Expert Speakers

Dr. Nikolas Hendrik Stoecklein

Designation: Professor, Department of Surgery

Affiliation: University Hospital Düsseldorf, Germany

Field of Expertise: His work focuses on early systemic cancer and minimal residual disease (MRD) in solid tumors, emphasizing the metastatic risk posed by Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs). His team advances CTC-based liquid biopsy techniques, including Diagnostic Leukapheresis (DLA), and single-cell analysis to uncover mechanisms of metastasis and therapeutic resistance.

Dr. Dirk Kuhlmeier

Designation: Head of department of diagnostics

Affiliation: Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Germany

Field of Expertise: The department develops cutting-edge molecular diagnostics for infectious diseases, including PCR, NGS, and lab-on-a-chip systems. They advance pathogen detection, epitope mapping, and DNA-based biointeractive molecules. Novel imaging techniques and analytical methods support in-depth analysis of cellular processes, driving innovation in infection biology and related research areas.

Dr. Saroj Kumar

Designation: Additional Professor

Affiliation: All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi

Field of Expertise: Dr. Saroj Kumar, a researcher at AIIMS, specializes in infrared-based bio-imaging and exosome-based diagnostics. His work focuses on developing innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, as well as cancer. His research advances non-invasive techniques for early detection and targeted treatment strategies.

Dr. M.V.Sasidhar

Designation: Chief Scientific Officer

Affiliation: Apollo Hospitals education and research foundation (AHERF), Hyderabad, India

Field of Expertise: Dr. M.V. Sasidhar, Chief Scientific Officer at AHERF and founder of Urvogelbio, spearheads innovation in exosome-based diagnostics and therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. With over 15 years of experience, he leads interdisciplinary collaborations, secures global patents, and mentors future scientists, driving advancements in research, education, and healthcare innovation.

Dr. Basant Kumar Thakur

Designation: Group leader

Affiliation: Department of Pediatrics Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany

Field of Expertise: His group focuses on three key aspects of extracellular vesicles (EV) Identification, purification and characterization of cancer-specific EV carrying the majority of dsDNA with clinical biomarker and functional utility, mechanism(s) of EV dsDNA transfer into the recipient cells, functional consequence of EV dsDNA transfer into recipient cells on metastatic cancer progression.

Dr. Joveeta Joseph

Designation: Head of Microbiology Services

Affiliation: LV Prasad Eye Institute

Field of Expertise: She specializes in ocular infection research, focusing on microsporidia detection, fungal keratitis, endophthalmitis pathogenesis, and antimicrobial resistance. Her work includes NGS-based microbiome studies and HSV-1 keratitis, advancing ocular microbiology through research, mentorship, and infection control with over 100 publications.

Dr. Irina Nazarenko

Designation: Group Leader

Affiliation: University Medical Center Freiburg

Field of Expertise: Her group investigates Extracellular Vesicles (EVs), specifically focusing on the molecular mechanisms of their action in physiological and pathological processes. They work on unravelling EV composition and function, especially concerning a specific role of the membrane proteins tetraspanins. To mimic complex organ conditions, they study EVs in advanced 3D – and organoid models.

Dr. Neha Vyas

Designation: Associate Professor

Affiliation: St. John’s Research Institute

Field of Expertise: She specializes in developmental biology and cancer research, focusing on cell signaling and exosome biology. Her expertise includes Drosophila models, hedgehog protein analysis, and primary cell culture. Proficient in immunofluorescence, RNA interference, and Western blotting, she advances molecular and cellular investigations to unravel mechanisms underlying development and cancer.

Dr. Andreas Roos

Designation: Scientific Officer & Project Manager

Affiliation: Institute of Neurology, Heinrich-Heine University

Field of Expertise: As a Senior Scientist in translational medicine, he investigates neurodegenerative and neuromuscular disorders, focusing on genetic causes and disease mechanisms. His research integrates proteomics and biochemical approaches using in vitro, in vivo, and patient-derived models, aiming to elucidate disease etiology and drive therapeutic advancements in neurological health.

Inderjeet Kaur

Designation: Scientist

Affiliation: L V Prasad Eye Institute

Field of Expertise: She specializes in the genetics of complex eye diseases like AMD, myopia, and glaucoma. Her research focuses on genetic screening and multi-omics approaches to uncover disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets, with multiple awards and significant research grants.

Dr. Nooruddin Khan

Designation: Professor

Affiliation: University of Hyderabad

Field of Expertise: His work focuses on systems immunology, infection biology, and vaccine/adjuvant engineering, emphasizing immune response profiling and novel vaccine design. Using single-cell analysis and multi-omics techniques, his research uncovers immunity mechanisms and therapeutic resistance, with publications in top journals and notable awards.

Dr. Geeta Vemuganti

Designation: Dean, medical sciences

Affiliation: University of Hyderabad

Field of Expertise: Her work focuses on ocular tumors, stem cell biology, and translational applications, particularly in Retinoblastoma and Leprosy. She utilizes stem cell models and tissue engineering for therapeutic innovations and has published extensively, securing numerous research grants and mentoring doctoral students.

Dr. Dinesh Upadhya

Designation: Associate Professor and Coordinator Centre for Molecular Neurosciences

Affiliation: Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Field of Expertise: His lab focuses on extracellular vesicles (EVs) for therapeutic applications in neurological disorders, particularly neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental conditions. Using stem cells and rodent models, they investigate GABAergic interneuron dysfunction, aiming to translate research into clinical applications.

Dr. Vengala Rao Yenuganti

Designation: Assistant Professor

Affiliation: SRM University, Andhra Pradesh

Field of Expertise: His lab studies the role of milk, probiotic, and fruit-derived extracellular vesicles on bacterial, intestinal epithelial, and immune cells, focusing on microbial and immune influences in the gastrointestinal tract. They also engineer hybrid vesicles for targeted delivery of pharmacological molecules and miRNAs.

Dr. Sairam Atluri

Designation: Founder

Affiliation: Tulasi Therapeutics

Field of Expertise: Dr. Atluri is a pioneer in stem cell therapy for treating severe low back pain. He conducted the first controlled trial using stem cells for this purpose and contributed to regenerative medicine guidelines, with notable contributions to Covid-19 treatment and leading stem cell organizations.

Dr. Surajit Pathak

Designation: Professor

Affiliation: Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI)

Field of Expertise: Dr. Pathak specializes in cancer biology, focusing on biomarker discovery, inflammatory cytokines, and cancer-associated fibroblasts. His research investigates aging genes in colon cancer progression, supported by prestigious grants and over 85 peer-reviewed publications.

Dr. Swasti Tiwari

Designation: Head, Division of Molecular Medicine & Biotechnology

Affiliation: Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS)

Field of Expertise: Dr. Tiwari specializes in developing innovative diagnostic tools, including urinary exosome-based diagnostics for kidney diseases, diabetes, and rapid COVID-19 testing. Her research focuses on nanovesicles, kidney health biomarkers, and disease detection technologies for placental and kidney health.

Dr. Rasmita Samal

Designation: Assistant Professor

Affiliation: Central University of Karnataka

Field of Expertise: Dr. Samal specializes in molecular biology, focusing on cardiovascular research and therapeutic innovations. Her work explores cardiac progenitor cells, extracellular vesicles, and stem cells in heart failure, along with cancer diagnostics and therapeutic targeting.

Dr. Syed Faisal

Designation: Scientist-F

Affiliation: The National Institute of Animal Biotechnology

Field of Expertise: He specializes in the immunology of zoonotic infections and vaccine adjuvants. His research focuses on developing subunit vaccines for leptospirosis, live attenuated vaccines for paratuberculosis, and novel adjuvants inducing humoral and cell-mediated immunity, along with diagnostic tools for Leptospira-host interactions.

Dr. Sachin Shukla

Designation: Research Scientist

Affiliation: L V Prasad Eye Institute

Field of Expertise: Dr. Sachin Shukla specializes in corneal repair and stem cell-based ocular therapies. His research focuses on mesenchymal stem cells for corneal regeneration and ocular immunology, aiming to address corneal scarring and stem cell deficiencies in ocular diseases.

Dr. Pallavi Kshetrapal

Designation: Associate Professor

Affiliation: Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI)

Field of Expertise: Dr. Pallavi Kshetrapal, a molecular geneticist, specializes in identifying biomarkers for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Her research uses "omics" approaches to study molecular pathways and placenta-specific extracellular vesicles, aiming to develop diagnostic tools for maternal health risk assessment and treatment monitoring.

Dr Anbarasu Kannan

Designation: Scientist

Affiliation: Central Food Technological Research Institute

Field of Expertise: His research focused on diverse exosomal roles in tumor microenvironments, particularly in breast, prostate, and Head and Neck cancers at CFTRI, Mysore. His work yielded numerous publications in esteemed journals, showcasing expertise in cancer and exosome biology. With a decade of experience spanning six cancer types, his efforts center on early cancer detection biomarkers.

Patnam. Sreekanth

Designation: Scientist

Affiliation: Apollo Hospitals Educational and Research Foundation (AHERF)

Field of Expertise: His work is focused on developing diagnostics and therapeutics in glioma and prostate cancer. He is the founder director of Exomed Therapeutics Pvt Ltd and previously worked at Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU). He secured a startup grant from the Indian government's Ambedkar Young Entrepreneur League (AYEL).

Dr. Ganji Praveena

Designation: Scientist

Affiliation: Urvogelbio Pvt Ltd

Field of Expertise: Dr. Ganji Praveena, a specialist in nanotechnology and exosome biology, focuses on using neuronal exosomes for diagnosing and treating neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Her research aims to advance medical diagnostics and therapeutics in neurodegenerative conditions.

Dr. S. Kartik Kumar

Designation: Scientist

Affiliation: Apollo Hospitals Educational and Research Foundation (AHERF)

Field of Expertise: With 6 years of industrial and academic research, he specializes in small extracellular vesicle (sEV) strategies to enhance cancer therapy precision. He has published over 7 research articles in high-impact journals, advancing cancer treatment approaches.

Dr Sayeeda Maricar

Designation: Research Scientist

Affiliation: KIMS Hospitals

Field of Expertise: Dr. Sayeeda Maricar, an expert in maternal and fetal medicine at KIMS Hyderabad, specializes in high-risk pregnancies. Her research focuses on identifying biomarkers for pregnancy complications and improving clinical outcomes, advancing obstetric care and maternal health.

Dr. Amitava Ray

Designation: CEO & Founder

Affiliation: Exsegen Genomics Research

Field of Expertise: Dr. Amitava Ray, a neurosurgeon specializing in neurooncology and pediatric neurosurgery, focuses on Exsegen Genomics Research using AI and big data to replace tissue biopsies. He leads a major brain tumor repository, aiming to improve outcomes through innovative research and personalized care.

Dr. Amit Asthana

Designation: Head of Department of Medical Devices

Affiliation: NIPER Hyderabad

Field of Expertise: Dr. Amit Asthana, an expert in microfabrication, microfluidics, MEMS, lab-on-a-chip, and biosensors, focuses on developing innovative medical devices. With over 23 years of experience, he leads research and industrial collaborations at NIPER Hyderabad to improve healthcare and quality of life.

Dr David Greening

Designation: Head of Molecular Proteomics

Affiliation: University of Melbourne

Field of Expertise: Prof. Greening specializes in extracellular vesicles (EVs), focusing on their role in cell communication, biomarker discovery, and therapeutic applications. With expertise in proteomics, bioinformatics, and systems biology, he leads collaborations and is President of the Australian & New Zealand Society of Extracellular Vesicles.

Dr Naresh Kasoju

Designation: Scientist and Deputy Quality Manager

Affiliation: Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology

Field of Expertise: Dr. Naresh Kasoju specializes in bioactive materials, focusing on their application in tissue culture and applied biology. His research covers the development and characterization of biomaterials for biomedical purposes. As an Early Career Editorial Board Member for Bioactive Materials, his expertise contributes significantly to advancements in the biomaterials field.

Dr Krishnamohan Atmakuri

Designation: Associate Professor

Affiliation: Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI)

Field of Expertise: His group focuses on host-pathogen interactions to identify biomarkers, therapeutic targets, and vaccine candidates. Utilizing technologies like click chemistry, they investigate pathogenesis in pre-clinical models, particularly for sepsis. Their collaborative clinical research with hospitals aims to identify early diagnostic markers for neonatal sepsis to reduce its burden.

Dr Suman Dutta

Designation: Research Scientist

Affiliation: University of Oxford

Field of Expertise: His research focuses on identifying biomarkers for stratifying Parkinson's disease by investigating extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from iPSC-based models and patient samples. Building on prior studies, the goal is to identify reliable, sensitive biomarkers that enable early detection and accurate stratification of Parkinson’s disease and related disorders.

Dr. Suvendra Nath Bhattacharyya

Designation: Professor

Affiliation: The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC)

Field of Expertise: His research centers on extracellular vesicles (EVs) from iPSC-based models and patient samples to identify biomarkers for Parkinson's disease. His work aims to uncover reliable, sensitive biomarkers that can enable early detection, accurate stratification, and better understanding of Parkinson's and related neurodegenerative disorders.

Dr. Swathi Kaliki

Designation: Head, OEU Institute for Eye Cancer

Affiliation: LV Prasad Eye Institute

Field of Expertise: Dr. Swathi Kaliki specializes in ocular oncology, with a focus on retinoblastoma, ocular surface squamous neoplasia, sebaceous gland carcinoma, and other ocular tumors. She has published extensively and contributed significantly to the understanding of ocular cancers, serving as editor and reviewer for numerous prestigious journals.