International Faculty

Professor Haran Burri, FESC, FEHRA, is a device specialist and electrophysiologist at the Cardiology Department of the University Hospital of Geneva (Switzerland), where he is director of the device program. His research has focused on device therapy, with a current interest in conduction system pacing with > 250 publications.

He is past President of the Swiss Working Group on Pacing and Electrophysiology, and is the 2024-2026 President-Elect of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) where he served as Treasurer and as Secretary after having chaired the Education Committee and Scientific Programme Committees.

Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Dr. Bernard J. Gersh is a Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and a Consultant in Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine. Previously, he served as the W. Proctor Harvey Teaching Professor and Chief of Cardiology at Georgetown University Medical Center. A Rhodes Scholar, he earned his M.B., Ch.B. from the University of Cape Town and a D.Phil from Oxford University.

Dr. Gersh’s research spans coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, clinical trials, cardiovascular epidemiology, and healthcare disparities. With over 1,300 publications (h-index: 161), he has been recognized among the most cited scientific researchers globally. He has edited 15 books and serves on the editorial boards of 27 leading journals, including Circulation, JACC, and The European Heart Journal.

A distinguished educator and thought leader, he has held visiting professorships and delivered keynote lectures worldwide. His numerous accolades include the AHA’s Distinguished Scientist Award, the ESC Gold Medal, and recognition as one of the “Legends of Modern Cardiology”.

Dr. Gersh continues to shape global cardiology through research, clinical practice, and leadership in international cardiovascular organizations.

1987 – 1990 : Karacasu High School, Aydınl / Turkey
1990 – 1992: Karadeniz University Medical School, Trabzon, Turkey – (Rank: 1st),
1992 – 1996: Dokuz Eylul University Medical School, Izmir,Turkey. Graduated with honors
Degree: Medical Doctor
1995-1996: Internship, Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir,Turkey
1996-2001: Cardiology Fellowship, Siyami Ersek Cardio-Thoracic and Surgery Center
Haydarpasa-Istanbul, Turkey

Dr. Inga Kutepova is a Principal Scientist in R&D Life Sciences at PepsiCo, where she leads strategic nutrition science research initiatives across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). With a PhD in Pharmacology, a postgraduate degree in Clinical Nutrition, and over a decade of experience in nutrition research and food innovation, she drives innovation and renovation to support long-term health and sustainability. Her work ultimately informs the development of foods and beverages that are both enjoyable and health-focused, including heart-healthy options from South Africa’s trusted brands like FUTURELIFE®, BOKOMO, and IMBO.

Her research focuses on the health impact of food structures and ingredients, with a particular emphasis on beta-glucan, whole grains, and sweetness. She has been involved in multiple cross-functional and academic collaborations, including clinical trials and multi-year research programs with institutions such as the University of Nottingham, Wageningen University, and the University of Leicester.

Dr. Kutepova is currently conducting a review on beta-glucan, investigating dose-dependent effects of oat and barley beta-glucan on glycaemic response. Her recent work on this topic was selected for poster presentation at the 2025 International Congress of Nutrition (ICN), highlighting its relevance to global nutrition science.

Dr. Naizihijwa Majani is a Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist and Director of Clinical Support Services at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She is part of the pioneering team that established pediatric cardiac surgery services in Tanzania and led the country’s first large-scale newborn screening program for critical congenital heart disease (CCHD).

Dr. Majani holds a PhD in Cardiovascular Research from Utrecht University, Netherlands and an MSc in Epidemiology. She also completed her fellowship in Pediatric Cardiology at Wolfson Medical Center in Israel. Her academic and professional work focuses on health equity, early detection, and the strengthening of child heart disease care systems across Africa.

A passionate advocate for local capacity building, Dr. Majani leads training programs to empower healthcare professionals in pediatric cardiac care. She collaborates widely with international organizations to facilitate knowledge exchange, promote resource-sharing, and address gaps in cardiac services in low-resource settings.

In addition to her clinical and academic work, Dr. Majani plays an active role in fundraising initiatives to support children with heart disease. She is the co-founder and current Chief Executive Officer of Heart Team Africa Foundation, a Tanzania-based NGO that provides financial assistance and access to life-saving care for children and adults with cardiovascular diseases.

Dr. Majani is married and a proud mother of three children.

Prof. George McDaniel is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA. His primary practice is management of dysrhythmia in pediatric patients and adult patients with congenital heart disease.  He is Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, American Board of Internal Medicine, and international Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners.  He has taught fellows and performed electrophysiology cases in South Africa at the Chris Hani Baragwanath.  He is a past speaker on pediatric topics at the South African Heart Congress and Cardiac Arrhythmia Society of Southern Africa Annual Symposium.

Dr. Gary Roubin is an internationally recognized interventional cardiologist and innovator, renowned for his pioneering work in coronary and carotid stenting. He played a key role in the development of the first FDA-approved coronary stent and has led advancements in embolic protection devices, large-bore vascular closure, and catheter-based electrocautery technology for TAVR and myomectomy procedures.

Originally from Queensland, Australia, Dr. Roubin moved to the U.S. in 1984 to work alongside PTCA pioneer Andreas Gruentzig. He has authored over 280 peer-reviewed publications, edited three textbooks on interventional cardiovascular medicine, and contributed to 20 medical textbooks. His book, The First Balloon Expandable Coronary Stent: An Expedition that Changed Cardiovascular Medicine, is available on Amazon.

Beyond clinical medicine, Dr. Roubin has played a pivotal role in biotech startups, holding 10 issued U.S. and EU patents with 41 additional patent applications worldwide. A sought-after speaker, he lectures globally and has received numerous awards for his groundbreaking contributions to cardiovascular innovation and patient care.

Massimo Volpe is Emeritus Professor of Sapienza University of Rome and Professor of Cardiology Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome. He is President of the Italian Society of Cardiovascular Prevention and a member of the Scientific Committee of the Italian Society of Hypertension and is scientific consultant at IRCCS San Raffaele in Rome. former Dean of the faculty of Medicine and Psychology and Deputy Rector for Research Planning at the University of Rome Sapienza. He has been Assistant Professor at New York Hospital-Cornell University Medical College, National Coordinator of the Research Evaluation process for the Area of Medicine (VQR) Ministry Of University and Research and a member of the National Committee for Research Supervision (CNGR). He is the 2021 Peter Van Zwieten Award for Research – European Society of Hypertension. Professor Volpe has authored more than 1000 publications (H-index of 100 and more than 80.000 citations)