our Advisors

Reto W. Kressig is Professor and Chair of Geriatrics at the University of Basel, Switzerland. He is Chief Medical Officer and Directorial Board Member of the University Department of Geriatric Medicine FELIX PLATTER, Basel, Switzerland.  

His scientific work and interests include older adults’ gait biomechanics, physical activity, functional autonomy, nutrition and cognition in relation to principles of geriatric rehabilitation and health prevention among older adults. He was mainly involved as Principal Investigator in numerous Alzheimer drug trials. Further, he has followed up on the development of innovative non-drug approaches for the clinical management of delirium and dementia-related behavioral disorders. 

Prof. Kressig is author of over 150 peer-reviewed original articles, numerous book chapters and other miscellaneous publications. He is Editorial-Member of several international geriatric journals such as the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS), Associate Professor of Gerontology at the University of Luxemburg and former Board Member and Secretary of the European Academy for Medicine of Aging.   

Robert is Professor and Head of the Old Age Psychiatry department at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, and he leads several large dementia studies and initiatives in Germany and the UK.

Robert conducts dementia prevention research at the University of Munich, the German Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders and Imperial College London. His studies apply a range of methodologies to advance the understanding of biological and clinical processes that lead to cognitive decline and associated disability. This includes imaging, fluid biomarker, genomics and cognitive assessments in clinical and epidemiological contexts. The concept of cognitive reserve has always been in the centre of Robert’s scientific activities, because of the great relevance for reducing dementia risk in the population and strengthening vulnerable individuals’ resilience against neurodegeneration. 

Lutz is Professor of Geriatric Psychiatry at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, and Head of the Department of Geriatric Psychiatry at the Central Institute for Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany. 

His major research interest is on translational Alzheimer’s research, biomarkers and the development and evaluation of innovative therapies in Alzheimer’s disease. I have published more than >300 original and review publications in peer-reviewed journals, more than 50 text book chapters on Old Age Psychiatry, 7 book or monographs on dementia-related topics.

Andreas U. Monsch studied clinical psychology, psychopathology, and neurophysiology at the University of Zurich and received his doctorate in 1991. 

From 1991-1994, he worked at the University of California, San Diego (USA), one of the best Alzheimer' disease research centers in the world at the time. From 1994-2002, he was head of research at the Memory Clinic of the Geriatric University Hospital in Basel. In 2001 he received his habilitation and was promoted to Professor of Psychology at the University of Basel in 2003. 

Since 2002, he has been in charge of one of the largest memory clinics in Switzerland, which has relocated to the Felix Platter Hospital in 2016, Basel, and which is now called University Department of Geriatric Medicine FELIX PLATTER. Prof. Monsch's research and teaching focus on "Early diagnosis of dementia" and "Rare causes of dementia". 

He is the current president of the Swiss Association of Neuropsychologists and has served as the chair of the ISTAART Professional Interest Area on Cognition from 2018-2020. He has published over 170 papers and book chapters.

Mathieu is  a cardiovascular specialist with more than 10 years of experience in academic cardiology. 

Moreover, Mathieu is a Healthcare Executive with over 25 years of experience in management, leadership positions in Clinical Development and Medical Affairs in the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies (Pfizer and Novartis) across multiple therapeutic areas: Hypertension, Heart Failure, Atherosclerosis, AFib, CVRR, Diabetes/Metabolism and CKD. 

Malobal Fellow in Medicines Development (GFMD) for International Federation of Associations  of Pharmaceutical  Physicians and Pharmaceutical Medicine (IFAPP).  

Mathieu has lived and worked in Paris, London and New York. 

Currently, he is residing in Switzerland and is the President of M-GHADANFAR CONSULTING, LIFE SCIENCES in Basel.

Uzair Rashid serves as Head of New Product Development at Cardinal Health (Biopharma Solutions), where he focuses on exploring and commercializing new offerings that improve market share, the customer experience, brand value, the healthcare ecosystem, operational excellence, and P&L impact.  

Prior, he served as Director of Innovation at BCBSMA where he generated incremental and transformative innovations Previously, Uzair led Healthcare Strategy and Innovation at CVS Health where he implemented programs that re-imagined care delivery, payor solutions, finance transformation, and future-proofing technology initiatives.   

He serves as an industry expert at the Harvard Innovations Labs, an Expert Advisor and Mentor at the Brown University Nelson Centerof Entrepreneurship, at the University of Houston SURE Incubator.  

Uzair  earned his Masters from Harvard University and holds a Bachelor's degree from Purdue University. He has also completed Executive Education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Chicago.  

Mark is a distinguished legal professional with an impressive career spanning 27 years, marked by global experience and a deep expertise in corporate law. His career journey showcases a variety of pivotal roles, including serving as the Vice President and General Counsel of Butamax® Advanced Biofuels LLC, a joint venture between industry giants BP and DuPont.

In this capacity, Mark was not merely a legal executive; he was a strategic advisor, safeguarding the company’s interests while steering its legal and regulatory path through the complex biofuels landscape.

Mark's leadership capabilities were further demonstrated during his tenure as General Counsel and Compliance Officer at Ilera Healthcare, a successful startup where he played a significant role in establishing a strong legal and compliance framework that supported the company’s rapid growth and innovation.

With an impressive 13-year service as the Corporate Intellectual Property Litigation Counsel for DuPont’s strategic businesses, Mark’s vast experience encompasses not only intellectual property law but also an extensive track record in technology, licensing, and commercial transactions. His robust legal strategies have continuously proven to be instrumental in securing and protecting critical intellectual assets for the companies he has served.

As a Registered U.S. Patent Attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Mark’s skills extend beyond traditional legal counsel. He is adept at navigating the intricate web of patent law, ensuring his clients are expertly guided in safeguarding their innovations. This unique perspective also makes him a sought-after Intellectual Property consultant for startups and emerging companies, for whom he acts as both a protector of innovations and a strategic advisor.

Educationally, Mark holds a B.A. in Chemistry from Kenyon College, showcasing a technical foundation that complements his legal prowess. This blend of scientific insight and legal expertise equips Mark with a uniquely comprehensive perspective, enabling him to adeptly navigate the multifaceted challenges of the legal realm in the technological and scientific industries.

In summary, Mark is not just a legal expert; he is a strategic partner, guiding organizations through complex legal terrain with a clear vision, steadfast resolve, and a wealth of experience that sets him apart as a leader in his field.