Prof Karlheinz Peter is Head of the Cardiometabolic Health Department at the Medical School of the University of Melbourne and Deputy Director (Basic and Translational Science) and Head of the Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology Program at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute. In addition to his research program, Professor Peter also works as an interventional cardiologist at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. Professor Peter holds an Investigator Level 3 NHMRC fellowship. He undertook medical training at the University of Freiburg and Heidelberg Germany, followed by further research and clinical training at the Johns Hopkins Medical School, Scripps Research Institute, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA. Prior to moving to the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Professor Peter was Director of the Cardiac Catheter Laboratory at the University of Freiburg. Prof Peter’s research is focused on the role of platelets, coagulation and inflammation in the development of thrombosis, atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction and he aims to develop novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of these highly prevalent cardiovascular diseases. His work has led to the identification of novel biomarkers and molecular imaging strategies for thrombosis and unstable plaques as well as innovative, recombinant biotechnological anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory approaches. One of Prof Peter’s major interests is the development of potent antithrombotic and fibrinolytic therapies without the risk of bleeding complications. Prof Peter is also founder and Chief Medical Officer of the biotech company Nirtek, which is developing an intracoronary optical guide wire capable of identifying unstable atherosclerotic plaques. This diagnostic approach will ultimately help to prevent plaque rupture and consequently thrombotic occlusion of coronary arteries and thus will be instrumental to reduce the number of myocardial infarction and its high mortality and morbidity rate.

Deputy Director of the John Curtin School of Medical Research at the Australian National University, Canberra. Scientific Director of the National Platelet Referral and Research Centre, ANU and The Canberra Hospital. Elizabeth received her PhD in Biochemistry from Monash University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland OH USA. She has expertise in platelet biochemistry and platelet receptor function, particularly relevant to both thrombosis and bleeding in patients. She is a Trustee of the Thrombosis and Haemostasis Society of Australia and New Zealand (THANZ), Senior Associate Editor of Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, and on the Editorial Board of Blood. She is co-Editor in Chief of Platelets Journal. She is the Platelets Theme leader for the 2024 ISTH Bangkok Congress and on the ISTH Membership Committee and the ISTH Basic Science Taskforce.

Dr. Di Paola is a Tenured Professor of Pediatrics and Division Chief of Pediatric Hematology Oncology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the Associate Director of the Washington University School of Medicine Medical Scientist Training Program. His previous Faculty appointments were at the University of Iowa and the University of Colorado. Dr. Di Paola’s research focuses on the genetics and biology of bleeding and thrombotic disorders. His laboratory has made significant discoveries in von Willebrand disease, platelet disorders and cancer predisposition. These discoveries have set the stage for potential new therapies. Dr. Di Paola has published more than 150 original scientific articles, reviews and book chapters and is Associate Editor of Blood.