Professor, Deputy Head, School of Biomedical Sciences, UNSW Sydney (AU)
Kerry-Anne Rye obtained her PhD from The Flinders University of South Australia in 1986 and gained her postdoctoral training at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is Deputy Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Professor Rye’s research expertise relates to understanding the complexities of HDL structure, metabolism and function, and the roles these lipoproteins play in inflammation and cardiometabolic disease. Her research program is supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, the National Heart Foundation of Australia and the New South Wales Government. Professor Rye has published 311 peer reviewed papers and reviews and several book chapters on these topics that have attracted over 27,000 citations. She also co-authored a handbook on HDL Biology for Clinicians, that sold more than 100,000 copies.
Professor Rye is Editor -in-Chief of the Journal of Lipid Research. She serves as Senior Guest Editor of the Journal of the American Heart Association, is the Immediate-Past Chair of the American Heart Association Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology Council and current Chair of the American Heart Association Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology Council Nominations Committee.
Sarahi Mendoza Castaño, Ph.D.
Director of Research, Development and Innovation. National Center for Scientific Research(CUB)
Sarahi Mendoza Castaño has a degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences (1998) from the Institute of Pharmacy and Food of the University of Havana, Cuba. She started to work in the Pharmacology Laboratory at the Center of Natural Products (CPN) belonging to the Nacional Center for Scientific Research (CNIC), where she spent 4 years as a PhD student obtaining her PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2007 with the demonstration of the lipid lowering and antiosteoporotic effects of a mixture of fatty acids obtained from sugarcane wax, from experimental pharmacology studies to clinical trials evidences.
At the same time, she was in charge of the Quality Assurance Unit at CPN, from 1998 to 2015, which support her background in all aspect related with the integrated Quality System in accordance to the required Good Laboratory Practices (GLP); Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Clinical Practices (GCP). During this period (1998-2023) she has been linked with all activities related with the Research & Development process on Natural Products developed and marketed by CNIC, including beeswax alcohols (Abexol), sugarcane wax acids (Prevenox), Roystonea regia fruits acids (Palmex) and sugarcane wax alcohols (policosanol).
She has been part of the group of researchers who have carried out the studies that support the effects of Cuban policosanol and its mechanism of action in preclinical and clinical trials, including recent studies in neurodegenerative diseases. Is the head of a project for developing a new drug for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Her work is supported by the large number of papers (more than 100) in international and national journals(H- index: 13), in the topics of pharmacology studies and clinical trials. She is one of the author of a patent granted in Cuba and applied abroad the book “A new pharmaceutical for the 21st century. The contribution of Latin America to the study of medicinal plants”. In addition, she has developed teaching activity, including training in Quality System as well as the tutorial of 1 Master Degree and 2 PhD theses on the subject of Experimental Pharmacology and Medical Sciences.
Laura Calabresi, Ph.D.
Professor, Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milano (ITA)
Laura Calabresi graduated in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology at the University of Milano in 1988. Research fellow of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada at the Lipoprotein Metabolism Laboratory, Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, Canada, 1990-1992. Board certification in Pharmacology, University of Milano, and PhD in Experimental Medicine (Arteriosclerosis), University of Siena.
Full professor of Pharmacology at the University of Milano, Faculty of Pharmacy, since 2016.
Scientific Coordinator of the Center Grossi Paoletti of the University of Milano since 2015; Head of the master program in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at the University of Milano 2016-2021; President of the Managing Committee – Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Milano, since 2023.
Elected member of the Scientific Committee of the European Lipoprotein Club, 2001-2006. Editor-in-chief of Atherosclerosis Plus since 2021. Academic Editor for PlosOne since 2013; Associate Editor of Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine since 2021; CoEditor of Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Disease, 2015-2018; member of the Editorial Board of Journal of Lipid Research since 2018.
Research interests: pathophysiology of lipoprotein metabolism; pharmacology of dyslipidemias and atherosclerosis; genetic HDL disorders; brain lipid metabolism in neurodegenerative disorders. Author of more than 230 scientific papers; h-index 53.
Takuji Shirasawa, M.D., Ph.D.
President of Shirasawa Anti-Aging Medical Institute, Director of International Preventive Medical Association (JP)
After graduating from Chiba University School of Medicine in 1982, he joined the Department of Respiratory Medicine. In 1990, he completed the doctoral program at the Department of Medical Research and received a doctorate in medicine.
He served as a researcher in the Department of Pathology at the Tokyo Gerontology Research Institute, head of the Department of Neurophysiology, president of the Molecular Aging Research Society, and team leader of the Aging Genome Biomarker Research Team, and published numerous papers on dementia, hereditary neuropathy, neuroscience, and gerontology.
From 2007 to 2015, he served as a professor in the Department of Aging Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, and gave many lectures overseas. He has written and directed more than 350 books on health practice, preventive medicine, and dementia prevention, and has appeared on many popular TV programs. The book has been well received for its easy-to-understand and wide-ranging medical explanations.
Established the Ochanomizu Health and Longevity Clinic, which specializes in the treatment of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, cranial nerve disorders, etc., by combining 34 years of research from micro to macro perspectives and clinical knowledge, and at the same time verifying the research. Established Residence of Hope Tatebayashi, a paid nursing home. Until now. Specializes in molecular genetics of genes that control lifespan, molecular biology of Alzheimer's disease, and genetic research of athletes.
He has written and directed more than 350 books over the past 22 years, since 2002. Representative works include 『Aging Clock』, 『Unlocking the Longevity Gene』,『101 Ways to Not Faint Until 100 Years Old』, 『Overcoming Aging』, 『Quit Sugar to Make You 10 Years Younger!』, 『Coconut Oil is Healthy Protects you!』,『The truth and end to Alzheimer's disease』, 『33 ways to revolutionize Alzheimer's disease』, 『Dr. Shirasawa's Alzheimer's revolution, revitalizing the blurred brain』,『Alzheimer's disease can be prevented and treated through detoxification and nerve regeneration. You can! A new option for patients and their families』,『Testimony of a dementia survivor』,『Addicted to sweets』,『SUPER IMMUNITY』,『Diets that are poisonous to the brain』,『Longevity brain』,『Changes in the gut can prevent illness』,『It won’t get caught』 etc.
Kyung Hyun Cho, Ph.D.
Head of RAYDEL Research Institute (KOR)
Kyung-Hyun Cho specializes in lipoprotein metabolism, particularly the structure and functions of LDL and HDL. HDL acts as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-senescence agent in the blood, and is inversely correlated with diabetes, atherosclerosis, and metabolic syndrome. However, HDL functionality can be impaired by artificial food ingredients and environmental pollutants. He researches new medications and functional foods to treat hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, and Alzheimer’s disease by inhibiting oxidation and glycation in lipoproteins.
He obtained his Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees from Kyungpook National University and completed his postdoctoral training at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign until 2000. He then worked as a research fellow at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation until 2001.
After returning to Korea, he worked as a senior researcher at the Korea Biotechnology Research Institute for four years. In 2005, He moved to Yeungnam University, where he served as an assistant professor, associate professor, and professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. During this time, He was responsible for the Protein Sensor Laboratory and the BK21+ Serum Biomedical Research Team. Recently, He established the RAYDEL Research Institute in the Daegu Medical Innovation District and am currently serving as its head.
Over the past 32 years, he has published 164 papers in SCI-level journals in the field of HDL research and filed 62 domestic and international patents. He has presented research findings as a keynote speaker and lecturer at numerous international conferences. He serves as a guest editor for the special issues on HDL metabolism and function in the international journals Molecules and IJMS.
To raise public awareness of the importance of HDL as a factor in longevity, he has authored books in Korean titled 'Lipids, Health, and Beauty' and 'Why We Get Sick.' Additionally, he has written two books in English: 'High-Density Lipoproteins as Biomarkers and Therapeutic Tools. Volume 1. Impacts of Lifestyle, Diseases, and Environmental Stressors on HDL. 2019.' and 'Volume 2. Improvement and Enhancement of HDL and Clinical Applications 2019.' Through these works, he strives to explain complex, specialized topics in a way that is easy to understand, aiming to help the public maintain their health.
Anand Rohatgi, M.D.
Professor, Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (US)
Dr. Rohatgi specializes in preventive cardiology. He earned his medical degree at Duke University School of Medicine. He completed an internal medicine residency at the University of Pennsylvania Health System and a cardiology fellowship at UT Southwestern. He also holds a master’s degree in clinical science from UT Southwestern. Board certified in cardiovascular disease and internal medicine he joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2008.
In addition to his clinical roles, Dr. Rohatgi is the Associate Program Director of UTSW’s Cardiovascular Fellowship, and he serves on several campus committees to enhance clinical research. He is an active CME speaker and has given several invited national talks.
Dr. Rohatgi’s research focuses on the role of novel biomarkers in improving risk prediction for atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Specifically, his main area of interest is the role of high-density-lipoproteins (HDL) in cardiovascular disease. He also focuses on high-risk populations, including those with diabetes and people of South Asian ancestry.
He is currently the principal investigator of “The Genetic and Molecular Basis of Cholesterol Efflux” a five years study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 award and "Mentoring Patient Oriented Research in Deep Lipid Phenotyping for Cardiovascular Disease" a five years study funded by the NIH K24 award. He has received past awards for research from the American Heart Association.
He also is the principal investigator of a five years study "Lipoprotein Metabolism and Excess Cardiometabolic Risk in South Asians" funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 award (2022~2027). This grant focused on novel markers of lipids like HDL function in South Asians utilizing the MASALA cohort in the U.S. and the U.K. biobank cohort in Europe.
Dr. Rohatgi serves as a reviewer for several publications, including The Lancet, Journal of the American Medical Association, Journal of the American Heart Association, American Journal of Cardiology, and Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. He is an Associate Editor for Circulation and on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Clinical Lipidology.
He is a Fellow of both the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association and a member of the American College of Physicians, the National Lipid Association, and the American Society of Preventive Cardiology, among other professional organizations. He also chairs the board of directors of the nonprofit Texas Loves Children.
Keijiro Saku, M.D., Ph.D.
President of Kietsukal NAKAGAWA Hospital, President Emeritus, Fukuoka University (JP)
Dr. Keijiro Saku graduated from Fukuoka University School of Medicine in March 1978. He then worked as a resident physician at the Department of Internal Medicine, Fukuoka University Hospital from 1978 to 1981.
He took his fellowship at the University of Cincinnati (Ohio) in Internal Medicine (1981-1985). After returning to Japan, he worked at the Department of Cardiology, Fukuoka University as staff, and eventually became Professor and Chairman of the Department of Cardiology in 2000.
His achievements are related to atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. As shown in his C.V., he has published more than 500 original papers in peer-reviewed journals. His major fields of study are the quality and quantity of HDL, HDL apo A-I kinetics in the human body, and HDL-targeting therapies using apo A-I mimetic peptides, FAMP, etc.
He served as the Dean of Fukuoka University Medical School for 6 years, and became a President of Fukuoka University during the COVID-19 pandemic (4years). Dr. Saku retired in November 2023. In May of this year, he was named a Master of the American College of Physicians (MACP). He is now working as a President of the Social Media Corporation Kietsukai Nakagawa Hospital.
Theodoros Kelesidis, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Division of Infectious Diseases (US)
Theodoros Kelesidis, M.D., Ph.D., MSc, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center and a member of the Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine. Dr. Kelesidis earned his medical degree at the University of Athens Medical School and completed his doctorate degree and his master's degree at the University of California-Los Angeles.
Dr. Kelesidis' research focuses on infectious diseases, immunology, and cardiometabolic complications of infectious diseases including HIV infection. His lab aims at understanding the complex interplay between oxidative stress, inflammation, and aberrant host responses that drive end-organ disease in infectious diseases.
Dr. Kelesidis’ lab integrates both basic and translational research platforms with the goal to apply tools from multiple fields, such as immunology, virology, molecular biology, and medicine to understand the immunopathogenesis of infectious diseases.
His vision is to define the mechanistic links between viral infections such as HIV and SARS-CoV-2 infection, oxidative stress, inflammation, and end-organ disease such as cardiovascular disease. These findings may lead to the development of novel therapeutic interventions that might improve the prognosis of patients infected with viruses such as HIV and SARS-CoV-2. He is recognized as an international expert on infectious diseases and cardiometabolic syndrome and has received numerous awards for his research.
Kerry-Anne Rye, Ph.D.
Professor, Deputy Head, School of Biomedical Sciences, UNSW Sydney (AU)
Kerry-Anne Rye obtained her PhD from The Flinders University of South Australia in 1986 and gained her postdoctoral training at The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is Deputy Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Professor Rye’s research expertise relates to understanding the complexities of HDL structure, metabolism and function, and the roles these lipoproteins play in inflammation and cardiometabolic disease. Her research program is supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, the National Heart Foundation of Australia and the New South Wales Government. Professor Rye has published 311 peer reviewed papers and reviews and several book chapters on these topics that have attracted over 27,000 citations. She also co-authored a handbook on HDL Biology for Clinicians, that sold more than 100,000 copies.
Professor Rye is Editor -in-Chief of the Journal of Lipid Research. She serves as Senior Guest Editor of the Journal of the American Heart Association, is the Immediate-Past Chair of the American Heart Association Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology Council and current Chair of the American Heart Association Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology Council Nominations Committee.
Sarahi Mendoza Castaño, Ph.D.
Director of Research, Development and Innovation. National Center for Scientific Research(CUB)
Sarahi Mendoza Castaño has a degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences (1998) from the Institute of Pharmacy and Food of the University of Havana, Cuba. She started to work in the Pharmacology Laboratory at the Center of Natural Products (CPN) belonging to the Nacional Center for Scientific Research (CNIC), where she spent 4 years as a PhD student obtaining her PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2007 with the demonstration of the lipid lowering and antiosteoporotic effects of a mixture of fatty acids obtained from sugarcane wax, from experimental pharmacology studies to clinical trials evidences.
At the same time, she was in charge of the Quality Assurance Unit at CPN, from 1998 to 2015, which support her background in all aspect related with the integrated Quality System in accordance to the required Good Laboratory Practices (GLP); Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Clinical Practices (GCP). During this period (1998-2023) she has been linked with all activities related with the Research & Development process on Natural Products developed and marketed by CNIC, including beeswax alcohols (Abexol), sugarcane wax acids (Prevenox), Roystonea regia fruits acids (Palmex) and sugarcane wax alcohols (policosanol).
She has been part of the group of researchers who have carried out the studies that support the effects of Cuban policosanol and its mechanism of action in preclinical and clinical trials, including recent studies in neurodegenerative diseases. Is the head of a project for developing a new drug for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Her work is supported by the large number of papers (more than 100) in international and national journals(H- index: 13), in the topics of pharmacology studies and clinical trials. She is one of the author of a patent granted in Cuba and applied abroad the book “A new pharmaceutical for the 21st century. The contribution of Latin America to the study of medicinal plants”. In addition, she has developed teaching activity, including training in Quality System as well as the tutorial of 1 Master Degree and 2 PhD theses on the subject of Experimental Pharmacology and Medical Sciences.
Laura Calabresi, Ph.D.
Professor, Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milano (ITA)
Laura Calabresi graduated in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology at the University of Milano in 1988. Research fellow of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada at the Lipoprotein Metabolism Laboratory, Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, Canada, 1990-1992. Board certification in Pharmacology, University of Milano, and PhD in Experimental Medicine (Arteriosclerosis), University of Siena.
Full professor of Pharmacology at the University of Milano, Faculty of Pharmacy, since 2016.
Scientific Coordinator of the Center Grossi Paoletti of the University of Milano since 2015; Head of the master program in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at the University of Milano 2016-2021; President of the Managing Committee – Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Milano, since 2023.
Elected member of the Scientific Committee of the European Lipoprotein Club, 2001-2006. Editor-in-chief of Atherosclerosis Plus since 2021. Academic Editor for PlosOne since 2013; Associate Editor of Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine since 2021; CoEditor of Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Disease, 2015-2018; member of the Editorial Board of Journal of Lipid Research since 2018.
Research interests: pathophysiology of lipoprotein metabolism; pharmacology of dyslipidemias and atherosclerosis; genetic HDL disorders; brain lipid metabolism in neurodegenerative disorders. Author of more than 230 scientific papers; h-index 53.
Takuji Shirasawa, M.D., Ph.D.
President of Shirasawa Anti-Aging Medical Institute, Director of International Preventive Medical Association (JP)
After graduating from Chiba University School of Medicine in 1982, he joined the Department of Respiratory Medicine. In 1990, he completed the doctoral program at the Department of Medical Research and received a doctorate in medicine.
He served as a researcher in the Department of Pathology at the Tokyo Gerontology Research Institute, head of the Department of Neurophysiology, president of the Molecular Aging Research Society, and team leader of the Aging Genome Biomarker Research Team, and published numerous papers on dementia, hereditary neuropathy, neuroscience, and gerontology.
From 2007 to 2015, he served as a professor in the Department of Aging Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, and gave many lectures overseas. He has written and directed more than 350 books on health practice, preventive medicine, and dementia prevention, and has appeared on many popular TV programs. The book has been well received for its easy-to-understand and wide-ranging medical explanations.
Established the Ochanomizu Health and Longevity Clinic, which specializes in the treatment of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, cranial nerve disorders, etc., by combining 34 years of research from micro to macro perspectives and clinical knowledge, and at the same time verifying the research. Established Residence of Hope Tatebayashi, a paid nursing home. Until now. Specializes in molecular genetics of genes that control lifespan, molecular biology of Alzheimer's disease, and genetic research of athletes.
He has written and directed more than 350 books over the past 22 years, since 2002. Representative works include 『Aging Clock』, 『Unlocking the Longevity Gene』,『101 Ways to Not Faint Until 100 Years Old』, 『Overcoming Aging』, 『Quit Sugar to Make You 10 Years Younger!』, 『Coconut Oil is Healthy Protects you!』,『The truth and end to Alzheimer's disease』, 『33 ways to revolutionize Alzheimer's disease』, 『Dr. Shirasawa's Alzheimer's revolution, revitalizing the blurred brain』,『Alzheimer's disease can be prevented and treated through detoxification and nerve regeneration. You can! A new option for patients and their families』,『Testimony of a dementia survivor』,『Addicted to sweets』,『SUPER IMMUNITY』,『Diets that are poisonous to the brain』,『Longevity brain』,『Changes in the gut can prevent illness』,『It won’t get caught』 etc.
Kyung Hyun Cho, Ph.D.
Head of RAYDEL Research Institute (KOR)
Kyung-Hyun Cho specializes in lipoprotein metabolism, particularly the structure and functions of LDL and HDL. HDL acts as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-senescence agent in the blood, and is inversely correlated with diabetes, atherosclerosis, and metabolic syndrome. However, HDL functionality can be impaired by artificial food ingredients and environmental pollutants. He researches new medications and functional foods to treat hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, and Alzheimer’s disease by inhibiting oxidation and glycation in lipoproteins.
He obtained his Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees from Kyungpook National University and completed his postdoctoral training at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign until 2000. He then worked as a research fellow at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation until 2001.
After returning to Korea, he worked as a senior researcher at the Korea Biotechnology Research Institute for four years. In 2005, He moved to Yeungnam University, where he served as an assistant professor, associate professor, and professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. During this time, He was responsible for the Protein Sensor Laboratory and the BK21+ Serum Biomedical Research Team. Recently, He established the RAYDEL Research Institute in the Daegu Medical Innovation District and am currently serving as its head.
Over the past 32 years, he has published 164 papers in SCI-level journals in the field of HDL research and filed 62 domestic and international patents. He has presented research findings as a keynote speaker and lecturer at numerous international conferences. He serves as a guest editor for the special issues on HDL metabolism and function in the international journals Molecules and IJMS.
To raise public awareness of the importance of HDL as a factor in longevity, he has authored books in Korean titled 'Lipids, Health, and Beauty' and 'Why We Get Sick.' Additionally, he has written two books in English: 'High-Density Lipoproteins as Biomarkers and Therapeutic Tools. Volume 1. Impacts of Lifestyle, Diseases, and Environmental Stressors on HDL. 2019.' and 'Volume 2. Improvement and Enhancement of HDL and Clinical Applications 2019.' Through these works, he strives to explain complex, specialized topics in a way that is easy to understand, aiming to help the public maintain their health.
Anand Rohatgi, M.D.
Professor, Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (US)
Dr. Rohatgi specializes in preventive cardiology. He earned his medical degree at Duke University School of Medicine. He completed an internal medicine residency at the University of Pennsylvania Health System and a cardiology fellowship at UT Southwestern. He also holds a master’s degree in clinical science from UT Southwestern. Board certified in cardiovascular disease and internal medicine he joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2008.
In addition to his clinical roles, Dr. Rohatgi is the Associate Program Director of UTSW’s Cardiovascular Fellowship, and he serves on several campus committees to enhance clinical research. He is an active CME speaker and has given several invited national talks.
Dr. Rohatgi’s research focuses on the role of novel biomarkers in improving risk prediction for atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Specifically, his main area of interest is the role of high-density-lipoproteins (HDL) in cardiovascular disease. He also focuses on high-risk populations, including those with diabetes and people of South Asian ancestry.
He is currently the principal investigator of “The Genetic and Molecular Basis of Cholesterol Efflux” a five years study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 award and "Mentoring Patient Oriented Research in Deep Lipid Phenotyping for Cardiovascular Disease" a five years study funded by the NIH K24 award. He has received past awards for research from the American Heart Association.
He also is the principal investigator of a five years study "Lipoprotein Metabolism and Excess Cardiometabolic Risk in South Asians" funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 award (2022~2027). This grant focused on novel markers of lipids like HDL function in South Asians utilizing the MASALA cohort in the U.S. and the U.K. biobank cohort in Europe.
Dr. Rohatgi serves as a reviewer for several publications, including The Lancet, Journal of the American Medical Association, Journal of the American Heart Association, American Journal of Cardiology, and Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. He is an Associate Editor for Circulation and on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Clinical Lipidology.
He is a Fellow of both the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association and a member of the American College of Physicians, the National Lipid Association, and the American Society of Preventive Cardiology, among other professional organizations. He also chairs the board of directors of the nonprofit Texas Loves Children.
Keijiro Saku, M.D., Ph.D.
President of Kietsukal NAKAGAWA Hospital, President Emeritus, Fukuoka University (JP)
Dr. Keijiro Saku graduated from Fukuoka University School of Medicine in March 1978. He then worked as a resident physician at the Department of Internal Medicine, Fukuoka University Hospital from 1978 to 1981.
He took his fellowship at the University of Cincinnati (Ohio) in Internal Medicine (1981-1985). After returning to Japan, he worked at the Department of Cardiology, Fukuoka University as staff, and eventually became Professor and Chairman of the Department of Cardiology in 2000.
His achievements are related to atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. As shown in his C.V., he has published more than 500 original papers in peer-reviewed journals. His major fields of study are the quality and quantity of HDL, HDL apo A-I kinetics in the human body, and HDL-targeting therapies using apo A-I mimetic peptides, FAMP, etc.
He served as the Dean of Fukuoka University Medical School for 6 years, and became a President of Fukuoka University during the COVID-19 pandemic (4years). Dr. Saku retired in November 2023. In May of this year, he was named a Master of the American College of Physicians (MACP). He is now working as a President of the Social Media Corporation Kietsukai Nakagawa Hospital.
Theodoros Kelesidis, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Division of Infectious Diseases (US)
Theodoros Kelesidis, M.D., Ph.D., MSc, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center and a member of the Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine. Dr. Kelesidis earned his medical degree at the University of Athens Medical School and completed his doctorate degree and his master's degree at the University of California-Los Angeles.
Dr. Kelesidis' research focuses on infectious diseases, immunology, and cardiometabolic complications of infectious diseases including HIV infection. His lab aims at understanding the complex interplay between oxidative stress, inflammation, and aberrant host responses that drive end-organ disease in infectious diseases.
Dr. Kelesidis’ lab integrates both basic and translational research platforms with the goal to apply tools from multiple fields, such as immunology, virology, molecular biology, and medicine to understand the immunopathogenesis of infectious diseases.
His vision is to define the mechanistic links between viral infections such as HIV and SARS-CoV-2 infection, oxidative stress, inflammation, and end-organ disease such as cardiovascular disease. These findings may lead to the development of novel therapeutic interventions that might improve the prognosis of patients infected with viruses such as HIV and SARS-CoV-2. He is recognized as an international expert on infectious diseases and cardiometabolic syndrome and has received numerous awards for his research.