Organizing Committee
Biography
Gregory M. Fahy is Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of 21st Century Medicine and serves on the company’s Board of Directors. Dr. Fahy prioritizes, develops and directs the company’s research activities. He also manages extramural collaborative research projects. Dr Fahy applies his 30+ years of experience in the field of cryobiology and cryopreservation to all research here at 21CM. As a scientist with the American Red Cross, he was the originator of the first practical method of Cryopreservation by vitrification and the inventor of computer based systems to apply this technology to whole organs. Before joining 21st Century Medicine, he was Chief Scientist for Organ, Inc and of LRT, Inc. Prior to that he was Head of the Tissue Cryopreservation Section of the Transfusion and Cryopreservation Research Program of the U.S. Naval Medical Research Institute in Bethesda, Maryland where he spearheaded the original concept of ice blocking agents. Respected for his expertise and contributions to the advancement of Cryobiology technologies and applications, Dr Fahy is a frequent speaker at national and international scientific meetings and workshops. A native of California, Dr. Fahy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of California at Irvine and a Ph.D. from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. He currently holds a joint appointment as a visiting scholar in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of California at Riverside. His scholarly work is highly published and he holds more than 15 patents.
Research Interest
cryobiology and cryopreservation
Biography
Dr. Edward L. Squires is a pioneer in the area of equine reproductive techniques, particularly in the non-surgical collection and transfer of equine embryos. In his many years of equine research, he is credited with advancements in the hormonal regulation of the estrous cycle, progesterone in pregnant mares, ultrasonography, and the development of assisted reproductive techniques such as oocyte maturation, in vitro fertilization, embryo freezing, and fertility of cooled and frozen semen. Dr. Squires has received a number of awards and honors, including the Oliver P. Pennock Distinguished Service Award, the George Stubbs Award, Animal Physiology and Endocrinology Award, and Horse Person of the Year Award from the Colorado Horse Council. A Fellow in the Equine Science Society, he is widely published, with more than 500 journal publications. He is the author of 14 books, as well as 19 book chapters, and serves as the editor of the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science.
Research Interest
equine reproductive techniques, particularly in the non-surgical collection and transfer of equine embryos
Biography
Dr. Yoed Rabin is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (affiliated since 1994). He received his BS (1989) and MS (1991) from Ben-Gurion University in Israel, and DSc (1994) from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. Previously, Dr. Rabin held primary affiliations at the Division of Surgical Oncology at Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA (1994-1996), the Department of Human Oncology at the Allegheny University of the Health Sciences, Pittsburgh, PA (1996-1998), and the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Technion (1997-2000). Dr. Rabin has a broad range of research interests in the area of energy modalities in biology and medicine. Key research activities at the Biothermal Technology Laboratory (BTTL), which Dr. Rabin heads, include cryosurgery, cryopreservation, interstitial photodynamic therapy, thermal ablation, and thermal regulation in biological systems. These research efforts integrate a wide spectrum of objectives, ranging from basic research to technology development for clinical applications.
Research Interest
Vitrification
Biography
Dr. Edward L. Squires is a pioneer in the area of equine reproductive techniques, particularly in the non-surgical collection and transfer of equine embryos. In his many years of equine research, he is credited with advancements in the hormonal regulation of the estrous cycle, progesterone in pregnant mares, ultrasonography, and the development of assisted reproductive techniques such as oocyte maturation, in vitro fertilization, embryo freezing, and fertility of cooled and frozen semen. Dr. Squires has received a number of awards and honors, including the Oliver P. Pennock Distinguished Service Award, the George Stubbs Award, Animal Physiology and Endocrinology Award, and Horse Person of the Year Award from the Colorado Horse Council. A Fellow in the Equine Science Society, he is widely published, with more than 500 journal publications. He is the author of 14 books, as well as 19 book chapters, and serves as the editor of the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science.
Research Interest
equine reproductive techniques, particularly in the non-surgical collection and transfer of equine embryos
Biography
Mary completed her PhD from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, and Biochemistry, with a focus in Neuroendocrine Immunology; and MBA from the University of Houston, with focus in business administration, management, and marketing. Her postdoctoral research was conducted at Research Inc., Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Memphis, TN; and the Department of Immunology, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. Dr. Hall is the Program Manager at the Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CCTS) Biobank at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).
Research Interest
Biobanking
Biography
Dr. Fiorella Guadagni completed her Degree in Medicine and Surgery (1983) and in Medical Biotechnology (2009) - Specialist in Oncology (1987) and in Clinical Pathology (1996). From 1985 to 1990 he worked at the National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, USA at the Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology. From 1991 to 2005 he lent his activities at the National Cancer Institute Regina Elena, first as a researcher and then as director of the Clinical Pathology UOC. Director of the Dep. Advanced Biotechnology and Bioimaging, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome from 2005 to 2013. He is currently scientific coordinator of BioBIM and BioDAT SR Research Laboratory, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome. Has had and has a night of teaching positions at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, Sapienza University of Rome, adjunct professor of the San Raffaele University Telematics, Rome and University of Palermo. The Dott. Ssa Guadagni was / is responsible for OU in a number of funded projects by Italian Institutions (AIRC, CNR, PFACRO, PF Ministry of Health from 1998 to 2004, MERIT-OP ERDF and PON) and foreign (EC "Marie Curie host Fellowships, Project "Italy-USA", European bilateral agreements). Dr. Guadagni was also Coordinator of PF Ministry of Health in 1998, 2001 and 2007. His main scientific interest turned to the identification of new diagnostic / therapeutic strategies for some chronic degenerative diseases has led to the publication of 189 full papers with a total impact factor of 765 and an H-index of 30.
Research Interest
Biobanking&Biomarkers
Biography
Dr. Hernan working as a research technician at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne (UK), focused on his cancer research career at St. Jude´s Children Research Hospital, Memphis (USA) and in 2005 obtained his PhD in pediatric oncology at Newcastle University. He then led the Business Development of Pharmakine during 7 years. At present, he holds the position of Chief Scientific Officer at Cellulis where he is also a partner. He´s participated as a major contributor in ten scientific publications and has led the development of four different patents within the cryopreservation field.
Research Interest
cryopreservation
Biography
Fiorella Guadagni received her M.D. in 1983. Specialist in Oncology (1987) and in Clinical Pathology (1996), she obtained a Master in Economy and Health Management in 2002 and a PhD in Medical Biotechnologies School of Medicine, in 2009. From 1985 to 1991 she joined the Laboratory of Tumor Immunology & Biology, National Cancer Institute, N.I.H., Bethesda, MD, USA, where, in 1995, she became Consultant Researcher. In 1992, she joined the Regina Elena Cancer Institute of Rome, where she worked as a Deputy Chief first of the Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics and then of the Laboratory of Clinical Pathology. From 2000 to 2005 Dr. Guadagni was the Director of the Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, Regina Elena Cancer Institute of Rome, and from 2005 to 2013 she has been the Director of Department of Laboratory Medicine and Advanced Biotechnologiesâ€, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome. Since 2006, Dr. Guadagni is the Scientific Coordinator of the Interinstitutional Multidisciplinary Biobank (BioBIM), a biobank with a long-standing experience and a large network of academic, scientific institutions and public hospitals collaborations. In view of her expertise, she has been recently appointed as a member of the Quality Management Group on Biobanks, by the Italian Ministry of Health. Presently, she is the coordinator of the BioDAT (Biomarkers discovery and Advanced Technologies) research area at the SR Research Center of the same Institute, full Professor at the San Raffaele Roma Open University, Rome, and Scientific Coordinator of the San Raffaele Operative Unit in Sicily. Dr. Guadagni is member of the Advisory Board of the Anticancer Research Institute of Athens, Greece, and of several national and international scientific societies, among which the Scientific Committee of the Study Group on Tumor Markers of the Italian Society of Clinical Biochemistry (SIBIOC), the National Centre for Biological Resources (CNRB), the Working Group in "Biospecimen Sciences" of the International Society of Biorepository Research (ISBER) and the European Group of Tumor Marker (EGTM). Finally, Dr. Guadagni is member of the Editorial Boards of several Peer-Reviewed Scientific Journals. Dr. Guadagni has been and is the principal investigator, or coordinator, of many studies granted by government and scientific organizations, which have led to 206 publications in indexed international journals with a mean IF of 4.2. Her major scientific interest is focused on biospecimen science, translational research in the field of targeted therapy, mainly involving the design of new diagnostic/therapeutic strategies for human chronic diseases (cancer, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases) and the use and construction of innovative informatics platforms to improve health care organization and efficiency.
Research Interest
Biobanking & Biomarkers
Biography
Katheryn Shea is the Vice President of Bioservices at Precision Bioservices, Inc. Precision is focused on delivering specialized scientific services, infrastructure, and technologies to help life science organizations develop and commercialize individualized medicines and therapies. For over 20 years Ms Shea has led their repository program, helping clients build biological collections from design through implementation, maintenance and closeout stages. She is the current President of the International Society of Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER), and has served on its council for 7 of the last 10 years. Ms. Shea has served as Principal Investigator for several large repository initiatives sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, serves as a scientific reviewer for repository applications, and advises on the design of various research studies and clinical trials ranging from a few hundred to millions of biospecimens. She also serves on the advisory working group that designed the Biorepository Accreditation Program for the College of American Pathologists, and is the Biorepository Director for the CAP Biorepository Accreditation held by her company.
Research Interest
Biorepositories
Biography
Igor Katkoc is a trained biophysicist with 30+ experience in cryobiology and cryogenic engineering. The last 5 years the reserach has been focused on the fundamental aspects of kinetic vitrification (K-VF) as welll on designing the practical system for K-VF KrioBlastâ„¢ (in cooperation with V.F. Bolyukh from Ukraine). Chief Scientific Officer of CELLTRONIX (San Diego, CA, USA). Has recently accepted a professor-level position of the Head of the Laboratory of amorphous stae in the Belgorod National Research University, Russia.
Research Interest
Reproductive Biology & Cryobiology
Biography
Dr. Lokesh Agrawal directs and leads Biospecimen Research Network (BRN)-PI-led projects on human biospecimen integrity and biomarker development by studying pre-analytical variables using proteomics and molecular approaches. His work also involves leading the collaboration with several other programs/institutions at the NCI including the office of physical sciences and oncology (OPSO) and Center for Strategic and Scientific Initiatives (CSSI. He earned his Ph.D. from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, India and did his M.S. and B.S. at different institutions in India. Dr. Agrawal main interests include development and validation of human (both normal and cancer) biospecimen integrity markers using proteomic and molecular approaches and novel biomarkers for cancer treatment and diagnosis.
Research Interest
development of novel biomarkers for cancer treatment and diagnosis.
Biography
After many years of wet lab experience and living in the United States, Prof. Wang decided it was time for a change of scenery and moved back to China in 2012. He is recruited specifically by his professional skill set and experience in scientific solutions for biobank and informatics. He has earned his leading role in the young field of biobanking informatics in China. He is traveling between China and USA for his new challenges and promotes international collaboration potentials. He is not only recognized for his dedication to biobanking, but also to data harmonization and sharing model development.
Research Interest
biobanking informatics
Biography
Dr.Bo He, M.D., Ph. D., now is an associate professor of Orthopaedic and microsurgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. He started cryopreservation research since 2005, and is familiar with preservation and replantation of grafts with/without blood supply. He planned to set up biobank of various freezed tissue and organs, such as fingers, limbs, nerve and other soft tissue. Dr. He was once working in Stanford University indulge in basic research about cryopreservation and tissue engineering. Also, he received the certification of American National Institutes of Health (NIH) for clinical research. Also, he is in charge of several projects at present, such as Guangdong Natural Science Foundation (S201204006336) and Specialized Research Fund For the doctoral program of Higher Education SRFDP (20120171120075).
Research Interest
cryopreservation and tissue engineering
Biography
Simone Chevalier completed her Ph.D at the age of 25 years from “l’Université de Montréalâ€, Montréal, Canada and postdoctoral studies from the Department of Biochemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, and the Department of Medicine (Endocrinology), Maisonneuve-Rosemont Research Centre, Montréal. She is associate professor in Surgery, Urology Division, McGill University and the McGill Urology Director of Research. She is also affiliated to the Medicine and Oncology Departments. Devoted to the cause of prostate cancer, she directs the PROCURE Québec Prostate Cancer Biobank since 2007. She published more than 90 papers in reputed journals and 350 presentations at national and international meetings.
Research Interest
Prostate physiopathology Prostate cancer Growth factors and signaling pathways
Biography
Igor I. Katkov is a trained biophysicist with 30+ experience in cryobiology and cryogenic engineering. The last 5 years the reserach has been focused on the fundamental aspects of kinetic vitrification (K-VF) as welll on designing the practical system for K-VF KrioBlastâ„¢ (in cooperation with V.F. Bolyukh from Ukraine). Chief Scientific Officer of CELLTRONIX (San Diego, CA, USA). Has recently accepted a professor-level position of the Head of the Laboratory of amorphous stae in the Belgorod National Research University, Russia.
Research Interest
Reproductive Biology & Cryobiology
Biography
Andrea Ferencz is the Associate professor and Deputy Head of Medical School in Department of general surgeon at Semmelweis University. She has various publications and patents in the field of Surgical Research and Techniques.
Research Interest
Surgical Research and Techniques
Biography
Dr. Huang is a physician-scientist. Currently he is a professor with tenure in Human Genetics, Director, Program of Mitochondrial Medicine, Associate Director of the Molecular Diagnostic laboratory at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC). Dr. Huang graduated from Fujian Medical University in 1983 and received his Ph.D. study at Mount Sinai Medical School in 1991. Dr. Huang completed his pediatrics residency at Georgetown University Hospital in 1996 and his clinical genetics and clinical molecular genetics fellowship at Harvard Medical School in 1999. Dr. Huang was a faculty member at the Children’s Hospital, Harvard from 1999-2001. In 2001, Dr. Huang moved to the University of California, Irvine as an independent investigator to study the molecular basis of genetic syndromes. Dr. Huang is interested in mitochondrial disorders. He has been actively engaged in many programs in China. Dr. Huang is an honorable professor of Peking Union Medical School, a member of the special committee for Yusheng Yuyou of People’s Republic of China, advisory board member to Chinese Ministry of Health for targeted therapy and a principal investigator for birth defect control program of Chinese Ministry of Health.
Research Interest
Mitochondrial Medicine