Scientific Committee

Marek Mraz studies microenvironmental interactions in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (the most common leukemia in adults) and other B-cell malignancies. He has described novel regulation of B-T cell interactions and B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling and is investigating novel inhibitors and therapeutic combinations (in B cell and myeloid malignancies). He was trained in both clinical medicine and molecular biology and subsequently conducted postdoctoral research with Prof. Thomasem Kipps (University of California, San Diego, US) and Prof. Greg Nowakowski (Mayo Clinic, US). He received a grant from the European Hematology Association (2015), prestigious ERC Starting Grant from the European Research Council (2019), and in 2024 the most prestigious national grant (GACR EXPRO). He collaborates closely with hematologists at University Hospital Brno and with many international teams.

Director of the Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences and a leader in molecular oncology, specializing in cancer biomarkers, hypoxia, and tumor biology. Key contributor to Alliance4Life’s strategic initiatives, co-inventor of CA9-based cancer diagnostics, and member of EMBO for achievements in life sciences.

Božo Krušlin is the Vice Dean for Science at University of Zagreb School of Medicine (UZSM). He is also a full-time professor in the Department of Pathology at UZSM and at the Department of Pathology and Cytology at Clinical Hospital Centre Sestre Milosrdnice. Professor Krušlin serves as the Board Member, Scientific Committee member and FG1 member in A4L_BRIDGE. He was also the project leader of A4L_ACTIONS for UZSM. Professor Krušlin received M.D. degree and Ph.D. degree at UZSM. He is a pathologist and a member of numerous national and international societies. He serves as the Head of the Doctoral Thesis Committee as well. Professor Krušlin is an active researcher and was the leader of many projects funded by Croatian Science Foundation and Ministry of Science, Education and Youth. He published more than 290 papers, which have been cited over 2000 times, with an h-index of 24 (Web of Science). He also published chapters in 15 books and mentored 21 Ph.D. thesis and 8 M. Sc. thesis.

TOIVO MAIMETS (1957) is a molecular and cell biologist, candidate of biology (1984, Moscow State University), doctor of philosophy in molecular biology (1991, University of Tartu), member of the European Academy (since 2004). Graduated from the University of Tartu (1980), worked there as a professor of cell biology, dean of the Faculty of Biology and Geography and vice-rector for research, as well as a visiting researcher at the Estonian Biocentre and the Marie Curie Memorial Foundation Research Institute in England; Minister of Education and Research in 2003–2005, currently professor of cell biology at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology of the University of Tartu. Has been a member and president of the European Molecular Biology Conference (EMBC) (2006-2015) and a member and vice-president of the UNESCO International Committee on Bioethics (ICB) (2004-2011).

Dr. Karolis Ažukaitis is an associate professor of pediatrics and vice-dean for research and innovation at Vilnius University Faculty of Medicine, a senior pediatric nephrologist at Vilnius University Hospital Santaros klinikos, council member of the European Society for Pediatric Nephrology and a member of the Junior Academy of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences. Besides his research that is focused on early cardiovascular morbidity among children with high risk conditions, he is passionately engaged in teaching of research methodology and critical appraisal of research. One of his primary aims is promoting cooperative and positive research culture stimulating translation of research results into practice and ensuring person-centeredness. He has published over 60 international peer-reviewed papers and gave over 15 invited lectures at various international events.

Maija Dambrova, PhD, MBA, is a pharmaceutical pharmacologist and Professor at Riga Stradiņš University, and Head of the Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Pharmacology at the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis. Her research spans pharmacology, physiology, and translational medicine, with a focus on cardiometabolic diseases, mitochondrial function, and energy metabolism. She is internationally recognized for her contributions to drug discovery and development, particularly in the study of acylcarnitines and metabolic modulators. Her interests also include ethnopharmacology, medicinal plants, and natural products as sources of novel therapeutics. Her multidisciplinary approach combines preclinical models with clinical data to identify new therapeutic targets and biomarkers for heart failure, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Prof. Dambrova has authored over 170 peer-reviewed publications and is actively involved in both national and international research projects, including EU-funded initiatives and collaborations with industry. Dedicated to fostering scientific talent, she mentors early-career researchers and doctoral students. She also plays an active role in shaping science policy in Latvia and across Europe, with a focus on enhancing participation in the European Research Area. Her leadership and scientific vision support the advancement of personalized medicine and the translation of research into clinical applications and public health benefits.

Sergej Pirkmajer (male), M.D., Ph.D., is head of research group Laboratory for molecular neurobiology and Associate Professor of Pathophysiology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana (UL), where he lectures pathophysiology to students of medicine, dental medicine and pharmacy. In 2006 he graduated from the Faculty of Medicine (UL) as the best student of that academic year, for which he received Orazen Award from the Faculty of Medicine. In 2011 he obtained Ph.D. from UL. Part of his Ph.D. was done at the Karolinska Institutet in the laboratory of Professor Juleen Zierath under supervision of Associate Professor Alexander Chibalin. His research focuses on molecular physiology and energy metabolism of skeletal muscle as well as metabolism of cancer cells. Since 2019 he is a vice-president of the Republic of Slovenia national ethics committee for experiments on animals.

Iuliana Ceausu, MD, PhD, MSc. , Habil Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, with a special interest in Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Gestational Diabetes and Glycemic Disturbances in Pregnancy, Heart Diseases from iu utero to adulthood, in utero determination of adulthood diseases (Barker's Hypothesis), Minimal invasive gynecologic surgery. Prof. Ceausu Iuliana is currently Head of the ObGyn Clinical Department, of "Dr. I. Cantacuzino" Clinical Hospital, and have an active position in several national and international educational comities, director of All4Life H2020 Grant for Carol Davila University, member of the EMAS Board (European Menopause and Andropause Society).