Dr. Shrishail is an Assistant Professor in the Department of PG Studies and Research in Applied Botany at Kuvempu University, Karnataka, India, with over 15 years of teaching and research experience. He holds a Ph.D. in Plant Taxonomy (2010) and specializes in Plant Systematics, Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry, Biodiversity, Medicinal Plants, and Tissue Culture. He has published 25+ research articles, authored books and book chapters, and actively participated in national and international academic forums. He received the Dr. H.N. Prashasti Award (2023) for his academic contributions. His research focuses on traditional knowledge documentation, molecular studies of native flora, and the therapeutic potential of underutilized plants from the Western Ghats.
Dr. Pouria Motevalian leads Gene Therapy Process, Analytical Development, and MSAT at Thermo Fisher Scientific, overseeing CMC development from preclinical to late-phase programs. He provides strategic guidance on advanced bioprocess technologies for viral vector manufacturing. He also serves on the Biotechnology Advisory Board at Pennsylvania State University, supporting industry partnerships, curriculum alignment, and workforce development. Previously, he led biologics and vaccine process development at Pfizer, integrating digital technologies into bioprocess R&D. Dr. Motevalian holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Penn State and has authored peer-reviewed publications and patent applications, with active involvement in leading scientific organizations.
Dr. Ling Qing is a professor and vice dean of the College of Smart Agriculture at Southwest University. She also serves as a Standing Council Member of the Chinese Society for Plant Pathology. Her research focuses on plant viruses, with particular emphasis on the genetic variation of geminiviruses and the functional roles of viral proteins and virus-derived small RNAs in pathogenesis. She has directed seven projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and, as first or corresponding author, has published more than 60 peer-reviewed articles in leading journals such as Plant Communications, New Phytologist, PLOS Pathogens, and Molecular Plant Pathology.
Dr. Hanyurwumutima Egide is affiliated with the Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and the Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine at the Lanzhou Institute of Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, CAAS, China. His research focuses on preventive veterinary medicine and traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, integrating interdisciplinary approaches to improve animal disease prevention, livestock productivity, and sustainable veterinary healthcare solutions.
He is actively involved in studies that combine traditional veterinary knowledge with modern scientific methodologies to develop evidence-based preventive strategies. His work contributes to the application and validation of innovative veterinary technologies for improved animal health management. Through academic training, research, and collaboration, he supports the advancement of veterinary science at both national and international levels.
Dr. Gabriel Lucas Peretti holds a degree in Animal Science (UNOESC, 2022), a Master’s in Animal Health and Production, and is currently a PhD candidate in Animal Science at UDESC. His research focuses on poultry health and performance, particularly natural alternatives to antimicrobials such as silymarin, feed physicochemical analysis, and productivity in broiler chickens. He has contributed to scientific articles and book chapters and actively participates in national and international scientific events, with research interests in antimicrobial resistance, phytogenics, and sustainable animal production.
Dr. Masaru Shimada is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology at Yokohama City University, Japan, with expertise in microbiology, immunology, and molecular biology. His translational research focuses on vaccine development, immunotherapy, and gene therapy for infectious diseases and cancer. He has published over 150 peer-reviewed articles, holds multiple patents, and has developed novel vaccine and immunotherapy strategies aimed at improving efficacy and safety to address unmet medical needs.
Dr. Hilda Nwamuhohova Shilubane is a Professor in the Department of Advanced Nursing Science, University of Venda, and the chairperson of the Medical and Health Sciences Research Outputs evaluation sub-panel committee. She obtained her doctoral degree in 2013 at Maastricht University, the Netherlands. Prof Shilubane has 23 years of teaching experience at a higher education institution. She received the following awards: the Netherlands Fellowship Program and the Boudewijn van Gorp Foundation. Her research interests include mental health and adolescent health.
Dr. Nitin Nigam is an Ophthalmologist who specializes in the medical and surgical management of diseases related to the Vitreous & Retina and subspecializes in Uveitis. He practices at Palmetto Retina Center, West Columbia, SC, USA, and is the Medical Research Director overseeing the clinical research at the institution. His research interest includes novel treatment therapies related to Wet Macular degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy, including gene therapy and management of uveitic diseases. He is currently the Principal Investigator for a number of phase I-III clinical trials. He is an active reviewer with peer reviewed journals, Retina and Journal of Vitreo-Retinal Diseases. He actively participates in resident teaching and surgical training for the fellowship program at Palmetto Retina Center.
Igor Smolenov is the Chief Development Officer of Arcturus Therapeutics. He is an infectious disease physician dedicated to the clinical development of novel vaccines, with a proven record of accomplishment in both small biotechnology and large pharmaceutical companies. He contributed to the successful development and licensure of several novel vaccines, including the recent licensure of the first self-amplifying mRNA vaccine.
Before starting his career in the industry, he progressed through multiple academic steps, from junior researcher to professor and head of the Allergy/Immunology department at the university. He is the author of more than 70 peer-reviewed journal articles on vaccine development, safety, and innovative study design.
Deepak Sehgal is a senior academic scientist with over 35 years of experience in molecular virology, recombinant protein expression, and translational biotechnology. His research expertise spans baculovirus expression systems, vaccine antigen development, biosimilars, and computational drug discovery. He has played a key role in academic leadership, mentored numerous research scholars, and built strong industry collaborations, significantly contributing to innovation and advancement in biotechnology.
Ekaterine Bulauri has completed Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Specialty-Chemistry, she has completed her Master (MS) in Environmental protection and Ecology in 2011. She has published 7 full papers in rated journals in biotechnology field. She participated in international biotechnology scientific conference in Alicante Spain (2016); Berlin, Germany (2017); Paris, France (2018). Istanbul, Turkey (2018), Vienna, Austria (2019), Istanbul, Turkey ( 2021), Barcelona, Spain (2022). She participated as key personnel some scientific projects. Since 2006 she has been working in GTU Biotechnology center in the field of plants tissue culture and plants viral infection.
Iveta Megrelishvili has completed her Ph.D. in Biochemistry in 2008. She has published several full papers in rated journals including grapevine viral and phytoplasma infections. She was a presenter in an international scientific conference in abroad. She participated as key personnel in some scientific projects. She was a principal investigator for the project “in vitro walnuts propagation” funded by SRNSFG. Iveta was a coordinator in two current projects regarding the study of grapevine phytoplasma and hazelnuts bacterial diseases in Georgia. She is the principal investigator in the project” Study of grapevine viral and phytoplasma diseases in Georgia”. Since 2009 she has been working in the virology laboratory of LEPL Scientific Research Center of Agriculture (SRCA), leading to improve laboratory ability and study of plant diseases using the Real-Time PCR method. Under his guidance, the laboratory's base was composed of a molecular laboratory (Scientific equipment as well as methodology)
Maia Kukhaleishvili is the Director of Biotechnology Center, She has completed Agricultural Institute, Specialty-Agronomy, she has completed her PhD in Ecology in 2015. She has published 25 full papers in rated journals. She was a presenter in many international biotechnology scientific conference in abroad. She has participated in training course about innovative technology in Italy (2015) and France (2016). She participated as a trainer in the organization “M-B-C Georgia” founded by ANPARD and Project EPI on the topic "Production, storage and fertilization of vegetable crops in open field". She was a principal investigator the project “Selection high- productivity clones adapted to Georgian potato regions and production of in vitro virus free potato seeds.” founded by Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation in Georgia. Maia was a principal investigator two projects founded by American organization “UMCOR” and “CEAR” and the project "Conservation of in vitro virus free potato collection resistant for Pathogenic Diseases in Georgia's potato Regions"
