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.  

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.

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.

Chris Reading

USA

Chris Reading received his Ph.D. from U.C. Berkeley, postdoctoral studies at U.C. Irvine, Assoc. Professor of Hematology and Tumor Biology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. He was VP Product and Process Development at Systemix, Inc./Novartis,
Exec. VP HollisEden Pharmaceuticals, CSO Neurmedix, Inc, and now is SVP Alzheimer’s Program at BioVie, Inc.  He has over 130 peer-reviewed publications.

Prof John Øvretveit

Sweden

Dr John Øvretveit is Professor of improvement, implementation and evaluation at the Karolinska Institute medical university Stockholm and recently worked for Stockholm region  as R&D officer for Stockholm healthcare system. Previously he learned the value of thermal underwear at Nordic School of Public Health where he worked for 15 years when establishing and running the quality improvement program at Bergen Medical school.