Joakim Eriksson is Unit Manager of the Connected Intelligence research unit at the Computer Science department of RISE Research Institutes of Sweden. He holds a PhD in Internet of Things and has worked for more than two decades at the intersection of IoT, AI, and networking.

At RISE, Joakim leads research on connected and intelligent systems, spanning IoT, edge AI, cyber-physical systems, and future networks (5G/6G and beyond). He has been deeply involved in developing open-source platforms such as Contiki-NG and in creating tools that bridge embedded systems, AI, and real-world applications.

Joakim has a passion for making research tangible and fun—most recently by working together with colleagues to build the Candytron 4000, a robotic arm powered by AI that distributes candy while showcasing the potential (and quirks) of physical AI agents.

Joakim Eriksson is Unit Manager of the Connected Intelligence research unit at the Computer Science department of RISE Research Institutes of Sweden. He holds a PhD in Internet of Things and has worked for more than two decades at the intersection of... Show more

Matthew Bonanni is a vLLM maintainer and Machine Learning Engineer at Red Hat. His work focuses on implementation and performance optimization of attention mechanisms and speculative decoding. He received his PhD from Stanford University in Mechanical Engineering in 2025, where his research addressed computational fluid dynamics of reacting flows in aerospace propulsion systems. He also holds an MS from Stanford University and a BS from Northeastern University.

Matthew Bonanni is a vLLM maintainer and Machine Learning Engineer at Red Hat. His work focuses on implementation and performance optimization of attention mechanisms and speculative decoding. He received his PhD from Stanford University in Mechanica... Show more

Lorraine Hamilton is a former RF engineer, ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), coach educator and working stand-up comedian. She brings an engineer's eye for systems and patterns to the wonderfully complicated business of being human.

With 20 years in professional coaching and a background in telecommunications leadership, Lorraine works with individuals, leaders and professional coaches to understand the patterns behind behaviour, challenge assumptions and find simpler ways forward.

Her work spans leadership, organisational culture, human behaviour, professional coaching and the human side of technology adoption. She's particularly interested in what happens when capable people find themselves struggling with systems, expectations or ways of working that don't quite fit.

Based on New Zealand's Kāpiti Coast, Lorraine combines technical thinking, deep human insight and a healthy appreciation for the absurdities of everyday life.

Lorraine Hamilton is a former RF engineer, ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), coach educator and working stand-up comedian. She brings an engineer's eye for systems and patterns to the wonderfully complicated business of being human. With 20 ... Show more

Sebastian es Ingeniero de Sistemas, desarrollador Fullstack y actual CTO en Taya, una startup enfocada en conectar tecnología con impacto social. Con experiencia en Flutter, Firebase y Node.js, lidera el desarrollo de productos digitales que buscan resolver problemas reales. Además, organiza comunidades como GDG Sucre y Flutter Sucre, donde promueve el aprendizaje colaborativo y la innovación.

Sebastian es Ingeniero de Sistemas, desarrollador Fullstack y actual CTO en Taya, una startup enfocada en conectar tecnología con impacto social. Con experiencia en Flutter, Firebase y Node.js, lidera el desarrollo de productos digitales que buscan r... Show more

Prodyumna Pal is an Electronics & Communication Engineer affiliated with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, Ministry of Railways, Vadodara; working at the intersection of Edge AI, autonomous systems, UAVs, embedded systems, and web-based control. He has worked on autonomous aerial robotics at IIT Hyderabad, where he developed a Jetson- and PX4-based system for aerial manipulation of dynamic objects, including custom ground-control software, AI-based Train Control Systems with Remote Monitoring under patent process, and works on Modern flight and avionics systems in Association with AIRBUS. His projects span onboard AI, computer vision, LTE-enabled robotics, telemetry, flight controllers, and distributed control systems. He has also worked with Indian Railways at Banaras Loco Works, gaining exposure to electric locomotive systems, Vehicle Control Units, and KAVACH. Alongside engineering and research, Prodyumna leads UAV projects at the SAEINDIA Collegiate Club of GSV and contributes to IEEE’s Asia-Pacific entrepreneurship ecosystem. His work has been presented and published in IEEE aerospace and defence research forums.

Prodyumna Pal is an Electronics & Communication Engineer affiliated with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, Ministry of Railways, Vadodara; working at the intersection of Edge AI, autonomous systems, UAVs, embedded systems, and web-based control. He has wo... Show more

Neb is an MLOps Engineer at Isomorphic Labs, where they build scalable ML infrastructure to accelerate AI-driven drug discovery. They currently focus on developing and refining inference graph frameworks. With a degree in biochemistry and a former career as a teacher, Neb is uniquely passionate about bridging the gap between complex biological workloads and cloud-native systems. When not wrangling YAML, they are usually playing tennis!

Neb is an MLOps Engineer at Isomorphic Labs, where they build scalable ML infrastructure to accelerate AI-driven drug discovery. They currently focus on developing and refining inference graph frameworks. With a degree in biochemistry and a former ca... Show more

Costas Papastathis is a Software Engineer at IBM who works on a number of Node.js projects under the NodeShift GitHub organization. He also actively contributes to Paketo Buildpacks as a Node.js maintainer, and also works on support for the Red Hat UBI stack within other Paketo buildpack components.

Costas Papastathis is a Software Engineer at IBM who works on a number of Node.js projects under the NodeShift GitHub organization. He also actively contributes to Paketo Buildpacks as a Node.js maintainer, and also works on support for the Red Hat U... Show more

Over the past years, I’ve designed and developed analytics solutions on Microsoft technologies.
I teach classes based on both the Microsoft Official Curriculum and training material sprung from the field experience. I’m also a speaker in primary Italian conferences.
The main activities I’m involved in are: Analysis / Development /Optimization of Analytics infrastructure Performance Tuning design and implementation and ETL/ELT design and implementation on Azure

Apart from my professional activities, cycling (road) addicted

Specialties
Analytics, Data Virtualization ,IoT ,Azure

Over the past years, I’ve designed and developed analytics solutions on Microsoft technologies. I teach classes based on both the Microsoft Official Curriculum and training material sprung from the field experience. I’m also a speaker in primary Ita... Show more

Phil Conway is a Dev Advocate at SandboxAQ, a Google-originated startup focused on solving problems through the application of Quantum & AI-based technologies.

He has nearly two decades of experience covering networking, security, cloud computing and solutions architecture for global organizations, financial institutions and government departments.

Phil Conway is a Dev Advocate at SandboxAQ, a Google-originated startup focused on solving problems through the application of Quantum & AI-based technologies. He has nearly two decades of experience covering networking, security, cloud computing... Show more

Taite Heller is a Health and Exercise Science student at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In addition to her major, she is pursuing minors in Biology and Psychology while maintaining a 3.97 GPA. She is expected to graduate in 2027 and is currently on the Pre-Physician Assistant track. With a strong interest in healthcare and patient-centered service, she plans to attend PA school after completing her undergraduate studies. Her academic achievements reflect a commitment to learning, growth, and professional development.

Beyond the classroom, Taite is a Division I student-athlete on the Wake Forest University Dance Team. Balancing a demanding academic schedule with the responsibilities of collegiate athletics has strengthened her leadership skills, discipline, and ability to manage multiple commitments. Her dedication to the team was recognized during the 2025-2026 season when she earned the MVP Award for her performance and commitment.

As a member of the dance team for three years, Heller trains and performs for more than 15 hours each week while maintaining her academic responsibilities. She helps create an engaging atmosphere at athletic events through performances and interactions with fans. Her involvement also includes mentoring young dancers through junior spirit programs and representing the university and athletic department at alumni and donor events. She competes annually at the Universal Dance Association National Championship in Division IA, one of the most competitive collegiate dance levels. During the 2025-2026 season, the team secured the program's first national championship in the DIA Gameday Live category.

Leadership plays an important role in her college experience. Taite serves as a representative for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, where she helps strengthen communication between student-athletes and the athletic department. Through this position, she contributes to leadership initiatives, supports student-athlete advocacy, and promotes community engagement. In 2025, she was selected as the student-athlete voice at the Faculty Advisory Committee meeting for Wake Forest Athletics. This recognition marked the first time a member of the Spirit Program had been chosen for the role. She was also selected to represent Wake Forest Athletics at a Leadership & Character Development Program event, where she shared perspectives on team culture, values, identity, positivity, and mindset.

Her passion for healthcare has led her to pursue research opportunities that complement her academic studies. As a Research Assistant for IGROOVE-POWER, Heller worked alongside graduate students in a geriatric movement laboratory. Her responsibilities included collecting and organizing muscle power measurements at the knee and ankle joints using standardized testing procedures. Through this experience, she gained exposure to geriatric research, functional movement assessment, and studies focused on cognitive aging.

During the Spring 2026 semester, Taite served as a clinical research intern for The Osteoarthritis Prevention Study at Wake Forest University. This multisite clinical trial examines whether diet, exercise, and weight-loss maintenance can help prevent knee osteoarthritis in women who are at risk for the condition. Her involvement provided valuable experience in clinical research and healthcare-focused investigations.

During the Spring 2026 semester, Heller established “Dancing With the Deacs,” a dance class created in partnership with the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Winston-Salem. Through this program, she teaches children and adults with Down syndrome, encouraging movement, self-expression, and mind-body connection through dance. She also volunteers as a dance instructor at GiGi’s Playhouse, where she works with both children and adults through educational and developmental programs.

Taite Heller has been selected to serve as a Teaching Assistant in Human Gross Anatomy. In this position, she will work closely with faculty members on cadaver preparation and dissection, assist with laboratory sessions, and support student learning. She is also pursuing her Certified Clinical Medical Assistant certification while seeking opportunities to gain direct patient care experience. Through her accomplishments in academics, athletics, leadership, research, and community service, she continues to build a strong foundation for a future healthcare career.

Taite Heller is a Health and Exercise Science student at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In addition to her major, she is pursuing minors in Biology and Psychology while maintaining a 3.97 GPA. She is expected to graduate in ... Show more

Danny Harnik is a Senior Technical Staff Member (STSM) at IBM Research, specializing in storage systems, data compression and inference platforms. Over the years, he has played a key role in advancing IBM products across storage, cloud, and open-source technologies including Ceph, vLLM and llm-d (he is a maintainer in the llm-d-kv-cache repo). Danny has authored more than 35 academic publications and holds over 45 patents. He earned his PhD in cryptography from the Weizmann Institute of Science.

Danny Harnik is a Senior Technical Staff Member (STSM) at IBM Research, specializing in storage systems, data compression and inference platforms. Over the years, he has played a key role in advancing IBM products across storage, cloud, and open-sour... Show more

Oliver is the Chief Privacy Office and Director of Security and Compliance at TAXbit, where he manages all aspects of security and compliance, including Incident Management/Response, Corporate Security Engineering, Cloud Security, Security Guidance, Product Security, Physical Security, and Compliance audits.

Before joining TAXbit in 2023, he was Head of Cloud Security at Uber Engineering in Seattle. There, he built a team working on secure-by-default architecture, best practices, engineering standards, automated compliance (SOC II, SOX, PCI, HIPPA, GDPR, ISO 27001), monitoring tools, data security, and threat detection/response solutions for all of Uber’s cloud assets and engineering efforts.

Prior to that, Oliver spent over 18 years at Microsoft, where he worked in various engineering and engineering management roles contributing to Windows client security (developing, testing, and releasing security updates), anti-piracy, cloud security standards, security testing (Windows, Office, and Azure), and continuous integration/delivery for all the company’s commercial online services.

In his spare time, he also volunteers to deliver (security) engineering training to schools and start-up companies in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania.

Oliver is the Chief Privacy Office and Director of Security and Compliance at TAXbit, where he manages all aspects of security and compliance, including Incident Management/Response, Corporate Security Engineering, Cloud Security, Security Guidance, ... Show more

Dr. Duane R. Edgington is a Senior Software Engineer at MBARI, where he applies machine learning and AI to marine imagery and passive-acoustic-monitoring recordings — including building TensorFlow-free PyTorch pipelines for bioacoustic analysis. With a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Harvard GSAS and B.S. degrees in Engineering and Biology from Caltech, his research centers on bringing proven ML methods to marine science and ecology questions relevant to climate change and ocean sustainability.

Dr. Duane R. Edgington is a Senior Software Engineer at MBARI, where he applies machine learning and AI to marine imagery and passive-acoustic-monitoring recordings — including building TensorFlow-free PyTorch pipelines for bioacoustic analysis. With... Show more

Dr. Bjoern E. Oleson is an accomplished IT professional with more than twenty years of experience in Application Life-Cycle Management (ALM). He currently serves as a Principal IT Consultant at Siemens Healthineers, where he possesses in-depth expertise in Azure DevOps, GitHub, and Code LLMS. Bjoern's qualifications include degrees in Computer Science and Biology, attesting to his extensive knowledge and versatility in the fields of science and technology. In addition, Bjoern is deeply interested in the Internet of Things and is a strong advocate of the transformative power of Generative AI. He is always enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge and experiences with others.

Dr. Bjoern E. Oleson is an accomplished IT professional with more than twenty years of experience in Application Life-Cycle Management (ALM). He currently serves as a Principal IT Consultant at Siemens Healthineers, where he possesses in-depth expert... Show more

## Salma Mohammed Salem Alketbi

**Emirati Educator & Researcher | Arabic Language Curriculum Specialist | Educational Leader & Innovator**

Salma Mohammed Salem Alketbi is a distinguished Emirati educator and researcher specializing in **Arabic language curriculum, educational innovation, and teacher development**. Currently serving as a **Vice Principal**, she has made significant contributions to advancing teaching practices, empowering educators, and enhancing student learning experiences in the United Arab Emirates.

Her outstanding educational achievements have earned her prestigious recognition, including the **Mohamed bin Zayed Award for Best Teacher** and the title of **Best Teacher in the Arab World**. She also became the **first Emirati teacher to enter the Guinness World Records** through a pioneering innovation in creative writing—an achievement that reflects her passion for transforming ideas into meaningful educational impact.

Throughout her career, Salma has led and contributed to several influential educational initiatives, including the **International Teachers’ Knowledge Fund Platform** and the **Tokkatsu Project**, focusing on teacher development, student character building, and innovative learning practices. She has also supported national programs promoting reading, writing, and student readiness for educational assessments.

As an active researcher and educational contributor, Salma has participated in research projects, conferences, and professional forums at both national and international levels, sharing innovative practices and contributing to curriculum development and educational advancement.

Salma believes that **education is more than the transfer of knowledge—it is a powerful force for shaping people, communities, and the future**. Her mission is to empower educators, inspire students, and cultivate lifelong learners who are prepared to make a meaningful contribution to society.

### Areas of Expertise

**Educational Innovation | Arabic Language Curriculum | Educational Leadership | Creative Writing | Teacher Development & Empowerment | Reading & Writing Strategies | Educational Research | Student Character Development | Educational Initiative Design & Implementation**

### Suggested Speaker Tagline

**“From the Classroom to Guinness World Records: An Emirati Journey of Innovation, Creativity, and Educational Impact.”**

## Salma Mohammed Salem Alketbi **Emirati Educator & Researcher | Arabic Language Curriculum Specialist | Educational Leader & Innovator** Salma Mohammed Salem Alketbi is a distinguished Emirati educator and researcher specializing in **Arabic ... Show more

Stéphane Gervais is Founder and CEO of ApexTransform and VP Strategic Partnerships at CertX, an SGS Group company. He works at the intersection of agentic AI, cybersecurity, technical assurance, digital identity and emerging technologies.
With more than 25 years of international technology experience, he has held leadership roles across semiconductors, embedded systems, industrial technology, data and AI.
His current work focuses on how authority, identity and accountability can be maintained as AI systems become increasingly autonomous. He writes and speaks on trusted AI, AI governance and security, including work published in Forbes and IEEE Computer. Stéphane holds a PhD in electronics.

Stéphane Gervais is Founder and CEO of ApexTransform and VP Strategic Partnerships at CertX, an SGS Group company. He works at the intersection of agentic AI, cybersecurity, technical assurance, digital identity and emerging technologies. With more ... Show more

Experienced manager, coordinating advisor, and architect with a demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry. Besides, I PhD in Enterprise Architecture (EA) and digital transformation from the Open University, Faculty Management, Science & Technology (MST).
Skilled in Team Management and Coordination, Enterprise Architecture (EA), EA Management, IT Governance, and Digital Strategy. A strong business development professional with a Master's degree in Business Process Management & IT from Open University.

Experienced manager, coordinating advisor, and architect with a demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry. Besides, I PhD in Enterprise Architecture (EA) and digital transformation from the Open University, Faculty Man... Show more

Ankit Jain is a software engineer and independent researcher with research interests spanning artificial intelligence, AI systems, distributed systems, and software engineering. His current interests include generative AI, large language models, agentic AI, multi-agent systems, workflow orchestration, AI infrastructure, and the reliability and scalability of production AI systems. He has authored and co-authored peer-reviewed research publications in artificial intelligence and related computing areas. His research interests are informed by extensive industry experience designing and developing complex, scalable software and distributed systems. He is particularly interested in bridging advances in AI research with the engineering challenges involved in building reliable, scalable, and production-ready intelligent systems.

Ankit Jain is a software engineer and independent researcher with research interests spanning artificial intelligence, AI systems, distributed systems, and software engineering. His current interests include generative AI, large language models, agen... Show more

Dr. Andrei Cuenca is an Aerospace Autonomy Engineer at Censys Technologies Corporation, where he leads GNC development for autonomous UAS. He holds a PhD and MS in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and dual BS degrees in Mechanical and Electronics Engineering. His research focuses on geomagnetic navigation, with multiple publications and a granted U.S. patent in geomagnetic-aided navigation. He has contributed to FAA and Air Force funded research programs.

Dr. Andrei Cuenca is an Aerospace Autonomy Engineer at Censys Technologies Corporation, where he leads GNC development for autonomous UAS. He holds a PhD and MS in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and dual BS degrees in... Show more

Jack is the Lead Software Architect at Layer, where he builds the technical foundation for a platform that connects building data to Building Information Models (BIM). A Nebraska native and graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Raikes School, Jack combines a lifelong passion for solving complex problems with deep technical expertise to help the architecture, engineering, and construction industries work smarter.

Jack is the Lead Software Architect at Layer, where he builds the technical foundation for a platform that connects building data to Building Information Models (BIM). A Nebraska native and graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Raikes Scho... Show more

Vamsi is a highly experienced DevOps, Infrastructure architect and AI Specialist with over 20 years of specializing in Cloud Computing, Enterprise Storage, and Distributed storage technologies. With expertise spanning AWS, Kubernetes, GCP, Automation, and AI-driven storage solutions, Vamsi has led transformative global projects, driving cloud migration, infrastructure modernization, and storage optimization for large enterprises.

In leadership roles, he has championed automation, security, and resilience in storage architecture, delivering scalable and cost-effective solutions. His work has enhanced system reliability while saving millions in operational costs. A passionate team leader and innovator, He is recognized for his strategic thinking and ability to implement cutting-edge storage technologies that meet evolving enterprise needs.

As a speaker, Vamsi shares his insights on storage innovations, cloud infrastructure, and best practices, offering a forward-thinking perspective on modern enterprise storage challenges.

Vamsi is a highly experienced DevOps, Infrastructure architect and AI Specialist with over 20 years of specializing in Cloud Computing, Enterprise Storage, and Distributed storage technologies. With expertise spanning AWS, Kubernetes, GCP, Automation... Show more

Robert an SRE and AIOps Lead at IBM with over 20 years of experience navigating the evolution of IT development and operations. A dedicated advocate for systemic reliability, Robert focuses on the intersection of high-stakes decision-making and technical excellence. He specializes in helping organizations move beyond "tool-first" solutions to build cultures where incentives and engineering ethics drive operational success. In his current role, he champions the "Client Zero" philosophy, leveraging internal operational rigor to influence the lifecycle of enterprise products. Outside of the data center, Robert is an avid historian and photographer, often drawing parallels between aerospace history and modern software architecture to help leaders navigate the complexities of distributed systems.

Robert an SRE and AIOps Lead at IBM with over 20 years of experience navigating the evolution of IT development and operations. A dedicated advocate for systemic reliability, Robert focuses on the intersection of high-stakes decision-making and techn... Show more

Shana is an accomplished Senior Architect with over 13 years of experience and a strong foundation in Cyber Security and Software development. She has successfully led and delivered complex, high-quality consulting and architecture projects, including systems of critical national importance. Shana has also played a pivotal role in architecting one of the largest cloud transformations and migrations in Europe and designed an award-winning CIAM solution for a major electricity system operator.

A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in technology, Shana has been instrumental in establishing and driving internal communities within the organisations she has worked for. She is dedicated to attracting, retaining, and promoting women in tech. Shana is also the founder of ArchitectHer, a community platform devoted to supporting, inspiring, and elevating women in technology architecture.

Shana is an accomplished Senior Architect with over 13 years of experience and a strong foundation in Cyber Security and Software development. She has successfully led and delivered complex, high-quality consulting and architecture projects, includin... Show more

Chanel Power doesn't just build technology — she builds the systems that determine who gets to.

A Senior Machine Learning Engineer, Developer Relations leader, and Founder & CEO of Mentor Me Collective, Chanel operates at the intersection of technical excellence and global access. She has shipped production ML systems, advised 30+ early-stage AI product teams annually, and built a global technical institute serving 40K+ developers across 120+ countries, generating $45M+ in career outcomes for 600+ first-generation technologists.

Mentor Me Collective is a Google for Startups partner, Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center alumni, and by every measure, a developer relations program at true scale, with enablement programs running at 3x industry engagement benchmarks and partnerships spanning Google Cloud, IBM, and Grow with Google.

Her technical range is matched by her ability to translate it across engineering rooms, executive briefings, and communities the industry too often overlooks.

Chanel works at the frontier of Generative AI, Agentic AI, and accelerated computing. She builds fast, speaks plain, and closes the gap between what's possible and who gets to build it.

She is not building toward legacy. She is already living it.

Chanel Power doesn't just build technology — she builds the systems that determine who gets to. A Senior Machine Learning Engineer, Developer Relations leader, and Founder & CEO of Mentor Me Collective, Chanel operates at the intersection of techn... Show more

Mbaoma Mary is a Cloud/DevOps professional with over five years of experience across cloud infrastructure, site reliability engineering, platform engineering, and developer productivity.

Beyond her technical career, Oma is the brain behind Taru, an Ayurvedic hair care brand focused on helping individuals build confidence through intentional self-care and healthy hair routines. Through her work with Taru, she combines technology, storytelling, and community-building to create meaningful experiences for customers.
She is also a co-founder of Arete, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering underprivileged young people through access to technology and education. Through Arete, she has supported students with scholarships, internet access, online learning resources, mentorship, and financial assistance for educational pursuits, helping bridge the gap between potential and opportunity.

An impactful public speaker, mentor, and DevOps educator, Oma facilitates workshops and training sessions for technology communities across Lagos, sharing practical knowledge on cloud computing, DevOps practices, platform engineering, and career development. By combining technical expertise, entrepreneurship, and a passion for community impact, she continues to inspire others to build meaningful careers and create lasting change.

Mbaoma Mary is a Cloud/DevOps professional with over five years of experience across cloud infrastructure, site reliability engineering, platform engineering, and developer productivity. Beyond her technical career, Oma is the brain behind Taru, ... Show more

Richard Pestell earned his M.B., B.S. at the University of Western Australia, graduating at the top of his class, guided by a commitment to medical discovery. His medical training continued as a physician in training at the Royal Perth Hospital and St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney. During these early years, he gained broad experience in Internal Medicine and residency, including oncology, endocrinology, hematology, cardiology, and transplant medicine.

He pursued his interest in cancer biology through advanced research. He completed a Ph.D. at the University of Melbourne's Howard Florey Institute, specializing in oncogene regulation of gene transcription, driven by a mindset focused on disease mechanisms. National scholarships and multiple competitive fellowships, including a Winthrop Fellowship and an NHMRC postgraduate award, supported his academic achievements. These efforts led him to Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, where he trained further as a clinical and research fellow.

Richard continued his academic career at Northwestern University and then at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He became a Professor, Chair of the Division of Endocrine-Dependent Tumor Biology, and Co-Director of major cancer research programs. He also held positions at multiple hospitals in New York, helping him remain engaged in patient care and medical education while supporting research programs focused on cancer biology and therapeutics through translational impact.

Richard Pestell’s research contributed to the knowledge base supporting cancer therapeutics. His research on cyclin D1 was cited in the seminal publications underpinning CDK inhibitor clinical trials and their adoption as a standard therapy for breast cancer globally. His work on CCR5 provided the scientific framework for current oncology clinical trials with CCR5 inhibitors. His scholarly record includes over 700 publications, more than 110,000 citations, an h-index of 162, and extensive invitations to give invited lectures around the world.

In 2002, he became the Director of the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University. He also served as Chair of the Department of Oncology and Associate Vice President at Georgetown University Medical Center. In this capacity, he was responsible for research, clinical operations, and faculty development, and he participated in institutional restructuring and growth. He built community partnerships, enhanced research programs, and expanded clinical services across Georgetown and MedStar systems.

Richard took on additional leadership roles in 2005 as the Director of the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Chair of the Department of Cancer Biology, and head of the Oncology Service Line at Thomas Jefferson University. He later became the Executive Vice President, charged with enterprise-wide strategic decisions across a system of 30,000 employees. At Jefferson, he directed an overall cancer enterprise with an annual budget of> $350 m and led efforts in clinical care, research infrastructure, regional expansion, and team building. During his tenure, the cancer center rose from 64th to 17th.

Richard Pestell held leadership roles in academia outside of the US and contributed to research, education, and outreach initiatives. He was a founding Director of the Delaware Valley Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, helped develop new education pathways for historically black colleges, and led global cancer outreach at the International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research. He also served on faculty or advisory boards with the University of Melbourne, the University of Western Australia, Nanyang Technological University, Xavier University School of Medicine, Kazan Federal University, and several European institutions.

He has served with prominent scientific bodies, including the Academia Europaea, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, the American Society for Clinical Investigation, and the Royal Society of Biology, among others. His awards included the RD Wright Medallion, the Eric Susman Prize in Medicine, and his appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2019. He is also the founder of six biotechnology companies: LightSeed, ProstaGene (acquired in 2018), EcoGenome, StromaGenesis, ioROC, and Shenandoah Pharmaceuticals. Along with these ventures, he has raised nearly 50 million dollars from investors, plus more than 80 million dollars as a principal investigator on NIH research grants.

Richard Pestell has remained committed to philanthropy, community service, and cultural engagement. At Georgetown and at Jefferson, he led philanthropic efforts that produced transformational gifts and created new ways to sustain ongoing fundraising in support of cancer care, wellness centers, and community outreach initiatives. He has served on boards including the National Museum of American Jewish History, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, the Historic St. Peter’s Church Preservation Corporation, the American Cancer Society committees, and several university societies. He supported the Olivia Newton-John Wellness Center through a fundraising trek on The Great Wall. He now serves as President of the Pennsylvania Cancer and Regenerative Medicine Center, as the Blumberg Distinguished Professor of Translational Medical Research at the Baruch Blumberg Institute, and as a member of the Wistar Institute Cancer Center, continuing to support global cancer programs, mentor scientific leaders, and develop technologies for improved diagnostics and treatment.

“Share hope. Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible—every day.”

Richard Pestell earned his M.B., B.S. at the University of Western Australia, graduating at the top of his class, guided by a commitment to medical discovery. His medical training continued as a physician in training at the Royal Perth Hospital and S... Show more

Matthias Rochtus, experienced public speaker and Data Scientist.
Main fields of expertise are Geospatial research, data engineering & CI/CD , Predictive Maintenance and Retrieval Augmented Generation (LLMs)

Matthias Rochtus, experienced public speaker and Data Scientist. Main fields of expertise are Geospatial research, data engineering & CI/CD , Predictive Maintenance and Retrieval Augmented Generation (LLMs) Show more

Estudiante de Ingeniería Electrónica con Orientación en Sistemas Digitales, con titulo de Técnico Electromecánico. Poseo un perfil fuertemente orientado a los sistemas embebidos, hardware hacking y ciberseguridad. Me desempeño activamente como Team Leader en el Ekogroup San Luis, comunidad de hacking ético y ciberseguridad; como el Vice Chair de la Rama Estudiantil IEEE UNSL-FCFMyN, y como un radioaficionado en el Radio Club San Luis.

Estudiante de Ingeniería Electrónica con Orientación en Sistemas Digitales, con titulo de Técnico Electromecánico. Poseo un perfil fuertemente orientado a los sistemas embebidos, hardware hacking y ciberseguridad. Me desempeño activamente como Team L... Show more

Technology and transformation leader with over 15 years’ experience across consulting, senior engineering leadership, SaaS, cloud, AI adoption and product development.

My career has spanned technology consulting, Director of Engineering and senior management roles, startup and scale-up environments, and I am currently the co-founder of a SaaS startup. I’ve worked with executive stakeholders, clients and multidisciplinary teams to turn complex business and technology challenges into practical strategies, products and delivery plans.

Presenting has been a significant part of my career for more than 14 years. I’ve delivered hundreds of presentations ranging from sprint reviews, workshops and client capability sessions through to executive updates, board-level investment proposals, training sessions, corporate offsites and large internal events attended by around 200 people in person and online.

My speaking interests include AI adoption, technology strategy, digital transformation, engineering leadership, product development, SaaS, startups and the challenge of turning strategy into successful delivery.

I aim to make complex subjects clear, practical and engaging rather than relying on jargon or slide-heavy presentations. I use real-world examples, stories, humour and metaphors to make ideas easier to understand and remember.

Technology and transformation leader with over 15 years’ experience across consulting, senior engineering leadership, SaaS, cloud, AI adoption and product development. My career has spanned technology consulting, Director of Engineering and senior... Show more

Muhammad Hussaini is an African technology entrepreneur and the Founder and CEO of Elclassique Technologies Ltd, a space technology company focused on satellite technology, Earth observation, AI & geospatial intelligence, and space-enabled solutions designed to address real-world challenges across Africa and beyond.

Muhammad’s academic journey combines engineering, technology, and business. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and holds a certificate in Business and Information Technology from Harvard University through HarvardX, as well as a certificate in Economics and International Business from Berlin University, Germany. His multidisciplinary background has shaped his interest in applying engineering, emerging technologies, and data-driven solutions to complex challenges.

As the Founder and CEO of Elclassique Technologies Ltd, Muhammad is leading the company’s strategic focus on the space technology sector. The company focuses on satellite technology and Earth observation, AI & geospatial intelligence, and space technology solutions, with applications across agriculture and food security, environmental monitoring, infrastructure and urban development, energy and natural resources, government, and security.

Muhammad also leads the DeltalSat-X satellite project, an initiative focused on advancing satellite technology and contributing to the growth of Africa’s space industry. Through DeltalSat-X, he is exploring the use of satellite systems, Earth observation data, AI, and geospatial technologies to develop practical solutions to challenges on Earth.

Beyond Elclassique Technologies, Muhammad is the Founder of Elx Academy, an initiative dedicated to nurturing technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship among young Africans. He has participated in national and international technology and business conferences, including WETEX and World Blockchain Summit Dubai 2024, connecting with innovators, entrepreneurs, and technology leaders from different parts of the world.

His leadership experience includes serving as President of the Ahmadu Bello University Developers Club, where he fostered a community of technology enthusiasts focused on software development, innovation, creativity, and collaborative problem-solving.

Muhammad’s entrepreneurial achievements have received several recognitions. He was awarded Tech Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 and Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 by Ahmadu Bello University. He also received an Award of Excellence from World Entrepreneurs Day, Zazzau Version 2024, and was recognized among the SME100 Nigeria 25 Under 25 Young Entrepreneurs, winning under the Financial Technology category.

He is also the author of From Ideas to Impact: Fueling Students’ Creativity, a book focused on encouraging young people to transform their ideas and creativity into meaningful contributions to society.

Today, Muhammad’s work is centered on space technology and the practical application of space-derived data and intelligence on Earth. Through Elclassique Technologies Ltd and the DeltalSat-X initiative, he is working toward contributing to Africa’s growing space ecosystem through satellite technology, Earth observation, AI & geospatial intelligence, and innovative space-enabled solutions.

Muhammad Hussaini is an African technology entrepreneur and the Founder and CEO of Elclassique Technologies Ltd, a space technology company focused on satellite technology, Earth observation, AI & geospatial intelligence, and space-enabled solutions ... Show more