FACULTY
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Dr. Valerie Callender
Dermatologist, USA
Dr. Valerie Callender
Dr. Valerie D. Callender is a Board-Certified Dermatologist who is known for her sensitive and cutting-edge approach to the management of hair loss in women and the treatment of pigmentation disorders. Dr. Callender has performed leadership roles in many dermatological organizations, including the Women’s Dermatologic Society and the Skin of Color Society, which she is Past President of both societies, and has served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Callender is the current President of the American Dermatological Association, the oldest Dermatologic Society in the United States. She is the Founder and Medical Director of the Callender Dermatology & Cosmetic Center and Founder and Principal Investigator for Callender Center for Clinical Research, which are in the Washington, DC metropolitan region. Dr. Callender received her medical degree from Howard University, where she also did her residency and currently serves as Professor of Dermatology at the College of Medicine. She is the recipient of the Women’s Dermatologic President’s Award and Mentor of the Year Award, and the Dermatology Foundation’s Clark W. Finnerud Award. The Clark W. Finnerud Award is given each year to an individual who has devoted extraordinary time and talent as a part-time teacher and clinician.
Mr. Dalvi Humzah
Plastic surgeon, UNITED KINGDOM
Mr. Dalvi Humzah
Mr Dalvi Humzah is a consultant plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon. He is a member of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS), the United Kingdom Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (UKAAPS), American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS). He has been voted Aesthetic Practitioner of the Year 2016-17 and won multiple awards for his teaching in Facial Aesthetics. In 2022 he was awarded the Aesthetics Journal Award for Outstanding Achievement. He is a member of the Private Practice Committee of the BMA and the Continuing Education Committee of ASPS/PSF from 2020 – 2021. He was chairman of the Educational Board of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine 2018-2021. As the medical director and lead tutor of Medicos Rx he has been involved in delivering the multi- award-winning Dalvi Humzah Aesthetic Training courses: Advanced Facial Anatomy, Complications, Injectable Training and Training Aesthetic Trainers. He is a founding member of the Academy of Clinical Educators at the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and delivers anatomical teaching, with dissections. Internationally, Mr Humzah offers plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery and non-surgical aesthetic procedures.
Dr. Hema Sundaram
Dermatologist, USA
Dr. Hema Sundaram
Dr Hema Sundaram is a fellowship-trained, American board-certified dermatologist, and founding director of her cosmetic dermatology, laser and surgery clinics in suburban Washington, D.C.,USA. She has a special interest in elucidating the scientific basis of new technologies, and a commitment to applying science in the service of patient safety. Dr Sundaram holds masters and medical degrees with honours from Cambridge University in England. She completed dermatology residency at the University of Chicago, post-doctoral research in molecular biology, and a medical staff research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health where she served as a lieutenant commander in the Commissioned Corpsof the USA Public Health Service. Dr Sundaram is a visiting professor for the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), co- chair of the ASDS International Traveling Mentorship and Fellowship Recognition Programs Work Group and appointed as a mentor for the ASDS Future Leaders’ Network to prepare the next generation of leaders in dermatologic surgery. She has received awards for her clinical and research work and her publications. She serves as a session director, moderator and faculty speaker at the ASDS and American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) annual meetings, on the ASDS Cutaneous Events Procedures Event Registry (CAPER) Task Force, the AAD Sulzberger Dermatologic Institute and Education Grants Committee, and the Skin of Color Society Development and Research Committees. She is a keynote speaker at plastic, oculoplastic and facial plastic surgery academy conferences. Dr Sundaram is a principal investigator for US FDA clinical trials of injectables, lasers, devices, and topical therapies, and an advisor on regulatory submissions, development of study protocols and assessment scales in North America, Europe, and Asia. She directs educational initiatives and conferences worldwide and founded the Global Aesthetics Alliance, which brings together dermatologists, plastic surgeons and scientists from throughout the world to forge collaborations that optimise procedural safety and outcomes.
Dr. David Funt
Plastic Surgeon, USA
Dr. David Funt
Dr. David K. Funt is a board-certified plastic surgeon with expertise in cosmetic surgery. He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of prominent organizations, including the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, the Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons, and the New York Regional Society of Plastic Surgeons. Additionally, Dr. Funt is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Funt earned his Bachelor of Science degree with distinction from Cornell University and his MD degree with distinction from The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. He completed his residencies in general and plastic surgery at Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center and the Hospital for the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, with additional specialized training in burn and microvascular surgery.
Since completing his training, Dr. Funt has been actively involved in resident education. He served as an Assistant Clinical Professor in Plastic Surgery at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and more recently at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He also holds a Certificate of Advanced Education in Cosmetic Surgery from the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Funt is a national instructor for Galderma Inc., the makers of Dysport and the Restylane family of fillers, and Merz USA, the makers of Belotero, Xeomin, and Radiesse. He serves as the medical director for Merz USA, Revance, and Galderma, and is a founding member of the Liquid Facelift Association.
Dr. Funt performs surgeries in his state-of-the-art facility in Woodmere, Long Island, which is accredited by the American Association for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities. He also maintains an additional office in Roslyn Heights, NY. His team consists of board-certified anesthesiologists, physician assistants, registered nurses, patient coordinators, and medical assistants, all dedicated to delivering the highest quality of care, with a focus on compassion and safety.
Dr. Funt is affiliated with several prominent hospitals, including Mount Sinai Hospital, North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, and South Nassau Communities Hospital.
Dr. Thomas Rappl
Plastic Surgeon, AUSTRIA
Dr. Thomas Rappl
Thomas Rappl, MD, is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, born in Graz, Austria. He is now working in the Medical University hospital Graz as a Reconstructive and Aesthetic surgeon, focusing on research and education in the field of Aesthetic surgery-and medicine. He is the medical director of MARA (medical aesthetic research academy). Offices of MARA are located in Vienna, Graz, 5* Imlauer Hotel Schloss Pichlarn and Beausoleil/ France.
Having held a lot of international lectures and workshops and having received different awards in Aesthetic Medicine and aesthetic surgery he is a key opinion leader for different international companies. He has performed lots of different medical studies in the field of aesthetic medicine and plastic surgery at the Medical University, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery.
Since several years he is the coordinator of the IMCAS Academy Alert Group of injectables and member of the IMCAS scientific board.
Working worldwide as KOL for Euromedicom, 5cc, ASDS, ISAPS and many other international conferences he is also educating colleagues in anatomical labs.
Dr. Steven Cohen
Plastic Surgeon, USA
Dr. Steven Cohen
Dr. Steven Cohen is an internationally recognized plastic surgeon, inventor, author, artist, entrepreneur, and lifelong student. Dr. Cohen has been called “a master of face transformation and the most exquisite artist in the beauty world”. His work focuses on aesthetic facial beauty created through exclusive regenerative surgical techniques that Dr. Cohen has developed. He is in private practice in La Jolla California and a Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery at the University of California, San Diego. Together with Dr. Tunc Tiryaki and a group of scientists and genetic engineers, Dr. Cohen co-founded the Mage Biotechnology Group, a company focused exclusively on regenerative medicine, surgery and longevity. He was named as one of the top 100 plastic surgeons in the US by Newsweek in 2021, 2022, 2023 and in 2024, where he was listed as #8 for facelift in the US and #1 in Southern California. He has served on the editorial boards of Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, the Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, the Annals of Plastic Surgery, and presently is on the editorial boards of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal and the Journal of Aesthetic Surgery. He has written over 170 publications and edited three textbooks in Plastic Surgery, one of which, on aesthetic fillers has been translated into Korean and Mandarin. He recently completed a third textbook, Regenerative Facial Surgery (QMP, Inc.) In addition to his medical career, Dr. Cohen is an artist, and his paintings are in nearly 100 private collections. In 2015 Dr. Cohen had a solo exhibition in Paris at the Gallery Beres. He continues to show and sell his work, donating the proceeds to Fresh Start Surgical Gifts and other worthwhile organizations.
Dr. Zoe Draelos
Dermatologist, USA
Dr. Zoe Draelos
Zoe Diana Draelos, MD, is a research and clinical board-certified dermatologist and a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. She is in solo private practice in High Point, North Carolina, and a Consulting Professor of Dermatology at Duke University. In 1988, she founded Dermatology Consulting Services, PLLC, to initiate and perform research in aging skin, acne, rosacea, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, actinic keratoses, eczema, and aesthetic procedures in the cosmetic, OTC drug, and pharmaceutical arenas. Prior to pursuing a medical career, Dr. Draelos completed an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering and was elected a Rhodes Scholar. A member of Sigma Xi research honorary and Alpha Omega Alpha medical honorary, she is author of 14 books including Cosmetics in Dermatology and Hair Cosmetics. She is the editor of Cosmetic Dermatology: Products and Procedures (third edition) and Cosmeceuticals (fourth edition) with translations into 7 languages. She has contributed chapters to 44 textbooks, written 173 posters, served as the principal investigator on 982 studies, written 650 published papers, served on or contributed to 38 journal editorial boards, functioned as the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology for 10 years, and was a past member of the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. She was elected Vice-President of the American Academy of Dermatology. She is recognized as a pioneer in cosmetic dermatology and received a lifetime achievement award from Health Beauty America for her research and the 2008 DermArts award for her contributions to dermatology. In 2010, she received the Albert Kligman Innovation Award and in 2016 she was awarded a Presidential Citation from the American Academy of Dermatology for her research contributions to advance the specialty. She received the prestigious Maison deNavarre award from the Society of Cosmetic Chemists for her contributions to the art and science of cosmetics in 2017. In 2019, she was the inaugural recipient of the Florence Wall Award from the Society of Cosmetics Chemists naming her as the most influential women in cosmetic science.
Dr. Peter Velthuis
Dermatologist, NETHERLANDS
Dr. Peter Velthuis
Dr Peter Velthuis, MD PhD, dermatologist, NetherlandsDr Peter Velthuis was trained as a dermatologist at Utrecht University Hospital in the Netherlands. During his training and several years after that, he directed research as head of the section of immunohistochemistry. He received his PhD in 1990 for a thesis regarding photo-immunology in lupus patients. In 1993, he started his private cosmetic dermatology clinic in Eindhoven. This evolved into the largest chain of cosmetic clinics in the Netherlands with 14 locations. In 2015 Dr Velthuis returned to university, Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam. He is currently head of the Division of Cosmetic Dermatology in the Department of Dermatology.Dr Velthuis is president-elect of the European Society for Cosmetic and Aesthetic Dermatology (ESCAD). He is founder and board member of NVCD (Dutch Society for Cosmetic Dermatology) and president of DALA (Dutch Aesthetic Laser Association). Together with Dr Leonie Schelke, he has founded Cutaneous, a company that is dedicated to the education of cosmetic medical specialist in ultrasound imaging. Both are recognised as world-leading experts in this field. In the past five years, they have published many articles in prestigious medical journals.Dr Velthuis is and has been consultant for many different companies, including several laser, injectables and skin rejuvenation companies. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics.
Dr. Joan Vandeputte
Plastic Surgeon, BELGIUM
Dr Joan Vandeputte
Dr. Vandeputte trained in plastic surgery at the AZ ST-Jan in Brugge, Belgium and at the City Hospital in Nottingham, UK. He is a fellow of the Collegium Chirurgicum Plasticum (Belgium) and of the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic surgery. He is a full member of the Royal Belgian Society for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (BSPRAS) and of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS).
Dr. Vandeputte founded the division of plastic surgery in the Oudenaarde General Hospital in 1995. His prime interests are functional and aesthetic surgery of the eyelids, aesthetic facial surgery and facial reshaping, breast and body contouring and genital corrections.
His private practice is entirely devoted to minimally invasive cosmetic procedures and clinical studies.
He gives workshops and presentations at plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine meetings across the world. He designed and chaired the four editions of the Algeness Inject and Dissect Course in Amman, Jordan and Istanbul, Turkey.
Mr. Doug Abel
USA
Mr. Doug Abel
Doug has been actively engaged in bringing innovations to aesthetic medicine and dermatology for over 20 years, beginning with BOTOX® where he was the initial global lead for aesthetic applications. He currently serves as the President & CEO of Advanced Aesthetic Technologies, developing the agarose based deep structural filler Algeness® where he led the effort to obtain a key strategic partnership in China, obtain the more rigorous MDR CE Mark, and begin expanded commercial efforts globally. Prior to his current position, Doug served as President of Sinclair North America and was responsible for the launch of Sinclair’s first product in the US and the clinical and regulatory development and commercialization of Sinclair’s full product pipeline in the US and Canada. He earlier led the initial efforts to bring BOTOX® to the global aesthetic community while with Allergan and subsequently spearheaded Biogen’s program to bring the first biologic approved for psoriasis to market. He has also held senior leadership positions at several other startup dermatology and aesthetic companies. He holds a BA in Chemistry from Lafayette College and an MBA from Temple University.
Dr Hawasatu Dumbuya
Research Scientist, USA
Dr Hawasatu Dumbuya
Dr. Hawasatu Dumbuya is a research scientist, trained as a cell biologist & physiologist with expertise in clinical research for skincare product evaluation. She holds a B.S in Pharmacology & Toxicology from MCPHS University (2013) and a Ph.D. in Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology from Brown University (2017); her doctoral thesis work focused on ultraviolet light-induced melanin synthesis in human melanocytes. Post her studies, Dr. Dumbuya soon joined L’Oreal USA Research & Innovation, where she led the team efforts on developing novel concepts, methods, and protocols for clinical evaluations of new skincare ingredients. Currently leading Clinical Research & Medical Affairs for US La Roche-Posay at L’Oreal, her work has been focused on integrating methodologies and developing strategies for inclusive and comprehensive clinical testing for skincare products, plus establishing scientific educational programs with diverse audiences. Dr. Dumbuya research on skin pigmentation, photoprotection, atopic dermatitis has brought forth new clinical knowledge on diverse ethnically populations and has been published in peer-reviewed dermatology literature, plus presented in various research and dermatology congresses. Her research interests lie in understanding molecular mechanisms underlying different biological processes and their impact on patients’ quality of life, plus product development. Dr. Dumbuya is also passionate and active in community outreach to encourage STEM education and opportunities to under- represented students, in which she has received several prestigious awards for her scholastic and community outreach impact.
Dr. Jessica Hicks
Medical Affairs Advisor, USA
Dr Jessica Hicks
Jessica Hicks, PhD, Sr. Medical Affairs Advisor
In 2017, Dr. Hicks received her PhD at UT Southwestern Medical Center in molecular biology for investigating the proteins involved in the RNA interference pathway in the cell nucleus. Following her doctoral studies, Dr. Hicks transitioned into the field of medical writing, specializing in oncology. This role allowed her to bridge the gap between complex scientific research and its practical applications, enhancing her ability to communicate intricate medical concepts to diverse audiences. In 2018, she joined the Galderma medical affairs team supporting the aesthetics products. During her tenure at Galderma, she has successfully led the 8 hyaluronic acid (HA) filler and biostimulator product launches. She has also published many articles in prestigious dermatology and plastic surgery journals addressing a wide range of topics, from pivotal aesthetic injectable clinical studies to HA filler safety. She remains committed to exploring innovative clinical study design and quantitative analyses, always striving to translate scientific discoveries into tangible benefits for patients and practitioners alike.
Dr. Rob Knight
Scientist, AUSTRALIA
Dr Rob Knight
Dr. Rob Knight is the Lead Scientist at Cellese Inc., and an honorary research fellow at the University of Melbourne, Australia. He leads a team focused on developing the next generation of stem cell and exosome-based therapies. With over a decade of experience in the field of regenerative medicine, Dr. Knight has made significant contributions to the development of anti-scarring therapeutics, wound healing, and skin regeneration.
Prior to joining Cellese Inc., he worked at UCLA, where he spearheaded the development of stem cell and exosome-based therapies for corneal scarring. Dr. Knight’s research focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind tissue regeneration and developing therapies that can promote healing and reduce scarring. In addition to his work on wound healing and tissue regeneration, Dr. Knight is also interested in the application of regenerative medicine to cosmetic aesthetics. He believes that the principles of regenerative medicine can be applied to cosmetic procedures, resulting in better outcomes for patients. By using stem cells and exosomes, Dr. Knight and his team are working to develop therapies that can enhance the body’s natural regenerative processes, leading to more natural-looking and longer- lasting results.
Dr. Knight holds a PhD from Cardiff University, where he researched the use of small extracellular vesicles (exosomes) as anti-scarring therapeutics. He also holds a Master’s degree in Tissue Engineering and a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science, with a specialization in human anatomy. Dr. Knight is an accomplished researcher with many publications and presentations at international conferences.
Outside of work, Dr. Knight is an avid sports player and enjoys playing tennis and golf.
Dr. Rahul Mehta
Scientist, USA
Dr. Rahul Mehta
Dr. Rahul C Mehta received his Doctorate in Pharmaceutical Sciences at West Virginia University, USA and his Bachelors of Pharmacy from the University of Bombay. He has over 35 years of experience in pharmaceutical research and development including 6 years of academic research. He has authored or co-authored over 80 research publications and book chapters, over 200 poster presentations and multiple patents in pharmaceutical sciences. Dr. Mehta is currently Co-Founder and CEO of a biopharma company applying learnings from longevity science to dermatology and aesthetic medicine. Prior to that he was part of the SkinMedica team since 2005 and is committed to the creation of holistic multi- modality evidence-based skincare products with strong biological and clinical support. His passion is to go beyond the current approach of treating symptoms of ageing to understand the biological mechanism of skin ageing, skin quality changes and effect of diversity on ageing with a goal of enabling skin’s natural regenerative processes to provide physiologically balanced skin rejuvenation.
Dr. Isabelle Raymond
USA
Dr. Isabelle Raymond
Dr. Isabelle Raymond is an author and scientific leader in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, beauty and wellness companies. She received both her Masters and PhD in Biomedical Science from the Université de Montréal. She has authored over 70 publications and textbook chapters and books in several therapeutic fields including aesthetic medicine, dermatology, sleep disorders and pain management. She is currently the Senior Vice President of Clinical and Medical Affairs with Nutrafol.
Dr. Trevor Steyn
Scientist, SOUTH AFRICA
Dr. Trevor Steyn
Trevor Steyn MSc Organic chemist and microbiome scientist, The Skin Microbiome, South Africa
Trevor Steyn is an organic chemist and microbiologist with a research focus on the skin microbiome. His research centres on discovering and developing new live biotherapeutic strains to modulate the skin microbiome, with applications in enhancing barrier function and in wound healing. He also founded Esse Skincare and launched the first live probiotic serum in February 2015.