Anastasios Maniakas, M.D., PhD., is an Assistant Professor, Tenure Track, in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Maniakas received his undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees from McGill University, and his medical doctorate from the University of Montreal. He completed his residency at the University of Montreal followed by a fellowship in head and neck surgical oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. His clinical expertise is in head and neck cancers, with an emphasis on thyroid disease, oral cavity cancer, skin cancers, and salivary gland neoplasms. Dr. Maniakas’ research interests focus on translational research, developing unique patient-derived xenograft models utilized in understanding cancer pathogenesis and novel drug therapy development. Furthermore, Dr. Maniakas is investigating the effect of the microbiome in the development, progression, and recurrence of cancer in his patient population. Lastly, he is co-leading a global randomized trial evaluating the effect of photoimmunotherapy in locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Prof. Wonjae Cha specializes in Head & Neck Cancer, Thyroid Cancer, and Laryngology. 

Professor Dr Marina Mat Baki is a senior medical academic and clinician at the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in English National University of Malaysia, currently serving as the Dean of Faculty of Medicine and Professor of Laryngology in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. She began her medical journey at UKM, graduating from the Faculty of Medicine, and subsequently joined the Ministry of Health of Malaysia in 1997. She completed her otorhinolaryngology specialist training at the UKM Medical Centre in 2006 before pursuing advanced research. In 2014 she was awarded a PhD in Laryngology from University College London, on where she also received subspecialty training in laryngology under the mentorship of internationally recognized experts.

Marina’s clinical and research interests focus on complex disorders of the larynx and airway, including laryngotracheal stenosis, laryngeal cancer, voice disorders, phonosurgery, sleep apnoea, and laryngeal paralysis. She is actively involved in clinical teaching and mentoring postgraduate trainees, and her scholarly work has been published in internationally indexed journals. Her research contributions span peer-reviewed articles in Scopus and Web of Science-indexed publications, reflecting her commitment to advancing evidence-based practice and improving patient outcomes in her specialty.