Committee Members

Malgorzata Simm has completed her PhD from Children’s Memorial Health Institute and A.K. Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Warsaw Poland, and postdoctoral studies from Columbia University, New York, USA. She is an Associate Dean at Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine and Professor of Immunology. She has published extensively in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial board member of several journals .

Lorenzo Barolo received his master’s degree in Biochemistry from University of Naples “Federico II” in 2015. In 2016 he started his PhD at University of Technology Sydney (UTS), in Sydney, Australia. He completed his PhD in 2020, and moved to Rome, where he started a Postdoc project at University of Rome “La Sapienza”. His research has always been centered around the analysis of protein, using different methodologies and studying different possible applications. His current research is focused on protein nanoparticles.

Ayaan Parikh just graduated from high school in Wichita, Kansas, and will be attending Stanford
in the fall. He is interested in healthcare entrepreneurship and will be pursuing medicine in
college. He has led and grown multiple startups in the healthcare space and has been part of
many research projects, primarily in the anesthesia and biomedical engineering fields.

Kathleen Hefferon is an experienced instructor with a strong background in Life Sciences, Genetics, and Cell Biology. Holding a Ph.D. in Virology from the University of Toronto, she is skilled in editing and has a keen interest in biotechnology, public health, and food and energy security. With a demonstrated commitment to higher education, Dr. Hefferon combines her academic expertise with practical experience to engage students and contribute to cutting-edge research projects.

Eli Eisenberg is a renowned researcher specializing in computational analysis of RNA expression data. His work focuses on detecting RNA editing events, particularly A-to-I RNA editing, using innovative statistical methods. Prof. Eisenberg’s research has uncovered global deregulation of editing in tumors and revealed exceptionally high levels of recoding in cephalopods. Future directions include studying the role of editing in innate immune system activation and understanding the evolution of recoding events.

Elham Mahmoudi, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Health Economics. She has more than 70 peer-reviewed publications and has extensive experience using a variety of large secondary data sources, including nationally representative survey data, public and private administrative claims data, and electronic health records, to conduct research. She is also trained in quantitative analysis and econometric methodologies. Dr. Mahmoudi’s research has focused on evaluating healthcare policies aimed at reducing racial/ethnic disparities in access to and quality of care. She is a mixed methods researcher, examining healthcare use and cost. She also studies efficiency of care for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia and mild cognitive impairment, as well as individuals with disabilities. Additionally, she works with programs in China and is on the editorial board of eLife and PLOS One.

Din Anwarud is a leading figure in Dynamical Systems, Mathematical Biology, and Mathematical Modeling. With expertise in deterministic and stochastic modeling, as well as fractional differential equations, Dr. Anwar’s research focuses on detecting critical transitions in complex systems under big noise using binomial moment equations (BMEs). His interdisciplinary approach has advanced our understanding of real-life phenomena in natural and engineering sciences. Dr. Anwar’s work, published in prestigious journals, has made significant contributions to both theory and application, while his mentorship shapes the next generation of mathematicians and scientists.

My group´s research is between Microbiology and Neuroscience. We investigate host-pathogen interactions during pathogenesis of bacterial infections in the Central Nervous System. Our research mainly focuses on fundamental biology, but all our projects have a translational medicine angle. Our ultimate goal is to develop novel approaches to reinforce the brain immune system towards bacterial infections and also to protect neurons from interaction with bacteria.

Peifeng Li obtained his doctoral degree at the Chinese Academy of Medical Science. He worked as a medical researcher at the Max-Delbruck-Center for Molecular Medicine, Germany. He is currently the Dean of Institute of Translational Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Qingdao, China. His research focuses on the molecular regulation of cancers. He is a pioneer researcher in deciphering the role of microRNAs in cancers. He has published more than 170 papers in reputed journals and also presented his work at many national and international professional meetings. He is an associate editor of Frontiers in Physiology-Redox-Physiology, and Molecular Biotechnology. He has been a reviewer for more than 60 scientific journals

Yan Leyfman was born in Belarus in 1989, three years after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. His family lived only about 75 miles from the nuclear plant, and as a toddler, Mr. Leyfman had a constellation of mysterious symptoms: cysts that covered his entire body, fingernails that fell out, limbs that were swollen and skin that itched torturously. Though he recovered his health after moving to Brooklyn at age 5, Chernobyl still followed him. Doctors have said it is probably the culprit behind the lymphoma that his mother developed two years ago, and all along, it has spurred his academic interests. On Wednesday, Mr. Leyfman, 21, will graduate summa cum laude from Stony Brook University on Long Island, where he has spent every semester in a laboratory researching cancer stem cells. He is propelled by nothing less than the desire to cure the disease. “I made a promise to myself that I would not lose my mom and that I would do everything in my power to save her,” he said. “Ultimately, at the end of the day, the most important thing is human life.” While completing a degree in biology this spring, Mr. Leyfman also found time to organize a student research symposium at Stony Brook, part of the State University of New York, and initiate a lecture series, Pioneers in the Field. Over the years, he has presented research at more than a dozen meetings and collaborated on scientific papers.

I obtained my PhD in cellular and molecular biology in 2003. I worked in worldwide leading institutes for biomedical research (Pasteur Institute, University of Berkeley, Inserm). My area of expertise is antigen presentation and T-cell immunology. My work aims to fill the gaps spanning research on human diseases and the development of vaccine candidate to cure infectious diseases and tumors.

CAREER OBJECTIVE
• To lead team in R&D and ensure logistical support for competent services
• To develop new concepts of immune therapeutic interventions
• To strengthen partnership with leading scientists and implement business opportunities

Competences
i. Financial skills (Principal and co-investigator of research grants)
ii. Project management (Coordinator of clinical and basic research studies, establishment of international collaborations)
iii. Communication (oral communication in international congress, publications of peer-reviewed articles and patents)
iv. Lab expertise: human primary cell culture, Immunomonitoring (ELISpot, ELISA, FACS polychromatic), engineering in molecular biology and biochemistry, antibodies production and purification, virus production, lentiviral transduction, manipulation of infectious material, experimentation on animals

Sami El Khatib, an accomplished academician and Associate Professor at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, as well as the Assistant Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences at the Lebanese International University (LIU), boasts an impressive academic background. Holding a Ph.D. in Cell Biology and Oncology (2005), a Master’s Degree in Bioengineering & Biomaterials (2002), and a University Diploma in Animal Experimentation (2003) from Henri Poincare University in France, Dr. El Khatib’s scholarly journey commenced with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory from Lebanese University in 2000. Dr. El Khatib has significantly contributed to the scientific community through his pioneering research focused on non-invasive techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of Bladder Cancer. His groundbreaking work, prominently featured in highly-ranked international peer-reviewed journals, includes the publication of his seminal study on the in vivo application of Hexvix as a prodrug for the Photodynamic treatment of bladder cancer in rats. Notably, he has played a pivotal role in advancing medical imaging technologies by spearheading the development of an innovative optoelectronic imaging system, Cell ViZio, utilizing live fluorescence confocal microscopy for in situ imaging of live tissues and organs. His establishment of a reproducible model for solitary bladder cancer in rats has been widely adopted as the preferred model for various research and pharmacokinetics applications.

Fahad Alsaawi: A Trailblazing Chief Data Officer and AI&ML Expert

Fahad Alsaawi is a dynamic leader in data science and artificial intelligence, renowned for his transformative impact in the digital realm. With over six years of experience, Fahad excels in building and leading high-performing data teams, architecting scalable big data platforms, and spearheading innovative projects such as the Health Information Exchange initiative. His expertise in AI and ML product development has yielded a diverse portfolio of solutions, driving tangible business value and contributing to national data projects in Saudi Arabia. Fahad’s visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to innovation make him a driving force in shaping the future of data-driven enterprises.

Jianxun Song, PhD: Pioneering Professor in Microbial Pathogenesis & Immunology

Dr. Jianxun Song is a distinguished scholar and educator in the field of Microbial Pathogenesis & Immunology, renowned for his groundbreaking research and insightful contributions to the understanding of T-cell immunity and tolerance. He currently serves as a Professor at the esteemed institution, guiding students and fellow researchers towards innovative discoveries that have the potential to revolutionize immune-based therapies.

Dr. Song’s academic journey began with a PhD from The Third Military Medical University in 1998, laying the foundation for his illustrious career in immunological research. Throughout his tenure, he has remained deeply committed to unraveling the complexities of membrane-bound costimulatory molecules and their pivotal role in regulating T-cell function and immune diseases.

At the core of Dr. Song’s research interests lies a profound exploration of cellular mechanisms governing T-cell immunity and tolerance. His investigations into costimulatory molecules have shed light on critical pathways that govern immune responses, offering invaluable insights into the development of targeted therapies for immune-related disorders.

A key focus of Dr. Song’s work involves harnessing the therapeutic potential of highly reactive T lymphocytes for cell-based therapies. Leveraging the plasticity and self-renewal capacity of stem cell-derived T lymphocytes, he aims to address pressing medical challenges, including chronic viral infections, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. Moreover, Dr. Song’s pioneering efforts in metabolic reprogramming have opened new avenues for vaccine design, autoimmune therapy, and immune-based anti-cancer strategies.

Through his unwavering dedication to scientific inquiry and academic excellence, Dr. Jianxun Song continues to shape the landscape of immunological research, paving the way for transformative advancements in healthcare and disease management.

Steven Rockman: Trailblazing Scientist and Collaborative Leader

Steven Rockman is an innovative scientist and collaborative leader with a wealth of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. With a strong background in research and development, Steven has demonstrated expertise in areas such as validation, GMP, quality assurance, biotechnology, and management.

Armed with a PhD and MSc focused in Immunology and Virology from the prestigious University of Melbourne, Steven has established himself as a thought leader in his field. Throughout his career, he has successfully directed research development initiatives, leveraging his strategic focus to drive impactful outcomes.

Steven’s exceptional ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams has been instrumental in advancing scientific innovation and achieving organizational objectives. His passion for pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery, coupled with his dedication to quality and excellence, sets him apart as a trailblazer in the pharmaceutical landscape.

As a seasoned professional with a proven track record of success, Steven continues to make significant contributions to the advancement of pharmaceutical research and development, shaping the future of healthcare through his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to scientific excellence.

The cause of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is unknown. IFN-α has been suggested as a causative agent of SLE; however, it was not proven, and to what extent and how IFN-α contributes to the disease is unknown. We studied the contribution of IFN-α to SLE by generating inducible IFN-α transgenic mice and directly show that conditional upregulation of IFN-α alone induces a typical manifestation of SLE in the mice not prone to autoimmunity, such as serum immune complex, autoantibody against dsDNA (anti-dsDNA Ab), and the organ manifestations classical to SLE, such as immune complex-deposited glomerulonephritis, classical splenic onion-skin lesion, alopecia, epidermal liquefaction, and positive lupus band test of the skin. In the spleen of mice, activated effector CD4 T cells, IFN-γ-producing CD8 T cells, B220+CD86+ cells, and CD11c+CD86+ cells were increased, and the T cells produced increased amounts of IL-4, IL-6, IL-17, and IFN-γ and decreased IL-2. In particular, activated CD3+CD4-CD8- double-negative T cells positive for TCRαβ, B220, CD1d-teteramer, PD-1, and Helios (that produced increased amounts of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-17, and TNF-α) were significantly expanded. They infiltrated into kidney and induced de novo glomerulonephritis and alopecia when transferred into naive recipients. Thus, sole upregulation of IFN-α is sufficient to induce SLE, and the double-negative T cells expanded by IFN-α are directly responsible for the organ manifestations, such as lupus skin disease or nephritis.