Professor Abdulla M.A. Shehab, MBChB, PhD, MD, CCST, FRCP, FESC, FACC, FAHA, FACP, FSCAI, FGHA, FSCCT, MMEd
Professor Abdulla Shehab is a distinguished Emirati cardiologist, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at UAE University, and Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Burjeel Royal and Mediclinic Hospitals. He is Editor-in-Chief of the New Emirates Medical Journal, Vice President of both the Gulf Intervention Society and Emirates Cardiac Society, and Chair of the International Society of Hypertension – MENA (ISH-MENA). He also leads the Hypertension Working Group of the Emirates Cardiac Society and chairs the Nicotine, Tobacco, Alcohol & Drugs (NTAD) initiative at the World Heart Federation.

A graduate of the University of Dundee, he holds a PhD, MD, MMEd, and CCST, and is a fellow of leading global medical societies. With over 100 peer-reviewed publications and leadership of major Gulf-wide registries, Professor Shehab is widely recognized for advancing cardiovascular science, clinical practice, and education across the MENA region.

Dr. Gabroun is a consultant cardiologist. Following his 1994 graduation from the Medical University of Tripoli, Libya, he began his medical career. He was granted membership in the United Kingdom and Scotland of the Royal College of Physicians. In 2008, he completed an Executive Master's program in Business Administration and earned a Certificate and Diploma in Health Care Management.

Now, he is a founding partner, medical director, and head of the cardiology department at United Medical Day Care, Surgery, and Polyclinic. From 2010 until 2014, he oversaw the cardiology division of a hospital in Canada.

Consultant on-site for Burjeel, Valiant, and Prime Hospitals, He joined the American Heart Association in 2003 and has been a fellow and professional associate since 2010. He is a Middle East regional faculty member. In addition, he works as an associate professor at Mohamed bin Rashid University and teaches cardiology to final-year students at Dubai Medical College. Among departmental quality improvement projects at Rashid Hospital in DHA, he has initiated cardiac rehabilitation programs and echo-on-line projects.

His areas of expertise include ischemic heart disease, hypertension management, non-invasive cardiac diagnostic procedures, and preventive cardiology.

Dr. Gabroun is an active educator and researcher with numerous publications to his credit. Has given several presentations at national and international meetings and has published research articles in peer-reviewed journals. His interests also extend to quality management and healthcare accreditation.

Aisha Abdelbasit Abualzoud is the Head of the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Unit at Sharjah Women’s Sports. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy from the University of Sharjah and has trained extensively in both private and government healthcare sectors. Her strong interest in women’s health in sport led her to specialize in sports physiotherapy, obtaining certifications in Understanding Sports Injuries.

Aisha is an active contributor to scientific and medical innovation, having presented an innovation during UAE Innovation Week 2022, later featured at Expo 2020. She has also presented posters at the ACAPS 2023 Congress in France and the FIMS 2024 International Conference in Dubai.

With a clear commitment to leadership and development in sport, she completed the Sports Leadership Program (Editions 1 & 2) and earned a Diploma in Sports Injury Management from Barcelona.

Beyond her clinical and academic contributions, Aisha is passionate about lifelong learning, cross-cultural experiences, and personal growth through reading, painting, travel, and meaningful dialogue.

Amer Farhat is the Clinical and Education Manager at PATH for Compression Therapy in the Middle East, and a Professional Accredited Trainer for Healthcare Professionals. He holds a B.S. degree in Nursing and is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) from Klose Training USA, with advanced training at the Földi Clinic in Germany. Amer has more than 15 years of experience in wound care management, lymphedema, and compression therapy. He is an active member of the International Compression Club (ICC) and has completed the IIWCC wound care program at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Andree Ellermann specializes in the surgical treatment of sports injuries and degenerative joint disease, in particular the knee (arthroscopic surgery, osteotomy , joint replacement), with numerous professional athletes among his patients. In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Ellermann is a member of relevant national and international societies and active within the field of activity as a speaker and author. In the current FOCUS doctors list Dr. Ellermann is listed under the selected knee specialists. The regular events taking place in the field of orthopedic surgery and sports medicine, as ARCUS Winter Symposium / Engadin, are closely associated with his name. Within the ARCUS Group he is also responsible for the medical cooperation with various corporate and association partners (e.g. Robinson Club, German Sports Aid Foundation, Porsche, etc.).

Dr. Antoine is a dedicated Pediatric Cardiology associate professor at Cairo University, who recently joined SKMC, with a passion for mentorship and research, particularly in functional myocardial imaging. His recent certification in Sports Cardiology from Barcelona and his ongoing Master's in AI in Healthcare from Madrid reflect his commitment to advancing his expertise. His primary goal is to improve preparticipation screening protocols the Arab world and to prioritize athlete health and safety over economic gains, aiming to leave a meaningful legacy in sports medicine.

Blair is a dual certified Hand Therapist specialized in Orthopaedic Hand Therapy based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He is currently practicing in Mediclinic Parkview Hospital as a Senior Hand Therapist.

He has been a practicing Occupational Therapist for 24 years, 12 years of which is purely in the treatment of hand, wrist, forearm and elbow musculoskeletal injuries.

He works with expert hand surgeons in the UAE and globally. He has managed thousands of hands and wrist rehabilitation to date.

Blair is the official representative of the UAE to the International Federation of Societies for Hand Therapy (IFSHT) since 2012 to present.

Blair is specialized in the treatment of ligament injuries and repairs, conservative and post-operative treatment of fractures, nerve compression injuries, tendon repairs and sports-related and repetitive strain injuries in the hand, wrist, forearm and elbow.

Dr. Aser Farghal is a UK-trained Consultant Interventional and Musculoskeletal Radiologist and currently serves as the Head of Radiology for the Al Ain region. With dual subspecialty training in interventional radiology and MSK imaging, he integrates advanced diagnostic and image-guided therapeutic techniques into clinical care. Dr. Farghal completed his Interventional Radiology fellowship at McGill University, Canada, and holds the European Board of Interventional Radiology (EBIR).

He is widely experienced in MSK procedures, including MR arthrography, image-guided joint injections, tendon and nerve interventions, and minimally invasive embolization therapies for chronic musculoskeletal conditions such as tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, and osteoarthritis. In his leadership role, he is committed to enhancing the quality and accessibility of interventional and MSK radiology services across the region.

Azzam Kamal – Physiotherapist, Specialist in Knee & Sports Injury Rehabilitation.

Azzam Kamal is a senior physiotherapist with over 25 years of clinical experience, specializing in knee rehabilitation, musculoskeletal injuries, and orthopedic trauma. He currently serves as the Head of the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department at the International Knee and Joint Center, where he leads the clinical management of complex joint conditions and post-operative care. His approach combines evidence-based protocols with advanced therapeutic techniques, including neuromuscular re-education, manual therapy, and isokinetic testing to support functional recovery and performance outcomes.

In his role, Azzam has been instrumental in advancing departmental strategies to enhance patient care quality, streamline operations, and implement multidisciplinary rehabilitation plans tailored to individual needs. He plays a central role in clinical decision-making, particularly for athletes recovering from ACL injuries, helping bridge the gap between early-stage rehab and sport-specific return-to-play phases.

In addition to his clinical leadership, Azzam has served as Chief Medical Officer for the UAE Ice Hockey Federation since 2009. In this capacity, he manages acute injury care, designs concussion and return-to-play protocols, and oversees athlete readiness during high-level international competitions. His work is guided by international standards in sports medicine and supported by collaboration with diverse medical and performance teams.

Azzam has completed advanced training at leading international conferences, including ESSKA Congresses and FIFA F-MARC events, reflecting his commitment to continuous professional development in sports rehabilitation. With extensive field experience and a patient-centered approach, he is recognized for delivering high-level physiotherapy care that supports long-term recovery, injury prevention, and peak athletic performance.

Prof. Babette Pluim has served as a Consultant in Sports & Exercise Medicine and as Chief Medical Officer for the Royal Netherlands Lawn Tennis Association (KNLTB) since 1990. She is also an Extraordinary Professor in Sports Medicine at the University of Pretoria and is affiliated with the IOC Research Center of Excellence in Amsterdam. She holds a PhD on “The Athlete’s Heart” and a Masters degree in Public Health.

Prof Pluim is a Medical Consultant for the ATP Tour, with a focus on cardiology, infectious diseases and general sports medicine. She also serves as a Medical & Research Consultant for the International Tennis Federation (ITF), and is a member of the ITF Sport Science and Medicine Commission. Since 2020, she has led the evidence-based review of the ITF Wheelchair Tennis Classification Rules and chairs the ITF Classification Science Advisory group, where she is committed to advancing standards of sports medicine and athlete classification within tennis.

She is co-author of the IOC consensus statement Methods for recording and reporting of epidemiological data on injury and illness in sports and on sports-specific consensus statements for tennis, athletics, swimming, cycling and para-sport.

Carel Hugo is a highly qualified Sports Physiotherapist and Rehabilitation Specialist, holding an MSc in Sports Physiotherapy from the University of Bath (UK) and a Strength and Conditioning Certification from the NSCA.

Prior to joining the Mediclinic Group in Dubai, Carel held key physiotherapy roles within elite South African rugby institutions, including The Sharks Super Rugby Franchise, The Investec International Rugby Academy, and The Southern Kings PRO14 Rugby Team.

He currently serves as a Consultant Rehabilitation Specialist to the UAE Olympic Federation and is pursuing a PhD with a focus on upper limb rehabilitation.

Emergency Medicine and Sports Medicine Consultant, I have Worked for 14 years for Chelsea FC, and as medical director for 2 years. Currently working as a medical director for Al Ahli FC.

Dr. Dina Joksimović is a clinical psychologist and former professional tennis player, blending over 17 years of experience in sports psychology, elite athletic performance, and academic leadership. With a PhD in Clinical Psychology, she has applied her expertise to high-pressure environments, notably working with the Serbian national football team and supporting professional athletes across various sports.

In her roles as Assistant Professor at FCHS and Deputy Head of the Psychology Department, Dr. Joksimović drives both ground-breaking research and practical interventions. Her academic portfolio includes studies on personality dimensions in athletes and mental imagery in sport climbing and skiing. Her clinical and scholarly work focuses on key psychological dimensions affecting athletes ' mental health, burnout, parental pressure, and body image concerns.
The 2nd Emirates Sports Medicine Conference (ESMC), taking place on November 1–2, 2025, in Dubai, UAE, is a premier regional platform that merges sports medicine, rehabilitation, and sports psychology. At this event, Dr. Joksimović will present evidence-based insights into athlete psychological resilience, addressing crucial topics such as:

• Mental balance and burnout prevention
• Coping with parental expectations
• Body image and self-esteem in youth sport

Her unique background—from competing on the tennis court to consulting national athletes—offers a rare combination of lived experience and clinical scholarship. Dr. Joksimović’s contributions at ESMC 2025 will underline the vital role of psychological well-being in athletic performance and recovery, aligning with the conference’s mission to advance mental health and evidence-based practice in sports.

Doug Campbell retired from clinical practice as a specialist Hand & Wrist Surgeon in 2024 after a 30 year career in a large UK University Teaching Hospital. In that time, he developed an international reputation in the management of sports and performance problems in the hand and wrist, working with the British Olympic Association, the DP World Tour and Ryder Cup teams, the cricket teams of England, India and Australia, multiple international rugby and soccer teams, and a variety of global musicians and performing artists.

He led the global development of internal fixation implants for hand and wrist fractures in his work as Chairman of the AO Foundation’s Hand Expert Group for 15 years up until 2020 and has served as a Visiting Professor to the national Orthopaedic Associations of Australia, China, Colombia and the Asia Pacific group of Hand Surgery Societies as well as delivering the renowned Richard J Smith memorial oration at Harvard University in 2014.

Ed is currently a rehab physiotherapist within Chelsea FC’s Academy. He is responsible for rehabilitation of the long term injuries in the full time payers, as well as providing clinical leadership across all age groups. Before joining Chelsea, Ed worked across a number of different elite sports and organisations including women’s football, Aussie rules, cricket, hockey, and the London 2012 Olympics. He has also worked privately in the UK and Australia consulting with athletes of all ages and abilities. In addition to his undergraduate physiotherapy degree from King’s College London, Ed has gained a Masters degree in musculoskeletal physiotherapy in Perth, Australia, as well as completing multiple postgraduate courses.

Dr. Elisa is currently an Assistant Professor at the College of Sport Science, University of Kalba, United Arab Emirates, and a Visiting Fellow in Musculoskeletal Physiology and Health at Loughborough University, UK. She holds a degree in Sports Sciences and Physical Education, as well as an MSc in Physical Activity and Health from the University of Porto, Portugal.

Dr. Elisa completed her PhD at the University of Porto, focusing on exercise physiology, particularly the effects of exercise interventions on bone health in aging populations, where she extensively utilized dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) as a primary measurement technique to quantify bone mineral density changes and assess the efficacy of various exercise interventions. Throughout her doctoral research, she developed significant expertise in DEXA scanning protocols, data analysis, and interpretation of bone health parameters across different populations, including athletes.

Her expertise in bone health expanded during her tenure as a researcher at the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in the United States, where she participated in multiple longitudinal studies that employed imaging techniques to assess bone health. As an Associate Researcher at Loughborough University (2022-2024), Dr. Elisa was a senior co-investigator in a long-term exercise randomized controlled trial examining osteoporosis and osteoarthritis risk in females, where DEXA scanning played a central role in measuring bone health outcomes.

Dr. Elisa's research primarily focuses on muscle and bone adaptations from a clinical perspective, with a particular emphasis on advanced imaging techniques, including DEXA, CT, and MRI, to study bone structure, physiology, and their epidemiological associations in the context of aging and exercise interventions.

With over 50 publications reflecting her significant contributions to exercise and bone health research, Dr. Elisa brings both theoretical knowledge and practical expertise in DEXA applications to sports medicine practice.

Dr. Engy Shahbander graduated from the University of California, San Diego, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Neuropsychology. She then went on to pursue her passion for medicine at the University of Sint Eustatius.

After completing medical school academically, Dr. Shahbander began her journey into medical education, helping students and healthcare professionals train their minds to form meaningful mental bridges while thinking. Her teaching emphasizes understanding pathophysiology through mechanisms of action at the cellular level, rather than relying on rote memorization.

Driven by this mechanistic thinking, Dr. Shahbander developed integrated treatment protocols that target the root causes of disease. As part of this work, she began incorporating oxygen-based therapies, including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), into her cellular medicine protocols to enhance healing, reduce inflammation, and support tissue regeneration—especially in neurological and performance-related conditions.

Farah Hillou holds more than 15 years of experience in various health-related fields including clinical nutrition, precision health, corporate wellness, academia, health promotion, and nutrition policy development. Farah is currently the manager of population wellbeing and leads the consumer genomics vertical at M42. With expertise in precision nutrition, integrative health, and personalized lifestyle medicine, Farah has a master’s degree in nutrition and is currently completing her executive MBA in health from UCL as well as a certification in healthcare leadership from Harvard University. Farah has presented at several national scientific conferences on obesity, diabetes, nutrigenomics, and gut microbiome. Moreover, she regularly conducts educational and awareness workshops relevant to health and wellbeing for healthcare professionals, private and governmental entities, as well as the community.

Professor of Orthopaedic and Sports Surgery and Divisional Clinical Director of Surgical Specialties at UCLH, and Director of the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health (ISEH) at University College London. Medical Director of Orthopaedics, HCA UK. Editor in Chief, Bone and Joint Journal (formerly JBJS-Br).

Professor Haddad's clinical and research endeavours have centred around hip and knee reconstruction. His interests include sports injuries of the pelvis, thigh and knee, technology in arthroplasty and outcomes assessment in hip, knee and revision surgery. His broader work also encompasses strategies to preserve and regain musculoskeletal health; he led the musculoskeletal team at the London Olympics 2012, was instrumental in setting up the National Centre for Sport & Exercise Medicine and gained International Olympic Committee Centre of Excellence status at ISEH. He works with a number of elite sports and was the Chief Medical Officer for the NFL in the UK until 2022.

Dr. George Nassis is the Dean of the College of Sport Science at the University of Kalba in the United Arab Emirates. Previously, he served as Chair of the Department of Physical Education at UAE University.

Dr. Nassis has extensive leadership experience in high-level international projects. Most recently, he held the position of the International Director of High-Performance Support Team for Team China at the 2020 Olympic Games. In this role, he collaborated with both the Chinese Olympic Committee and the Chinese Institute of Sport Science.

Dr. Nassis has authored more than 105 publications in peer-reviewed international journals and has been recognized in Stanford University's list of top 2% scientists globally. He is also ranked 8th worldwide among 16,400 experts in football science. His work has been featured in global media outlets, including Forbes magazine.

In addition to his MSc and PhD degrees, Dr. Nassis holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Dr. Gilles Reboul is a visceral surgeon specialized in groin pain in athletes. He works with several reputable organizations such as Sports Clinic of Paris and Bordeaux-Merignac (France), with FIFA Center Dubai and IM2S Monaco.

He is a member of the French Society of Sport Traumatology (SFTS), the French Surgery Association (AFC), and European Hernia Society (EHS-GREPA) amongst others. He founded the Association for Treatment of Groin Pain (APLPP) and he organized the First National Groin Pain Conference in October 2012 and the first European Groin Pain Conference in Bordeaux (France).

Career Achievement:

Team surgeon for:

• 2000-2025: French First League Football Clubs (PSG, Girondins de Bordeaux, Olympique de Marseille, F.C. Toulouse, AS Monaco and all team first league)
• 2000-2025: French Rugby Federation and French Top 14 Rugby (RC Toulon, Stade Toulousain, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Biarritz Olympique and all team Top 14)
• INSEP Paris, Franch Federation Football, Rugby, Judo and Others.

Main area(s) of expertise: Groin Pain surgery

Clubs/Organizations/Sportspeople worked with:

• Since 2011: APLPP (Association pour la prise en charge de la pubalgie)
• Since 2010: French Society of Sports Traumatology (SFTS)
• Since 2009: European Hernia Society (EHS-GREPA)
• Since 2008: Sport Clinic of Bordeaux Mérignac
• Since 2008: Sport Clinic of Bordeaux Mérignac
• Since 2000: French Surgery Association (AFC)
• Since 2012: Sport Clinic of Paris
• Since 2022 : IM2S Monaco
• Since 2019: FIFA Center Dubai
• Between 2013/2018 : Aspetar Qatar
• Since 2018 : FIFA Center Dubai et HSM Al Garoud

Hanan Al Mahmoud is Vice Chairperson of Sharjah Women’s Sports (SWS) and a member of the UAE National Olympic Committee.

She leads an umbrella organization comprising four women’s sports clubs, collectively serving over 1,000 female athletes.

Under her leadership, SWS also operates a comprehensive network of specialized centers offering holistic services for athletes, from training and sports science to mental wellness and medical services.

She is Vice Chairperson of the Higher Committee and Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Arab Women Sports Tournament in its 2024 and 2026 Editions, one of the region’s premier multi-sport events.

Previously, as CEO of Al Jawaher Reception & Convention Centre (2012–2023), she positioned the venue as Sharjah’s top event destination, hosting over 3,000 events and one million visitors.

Her earlier career included serving as Head of Business Management at Sharjah Ladies Club, overseeing 200 staff and 3,500 services and products.

Hanan also holds key governance roles, including on the Board of Trustees of Rubu’ Qarn Establishment and the Consultative Board of Sharjah Hospitality Group.

She has a B.S. in Management Information Systems & Marketing (Honors) from the University of Sharjah, plus multiple leadership and protocol certifications.

Her career blends business acumen, sports governance expertise, and a commitment to empowering women through sport.

Beyond her professional roles, Hanan is a dedicated mentor, mother of three, and advocate for self-development and community impact.

Dr. Baydoun completed his MD at the American University of Beirut in 2004. He then moved to the USA to pursue his orthopedic surgery residency the University of Illinois - Chicago. He then completed a fellowship in Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University. After completing his fellowship, Dr Baydoun did an apprenticeship in advanced shoulder reconstruction with Prof Pascal Boileau and Prof Gilles Walsh in Lyon. He subsequently practiced in Pittsburgh, USA for several years, before moving back home to Lebanon in 2016. Dr Baydoun helped build the Sports Medicine Program at the American University of Beirut, and helped establish the Sports Medicine fellowship, the first of its kind in the region.He Currently serves as the Chief of Orthopedics at Mabadala Healthpoint as well as Associate Medical Director at MubadalaHealth Dubai.

Dr Baydoun has been invited lecturer at several national and international meetings; serves on the editorial board of multiple journals, and is an active member on committees of several societies in the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. He is active in research, has published several articles in peer-reviewed journals, and has received several awards for both his clinical and research activities. He has served as Assistant team physician for the New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins, and several other professional, collegiate and high school teams. More recently, he served as team physician for Lebanese National Team. In his spare time, Dr Baydoun is an avid athlete, and enjoys cycling as well as competing in triathlons, and has completed 2 Ironman triathlons.

Dr. Haytham Salem is a remarkable UK-trained Family Medicine Consultant with Extended role in Sports & Musculoskeletal Medicine, bringing over 15 years of valuable experience in supporting elite athletes. Initially trained as an Orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee and hips replacements; Dr Salem moved to non-surgical management of MSK, and joint pains then spent eight exciting years in the English Premier League alongside pres9gious clubs like Everton FC and Burnley FC, where Dr. Salem has cultivated exceptional skills in addressing sports injuries and musculoskeletal challenges. As the clinical lead of MSK services in Southwest London, he positively impacted the lives of over 250,000 individuals. Performing more than 1,500 ultrasound-guided injections each year, he demonstrates his commitment to excellence. Currently, he serves as a Consultant in Sports and Exercise Medicine at Fortius Clinics London and is the visionary founder and Medical Director of Arthregen clinics, expanding his innovative approach to care in London, Liverpool, Dubai, Toronto, and Cairo.

Dr. Salem is a distinguished Fellow of the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine (Ireland) and boasts an impressive array of postgraduate diplomas in Musculoskeletal Medicine and Sports and Exercise Medicine from renowned institutions, including the International Olympic Committee in Switzerland.

Notably, he is among the few consultants to have earned a PG Certification in MSK ultrasound, ensuring an accurate delivery of both MSK ultrasound diagnostics and guided injections.

Dr. Mansour is a full time Orthopedic Surgeon and Sports medicine specialist at Hull hospital in Gatineau, Canada and a Clinical Faculty Lecturer at McGill University. He has completed his Orthopedic surgery residency at the Lebanese American University, Beirut, before moving to France to pursue a one-year Fellowship in Orthopedic Traumatology, in Université de Montpellier, Nîmes. He then completed a fellowship in Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine at McGill University Center followed by a second fellowship year in sports surgery at University of Toronto.

Dr. Jane Durga is experienced in the areas of R&D and innovation management. She joined Balchem in 2023. After her post doc in one-carbon metabolism at Wageningen University (NL), she held global posts within Nestlé, including as an executive team member responsible for regulatory, clinical, and medical affairs of PamLab, the largest medical food company in the USA. After 10y+ at Nestlé, she joined Barilla in Parma, Italy as head of their mid- and long-term innovation center and was also responsible for agrarian science and corporate nutrition strategy. Before joining Balchem, Jane consulted for BASF, Genomind and Fresenius Kabi.

Director of Performance and Research at the Portuguese Football Federation, João Brito is a fitness coach specializing in fatigue, injury prevention, and exercise physiology. Since 2014, he has been a key member of the Portuguese National Team staff, contributing to multiple FIFA World Cups, UEFA European Championships, UEFA Nations League tournaments, and the Olympic Games. Previously, he served as an exercise physiologist at Aspetar – Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital. João holds a PhD in Sport Sciences from the University of Porto, and his research focuses on fatigue and recovery, training load monitoring, exercise in the heat, and injury prevention.

Dr. Lee is a distinguished consultant radiologist, trusted by premier UK sports clubs and international organizations across football, rugby, and cricket, and a go-to expert for Team GB and British Athletics. His expertise extends to elite leagues, providing critical imaging support for the NFL International Series UK and a prominent NBA team.

In the academic and clinical spheres, Dr. Lee has made substantial contributions to musculoskeletal imaging. He has authored 70 PubMed-indexed publications and contributed to the 40th edition of Gray’s Anatomy. Additionally, he has penned a chapter in the FC Barcelona Muscle and Tendon Imaging Guides, underscoring his role as a thought leader in sports medicine. His co-authored works include the British Athletics Muscle Injury Classification and UEFA’s ECIS Hamstring MRI study, both vital references in the field. In recognition of his contributions to the world of sports imaging, Dr Lee was awarded Honorary Associate Professorship from University College London in 2023.

Dr. Lee is considered a world authority on imaging muscle injury and a sought-after speaker, delivering lectures at top national and international research conferences. He is an active member of key societies, including the British Society of Skeletal Radiologists, the European Society of Radiologists, and the International Skeletal Society, keeping him at the forefront of developments in his field.

Mr. Karthikeyan Muthumayandi is a seasoned physiotherapist and academic, with over 26 years of professional experience spanning musculoskeletal physiotherapy, sports rehabilitation, higher education, and clinical research. He is currently Assistant Professor and Programme Director for the MSc Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy at the University of Birmingham Dubai.

His career began at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, where he worked as a Senior Physiotherapist and subsequently led the Advanced Musculoskeletal and Sports Injury Rehabilitation Unit. There, he coordinated multidisciplinary teams to deliver evidence-based care for complex orthopedic and sports-related conditions, including elite athletes and post-surgical patients.

After relocating to the United Kingdom, Mr. Muthumayandi held various roles within the NHS, contributing to musculoskeletal outpatient care. He later joined the University of Kent as Lecturer and Programme Director for the BSc Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation programme. In this role, he designed and delivered innovative curricula, supervised student research, and established strong clinical placement partnerships. His leadership also extended to embedding digital learning tools and fostering inter-professional collaboration in student training.

At the University of Birmingham Dubai, Mr. Muthumayandi continues to shape postgraduate education in physiotherapy through academic leadership, curriculum development, mentorship, and research. He is actively involved in CPD programme delivery, industry partnerships, and professional engagement across the UAE and internationally. His current areas of focus include outcome-based rehabilitation, digital health innovation, and professional education.

He holds a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT), a Master of Physiotherapy (MPT – Gold Medalist), an M.Phil. from the UK, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education. He is a registered physiotherapist with the UK’s Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

Mr. Muthumayandi’s career is defined by a strong commitment to clinical excellence, education, and evidence-informed practice.

Dr. Kate Jordan is a UK-trained Sport and Exercise Medicine Consultant. She is the current Chief Medical Officer for Aquatics GB covering swimming, diving and artistic swimming and works in Dubai as Medical Director at RUActive Sports Medicine Clinic.

Kate has extensive elite sports experience and has worked at 4 Olympic Games, as a Team Doctor for the British Olympic Team in Paris 2024, Tokyo 2021 and Rio 2016 (covering a variety of sports including Athletics, Triathlon, Gymnastics, Swimming and Diving) and in Athletics at London 2012 as a Field of Play Doctor. In addition to the roles above, Kate works for World Rugby as a Tournament Doctor and a Medical Educator, for UK Anti-Doping and sits on the International Testing Agency Expert Panel. She has previously worked with Scottish Rugby and Football and at the Scottish Institute of Sport.

Dr. Khalid Alawadi is a German Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with almost 24 years of experience in the field of surgery and plastic surgery. He is also board certified in plastic surgery from the European Board of Plastic Surgery (EBOPRAS), as well as Board certified in hand surgery from the Federations of European Societies for Surgery of the Hand (FESSH).

He is Head of Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery Unit at Rashid Hospital Trauma Center and Chair of Surgery at Dubai Health.

He was a past Vice President of Emirates Plastic Surgery Society (EPSS) and he is President of Emirates Hand Surgery Society and member of many international societies.

Dr. Alawadi has published numerous articles in his field and presented at several international conferences and meetings.

Professor Kiros Karamanidis is Professor of Movement and Exercise Science at the University of Koblenz, Germany, and Research Professor at London South Bank University, UK. His research focuses on neuro-musculoskeletal adaptability to exercise and mechanical loading, with emphasis on injury prevention. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers and serves on several editorial boards and review panels across Europe.

I am a consultant orthopaedic and trauma surgeon currently employed at Harley St Medical Center, an elective orthopaedic unit in Abu Dhabi. Prior to this, I was employed by Healthpoint Hospital in Abu Dhabi. I spent my first nine years as a consultant at Queen Alexandra Hospital in the UK (Portsmouth).

My specialist interest is foot and ankle surgery. I have particular interest in the management of hindfoot trauma and reconstruction, sports injuries, arthroscopy of the hindfoot and deformity correction.

• DDS-MS Orthodontist - Sports Dentist
• Specialist in Sports dentistry from 1996 (University Claude Bernard Lyon France)
• Post Graduate from Harvard Medical School, in Media & Medicine and in Introduction to clinical research.
• Member of the French ACADEMY IN DENTAL SURGERY
• 2nd Vice-president of the International federation of sports medicine
• President of the Tunisian Society of Sports Medicine
• Member of the International Olympic committee, medical and scientific commission
• Sports dentist at The Tunisian center of sports medicine
• 90 conferences, communications and international publications in the orthodontics and sports medicine and dentistry area.

Dr. Mountjoy (MD, PhD) is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University Medical School and Regional Assistant Dean of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University.

She is also a clinician scientist – the Chief Medical Officer of the sport medicine department at the Health + Performance Centre at the University of Guelph, for 30 years. Dr. Mountjoy works for several International Sports organizations in the field of sports medicine including the International Olympic Committee (Games Group), the International Federations of Golf, Rugby and FIFA, the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) and for the World Anti-Doping Agency. She is a retired elite artistic swimmer.

Her areas of clinical expertise and research interests are in the field of female athlete health, safeguarding in sport, and mental health. She has worked in these fields for the International Olympic Committee as a member of various Expert Working Groups. Through her role on ASOIF, she also has expertise in event medical planning. She is an active advocate of the promotion of holistic athlete-centred health care.

Dr. Mariana Kaiseler is a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Institute of Sport. With over 18 years of experience in research, teaching, and consultancy, Mariana’s work focuses on applied sport psychology, stress, coping, and well-being in performance environments. She has a particular interest in mental health and the role of psychological skills and environments in supporting health and performance, especially among underrepresented groups.

Mariana has published over 40 peer-reviewed papers and regularly speaks at national and international events. She also serves as a trusted advisor and reviewer for European funding bodies, particularly in the areas of mental health, equity and inclusion, and performance psychology.

Mariana is a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS), a registered psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). Her inclusive and multicultural approach to research, teaching, and consultancy has been shaped by her lived experiences across Europe, the UK, and the USA.

Dr Marouane Bouldoudhnine is a French Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, who has over 30 years of experience in Europe. He did a fellowship in Hand to Shoulder in Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. He specialises in upper limb surgery for hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, and nerve reconstruction. He uses open, arthroscopic, as well as new approaches to allow a faster recovery time for his patients. In France, he established three centres dedicated to hand and upper limb surgery, and he has conducted over 11,000 procedures.

Dr Bouldoudhnine has gained several awards throughout his career. Recently, in 2023, he has awarded as the “Best orthopedic surgeon in the UAE”

Before joining Khalifa University in 2016, I was an assistant professor in the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and adjunct professor in the department of Biomedical Engineering at University of Alberta in Canada. I also worked as engineer expert in Biomechanics at Altair Engineering France for 2 years.
My research area of expertise is computational biomechanics of the human musculoskeletal system with focus on the thoracolumbar and cervical spines as well as the ankle joint. I am interested in the development of numerical tools such as musculoskeletal (MS) and finite element (FE) models that help study the biomechanical properties of the musculoskeletal system in healthy subjects, in patients with diseases such as low back pain, neck pain, talar bone fracture, gait deficits and associated musculoskeletal complications following a stroke, and to optimize the related treatments.

I am also interested in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools that can ease the process of subject-specific modelling and propose alternative solutions to the current techniques which are labor-intensive and time-consuming.

I am co-founder of MASHYAH (www.mashyah.com), a start-up company, which enables comprehensive gait analysis by combining portable motion sensors and personalized musculoskeletal modeling to motion collect data and compute joints reaction loads.

I am Professional Engineer and member of the APEGA (Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta, Canada, the European Society of Biomechanics and the ASME-Bioengineering Division. I am also an associate editor in Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, section Biomechanics.
I have supervised 3 post-doc fellows, 7 PhD students, 4 MSc and 5 MEng students who have graduated. Four of the PhD graduates are assistant professor/ research associates in Canadian and US universities. Currently, I am supervising 2 PhD and 1 MSc students.

Nuno Filipe Pina is a Portuguese physiotherapist and high-performance specialist with over a decade of international experience in sports rehabilitation, athlete development, and human performance optimization. He holds an extensive background in physiotherapy, strength and conditioning, and applied sports science, having worked with elite athletes across swimming, football, and Olympic sports.

Nuno is the Founder and CEO of ForPhysio, a leading healthcare network in Portugal with six multidisciplinary clinics focused on rehabilitation and performance. Under his leadership, ForPhysio established a reputation for excellence, combining clinical expertise with cutting-edge technology.

His professional career includes collaborations with the Portuguese Swimming Federation, Olympic Committee of Portugal, and China Olympic Committee, where he played a key role in preparing athletes for global competitions such as the Olympic Games, World Championships, and Asian Games. From 2023 to 2024, he served as sports physiotherapist and strength coach for the China Swimming Team, contributing to their preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Nuno is also a university lecturer and an invited speaker at international conferences on sports medicine, rehabilitation, and high-performance training. He is passionate about integrating data-driven methodologies, technology, and AI into rehabilitation and performance systems.

Currently, he leads strategic and innovation initiatives at ForPhysio, with a strong focus on connecting healthcare, performance, and technological advancement. Fluent in Portuguese and English, and professionally active in Chinese-speaking environments, Nuno continues to bridge science and practice to elevate the standard of care and performance in elite sport.

Dr Olivier Materne is a Belgian sports physiotherapist and clinical researcher with more than 25 years’ experience at international football level, currently working at Standard de Liege as Head Physiotherapy. Graduated with two BSc, in Sports physiotherapy and in Physical Education in Belgium. He completed two Masters, in sports science and, in football sports medicine and rehabilitation. He earned his PhD in paediatric sports medicine with a dedicated thesis on the youth soccer injury epidemiology associated with growth and maturation from Edge Hill University. He began his career in his native country working for various top-flight football clubs before moving to Qatar. He was the physiotherapist to open and develop the physiotherapy department attributed to the world renowned ASPIRE Academy and the first clinician in the country with a primary focus on paediatric sports medicine in the interest of youth soccer players development in Qatar. Between 2004 to 2020, he played a vital role with the Qatar National Youth Team as they continue their preparation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In 2020 he moves as the Medical services manager of Glasgow Rangers FC for the Academy (boys & girls) and women first team with a significant role by his strategy to drop the injury burden of all teams during his management and applied field injury risk reduction strategy. He specialised in injury risk mitigation in football, diagnosis and clinical reasoning to optimise best practice of injuries and physeal injuries rehabilitation with specific interest on hip and pelvis growth related injuries and, male and women professional footballers. Dr Materne is associate editor of the international peer review journal of Research in Sports Medicine. Lastly, he actively participates in International Sports Medicine conferences as a speaker and has published several scientific sports medicine articles accredited to high level international journals.

Dr. Pedro Figueiredo is an Associate Professor at United Arab Emirates University. He holds a PhD in Sport Sciences from the University of Porto, Portugal, focusing on physiology and biomechanics of human locomotion. Following his PhD, he served in several positions, including Research Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland, EUA, and invited researcher at the National Institute on Aging, NIH, EUA. His career spans over 20 years across four continents, blending academic rigor with elite sports applications. With more than 150 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Pedro leads interdisciplinary research that addresses critical gaps in sports science, including load monitoring, recovery, and performance and health optimization.

Beyond academia, Dr. Pedro served in several roles, such as Sports Scientist for the Portuguese Football Federation and as a Triathlon coach. In such roles, he implemented evidence-based practices to optimize performance and recovery. Also, Dr. Pedro has held various leadership roles within the industry, such as High-Performance Manager or Coordinator of a Nationwide Observatory. Additionally, he has worked as a consultant for numerous organizations focused on sports science, advancing education, performance, and health through innovation.

MedWorks – Private Practice for Sports Medicine

Neuburgerstr. 11

86167 Augsburg, Germany

stiller@medworks.email

Specialist in General Medicine and Emergency Medicine

Specialist in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine

Former Team Doctor of FC Augsburg 1907 (German Bundesliga)

Scientific Advisory Board of Sports.Medicine.Newspaper

Member and Speaker in different commissions of conservative therapy

Areas of Expertise

• General and Emergency Medicine
• Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine
• Non-invasive, regenerative medicine as
• Superior Combination Therapy (ESWT, MBST, Laser, Cryo, BCS, Manual therapy,...)
• Injury Prevention & Performance Optimization
• Faster RTC strategies for professional athletes

Dr. Pieter D’Hooghe MD PhD is the Consultant Foot & Ankle Surgeon at Fortius Clinic in London, United Kingdom.He specializes in Sports Traumatology of the lower leg with focus on the arthroscopic treatment of athletic Knee and Ankle/Foot injuries. He speaks 7 languages and holds a Master in Sports Medicine, a Master in Tropical Medicine and an MBA in Sports Management. He is the Editor of 9 textbooks on Sports Injuries of the lower leg and authors + 50 book chapters and +150 peer-reviewed academic publications. Over the last decade, he has successfully delivered the medical coverage as Aspetar Hospital Chief Medical Officer supporting major sports events such as the football World Championship 2022, Arab Cup & Asian Cup as well as World Championships in Athletics, Gymnastics, Handball, Cycling and Swimming. As ISAKOS Executive Board Member and past-Chairman of the ISAKOS’ SportsMedicine, Leg/Ankle/Foot and Young Professionals Committee, he leads an international panel of experts in the field. As Associate Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery at the Weill Cornell University and visiting Professor at the University of Minnesota ( Mayo ), Rome, Madrid, Denver, Liege, Bologna and Shanghai, he is academically involved in Orthopaedic Research and Education while delivering lectures worldwide. He also serves as Orthopaedic Consultant for 7 Champions League Football teams in Europe, 1 in the USA and 4 in Asia. Additionally, he serves as Vice Chair Board Member at the Medical Commission of the European Clubs Association (ECA) and the Football Doctors network (FDN).

Dr. Raymond So is currently the Director of Elite Training Science and Technology of the Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI), the elite training center in Hong Kong. He has been actively involved in sports training and sports science and medicine research for many years. His major responsibility at the HKSI is to drive innovation and scientific and technological support to coaches to systematically and positively impact athletes’ high-performance results. He has done extensive research on windsurfing, muscle activation patterns, physiological demand and training methods. In recent years, he has emphasised on performance enhancement of elite cyclists. His research areas include muscle fatigue patterns in different cycling techniques, energy utilization during cycling competition and recovery modalities. His research work is published in international academic and professional journals and numerous keynote and invitational presentations. Dr So has served the Sports Medicine and Sports Science Association of Hong Kong, China for over 20 years and was the President from 2001 to 2005; he is currently a member of the Advisory Board, and Chairman of the Strength & Conditioning Commission of the Association. Besides, he is the President-Elect of the Asian Federation of Sports Medicine, a member of the Athletes Performance Enhancement Sub-Committee of the Hong Kong Sports Association for the Physically Disabled, a member of the Board of Directors of the Anti-Doping Organization of Hong Kong, China, a member of the Education Commission of the International Federation of Sports Medicine, and Vice-President (Membership) of the Asian College of Exercise and Sports Science. He is also an Editorial Board member of the Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness and The Turkish Journal of Sports Medicine of the Turkish Sports Medicine Association.

Rola Husain, a diagnostic and interventional musculoskeletal radiology consultant in the Kingdom of Bahrain working in al salam specialist hospital and salmaniya medical complex- Govermental hospitals -Bahrain and is the head of radiology in Tarmeem orthopedics and spine specialist hospital- Abu Dhabi - UAE.

Rola is a holder of both the Arab and European boards of Radiology and has completed fellowships in musculoskeletal radiology in Mount Sinai hospital (NYC-USA) and Vancouver general hospital (Canada).

She is the secretary of the Arabian Gulf Society of Skeletal radiology and their representative at the Asian and international Society of MSK.

She is the vice president of Bahrain Association of Sports Medicine and Sports Science. She is an editor in the European journal of radiology, and a reviewer in Radiographic and the journal of Computer Assisted Tomography. She is the chair of social media and cultural affairs of the MSK radiology society in the Emirates society of Radiology.

Prof. Dr. Sami is a UK-board-certified-consultant orthopedic surgeon with over 18 years of experience.

Dr. Sami obtained his intercalated Bachelor of Medical Sciences (BMedSci) (Hons), and Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from the University of Sheffield in 2006. He completed his residency from the East Midlands (North) Rotation, completing his FRCS (Tr & Orth), and achieving his Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Trauma and Orthopedics Surgery. He has been on the GMC Specialist Register since 2017.

He is fully fellowship-trained from international centers of excellence including the Pulvertaft Hand Centre, Derby and Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London, UK.

Dr. Sami is one of a few surgeons internationally, and the only one in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to have completed both the prestigious British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH) Hand Diploma from the University of Manchester in 2019 and the European Board Hand Surgery Diploma from the Federation of European Societies for Surgery of the Hand (FESSH) in 2019.

Dr. Sami has been on the faculty of several courses, and international meetings, as well as a reviewer for a hand surgery journal. He has published in peer-reviewed journals and has presented and lectured at international meetings.

Prior to joining Healthpoint, Dr. Sami was the Clinical Lead for Hand Surgery for a large NHS hospital in the United Kingdom.

Specialties

Dr. Sami specializes in the broad spectrum of hand and wrist surgery, including acute fractures of the hand and wrist, as well as conditions including such as carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome; management of both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, Keinbock’s disease, wrist instability, delayed presentations of injuries including mal-unions and non-unions of hand and wrist fractures.

Dr. Sami has a keen interest in sports injuries as well as arthroscopy of the hand and wrist, having treated high-level athletes in the fields of motor racing, football and ice hockey.

Awards & Accreditations

• Surgeon of Excellence in Orthopedics and Minimally Invasive Surgery from Surgical Review Corporation (SRC)
• Federation of European Societies for Surgery of the Hand (FESSH) – Relationship Committee
• BSSH Travelling Fellowship to the Robert A. Chase Centre of Hand and Upper Limb Surgery Stanford University, California, USA
• BSSH Travelling Fellowship to the Robert A. Chase Centre of Hand and Upper Limb Surgery Stanford University, California, USA
• Member of the British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH)
• Diploma Tutor – British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH)
• Swan Morten Bursary – Trauma Surgery, Cape Town, South Africa
• National Heart Fund grant for Vascular biology and aneurysm rupture.
• Sheffield Vascular Travelling Fellowship: University of Washington, Seattle, USA
• Sheffield Vascular Travelling Fellowship: University of Washington, Seattle, USA

Sara Mateus is a highly experienced physiotherapist with a strong background in musculoskeletal and sports rehabilitation. Currently based in Dubai, UAE, Sara Mateus works as a Senior Physiotherapist at Mediclinic Middle East (since November 2023), where they focus on comprehensive patient assessment and rehabilitation, maintaining high standards of clinical care and professional ethics.

In addition to clinical practice, Sara Mateus is the Founder and Owner of Mediclinica Portugal in Lisbon, operating since April 2020. This independent clinic reflects their commitment to evidence-based treatment and patient-centered care.

Previously, Sara Mateus built extensive experience in the sports field, having worked as a Sports Physiotherapist with the female rugby team of Sport Lisboa e Benfica (2014–2015) and serving as Head Sports Physiotherapist at Grupo Sport Sacavenense (2010–2014), supporting athletes with injury prevention, recovery, and performance enhancement.

Alongside clinical work, Sara Mateus was an Invited Lecturer at the Health Care School in Setúbal (2010–2014), teaching various modules within the Physiotherapy degree program to second- and third-year students.

Sara Mateus holds a Master’s Degree in Sport and Exercise Science & Medicine from the University of Glasgow, a Postgraduate Diploma in Osteopathy from the Health Care School of Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, and a Physiotherapy Degree from the Health Care School of Polytechnic Institute of Setúbal.

Passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration and lifelong learning, Sara Mateus brings over a decade of international experience to the field of physiotherapy and sports medicine.

Dr. Seif Sawalha is a highly skilled and experienced upper limb orthopaedic surgeon, specializing in elbow surgery. He has a wealth of experience in the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, where he served as a consultant for several years before relocating to the UAE in 2022.

Dr. Sawalha began his medical journey at the University of Jordan before embarking on his orthopedic training in the United Kingdom culminating in the award of Certificate of Completion of Training CCT. To further enhance his expertise, Dr. Sawalha pursued an advanced elbow surgery fellowship at the renowned Wrightington Hospital in the UK, working alongside esteemed Professor Adam Watts. Dr. Sawalha treats a wide range of adult and adolescent elbow problems and injuries. His expertise extends to all aspects of elbow care, ensuring comprehensive and effective treatment for his patients.

Dr. Arshad has 17 years of experience in orthopedic surgery, specializing in hand and wrist surgery.

He obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom. He completed his Specialty Training Program in Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery through Health Education England - North West, UK, and earned his Master of Science in Hand Surgery from the University of Manchester, UK.

Dr. Arshad is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh (FRCS Tr&Orth) and holds a Post-Graduate Certificate in Medical Education.

Dr. Arshad has been actively involved in the orthopedic field as a member of the Orthopedics Specialty Training Committee in the UK and as the FRCS Teaching Co-ordinator for the North-West Training Program. He has also served as the Specialty Training Education Lead for the North-West Training Program and as a Senior Honorary Associate Lecturer at Edge Hill University, UK.

Simon Wallace is an Irish physio, working as Senior Physiotherapist at Aspetar Sports Medicine Hospital, where he leads the Foot, Ankle, and Calf rehab team. His clinical expertise lies primarily in lower limb injuries, with a particular focus on foot and ankle cases, as well as complex and recurrent thigh muscle injuries. Before joining Aspetar, he spent over a decade working in elite professional sport in the UK, including serving as Medical Lead & Head Physiotherapist at Leicester Tigers, England's most successful rugby union club.

Dr. Thyago Cardoso is a senior R&D leader and scientist with expertise in protein biochemistry, molecular biology, and bioinformatics. He holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) School of Medicine and has built a career at the intersection of science, innovation, and business strategy.

At M42’s Health Excellence Omics Center in Abu Dhabi, Dr. Cardoso leads large-scale multi-omics programs, drives experimental design innovation, and manages multi-million-dollar portfolios. His leadership has been instrumental in advancing flagship national initiatives such as Jaywun, OceanX, the Emirati Genome Program (EGP), and strategic plant genomics efforts.

Beyond scientific impact, Dr. Cardoso brings strong commercial acumen, consistently securing and executing complex, high-value agreements that bridge cutting-edge research with market-driven opportunities. His work spans healthcare, defense, and artificial intelligence, creating value through innovation, partnerships, and scalable solutions.

Recognized for forging high-level collaborations across government and industry, Dr. Cardoso combines scientific rigor with strategic vision—delivering transformative projects that strengthen the UAE’s position as a global hub for multi-omics, biotechnology, and advanced R&D.

Dr. Wael Daab is an Assistant Professor of Exercise Physiology at the University of Kalba, UAE. His academic and research career focuses on neuromuscular fatigue, recovery strategies, and performance optimization in team sport athletes, particularly soccer players. He holds a Ph.D. in Sports Science and is actively involved in multidisciplinary research exploring the effects of ischemic preconditioning, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, and dietary supplementation on athletic recovery and fatigue resistance.

At the University of Kalba, Dr. Daab plays a key role in curriculum development, integrating emerging scientific evidence and technology into the teaching of exercise physiology and sports science. He is also a founding contributor to the development of the College of Sport Science and is actively involved in student-centered pedagogical approaches.

He serves as a reviewer for several international journals and collaborates with local and international research groups to promote innovation in athlete monitoring, including the application of artificial intelligence and wearable systems.

Dr. Daab is passionate about translating scientific evidence into practical strategies to enhance athlete recovery, reduce injury risk, and improve overall performance. He is honored to participate in the Emirates Sports Medicine Conference and looks forward to contributing to discussions that bridge research and applied practice in sports medicine.

Professor Wayne Derman is the Head of the Division of Sport and Exercise (DiSEM) at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. He was recently appointed as the Medical Director of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and is also a Co-director of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Research Centre in South Africa. He also heads up one of two FIFA Medical Centres of Excellence in Africa. Professor Derman’s research focuses on secondary prevention of chronic diseases of lifestyle, and injury and illness prevention in athletes including those with disabilities.

Dr. Yasser Madani is a UK-Board Certified Consultant Pulmonologist at Healthpoint Hospital, Mubadala Health, Abu Dhabi. He completed his medical training in London working across various university and tertiary hospitals. He has co-authored several papers and presented several research studies at international meetings. He holds the position of Adjunct Assistant Professor at United Arab Emirates University. He subspecialty interests include unexplained breathlessness, including in elite athletes, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing.

Yuri Nemoto is a Registered Nutritionist in Sport & Exercise with Association for Nutrition in the UK and the founder of TUNED Sports and Performance Nutrition in the UAE. With over a decade of experience working globally, and featured in both UAE and Japanese media. She enhances the performance of UAE-based athletes, engaging both Emirati and non-Emirati athletes, using evidence-informed, culturally adapted nutrition guidance.

Her academic career began as a home economics teacher in Japan, where she learned how to educate teenagers essential life skills including nutrition education, meal planning and food preparation. The experience, not just teaching practical nutrition science, but helping understand how to apply it in their daily lives as a consumer, This experience shaped her focus on making nutrition accessible and culturally relevant, building on her BSc from King’s College London and PGDip from the Institute of Performance Nutrition UK. Currently Yuri has an extensive professional network with Sports Nutritionists and other professionals in sports medicine globally through the International Olympic Committee, where she is completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Nutrition from.

Her background, after being born and raised in Japan, spans North America, Europe, East Africa, and now the Middle East, has given broad insight into challenges athletes face across the food environment, languages and belief systems. This diverse exposure enables her to provide creative, realistic dietary solutions that align with the athlete’s personal culture and drive sustainable behaviour change. She co-launched a specialised programme, Fuel with Halal, with a Tokyo-based partner, supporting Muslim athletes who are participating in training camps or events in Japan.