Professor Vladimir Brusic is the Vice President for Applied Research and Graduate Studies at the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST). He is an internationally recognized scientist with over 20,000 citations and over 250 publications, and a Foreign Member of the Serbian Academy of Engineering Sciences. He received a Doctor Honoris Causa from Semmelweis University, Hungary, in recognition of his scientific contributions. 
Professor Brusic holds a PhD in Computer Science from La Trobe University (Australia), MBA from Rutgers University (USA), MAppSci from RMIT University (Australia), and both MSci and BEng from University of Belgrade (Serbia). He has held senior academic and research leadership roles at institutions including, Boston University, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan, Harvard University’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, University of Queensland, along with visiting positions in Japan, China, and Europe. The pioneering contributions of Professor Brusic are primarily in the fields of immunoinformatics, vaccine research, and applications of artificial intelligence in biomedicine, where he has developed foundational methods, resources, and frameworks that have influenced both academic research and practical biomedical applications. 
Over his career, Professor Brusic has supervised numerous MSc and PhD students globally and led high-impact interdisciplinary projects spanning bioinformatics, health informatics, sustainability, and technology innovation. His work has been supported by competitive funding from major national and international agencies and has contributed directly to applied research commercialization, industry collaboration, and policy development. 
At UDST, Professor Brusic leads the Applied Research and Graduate Studies portfolio, driving the institution’s strategic agenda in applied research, innovation, and graduate education in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030, the Third National Development Strategy, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 

Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg is a distinguished leader in the fields of food systems and social inclusion, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to her current role as Managing Director for Africa at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT and as Trustee in the Board of Bioversity UK/USA. 
Dr. Kamau-Rutenberg joined the Alliance from the Ford Foundation where she was a Senior Fellow.  She has also served as the Founder & inaugural Executive Director of Black Women in Executive Leadership (B-WEL), as an Executive-In-Residence at Schmidt Futures, and as the inaugural Executive Director of the Rise program, a joint initiative of Schmidt Futures and the Rhodes Trust. 

Dr. Bernhard van Lengerich is the Founder and CEO of the Seeding the Future Foundation, a private philanthropic organization dedicated to addressing food security through accelerating sustainable, equitable, and climate-positive food systems innovations. Its flagship initiative is the Seeding the Future Global Food System Challenge, awarding USD 1 million annually to winning innovation teams worldwide, with a special focus on the Global South. 

Dr. van Lengerich began his career with apprenticeships as an artisan baker and pastry chef in his family’s business in Germany before studying at the Technical University of Berlin, where he earned his doctorate degree in food and biotechnology with summa cum laude. He held senior global leadership roles at Buhler AG in Switzerland and at General Mills in the United States, where he became the company’s first Chief Science Officer and Vice President of Technology Strategy. At General Mills he spearheaded breakthrough product and process innovations, supply chain productivity initiatives, established a novel “Cashless Venturing” model and a “Game Changer” innovation program. 

He has been an invited participant at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy under the Obama Administration to discuss global protein security, recognizing his long-standing commitment to aligning innovation with global food needs. 

Dr. van Lengerich is the inventor of more than 150 U.S. and international patents, a Fellow of the Institute of Food Technologists, Honorary Professor at the Technical University of Berlin, and Adjunct Professor at Purdue University, reflecting his dedication and support to the next generation of food scientists and innovators. 

Today, through the Seeding the Future Foundation, his various positions as Board Member in academia, research institutions and emerging enterprises, Dr. van Lengerich is committed to inspiring transformative food systems innovations that enable safe, nutritious, and trusted food for all while preserving planetary health. 

Vice President, Shanghai Ocean University 
Professor Weijie Ni was born in February 1968 in Shanghai. He is a member of the Communist Party of China and holds a postgraduate degree with a Master's degree in Medicine. He is also a certified Associate Chief Physician. Professor Ni has held various leadership positions throughout his career, including Deputy Director and Director of the Hospital Management Office at Shanghai Second Medical University, Director of the President's Office at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and Director of the General Office (Information Management Division) and First-Class Investigator at the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission. In April 2021, Professor Ni was appointed Vice President of Shanghai Ocean University.