Dr. Srinivas K. Rao, DO, DNB, FRCSEd,
Director – Darshan Eye Care & Surgical Centre, Chennai, India.
Hon. Associate Professor, DOVS, Chinese University of Hong Kong

Dr. Srinivas K. Rao is a distinguished ophthalmologist and Director of Darshan Eye Care & Surgical Centre, Chennai. A former Senior Consultant at Sankara Nethralaya in Chennai, India and Honorary Associate Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, he has extensive expertise in corneal diseases, refractive surgery, and advanced ocular surface reconstruction. Trained internationally across the USA, Canada, and Europe, Dr. Rao has delivered over 600 lectures and published more than 190 peer-reviewed articles. His work spans clinical innovation, research, and education, making him a leading authority in ocular surface therapies and regenerative ophthalmology.
Title: Cell based therapies for Ocular Surface Diseases.

Prof. Dr. Muralidhar L. Hegde, Ph.D. F-ABAP,
Everett E. and Randee K. Bernal Centennial Endowed Chair of Neurological Institute., Professor, Department of Neurosurgery., Director (Inaugural), Division of DNA Repair Research , Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston Methodist, Houston, Texas, USA

Dr. Muralidhar L. Hegde is Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery and a leading investigator at the Center for Neuroregeneration at Houston Methodist Research Institute, where he holds the Everett E. and Randee K. Bernal Centennial Endowed Chair. His research focuses on understanding genome damage and DNA repair mechanisms in the nervous system and translating these findings into therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders, including stroke, brain hemorrhage, ALS, and frontotemporal dementia. Dr. Hegde’s laboratory employs advanced approaches such as CRISPR Cas9 genome editing, patient derived induced pluripotent stem cells, molecular assays, and transgenic mouse models to study genome stability and neuronal survival. His work has revealed important links between defective DNA repair pathways and neuronal dysfunction, opening avenues for targeted therapies. He earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Neurosciences from the University of Mysore, India, and conducted doctoral research at the Max Planck Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany. Before joining Houston Methodist in 2013, he served on the faculty at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston. Dr. Hegde’s research has been continuously supported by the National Institutes of Health and major organizations including the Alzheimer’s Association, ALS Association, American Parkinson Disease Association, and Muscular Dystrophy Association. He has authored over 100 peer reviewed publications and serves on the editorial boards of several leading neuroscience journals.
Title: Development of SH-SY5Y cell lines and its significance in addressing diseases originating due to protein-misfolding at cellular level.

Prof. K. S. Jagannatha Rao,
PhD, FNASc, FABAP, FABS, FLS (UK), FRSB (UK), FRSC (UK), FAPAS, FTWAS
Pro-Chancellor, Koneru Lakshmaiah Deemed to be University, Vijayawada, India

Prof. K. S. Jagannatha Rao is Pro-Chancellor of Koneru Lakshmaiah Deemed to be University, Vijayawada, and an internationally recognized neuroscientist and biomedical researcher. He has held key academic and advisory positions in India, the USA, Panama, and Dubai, contributing significantly to neuroscience, clinical research, bioinformatics, and translational medicine. Prof. Rao played a major role in establishing multiple research and clinical trial centres in Panama and strengthening bioethics and clinical research infrastructure. A former Scientist at CSIR-CFTRI, Mysore, he has received several international fellowships and recognitions. His research spans neuroscience, toxicology, AI in brain disorders, and molecular medicine.

Dr. K. Raghavan,
MBBS, MD (Paediatrics), FRCPCH (UK)
Developmental Paediatrician; Specialist in General Paediatrics & Paediatric Neurology. RK Maples Hospital, Madurai, India

Dr. Raghavan is a developmental paediatrician at RK Maples Hospital, Madurai, with special expertise in rare neurological diseases and developmental and behavioural disorders in children. After completing his MD in Paediatrics, he pursued advanced clinical fellowships in Neonatology and Paediatrics across Australia and the UK. He previously served as Clinical Director at Bedford General Hospital NHS, England. Dr. Raghavan administered India’s first exon skipping genetic therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and leads a specialised Muscular Dystrophy Centre in Madurai. He has also authored and co-authored several scientific publications in neonatal intensive care and behavioural health in children.