Benjamin Smith, PhD, is a scientific leader in biologics drug discovery and development specializing in tissue-targeted delivery technologies and applications across modalities, particularly for neurodegenerative disease. With 12 years of industry experience (at Voyager and Biogen) in blood-brain barrier penetrant technology, novel target discovery, and antibody engineering/optimization, he has advanced neurotherapeutic drug candidates from concept to clinical development. Dr Smith obtained a PhD in biophysics from McGill University and apply knowledge of protein-protein interactions and cellular mechanisms to connect the molecular and pharmacological functions of drug candidates.

Salam Ammus is Head of Clinical Data Strategy, Systems, Reporting and Analytics at Bristol Myers Squibb, where she leads a large global organization that works cross-functionally across the entire drug development process, collaborating with teams such as Clinical Science, Biostatistics, Data Management, IT, and Statistical Programming. Salam oversees enterprise-wide efforts to optimize the way clinical data is collected, standardized, and transformed into insights that accelerate the delivery of life-changing treatments.

With more than 25 years of experience across the Pharmaceutical Industry, which includes senior leadership roles at Alkermes, Mural Oncology, EMD Serono, and Merck Healthcare, she has built global data standards frameworks, transformed operational culture, and championed continuous process improvement.

Salam has built and optimized operating models, leveraged and utilized standards, enhanced vendor management, and developed streamlined data capabilities. Salam plays a key role in combining technical expertise with a people-first approach, delivering innovation, efficiencies, and sustainable data strategies across clinical development.

Kate Yawman is the Director of Product Management for Advarra’s Study Collaboration solution. In this role, Kate partners with research stakeholders to identify challenges and transform them into innovative, solution-driven workflows across sponsors, CROs, and their critical site partners. With over 13 years of experience in the research industry, she is dedicated to fostering collaboration that drives greater efficiency and impact across the research community.

Matt is the Senior Vice President of Compliance & Categories. Matt has been involved in drug research and discovery for over 24 years. Prior to his role in Scientist.com he was a senior research scientist at AstraZeneca before moving to procurement as a global category manager supporting pre-clinical research and human biological sample acquisition. Since joining Scientist.com he has developed our third party vendor risk management solution, which is now widely accepted across the industry, as well as our award-winning COMPLi® platform and on-site pre-assessment program VERIF.i®. Using his knowledge of the industry he has supported the creation of our category approaches to HBS, In Vivo, CMC, Biomarkers and is leading the Clinical expansion to benefit both our clients and suppliers.

Kristin Smedley is a TEDx speaker, award winning author, trailblazer for the disability community, and Mother of three children, two of whom were born blind and have achieved far beyond all grim expectations.

Kristin is Co-Founder and CEO of the only patient organization in the world for people living with the blindness her two sons are affected by, CRB1 LCA/RP. The Curing Retinal Blindness Foundation has raised over 4 million dollars and achieved a National Rare Eye Disease Awareness Day.  That legislation, H.R. #625, was the first in US history to be submitted in Braille and it advocates for better resources for blind and visually impaired Americans.

Kristin partnered with Spark Therapeutics to help achieve the first ever FDA approved gene therapy to treat an inherited retinal disease in the United States. She has done a TEDx Talk in New York City to change perceptions of blindness and she partnered with Comcast media to spread awareness of the inclusive X1 product.

Kristin is the author of the bestselling book Thriving Blind: Stories of Real People Succeeding Without Sight and a new children’s book, What I Can Be Is Up To Me.

Kristin co-founded ThrivingBlindAcademy.org to solve the employment, literacy, and financial crisis in the blind community.  She is Creator/Producer of the upcoming feature film “Curveball” to change perceptions of disability.

Eileen Moran is the Executive Director of Evidence Development Solutions at UBC, where she leads an operational team focused on designing and implementing innovative approaches that harness advanced technology and modern research methodologies. Her work delivers fit-for-purpose evidence on the safety and effectiveness of treatments, ultimately improving outcomes for patients.

Prior to joining UBC, Ms. Moran spent 25 years at Covance/Labcorp, where she held progressively senior roles, culminating in her position as Global Head of Delivery for Phase IV Solutions. Throughout her career, she has been instrumental in developing real-world evidence operational strategies that enhance understanding of the safety profiles and value propositions of medical treatments.

Almost 30 years of design experience across a variety of industries; including medical devices, automobiles, and consumer products/packaging. Chief advocate for the user on projects, ensuring their needs and perspectives are understood and prioritized throughout the design process. Specializing in making complex technologies simple and intuitive through a deep understanding of human factors and ergonomics and by performing rigorous research and usability studies. This user-centric approach is fundamental to Key Tech development teams.

Petra Rietschel, MD, PhD, joined BioNTech in November 2024 as Vice President, Clinical Development Oncology.

Before BioNTech, Dr Rietschel served as Global Clinical Lead for cemiplimab at Regeneron, where she oversaw global development of the PD-1 antibody across multiple tumor types, leading to several regulatory approvals. Before moving into industry, Dr Rietschel was an academic oncologist focused on breast cancer and melanoma, advancing translational research and biomarker-guided clinical trials.

Dr Rietschel earned her medical degree at the University of Heidelberg and continued her postgraduate training at Massachusetts General Hospital in internal medicine, followed by a fellowship in Oncology and Hematology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Her research interests include immuno-oncology, novel antibody platforms, and translational strategies to accelerate the development of innovative therapies for patients with cancer.

Alasdair has been with Gilead for three years, leading the Device Engineering group. Alasdair has spent 18yrs working on combination products for a number of pharma and biotech companies. Over the recent years he has played a pivotal role in the development and approval of a number of combination products spanning prefilled syringes, autoinjectors, and on-body delivery systems. He has also held roles in early concept development and commercial support during his career.

Alasdair holds a Master’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering from Cambridge University and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Glasgow University.