| Kristina Martinez-Guryn Chair (2022-2024) Midwestern University Dr. Kristina Martinez-Guryn is an Assistant Professor in the Biomedical Sciences Program at Midwestern University located in Downers Grove, IL. She has been an active member of SIVB and has co-convened two sessions (for SIVB 2019 and SIVB 2020). She began her career by studying to become a registered dietitian and received her BS in Human Nutrition and Dietetics in 2006 from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). During the last year of her undergraduate degree, Kristina joined the lab of Dr. Michael McIntosh where she studied the adverse side effects of the weight loss supplement, conjugated linoleic acid, using primary cultures of human adipocytes. Based on her fascination with scientific research, she remained in the same lab to complete her PhD in Nutrition. Upon earning her PhD, she entered the Dietetic Internship program at UNCG and received her credentials as a Registered Dietitian. She completed her post-doctoral training at the University of Chicago in the Department of Medicine/Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition in the laboratory of Dr. Eugene B. Chang, where she investigated host-microbe interactions that promote fat absorption and obesity in mice. Following her postdoc, Kristina joined the Midwestern University’s Biomedical Sciences program, as a faculty member. Currently, Kristina trains Biomedical Sciences and medical students in microbiology and animal physiology. Her lab investigates the impact of diet on host microbial composition in the gut that in turn influences nutrient digestion and absorption. Kristina teaches Biostatistics and Nutrition Therapy to students in the Biomedical Sciences Program. |
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| Kenneth Kandaras Vice Chair – Meeting (2022-2024) International Foundation for Ethical Research Dr. Kandaras is the President of the International Foundation for Ethical Research and joined IFER in 2018. In addition to his work with IFER, Mr. Kandaras is the Executive Director of the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS). He joined the NAVS Board of Directors in 1999 and served as its President from 2001 to 2018. Before joining IFER and NAVS, Mr. Kandaras was a Professor of Law and the Director of the Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution at the John Marshall Law School (UIC College of Law). His expertise extended to the fields of formal litigation, negotiation, arbitration, and mediation. |
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| Vivian Dayeh Vice Chair – Membership (2022-2024) University of Waterloo Dr. Vivian Dayeh is a Continuing Lecturer in the Department of Biology at the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Her focus is undergraduate teaching in human physiology, human anatomy, animal cell culture and biotechnology, and environmental toxicology. She received the Department of Biology Jack Carlson Teaching Award in 2006 and 2018, the Excellence in Science Teaching Award in 2010, and the University of Waterloo Distinguished Teacher Award in 2011. She also received the SIVB Distinguished Service Award in 2017 and the SIVB Fellow Award in 2021 Her work profile can be viewed on the following website: https://uwaterloo.ca/biology/people-profiles/vivian-r-dayeh. |
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| Deborah Esposito Secretary (2022-2024) North Carolina State University Dr. Esposito is a motivated and productive Early-Stage Investigator with a strong scientific interest in biological chemistry and preclinical drug discovery in the area of metabolic and inflammatory diseases. After moving to the U.S., she simultaneously achieved an MBS in Drug Discovery and Development and PhD in Cellular & Molecular Plant Biology from Rutgers University, NJ. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Regenerative Medicine in the Department of Animal Science at NC State University’s Plants for Human Health Institute. She is particularly interested in researching biologically active phytochemicals derived from edible plants, for human and animal health, longevity and wellbeing. Her work has focused on developing and refining translational strategies for screening natural therapeutic agents to promote muscle function and preserve regeneration capacity in aging tissues. In cell culture and animal models, her work identified compounds/extracts from a variety of botanicals, that counteract the phenotype of age-related metabolic dysregulation, which correlates with muscle loss (sarcopenia), chronic inflammation, compromised tissue regeneration, connective tissue (i.e. skin) aging, and impaired wound healing. |
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