WOC 2025

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Russell Rising

D & S Consulting Services Inc, United States

Biography:

Dr. Russell Rising obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Arizona, Tucson. He started his career by inventing the world’s first whole room indirect calorimeter (WRIC) for infants at Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY. He then created several types of animal WRIC’s, including one for non-human primates. Finally, he has created seven human adult WRIC laboratories worldwide comprising of 22 metabolic rooms. He has over 55 publications, been featured on television broadcasts, as well as holding a full adjunct professorship at China’s largest medical school. Currently, he is President of Research and Development of D & S Consulting services Inc.

Jeane Silva

Augusta University, United States

Biography:

Dr. Silva earned a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and is board-certified in Molecular Technology by the American Society for Clinical Pathology. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Ph.D. program in Applied Health Sciences at the School of Public Health, Augusta University. Dr. Silva also holds a doctoral degree in Education with a focus on educational innovation. Her research focuses on genetic biomarkers, particularly monogenetic variants associated with severe obesity that impact food intake and circulating microRNAs that predict drug resistance in patients with Multiple Myeloma. Dr. Silva has made significant contributions to science by publishing over 30 research articles in peer-reviewed journals. Her dedication to teaching and learning is reflected in her commitment to advising students to foster critical thinking skills and a lifelong love of learning.

F Buck Willis

IUHS School of Medicine, Saint Kitts and Nevis

Biography:

Dr Buck Willis started his life again following what the FAA categorized as a “Fatal Plane Crash.” He overtook the challenges from a 3-year series of 16 operations to rebuild his legs by later Squatting 230kg. After the crash he also earned four degrees, now including his MD, and his research has changed the standard of care in rehabilitation medicine (over 50 publications with eight books and 45 presentations). After earning his PhD in kinesiology, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine.

Bob Esquerre

Esquerre Fitness Group International, United States

Biography:

Before joining the Health & Fitness Sector, Bob spent over 13 years in Corporate America specializing in Business Planning, Project and Operations Management. With 38 years in the Sector, he has become a Trainer of Trainers, Instructor of Instructors, and Manager of Managers. His expertise covers Group Exercise, Personal Training, and Operations Management. As a global lecturer, Bob offers Business Growth Strategies and Operations Analysis to Club/Studio Owners, Managers, and Fitness Professionals. His focus: (1) developing strategies to create safe, customer-centric communities that effectively engage the 80%+ inactive population and (2) incorporates Emotional Intelligence skills in developing Fitness Professionals.

Amy Gutman

AdventHealth; Tough Love MD, United States

Biography:

Dr. Gutman's dedication to preventive care is a cornerstone of her approach to healthcare. With over three decades of experience in the field, she is board-certified in Emergency Medicine with Fellowships in prehospital care and resuscitation and specialized training/certifications in general surgery, maritime medicine, occupational medicine, and nutritional and ketogenic coaching. She is currently an Attending Emergency Physician in Orlando, Florida, having worked all over the United States and Internationally, including serving as a Medical Director for multiple large hospital departments and prehospital services. She has presented at over 100 conferences and has multiple original research publications. Her commitment to positively impacting patients’ lives is unwavering as she strives to reduce the prevalence of debilitating chronic illnesses. She actively debunks medical misinformation, challenging a healthcare industry that often profits from keeping people sick rather than encouraging wellness. Her confidence in the power of knowledge to transform lives is the driving force behind her commitment to empowering individuals with evidence-based science to take control of their health.

Stephen Gullo

Center for Health Sciences, United States

Biography:

Dr. Stephen Gullo received his doctorate in psychology from Columbia University, post-doctoral studies in nutrition at the Campbell Center for Nutrition at Cornell. He served as a professor/researcher at Columbia University Medical Center. He was honored at an international gathering at the United Nations, hosted by the President of the United Nations General Assembly and awarded the prestigious Schoenberg Award by colleagues from Columba and Harvard “for the development of unique and creative modes of weight control.” His work has been featured in over 20 cover stories including three in The New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, Hollywood Reporter. He is one of the pioneers of the Behavioral Nutrition model for clinical weight control and the founder of the Center for Health Sciences in New York City. His book: “Thin Tastes Better” was a national best seller. When The New York Times conducted a survey of the nation’s leading weight experts for its prestigious T-List Dr. Gullo was honored to be one of the two.

Andrzej Bissinger

Medical University of Lodz, Poland

Biography:

Dr Andrzej Bissinger is a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist. He graduated Medical University in Lodz, Poland in 1993, received his PhD degree in 1997 at the same institution. He is certified cardiologist since 2003 and Cardiac Device Specialist of European Heart Rhythm Association since 2007. He is a member of International Society of Holter & Noninvasive Electrocardiology; Polish Cardiac Society; European Society of Cardiology; European Heart Rhythm Association. He has published more than 76 research articles in SCI(E) journals. He was an investigator in several clinical studies. At present he works as a Head of Cardiac Electrophysioloy Lab in Department of Cardiology, ‘Kopernik’ Hospital, Lodz, Poland. His fields of work are general cardiology, non-invasive and invasive treatment of arrhythmias and treatment patients with heart failure.