Sam Vaknin is Visiting Professor of Psychology, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia and Professor of Finance and Psychology in CIAPS (Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies). Sam Vaknin is the author of Malignant Self-love: Narcissism Revisited and other books about personality disorders. His work is cited in hundreds of books and dozens of academic papers. He spent the past 6 years developing Cold Therapy: a treatment modality for Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). Over the years, with dozens of volunteers, he found that it was effective with clients suffering from a major depressive episode as well.

Personality disorders

Muralidhar L. Hegde (born October 09, 1977 in Kumta, India) is a neuroscientist and Associate Professor (term tenured) at Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston Texas. He previously held faculty position at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Hegde is recognized as one of the top young researchers in the field of Metal Toxicity and Oxidative Genome Damage Repair Deficits in Neurodegenerative Diseases, e.g., Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease. Hegde received his Masters degree in Biochemistry from Karnatak University, India with two gold medals, and doctorate-PhD in Neurochemistry from CFTRI, Mysore, India, during which he performed research in Max-Planck Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Gottingen, Germany as a DST-DAAD visiting fellow. He then received prestigious postdoctoral fellowship from American Parkinson's Disease Association in the laboratory of Dr. Sankar Mitra at University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Here he laid the foundation for his exciting research area of genome damage repair in brain diseases.

Genome damage and the mechanism of their repair (deficiencies) in human neurodegenerative disease.

Hazem is an experienced Healthcare Executive with solid history of success in new and existing Healthcare and Pharmaceutical industries with an extensive background in sales and marketing, team building, leadership, strategic planning and analysis. Strong ability to build and lead teams that meet and exceed designated goals and expectations and highly adept at developing and implementing programmes and initiatives that promote brand awareness and increase revenues. Hazem has demonstrated skills in managing projects from concept to completion ensuring on-time, on-budget, and on-target results. Hazem holds a bachelor degree of pharmaceuticals sciences from Cairo University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration, MBA, from University of Strathclyde Business School, Scotland, UK. Additionally, he has obtained his international certificate in Operations Management, Certified Business Operations Professional, accredited by International Academy of Business and Financial Management (IABFM). In addition to various academic education and certifications by reputable institutions, lastly the Middle East Healthcare Leadership Program by INSEAD. After working as a pharmacist for two years, Hazem started his career in the field of pharmaceutical sales and marketing for 11 years with multinational pharmaceutical companies, Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), UCB Pharma and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) across Egypt, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates with a successful track record of achievements. It was in 2013 when Hazem joined the American Center Group, the first specialized group in Mental Health and Neuroscience in UAE, as Training and Marketing Director and quickly he moved up the ranks to be the Director of Operations, and eventually taking control of this umbrella organization for its seven facilities across United Arab Emirates, American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology, American Center Pharmacy, American Center for Special Abilities and Boston Dental Center, as the Chief Operating Officer (COO). where he progressed in his career path at the American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology to be the and then their Chief Operating Officer. During those years, the group has spearheaded the development of new facilities, expanded through business communities across various industry sectors: aviation, healthcare, education and banking. Additionally, Hazem has managed various projects including, HIS Re-engineering, ISO Quality System Certification and establishment of new facilities. Mr. Kamal was the force behind the group efforts to become a leader in Corporate Wellness, and awarded in 2018 as the Corporate Wellness partner of the Year, by Daman, The National Health Insurance Company in UAE.

Psychology and mental health

Peter has applied 9 years of indepenedent applications of neuro-science into varios personal and professional activities. As part of his most powerful experiment as to learn how to fly an aircraft to develop his own brain areas, especially the pre-frontal cortex. Peter has then applied neuro-science to corporate recruitment, training in psychology- and memory-based investigatve interviewing applying trauma and sleep science from a neurological perspective towards assisting to recall memory whilst reducing the effects of post-traumatic stress disorders in the brain. Major oil and gas companies hava adapted several such neuro-scientific based insights into their activities. Peter is currently writing a book on the Neuro-Corporation with a focus on the top leadership – brain degenerations and the effects on the organisation.

Neuro-science,Training in psychology- and memory-based investigatve interviewing

Dr. Karichedu Joshi Hanumanthachar born on 5th march 1975 at Bellary , completed his doctorate from Guru jabmheshwar University of science and technology, Hisar, Haryana, India. His research interests are neuroscience, behavioral psychopharmacology, herbal psychotropics, standardization of phytopharmaceuticals, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Published more than 136 research papers in scientific journals and presented in various national and international conferences. He has published number of general articles on traditional medicine, Ayurveda rasayanas and phytomedicine. Editorial board member for international and national journals. Recognized as the most valuable reviewer by Lancet, BJPR, neuroscience journal. Reviewer for 43 international and national journals, scientific boards, Viz. Alzheimer’s disease international, UK, Alzheimer’s Association, USA, USA-ISRAEL Bi-national Science Foundation, Israel, etc. Received Sanshodhana deekshit award, young scientist award, young investigator scholarship award, travel grant/ fellowship awards from National institute of health, National institute of aging, Alzheimer’s association, USA, Alzheimer’s drug discovery foundation, UK, International brain research organization, Geneva, etc. Received 6 best research paper awards at international / national conferences. Authored three books on management and treatment of behavior disorders, MCQs for medical and pharmacy students, microbiology and biotechnology. Resource person for various conferences, symposiums, workshops, in India and abroad. Former Visiting faculty, Frankfurt University, Germany , Chicago state university, Governor’s university, USA , Has worked as research associate, Cadila health care ltd., Ahmedabad. He is currently working as professor and principal, Sarada Vilas College of Pharmacy, Mysore . Countries visited – USA , Germany , Gulf, Hong Kong , Nepal, Spain, canada . He is married to Dr. Sandhya who is a professor and an active researcher in medical data mining. They are blessed with a son Mr. Anirudh. His hobbies include medical astrology, classical music, and sports.

Traditional Medicine, Ayurveda, Herbal Psychotropics, Preclinical drug development, Pharmaceutical biotechnology

Charlotte K. Siya Charlotte Siya was born in Francistown Botswana, the first child of a single mother. She was raised in Francistown where she attended primary school through to senior secondary school in public schools. After high school she briefly studied in China. In 2013 she fell pregnant and stayed home to have her baby. Charlotte then decided to change career paths by enrolling in Botho University to study Accounts and be close to her infant daughter. In 2014 her long-term relationship with the father of her daughter came to an abrupt end which triggered psychological breakdown leading to her diagnosis with Bipolar I. It is then that her path in Mental Health awareness and advocacy began. Charlotte comes from a family of open minded cultural people but they had misconceptions about mental illness like most people do. So, when she was diagnosed with Bipolar, they struggled to understand and accept the situation. This on its own put a strain on the family and Charlotte. With time and patience, Charlotte educated them as she learned about her condition and the family rallied around her. Though she was accepted for her condition at home, she became acutely aware of the myriad of misconceptions the community has about mental illnesses during interactions with other people living with similar conditions. So, she set out to educate herself and those around her about mental health for the betterment of society. In May 2017, Charlotte decided to start an NGO with the mission to educate the public, help the mentally ill community and raise awareness on Mental Health; a significant but egregiously overlooked matter affecting us all. May 30th 2017 is when Charlotte chaired the first meeting of Valor Mental Health Foundation, a date chosen intentionally to coincide with her birthday. Since then she has been joined by other young people passionate about volunteering and helping others in the pursuit of a better society.

Mental Health awareness

Dr. Kadhim Alabady is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (FRCP – Glasgow). Hold a Doctorate degree in Public Health and Epidemiology, Master degree in Clinical Epidemiology (MSc), Master degree in Public Health (MPH), all from The Netherlands Universities with broad experience driving Research and Development (R&D) strategies and operations.

Epidemology

Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Queens University, Kingston, Ontario. At present is the clinical director of the Adult Community Division. Held the position of Clinical Director of the Acute Inpatient Unit between 2013 and 2016. Lead Psychiatrist for the Assertive Community Treatment Team since 2009. Had joined the department as an Assistant Professor in March 2009 and was promoted to Associate Professor in July, 2015. Trained in the University College of London, Camden and Islington Training Scheme Rotation. Did Medicine from Karachi, Pakistan practiced in Medicine and Family Medicine before going to the United Kingdom.

Schizophrenia