Plenary Speakers
Anabel de la Garza, MD, PhD
Medical Director, BrainXell Therapeutics
USA
Anabel de la Garza, MD, PhD
Medical Director, BrainXell TherapeuticsUSA
Biography
Dr. Anabel de la Garza is a physician–scientist with more than 20 years of experience in stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, and clinical development. She earned her MD from UNAM (Mexico) and PhD from Leiden University (Netherlands), with fellowship training at Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute under CIRM support. Her work has advanced translational programs in muscular dystrophy, liver disease, and osteoarthritis at Genea Biocells, HepaTX, and Biosplice. Currently Medical Director at BrainXell Therapeutics, she leads clinical development of iPSC-based therapies for Parkinson’s disease. Dr. de la Garza is also active in mentoring and leadership, serving as Chair of the Emerging Executives Program for Women in Bio, San Diego.
Speech Title
Dr. Ilham Saleh Abuljadayel
CSO of TriStem Limited
United Kingdom
Dr. Ilham Saleh Abuljadayel
CSO of TriStem LimitedUnited Kingdom
Biography
Dr. Ilham Saleh Abuljadayel, is the sole inventor of the TriStem Technology, and co-founder.
She discovered the process of retrodifferentiation in the early nineties and also developed ways of committing the retrodifferentiated cells into a variety of cells/tissue types, including haematopoietic, neuronal, mesenchymal, cardiomyogenic, endothelial and exocrine cell lineages etc.
Based on her research, Dr. Abuljadayel co-founded the TriStem Group. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Cell Biology (1985) and her PhD in Immunology (1990) from King’s College, University of London.
Speech Title
Jerica Queen
Founder & CEO, Global Stem Cells Group (GSCG)USA
Jerica Queen
Founder & CEO, Global Stem Cells Group (GSCG)USABiography
Benito Novas is a visionary entrepreneur and leader in regenerative medicine. He is the Founder & CEO of the Global Stem Cells Group (GSCG) and also a founder of the International Society for Stem Cell Application (ISSCA)
Speech Title
Prof. Aurel Popa Wagner
University of Medicine and Pharmacy Craiova
Romania
Prof. Aurel Popa Wagner
University of Medicine and Pharmacy CraiovaRomania
Biography
Professor Popa-Wagner obtained his PhD in Biochemistry from the Institute of Biochemistry at the University of Karlsruhe, Germany, and subsequently completed postdoctoral training at the Ethel Percy Andrus Gerontology Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA. He later achieved habilitation in Internal Medicine and Experimental Neurology at the University of Medicine Greifswald, Germany, and conducted research in molecular psychiatry for five years at the University of Medicine Rostock, Germany. He is currently affiliated with the Vascular Neurology and Dementia Group at the Clinic of Neurology, Medical University Essen, Germany, and serves as Director of the Experimental Research Center for Normal and Pathological Aging at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova.
Speech Title
Genetic Conversion of Glial Cells: A New Tool to Improve Behavioral Recovery After Stroke in Aged Subjects
Dr. Alain Chapel
Institute of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety
France
Dr. Alain Chapel
Institute of Radiological Protection and Nuclear SafetyFrance
Biography
Dr. Alain Chapel has spent the past 30 years in developing gene and cell therapy using non-human primates, immune-tolerant mice and rats to protect against the side effects of radiation. He collaborates with clinicians to develop strategies for treatment of patients after radiotherapy overexposures. He has participated in the first establishment of proof of concept of the therapeutic efficacy of Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for the treatment of hematopoietic deficit, radiodermatitis and over dosages of radiotherapy. He has contributed to the first reported correction of deficient hematopoiesis in patients (graft failure and aplastic anemia) thanks to intravenous injection of MSCs restoring the bone marrow microenvironment, mandatory to sustain hematopoiesis after totl body irradiation. He is scientific investigator of Clinical phase II trial evaluating the efficacy of systemic MSC injections for the treatment of severe and chronic radiotherapy-induced abdomino-pelvic complications refractory to standard therapy (NCT02814864Hirsch Index 31).
Speech Title
From experimental research to clinical trial in the treatment of complication of radiotherapy by stem cells
Dr. Joel Isaias Osorio Garcia
CEO and Founder of Regenerative Medicine at RegenerAge™
Mexico
Dr. Joel Isaias Osorio Garcia
CEO and Founder of Regenerative Medicine at RegenerAge™Mexico
Biography
Dr. Joel Isaias Osorio Garcia is MD, CEO and Founder of Biotechnology and Regenerative Medicine at RegenerAge. Vice President of International Clinical Development for Bioquark, Inc. and Founder and president for the Dr. Jois A.C initiative
Advance Fellow by the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine (A4M), Visiting Scholar at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Dermatology). Fellow in Stem Cell Medicine by the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and University of South Florida.
Speech Title
A possible neuroregeneration on ASIA-A scale using a Medtronic Neurostimulator and
combinatorial biologics: Bioquantine® and Wharton’s Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells as
standardized therapy for No Option patients
Prof. Pietro Gentile
University of Tor Vergata
Italy
Prof. Pietro Gentile
University of Tor VergataItaly
Biography
Professor Pietro Gentile is an Associate Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Rome "Tor Vergata" in Italy. He is a world-renowned plastic surgeon known for his work in "regenerative plastic surgery". This field focuses on using techniques like fat grafting and stem cells derived from adipose tissue and hair follicles to enhance surgical outcomes and promote tissue regeneration. He is specialized in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, with a focus on regenerative approaches. His research focus includes Fat grafting, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), stem cells (adipose-derived and hair follicle), and biomaterials. Prof Pietro Gentile has been selected by the Italian National Agency for the Evaluation of Quality of Education and Research (ANVUR) as GEV (Expert Evaluator) in Medical Sciences Area - 06. (2020, September 18). He is enrolled in the REPRISE (Register of Expert Peer Reviewers for Italian Scientific Evaluation) register of scientific experts established at the MIUR (MINISTRY OF UNIVERSITY AND RESEARCH) for the sections "Basic Research" and "Diffusion of scientific culture" from 28.01.2022 (MIUR.AOODGRIC.REGISTRO_REPRISE.0030486.28-01.2022). Awards and acknowledgments: -"Best Plastic Surgeon 2019-2020 and 2021" according to EXPERTSCAPE U.S.A. Ranking Agency (First place of the ranking of Expertscape in Italy, and second place in Europe); -"Best Scientific Production 2019" of the Surgical Science Department, the University of Rome "Tor Vergata".
Speech Title
Fat grafting in breast remodeling
Dr. Kyung-Rok Yu
Seoul National University
South Korea
Dr. Kyung-Rok Yu
Seoul National UniversitySouth Korea
Biography
Dr. Kyung-Rok Yu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Biotechnology at Seoul National University, a position he has held since September 2020. Prior to this, he served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Lifesciences at the College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, from 2018 to 2020.
Dr. Yu has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to science and technology in Korea. He received the 2024 Minister of Science and ICT Commendation, was selected among the Top 100 Excellent National R&D Achievements in 2023, and was named a Young Member of the Korean Academy of Science and Technology in 2021.
Speech Title
Humanized Mouse Models in Hematopoietic Research: From Disease Mechanisms to Therapeutics
Prof. Jeanine Condo
Managing Director and CEO of CIIC-HIN-Kigali
Rwanda
Prof. Jeanine Condo
Managing Director and CEO of CIIC-HIN-KigaliRwanda
Biography
Prof. Jeanine Condo is a transformational global health leader whose distinguished career exemplifies the
intersection of clinical expertise, research excellence, and strategic policy implementation. With over two
decades of experience spanning clinical medicine, academic leadership, government service, and entrepreneurial
innovation, she has emerged as one of Africa's most influential voices in evidence-based healthcare and health
systems strengthening. As Managing Director and CEO of CIIC-HIN, she leads cutting-edge research initiatives
worth over $4 million across multiple African countries, while simultaneously serving as Local Scientific Co
Chair of the International AIDS Society 2025 Conference.
Prof. Condo's leadership credentials are anchored by her transformative tenure as Director General of Rwanda
Biomedical Centre (2016-2019), where she successfully managed 700 staff members across 14 specialized
divisions encompassing communicable disease programs, medical research initiatives, and national laboratory
systems. Her academic leadership journey from Dean of the School of Public Health to Principal of the College
of Medicine and Health Sciences demonstrated her ability to manage large-scale educational programs serving
nearly 4,000 students while maintaining rigorous academic standards. This experience translates directly to her
current role leading multi-country research initiatives and complex health system interventions.
With a research portfolio spanning over 50 projects as Principal or Co-Principal Investigator, Prof. Condo has
secured more than $20 million in funding from prestigious organizations including the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation, USAID, and WHO. Her 80+ peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals including The
Lancet, Nature, and BMJ Global Health have shaped evidence-based health policies across sub-Saharan Africa.
Prof. Condo's international standing is evidenced by her service on prestigious global health committees,
including the Global Fund Technical Evaluation Reference Group and GAVI Evaluation Advisory Committee.
Her collaborative research network spans leading institutions including Harvard University, University of British
Columbia, and Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute. Her career trajectory reflects a consistent commitment
to translating scientific rigor into practical solutions that improve health outcomes for Africa's most vulnerable
populations, combining clinical wisdom, research excellence, and strategic vision to drive meaningful change in
global health.
Speech Title
Paradigm shift in epidemiological curve in Rwanda: the need for stem-cell training center
Dr. Nathalie Umutoni
Head of Operations, CIIC-HIN-Kigali
Rwanda
Dr. Nathalie Umutoni
Head of Operations, CIIC-HIN-KigaliRwanda
Biography
Umutoni Nathalie is a Public Health expert with an extensive experience of 16 years especially in policies development, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, project management. A Medical Doctor, she served in different capacities and more recently she was the Director of Health Policies and Regulation within the Ministry of Health for 7 years with records in development of policies, standards procedures, treatment guidelines, laws and other regulatory documents supporting Health services management as well as Environmental Health, Pharmaceutical field, Health professional practice from community to referral and Teaching Hospitals. Besides, she played a big role in initiating the strategic planning cycle at facility level, in developing the Guidelines on Strategic planning and monitoring and evaluation tools. She has been member of Board of Directors in Government insurance agencies where she has been exposed to the finances of Health services.
