Professor Maria Paula Macedo is a Full Professor, and Pedagogic Council Member, coordinating doctoral programs at NOVA Medical School. She holds a PhD from the University of Manitoba and a Masters in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Lisbon University. Her career spans academia and healthcare advocacy, with roles as an Invited Full Professor at Aveiro University and as a member of the board at APDP where she is also the Coordinator of the Education and Research Center. Prof. Macedo's extensive research significantly contributes to our understanding of Physiology, Endocrinology, and Metabolism. She investigates genetic and environmental factors affecting insulin clearance and resistance in prediabetes, while also exploring the interconnected roles of the gut, brain, and liver in regulating diabetes, obesity, and Steatotic Liver Disease. Her active roles in the steering committee of the European NAFLD Group, the Council of the European Society for Clinical Investigation, and the Global Nash Council underscore her commitment to promoting science. Prof. Macedo has served as adviser of the Minister of Science, Technology, and Higher Education in Health Sciences. Currently, she serves as Vice-President of the Portuguese Clinical Research Agency and Biomedical Innovation.

Prof. Dr. Luca Miele is Ass. Professor of Internal Medicine at the Catholic University of Rome and Director of the Pre-Transplant Liver Clinic and SLD Clinic at Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS. A physician-scientist with over 20 years of clinical and academic experience, he specializes in hepatology, with a focus on MASLD/MASH and liver transplantation. He holds national scientific habilitations as Full Professor in both Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. He is Principal Investigator of numerous competitive grants, including Horizon Europe and national PNRR-funded projects, and has led more than 10 clinical trials in MASLD. He serves on editorial boards and as reviewer for high-impact journals and major funding agencies including the European Commission and Wellcome Trust. He is a board member of national and international hepatology societies, actively contributing to research networks such as LITMUS and GripOnMASH. His work integrates clinical excellence, translational research, and academic leadership in liver disease.