Dr. John Males is a Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney and Director of Ophthalmology Training at Sydney Eye Hospital. His clinical and research expertise focuses on corneal surgery, cataract surgery, and laser vision correction. He pioneered Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) in Australia and is conducting clinical trials on Collagen Cross-Linking for keratoconus. His research spans corneal transplantation techniques, refractive error management, and ocular surface regeneration. Dr. Males holds roles as a consultant at major hospitals and serves as an examiner for the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists. Research interests include corneal biomechanics, surgical innovation for keratoconus, and outcomes analysis of cross-linking therapies. He leads studies on corneal densitometry, dry eye correlations, and long-term efficacy of surgical interventions. His work bridges clinical practice with translational research in regenerative medicine and ocular surface engineering. Publications span over 20 years, emphasizing corneal transplantation advancements, keratoconus management, and surgical complication resolution. His contributions to global consensus guidelines for endothelial keratoplasty highlight leadership in standardizing surgical practices.
Michel Versluis is a Full Professor at the University of Twente, Netherlands, specializing in Physical and Medical Acoustics within the Physics of Fluids group. His work focuses on microbubbles and microdroplets for medical imaging and therapy, as well as microfluidic applications in medicine and nanotechnology. University of Twente, Physics of Fluids group His research bridges physics and biomedical engineering, with publications in high-impact journals like PNAS and IEEE Transactions. Recent work emphasizes ultrasound-driven microbubble dynamics, additive manufacturing of flow phantoms, and deep learning for super-resolution imaging. 2025 publications: vascular phantoms, PROTEUS simulator, acoustic microbubble control 2024 innovations: 3D-printed medical devices, immunogenic cell death optimization Contact: m.versluis@utwente.nl
Dr. Benjamin Busam is a Senior Research Scientist at the Technical University of Munich , affiliated with the Chair for Computer Science Applications in Medicine under Prof. Nassir Navab. Starting September 2025, he will hold the Professorship for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing at TUM. His career includes leadership roles at FRAMOS Imaging Systems and Huawei Research in London. Education: Mathematics (TUM), Mathematics and Physics (ParisTech, University of Melbourne), PhD in Mathematics (TUM, 2014) His research focuses on 3D computer vision , multi-modal sensor fusion , and their applications in collaborative robotics and augmented reality . He specializes in projective geometry , 6D pose estimation , and neural radiance fields , with a particular emphasis on photometrically challenging environments. Recent publications highlight advancements in 3D scene understanding , neural rendering , and medical imaging , often leveraging machine learning and vision-language models . His work has been recognized through awards like the EMVA Young Professional Award (2015) and Innovation Pioneer of the Year (2019) , along with multiple Outstanding Reviewer distinctions at leading conferences. Dr. Busam has supervised numerous PhD and MSc students on topics including 6D pose estimation , medical augmented reality , and robotic ultrasound , collaborating with institutions like MIT , École Polytechnique , and University of Padova .
Martin Gosau is a Professor at the Clinic and Polyclinic for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery within the Medical Faculty of the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). His research focuses on Oral Surgery , Maxillofacial Surgery , and Regenerative Medicine , with a strong emphasis on Dental Implants , Head and Neck Cancer , and Oral Pathology . University: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf School: Medical Faculty Department: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Academic Rank: Professor His recent work explores: Oral Health in Genetic Disorders (e.g., hypophosphatasia) Advanced Surgical Techniques (e.g., nanosecond lasers, fluorescence angiography) Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering (e.g., silk fibroin membranes, extracellular vesicles) Cancer Prognostics (e.g., DCBLD1 overexpression in HNSCC) Key trends in his 15 most recent articles include applications of machine learning in oral diagnostics, stem cell research for bone regeneration, and biomaterials in reconstructive surgery. He frequently collaborates with Ralf Smeets and Thomas Vollkommer , with publications spanning Frontiers in Immunology , Oral Surgery , and Scientific Reports .
Anthony A Gatti is a Postdoctoral Scholar at Stanford University's Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance and School of Medicine. His research integrates biomechanics , medical imaging , and machine learning to advance musculoskeletal health diagnostics, particularly focusing on knee osteoarthritis and exercise physiology. Education : Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science (McMaster University, 2021), M.Sc. in Rehabilitation Science (McMaster University, 2015), B.Sc. in Kinesiology (McMaster University, 2013) His research develops automated tools for quantifying knee anatomy and integrating anatomical data with biomechanical models . These methods analyze acute responses to exercise and long-term joint degeneration, leveraging MRI , deep learning , and statistical shape modeling . Recent publications emphasize AI-driven segmentation , exercise-induced cartilage changes , and biomechanical simulations , spanning journals like Magnetic Resonance in Medicine and Arthritis & Rheumatology . Trends include machine learning validation for clinical predictions and open-source tool development for musculoskeletal analysis. Scientific Awards : CIHR Postdoctoral Fellowship (top 1%), Mitacs Accelerate Entrepreneur, Forge Student Start-Up Competition Winner, multiple scholarships from McMaster University He founded NeuralSeg , a company commercializing deep learning-based MRI segmentation technology. Collaborations include Stanford's Digital Athlete Moonshot Project with advisors like Scott Delp and Garry Gold.
Adam de la Zerda is an Associate Professor at Stanford University's Department of Structural Biology (School of Medicine) and Electrical Engineering (by courtesy). He develops advanced optical molecular imaging technologies combining nanoparticle contrast agents and adaptive OCT systems for cancer and ophthalmic disease research. Technion-Israel Institute of Technology (BSc, 2005) Stanford University (PhD, 2011) UC Berkeley (Postdoctoral Fellowship) Research Themes : Virtual biopsy using machine learning-enhanced OCT Gold nanorod-based molecular contrast agents Speckle noise reduction for cellular resolution Needle beam optical coherence tomography angiography His 15 most recent publications demonstrate technical innovations in: Metasurface optics for extended depth-of-field Spectral deconvolution of multiple contrast agents Speckle modulation for improved diagnostic clarity Noninvasive lymphatic system mapping Scientific Honors : Pew-Stewart Scholar for Cancer Research AFOSR Young Investigator NIH Early Independence Award Forbes 30 Under 30 (x2) Chan Zuckerberg BioHub Investigator His lab team has developed clinical prototypes including OcuBell Inc. 's ophthalmic imaging systems and Visby Medical 's diagnostic platforms. Current research spans from in vivo glycoprotein imaging to de novo biosensor development for real-time disease monitoring in awake animal models.
Patrick J. Cahill, MD, is a pediatric spine specialist and the Robert M. Campbell Jr. Endowed Chair in Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). His clinical expertise spans disorders of the pediatric spine, scoliosis, cervical spine conditions, and minimally invasive surgical techniques. He leads the Center for Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome, collaborating with pulmonology, anesthesia, and physical therapy teams. Academic Role: Physician Scientist Leadership: Director of the Center for Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome Research Focus: Spinal growth modulation, 3D surgical planning, and reducing anesthesia exposure in young patients His work emphasizes fusionless treatments like magnetically expandable growing rods and Mehta casting, alongside innovations in dynamic MRI for preoperative assessment. Recent publications highlight comparative studies on spinal fusion techniques, surgical complication classifications, and multidisciplinary approaches to complex cases. Awards: Philadelphia Magazine's Top Doctors (2022), SRS Travelling Fellowship (2015) Professional Memberships: Scoliosis Research Society, North American Spine Society, Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America
Dr. Regina Y. Baker is a Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. She holds faculty positions at USC University Hospital, USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, LAC-USC Medical Center, Huntington Memorial Hospital, and Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles. Her clinical expertise spans breast reconstruction, adolescent breast surgery, body contouring, complex reconstructive surgery, and aesthetic surgery, with a focus on women’s health. She founded the Adolescent Breast Center (ABC) at Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, addressing congenital and adolescent breast disorders, and leads burn reconstruction efforts at the Southern California Regional Burn Center. Education: MD from Keck School of Medicine, followed by plastic surgery residency at USC. Teaching: Actively involved in mentoring medical students and residents. Her research interests include surgical innovations in reconstructive procedures, wound healing, and regenerative medicine. Dr. Baker’s publications reflect her contributions to breast surgery techniques, stem cell applications, and laser technology in medicine. Awards: Recognized as one of Pasadena Magazine’s Top Doctors in 2010. She collaborates with USC bariatric surgeons to offer post-weight loss body contouring and maintains affiliations across multiple top-tier medical institutions.
Professor Michael Tonkin is a leading academic in the Department of Surgery at the Northern Clinical School of the University of Sydney. He specializes in pediatric hand surgery, congenital anomalies of the upper limb, and reconstructive microsurgery. His work focuses on classification systems for congenital hand defects (e.g., OMT classification) and surgical outcomes for conditions like thumb hypoplasia, polydactyly, and syndactyly. Professor Tonkin holds clinical roles with associated phone (+61 2 9926 7778) and fax (+61 2 9926 6311) contacts. Research interests include embryology of congenital defects, surgical techniques for thumb reconstruction, and functional assessment of hand anomalies. His 2013 grant explored rheumatoid synoviocyte biology. Over 50 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters since 2002 reflect his expertise in congenital anomaly management, tendon transfers, and pediatric surgical innovations. Key contributions include defining thumb opposition metrics, developing functional assessment scores for hypoplastic thumbs, and advancing pollicization techniques. He collaborates with international experts in hand surgery and has mentored multiple researchers evident through co-authorships.
Dr. Richard E. Hayden is a Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona. He holds leadership roles as Associate Dean at Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences and Education Director at the Mayo Clinic Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics. His clinical and academic work centers on head and neck oncology, reconstructive surgery, and regenerative medicine. Dr. Hayden earned his MDCM from McGill University in 1974 and completed fellowships in Head and Neck Surgery-Oncology at M.D. Anderson Hospital and Radiation Oncology at Princess Margaret Hospital. He also holds advanced training in facial plastic surgery. His research spans head and neck cancer, microvascular and reconstructive surgery, transoral laser microsurgery, and regenerative medicine. He has pioneered techniques in flap reconstruction and contributed significantly to understanding postoperative outcomes and surgical innovations. His work emphasizes oncologic safety, functional preservation, and minimally invasive approaches. His recent publications (2018–2024) reflect a strong focus on transoral surgery, flap reconstruction (including submental and free flaps), mucosal-sparing radiation, and regenerative medicine education. Themes include surgical outcomes, reconstructive innovation, and interdisciplinary training in emerging therapies like CAR-T cells and regenerative healthcare. Dean's Award, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (2022) Distinguished Educator Award, Mayo Clinic Arizona (2016) Distinguished Service Award, American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (2006) Honorary Member, German Society of Laryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (2007) Multiple Visiting Professorships and Keynote Speaker invitations Dr. Hayden has mentored numerous trainees and led major educational initiatives, including regenerative medicine and CAR-T curricula. He has held leadership positions such as Chair of Otolaryngology (2002–2014) and active roles in national societies. His research is supported by institutional affiliations and collaborative grants, particularly in regenerative biotherapeutics. He is involved in multiple labs and teams focused on head and neck reconstruction, surgical innovation, and regenerative medicine translation.
Francesco Maisano, MD , is Full Professor of Cardiac Surgery at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (Milan) since 2021, where he also serves as Director of the Cardiac Surgery Clinic and of the Valve Center at IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital. From 2014 to 2020 he held the Chair of Cardiac Surgery and directed the Department at University Hospital Zurich. Education & Training 1990 – MD, Catholic University of Rome 1994 – Clinical Fellowship, University of Alabama at Birmingham 1995 – Specialization in Cardiac Surgery, La Sapienza University of Rome Research Interests Professor Maisano’s work centres on innovative therapies for heart-valve disease, spanning surgical reconstruction, catheter-based interventions (TAVI, MitraClip, transcatheter tricuspid devices), and hybrid approaches. He leads translational programmes in biomedical engineering, multimodality cardiac imaging, and artificial-intelligence-guided interventions, with emphasis on the multidisciplinary “Heart Team” model for complex cardiovascular disease. His recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate intense activity in transcatheter mitral and tricuspid repair, long-term durability of surgical mitral repair, AI-driven procedural guidance, and renal protection strategies during mechanical circulatory support. A dominant theme is translating imaging innovations and device concepts into first-in-human studies and large-scale registries. Scientific Awards & Recognitions European Society of Cardiology Silver Medal (2018) ICI Lifetime Achievement in Research & Teaching (2018) ICI Best Technology Parade Presentation (2010) C. Walton Lillehei Young Investigator Award (1999) Leadership & Grants He directs multiple postgraduate programmes, including Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) tracks at the University of Zurich in multimodality imaging, aortic valve, and mitral–tricuspid interventions. He is principal investigator on investigator-initiated grants, coordinates industry-partnered device trials, and mentors numerous doctoral and post-doctoral researchers. His team has filed >24 patents and spun off several cardiovascular start-ups. Labs & Teams At IRCCS San Raffaele he leads the Valve Science Center , a multidisciplinary hub integrating cardiac surgeons, interventional cardiologists, imaging specialists, biomedical engineers, and data scientists focused on next-generation valve repair/replacement technologies and personalised cardiovascular medicine.
Dominic Furniss serves as Professor of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Oxford's Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), concurrently holding an Honorary Consultant Plastic Surgeon position. His clinical expertise centers on hand surgery and supermicrosurgery for lymphoedema treatment. His educational background includes undergraduate medical studies at Trinity College, Cambridge (Junior and Senior Scholar, first-class degree in genetic pathology) followed by clinical training at Oxford University Clinical School. He completed basic surgical training in London before returning to Oxford's Plastic Surgery Department in 2003. Professor Furniss leads pioneering research into genetic and non-genetic causes of hand conditions through multiple initiatives including the Furniss Group, Centre for OA Pathogenesis, and Hand Research Group. His work spans molecular genetics of Dupuytren's disease, carpal tunnel syndrome epidemiology, and kidney stone disease mechanisms. Recent investigations extend to AI applications in health data through the PHAIR study and causal inference methods in genetic epidemiology. Analysis of his 2024-2025 publications reveals a strategic shift toward large-scale epidemiological studies of hand injuries, interdisciplinary genetic research, and AI integration in surgical practice. These works bridge orthopaedics, genetics, and medical informatics with significant real-world clinical implications. His major scientific recognitions include: Pushpa Chopra Award Plenary Prize of the MRS Wellcome Trust Intermediate Fellowship (first awarded to a plastic surgeon) Professor Furniss has secured substantial research funding including the NIHR Clinical Lectureship (2007) and Wellcome Trust Fellowship (2012). He directs multiple research streams: RAMBOH-1 studies, Molecular Genetics of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome project, and HAWAII initiative. His team actively investigates public perceptions of health data sharing for AI through the PHAIR study while advancing supermicrosurgical techniques for lymphoedema. He maintains active leadership in the Athena SWAN gender equality initiative as a Self-assessment team member, demonstrating commitment to inclusive academic culture.
Chao Liu is a Research Scientist at CNRS (French National Center for Scientific Research) since 2008, affiliated with the DEXTER team and the Department of Robotics, LIRMM at University of Montpellier, France. He earned his Ph.D. in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (2006). Current research focuses on surgical robotics , haptics , teleoperation , and nonlinear control theory with applications in computer vision. His work addresses challenges in robotic-assisted telesurgery, including: Stable and transparent human-robot interaction through wave variable compensators and passivity filters Physiological motion compensation using spatio-temporal LSTM and dual Kalman filters EMG-based motion recognition for surgical skill assessment 3D soft-tissue reconstruction with stereo-endoscopes and deep learning Dr. Liu leads European and French projects like: TS2RT (CNRS-funded): Safer teleoperation with motion compensation ROBACUS (ANR-funded): Needle positioning with MPC control HaTUMoCo (CNRS-funded): Haptic teleoperation with uncertainty handling ARAKNES (EU-funded): Microrobotic systems for endoluminal surgery Scientific honors include Senior Member of IEEE and Member of Sigma Xi . He supervises Ph.D. and Master's students working on topics such as concentric tube robot optimization, haptic teleoperation, and EMG-based force estimation. Dr. Liu serves on IEEE Technical Committees for Telerobotics and Haptics , and as Technical Editor of IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics.
Dr. Joanna Deaton Bertram is an Assistant Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science at Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering. She concurrently holds an Assistant Professor appointment in Surgery, underscoring her interdisciplinary commitment to advancing medical robotics. Dr. Bertram leads a research laboratory devoted to the design, modeling, and control of robotic systems for surgical and interventional applications, working closely with Duke’s clinical and engineering communities. Education Ph.D. in Robotics, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2024 M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2024 B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2018 Research Interests Dr. Bertram’s research program is centered on medical robotics , with particular emphasis on continuum robotics and image-guided interventions . Her work integrates novel mechanical design with advanced control algorithms and smart materials to create robotic systems capable of navigating complex anatomical pathways. A hallmark of her approach is the incorporation of real-time fiber-optic shape and force sensing (using Fiber Bragg Grating technology) to provide surgeons with unprecedented feedback during procedures. Application domains include steerable needles for brachytherapy , robotic guidewires for endovascular surgery , and pediatric neuroendoscopy . Publication Themes Across more than fifteen peer-reviewed articles, Dr. Bertram has systematically advanced the state of the art in surgical robotics , fiber-optic sensing , and robotic system modeling . Her 2024 tutorial on Nitinol and Tungsten tendon attachment techniques provides practical guidance for building highly articulated continuum robots, while her 2023 series on the COAST guidewire robot demonstrates model-based design and simultaneous shape/force sensing for large-deflection medical devices. Earlier work explored 3D-printed patient-specific robotic tools and carbon-nanotube flexible sensors, illustrating a trajectory from fundamental sensor research to full robotic system integration. Scientific Recognition & Collaboration Although no major external awards are explicitly listed, Dr. Bertram’s publications in top-tier venues such as IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters , IEEE Transactions on Medical Robotics and Bionics , and IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics attest to strong peer recognition. She actively invites motivated graduate students, post-docs, and research staff to join her lab, fostering an open and interdisciplinary environment. Advising & Grants Dr. Bertram’s lab is presently recruiting trainees at all levels. While specific funded grants are not enumerated, her dual departmental appointments and extensive publication record suggest active federal or foundation support. Prospective students and collaborators are encouraged to contact her directly at joanna.d.bertram@duke.edu . Laboratory & Teams Dr. Bertram directs a laboratory within Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering that collaborates closely with clinicians in the School of Medicine. The group focuses on rapid prototyping of medical devices, in-vitro and ex-vivo validation, and translation of robotic technologies to the operating room.
Ann M. Gillenwater is a Professor in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery within the Division of Surgery at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, where she maintains an active clinical and research role as evidenced by her CV updated in March 2025 and patient appointment availability. Her research focuses on advancing surgical interventions for head and neck malignancies, with specialized emphasis on oncological resection techniques and post-operative reconstruction. As part of MD Anderson's clinical trials infrastructure, her work integrates innovative surgical approaches within multidisciplinary cancer treatment frameworks to improve patient outcomes in head and neck oncology.
