Archives: Speakers

Dr. Ravi Kiron based in California, USA is an experienced pharma/biotech executive with decades of experience in discovery R&D through late-stage clinical development, intellectual property and regulatory, technology & business development, M&A, strategy and product commercialization, negotiating and executing partnerships by leveraging his extensive global business development networks in CVMD, Oncology, CNS, Wound Healing, Microbiome and Diagnostics.

He was a tenure-track faculty member at Cornell University Medical College and adjunct faculty at University of Rhode Island. Dr. Kiron served in various operational & management roles at Pfizer Inc., and J&J/ALZA, in Cardiovascular R&D, Oncology clinical development (Tarceva), strategic business development and M&A (acquisition of WLA, PHA & other biotech).  Dr. Kiron has consulted for several dozen global biotech & pharma companies, founded and led multiple companies/new ventures, served as an Entrepreneur In Residence (EIR) at SRI Ventures, ShangPharma Innovation and advises company and non-profit boards. ​

Currently, Dr. Kiron is Head, BioPharma External Innovation at the Merck KGaA/EMD Serono’s Silicon Valley Innovation Hub in Menlo Park, California and is exploring cutting edge game changing technologies (Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Microbiome, Electroceuticals etc.) to have an impact on pharma/biotech research, product development and launches.

Active in the construction business for more than 25 years, including 10 years as specialist for structural fire protection. Cecile is supporting customers through their entire fire protection concept and construction process. According to her principles, her aim is always to find the optimum and individual solution to meet exactly the customer’s requirement.

CHRIS JONES is Partner of 10 Design. He has over 20 years of international experience on major projects throughout the Middle East, Asia, the UK, and the US. He has lived and worked in New York, London, Istanbul, Edinburgh, and is currently based in Dubai. Chris has extensive experience on the design, delivery, and management of projects across all stages.

These include mixed-use developments, masterplanning, residential, retail, commercial, education, and civic projects. He has worked with a wide variety of clients including international developers, private clients, government bodies, and universities and college trusts.

His current role is principal client liaison across all projects in the Middle East. He works closely with design leadership teams to establish project direction and interfaces with clients and other consultants to ensure that project proceeds in accordance with clients’ goals.

Presently in the region, he has been managing the design and delivery of landmark mixed use projects with Dubai International Financial Centre, Al Barari, Emaar, DMCC, Meraas, Mirage, Saleh Al Hamad Al Mana, TECOM, and Swiss Property to name a few.

David Shephard assists design professionals and end-clients to specify appropriate smart building solutions. To improve the comfort and productivity of occupiers, while reducing a builds operating costs and environmental impact.

Maria is an established thought-leader within the hospitality design world, admired for her roll-call of beautiful and ingeniously designed projects, sought out by discerning property owners and respected for the value she brings to all her work.

As the Founding Director of AQUA architecture Ltd, Alia has effectively driven several development projects in the UK and globally, focused around eco-built and sustainable design.