Professor Mari Dezawa graduated from Chiba University School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan, in 1989, was awarded the degree of MD, and worked as a resident in the Department of Internal Medicine at Chiba University Hospital. She started Neural Regeneration Research at the Department of Histology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, was awarded her PhD in 1995, and continued her studies at Yokohama City University.

After moving to Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine as Associate Professor in 2003, she developed methods to induce human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to form neural and skeletal muscle cells (J. Clin. Invest, 2004; Science, 2005).

In 2008, she was appointed Professor and Chair of the Department of Stem Cell Biology and Histology at Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, where she discovered reparative pluripotent stem cells, Multilineage-Differentiating Stress Enduring (MUSE) stem cells, residing in the body (PNAS, 2010; PNAS, 2011; Nat Protocol, 2013; Cell Mol Life Sci, 2022).

Her team conducted pre-clinical studies for MUSE stem cells (Stroke, 2017; JASN, 2017; Cir Res, 2018; Mol Ther, 2020; Am J Transpl, 2021; JCBFM, 2021; J Invest Dermatol. 2021) and conducted clinical studies for their application in acute myocardial infarction, subacute stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, epidermolysis bullosa, neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and cervical spinal cord injury (Stem Cell Transl Med, 2024).

She has been awarded several prizes, including the Prize for The Commendation for Science and Technology, Japan Government (2011). In 2018, she was appointed a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) in the USA.

Dr. Christopher C. Dodson is head of Orthopaedics at the world renowned Vincera Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is a nationally recognized sports medicine surgeon known for caring for elite and professional athletes, while also helping active individuals return safely and confidently to performance.

Dr. Dodson has previously served as head team physician for the Philadelphia 76ers and Associate Head Orthopaedic Surgeon for the Philadelphia Eagles. He is currently a consultant to the National Hockey League (NHL) as well as several professional and collegiate teams. Dr. Dodson has authored over 100 articles and book chapters related to sports medicine and has been consistently recognized as a “Top Doctor” in the country. 

Kathleen O’Neil, MD, FAARM is a physician specializing in regenerative, integrative, and longevity medicine and the Founder and Medical Director of Treat Wellness, a Boston-based clinic focused on personalized diagnostics, hormone optimization, and regenerative therapies. She earned her MD from Boston University School of Medicine (Magna Cum Laude, Alpha Omega Alpha) and completed her Internal Medicine training at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Dr. O’Neil has been a leader in personalized and regenerative medicine for nearly two decades. She serves as a founding board member of the American Academy of Stem Cell Physicians and the International Peptide Society and lectures internationally on regenerative therapies, longevity science, peptides, and precision medicine.

In addition to her clinical work, she has held academic appointments with Boston University and Tufts University Schools of Medicine and has served as a national faculty lecturer for leading diagnostic and clinical education organizations. Earlier in her career, she competed on the U.S. Olympic rowing team and later served as a coach for the program.

Dr. Rowan Paul, MD, is a globally recognized expert in Regenerative Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, with extensive experience caring for elite athletes, including members of the San Francisco 49ers and several Olympians. His clinical and research focus centers on autologous and allogeneic cell therapies, as well as advanced image-guided regenerative procedures.

A serial entrepreneur and founder of multiple companies in the regenerative and longevity space—including Launch Biosciences and Launch Regenerative. Dr. Paul is also a co-owner of TOBI Networks, Physical Longevity, and the RegenCore Method, where he helps drive the clinical translation and market adoption of emerging technologies.

Dr. Paul sits on the Scientific Boards of the Regenerative Medicine Orthopedic Society (RMOS), the Global Regenerative Academy (GRA), TOBI (The Orthobiologics Institute), and Databiologics. He is a board-certified Family and Sports Medicine physician, an active investor, and a board member across several ventures advancing the future of regenerative care.

He serves as a Professor at the Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine and is the Fellowship Site Director for Sports Medicine at Stanford Healthcare. Dr. Paul is a graduate of Brown University and Stanford Healthcare.

Dr. Mahmood MB,ChB, MRCS, FRCS Tr&Orth, DABRM, FABRM, is a Consultant Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon and Regenerative & Longevity Medicine Specialist working in one of the UK’s leading Major Trauma Units. Fellowship-trained in Orthopedic Trauma Surgery, his clinical focus spans major trauma care, sports and tendon injuries, post-trauma reconstruction, and the use of orthobiologics to optimize musculoskeletal healing and functional recovery.

He has served as University Hospital Lead for Major Trauma Research since 2016, with interests including trauma outcomes, AI in healthcare, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and advanced orthobiologics—particularly stem-cell and exosome-based approaches—across musculoskeletal indications, wound healing, and regenerative applications including aesthetic and hair restoration. He is an Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer within the Institute of Inflammation & Ageing at the University of Birmingham and represents major trauma within the Institute of Translational Medicine.

Dr Mahmood holds the Diploma of the American Board of Regenerative Medicine and was the first UK practitioner awarded Fellowship of the Board, recognized by the American Society & Academy of Regenerative Medicine. He is a Scientific Advisory Board Member of the American Society of Regenerative Medicine, UK/EU Chapter Head of The World Institute of Regenerative Medicine, UK Representative to ESTES, and a Visiting Professor to UniMax (São Paulo) and the Max Planck Institute of Medical Sciences.

He founded and leads the UK-based Academy of Regenerative Medicine (thearm.co.uk), widely regarded as a premier European provider of accredited education and hands-on training in regenerative medicine. An expert in cell preparation and delivery techniques, he trains clinicians internationally across orthopedics, wound care, aesthetics, dentistry, gynecology, and veterinary practice.

A key differentiator in his practice is advanced ultrasound expertise: he performs treatments under ultrasound guidance to enhance precision, safety, and outcomes in minimally invasive regenerative procedures. A recognized innovator, he integrates evidence-based practice with emerging technologies—particularly AI and cell-based therapies—to push the frontiers of orthobiologics and regenerative care.

Dr. White is widely recognized as a leading expert in aging and regenerative medicine. He earned his Ph.D. from the Ansary Stem Cell Institute in the Division of Regenerative Medicine at Cornell University and completed postdoctoral training at the Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, where he published pioneering research on the role of peripheral nerve signaling in cardiac regeneration. Dr. White is the CEO and CSO of Neobiosis, a perinatal regenerative tissue research and manufacturing company, and also serves as CSO for Ways2Well. He is the Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors of the American College of Regenerative Medicine. Additionally, he serves on the scientific advisory boards of the Alliance for Longevity Initiatives (A4Li) and the Healthspan Action Coalition.

The government of the Bahamas appointed Dr. White to the Ethics Committee for the Longevity and Regenerative Therapy Act (LARTA). He is also the founder of the Space-Aging Research Institute (SARI).

Dr. Vijay Vad is double board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation (physiatry) and sports medicine. He focuses on minimally-invasive integrative treatments for sports injuries, knee arthritis and back pain via advanced Stem Cell therapies.

In addition to treating patients at the prestigious Hospital for Special Surgery out of NYC, Dr. Vad has previously served as the physician for the professional men’s tennis circuit (Association of Tennis Professionals, ATP) as well as the physician for the Westchester Classic of the PGA Tour, and MSG Tennis Showdown. Dr. Vad has written and published Back Rx, Arthritis Rx, Golf Rx and The New Rules of Running published by Penguin Random House.

In 2005, Dr. Vad’s bestseller Back Rx, was named the Wall Street Journal’s favorite health book of the year. He also authored two PBS national televisions specials entitled, ‘Stop Back Pain’ which premiered in June of 2011, and ‘Active with Arthritis’ which premiered in June of 2013.

As a researcher who constantly champions better treatments, Dr. Vad utilizes carboplasty which he has developed in conjunction with his colleagues in India, Ghana, and Germany. Through his use of tibial bone marrow-derived stem cells to treat knee arthritis he has minimized dependence on joint replacements, exhibiting promising results presented at the Orthopedic Research Society meeting, 2018.

Along with his scientific team in Boston, Dr. Vad has developed medical food capsules for dietary management of big diseases and to reduce dependence on anti-inflammatory medications and narcotics. His team has produced a highly absorbable curcumin called microactive plus curcumin, for managing arthritis and back pain.

Dr. Vad is the founder of the Vad Foundation, dedicated to educating disadvantaged girls globally and to medical research in the area of back pain and arthritis.