDNJ), Medical College of Georgia (MCG), and Mercer School of Medicine.

Dr. Sok-Ja K Janket

United States

Dr. Sok-Ja Janket received the doctor of dental medicine degree from the University of Connecticut. She received a geriatric dental fellowship from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and a master of public health degree from the Harvard School of Public Health. She researched at the Preventive Medicine Division of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School. After these trainings, she taught and researched at Boston University and is now retired.

Her research interests include oral health contributions to systemic inflammatory diseases comprising cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease and cancer.

Prof. Berislav Zlokovic

United States

Zlokovic is University Professor, Director of the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, and professor and chair of the Department of Physiology and Neuroscience at the University of Southern California. He identified the cellular and molecular mechanisms causing blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction and breakdown and showed that BBB dysfunction/breakdown can initiate neuronal and synaptic dysfunction, and is an early biomarker of human cognitive impairment. Thomson Reuters/Clarivate Analytics listed Zlokovic as one of “The World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds” 2002-2023 for ranking in top one percent of the most-cited authors in the field of neurosciences and behavioral sciences for 21 consecutive years.

Dr. Anthony Estreet

United States

Dr. Anthony Estreet is currently the CEO of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and is a highly esteemed leader in the field of social work. Dr. Estreet, who has more than two decades of experience in the social work profession, has made significant contributions to the field through his academic and professional endeavors.

Dr. Estreet began his career as an adjunct professor at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, and later became the MSW Program's chair and a full professor. While at Morgan State, he co-edited a groundbreaking book on African-centered clinical interventions in social work mental health practice. He published over 40 peer-reviewed journal articles on social work education, workforce development, and social work practice.

In addition to his academic work, Dr. Estreet has held several leadership positions within the social work profession. He served as Vice President of the NASW Board of Directors and as Chair of the NASW Alcohol, Tobacco, and other Drugs Specialty Practice Sections and the National Ethics Committee. In addition, he co-chaired a committee tasked with planning and executing an innovative National Social Work Conference.

Dr. Estreet has served as a clinical director, the chief executive officer of a treatment facility, and a senior executive consultant. He is the founding President of the National Association of Black Social Workers' Baltimore Legacy Chapter.

Dr. Estreet's dedication to serving vulnerable populations and enthusiasm for the social work profession make him the ideal candidate to lead NASW. His extensive knowledge and expertise will be invaluable in advancing the organization's goals and improving the lives of those who rely on social workers for advocacy and support.

Dr. Estreet earned a bachelor’s in science in psychology from Bowie State University, an MSW at Virginia Commonwealth University, a doctorate in social work at Morgan State University, and an MBA at the University Maryland-College Park. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the oldest intercollegiate African American fraternity.

Dr. Hiskias G.Keizer

The Netherlands

Hiskias G. Keizer, trained as a medical biologist, earned his PhD at the medical faculty of the Free University of Amsterdam. Subsequently, he spent 20 years as a scientist in a pharmaceutical company developing drugs for the central nervous system, and 20 years as a biochemist developing functional food supplements for various indication, including Alzheimer’s disease. Four years ago, he joined AMRIF to develop alkaline phosphatase, a potent anti-ageing drug, as a treatment for age-dependent diseases. Over the last 25 years, he has focused on biochemistry regulating cellular homeostasis and ageing, and published various papers on that subject.

Michael P. Lisanti

United Kingdom

Prof. Michael P. Lisanti began his education at New York University, graduating Magna Cum Laude in Chemistry. He obtained his MD-PhD degrees at Cornell University Medical College in Cell Biology and Genetics. From 1992 to 1996, he was a Fellow at the Whitehead Institute at MIT. After several distinguished appointments at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the Kimmel Center, he joined the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Unit in 2012 as Professor of Cancer Biology at The University of Manchester in the United Kingdom (UK).

Following his appointment to the Kimmel Cancer Center in 2006, he was selected to lead the Program in Molecular Biology and Genetics of Cancer. In 2009, he became the Chair of the Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University. He also served as the former Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Pathology. In Manchester, he previously held the Muriel Edith Rickman Chair of Breast Oncology.

Areas of Research

• Cancer Stem Cells
• Cancer Metabolism
• Tumor Recurrence and Metastasis
• Drug Resistance
• Clinical Trials

Previously, he lectured in various MD and PhD-level graduate courses in Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Pathology, Clinical Medicine, among others.

Heidi McIntosh

USA

Heidi McIntosh, MSW, is the Chief Operating Officer at the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), renowned for designing strategic programs that enhance policies impacting organizations and vulnerable populations. With 30+ years in health and human services nationally and internationally, she focuses on racial justice, combating bias, and advancing social equity. Previously CEO of First Place for Youth, she directed national strategies for transition-age foster youth, emphasizing Race, Equity, and Inclusion. Heidi also led NASW's programs for 750,000 social workers, served as Senior Policy Advisor in the Obama Administration, and Deputy Commissioner in Connecticut. She holds degrees from UCONN in Policy and Planning, and Social Work.