Speakers

Gregg L. Semenza

Plenary Speaker

Nobel Laureate and Professor of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Gregg L. Semenza is a recipient of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and Professor of Genetic Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is internationally recognized as one of the leading scientists studying how cells sense and adapt to changes in oxygen availability. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for discoveries of the molecular mechanisms that enable cells to detect and respond to oxygen levels, including the identification of HIF-1, a key regulator of this process. His pioneering research has transformed our understanding of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other conditions associated with impaired oxygen supply to tissues.

Dame Molly Stevens

Keynote Speaker

Professor of Bionanoscience, University of Oxford and Deputy Director, Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery

Dame Molly Stevens is Professor of Bionanoscience at the University of Oxford and one of the world’s leading researchers in biomaterials, nanomedicine, and regenerative medicine. Her work focuses on developing pioneering biosensing technologies, advanced therapeutics, and innovative approaches for disease detection and treatment. She has published more than 400 scientific papers in leading international journals and has received numerous prestigious awards for her contributions to biomedical engineering. In addition to her academic achievements, she is widely recognized for translating scientific discoveries into real-world impact through the development of innovative technologies and biotechnology ventures.

Andrea Califano

Keynote Speaker

Professor of Chemical and Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Andrea Califano is a Professor of Systems Biology at Columbia University, founding Chair of the Department of Systems Biology, and Founding Director of the Columbia Genome Center. He is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the application of computational biology, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics to biomedicine and cancer research. His work focuses on decoding the complex biological networks that drive human disease, with a particular emphasis on precision oncology. A member of the U.S. National Academy of Medicine and recipient of numerous prestigious scientific honors, his research has played a major role in advancing personalized medicine and developing new strategies for cancer treatment.

Marieta Jiménez

Keynote Speaker

Executive Vice President and Head of Core Markets, Merck Healthcare

Marieta Jiménez is Executive Vice President and Head of Core Markets at Merck Healthcare and a member of the Healthcare Executive Committee. With more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, she has dedicated her career to expanding access to innovative therapies and improving patients’ lives. Throughout her career, she has held senior leadership positions at Merck, AstraZeneca, and Eli Lilly, and now leads Merck Healthcare’s business across key international markets. She is widely recognized for her commitment to collaboration, inclusive leadership, and sustainable development. Marieta is the founder of ClosinGap, an initiative focused on closing the gender gap and promoting equal opportunities, while also advocating for the inclusion of future generations’ perspectives in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future.

Débora Campos

Panel Speaker

Founder and CEO, AgroGrIN Tech

Débora Campos is President and CEO of AgroGrIN Tech, a biotechnology company developing sustainable solutions that transform fruit and vegetable waste into high-value functional ingredients for the food industry. She holds a PhD in Biotechnology and Food and Bioprocess Engineering from the Portuguese Catholic University. She is internationally recognized for combining science, sustainability, and entrepreneurship to advance the circular economy in the agri-food sector. In 2025, she received the EU Prize for Women Innovators in the EIT Women Leadership category for her contribution to innovation and sustainable development.

Dragomir Milovanović

Keynote Speaker

University Professor, Institute of Biochemistry, Charité

Dragomir Milovanović is a University Professor at the Institute of Biochemistry, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. He earned his degree in biochemistry from the University of Belgrade, completed his PhD at the Max Planck Institute in Göttingen, and pursued postdoctoral training at Yale School of Medicine. He is internationally recognized for his research on the molecular organization of synapses and for pioneering work on phase separation in the nervous system. A recipient of prestigious European and international research grants, including an ERC Starting Grant, his work advances our understanding of the mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases.

Mihailo Jovanović

Panelist

President of the Working group and Director, Office for IT and eGovernment

Mihailo Jovanović is the Director of the Office for IT and eGovernment of the Government of the Republic of Serbia. He has played a leading role in advancing Serbia’s digital transformation, overseeing the development of key eGovernment services and infrastructure, including the Government Data Centre in Kragujevac and multiple citizen-focused electronic services. Jovanović served as Serbia’s Minister of Information and Telecommunications from 2022 to 2024, during which time three major laws aligned with EU legislation were adopted. With a background in electrical engineering, economics, and computer science, he holds two doctoral degrees and has received numerous awards for his contributions to digitalization and public service reform.

Caleb J. Bashor

Panelist

Assistant Professor of Bioengineering and BioSciences, Rice University

Caleb J. Bashor is an Assistant Professor of Bioengineering and Biosciences at Rice University. His research sits at the intersection of synthetic biology, genetic engineering, and artificial intelligence, with a focus on programming human cells to sense, process, and respond to their environment. His team develops advanced synthetic gene regulatory systems and leverages machine learning to design next-generation cell-based therapies. His work is helping drive the development of safer and more effective treatments for cancer, inflammatory disorders, and other complex diseases.

Goran Stojanović

Moderator

Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Biosensors, Faculty of Technical Sciences, UNS

Goran Stojanović is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad, and Head of the Laboratory for Nano and Printed Electronics. His research focuses on sensors, flexible and textile electronics, microfluidics, as well as green and edible electronics, making him one of the leading researchers in these emerging fields. He is the author of more than 300 scientific publications, several books, and patents, and has coordinated and participated in numerous international research projects funded through Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, FP7, and EUREKA. His work bridges advanced electronic technologies with applications in healthcare, sustainability, and biomedical engineering.

Sadok Ben Yahia

Panelist

Professor, SDU Center for Industrial Software, University of Southern Denmark

Sadok Ben Yahia is a Full Professor at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), where he has been working since 2023. Previously, he was a Full Professor at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), where he joined in 2019. He obtained his Habilitation to Direct Research (HDR) in Computer Science from the University of Montpellier, France, in 2009, and currently heads the Data Science Group at SDU’s IT School. His research focuses on data-driven approaches for near-real-time Big Data analytics, with applications in areas such as urban mobility and smart cities, including information aggregation and dissemination and traffic congestion prediction. His research interests also encompass recommendation systems and approaches to combating fake content.

Nenad Paunović

Moderator

Advisor, Office of the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia

Nenad Paunović is the advisor in the Office of the President of the National Assembly and the former Director of the IT and Entrepreneurship team in the Office of the Prime Minister of Serbia, where he was responsible for growing the digital and biotech economy in the country. He is a co-creator of the BIO4 Campus in Serbia, which is being developed as a new European bioeconomy hub. Nenad is a co-founder of the Belgrade Venture Forum, the largest innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship forum in the region, and has 20 years of experience as a growth strategy consultant. He has an Executive MBA from Cotrugli Business School and a degree in organizational sciences from Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade.

Maja Stojiljković

Moderator

Full Research Professor, IMGGE

Maja Stojiljković is a Full Research Professor at the Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade. She earned her degree and PhD in molecular biology from the University of Belgrade, and her research focuses on molecular biomedicine and the genetic basis of rare diseases. Throughout her career, she has contributed to the advancement of molecular diagnostics and personalized approaches to the treatment of rare genetic disorders. She is actively involved in international initiatives dedicated to rare diseases and genomic medicine, including ICORD, ORPHANET, and the Genomic Medicine Alliance.

Christian Münzenmayer

Panelist

Head of Digital Health and Analytics, Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits

Christian Münzenmayer is Head of the Digital Health and Analytics Department at Fraunhofer IIS. His work focuses on the development of innovative digital health solutions, combining technological expertise with medical knowledge. His areas of expertise include medical sensors and analytics, digital study management, integrated care, and medical image analysis. He leads interdisciplinary research and development activities involving multimodal data analysis, AI-based predictive models, and longitudinal modelling. His work also encompasses AI-based image analysis for digital pathology, sensor-based digital health pathways, and customized software solutions for applications across healthcare and medicine.

Gretchen van Steenwyk

Panelist

Venture Investor and Strategic Advisor

Gretchen van Steenwyk is a venture investor and strategic advisor with experience in healthcare and life sciences investing. She works with companies and leadership teams to define growth strategies and navigate complex market environments, with a focus on identifying and supporting breakthrough healthcare ventures. She holds a PhD in Neuroepigenetics from ETH Zurich and has advised and invested in companies across the life sciences sector.

Stefan Savić

Panelist

CEO, LIFE BioCEEd

Stefan Savić is the CEO of LIFE BioCEEd, a fund dedicated to advancing innovation in biotechnology and healthcare. He studied Economics at Concordia University in Montreal and graduated with honours in Finance and Accounting from Grenoble École de Management. His career spans asset management, corporate finance, and mergers and acquisitions, with experience at Ashcourt Rowan and Deloitte. Since 2020, he has been part of the Primecell management team, contributing to the development and commercialization of advanced biotechnology solutions. At LIFE BioCEEd, he focuses on building strategic partnerships and supporting the successful translation of breakthrough scientific discoveries into impactful healthcare innovations.

Sašo Čemerski

Panelist

SVP & Head of Immunology, Marengo Therapeutics

Sašo Čemerski is Senior Vice President and Head of Immunology at Marengo Therapeutics, where he oversees the company’s immunology portfolio and research strategies around its proprietary TriSTAR platform. He specializes in immuno-oncology, with expertise in T-cell engagers, bispecific antibodies, and immune cell redirection therapies, and previously held leadership positions at AstraZeneca and Cue Biopharma. He began his career in immunology research at Xencor, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Merck. Sašo holds a B.Sc. in Molecular Biology and Physiology from the University of Belgrade and a Ph.D. in Immunology from Université Paul Sabatier in Toulouse, and completed his postdoctoral fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis.

Brynne Stanton

Moderator

Thematic Lead in Bioeconomy, 4IR Network, World Economic Forum

Brynne Stanton is the Thematic Lead in Bioeconomy at the 4IR Network, World Economic Forum. Previously, she spent five years at Ginkgo Bioworks as a Program Director and Biological Engineer, contributing to the company’s growth in the synthetic biology industry, and co-founded Joyn Bio, where she served as Head of Strategic Innovation and Microbial Engineering. She has held leadership, strategic, business development, and technical roles across the biotechnology sector, including as a Venture Partner at Sapir Venture Partners. Brynne holds a B.A. in Biochemistry and French from the University of Oregon and a Ph.D. in Biomolecular Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Ivana Kojčić

Panelist

AI Research Engineer, Huawei

Ivana Kojčić is an AI Research Engineer at Huawei, where she works on deep learning and image processing algorithms. She holds a PhD in Neuroimaging and Brain Connectivity, completed in 2022, with research focused on integrating information about brain structure and function using diffusion MRI and M/EEG. Her expertise spans data science, machine learning, deep learning, signal and image processing, computer vision, and modelling and simulation. She is particularly interested in AI and data analysis applications in medical imaging, neuroscience, computational photography, and computer vision. Driven by curiosity and a passion for continuous learning, Ivana is committed to exploring new applications of AI and advancing the use of data-driven approaches to address complex scientific and technological challenges.

Đuro Karanović

Panelist

Executive Medical Director, Early Oncology Clinical Development, AstraZeneca

Dr Djuro Karanovic is an Executive Medical Director in Early Oncology Clinical Development at AstraZeneca, where he leads the clinical development of immune engagers. Over his career, he has helped shape the clinical development of more than 30 oncology molecules, guiding programs from lead optimization thru Phase 3 investment decision. A board-certified internist and clinical immunologist, Dr Karanovic trained at Georgetown University Hospital and completed his allergy and immunology fellowship at the National Institutes of Health, where he investigated the natural history and therapeutic options for patients with immune-dysregulation disorders.

Jelena Matone

Panelist

Senior Head, CISO, European Investment Bank

Jelena Matone is Senior Head and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at the European Investment Bank, with extensive experience in cybersecurity, IT security, risk management, and IT governance. She has received multiple international awards, including CISO of the Year in Luxembourg in 2019, the Global Cyber Sentinel Award in 2020, and CISO of the Year Europe in 2021. Jelena has worked with senior management, international institutions, and government stakeholders to strengthen cybersecurity practices and risk management. She is also a frequent speaker at international events, including those organized by the United Nations, Risk.net, RiskMinds, and GISEC.

Anya Eldan

Panelist

Partner, Edge Medical Ventures

Anya Eldan serves as a Board Member, Venture Partner and innovation ecosystem advisor. Former VP at the Israel Innovation Authority, managing the Startup Division funding over 400 startups annually through programs such as the Seed Fund, Technological Incubators and Open Innovation Labs. Anya initiated innovation ecosystems creation programs in Bio Convergence and Alternative Proteins, culminating in massive Government support programs. Anya has over 30 years of executive experience in High Tech and Life Sciences companies, Venture Capital management and venture creation.

Jana Obajdin

Moderator

Analys, BioGeneration Ventures

Jana joined BGV in January 2025 as an Analyst, having previously worked as an Associate in the Pharma Team at Deep Science Ventures (DSV) in London. At DSV, she contributed to venture creation projects in oncology, immunology and fibrosis, supporting with opportunity scoping, ideation, founder recruitment and guidance to meet investment criteria. Jana holds a PhD in Cancer and Pharmaceutical Science from King’s College London where she investigated the optimal structure and composition of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells for the treatment of solid tumours. She also undertook an internship in Investigative Toxicology at UCB BioPharma (Belgium) evaluating drug-induced injury biomarkers.