Catherine Tsilfidis is a senior scientist in the Regenerative Medicine Program of the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, and an Associate Professor in the Departments of Ophthalmology and Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa. Her research is aimed at developing a gene therapy strategy that blocks apoptosis and slows down retinal disease progression. She has applied this approach to the treatment of animal models of retinal disease. Her laboratory is currently optimizing gene therapy parameters for application to human disease. Dr. Tsilfidis is also the Director of the Office of Equity, Diversity and Gender Issues in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa.

DR. ASHLEIGH KENNEDY
CEO OF BIOTECH COMPANY NEUROVINE

PhD, Ottawa Board of Trade 40 under Forty award

Dr. Ashleigh Kennedy is the founder and CEO of Neurovine. She holds a PhD in Human Kinetics and Motor Control, as well as a post-doctoral fellowship in neuroscience. Neurovine is an award winning wearable device that monitors and analyzes brain activity and provides personalized feedback and interventions to patients with neurological conditions. Ashleigh has been recognized as a TedX speaker and a 2021 Forty Under 40 recipient for their leadership and impact in the healthcare sector. She is driven by a passion for bridging innovation, medicine, and a vision for democratizing healthcare globally.