Keynote Speaker

Professor Jonathan Barratt

University of Leicester – UK

Title: Development of new therapies for IgA nephropathy


Jonathan leads the Renal Research Group within the College of Life Sciences University of Leicester. His research is focussed on a bench to bedside approach to improving our understanding of the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy a common global cause of kidney failure. Jonathan is the IgA nephropathy Rare Disease Group lead for the UK National Registry of Rare Kidney Diseases (RaDaR) and a member of the steering committee for the International IgA Nephropathy Network. He works closely with pharmaceutical companies interested in new treatments for IgA nephropathy and is Chief Investigator for a number of international randomised controlled Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials in IgA nephropathy and was a member of the FDA and American Society of Nephrology Kidney Health Initiative: Identifying Surrogate Endpoints for Clinical Trials in IgA Nephropathy Work group.

Professor Talal Yusaf

Central Queensland University – Australia

Title: Hydrogen production challenges & future prospective


Professor Talal Yusaf currently hold the position of Chief Business Development Officer at Aviation Australia, Queensland Government Australia and Adjunct Professor at Central Queensland University. Professor Yusaf commenced his role as Pro Vice Chancellor, International and Partnership at Federation University Australia in September 2018, and was the Executive Director (International and Research Partnership) at University of Southern Queensland (2008-2018). Professor Yusaf’s international university career has included teaching, research and management positions in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, the United Kingdom and in Queensland for the last 30 years.

Professor Yusaf holds PhDs in renewable energy and biotechnology and has a strong research background in Alternative Fuel (Biofuel and Hydrogen) and environmental pollution, and mechanical method for water treatment. Professor Yusaf’s academic qualifications include BSc (Hons) UoT Baghdad 1987, PhD1 USQ Queensland Australia and PhD2 National Uni UKM Malaysia 1999. Professor Yusaf has supervised over 50 PhD and Postgraduate students and has written and contributed to over 165 journals and 10 books.