SPEAKERS

Chris Duma, MD

Newport Beach, CA

Neurosurgery

Chris Duma, MD began exploring stem cell research in 1993 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles. A board certified neurosurgeon, Dr. Duma is Southern California’s leading and most experienced neurosurgeons, advancing gamma knife radiosurgery and intraventricular implantation of autologous stem cells.

Clinical Report On the Administration of SVF via Ommaya Reservoir for Advanced Neurological Diseases

Joseph Purita, MD

Boca Raton, FL

Orthopedic Surgery

Joseph Purita, M.D. is a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon and stem cell pioneer, using cutting edge technology in regenerative medicine in conjunction with stem cell platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy to treat orthopedic injuries and relieve pain. He is also a pioneer in the use of the laser in orthopedic surgery. In 2012, Purita gained international attention when he treated New York Yankees pitcher Bartolo Colon’s ligament damage with stem cells, restoring the athlete’s injured shoulder and career. Purita has since treated an array of professional athletes with career-threatening injuries. Dr. Purita is the director of the Institute of Regenerative and Molecular Orthopedics in Boca Raton, Florida, specializing in the use of stem cells and PRP injections for sports medicine and treatment other musculoskeletal conditions. The Institute has treated some of the most prominent professional athletes from all major sports in both the U.S.. and abroad. He is an instructor and proctor of surgeons in the use of lasers in arthroscopic and orthopedic surgery at a variety of area hospitals/ Dr. Purita is a Fellow, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons; Fellow, American College of Surgeons; member, American Medical Association; member, Southern Medical Association; member, Palm Beach Medical Society; member, Broward County Medical Society; member, Palm Beach Orthopedic Society, and member, Florida Medical Association. His certifications include the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery; American College of Orthopaedic Surgery; American Board of Pain Management, and the American Board of Regenerative Medicine.

Kotaro Yoshimura, MD

Tochigi, Japan

Plastic Surgery

Kotaro Yoshimura. M.D is a professor and chairman of the Department of Plastic Surgery at Jichi Medical University, Japan. He received his medical degree and a doctorate from the University of Tokyo. After returning from research work at the University of Michigan, he worked for the University of Tokyo and directed his laboratory. His research interests cover skin/hair/scar biology, wound healing/angiogenesis, adipose stem cells, and regenerative medicine. He published more than 150 full articles published in Medline-indexed journals as well as several textbook chapters. He received a number of awards including the 38th Maliniac Lecturer in 2016 by American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Prof. Yoshimura is currently a co-editor of the Journal of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery (JPSHS) and Vice President of the International Society of Plastic Regenerative Surgeons (ISPRES).

Stem Cell Science, Replication, Deployment for Cosmetics to Therapeutics

Frank Shallenburger, MD

Carson City, NV

Emergency Medicine

Dr. Shallenberger has revolutionized the practice of anti-aging and preventive medicine by developing a method to measure mitochondrial function and oxygen utilization. He has written two popular books describing this method, The Type 2 Diabetes Breakthrough and Bursting With Energy, and has authored numerous papers in the international peer reviewed literature on ozone therapy and oxygen utilization. He is also the editor of Second Opinion alternative medical newsletter. He is the developer of Prolozone®, an injection technique that has been shown to regenerate damaged joints, herniated discs, and degenerated joints, tendons, and soft tissues. He has just published the first paper on Prolozone Therapy in the Journal of Prolotherapy entitled, Prolozone – Regenerating Joints and Eliminating Pain.

Mark Berman, MD

Beverly Hills, CA

ENT/Cosmetic Surgery

After nearly 30 years in a successful practice as a cosmetic surgeon, where he was the President of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Berman discovered the magic of fat and the power of stem cells. In 2010, he co-founded the Cell Surgical Network and has worked to bring cell surgical technology all over the world. Dr. Berman, along with Dr. Elliot Lander and the Cell Surgical Network, have published the largest safety data paper on the deployment of stromal vascular fraction, including intravenous deployment.

TBD

Heeyoung Lee, MD

Seoul, Korea

Plastic Surgery

Hee Young Lee MD a successful plastic surgeon from South Korea, Dr. Lee is one of the world’s leaders in advancing stem cell technology. Often referred to as “the Tony Stark of Stem Cells,” Dr. Lee is the founder of Medikan Int. and is the innovator of many crucial technologies that allow physicians to practice cell surgery.

The Advancement of Regenerative Therapies, Cell Expansion Techniques

Bruce Bunnell, PhD

Denton, TX

Stem Cell Scientist

Bruce A. Bunnell Bruce Bunnell, PhD is the Chairman of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth. Previous to that he was Director of the Tulane Center for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine. He received his undergraduate education at Purdue University and his graduate training in molecular genetics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (PhD, 1990). He did his postdoctoral training at the University of Michigan, and advanced training as a senior staff fellow at the National Human Genome Research Center at the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Bunnell held faculty positions at The Ohio State University (1998 - 2002). He joined the School of Medicine at Tulane University in 2002. Dr. Bunnell's research interests have focused on the development of gene and stem cell based therapies for lysosomal storage diseases (Sandhoff and Krabbe disease). His group is also interested in defining the biologic properties that control the stem-cell characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells. As Director of the Tulane Center for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Bunnell's primary research interest involves basic and clinical aspects of adult stem cells. One of his primary interests is investigating the basic biology of various adult stem cell populations isolated from the bone marrow or adipose tissue. His group is currently investigating the effects of biological aging on the stem cell properties of these cells and their potential changes in medial benefit for humans as they age. Dr. Bunnell also investigates the application of stem cells for the treatment of diseases, including diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lysosomal storage disease and cancer.

Ahmed Al Qahtani, PhD

Dubai, UAE

Immunology

Ahmed Al-Qahtani, PhD, is a leader in anti-aging and skin care whose research into growth factors places him at the cutting edge of aesthetics. He has studied at the University of California, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the University of San Francisco, and is currently an assistant professor at the College of Medicine at United Arab Emirates University in Al-Ain. As president and founder of AQ Skin Solutions, he has introduced some of the most innovative skin care products in the world. Dr. Ahmed Al-Qahtani began his career researching medical applications of growth factors for healing wounded tissue and burns. As a researcher in immunology, he developed a process for producing the highest quality growth factors utilizing a specialized cell line that was later named after him by the ATCC. Dr. Al-Qahtani has numerous scientific publications and patents on growth factor technology.

The Role of Exosomes and Growth Factors in Hair and Skin Rejuvenation

Joseph M. Raffaele, MD

New York, NY

Age Management

Joseph M. Raffaele, MD received his B.A. in philosophy from Princeton University and his MD from Drexel University Medical School in 1989. Dr. Raffaele trained at The New York Hospital/Cornell University Medical Center and was formerly a clinical assistant professor of medicine at Dartmouth Medical School while in practice at the Hitchcock Clinic. Dr. Raffaele is a member of the Endocrine Society, is board certified in internal medicine, and is a diplomat of the American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine. In 1997, he co-founded PhysioAge Medical Group where he exclusively practiced age management medicine with a focus on personalized hormone optimization and physiological age assessment. In 2007, his co-founded PhysioAge Systems, a web-based biomarker data collection and reporting system now used by age management practices around the world to assess, monitor, and communicate to patients the effectiveness of their treatments. Since 2009, he has been involved in clinical telomere biology research and published 3 studies of the effect of oral telomerase activators on normal aging adults. He has lectured nationally and internationally on the clinical application of telomere biology. In 2015 he founded Raffaele Medical Group and blogs regularly about telomere biology, hormone optimization, and biomarkers of aging on DrRaffaele.com and PhysioAge.com

Tom Grogan, MD

Los Angeles, CA

Orthopedic Surgery

Tom Grogan MD, one of West Los Angeles’ leading orthopedic surgeons, his practice caters to the city’s youngest and oldest patients. A member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and a diplomate of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, Dr. Grogan was the first orthopedic surgeon to join the Cell Surgical Network and has played an instrumental role in the network.

Stromal Vascular Fraction in Orthopedic Surgery

Jack Zamora, MD

Denver, CO

Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon

Specializing in innovative cosmetic applications for the face, eyes, and body, Dr. Zamora is a leader in minimally invasive treatments. Graduating from Tulane University in New Orleans, he received a doctorate degree in medicine and completed his internship at Boston Medical Center (internal medicine), his residency at Boston University (ophthalmology department), and completed his fellowship at Boston University (ophthalmology and oculoplastics). As the medical director of several locations throughout Colorado, Dr. Zamora and his teams offer surgical and non-surgical facial refinement, skin rejuvenation, and body sculpting services. Dr. Zamora specializes in exceptional patient care and providing procedures that achieve natural looking results with as little downtime as possible. His straightforward assessments and extreme attention to detail give patients comfort and confidence.

Alan Bauman, MD

Boca Raton, FL

Hair Restoration

Alan J. Bauman, MD, ABHRS is a full-time board-certified Hair Restoration Physician who has treated over 30,000 patients and performed over 9,000 hair transplant procedures and 6,000 PRPs since starting his medical hair loss practice, Bauman Medical, in 1997. Located in downtown Boca Raton, FL, the Bauman Medical Hair Transplant & Hair Loss Treatment Center, often referred to as “The Hair Hospital,” is a 12,000 square-foot stand-alone facility and state-of-the-art destination location for hair sufferers worldwide. Dr.Bauman received his M.D. degree from New York Medical College and surgical residency training at Mt. Sinai Medical Center and Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. Dr. Bauman is one of approximately only 200 physicians worldwide to achieve certification from the esteemed American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS). Dr. Bauman is known for pioneering numerous technologies in the field of hair restoration including minimally-invasive FUE Follicular Unit Extraction, Low-Level Laser Therapy, PRP Platelet Rich Plasma, PDOgro™, Eyelash Transplantation, and others. He is a frequently invited faculty member at international scientific meetings and live surgery workshops and has been featured as a guest expert in hundreds of news stories in the media.

Ilene Ruhoy, MD, PhD

Seattle, WA

Neurologist

Ilene S. Ruhoy MD, PhD founded the Center for Healing Neurology with one purpose in mind: to help people heal and live a vibrant life. Since entering medical school in 1996, she has pursued additional training in order to offer patients informed treatments and healing protocols that will guide them toward optimal health. After receiving her medical degree, she earned a PhD in Environmental Toxicology, completing her dissertation on pharmaceutical residues in our waters. She collaborated with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and published peer-reviewed research on the toxic effects of pharmaceuticals and chemicals. Dr. Ruhoy has trained in both pediatric and adult neurology at Seattle Children’s Hospital and the University of Washington where she received additional training in mitochondrial medicine and neuromuscular medicine. She further completed a two-year fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona under the tutelage of renowned physician Dr. Andrew Weil, MD. She is currently co-editor for Integrative Neurology, scheduled for release in Summer, 2020, of Dr. Weil’s Integrative Medicine Series published by Oxford University Press. In addition, Dr. Ruhoy has devoted time to intensive studies in herbal medicine, and has received her certification in medical acupuncture. She is a plant-based advocate and believes strongly in the power of food as our medicine. Importantly for modern health care, Dr. Ruhoy is adept at bridging the gap between allopathic and alternative medicine to offer a more comprehensive approach to neurological health and healing. She and her team strive to find the perfect treatment plan for each patient. Today, as a physician, teacher, wife, mother, and healer, she makes sure to practice what she preaches, especially after her own experience as a patient with a brain tumor necessitating surgery and then radiation. She does her best to maintain a nourishing work-life balance spending her time hiking in the mountains with her husband, daughter, and two dogs practicing yoga, running, and reading a good book on a rainy Northwest morning. She is a regular contributor to various wellness blogs, websites, and magazines.

Vassily Ellipolis, MD

Boulder, CO

Emergency Medicine

Dr. Eliopoulos is a graduate of Trinity College in Hartford, CT where he earned a BS with Honors in Neuroscience. He then became a Peace Corps volunteer in the Solomon Islands, South Pacific before attending the Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York City and postgraduate medical training at Denver Health Medical Center for General Surgery and Emergency Medicine. As a Peace Corp volunteer, he taught secondary school and worked with the World Health Organization on their malaria and filariasis control projects. He has also researched malaria extensively in Mali and the Solomon Islands. Originally from Westchester, New York, Dr. Eliopoulos has enjoyed a lifelong passion for martial arts and grappling, accruing numerous achievements along the way. He continues to compete today, recently winning the Masters Championships on the national and world level in International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation Competitions. When not spending time with family or grappling, he also loves to climb rock and ice and whitewater kayak.

Sunny Kim, MD

Cedar Rapids, IA

Pain Management

Dr. Kim is the founder and president of Progressive Rehabilitation Medicine which was established in Cedar Rapids, IA in 2005 with the mission of offering advanced non-surgical pain management solutions. Dr. Kim originally grew up in NJ, attended college at Cornell University in NY, and received his medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. Subsequently, he completed an internal medicine fellowship through John Hopkins University/Sinai Hospital in Baltimore and then his residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation(PM&R) at Rutgers/Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation which is considered one of the top training programs for this medical specialty. Dr. Kim served as academic chief resident in his final year of specialization where he gained invaluable insights into the complexity of healthcare systems. Dr. Kim is board certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and is a Fellow of American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He has special interests in the non-surgical treatment of spine, sports and musculoskeletal pain conditions.

Bill Johnson, MD

Dallas, TX

Internal Medicine

Dr. Bill Johnson, a native of Dallas, Texas received his doctorate from Texas Tech University in 1981 and completed his internal medicine residency at Tech in 1984. From 1984 until 2000, Dr. Johnson practiced as a partner at Lubbock Diagnostic Clinic, serving many of those years as president of the group. Dr. Johnson opened his first practice in Grapevine in January 2002. In 2005, Dr. Johnson added aesthetic medicine to his practice. In 2006, Dr. Johnson’s practice was renamed Innovations Medical, which has since moved to Dallas with offices in Fort Worth and Frisco. Dr. Johnson is a regular contributor to “Good Morning Texas,” the leading morning show in the DFW area. He is also a featured expert on ABC, FOX, NBC, and CBS. Dr. Johnson is a member of the Texas Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, National Society of Cosmetic Physicians, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery and Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society.

Mark Ghalili, DO"

Beverly Hills, CA

Internal Medicine

Dr. Ghalili was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Ghalili performed his undergraduate studies at the University of California Irvine and then went on to obtain his medical degree at Western University of Health Sciences. After medical school, he chose the University of Nevada Las Vegas to complete his Internal Medicine residency training. As a regenerative medicine specialist, Dr. Ghalili’s passion lies in teaching his patients about chronic disease, prevention, and finding the underlying reasons for an illness. At an early stage in his career, he noticed the future of medicine becoming a medication cure-all for all patient’s ailments. Dr. Ghalili realized that the traditional methods and ideologies used in Western Medicine that were taught to him failed to provide any insight into integrative, alternative and regenerative medicine. He realized that millions of Americans were suffering from chronic diseases with no resolution of their symptoms in sight. Constantly, being passed around from doctor to doctor to doctor, feeling as though their voice was not being heard. Regenerative medicine specialist Dr. Ghalili’s passion lies in providing alternative and natural remedies for his patients. His extensive knowledge of repairing mitochondria, assessing genetic profiles, IV nutrition, peptide therapy, anti-aging, rejuvenation, hormone replacement, and cell therapy will allow him to provide cutting edge medical treatments to heal his patients. Dr. Ghalili has dedicated his life to all that are living with any type of disability. As a patient himself suffering a near-death experience for months, Dr. Ghalili vows to help every patient who feels they are being neglected by traditional medicine. He realized the only way he can fight back is by helping his patients with compassionate care and solving their problems one step at a time with a customized approach.

Clinical Report On the Administration of SVF via Ommaya Reservoir for Advanced Neurological Diseases

Greg Chernoff, MD

Indianapolis, IN

Plastic Surgeon

Greg Chernoff, M.D. F.R.C.S. is a Triple Board Certified Aesthetic Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. Dr. Chernoff combines meticulous surgical techniques with the latest non-surgical therapies to give his patients consistent rejuvenation results. Dr. Chernoff has authored numerous scientific papers and medical laser textbook chapters. He has given over 600 lectures to physicians around the world on both surgical and non-surgical therapy. Dr. Chernoff has perfected the art of facial injections and was one the first physicians to offer LaViv, a new FDA-approved personalized cell therapy. Additionally, Dr. Chernoff trains physicians in the art of meticulous injection techniques. Dr. Chernoff is known best for his down to earth personality and genuine caring approach. Utilizing his extensive experience and capabilities, Dr. Chernoff works with patients to develop a surgical, non-surgical, or combination approach suited to patients’ individual needs. Dr. Chernoff is the founder of the Royia Grizzell Foundation for Victims of Violence, providing pro-bono treatment for these patients.

Ducan Ross, PhD

Miramar, FL

Exosomes

Dr. Duncan Ross is an expert in stem cell culture and has developed and patented proprietary methods of stem cell manipulation and licensing using growth factors and nucleic acids. A native of Miami Beach, Florida, Dr. Ross earned a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Immunology and a Ph.D. in Immunology/Biochemistry from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, where his research focused on mechanisms of suppression of graft vs. host disease in minor antigen mismatched allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. As founder of Kimera Labs, Inc., Dr. Ross’s work is focused on controlling disease with immunological molecular approaches, in particular, exosome isolation from perinatal cells and amniotic fluid. As a pioneer in the development of cell-free exosome products, Dr. Ross’s research has been and continues to be employed by many physicians and clinics in a variety of regenerative medicine protocols. Dr. Ross has been featured in various peer reviewed publications including “Blood” and “Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation”, in which he discussed the use of various cell types to suppress immunological diseases, and currently has a patent pending for wound healing exosomes. Dr. Ross is also the founding board member of the federal nonprofit research organization, The Kimera Society, which has developed a number of clinical partners in the US and abroad by serving as an educational conduit for clinics.

Elliot Lander, MD

Rancho Mirage, CA

Urology

After 20 years of practice in urology and repeatedly being named one of the five “top docs” in Palm Springs, Dr. Lander co-founded the Cell Surgical Network in 2010 and has become a leader in field of regenerative medicine, teaching other physicians and even speaking in front of the FDA in 2016, where he advocated for patients’ rights to their bodies and physicians’ rights to practice cell surgery. Along with Dr. Berman and the Cell Surgical Network, Dr. Lander has published the largest safety data paper on the deployment of stromal vascular fraction, including intravenous deployment.

The Deployment of SVF in Urology

John Feller, MD

Indian Wells, CA

Radiology

Dr. Feller completed his undergraduate training in metallurgical engineering and materials science at the University of Notre Dame graduating cum laude (1978-1982). He then attended the Ohio State University School of Medicine graduating summa cum laude (1983-1987). Dr. Feller subsequently completed four years of postgraduate medical training at Stanford University School of Medicine, culminating in board certification in Diagnostic Radiology (1987-1991). Following fellowship training in orthopedic and body MRI (1992), Dr. Feller served in the US Air Force as Chief of MRI at David Grant USAF Medical Center; a position he maintained for four years (1992-1996). Dr. Feller is currently the Medical Director and Founding Partner of Desert Medical Imaging in California, and Chief of Radiology as well as a Partner in American Medical Center in China. He was the MRI Consulting Radiologist for Desert Orthopedic Center from 1998 to 2010. He maintained an academic affiliation with Stanford University where he was an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Radiology (1991-2006), and is now an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Radiology at Loma Linda University. Dr. Feller was awarded the Volunteer Clinical Faculty Teacher of the Year in 1992-1993 from Stanford University Medical Center Department of Radiology. Dr. Feller has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and is an editor of the textbook Shoulder Magnetic Resonance Imaging. He has given over 300 invited lectures worldwide on orthopedic, prostate and body MR imaging.

Image Guidance for Cell Deployment

Harry Adelson, ND

Park City, UT

Naturopathic Medicine

Harry Adelson, N.D. has performed over 7,000 bone marrow and adipose-derived adult stem cell procedures and has injected stem cells into over 1,400 intervertebral discs, placing him solidly among those most experienced in the world with the use of autologous stem cells for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain conditions. He is the founder of Docere Clinics, located in beautiful Park City, Utah where he lives with his wife and two daughters. For 2021, he will bare his soul and discuss how he manages to maintain his 5-star Google rating despite the occasional, inevitable, and rarely openly discussed adverse outcome. He will discuss strategies for avoiding catastrophes (both medical and interpersonal) as well as how to manage hiccups when they happen.

Kristen Comella, PhD

Sunrise, FL

Chief Science Officer, US Stem Cell

Dr. Kristin Comella, USRM’s Chief Science Officer, has an extensive background in the study and implementation of stem cell therapy. As a student focusing on the mechanics and systems of the body in order to achieve optimal health, her more than 20+ years experience has given her notable training with experts in the stem cell arena. Her graduate studies and PhD course work at Ohio State University provided her the opportunity to work with Dr. Jeffery Chalmers to focus on the use of nano-particles magnets to isolate and separate cells. She then delved more deeply into biomedical engineering at the Cleveland Clinic and Osiris Therapeutics — a small start-up in Maryland — mentored company founded by the ‘father of Mesenchymal Stem Cells,’ Dr. Arnie Caplan. Her work at Osiris led in 2002 to one of the first IND approvals of stem cells in orthopedics from the FDA, and was the beginning of her zeroing in on stem cells and their application for healing.

Summary of Peer-Reviewed Publications Using Stromal Vascular Fraction

Eray Copcu, MD

Istanbul, Turkey

Plastic Surgeon

Prof. Eray COPCU is the first founder of Regenerative Medicine department in Turkish universities. Also he is active Aesthetic-Plastic surgeon.He has also published more than 50 refereed articles in international journals many proceedings, and contributed extensively to international books written in English. His specific teaching and research interests are in the areas of aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery, cell therapy, stem cell and SVF therapies. He is editor in chief in Internet Journal of Plastic Surgery and member of editorial boards of many international journals.Professor Copcu completed his MD degree in Ege University, Turkey in 1992; his residency programme in Plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, in Izmir Atatürk teaching Hospital in 1999, and his Assistant and Associate professor degrees at Adnan Menderes University, Turkey between 2000-2006. Throughout his career he has been visiting Professor to a number of international universities, including Pittsburgh and Cincinnati University US, University of Edinburgh, University of Leeds in UK ,University of Montreal in Canada and University of Tokyo in Japan.

Joy Kong, MD

Los Angeles, CA

Neurology

Joy Kong, M.D.is a UCLA-trained, triple board-certified physician (Psychiatry, Addiction Medicine, Anti-Aging & Regenerative Medicine). She is the president of Thea Cen- ter for Regenerative Medicine in Los Angeles, California, where she specializes in stem cell therapy, ketamine treatments, and other innovative and integrative therapeu- tic modalities. Dr. Kong is a passionate educator. In addition to lecturing nationally and internationally, she founded American Academy of Integrative Cell Therapy, where she provides physician training on stem cell therapy. She is on the board of American Association of Stem Cell Physicians, and is a faculty member of Medical Wellness Association (a leading global organization on health & wellness). As a proponent for high quality clinical research, Dr. Kong originates and conducts clinical studies to help advance the field of regenerative medicine, and is a published author in scientific journals. Dr. Kong is the founder & CEO of Chara Biologics, a company dedicated to providing cutting-edge regenerative medicine products in the US and the global market. She developed the most potent and comprehensive stem cell product in the country with a patent-pending formulation. Dr. Kong was recognized for her contribution to the field and awarded the "Top Doctor of the Year in Stem Cell Therapy 2019,” "Empowered Woman of the Year 2019,” “Stem Cell Doctor of the Decade 2021” by the prestigious IAOTP (International Association of Top Professionals). Dr.Kong’s memoir Tiger of Beijing has garnered tremendous interest and was named “2020 Book of the Year” and showcased at Time Square.

Elena Rusyn, MD, PhD

Los Angeles, CA

Immunology

Dr. Elena is Board Certified in Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine and has more than 9 years of experience in bio-identical hormone replacement and the med-spa field and over 15 years of medical and clinical research training. She is medical office consultant, educator, researcher, lecturer and author of several publications. Dr. Elena is professionally trained as Allergist and Clinical Immunologist with subspecialty in Cardiology. She has an M.D. from the prestigious National Medical University in Kiev, Ukraine and completed residency training in Allergy and Immunology. After moving to the United States, she continued her studies at Harvard Medical School, Gray Cancer Institute (London, UK) and at Duke University Medical Center. Elena developed a true passion for Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. She has worked around the globe as a women’s health and hormone specialist. Elena has spent a considerable amount of time developing an expertise in the areas of hormonal balance, weight loss, nutrition, lipid and free radicals research, antioxidants, stem cell research, along with neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders. Dr. Elena’s work has been published in renowned peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Cell Biology, Oncogene, Cancer Research, Cell Host and Microbe, Nutrition and Cancer, Pediatric Research and the Journal of Immunology and Allergy.

Nathan Bryan, PhD

Houston, TX

Professor of Molecular Medicine, Nitric Oxide

Dr. Nathan Bryan, HumanN Co-Founder and Nitric Oxide Scientist, was recruited by the Nobel Laureate, Dr. Ferid Murad to work in the N-O Discovery Program at the University of Texas. It was through this program that Dr. Bryan discovered a safe and natural way to produce Nitric Oxide gas, enabling the body to restore its N-O function. Wanting to bring this technology to the masses, he co-founded Neogenis Laboratories, now HumanN, in 2009. Dr. Bryan is a recognized world authority in Nitric Oxide research. He is credited with a multitude of significant discoveries in Nitric Oxide function and metabolism, and has published extensively in peer-reviewed scientific journals in the field. He’s been awarded, or has pending, nine patents related to Nitric Oxide. He lectures frequently on Nitric Oxide, and sits on the Board of Directors of the Nitric Oxide Society. Dr. Bryan earned his undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of Texas at Austin and his Doctoral degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport, where he was the recipient of the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research. He continued his postdoctoral research as a Kirschstein Fellow at Boston University School of Medicine in the Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute. From there, he continued in academia as a member of faculty in several Texas universities. When not conducting critical research or making significant discoveries for N-O, you can find him at Baylor College of Medicine in the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics where he is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor.

Nitric Oxide: the Holy Grail in Regenerative Medicine

Walter O’Brien, MD

Los Angeles, CA

Orthopedic Surgeon

Medical research, both basic science and clinical studies, have been a passion for Dr. O’Brien. This has led to numerous publications, awards, and invitations to lecture internationally. His basic science research involves biomechanics of the knee and studying the functional anatomy of knee ligaments developing surgical techniques to restore injured ligaments. Clinical studies verified his basic science research results as it applies to actual surgical procedures for knee reconstruction. His clinical studies also involve the long-term effects of various types of meniscal surgical procedures. Dr. O’Brien has published research work and scientific articles in the following peer-reviewed orthopedic journals: American Journal of Sports Medicine, Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Review, Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, Operative Techniques in Orthopaedics, Techniques in Orthopaedics, Orthopaedic Transactions, and Transactions of the Orthopaedic Research Society. In addition, he has authored two chapters in a medical textbook about knee surgery: The Crucial Ligaments, Second Edition, JA Feagin (editor).

Stromal Vascular Fraction in Orthopedic Surgery

Tom Hecker , MD

Fort Collins, CO

Sports & Regenerative Medicine

Board-certified, Dr. Tom Hecker’s concentration is on non-surgical treatments that help you feel and be like new – not just better. With a personal and educational approach, Dr. Hecker provides sports and regenerative medicine for people of all ages, abilities, and incomes. Dr. Hecker graduated from Colorado State University in Fort Collins before completing his Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine degree from the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago. He completed a two-year podiatric surgical residency at St. Mary's of Nazareth Hospital in Chicago, before moving into private practice in 1996. Since then he has developed effective non-surgical strategies and treatments for all types of biomechanical injuries and chronic pain. Dr. Hecker is committed to continuing medical education, equipping him to provide the latest and up-to-date care for patients. Using the most recent advancement in diagnosis and treatment of all types of injuries, including foot and ankle problems, he provides help to renew patients’ strength.

Dr. Dan Olesnick

Rancho Mirage, California

Emergency Medicine

Dr. Dan Olesnicky is a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine, the American Board of Emergency Medicine and the American Board of Tactical Medicine. In addition to running one of the largest regenerative and pain medicine practices in the Coachella Valley, Dr. Olesnicky also serves as a S.W.A.T team physician and police officer in Palm Springs, CA. Because of his unique background and wide array of engagement within the Coachella Valley, Dr. Olsenicky sees a wide range of patients and is highly regarded as a teacher/trainer in the medical community.

Tom Grogran, MD

Los Angeles, CA

Orthopedic Surgery

Dr. Grogan is a practicing pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Pacific Coast Sports Medicine in Los Angeles. Dr. Grogan graduated cum laude from Princeton University with a degree in Biology and received his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Dr. Grogan’s orthopedic training has included an orthopedic residency at UCLA plus several orthopedic fellowships in pediatric orthopedics, trauma, and NIH sponsored joint replacement surgery. Following his orthopedic training he returned to Los Angeles, spending six years at Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children, including serving as Assistant Chief in 1996 and 1997. In addition to his clinical practice, he spent several years involved in managed care consulting as an orthopedic surgeon and has developed special expertise in this area. He has collaborated with the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons in the development of a handbook and audiotape entitled, “Health Care Reform and Managed Care: A Guidebook for Orthopedic Surgeons”. In addition, he has served as the lead faculty member for the AAOS for their 1995, 12 city educational seminar, “Taking Charge: Managed Care Contracting for Orthopaedic Surgeons” and as a faculty member for the AAOS’s 1996 seminar series entitled, “Winning at Risk: The Interplay of Cost, Quality, and Access in Orthopaedic Practice”. He most recently served as a faculty member for the AAOS’s 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 seminars, “Practice Management Symposium for Practicing Orthopaedic Surgeons’. He is currently chairman of the Practice Management Committee for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and a member of their Council on Education. He is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, Honor Medical Society, the Sigma XI Scientific Research Society, California Orthopaedic Association (COA), the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA), the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), and is a diplomate of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.