Prof. David Hunter PhD

• Florance and Cope Chair of Rheumatology, Professor of Medicine @University of Sydney

• Co-Director Sydney Musculoskeletal Health Flagship @University of Sydneys

• NHMRC Leadership Investigator Fellow

Professor David Hunter is an esteemed rheumatologist and a pioneering researcher, primarily focusing on clinical and translational research in osteoarthritis. His exceptional expertise in this field has led to his recognition as the world's leading expert in osteoarthritis by expertscape.com consistently since 2014. This prestigious ranking highlights his sustained excellence and profound impact in the realm of osteoarthritis research.

In addition to his global recognition, Professor Hunter is a prominent figure in medical academia and communication. He serves as the section editor for osteoarthritis on UpToDate, Editor in Chief for the journal 'Osteoarthritis and Cartilage', and hosts the 'Joint Action' podcast. His extensive scholarly work includes authoring over 700 peer-reviewed journal publications.

At Sydney Musculoskeletal Health, Professor Hunter is a co-director and leads the osteoarthritis team at the Kolling Institute. His leadership and innovative research play a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of osteoarthritis, aiming to enhance the quality of life for those affected by this prevalent and disabling disease.

Siddart Satish

• Vice President of AI @Stryker

• Founder & Ex-CEO of Gauss Surgical

• Forbes 30 under 30 - Health

Siddarth Satish, the Vice President of Digital Innovation for Surgical Technologies at Stryker, is a prominent figure in the healthcare AI domain. His journey began with Gauss Surgical, a venture-backed healthcare AI company he founded and led to impressive heights until its acquisition by Stryker in 2021. Siddarth's leadership and innovative spirit were instrumental in developing Triton, a cutting-edge computer vision application for monitoring surgical blood loss. Triton’s impact is notable, having been utilized in over 250,000 surgeries annually by 2019 and receiving the prestigious Apple Design Award in 2018.

His experience extends beyond Gauss Surgical. He served as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Stanford University's StartX and held a SIMdesign fellowship in the Department of Surgery at Stanford University. His research endeavors included work in computer-aided drug discovery at Gilead Sciences. Academically, Siddarth is an alumnus of the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering, and holds an M.S. in Bioengineering from the UC Berkeley-UCSF Joint Graduate Group in Bioengineering.

A prolific inventor, Mr. Satish has over 50 issued or pending patents in the fields of surgery, diagnostics, and computer vision. His achievements have earned him a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in Healthcare. Siddarth’s contributions to digital healthcare and surgical technology have been pivotal, emphasizing the importance of AI and innovation in enhancing healthcare outcomes

Sam Hopkins PhD

• Senior Vice President of Therapeutics at Asklepios BioPharmaceutical (AskBio) 

Sam Hopkins, PhD, serves as the Senior Vice President of Therapeutics at AskBio, bringing with him over four decades of extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry. His expertise primarily lies in anti-viral drug discovery and development, a field where he has made significant contributions.

At AskBio, he plays a crucial role in shaping the direction of the company's therapeutic strategies. He oversees the non-clinical development programs, clinical research activities, and regulatory strategies, all critical components in the advancement of AAV-based gene therapy vectors. These vectors are primarily used for treating hematological disorders and rare neuromuscular diseases, with a focus on Pompe disease.

His leadership and depth of experience in the pharmaceutical industry are instrumental in guiding AskBio's mission to develop innovative gene therapy solutions for complex medical conditions. His role is pivotal in ensuring that the company's research and development activities align with regulatory standards and clinical objectives.

Bob Smith

• Former Senior Vice President of Gene Therapy and Rare Disease, Commercial Strategy and Innovation @Pfizer, Inc.

Bob Smith, formerly Senior Vice President at Pfizer, Inc., specializing in Gene Therapy and Rare Disease, is set to deliver a keynote address at the ATiO Conference 2024. His participation follows a distinguished career at Pfizer, where he led strategic development in gene therapy and rare diseases. Mr. Smith recently left Pfizer, marking the end of a significant chapter in his 30-year career in the biopharmaceutical sector.

His extensive background also includes leadership roles in global mergers and acquisitions and business development at Pfizer and Wyeth. He holds a BS in Neuroscience and an MBA in Finance and Corporate Accounting from the University of Rochester.

Prof. David Mooney PhD

• Pinkas Family Professor of Bioengineering @Havard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

• Core Faculty Member of the Wyss Institute

Prof. David Mooney, the Robert P. Pinkas Family Professor of Bioengineering at Harvard, is a distinguished figure in studying cellular responses to chemical and mechanical signals. His research, pivotal in understanding how these signals influence tissue growth and disease response, focuses on optimal conditions for their effectiveness. This includes the precise levels and timing of specific factors, contributing significantly to the development of materials and devices that direct cellular behavior.

His groundbreaking work spans therapeutic angiogenesis, tissue regeneration, and cancer therapies. Notably, in 2009, his team developed an innovative vaccine that eliminated melanoma tumors in mice, a major leap in immunotherapy. Prof. Mooney's approach, which involves reprogramming cells already in the body, offers new avenues in medical treatments and tissue engineering.

At Harvard's Wyss Institute, he is a founding core faculty member and leads the Immuno-Materials platform. His active involvement in biomedical and chemical engineering societies, editorial advisory roles, and organization of major conferences highlight his significant contribution to the field, advancing bioengineering and offering novel solutions to complex medical challenges.