Samuel C. F. Couto, PhD, is a researcher at the Blood Center of São Paulo (Fundação Pró-Sangue) and also serves as an associate researcher at the University of São Paulo in Brazil. After earning his degree in Biological Sciences from PUC-Campinas University, Dr. Couto pursued a PhD in Biotechnology at the University of São Paulo, followed by postdoctoral fellowships at both the University of São Paulo's Medical School and Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. He is particularly interested in increasing access to cellular and gene therapies in lower-middle-income countries. He also leads the Laboratory of Stem Cell Processing at the University of São Paulo’s Clinics Hospital (HC/FMUSP).

Lilia C. León-Moreno, PhD, is a posdoctoral researcher focused on the study of exosomes and mesenchymal stromal cells as a potential therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. She is interested in increasing the knowledge of the medical and scientific communities, and general public about advanced therapies and establishing a regulatory framework that enables the development of these therapies in Latin America. She is currently involved in the planning of a CDMO for cell therapy in Jalisco.

Virginia Picanço e Castro, PhD, is a prominent researcher at the Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto in Brazil, where she focuses on pluripotent stem cells and cell reprogramming. After earning her degree in Biological Sciences from the University of São Paulo, Dr. Picanço e Castro pursued a Ph.D. in Genetics at the Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, followed by postdoctoral fellowships at both the Regional Blood Center and Indiana University. Her research explores the complex pathways involved in cell reprogramming, specifically aiming to generate pluripotent stem cells from human somatic cells. She also investigates the molecular mechanisms that regulate the differentiation of hematopoietic and pluripotent stem cells, with the ultimate goal of developing effective in vitro differentiation protocols.

Dr. Picanço e Castro’s work aims to create a comprehensive database of genomic proto-proteins involved in hematopoietic differentiation, which could lead to new gene overexpression techniques that enhance cell differentiation and reprogram fibroblasts into adult blood cells. Her research is highly relevant to Brazil's burgeoning biotechnology sector, with the potential to offer safer and more efficient stem cell-based therapies. She collaborates with leading national and international researchers and guides a team of students at the Biotechnology Laboratory Group, contributing to significant advancements in regenerative medicine and therapeutic innovation.

Andrés Gomez-De Léon, MD, is based in a University Hospital in Mexico and focuses on acute leukemia and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. He is committed to enhancing healthcare access in low-resource settings, aiming to provide high-quality, cost-effective care. His institution is Mexico's largest transplant center, known for its pioneering work in outpatient allogeneic transplants. A graduate and faculty member of the American Society of Hematology Clinical Research Training Institute, he collaborates globally, drives clinical trials in leukemia, and builds a diverse research team. He also creates educational content in Spanish to promote hematology research and training across borders.

Chase D. McCann, PhD, MSPH, is an Assistant Research Professor of Pediatrics at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and the Assistant Director of Manufacturing at Children's National Hospital Cell Therapy Laboratory. He completed his Ph.D. in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis at Weill Cornell in 2020, following an M.S. in Public Health Microbiology from The George Washington University and a BSc in Biology and Neuroscience Psychology from UMass Amherst. His professional journey includes leadership roles in cell therapy and research positions at top institutions such as the University of North Carolina and Weill Cornell Medicine. Dr. McCann's research focuses on immune system mechanisms and cell therapy advancements, contributing to significant developments in pediatric and public health immunology.