Archives: Speakers

Betty van Esch is Senior Scientist at the division of Pharmacology at UIPS, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University with a broad background on immunology and allergy. Her interest is immune modulation by nutrition with >75 published papers related to this topic (H-index 23, Scopus). As senior scientist in Immunology & Nutrition, she is conducting translational immunological research. Her main interest field is immune modulation and immune-imprinting by dietary interventions, environmental factors and experimental agents. Nutritional concepts, like raw milk, fermented raw milk and its components are valuable new strategies based on the epidemiologic evidence that structural changes in proteins induced by processing play a role in the development of allergic diseases. By studying the specific bioactive component in unprocessed milk, we are aiming to develop therapeutic strategies which support current pharmaceutical therapies.
She has received her PhD degree on her research on “Cow’s milk Allergy; Avoidance versus tolerance: new concepts for allergy management”.  She runs programs on the anti-inflammatory and immune effects of nutrition, biologicals and using experimental models and isolated cell systems. Current projects include; The effect of nutritional concepts on the microbial composition of the gut, lungs and esophagus in relation to disease; The immunomodulation of fermented raw milk and The immune profiling of eosinophilic esophagitis. Next to her research, she teaches in the Bachelor and Master program of Pharmacy.  She is an elected member of the EAACI Immuno-pharmacology taskforce, Ethical Committee Animal Experiments and reviewer for Frontiers in Immunology.

Dr. Kate Dokukina is an expert with 20+ years in the biopharmaceutical industry and medicine , specializing in clinical research, drug development, and regulatory strategy. She has led global clinical programs across oncology, autoimmune, and rare diseases, overseeing the launch of 50+ new molecules. Currently VP in clinical trials at Eilean Therapeutics(US), she has held leadership roles at BIOCAD, Shanghai Pharma and MedInvestGroup.

Júlia Rodríguez-Comas (CSO, Co-founder, and Board Member at Sycai Medical) holds a PhD in Biomedicine from the Universitat de Barcelona (UB), a degree in Biology from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and a master’s degree in Integrative Physiology from the UB. She has over seven years of academic experience as a PhD candidate and postdoctoral researcher at leading institutions such as IDIBAPS (August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute) and the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), where she contributed to cutting-edge projects, including the development of organ-on-a-chip technology. With an h-index of 13, she has also been involved in university teaching and academic mentoring, supervising PhD and master’s students. As Clinical Director of Sycai Medical, she leads clinical investigations, ensuring the validation and integration of AI-driven solutions in healthcare.

Andreas Saracevas is a leader in refrigeration engineering, specializing in high-efficiency systems that drive sustainability and performance. At Mayekawa, he spearheads natural refrigerant adoption, optimizing systems that cut energy costs and future-proof industrial cooling.

With deep expertise in system design, optimization, and business strategy, Andreas helps businesses transition from outdated cooling methods to dependable, low-GWP solutions. A strong advocate for natural refrigerants, he works with industry leaders to accelerate technology adoption and regulatory alignment—not just adapting to change but driving it.

Abigail Beaney is a Pharmaceutical Reporter for Clinical Trials Arena, where she covers breaking news and features about the clinical sector, including regulation, impacts of political shifts and disease-specific content. Abigail specialises in regulation, trial design, cell and gene therapies and neurodegenerative diseases. She also contributes to GlobalData’s Healthcare Podcast which is available to stream on Spotify.

Vinay has worked across several countries in Africa and the Middle East for Multinational Companies such as Unilever and Maersk.

With a degree in Electro-Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cape Town, Vinay possesses a unique blend of technical and strategic expertise across multiple sectors, ranging from engineering to Quality Assurance, Marketing and Branding, Supply Chain and Logistics, to more recently, Business Development, Economic Diplomacy and currently in Financial Services.

Currently, as Director of Financial Services at the Economic Development Board of Mauritius, Vinay plays a vital role in bringing together government institutions and operators from various jurisdictions to promote and develop the Mauritius IFC as a strategic financial platform linking Africa to the rest of the world. Vinay’s multidisciplinary background enables him to bridge the needs of investors and promoters effectively.

Ara is a seasoned pharmaceutical professional with over 17 years of industry experience. She holds a Degree in Biology (2004) and a Degree in Biochemistry (2005) from Universitat Central de Barcelona. Currently serving as Senior Director of Project Management in the Internal Medicine and Neuroscience Business Unit, Ara has extensive expertise in leading and managing cross-functional teams at both national and international levels.

Passionate about overseeing the operational and financial aspects of clinical projects, she is skilled in guiding studies from Request for Proposal (RFP) to completion. Her therapeutic area experience spans transplantation, cardiovascular diseases, nephrology, infectious diseases (including COVID-19), oncology, primary care, autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases, respiratory diseases, dermatology, ophthalmology, and neuroscience.

Ara has managed clinical trials across all phases, including pediatric and medical device studies, as well as Real-World Evidence (RWE) projects.

Ayat is a leading expert in biospecimen management, solutions, and chain of custody, with over a decade of experience advancing best practices in clinical and research settings. She has a proven track record of developing and implementing innovative strategies for the collection, storage, and utilization of biospecimens while ensuring compliance with the highest regulatory and quality standards.

Passionate about driving progress in the field, Ayat has pioneered solutions that enhance efficiency, integrity, and precision in biospecimen management. Her expertise plays a critical role in supporting scientific discoveries and healthcare advancements. A trusted thought leader, she continues to shape the future of biospecimen management through advocacy and innovative solutions that drive medical breakthroughs and better patient care.