Myriam Asmar is a Cardiovascular & Renal Medical Liaison at Novo Nordisk, based in Boston, Massachusetts. Her work experience at Novo Nordisk has been diverse, encompassing roles in Medical Affairs, Pharmacovigilance, and Project Management in Denmark and Brazil. Additionally, she has served as an ambassador for the IVPN-Network in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Myriam began her career in the pharmaceutical industry as a Respiratory & Immunology Sales Representative at AstraZeneca after completing her training at Houston Methodist Hospital in Texas. She holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree with high distinction from the Lebanese American University in Beirut, Lebanon and is involved in extracurricular activities such as advocacy for adolescent obesity and NGOs. Myriam is fluent in English, Arabic, and French, and has conversational proficiency in Portuguese.

Matteo Farinella is a neuroscientist turned illustrator. Combining his scientific expertise with a life-long passion for drawing, he created science comics for both adults and children. His best-selling graphic novel Neurocomic (Nobrow 2023) - published with the support of the Wellcome Trust - has been translated into over 10 languages. He currently works as the Science Multimedia Producer at Columbia Univeristy's Zuckerman Institute, where he collaborates with scientists to create graphics, illustrations, and animations.

Naomi Charalambakis is the Associate Director of Science Policy for the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). She leads efforts of FASEB’s Science Policy Committee, guiding a broad range of policy discussions and coordinating with volunteers on future policy action opportunities. Dr. Charalambakis also leads the Animals in Research and Education subcommittee, developing policy statements, tracking congressional legislation and agency directives related to animal use in federal research, and creating resources for the lab animal community. Dr. Charalambakis launched her policy career at FASEB in November 2018, after graduating with her doctorate in Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology from the University of Louisville School of Medicine where she utilized mouse transgenics to evaluate the role of retinal input on inhibitory interneurons in the visual thalamus. As a PhD Candidate, Dr. Charalambakis spent the summer of 2015 as a science policy intern at Research!America, and co-founded and served as Director of the first science policy student organization at the University of Louisville.

Edward (Ted) Spack has over 30 years of drug translational experience with biotechs, foundations, and academic investigators.  He has extensive experience in drug development research, business development, and innovation mentor for biotech startups and entrepreneurs. He co-founded of Therini Bio and directed the PharmaSTART program. He has consulted with the NIH translational core services committee and several NIH institutes on preclinical development and served on several translational study sections. Ted currently consults for AxoSim Inc, a New Orleans biotech developing brain organoids and nerve on a chip technologies, and for several other early stage academic and biotech projects targeting Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis.  Dr. Edward Spack received his doctoral degree from The Johns Hopkins University and his postdoctoral fellowship training in cellular immunology at Stanford University.

Paige Jarreau is a science communicator passionate about collaborating with diverse creatives and stakeholders to make science more engaging and inclusive. Her expertise includes evidence-based science and health communication, and engaging digital multi-media storytelling. She is currently a science communicator for the NIH Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias, as well as an adjunct at the LSU Manship School of Mass Communication teaching emerging media. Previously I was VP of Science Communication at LifeOmic, where I co-founded Lifeology. Lifeology brought scientists and artists together to broaden the reach of science and health information. She received her PhD from the Manship School of Mass Communication, Louisiana State University.

Alissa Hatfield is the Science Policy Manager for the American Physiological Society (APS). She has five years of experience in science policy and research advocacy. She received her Master of Science in Laboratory Animal Science from Stanford University.