2^nd World Congress on HUMAN GENETICS September 14-15, 2017 Edinburgh, Scotland

Dr. James D. Lauderdale is a cell biologist who graduated with a B.S (Bachelor of Science) degree in Biology & Chemistry in the year 1986. He obtained his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology from Perdue University (1986 -1992). After his PhD, he did his Postdoctoral in Neural development, axon guidance, eye development from the University of Michigan (1992 -2000). Since then he has been working as an associate professor in the University of Georgia till present.

One of the major challenges in neurobiology is understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying development of the vertebrate central nervous system (CNS). Dr James D Lauderdale laboratory research is about seeking to elucidate these mechanisms by studying development of the vertebrate forebrain and visual system. His lab studies these systems by taking advantage of mutations that affect development of the brain and eye in humans, mice, and Zebrafish. Because genetic approaches do not rely on previous assumptions, details about the mechanisms mediating development of the visual system and forebrain can be uncovered that might not be identifiable using other means. Dr Lauderdale’s lab is currently studying aniridia in humans and the Small eye trait in rodents.

Dr. James D. Lauderdale is a cell biologist who graduated with a B.S (Bachelor of Science) degree in Biology & Chemistry in the year 1986. He obtained his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology from Perdue University (1986 -1992). After his PhD, he did his Postdoctoral in Neural development, axon guidance, eye development from the University of Michigan (1992 -2000). Since then he has been working as an associate professor in the University of Georgia till present.

One of the major challenges in neurobiology is understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying development of the vertebrate central nervous system (CNS). Dr James D Lauderdale laboratory research is about seeking to elucidate these mechanisms by studying development of the vertebrate forebrain and visual system. His lab studies these systems by taking advantage of mutations that affect development of the brain and eye in humans, mice, and Zebrafish. Because genetic approaches do not rely on previous assumptions, details about the mechanisms mediating development of the visual system and forebrain can be uncovered that might not be identifiable using other means. Dr Lauderdale’s lab is currently studying aniridia in humans and the Small eye trait in rodents.

E Sacide Caglayan has completed her PhD in Medical Genetics from Afyon Kocatepe University in 2010 and worked as a Visiting Scholar in Ruohola-Baker Lab, Institute of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington. Presently, she is working as an Assistant Professor in Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Faculty of Health Science, Department of Nutrition in Ankara, Turkey.

Stem Cell Genetics

Dr. George Nemer earned his B.Sc degree in Biology from the American University of Beirut (1992). He received his Ph.D. degree in Molecular Pharmacology from the Université de Montréal (2002).He received many scholarships from Pfizer Canada and Gibco-Ingelheimer for his work on transcription factors in heart development and diseases. His major area of research is cardiac development and congenital heart diseases. He co-authors more than 35 publications in that field including a Cell paper in 2001, which made the cover of this prestigious journal. Since moving to AUB in 2002, Dr. Nemer has focused on the genetics of congenital heart disease building a DNA registry with Dr. Bitar, the first of its nature in the region. The identification of GATA4 by his team as one of the most important player in congenital heart disease earned him a reputation in the field that was translated in more than 100 citations of the article since its publication in 2006. Besides the focus on research, Dr. Nemer helped in re-launching the new PhD program in Basic Sciences and is a strong supportive of students’ research activities. Since 2002, more than 25 students earned their MSc degree in Biochemistry under his supervision, most of them are pursuing their PhD studies in the USA, and Canada.

Cardiovascular Genetics GATA factors Cardiac Development

Taosheng Huang, MD, PhD, is a physician-scientist with substantial experience in translation research, particularly in mitochondrial medicine. After obtaining his MD, PhD, Dr. Huang did his pediatrics residency at Georgetown University Hospital 1993 to 1996. He completed his clinical genetics and clinical molecular genetics fellowship at Harvard Medical School and became a junior faculty member at the Children’s Hospital at Harvard from 1999. Dr. Huang is board-certified in pediatrics, clinical genetics and clinical molecular genetics. Dr. Huang moved to UC Irvine in 2001 and became a independent investigator.

The primary interest of his lab is in translation research, such as the genetic basis of optic atrophy and other mitochondrial diseases. Dr. Huang has published over 50 articles on a variety of topics that range from genetic syndromes to molecular mechanisms with experience and spectrum of interests. Recently, he has been working on mitochondria-related optic atrophy and the molecular basis of other mitochondria disease. He served as the director for the MitoMed Molecular Diagnostics Lab at UC Irvine for 8 years. The laboratory is CLIA-certified and mainly engaged in the study of molecular basis of mitochondria disease. The mutation of mitochondrial genome causes many human conditions, including cancer, diabetes and degenerative neurological disorders. Recently, Dr. Huang moved to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center to direct the program of mitochondrial medicine. The goal of the program is to integrate the research, molecular testing and clinical service to improve the care of patients with mitochondrial disease.

Professor Howard’s passion for science and technology began during his childhood. He pursued his interests in his studies and in 2000 while a graduate member of the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Oxford, he proposed the Theory of Intention Awareness (IA). In 2002, he received a second doctoral degree in cognitive informatics and mathematics from the prestigious La Sorbonne in France. In 2007 he was awarded the habilitation a diriger des recherches (HDR) for his leading work on the Physics of Cognition (PoC) and its applications to complex medical, economical, and security equilibriums. In 2014 he received his doctorate of philosophy from the University of Oxford for his work on neurodegenerative diseases, specifically his “Brain Code” Theorem. His work has made a significant impact on the design of command and control systems as well as information exchange systems used at tactical, operational and strategic levels. As the creator of IA, Dr. Howard was able to develop operational systems for military and law enforcement projects. These utilize an intent-centric approach to inform decision-making and ensure secure information sharing. His work has brought him into various academic and government projects of significant magnitude, which focus on science and the technological transfer to industry. While Prof. Howard’s career formed in military scientific research, in 2002 he founded the Center for Advanced Defense Studies (CADS) a leading Washington, D.C, national security group. Currently, Dr. Howard serves as the Director of the Board. He also is a national security advisor to several U.S. Government organizations. Dr. Howard presently serves as Professor of Computational Neurology and Functional Neurosurgery at the University of Oxford and Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences at John Radcliffe Hospital. Prof. Howard is also the Founder and Director of the Oxford Computational Neuroscience Lab (OxCNL).

Prof. Howard has begun focusing on the development of functional brain and neuron interfacing abilities, he particularly concentrated on theoretical mathematical models to represent the exchange of information inside the human brain. This work, published in 2012, called the Fundamental Code Unit (FCU), has proven applicable in the diagnosis and study of brain disorders and has aided in developing and implementing necessary pharmacological and therapeutic tools for physicians. He has also developed individualized strategies to incorporate solutions for psychiatric and brain prosthetic.