Paul B. Fisher, MPh, PhD, FNAI, Professor and Chairman, Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Director, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine Thelma Newmeyer Corman Chair in Cancer Research in the VCU Massey Cancer Center, VCU, School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, and Emeritus Professor, Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY. Dr. Fisher is among the top 10% of NIH funded investigators over the past 35-years, published approximately 625 papers and reviews, and has 55 issued patents. He pioneered novel gene/discovery approaches (subtraction hybridization), developed innovative therapeutic approaches (Cancer Terminator Viruses), presented numerous named and distinguished lectures, founded several start-up companies, was Virginia Outstanding Scientist of 2014 and elected to the National Academy of Inventors in 2018. Dr. Fisher is a prominent nationally and internationally recognized cancer research scientist focusing on understanding the molecular and biochemical basis of cancer development and progression to metastasis and using this garnered information to develop innovative approaches for diagnosing and treating cancer. He discovered and patented novel genes and gene promoters relevant to cancer growth control, differentiation and apoptosis. His discoveries include the first cloning of p21 (CDK inhibitor), human polynucleotide phosphorylase, mda-9/syntenin (a pro-metastatic gene), mda-5 and mda-7/IL-24, which has shown promising clinical activity in Phase I/II clinical trials in patients with advanced cancers. Dr. Fisher alsohas a documented track record as a successful seasoned entrepreneur. He was Founder and Director of GenQuest Incorporated, a functional genomics company, which merged with Corixa Corporation in 1998, traded on NASDAQ and was acquired by GlaxoSmithKline in 2006. He discovered the cancer-specific PEG-Prom, which is the core technology of Cancer Targeting Systems (CTS, Inc.), a Virginia/Maryland-based company (at Johns Hopkins Medical Center) focusing on imaging and therapy (“theranostics) of metastatic cancer (2014) by Drs. Fisher and Martin G. Pomper. He co-founded InVaMet Therapeutics (IVMT) and InterLeukin Combinatorial Therapies (ILCT) with Dr. Webster K. Cavenee (UCSD) (2017/2018). Professor & Chairman, Dept of Cell & Molecular Pharmacology John C. West Chair of Cancer Research, Medical University of South Carolina, USAThe Tew laboratory maintains an interest in using redox pathways as a platform to develop therapeutic strategies through drug discovery/development and biomarker identification. We interrogate how reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) impact cancer cells and develop novel drugs that impact on glutathione based pathways. Our research efforts have been integral to studies that have identified glutathione S-transferases (GST) as important in drug resistance, catalytic detoxification and as arbiters of kinase-mediated cell signaling events. In addition, we have been instrumental in defining how GSTP contributes to the process by which cells respond to ROS by selective addition of glutathione to specific protein clusters, so called S-glutathionylation. Each of these research areas has had broad impact on a number of cancer disciplines. Moreover, we have also been seminally involved in the Phase I to III clinical testing of three oncology drugs, Telcyta, Telintra and NOV-002. Other ongoing translational efforts have produced two ongoing clinical trials to measure the effectiveness of serum S-glutathionylated serine proteinase inhibitors as possible biomarkers for exposure to hydrogen peroxide mouthwashes and radiation. Arun Kumar Singh completed his Master of Pharmacy (M. Pharm) in Pharmaceutics from Galgotias University, Greater Noida, India. He is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacy at Vivekanand Global University, where he is actively engaged in teaching and research.His research interests encompass various emerging and interdisciplinary fields, including nano-formulation, blockchain technology, the Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, cancer biology, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and neuroscience. Demonstrating a strong commitment to academic excellence, Mr. Singh has made significant contributions to the scientific community.Prof. (Dr.) Rajwinder Kaur is the Assistant Dean of Pharm D (Academics) at Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India. With sixteen years of experience in teaching and research, she has held positions such as DST Women Scientist (WOS-A) at Punjab University, Chandigarh, and received prestigious fellowships like the CSIR-SRF and UGC-MRP. Dr. Kaur was awarded the "Dr. Harpal Singh Buttar and Harinder Kaur Buttar Young Scientist Award in Pharmaceutical Sciences for Rural Women" in 2013 and the Young Scientist Award "Women in Pharmaceutical Sciences" in 2023. Her research focuses on computational drug design, synthesis of fused-heterocyclic compounds, nanomedicine, and AI, particularly in inflammation, asthma, and neurological disorders. Dr. Kaur has published over 50 papers and 10 book chapters, and has edited a book. She is a senior member of the Hong Kong Chemical, Biological & Environmental Engineering Society (HKCBEES) and a life member of the Indian Pharmacy Graduate Association (IPGA). Dr. Ashutosh Pareek, Associate Professor at Banasthali Vidyapith with over 15 years of experience in pharmaceutical sciences, holds gold medals for his Master's and Bachelor's degrees in Pharmacy. Dr. Pareek specializes in neuropharmacology and innovative drug delivery systems, focusing on neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. His research includes developing advanced drug delivery systems for immunomodulators like naringenin. Dr. Pareek leads a research team working on these critical health issues and has published over 45 research papers and authored five technical books. He holds an international formulation patent and has received numerous awards, including the Zee National Achievers Award 2023. His work is funded by national and international agencies such as ICMR, DST-SERB, DBT, the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists, and the International Brain Research Organization. He serves as a Review Editor for Frontiers in Pharmacology and Frontiers in Oncology and reviews for leading journals by Elsevier, Springer, and Bentham.Dr. Ajit Prakash completed his B.Sc. Biotechnology at Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi, and M.Sc. Genomics at Madurai Kamaraj University, Tamil Nadu, India. Further, Dr. Ajit obtained his Ph.D. in Biochemistry in 2016 from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He carried out his first postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Cambridge, UK. Following this he worked at Lovely Professional University as an assistant professor for almost a year and then finally relocated to the USA for his second postdoc at the University of North Carolina, Chaple Hill, USA. After 5 years of postdoctoral research at UNC, he is currently working as a Research Associate at UNC, Chapel Hill, USA. In addition to 3 book chapters and a book which are under publication, Dr. Ajit has published 16 high-impact research papers/book chapters in the fields of protein biochemistry, structural biology, and molecular biology related to disease conditions like cancer, and neurological disorders.
