With more than 450 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Breitschwerdt is an internationally recognized leader in Bartonella research, diagnosis and treatment and has been consulted widely about an array of infectious diseases by many leading companies in the veterinary diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccine industries. Dr. Breitschwerdt is an internist and professor of medicine and infectious diseases at North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He is a co-director of the Vector Borne Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, which has been testing animals for vector-borne infections since 1984. Importantly, Dr. Breitschwerdt’s research at the NCSU Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory has produced significant research findings concerning the medical importance of Bartonella and other emerging infectious disease pathogens in both animal and human health.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to research and teaching, Dr. Breitschwerdt has received numerous awards, including the NCSU Holladay Medal for Excellence (2013), AAVMC Excellence in Research Award (2017), the AKC-CHF Canine Health Excellence Award (2018), the WSAVA Global One Health Award (2018), and the Melanie S. Steele Distinguished Professorship in Medicine (2018).

With more than 450 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Breitschwerdt is an internationally recognized leader in Bartonella research, diagnosis and treatment and has been consulted widely about an array of infectious diseases by many leading companies in the veterinary diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccine industries. Dr. Breitschwerdt is an internist and professor of medicine and infectious diseases at North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He is a co-director of the Vector Borne Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, which has been testing animals for vector-borne infections since 1984. Importantly, Dr. Breitschwerdt’s research at the NCSU Intracellular Pathogens Research Laboratory has produced significant research findings concerning the medical importance of Bartonella and other emerging infectious disease pathogens in both animal and human health.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to research and teaching, Dr. Breitschwerdt has received numerous awards, including the NCSU Holladay Medal for Excellence (2013), AAVMC Excellence in Research Award (2017), the AKC-CHF Canine Health Excellence Award (2018), the WSAVA Global One Health Award (2018), and the Melanie S. Steele Distinguished Professorship in Medicine (2018).

Dr. Elam serves as a Research Fellow at the award-winning Diana International Research Institute at Babson College where she conducts research on gender and entrepreneurship around the globe. She has published highly cited research in top business journals, technical reports, and edited volumes, including the globally-recognized GEM Women’s Entrepreneurship Report, and serves on the editorial board of Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice.

Dr. Elam is also Cofounder of Galaxy Diagnostics, an early-stage medical diagnostics company in North Carolina (USA) advancing diagnostics and clinical discovery for emerging infectious diseases linked to chronic illness, like Lyme disease (Borrelia) and cat scratch disease (Bartonella). In addition to her academic research and business leadership, Dr. Elam serves as a business advisor to a number of innovative life sciences startups, INGOs supporting women entrepreneurs, and appears regularly on panels and podiums at industry and global research conferences. She holds a doctorate in Sociology from UNC Chapel Hill.

With nearly 30 years of life science CEO experience, Richard co-founded and currently leads Baebies, a growth-stage medical diagnostics company in its tenth year. Previously Richard led Advanced Liquid Logic, a Duke spinout that developed lab-on-a-chip technology and products for the research tools and diagnostic markets. Advanced Liquid Logic was sold to Illumina, Inc. for $96M. Prior to Advanced Liquid Logic, Richard was Founder and CEO of TriVirix, a venture-funded medical equipment contract manufacturer that he and his team grew to more than 500 employees. He also spent 15 years in the aerospace industry in program, sales, marketing and engineering management, including four years as a commissioned officer in the US Air Force.

Richard is currently serves on a number of private company boards. He has an engineering degree from Duke University, an MBA from the University of West Florida and completed all requirements except dissertation for a PhD in management at the Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management.

Joel Kimbrough currently serves as a co-founder and director of AvonoRx , Inc, one of the largest specialty pharmacies in the country. Previously, He was the Chief Financial Officer of Accredo Health Group, Inc., a publicly traded company under the symbol ACDO until sold to Express Scripts in 2005. Joel has served as a director for several start up health companies over the years usually in the role of chairperson of the audit and finance committee.

Joel, a certified public accountant, began his career with the public accounting firm of Ernst and Whinney (Young) where he finished his 9-year career as a senior manager in the audit department responsible for the firm’s healthcare client base.

He currently serves as the Chairperson of the West Cancer Foundation and has served on and served on several Non-Profit board of directors including the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South, The Regional Center of Memphis, and Lebonheur Children’s Hospital. Joel is married to his wife Melissa and resides in Memphis Tennessee.

Dr. Chris Turnpaugh, DC, DACNB, AFMCP is a leading figure in functional medicine, with a career dedicated to addressing the root causes of chronic and complex health conditions. As the founder and President of Turnpaugh Health & Wellness Center, he has cultivated a practice centered on integrative, patient-focused care that goes beyond merely treating symptoms. With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Turnpaugh specializes in addressing the root causes of chronic conditions, including autoimmune diseases, neurological disorders, and thyroid issues. His holistic practice emphasizes personalized care through advanced diagnostics, nutrition, lifestyle medicine, and functional lab analysis.

Dr. Turnpaugh holds degrees from Bloomsburg University, studied at the Life College of Chiropractic, the Carrick Institute, the Institute for Functional Medicine, and the American Academy of Anti-Aging and Aesthetics Medicine; with post-doctoral certifications in functional neurology from the Institute of Functional Medicine. He teaches healthcare providers across the country and is a member of multiple professional organizations, including the International Lyme Disease Association, the American Academy of Anti Aging Medicine (A4M) and the Institute for Functional Medicine.

With nearly 30 years of experience in the integrative and functional medicine space, Sunjya K. Schweig, MD, is committed to advancing a data-driven approach to the prevention and reversal of chronic illnesses. He is the founder and president of the California Center for Functional Medicine (CCFM), which provides personalized, precision medicine care. CCFM is known for its comprehensive and data-driven approach in treating complex chronic conditions and has supported first responders with health and wellness programs since 2016.

Dr. Schweig founded the Functional Medicine Research and Technology Center in 2021, focusing on chronic illness research, education, and innovation. He received his B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, and a full scholarship for medical school at the University of California, Irvine, where he helped build and scale the complementary and alternative medicine curriculum. While completing his family medicine residency at the UCSF Santa Rosa Family Practice Program, he established the residency’s Integrative Medicine Fellowship.

An active medical educator and researcher, Dr. Schweig holds an adjunct faculty position at Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine and has published articles on botanical medicines for tickborne infections. Board-certified in family practice and integrative and holistic medicine, Dr. Schweig serves on the Scientific Advisory Board for the Bay Area Lyme Foundation, and is an advisor for health and tech nonprofits, organizations, and startups.

Dr. Brian Plant, ND is a licensed naturopathic doctor with extensive training in a integrative, whole-person healthcare approach. He specializes in working with individuals suffering from complex immune dysfunctions, such as Lyme disease, chronic viral infections, environmental toxicity, autoimmune diseases, and neuropsychiatric conditions.

Dr. Plante is a graduate of the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. He also applies his holistic approach to treating neurological and psychiatric conditions at Amen Clinics, focusing on resetting underlying systems to support mental health and wellness.

Dr. Myriah Hinchey, a Naturopathic physician and Fellow of the Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs (MAPS), is a recognized expert in the field of Lyme disease and other complex chronic inflammatory conditions, with over 17 years of specialized experience. As a physician and the Medical Director at TAO, an integrative center for healing, she has successfully guided thousands of patients towards recovery from their complex chronic inflammatory conditions. Additionally, she is the founder and owner of LymeCore Botanicals, a herbal medicine company focused on providing effective solutions for healing vector-borne diseases. Dr. Hinchey is dedicated to treating patients of all ages, with a specialty in pediatrics, and is also a sought-after speaker, passionately educating healthcare professionals on the pathophysiology of vector-borne diseases and how to successfully integrate functional, herbal, and lifestyle medicine into their practices.

Thomas A. Sult, MD, IFMCP, is a graduate of the UCLA School of Medicine (MD) with nearly 30 years of experience in Functional Medicine. Over the course of his career, he has held certifications as a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP), a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM), and a Diplomate of the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine (ABIHM). He is also an Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) Certified Practitioner and has contributed to the field as a faculty member, teaching nationally and internationally.

Dr. Sult is dedicated to a holistic and patient-centered approach to care, focusing on uncovering and addressing the root causes of health challenges. He combines a deep understanding of Functional Medicine with an integrative perspective to help patients achieve optimal wellness. By considering the complex interplay of physical, emotional, and environmental factors, Dr. Sult empowers patients to take an active role in their health journey and supports them with personalized, evidence-based strategies for lasting health improvements.

His passion for Functional Medicine extends beyond patient care, as he works to advance the field through education and collaboration, specializing in areas such as immune and gastrointestinal health. Dr. Sult’s approach reflects his unwavering commitment to helping individuals live healthier, more balanced lives.

James “Jay” Stevens, MD, CAQSM, ABAARM, FAAFP, is a seasoned physician and the founder of Essential Health, with over 30 years of experience in innovative primary care medicine. He has practiced in diverse conventional primary care settings, including group private practice and hospital-employed roles, where he also served as a physician leader as the Chairman of Rex Primary Care from 1994-2003.

In 2003, Dr. Stevens founded Carolina Family Practice & Sports Medicine (CFP&SM) in Cary, North Carolina, now part of Novant Health. He later developed an Executive Health Program that evolved into a direct primary care practice. As Chief Innovation Officer at Essential Holding Company, Dr. Stevens plays a key role in advancing the organization’s mission to refine and introduce cutting-edge methods to Essential Health clinics. Dr. Stevens is Board Certified in Family Practice and Anti-Aging Medicine, with a Certificate of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine and the American Academy of Family Practice. He is also certified in Peptide Therapy and is a member of the American Medical Society of Sports Medicine and Hyperbaric Medicine International.

Dr. Casey Kelley, MD, ABoIM is a pioneering leader in Integrative and Functional Medicine, dedicated to providing patient-centered care that focuses on overall health, wellness, and longevity. Dr. Kelley was driven to Functional Medicine seeking answers to health and healing questions that conventional medicine could not fully address. She is particularly recognized for her expertise in treating complex conditions such as Lyme Disease and for her national lectures on this topic and others.

Board Certified in both Family Medicine and Integrative Medicine, Dr. Kelley is a graduate of The Ohio State University College of Medicine. She is a 15-year member of the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) and Past Treasurer of the International Lyme and Associated Disease Society (ILADS). Dr. Kelley is also a faculty member at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. She founded Case Integrative Health in Chicago in 2019 to uncover the root cause of illness and empower patients with validated, innovative therapies designed to restore health and vitality.

Dr. Craig Tanio, MD, FACP, IFMCP is a distinguished physician specializing in internal medicine, brain health, longevity, and precision medicine. As CEO and co-founder of Rezilir Health, he leads a multidisciplinary clinical team addressing complex chronic conditions such as cognitive decline, neurodegenerative disorders, ME/CFS, Long Covid, autoimmune diseases, and environmentally acquired illnesses. Dr. Tanio’s evidence-informed approach emphasizes root-cause resolution and integrates multiple medical disciplines to provide comprehensive care. 

Dr. Tanio earned his BA in Political Science from UCLA, his MD from UCSF, and an MBA from the Wharton School. He completed his residency and fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was Chief Medical Resident and a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar. Board-certified in internal medicine and functional medicine, Dr. Tanio collaborates on studies exploring precision medicine’s role in reversing cognitive decline and improving outcomes for chronic illnesses. He has held prominent leadership roles, including Chair of the Maryland Health Care Commission, Chief Medical Officer at ChenMed, Parter at McKinsey and Company  as well as and faculty positions at Johns Hopkins and Nova Southeastern University.

Dr. Meghan Starolis, MS, PhD, HCLD (ABB), is the Senior Science Director of Infectious Diseases at Quest Diagnostics where she oversees the Molecular Infectious Diseases testing. With expertise spanning chronic viral, respiratory, tick-borne, sexually transmitted, and gastrointestinal diseases, Dr. Starolis drives strategic planning for diagnostic solutions and leads key initiatives in Clinical, Medical Affairs, and Research & Development. She contributes to the development and enhancement of diagnostic assays, advancing the field of molecular diagnostics.

Dr. Starolis earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Microbiology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She pursued a Master’s in Biodefense and a PhD in Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at George Mason University, with research focusing on biothreat pathogens, biofilm formation, and quorum sensing. Board-certified by the American Board of Bioanalysis (ABB), Dr. Starolis has received numerous accolades, including Quest Diagnostics’ Empowering Better Health Award in 2020 and 2021. She serves on the editorial board of Microbiology Spectrum Journal and holds leadership roles within the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology and other professional organizations She serves as the Chairperson of the Molecular Life Cycle Management team to provide expertise and oversight to all laboratories enterprise-wide that perform molecular testing at Quest. Additionally, she acts as a board-certified department director of a high complexity, esoteric infectious disease laboratory performing LDTs and FDA approved assays.

Dr. John Aucott, MD is an associate professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University and a renowned internist specializing in Lyme disease within the Division of Rheumatology. He serves as the Director of the Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Clinical Research Center, where he leads groundbreaking research on Lyme disease diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Aucott has contributed extensively to understanding the clinical and immunological aspects of Lyme disease, particularly focusing on early diagnosis, gender differences in disease presentation, and the development of innovative prevention and treatment approaches. His work has informed clinical practice and policy, addressing the challenges of both acute Lyme disease and Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS).

Dr. Aucott earned his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed his residency in internal medicine at the University Hospitals of Cleveland. He is fellowship-trained in infectious diseases and geographic medicine. He has co-led the Study of Lyme Disease Immunology and Clinical Events (SLICE), a multi-year longitudinal study that has significantly advanced the understanding of Lyme disease pathophysiology and biomarkers. He served as the inaugural Chair of the US Health and Human Services Tickborne Diseases working group and is an active member of the scientific advisory board to TIckNet Canada and the Canadian Lyme Disease Research Network. He has authored numerous influential publications and remains a vital advocate for improving Lyme disease diagnostics and patient care.

Dr. Ross Boyce, MD, Msc is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. With expertise in vector-borne diseases, his research focuses on spatial and clinical epidemiology particularly in rural communities. Dr. Boyce leads the Vector-Borne Disease Epidemiology, Ecology, and Response (VEER) Hub, a multidisciplinary research collaboration addressing mosquito- and tick-borne diseases endemic to North Carolina. His team collaborates with experts from fields such as entomology, immunology, and public health, fostering partnerships with academic institutions across the state along with public health organizations like the NC Division of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A native of Winston-Salem, Dr. Boyce holds an undergraduate degree from Davidson College, a medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and completed his internal medicine residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and an infectious diseases fellowship at UNC. In addition, he completed a Masters degree in public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. His research has received funding from institutions including the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Doris Duke Foundation, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. His innovative projects, such as studies on Anopheles mosquito breeding sites and insecticide-treated baby carriers in Uganda, aim to improve evidence-based interventions and care delivery in resource-limited settings.

Dr. Suzanne Dale is the Technical Director for Molecular Microbiology, Molecular Infectious Diseases, and Virology at LabCorp. With extensive expertise in clinical microbiology, she oversees critical diagnostic processes, advancing the detection and management of infectious diseases. Dr. Dale’s leadership and innovative contributions have solidified her reputation as a trusted expert in molecular diagnostics and laboratory sciences.

Dr. Dale earned her Ph.D. from University of Western Ontario (UWO) in Canada in Microbiology and Immunology in 2005, with her research focusing on the genetic and biochemical characterization of iron assimilation in Staphylococcus aureus. She completed her B.Sc. (Honors, With Distinction) in Microbiology and Immunology also at the University of Western Ontario in 2000. Dr. Dale completed her fellowship training in Medical and Public Health Microbiology at the University of Rochester in 2007. A Diplomate of the American Board of Medical Microbiology she also holds a Certificate of Qualification from the New York State Department of Health in multiple disciplines. Dr. Dale has been published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, among other impactful journals, highlighting her contributions to advancing infectious disease diagnostics.