Our main theatre speakers
Dr Donald I. Abrams
Donald I. Abrams, MD. is a Professor Emeritus of Medicine at the University of California San Francisco. He has an Integrative Oncology consultation practice at the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Medicine. He received an A.B. in Molecular Biology from Brown University in 1972 and graduated from the Stanford University School of Medicine in 1977. After completing an Internal Medicine residency at the Kaiser Foundation Hospital in San Francisco, he became a fellow in Hematology/Oncology at the Cancer Research Institute of the University of California, San Francisco in 1980. He was one the original clinician/investigators to recognize and define many early AIDS-related conditions at San Francisco General Hospital where he also served as chief of Hematology-Oncology for 14 years. He has long been interested in clinical trials of complementary and alternative medicine interventions for HIV/AIDS and cancer, including evaluations of medicinal cannabis. In 1997 he received funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to conduct a clinical trial on the short-term safety of cannabinoids in HIV infection.
Subsequently he was granted funds by the University of California Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research to continue studies of the effectiveness of cannabis in a number of clinical conditions. He completed a placebo-controlled study of smoked cannabis in patients with painful HIV-related peripheral neuropathy as well as a study evaluating vaporization as a smokeless delivery system for medicinal cannabis. He conducted a NIDA-funded trial investigating the pharmacokinetic interaction between vaporized cannabis and opioid analgesics in patients with chronic pain. His last study was an NIH-funded trial evaluating vaporized cannabis in patients with sickle cell disease. He co-authored the chapter on “Cannabinoids and Cancer” in the Oxford University Press Integrative Oncology text that he co-edited with Andrew Weil. He co-edited the NCI PDQ CAM Cannabinoids and Cancer website for 13 years. He was a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine’s committee that published The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research in January 2017. He has received numerous awards recognizing his work in advancing cannabis as medicine.
MAIN THEATRE SPEAKER SESSIONS:
Saturday 21st June:
9:30am - Multimodal Prehabilitation and Group Care Approaches to Optimise Treatment Outcomes, speaker
Sunday 22nd June:
12pm - Effective Symptom Management in Integrative Oncology - Interventions and Supportive Care Models, speaker
Dr. Francesca Andreazzoli
Dr. Francesca Andreazzoli is a distinguished haematologist specialising in integrative oncology and nutrition. She serves in the Department of Hematology at Versilia Hospital in Tuscany, where she applies a holistic and evidence-based approach to patient care.
A recognised leader in her field, Dr. Andreazzoli is the Haematology Referent at the ARTOI Foundation and an active member of both the SIO and the Homeopathy SIO Group of Interest. She is also a lecturer in Integrative Oncology and Haematology at an Italian university, where she shares her expertise in microbiota research and its implications for haematological health.
Her research focuses on the role of nutrition, supplements, and complementary therapies in haematological conditions. She has authored numerous publications in esteemed journals, contributing to the evolving understanding of integrative approaches in haematology. Her work includes studies on integrative care for lymphoma and multiple myeloma, as well as the broader application of complementary modalities in haematological treatment.
Through her clinical work, academic contributions, and research, Dr. Andreazzoli is shaping the future of integrative haematology, bridging conventional medicine with innovative, patient-centered approaches.
MAIN THEATRE SPEAKER SESSION:
Saturday 21st June:
11am - Grand Round in Haematology - Case Presentation and Multidisciplinary Discussion, speaker
Dr Eran Ben-Arye
Prof. Eran Ben-Arye has an MD degree from the Faculty of Medicine of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. Prof. Ben-Arye is on the faculty of the Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, The Technion, and since 2022 serves as the Chairman, Department of family Medicine, in the Faculty of Medicine.
Prof. Ben-Arye is the founder and director of the Integrative Oncology Program at Lin, Carmel, and Zebulun Medical Centers, Haifa, Israel. He has been the chairperson of the Israel Society for Complementary Medicine of the Israel Medical Association. He is the Primary Researcher of the Middle East Research Group in Integrative Oncology (MERGIO) within the Middle East Cancer Consortium (MECC) and is an elected member of the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) Board of Trustees and serves as the SIO Regional Ambassador to Europe and the Middle-East.
His research interests include integrative and complementary medicine, family medicine, integrative oncology, medical education, doctor-patient communication, evidence-based medicine and research, and traditional and cross-cultural medicine. He has authored and co-authored 205 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals published in Pubmed/Medline and 9 chapters in oncology textbooks concerning integrative oncology, doctor-patient communication, sociology and nutrition.
Prof. Ben-Arye has constructed and co-conducted more than 20 clinical studies in the area of complementary and integrative medicine, including five randomized controlled studies. He is assigned as Associate Editor for Integrative Oncology in the BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care and as an Integrative Medicine section editor in Current Psychiatry Reports.
MAIN THEATRE CHAIR & SPEAKER SESSIONS:
Saturday 21st June:
9:30am - Multimodal Prehabilitation and Group Care Approaches to Optimise Treatment Outcomes, Chair & speaker
Sunday 22nd June:
9:30am - Integrative oncology in Cancer Survivorship - Rising to the Challenge, speaker
11am - Grand Round in High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer - Case Presentation and Multidisciplinary Discussion, speaker
2pm - Herbal Medicine Through the Integrative Oncology Patient Journey, speaker
Dr Thomas Breitkreuz
Dr. Thomas Breitkreuz is a specialist in Internal Medicine, Palliative Care and Anthroposophic Medicine in Germany. He is the Medical Director of Paracelsus-Hospital in Bad Liebenzell, Germany, an anthroposophic hospital with a model of fully integrated care (the whole medical staff, nurses and therapists provide a double qualification in both conventional and complementary medicine). Integrative Oncology and Integrative Palliative Care are a treatment focus of the clinic.
Dr. Breitkreuz is founder and spokesperson of the Competence Network for Integrative Medicine in the Federal State of Baden-Wuerttemberg, a close collaboration of 22 hospitals in southwest Germany dedicated to the implementation of Integrative Medicine treatment protocols in Cancer Care. He is vice president of the IVAA, the international federation of anthroposophisch medical associations. He serves as chairperson of Commission C (licensing and safety of anthroposophic medicinal products) at the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices in Bonn, Germany.
Dr. Breitkreuz is an experienced trainer for young doctors in internal and general medicine as well as in integrative medicine. He is active in many national and international research and training collaboration projects in the field of Integrative Oncology.
MAIN THEATRE CHAIR & SPEAKER SESSION:
Sunday 22nd June
11am - Grand Round in High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer - Case Presentation and Multidisciplinary Discussion, Chair
Dr Massimo Bonucci
Dr Massimo Bonucci, has M.D. degree from University of Pisa. He is oncologist and surgical pathologist in Italy. He introduced and developed integrative medicine in cancer care in Italy. Medical Oncologist works as Director Integrative Oncologist at Villa Benedetta, Nuova Villa Claudia, and Villa Anna Maria Hospitals inRome. Director to project “Integrative Oncology” at S. Andrea University Hospital in Rome. Founder and President of Foundation ARTOI (Association Research Integrative Oncology Therapy), a non-profit organization, the first in Italy to explain and develop Integrative medicine in cancer. He is the Director of Oncological Sciences Department Humanitas Consortium University in Rome. Director for the Master in Integrative Oncology of postgraduate program. Co-Director Master in Integrative Oncology at Sapienza University. Member of the International Exchange Commission Order of Physicians of Rome. Member of International Clinical Hyperthermia Society – Italian Network and Committee of SIIO (Italian Society Oncological Hyperthermia.
He is Visiting Professor at Zhejiang Chinese Medical University in Hongzhou, China. Member of SIO, Past- Co-chair of SIO Global Committee and now Ambassador in Italy. Member of Surgical Pathology ORCHIDEA Lab. in Rome. He is a member of IAP (International Academy of Pathology- Italian Division) and focused his work on breast cancer, brain cancer and pancreatic cancer.
MAIN THEATRE CHAIR & SPEAKER SESSIONS:
Saturday 21st June:
4pm - Natural Products - Research Updates in Integrative Oncology, speaker
Sunday 22nd June:
9:30am - Integrative Oncology in Cancer Survivorship - Rising to the Challenge, Chair
Prof Nazanin Derakhshan
Nazanin Derakhshan is a Professor of Experimental Psychology, Head of the Resilience and Posttraumatic Growth, and Head of the award winning Centre for Building Resilience in Breast Cancer (BRiC) at the National Centre for Integrative Oncology (NCIO), UK.
Naz spent 18 years in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Birkbeck University of London, UK, where she was promoted to Full Professor in 2012. She was voted a key transformational figure in 'Birkbeck Inspires, 200th anniversary', in 2022, for transforming the lives of thousands of women diagnosed with breast cancer through the research she conducts at BRiC.
Naz was awarded the Young Scientist and Early Career Award as a PhD student. She has conducted extensive research into the neurocognitive and social mechanisms underlying anxiety and depressive vulnerability, as well as developing neurocognitive interventions to reduce vulnerability and promote resilience. Naz has published over 100 research articles in top internationally recognised peer-reviewed journals. With her research being cited more than 18,000 times, her work has pioneered some of the most influential contributions in the field of anxiety and depression. Naz has acted as editor of pioneering academic journals in her field and supervised numerous PhD students to completion.
Naz has held prestigious fellowships such as The Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship. She was elected a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science in 2016. Naz has won multiple awards for outstanding lecturer and supervisor (as voted by students) as well as in research. She has given over 120 talks including invited talks and keynotes internationally, at prestigious institutions including the Royal Society, the British Academy, the Wellcome Trust, and the NIMH. Naz is passionate about public engagement and outreach and takes an active role in the dissemination of science in practice. Her work features widely on social media, podcasts and radio interviews. Naz works with the charities METUPUK and Breast Cancer Now, and is a consultant for the pharmaceutical company, Novartis.
MAIN THEATRE SPEAKER SESSION:
Sunday 22nd June:
9:30am - Integrative Oncology in Cancer Survivorship - Rising to the Challenge, speaker
Beverley de Valois
Beverley de Valois PhD LicAc FBAcC MBLS is a practising acupuncturist in the UK and a distinguished researcher of acupuncture for the supportive care of people living with and beyond cancer. For over 25 years she has been a Researcher in Integrative Medicine in the Supportive Oncology Research Team (SORT) in the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust incorporating Mount Vernon Cancer Centre. She has conducted several pioneering studies into using acupuncture to manage the consequences of cancer treatments.
Beverley is an Honorary Research Fellow in the School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol; a Fellow of the British Acupuncture Council; a Council Member of the British Society for Integrative Oncology (BSIO); and Past Chair of the British Lymphology Society (BLS) Scientific Committee.
She has many publications in scientific journals and is the lead author on “Acupuncture in Cancer Care: Recommendations for Safe Practice (peer-reviewed expert opinion)”. Beverley lectures internationally and is the author of “Acupuncture and Cancer Survivorship: Recovery, Renewal and Transformation” published by Singing Dragon. She has opened the first clinics in the UK to focus specifically on helping people to recover after cancer treatment.
MAIN THEATRE SPEAKER SESSION:
Saturday 21st June:
12pm - Grand Round in Breast Cancer - Case Presentation and Multidisciplinary Discussion, speaker
Catalina Fernández de Ana Portela
Catalina is the Founder and CEO of Hifas da Terra S.L. She is a member of the board of Hifas da Terraʼs Group.PhD in Medicine, licensed Biologist, mycologist and mycotherapist, she coordinates and supervises the company in the priority areas of management as well as development of new fungal products.
Catalina is currently involved in various R&D projects focused on mycology research applied to different fields of health, human and animal, and the environment as well as in the creation, production, and development of training programs on mushroom cultivation at university level.
MAIN THEATRE SPEAKER SESSION:
Saturday 21st June:
4pm - Natural Products - Research Updates in Integrative Oncology, speaker
Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel
Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel is an award winning Oxbridge-trained integrative medicine physician scientist and educator with over a decade’s experience in integrative healthcare. Dr Fuller-Shavel holds 4 Oxbridge degrees, including MB BChir (Medicine) and MA Hons Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge and distinctions in MSc Precision Cancer Medicine and PG Dip Health Research from the University of Oxford. Dr Fuller-Shavel is a Fellow of the College of Medicine, the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) and the Royal Society of Arts (RSA). Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel has co-chaired the BSIO (British Society for Integrative Oncology) over 2021-2023 and is the current Co-Chair of the BSIO Education Committee. Dr Fuller-Shavel is the SIO (Society for Integrative Oncology) Global Ambassador to the UK and the Co-Chair of the SIO Global Committee, actively contributing to several other SIO committees and special interest groups. Alongside her extensive scientific and medical training, Dr Fuller-Shavel holds multiple qualifications in nutrition, integrative medicine, health coaching, herbal medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, yoga, mindfulness and other therapeutic approaches. Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel has also recently co-authored the book ‘Integrative Oncology in Breast Cancer Care’ with Dr Penny Kechagioglou published by Springer in March 2024.
Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel is the founder and Director of Synthesis Clinic, an innovative multidisciplinary practice in Hampshire, specialising in women’s health, integrative pain care and integrative cancer care (integrative oncology) for children and adults. Alongside her clinical work, Dr Fuller-Shavel is a guest lecturer in integrative medicine for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and delivers independent educational courses for medical and nutrition professionals, including her Systems Approach to Cancer Programme. Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel participates in research in integrative oncology and precision health, is an expert integrative and supportive oncology abstract reviewer for international conferences and journals, and contributes to journal editorial boards (NMJ and IJIO) and guideline development panels nationally and internationally. Finally, Dr Fuller-Shavel holds two integrative oncology non-profit roles as the CEO of the UK NCIO (National Centre for Integrative Oncology) charity and the Co-Founder and Director of Oncio CIC, supporting access to services and best clinical practice and research in integrative oncology.
MAIN THEATRE CHAIR & SPEAKER SESSIONS:
Saturday 21st June:
2:30pm - Immuno-oncology from the Integrative Perspective - Mechanisms and Interventions, Chair & speaker
Sunday 22nd June:
9:30am - Integrative Oncology in Cancer Survivorship - Rising to the Challenge, speaker
2pm - Herbal Medicine Through the Integrative Oncology Patient Journey, speaker
Dr Carol Granger
Dr Carol Granger is a registered nutrition practitioner with a degree in biochemistry and a Master’s in microbiology. She had two decades of experience in bioscience research, microbiological diagnostics and medical technology before a career change to nutritional therapy. Her doctorate in health sciences from the University of Westminster involved researching nutritional therapy practice for people affected by cancer.
She has a particular interest in the human microbiome, the impact of nutrition and lifestyle on its composition, and its interactions with the processes of malignancy and immunity.
Carol is Co-Chair of the Research Council for complementary Medicine (RCCM) and has an interest in inter-professional collaboration and integrative cancer care. She contributes to an NIHR collaboration on nutrition for people affected by cancer, and also works with a collaboration of oncologists to provide evidence-based nutrition for survivorship. She also works as an adviser to Penny Brohn Cancer Care
Carol has published on several areas of biosciences including parenteral nutrition, human tissue banking and fluid separation technology in medicine. Her recent papers have explored professional regulation of complementary medicine and nutrition practice for people affected by cancer. She is a member of the Nutrition Society and the Microbiology Society, a chartered biologist and member of the Royal Society of Biology, a Fellow of the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine.
MAIN THEATRE CHAIR & SPEAKER SESSION:
Saturday 21st June:
9am - Grand Round in Haematology - Case Presentation and Multidisciplinary Discussion, Chair & speaker
Dr Shira Peleg Hasson
Dr Shira Peleg Hasson is a distinguished healthcare professional with over a decade of experience in medical oncology, specialising in gynecological cancers and breast cancer. After graduating with honours from Tel Aviv University, Dr Peleg Hasson pursued advanced specialisation in medical oncology and completed a prestigious clinical research fellowship at the Royal Marsden Foundation Trust. Her career reflects a strong commitment to clinical excellence, innovative research, and education, all aimed at enhancing the care and outcomes of cancer patients.
Dr Peleg Hasson has made significant contributions to oncology research, focusing particularly on improving the quality of life for patients with cancer. Her work has been widely published in top-tier, peer-reviewed journals, and she has presented her findings at international conferences, where she is recognized for her insights into cutting-edge cancer treatments.
Her clinical philosophy emphasizes a compassionate, integrative approach to cancer care. Driven by a commitment to holistic medicine, Dr Peleg Hasson combines evidence-based oncology with supportive therapies that address not only physical symptoms but also the emotional and social dimensions of cancer.
With her extensive background in clinical practice, research, and integrative care, Dr Peleg Hasson is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of her patients. She works closely with families and multidisciplinary teams, crafting individualized care plans to meet each patient’s unique needs and providing support throughout every stage of their journey.
MAIN THEATRE SPEAKER SESSION:
Sunday 22nd June:
11am - Grand Round in High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer - Case Presentation and Multidisciplinary Discussion, speaker
Ria Ingleby
Ria Ingleby is a leadership facilitator, executive coach, and meditation teacher whose work bridges the worlds of conscious leadership and integrative healing. She supports individuals and teams—particularly in healthcare, finance, and public service—to lead with clarity, courage, and care. Ria lives with cancer and brings deep lived experience of the oncology journey—her own, and that of her mother and grandmother. Since 2020, she has also been deeply engaged in integrative oncology, shaping her perspective on whole-person healing and the power of awareness in navigating life-threatening illness.
As Global Lead for Leadership Delivery at Potential Project, Ria works at the intersection of mindfulness, neuroscience, and ancient wisdom traditions to cultivate conscious leadership in complex systems. She designs and facilitates leadership retreats across the UK and Europe, and brings a presence that is grounded, warm, and quietly challenging. Ria is a qualified meditation teacher, having trained with Tibet House in New York, USA. She previously spent three years working at Headspace Inc., the pioneering meditation company founded by former Buddhist monk Andy Puddicombe. Her approach to leadership and personal transformation is deeply informed by her meditation practice and her belief in the healing power of presence, purpose, and attention.
Before joining Potential Project, Ria ran her own consultancy, partnering with senior leaders and boards to embed inclusive practices and navigate cultural transformation. Her career also includes senior HR roles at the Royal Bank of Scotland and Vodafone, grounding her work in real-world leadership challenges.
MAIN THEATRE SPEAKER SESSION:
Sunday 22nd June:
9am - Mindfulness and Conscious Leadership in Integrative Oncology, speaker
Dr Natalie Kalbermatten
Dr Natalie Kalbermatten trained in medicine at the University of Zurich. She is a specialist in internal medicine, medical oncology and palliative medicine (including an MSc in Palliative Care and Policy at King’s College, London), and specialised in herbal medicine (SMGP) and anthroposophic medicine (VAOAS).
She was involved in several research projects in oncology and palliative care, focusing on decision-making in advanced cancer, implementation of integrated oncology and palliative are and meaning of life and spirituality in advanced cancer, with presentation and publication of the research results at various congresses and scientific journals.
She is founding member and vice president of the Swiss Network for Integrative Oncology SNIO and works as consultant in medical oncology and integrative oncology at Münsterlingen cantonal hospital, Switzerland.
MAIN THEATRE SPEAKER SESSION:
Sunday 22nd June:
4pm - Multimodal Integration in Psycho-Spiritual Care: Challenges and Opportunities, speaker
Dr Klaus Kramer
Dr. Klaus Kramer, M.Sc. is Head of the Department of Integrative Medicine at the University of Ulm, Germany. With a background in visceral and transplant surgery, oncology, and integrative medicine, his clinical and scientific focus lies in integrative oncology, including lifestyle medicine, mindfulness-based approaches, and patient-centered care models. He holds a Master of Science in Advanced Oncology and certifications in naturopathy, MBSR, MBST, MBET, and MBCL.
Prof. Kramer is actively involved in medical education and research, leading initiatives like the REGIME registry for integrative medicine and programs such as IOS, IMPLEMENT, and PRIME.
MAIN THEATRE CHAIR & SPEAKER SESSION:
Sunday 22nd June:
9am - Mindfulness and Conscious Leadership in Integrative Oncology, Chair
Dr Penny Kechagioglou
Dr Penny Kechagioglou is a Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Chief Medical Officer for Icon UK and the Chief Clinical Information Officer/deputy CMO at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire. She holds leadership roles in various academic, digital and regulatory bodies, including being an advisor for the WHO academy for lifelong learning in health. Penny has completed a doctorate in leadership and innovation with Warwick business school and is the author of the book 'Healthcare Innovation Success: learning from organisational experience'. She also holds Masters in Public Health and Health Management, an MBA and a PGDip in Digital Health from the prestigious NHS Digital Academy.
Dr Penny is an undergraduate and postgraduate tutor, lecturer, mentor and professional health coach, she is the co-author of the book 'Integrative Oncology in Breast Cancer Care' and co-founder of the ONCIO CIC, the first ever Integrative Oncology app to support patients throughout their cancer journeys..
MAIN THEATRE CHAIR & SPEAKER SESSION:
Saturday 21st June:
12pm - Grand Round in Breast Cancer - Case Presentation and Multidisciplinary Discussion, Chair and speaker
Dr. Yair Maimon
Dr Yair Maimon, OMD, PhD, Ac, is an internationally renowned expert in Integrative and Chinese Medicine, with over 30 years of clinical, academic, and research experience in the United States, Europe, China, and Israel. He serves as the President of ETCMA the European TCM Association, representing TCM associations from 24 countries, and as the Vice President of WFAS the World Federation of Acupuncture .
Formerly, Dr Maimon directed the complementary medical unit at Tel Aviv Medical Center and founded an integrative oncology research center at Sheba Medical Center in Israel. He has published groundbreaking research in leading scientific journals, demonstrating promising results on the effects of herbal medicine in cancer care. He has been invited to present his findings at UNESCO and WHO meetings.
Dr Maimon is the founder and Dean of the TCM Academy of Integrative Medicine (TCM.AC) and has been a keynote speaker and instructor at numerous international conferences and post-graduate training seminars on Integrative and Chinese Medicine.
He recently co-authored the book TCM Oncology Insights with the late Giovanni Maciocia.
MAIN THEATRE SPEAKER SESSION:
Sunday 22nd June:
2pm - Herbal Medicine Through the Integrative Oncology Patient Journey, speaker
Simon Mills
Simon is a pioneer of the complementary and integrated health movements who has practised as a herbal practitioner in Exeter since 1977. He is author and co-author of standard textbooks on herbal medicine and now runs a self care support service plantguides.net from his practice.
In 1987 he co-founded the world’s first Complementary Health Masters and research programme at the University of Exeter, soon after a postgraduate herbal programme at Thomas Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia; in 2001 he coordinated the first integrated health course at a UK medical school at Peninsula Medical School, and then led the first Masters degree in herbal medicine in the USA, at the Maryland University of Integrative Health. With co-author Kerry Bone now teaches on the online Mills and Bone Academy and in many other professional settings.
Simon was from 1983 first Chair of the Council for Complementary and Alternative Medicine , later helping Royal Society of Medicine
President Sir James Watt organise the RSM Colloquia on complementary medicine. In the 1990’s he coordinated a major EU project on herbal medicine with 22 participating centres, was Special Adviser to the House of Lords report on Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and from 2008-11 coordinated a 4-centre Department of Health project which pioneered many of the elements of ‘social prescription’. He is Self Care Lead at the College of Medicine, and since 1997 Secretary of the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP) that produces European medicine dossiers on plant drugs. Simon’s interest in working in cancer care has been led by demands from many patients and was focused by a friendship with Penny Brohn
MAIN THEATRE CHAIR & SPEAKER SESSION:
Sunday 22nd June:
2pm - Herbal Medicine Through the Integrative Oncology Patient Journey, Chair and speaker
Prof Stephanie Otto
Prof. Dr. biol. hum. Stephanie Otto is a Sports Scientist (M.Sc.) and Exercise Oncology Physiologist from the very beginning of exercise oncology in the early 1990s. After leading an exercise oncology group at a rehabilitation clinic, she was the head of Exercise Oncology service at the Cancer Center North (UKSH). As a Senior Sports Scientist at the Department of Sports Medicine at Ulm University Hospital, she completed her PhD in Human Biology in 2015. She is currently Senior Scientist of the Department of Exercise Oncology at the Comprehensive Cancer Center Ulm (CCCU) at Ulm University Hospital and owns a visiting professorship at Universidad Fundación H.A. Barceló in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Since more than 23 years she trains sports scientists in the field of exercise oncology at both, national and international level. Dr. Otto has been researching the positive effects of sport and exercise in the context of cancer for more than 35 years and in prehabilitation since more than 13 years. She has published numerous nationally and internationally renowned scientific papers in this context. Her research strategy is quite different from the usual one, more precisely, she calls it bottom-up research rather than top down. This means that she transfers her therapeutic methods, which have proven successful in daily clinical work, into study concepts and then investigates them in larger scientific studies. For example a pilot study investigates the feasibility of a prehabilitation integrative day clinic for patients during neoadjuvant treatment prior to surgery. Her actual research focuses on the link between fascia and cancer, especially on myofascial release and scar remodeling in bilateral mastectomized patients and also on the effects of fascial treatment on patients suffering from corticosteroid induced myopathy due to graft versus host disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. With the chapter “The Role of Fascia in Oncology” she contributed to the second edition of the book “Fascia: The Tensional Network of the Human Body: The science and clinical applications in manual and movement therapy (Editors: Schleip R, Stecco C, Driscoll M, Huijing P.A., Elsevier). She perceives great potential both in the pathophysiological mechanisms of tumor development and in the therapeutic potential of fascia treatments in relation to the side effects of tumor therapy.
MAIN THEATRE SPEAKER SESSION:
Sunday 22nd June:
11am - Grand Round in High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer - Case Presentation and Multidisciplinary Discussion, speaker
Dr Channing Paller
Dr Paller is an Associate Professor and Clinician-Scientist focused on translating basic scientific findings into treatments that improve clinical outcomes and reduce toxicities for men with prostate cancer. She has established a growing portfolio of investigator-initiated phase I clinical trials of natural products including Pcur-101 (plumbagin), pomegranate, mistletoe, and muscadine grape skin as well as later phase trials of Vitamin-C combined with docetaxel and separately olaparib/Vitamin C, olaparib/abiraterone in rare genetic mutations, ODM-201 combined with docetaxel (now FDA approved), PI3KI and docetaxel, and the TGF-beta receptor inhibitor galunisertib combined with enzalutamide.
She serves as national or Johns Hopkins PI on all of those trials. She is President Elect and serves on the board and the executive committee of the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO), is a member of the NCI PDQ Cancer Complementary Alternative Medicine Editorial Board, PCCTC DOD executive committee (as well as germline and trial design subgroups), and Innovation in Cancer Informatics Reviewer. Her expertise in trial initiation spans protocol development, IND development, navigation of FDA requirements, and IRB approvals, as well as the recruiting, management and analysis for early phase trials. She is also co-I on several genetically targeted therapeutic trials at all stages and national coPI on the PROMISE trial, providing 5000 men with free germline screening and matching them to trials, which is currently making an effort to increase participation by African American men.
She serves as Director of Prostate Cancer Clinical Research at Hopkins, manages the DOD Prostate Cancer Consortium Hopkins site grant, and hosts a prostate cancer biomarker collection protocol from which she has published data which will be important in terms of biospecimen collection and collaboration with her colleagues. She has worked with the VA leadership to establish an executive committee for Prostate Research Outcomes and Findings via Optimized Unified National Data in Veterans (PROFOUND-VET). This project complements her ongoing work, and she will collaborate with her colleagues to evaluate real world data with the goal of informing future guidelines and clinical trials. She is the Director of Oncology for the Johns Hopkins Clinical Research Network.
She is President Elect for SIO and will serve as President for SIO starting in October 2025.
MAIN THEATRE CHAIR & SPEAKER SESSION:
Saturday 21st June:
4pm - Natural Products - Research Updates in Integrative Oncology, Chair and speaker
Dr Maryam Rassouli
Dr Maryam Rassouli is a Full Professor at the School of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Sultanate of Oman, and a former professor at Cancer Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (SBMU), Tehran, Iran.
She has supervised or co-advised over 150 PhD and Master’s theses since 2012. Her research contributions include being the corresponding author and co-author of more than 300 articles in peer-reviewed journal. Most of these publications are in the field of palliative care, including psychological and spiritual aspects of cancer care, and development models and service packages for the provision of such services at national and regional levels.
Additionally, she serves as an associate editor for Seminars in Oncology Nursing and the International Journal of Cancer Management, and she is an editorial board member of several journals, including the Asia Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing.
Her administrative experience includes roles such as Director General of Nursing Services at the Iranian Ministry of Health & Medical Education (MoHME) and member of the National Nursing Educational Board. Since 2019, she has also been a temporary advisor in palliative care for EMRO WHO.
MAIN THEATRE CHAIR & SPEAKER SESSION:
Sunday 22nd June:
4pm - Multimodal Integration in Psycho-Spiritual Care: Challenges and Opportunities, Chair & speaker
Prof P.G. Roy
Prof P.G. Roy is an Associate Professor at University of Oxford, Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon and Director (clinical) for cancer services at Oxford University Hospitals. She is passionate about holistic care for patients undergoing cancer treatment and has established a high-quality breast oncoplastic unit in Oxford with active engagement in clinical trials and research and training.
She is the principal investigator for several national and international trials in breast surgery and has published several papers and book chapters on Oncoplastic breast surgery. She is the Surgery Specialty lead for South Central England delivery research network and is the founder course director for internationally renowned ABS-OOPS course.
She is the founder trustee of Oxford Breast Buddy Group, a registered Charity in UK, to facilitate emotional and psychological support to women with breast cancer.
MAIN THEATRE SPEAKER SESSIONS:
Saturday 21st June:
12pm - Grand Round in Breast Cancer - Case Presentation and Multidisciplinary Discussion, speaker
Sunday 22nd June:
9:30am - Integrative Oncology in Cancer Survivorship - Rising to the Challenge, speaker
Dr Friedemann Schad
Dr. med. Friedemann Schad is specialist in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. Since 2010 he is Head of the Oncology Center at the Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Havelhöhe, Berlin (Germany). He is Member of Management of the Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Havelhöhe, the Research Institute Havelhöhe, Berlin (Germany) and Netzwerk Onkologie. Friedemann Schad is a member in Tumorzentrum Berlin und Tumorzentrum gemeinnütziger & konfesioneller Krankenhäuser in Berlin e.V.
Head of Berlin’s Oncology Center at Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Havelhöhe (Berlin, Germany)
Board Member of the Havelhöhe Research Institute and Havelhöhe Hospital
Member of Berlin’s Tumorzentrum
MAIN THEATRE SPEAKER SESSION:
Saturday 21st June:
2:30pm - Immuno-oncology from the Integrative Perspective - Mechanisms and Interventions, speaker
Dr Georg Seifert
Professor Dr. med. Georg Seifert is a distinguished senior physician specializing in pediatrics. He holds the prestigious position of Europe’s first professorship in integrative medicine in pediatrics at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany, and serves as a Visiting Professor at the University of São Paulo, Brazil.
At Charité, Professor Seifert leads a groundbreaking project aimed at establishing a center dedicated to translating experiential traditional and integrative medicine (TCIM) into evidence-based practices supported by scientific data. This initiative seeks to broaden opportunities for individual health promotion, prevention, and therapy within society, with a particular emphasis on children and adolescents. His research interests span across various areas, including mind-body medicine, nutrition, and whole medical systems.
Professor Seifert’s work is driven by a deep commitment to exploring the intersection of TCIM with modern healthcare systems. He is passionate about harnessing the potential of TCIM to drive innovation and sustainability in healthcare delivery, aligning with the global strategy outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO), where he serves as a TCIM expert.
MAIN THEATRE SPEAKER SESSION:
Saturday 21st June:
9:30 - Multimodal Prehabilitation and Group Care Approaches to Optimise Treatment Outcomes, speaker
Dr Florian Strasser
Florian Strasser is a board certified Internist (SGAIM) and Medical Oncologist (SGMO), a Specialist for Palliative Medicine (palliative.ch), Clinic Nutrition (GESKES) and Psychosomatic and Psychosocial Medicine (SAPPM), and certified for individualized Homeopathy (SVHA), Anthroposophic Medicine (VAOAS), and Evaluation in Insurance Medicine (SIM).
He contributed to the scientific and clinical development of Integrated Oncology and Palliative Care (also as prior chair of the ESMO Designated Centers Working Group), of nutrition in cancer care from prevention to end-of-life with special emphasis in cancer cachexia (also as prior chair of the MASCC working group Nutrition and Cachexia) of Fatigue Management and cancer rehabilitation in survivorship and advanced cancer, and recently with a new emphasis on integrative oncology.
Currently he works clinically and scientifically with emphasis on Cancer Fatigue, Nutrition / Cachexia, Surviorship and Integrative Oncology, as Senior Research Consultant in Integrative Medicine in St. Gallen and is academically affiliated with the University of Bern. He lives in north-eastern Switzerland with his family.
MAIN THEATRE SPEAKER SESSION:
Sunday 22nd June:
12pm - Effective Symptom Management in Integrative Oncology - Interventions and Supportive Care Models, speaker
Prof Robert Thomas
Prof Robert Thomas trained as an oncologist at The Middlesex, Royal Marsden and Royal Free Hospitals. His masters degree was based at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square and Duke University North Carolina. Now at UCLH, he is head of integrative oncology within the Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine. In this role he advises patients on nutritional, lifestyle and other self care strategies to enhance outcomes after cancer, reduce side effects of treatments and improve overall wellbeing.
He was an editorial member of the NICE guidance on supportive care, oncology lead for the DoH working party for Complementary Medicines and was an editorial member of the NCRN complementary medicine committee.
He is also currently a consultant oncologist at Addenbrooke and Bedford and Hospitals where he manages patients with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormones and the newer biological treatments. He remains a clinical teacher at Cambridge University, a professor of sports and nutritional science at the University of Bedfordshire and author of the book How to Live.