Lori Cirefice is the President of the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition and also serves as the President of the French patient organisation, Cancer Vessie France. Her husband was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2013, and prior to that, Lori had never heard of the disease. In her search for resources, she discovered a lack of peer support in France and reached out to Fight Bladder Cancer UK for guidance. This led to the creation of Association Cancer Vessie France in 2017.

Since then, Lori has been actively involved in all aspects of the organisation’s work, including peer-to-peer support and Bladder Cancer Awareness Month activities. Her key areas of interest include health technology assessment (HTA) in France, improving patient information, and contributing to the review of clinical guidelines.

Michelle Colero is the Vice President of the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition and serves on its Board of Directors. She is also the Executive Director of Bladder Cancer Canada, where she leads the organisation in its mission to promote patient advocacy, increase awareness, and fund research for the 80,000 Canadians living with and beyond a bladder cancer diagnosis. She is an experienced leader in the not-for-profit sector with over 20 years of progressive leadership positions developing and executing strategies while delivering successful campaigns for local, national and international health, social services and environmental charities.

Alex Filicevas was appointed as the first-ever Executive Director of the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition (WBCPC) in October 2019. He has been leading the organisations’ efforts to foster an international community of bladder cancer patient advocates. Alex brings with him great past experience in leading EU affairs work at Europe’s largest international federation of cancer patient organisations. Prior to this, he also worked as a consultant for many years, supporting a number of private and non-profit organisations in their EU policy and advocacy activities within healthcare. He has also been an active member of All.Can International, serving as a member of its Steering Committee since 2018, and was appointed President in 2020. Alex is an EUPATI fellow, member of many European and international initiatives, including serving as Co-Chair of Global Cancer Coalitions Network. 

Marie Magenhann Cueto joined the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition (WBCPC) in 2021 as Communications Trainee and in 2022 became a Communications and Community Engagement Assistant. Of French and Spanish nationality, educated at the European School of Brussels II and in the Universities of Maastricht (Netherlands) and Pompeu Fabra (Spain), Marie has shown from an early age an interest in the field of politics and communication. Before joining WBCPC, Marie led media communications for the European Year of Cultural Heritage at the European Commission. Marie has a strong background in non-profits. She volunteered and was an active member in several non-profit organisations, such as Love Foundation, Medicin du Monde, where she gained strong communication skills. Outside of work, Marie’s passion is analogue photography which she has been practising for many years.

Theodoros Yfantis joined the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition (WBCPC) in 2021 as Project Coordinator. He brings several years of experience in the healthcare sector as a consultant at a leading global communications agency, the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME), and a more specific patient advocacy area with the largest European pan-cancer organisation. He is a strong project manager and has participated in Horizon2020 and Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) in various capacities on projects funded by the European Commission. As a consultant, he worked on and led healthcare projects focusing on oncology in Europe. With a keen interest in technology and digital solutions, Theodoros successfully managed and hosted a number of digital events for a range of international clients, especially finding innovative solutions for successful events during the global pandemic.

Angelina Kogur has recently joined the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition (WBCPC) as a Programme Support Trainee. Of Armenian nationality, she has a background in Linguistics and Intercultural Communication and recently completed a Master’s in European Studies at the College of Europe. She has actively volunteered in youth and community projects, including as a Young European Ambassador in Armenia, where she promoted European values and opportunities for young people. As part of the European Solidarity Corps in Romania, she supported communications at COSI NGO, working on initiatives focused on active citizenship and social inclusion. These experiences have strengthened her communication and organisational skills. Angelina is deeply committed to advocating for meaningful programmes, strengthening the global community, and making a difference for those affected by bladder cancer.

Lauren Pretorius, is on the Board of Directors of the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition co-founder and CEO of Campaigning for Cancer, has been committed to the cause since its inception in 2008, emphasizing the rights of cancer patients. Launching her first venture in branding and marketing during school laid the groundwork for her corporate background. The association with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and Foundation transitioned her focus to non-profit initiatives, and by 2005, she became the Chief Operating Officer of the Breast Health Foundation. With her diverse experience, Lauren formed Prime Consulting, dedicated to assisting non-profits in strategic evolution. Later, Campaigning for Cancer and Friends of Cancer Patients collaborated to launch the Patient Advocacy Incubator, a testament to her leadership. Lauren maintains active roles in coalitions such as AORTIC and the Lymphoma Coalition. Additionally, she continues to broaden her knowledge base, currently undertaking a course at the University of Adelaide.

Dr Stephanie Demkiw (B.Med, B.Surg, B.BiomedSci) is on the Board of Directors of the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition and is a co-chair of Bladder Cancer Awareness Australia is a primary care physician from Melbourne, Australia. She has had a keen interest in bladder cancer patient advocacy ever since her father was diagnosed 10 years ago with an aggressive form of the disease. When he passed away, Stephanie and her sister formed Bladder Cancer Awareness Australia (BCA) which is the first formal awareness group and charity in Australia, solely dedicated to bladder cancer. She has had many roles in medical research over the years, being involved in over 10 published research projects, many of which are in the field of bladder cancer. She is currently working on a Master of Public Health. Outside of her work as a community health physician and bladder cancer advocate, she enjoys art, film, travel and spending time with her family.

Carl-Henrik is on the Board of Directors of the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition and is the founder of the Swedish Bladder Cancer Society after his personal bladder cancer diagnosis in 2018. Identifying a gap in patient support in Sweden, he was inspired to establish this vital association. Through international collaborations, especially with Norwegian and English platforms, Carl-Henrik has been dedicated to bladder cancer awareness and peer-to-peer support in his homeland. While his title is "founder", he often labels himself as a “Patient Advocate and Support Catalyst”. Apart from these, Carl-Henrik is committed to improving patient information dissemination, guideline reviews, and healthcare technology in Sweden. His life journey, started after receiving his medical degree in 1978, and his passions include technology and arts.

Sarah Coffey Dégrange is on the Board of Directors of the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition and supports the French Bladder Cancer Association, Cancer Vessie France as their Social Media Manager and plays a very active role in promoting awareness about the disease and providing help to patients on a national level. Originally from Ireland, Sarah boasts fluency in both English and French, having resided in France for a significant period. Her journey with bladder cancer began at the age of 45, propelling her into an active role in advocacy and support. With a professional background spanning IT, Operational Project Management, and Education. Beyond her role with Cancer Vessie France, Sarah volunteers her time in various associations, both in France and Ireland, further cementing her commitment to the cause.  

Helen joined as a WBCPC Board Member in March 2024. Diagnosed and treated for bladder cancer in late 2015, at the age of 43, she then turned her focus to helping other patients. Helen was one of the first bladder cancer patients to participate in the WBCPC Patient Advisory group, contributing to the formation of the inaugural patient survey. An active participant in Bladder Cancer Awareness Australia (BCAA) and BEAT Bladder Cancer Australia, Helen is passionate about sharing her cancer treatment experiences and living life with a urostomy. She volunteers with the Cancer Council, supporting newly diagnosed Australian and New Zealand bladder cancer patients via telephone, and more locally, acts as a palliative care and dignity therapy volunteer. Professionally, Helen works within the IT industry, having held various operational management roles. Her main role in life is to spoil her 15-year-old rescue dog, who also has bladder issues.

Fiorella Gagliardi is a certified public accountant, full-stack developer, and strategic consultant with over 20 years of experience supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs. Her career combines management, technology, and creativity, always driven by a strong commitment to service. After going through breast cancer, she became dedicated to supporting other patients. She is the President of Vicare Gu, the only patient association in Argentina focused on genitourinary cancers with a reach across Latin America, and the founder of the Patient Platform. As the founder of Mujeres de Negocios (Women in Business), she brings empathy, strategic vision, and resilience to her work, building networks that promote well-being, development, and social impact. Today, she is committed to being an active patient voice across Latin America.

Alessandro Boni is a Board Member of PALINURO, an Italian patient organisation supporting people affected by urothelial cancer. He was diagnosed with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) in 2018 and underwent a three-year BCG treatment. This experience profoundly impacted him and inspired his commitment to supporting others facing the disease.

Drawing from his background as an HR Manager and Innovation Consultant, Alessandro channels his professional expertise into patient advocacy, awareness, and peer support. He actively supports people with NMIBC and leads advocacy efforts with health institutions and regional authorities in Italy. Alessandro represents PALINURO in institutional conferences and regularly speaks at workshops with pharmaceutical companies and training seminars for patients and caregivers across the country.

A certified Innovation and Project Manager, Alessandro also holds qualifications as a Start-up Mentor and Skills Certifier for the Tuscany Region. He is a graduate of the EUPATI programme and has earned two master’s degrees: one in Digital Technology for Patient Experts (Sapienza University, 2023) and another in Patient Engagement (University of Pavia, 2024). He is also a WECAN training graduate and an active member of the Patient Associations Committee at Careggi Hospital and the Tuscany Regional Oncology Network.

United States: Dr. Ashish M. Kamat is an Endowed Professor of Urologic Oncology (Surgery) and Cancer Research, and the Director of the Bladder Cancer Support Program at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He is the founding President of the International Bladder Cancer Group (IBCG) and serves as the Associate Cancer Center Director at the RFHNH Hospital in Mumbai. Dr. Kamat specializes in genitourinary cancers, with a particular focus on immunotherapy for urothelial cancers. He has led numerous research efforts and clinical trials in this field, resulting in over 610 publications in prestigious journals, textbooks and news articles. Dr. Kamat's influence extends globally through his leadership in organizations such as the IBCG, the International Bladder Cancer Network (IBCN), and the Société Internationale d'Urologie (SIU). He actively contributes to organizations including the American Urologic Association (AUA), the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and European Association of Urology (EAU), having served on their boards and played pivotal roles in organizing national and international meetings. Additionally, Dr Kamat serves on advisory boards for research groups, healthcare systems, industry think tanks, and biotech innovators. A dedicated educator, Dr. Kamat served as Fellowship Director at MD Anderson (2005-2016) and continues to mentor students, residents, fellows, and international visiting scholars, including via the AUA USMART Program. He serves on editorial boards of leading journals including European Urology Oncology, Urologic Oncology, Journal of Urology, Expert Reviews, and leads UroToday’s Bladder Cancer Center of Excellence. Dr. Kamat deeply committed to patient advocacy. He has received the Compassionate Doctor Award from patient groups and serves on the boards of the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (US) and the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition (WPBPC), including as inaugural Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board. His contributions have earned him listings in Who’s Who in Medicine and Best Doctors in America. In recognition of his service, the "Wayne B. Duddlesten Professorship in Honor of Dr. Ashish Kamat" was established in 2016 to advance cancer research and education at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Denmark: Prof Bente Thoft Jensen is a Clinical Nurse Specialist and Assistant Professor at the Department of Urology, Aarhus University Hospital, and the Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University. She also serves as Section Leader in Prehabilitation at the National Centre of Research in Cancer Surgery (ACROBATIC) in Denmark. She has been working in urology for over 30 years, in both Copenhagen and Aarhus. In 2015, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, United States. Professor Thoft Jensen has contributed to several European educational initiatives, including the European Bone Health Programme (EONS), the Skeletal Care Academy, the EAUN online Bone Health course, the European Specialist Nurses Organisation (ESNO), and the European School of Urology Nursing (ESUN). She chairs the EAUN Bladder Cancer Special Interest Group, leads the EAUN Guidelines Group, and is a member of the Patient Information Office of the European Association of Urology (EAU).

France:  Dr Eva Maria Compérat is a renowned professor of Urologic Pathology at the Medical University of Vienna and the Head of the Department of Pathology at the Hôpital Tenon, Sorbonne University in Paris. She has made significant contributions to the field of Uropathology and has published several works in this area. Her research focuses on bladder cancer/urothelial carcinomas and the early events of bladder cancer development, upper urinary tract carcinomas, prostate cancer, and kidney cancer. Dr Compérat, along with her research group at Sorbonne University and in collaboration with the Medical University of Vienna, is currently working on investigating the microenvironment of prostate cancer as well as predictive and prognostic markers in prostate cancer. This study aims to spare patients from radical prostatectomy. Dr Compérat is a well-known European Association of Urology (EAU) member and a board member of the Austrian Society of Pathology (ÖGP). Since 2021, she has served on the editorial board of Nature Reviews Urology and other editorials. One of her significant works is published in the WHO 5th 2022 Ed as a co-author and responsible author of several chapters.

Brasil: 

Dr Fernando Maluf, MD, PhD, is Director of Medical Oncology at Beneficência Portuguesa and a member of the steering committee of the Medical Oncology Centre at Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo, Brazil.

He is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and a founding member of the Brazilian Group of Gynaecological Tumours (Grupo Brasileiro de Tumores Ginecológicos). Dr Maluf has authored numerous publications and currently serves as an editor for the Brazilian Oncology Manual.

In December 2018, he was awarded the academic title of Professor Livre-Docente by the Faculty of Medical Sciences of Santa Casa de São Paulo.

Hong Kong: Dr Jeremy Teoh is currently Associate Professor, and the Assistant Dean (External Affairs) of the Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. In 2021, he was awarded the Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award (Hong Kong) and the SIU-Innovators Award. In 2023, he was appointed as an Adjunct Professor at the Medical University of Vienna. In 2024, he was awarded the World Chinese Urological Society Rising Star Award. Jeremy has an immense interest in bladder cancer research. Of note, he conducted a randomised trial comparing between bipolar and monopolar transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT), and showed that bipolar TURBT could achieve a higher detrusor sampling rate than monopolar TURBT. He has also developed a global consensus statement on transurethral en bloc resection of bladder tumour (ERBT). He also led a multi-centre randomised trial on ERBT, and it was the first multi-centre clinical trial to show that ERBT could reduce the 1-year recurrence rate of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) from 38.1% to 28.5%, as compared to TURBT. He is also leading a phase 2 clinical trial investigating the role of modified ERBT for large bladder tumours. Currently, he is heavily involved in the development of urinary biomarkers for bladder cancer, aiming to develop a urine test which can safely avoid the need of cystoscopy in well-selected patients. Jeremy is also leading a bladder cancer organoid project, aiming to perform drug screening for chemotherapy, targeted treatment and immune-oncology drugs, and finally developing a molecular classification based on treatment response. Jeremy is currently Associate Editor of the European Urology Oncology journal, and a panel member of the European Association Urology (EAU) Guidelines on NMIBC and Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma (UTUC).

Morocco: Dr Oualla completed her medical training at University Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellahprior to practicing as a Medical Oncologist at Hassan II University Hospital. She alsoearned a degree in epidemiology and clinical research from University Sidi MohamedBen AbdellahthenjoinedInstitut Jules Bordet in Brussels, Belgium, as an assistantdoctor (2012–2013).Dr Oualla holds a certificate of specialization in MedicalOncology from the Université Libre de Bruxelles, and completed a 3-yearpostgraduate course in Medical Oncology (European Organisation for Research andTreatment of Cancer [EORTC]-affiliated National Belgian Programme for Inter-University Faculty). Dr Ouallawas awarded a fellowship by the European Society of Medical Oncology(ESMO)on Onco-Urologyat the Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, in Milan, Italywhereshe workedin Onco-UrologyUnit. In 2015, she joined the Cancer Prevention andControl Research Training Programme at the Department of Public Health in theUniversity of South Florida, in Tampa, FL, USA, funded by the National Institutes ofHealth (NIH) Fogarty International Center, Bethesda, MD, USA, and Moffitt CancerCenter, Tampa (2015–2016), where shegraduatedon “Concepts and Tools ofEpidemiology”. In 2016, Dr Oualla undertook transitional research training at theComprehensive Cancer Center (CCC), in Vienna, Austria, and completed an ESMOfellowship in the Palliative Care Department at the Centre Léon Bérard, in Lyon,France, in 2019. She completed a master’s degree in Science at Ulm University, inUlm, Germany in 2020.Dr Oualla was designated as an ambassador of the European School of Oncology forthe years 2023 and 2024.Dr Ouallaserves on the leadership Council of the Global Society of RareGenitourinary Tumors (GSRGT),and the scientific committee of the InternationalBladder Cancer Group (IBCG). Sheis also member of ESMO,the American Societyof Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the European School of Oncology (ESO

India: Dr Makarand Khochikar is a world renowned Urologic Oncologist with a vast experience of 30 years. He was trained in Mumbai and Nadiyad for Urology (1989-1992) and had further specialty training in London and Cambridge (1993-1998). He returned to India in 1998 and did pioneering work in establishing Urologic Oncology as a sub-specialty and has made his presence felt nationally and internationally through his exemplary work. Dr Khochikar has an outstanding and glorious career. He won Six Gold Medals during his MBBS and MS examinations and has been the recipient of Schering Prize and a Gold Medal for Dip.Urol exam at University of London in 1995. The career graph continued to rise further and has 12 Gold medals to credit including Urology Gold Medal by Urological Society of India -WZ. He has published widely and has been invited as a visiting faculty and a guest speaker to more than 55 countries, has delivered 12 prestigious orations, more than 200 guest lectures on various platforms across the globe. He has served on editorial boards of many international Urology Journals and has won Best Reviewer’s award by BJUI and IJU. He is lauded for his extraordinary surgical skills in performing nephron sparing surgeries, constructing the neobladders and challenging post chemo RPLNDs for the testicular cancer. He has the largest individual series of treating variety of adrenal tumors in India. Walking on the path usually less travelled, he has done exemplary work on  Urological cancers in pregnancy, hereditary renal cancers and oncofertility. He passionately works for Wilms' tumor foundation - a support group he started 25 years ago. He is a founder member of the recently launched  first pheochromocytoma-paraganglioma foundation (PPGF) in India. Dr Khochikar has served as a President of Urological Society of India -West Zone .He has been closely associated with SIU since 1996, and has served as a National delegate  and Board of Directors of SIU in the past and has contributed immensely towards SIU teaching activities and SIU academy. Dr Khochikar has been recently decorated with Inspiring Urologist of India ( 2024 ) by Times Now and has featured in prestigeous Forbes magazine and The WEEK for his extraordinary work in urologic oncology. He has been awarded with 'Distinguished Career Award ' in 2024  by Society International Urology ( SIU) - a global organisation of of 180 countries  and  as latest as in March 2025 , USANZ ( Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand) decorated him with Honorary membership of their society , a truly prestigeous and exclusive honor .

Chile: Dr Mario I. Fernández, MD, is Associate Professor in the Department of Urology at the Faculty of Medicine, Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo in Santiago, Chile. He serves on the Board of the Sociedad Chilena de Urología, is Editor-in-Chief of Revista Chilena de Urología, and leads the Bladder Cancer Working Group of the Latin American Urological Confederation (CAU). He is also a member of the IBCG Core Committee. Dr Fernández serves on the editorial boards of Bladder Cancer and Journal of Urology Open Plus, and is a reviewer for over 20 international journals. His research focuses on genetic susceptibility, epidemiology, carcinogenesis, and clinical and molecular prognostic factors in urothelial tumours, with particular attention to arsenic-related bladder cancer in Northern Chile.

France: Dr Molly Ingersoll received her PhD from NYU School of Medicine, where she studied host–pathogen interactions with Arturo Zychlinsky at both NYU and the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology in Berlin, Germany. She completed a brief postdoctoral fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, Missouri, focusing on innate immunity to urinary tract infections with Scott Hultgren, followed by a postdoctoral appointment at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, where she investigated monocyte and dendritic cell biology. Dr Ingersoll is currently a Research Director with a joint appointment at Institut Cochin and Institut Pasteur in Paris. Her team explores mucosal immunity in the bladder in the context of infection and cancer, with a focus on understanding the influence of biological sex on bladder responses to both infectious and non-infectious inflammatory diseases. She aims to develop immunomodulatory strategies to improve disease outcomes.

United States: Dr Patrick Hensley is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Urology and Pathology at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in Lexington, Kentucky. He completed a Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) fellowship in Urologic Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. His clinical and academic focus is on urothelial carcinoma of the bladder and upper tract. Dr Hensley’s research centres on predictive biomarkers in the muscle-invasive setting and approaches to bladder preservation. He serves on the Board of Directors of the International Bladder Cancer Group and leads research, clinical trials, and advocacy efforts aimed at improving care and outcomes for people living with bladder cancer.

Australia: Dr Patrick Thomas is an Affiliate Research Fellow within the Queensland Bladder Cancer Initiative (QBCI) at Queensland University of Technology, Australia. His research focuses on urological cancers and tumour immunology, with the goal of developing precision medicine tools to predict therapy response in bladder and prostate cancer patients. His work centres on multiparametric immunophenotyping of tumour-localised immune cells, co-culture models for therapy prediction, and spatial profiling of high-risk and aggressive variants of bladder cancer. He has received over 12 national and international awards for excellence in cancer research and currently serves as Scientific Director of the Ron Monaghan Foundation. Dr Thomas is also a passionate advocate for improving the lives of bladder cancer patients. He champions greater research funding and the translation of emerging scientific concepts into community-focused initiatives. His work aims to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and real-world patient outcomes, ensuring that advances in precision medicine and immunotherapy reach those who need them most.

Japan: Dr. Rikiya Taoka is an Associate Professor in the Department of Urology at Kagawa University. He earned his MD in 2001 and PhD in 2005, both from Kagawa University. His academic career includes notable roles such as Assistant Professor at Kagawa University, Assistant Head Physician at Kurashiki Central Hospital, and Assistant Professor at Hyogo College of Medicine. He also served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at MD Anderson Cancer Center from 2013 to 2015. Dr. Taoka has been recognized with several awards, including the Japanese Urological Association Annual Meeting Award (2004) and two awards from the West Japanese Urological Association (2015, 2020). His research focuses on urothelial cancer, cancer biology, and glycobiology.

Kuwait: Dr Saad Aldousari is Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Sabah Al-Ahmad Urology Center (SAUC), a tertiary referral centre for adult and paediatric urology patients. He is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery (Urology Division) at Kuwait University, and an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Urology at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, USA. Dr Aldousari obtained his MBBCh degree from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 2003. He completed his residency training at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, in 2011, followed by a Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) fellowship at MD Anderson. He has been involved in the Kuwait Urology Residency Training Programme since 2013, serving as Chair of the Urology Examination Committee from 2016 to 2019, and as Head of the Urology Faculty and Residency Programme from 2019 to 2024. Dr Aldousari is also President of the Kuwaiti Association for Robotic Surgeons. His research interests include prostate and kidney cancer. His clinical practice focuses on general urology and uro-oncology, with a particular interest in advanced robotic surgery.

United States: Dr Shilpa Gupta is the Director of Genitourinary Medical Oncology at the Taussig Cancer Institute and Co-Leader of the Genitourinary Oncology Program at Cleveland Clinic. She obtained her medical degree from Lady Hardinge Medical College in New Delhi, India, and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Connecticut Health Center. Dr Gupta completed fellowships in Haematology-Oncology and Genitourinary Oncology Translational Research at Thomas Jefferson University. She has held faculty positions at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute and the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota. Her research focuses on novel drug development and understanding biomarkers of response and resistance in bladder cancer. She leads several NCI trials and is Principal Investigator for the Department of Defense Idea Award on immunotherapy biomarkers in bladder cancer. Dr Gupta is an active member of professional organisations, including ASCO, AUA, AACR, SITC, and BCAN. She serves on key committees, such as the ASCO Annual Scientific Committee for Genitourinary Cancers and the SITC Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 Resistance Task Force.

United Kingdom: Professor Ananya Choudhury is Chair of Clinical Oncology and Clinical Lead for Advanced Radiotherapy within the Division of Cancer Sciences at the University of Manchester, as well as Honorary Consultant in Clinical Oncology at The Christie NHS Trust, UK. Professor Choudhury undertakes research that aims to optimise and personalise radiotherapy, using new techniques and imaging technology to deliver high doses while minimising side effects. Her work also focuses on predictive biomarkers to determine which patients will benefit from specific treatments. She holds national leadership roles within the Royal College of Radiologists and works closely with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Professor Choudhury is currently the Editor-in-Chief of BMJ Oncology.

South Africa: Prof Shingai Mutambirwa is Head of the Department of Urology at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital and Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University in Pretoria, South Africa, a position he has held since 2008. He holds an MMed (Urology) from Medunsa and an FCS (Urol) degree. Prof. Mutambirwa is actively involved in teaching and research, participating in both university-led and industry-driven projects. He is a founding member of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa and serves on several academic and professional boards, including Chair of the Academic Committee for the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) and the South African Urological Association. He also contributes to multidisciplinary cancer teams and is a member of organisations such as the African Society of Sexual Medicine and the Continence Association of South Africa. Prof Mutambirwa has published over 80 peer-reviewed articles and 10 book chapters and serves as a reviewer for leading journals including The Journal of Urology and The African Journal of Urology.