Mr. Thomas Tillett (Cofounder and CEO of MBF Therapeutics), is an immunotherapeutics company that has developed and patented an innovative, proprietary T-Max Precision™ DNA vaccine platform to deliver commercial protective vaccines that provide safe, durable, heterologous protection against endemic, emerging and re-emerging diseases of global concern to livestock and companion animals, with significant translational opportunities in human health. Tom is the founder and board member of T-MaxImmunogenetics, a human health spin out from MBFT. Tom is the founder and Executive Director of Sustained Acts, a Christian non-profit focusing on sustainable projects in Africa and serves on the Friends of Kijabe Hospital Board of Directors. Mr. Tillett was founder, and CEO of RHeoGene. As RheoGene CEO, he and his team created the RheoSwitch® Therapeutic System (RTS) that led to the first human clinical trial of a small molecule-induced gene regulation system. In 2007, he successfully completed the merger of RheoGene Inc. with Intrexon Corporation who has continued the development of RTS through a various clinical trials for cancer and other important therapeutic indications. In April, 2019 the FDA announced that the RheoSwitch Therapeutic System for glioma blastoma was approved for Fast Track designation. Mr. Tillett has served on the board of numerous non-profits including; University of North Carolina General Alumni Association, Impact Thrift Stores, Chelten Church Elder Board, and the American School of Paris. He was also elected to the Hatboro-Horsham Hall of Fame in 2017.

Dr. Ian James Martins is a distinguished scientist and editor with extensive contributions to the fields of science, technology, and medicine. He serves as an editor and reviewer for several high-impact journals, including Open Access Pub, MDPI journals, Frontiers, Scientific Reports (Nature), and PLOS ONE, among other international publications. Additionally, he is an Advisory Board Member for the Photon Journal. Dr. Martins has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards throughout his career. The International Conference for Award Winners on Engineering, Science, and Medicine (INSO 2023) has honored him with the "Eminent Scientist Award" for his outstanding research profile. Further details can be found here. In addition to this, Dr. Martins has received the "Excellence Service Award" in the International Research Awards on Science, Technology, and Management. This award highlights his exceptional service and contributions to the scientific community. More information is available here. Dr. Martins was also honored with the "International Scientist Lifetime Achievement Award 2022" in Engineering, Science, and Medicine. This prestigious award recognizes his lifelong contributions and achievements in his field. Details about this award can be found here. In 2022, Dr. Martins received the "Outstanding Scientist Award" from the International Scientist Awards on Engineering, Science, and Medicine (INSO AWARDS). This award further solidifies his standing as a leading figure in his field. More information can be accessed here. Dr. Martins' contributions have also earned him a place in the World Scientist and University Rankings 2022. His career is marked by significant achievements and recognition, underscoring his influence and impact in the scientific community.

Dr. Segundo Mesa Castillo, a Specialist in Neurology, has an illustrious career spanning over several decades. He dedicated 10 years of his professional life to the Institute of Neurology of Havana, Cuba. With a focus on Electron Microscopic Studies on Schizophrenia, Dr. Castillo has been engaged in this specialized field for 32 years. Dr. Castillo's expertise and contributions have been recognized internationally. He was honored with the prestigious Stanley Foundation Award, which enabled him to work as a fellow in the Laboratory of the Central Nervous System Studies at the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke. Under the mentorship of Dr. Joseph Gibbs, he spent six months at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, starting June 5, 1990. Currently, Dr. Castillo serves as a member of the Scientific Board of the Psychiatric Hospital of Havana. In addition to his research, he imparts his knowledge through lectures to residents in psychiatry, contributing significantly to the academic and clinical training of future specialists in the field.

Dr. Ljudmila Stojanovich received her Ph.D. in Medicine in 1999 with a thesis titled “Neuropsychiatric manifestations in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.” Her extensive research focuses on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS), and vaccination in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Dr. Stojanovich is a prolific author, having published three monographs and approximately 250 articles in international and domestic journals, as well as in conference proceedings. Dr. Stojanovich is an esteemed member of several editorial boards, including LUPUS (London), and serves as a reviewer for high-impact journals such as Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, The Journal of Vaccine, The Journal of Rheumatology, and Allergologia et Immunopathologia. She is the Associate Editor for Frontiers in Medicine, specializing in Rheumatology, and an Editor for Hindawi, focusing on publishing open access research journals and papers. Her involvement in international projects includes participation in the “European Forum on Antiphospholipid Antibodies” and various multicenter studies on antiphospholipid antibodies, infections, and autoimmune diseases. As a mentor and supervisor, Dr. Stojanovich has guided numerous postdoctoral students. Dr. Stojanovich is a sought-after speaker, having delivered invited lectures at numerous congresses and symposia. She has also organized and chaired many workshops, seminars, and symposia. Notably, she is a member of the Steering Committee for the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for vaccination in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRD) and the prevention and management of adult antiphospholipid syndrome. Additionally, she is a member of the European Lupus Society. Recognized for her contributions, Dr. Stojanovich is an EULAR Honorary Member and a member of the International Team of Medical Experts for antiphospholipid syndrome and systemic lupus with the London Lupus Centre. She chaired the International Congress on “Antiphospholipid syndrome (Hughes syndrome): Importance of Multidisciplinary Approaches - 30 years since definition” in 2013 and received the “GRANT 2015” from the European Stroke Conference for excellent research in cerebrovascular diseases. Dr. Stojanovich has been a member of the ILLUMINATE steering committee for the phase 3 lupus ILLUMINATES clinical trials of Tabalumab (LY2439821) with Eli Lilly and Company. She co-chaired and lectured at the “LUPUS ACADEMY EASTERN EUROPEAN ROADSHOW of EULAR” in Belgrade on March 18, 2016, and has been a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) since 2017. She also serves as a guest editor for the Special Issue “Antiphospholipid Syndrome” in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences and as an associate editor for “Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Disorders” in Frontiers in Immunology. Most recently, Dr. Stojanovich chaired the “12th European Forum on Antiphospholipid Antibodies” in Belgrade, Serbia, on March 25, 2021. Her distinguished career is highlighted by an h-index of 34 and over 4,700 citations, reflecting her significant impact on the field of autoimmune rheumatic disorders.

Huang Wei Ling was born in Taiwan, raised and graduated in medicine in Brazil, a specialist in infectious and parasitic diseases, a General Practitioner, a Parenteral and Enteral Medical Nutrition Therapist, Acupuncture, Pain Management and Homeopathy. Since 1997, she has worked with the approach and treatment of all chronic diseases in a holistic way, with treatment guided through the teachings of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Hippocrates. Author of the theory Constitutional Homeopathy of the Five Elements Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine. Author of more than 230 publications about treatment of variety of diseases rebalancing the internal energy.

Dr. Mihail Lucian Birsa is currently a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Romania. In 2003 he was selected as a member of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, working with Professor Henning Hopf in TU Braunschweig - Germany. Since then numerous return fellowships were granted by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. He has more than 125 publications in peer-review journals and published +45 books/book chapters (John Wiley & Sons, Thieme etc). Also, is editorial board member in more than 50 journals such as Applied Sciences, Arkivoc, BioChem, Edelweiss Chemical Science Journal, Journal of Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design, Journal of Fine Chemical Engineering, Modern Approaches in Drug Designing, Pharmaceutical Toxicology.

Dr. Zeliha Selamoglu is a Professor in Medical Biology department of Nigde Ömer Halisdemir University, Turkey. She earned her PhD in Biology from Inonu University, She has published over 315 peerreviewed journal articles with over 6534 citations and many technical reports. She is a member of Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine: Associate Membership and European association for cancer research. She has served as Editorial Board member for many Journals.

Prof. Dr. K. B. Swamy is a renowned Clinical Neuroanatomist and the Head of the Department of Clinical Neuroanatomy at Lincoln University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. With a career spanning clinical practice, research, and education, he has made significant contributions to genetic studies, maternal and child healthcare, and medical education. He began his professional journey as a Civil Assistant Surgeon in Adilabad, Telangana, and later served as Professor and Head of the Department at Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, before retiring in 2007. Dr. Swamy holds an MBBS, Ph.D. in Biological Anthropology-Genetics, MS in Clinical Neuroanatomy, and a certificate in Cytogenetics and Genetic Counseling. His notable research on Synsepalum dulcificum fruit in diabetic rats earned him the prestigious FRGS grant from the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education. A respected academic leader, Dr. Swamy has mentored over 55 Ph.D. students and is an active member of several international organizations. He has presented his research at conferences worldwide and will be presenting at the IFAA 2024 Congress in South Korea.

Dr. Ahmed Hegazi is currently a Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the National Research Center in Egypt. He received his master’s degree in 1979 and his Ph.D. in 1981. His recent research focuses on the therapeutic effects of bee products. Dr. Hegazi has been honored with numerous awards, including the First Class Decoration of Excellence (Egypt, 1995), the Senior Scientist Prize of the National Research Center (Cairo, 1996), and the National Scientific Prize in Biological Sciences (Egypt, 1990). He also received the Scientific Prize of the National Research Center (Cairo, 1989), the Second Best Research Paper Award at the International Congress of Propolis (Buenos Aires, 2000), the Main Speaker Award at the 10th Academic Conference (PRA and NAS, Japan, 2006), two Bronze Medals from the International Innovation Fair of the Middle East (Kuwait, 2007), the Ghazi Wad Allah Salon Prize (2008), and the Merit Award of Medical Sciences from the National Research Center (2016). Dr. Hegazi has served as Chairman of the National Committee for Microbiological Sciences (NCMS) in Egypt since 2018, and he is a member of several specialized scientific councils, including the Academy of Scientific Research & Technology and the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies. Since 1977, he has organized and contributed to numerous national and international research projects and has been the principal investigator on multiple projects at the National Research Center. Dr. Hegazi has conducted training courses on Clinical Microbiology and published 256 articles in scientific journals. He is an editor for 48 journals, a referee for 98 international journals, and has organized 196 international symposia and conferences. He has authored nine books in English and 13 in Arabic and holds patent No. 28335, registered on December 11, 2017.

Sinisa Franjic graduated from the Faculty of Law. The thesis entitled "Legal aspects of information systems" was defended by Summa Cum Laude. Since 1992., he work as a journalist - freelance contributor. Until today, he wrote 13 books, one chapter in the book, two scripts, and over 650 scientific papers. The successful defense of the doctoral dissertation on the topic of criminal law called "The Criminal Justice and Forensic Aspects of Computer Criminality", he received a Ph.D. degree in the area of Criminal law and Criminalistics/Forensics.

Professor Gashaw is a Public health specialist in the field of public health, his expertise in implementation sciences has made him an invaluable asset to project HOPE. Joining the project two years ago as the Senior Implementation Sciences Advisor for the Zero Dose Children Project, Professor Gashaw has been instrumental in driving the research activities of the project. One of his primary responsibilities is the development of project protocols. Professor Gashaw ensures that the protocols are robust and effective in achieving the project goals. He also oversees the field research activities, providing guidance and support to the team. His hands-on approach ensures that the research is carried out meticulously, yielding accurate and reliable results. Apart from his involvement in the field, Professor Gashaw writing manuscripts that are published in international peer-reviewed journals. As a professor, he imparts his wisdom in public health courses such as research methods, neonatal and child health, and health systems, economics, leadership, and management. He has been teaching these subjects for over 25 years, shaping the future of public health professionals. Before his work with project HOPE, Professor Gashaw had a distinguished career in academia. With an undergraduate degree in Environmental Health Sciences from Jimma University, he further pursued his studies and obtained a Master of Public Health from Addis Ababa University. His thirst for knowledge led him to earn a Doctor of Philosophy in child health and public health from the esteemed University of Gondar. Prior to joining project HOPE, he served the Ministry of Health for two years before dedicating his career to the University of Gondar. Atthe University of Gondar, Professor Gashaw held various positions, served as the Administrative vice president, where he contributed to the strategic direction of the institution. As a researcher, he delved deep into the complexities of public health issues, striving to find innovative solutions. One of his notable contributions was as the site leader for the Dabat Health and Demographic Surveillance System, where he played a pivotal role in collecting crucial data. Furthermore, he served as the field program manager for a randomized control trial on integrated community case management pneumonia treatment in Ethiopia. His exceptional management skills ensured the smooth execution of the trial, advancing the understanding of effective treatment strategies. Professor Gashaw's passion for education is evident through his dedication to teaching and advising PhD and master's students. His desire to empower the next generation of public health professionals has motivated him to write teaching modules and lecture notes in the field. With over 120 publications in national and international peer-reviewed journals, Professor Gashaw has established himself as a prominent figure in public health research.

Dr. Thandeka Khoza, a structural biologist with expertise in vaccinology, holds a BSc Hons from the University of Cape Town and a PhD in Biochemistry (Structural Biology) from the University of Witwatersrand. Dr. Khoza's research experience includes a tenure at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and she currently lectures in Biochemistry at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She also obtained Master in Vaccinology from the University of Lausanne which broadened her knowledge of vaccine development and implementation. With her unique blend of structural biology and vaccinology expertise, Dr Khoza is well-positioned to advance research on priority diseases for pandemic preparedness and contribute to global health security.

M. Sc. Jorge Fragoso is the Global Field-Based Medical Excellence Lead at Sanofi Vaccines, where he oversees a range of initiatives related to the Medical Science Liaison teams globally. Born in Mexico City, Jorge graduated from the National University of Mexico with a degree in Biology and earned a master's degree with honors in Neurosciences. Since joining Sanofi in 1991, Jorge has gained over 33 years of experience, holding various roles in Sales, Marketing, Business Support, e-business, Training, and Medical. He joined the Latin America regional team in 2010, and since 2015, he has coordinated key global initiatives at Sanofi Vaccines, providing him with a broad, multidisciplinary view of the pharmaceutical industry. In addition to his core responsibilities, Jorge is involved in several corporate initiatives, including Simplification, Digital Transformation, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and WeVolunteer. He also serves as President of AGE Connection. In his free time, Jorge enjoys writing science fiction short stories, reading, watching movies, and listening to heavy metal music. A food adventurer, he once sampled a crunchy and spicy scorpion in a Beijing market!