Tissa Wijeratne, MD, PhD, Asian Regional Consortium on Headache (ARCH), Australia
Professor Tissa Wijeratne (OAM MD, PhD, FRACP, FRSM, FAAN, FAHA, FRCP) is the Chair of the Department of Neurology at Western Health, Melbourne, Australia. He is the Co-Founder and Chair of World Brain Dayan initiative that has brought brain health into the global spotlight, transforming it into a widely recognized priority. His work played a significant role in shaping the World Health Organization’s definition of brain health and in the global prioritization of brain health and prevention. He is the elected Trustee for WFN during the 2024 WFN leadership ballot worldwide.
Prof. Wijeratne is Australia's most cited practicing headache specialist, boasting a citation index of 127,000 and an h-index of 82, with 356 publications to his name. These milestones are particularly remarkable given his background as a specialist neurologist from a culturally and linguistically diverse community. His leadership in research extends to the mentorship of 12 PhD students, propelling advancements in the field of neurology.
In addition to his clinical and academic roles, he serves as the President of the Asian Regional Consortium of Headache and the Global Chair for Migraine and Headache Disorders at the World Federation for Neurorehabilitation (WFNR). His exceptional contributions to medicine were recognized in 2023 when he was awarded the Prestigious Order of the Medal of Australia for services as an outstanding neurologist during the Australia Day honors.
Sophie Merve Yener, MD, Asian Regional Consortium on Headache (ARCH), Australia
Dr. Sophie Merve Onerli Yener is an early career neurologist and headache sub-specialist dedicated to improving the lives of headache patients. She completed her medical training in 2015 and her neurology training in 2020, gaining extensive experience as a headache neurologist at Turkey's largest tertiary hospital. Her experience in this demanding environment highlighted critical needs in service delivery, prompting her to advocate for enhanced patient care. Now based in Melbourne, Dr. Yener serves as a headache neurologist and advocate at Migraine Foundation Australia and the Asian Regional Consortium of Headache. Currently, she continues her research with the Global Migraine and Pain Society while aiming to pursue a PhD. Dr. Yener is committed to making headache medicine more accessible and effective, particularly in the Asia and Oceania regions.
Lakshman Singh, PhD, College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
Dr. Lakshman Singh is a distinguished academic and researcher in Life Sciences with over a decade of experience specializing in stem cells, regenerative medicine, cancer metastasis, and aging. Holding a PhD from the Defence Research and Development Organisation, India, he has contributed significantly to global research institutions, including post-doctoral tenures at the University of Pennsylvania (USA), University of Sheffield (UK), University of Melbourne, and Victoria University (Australia).
His groundbreaking research encompasses radiation mitigation, mesenchymal stem cell biology, and the interplay between aging and cancer. Dr. Singh’s contributions are well-documented in high-impact journals such as Stem Cells and Bone.
Currently, Dr. Singh is a key member of the teaching faculty at Victoria University, where he instructs across disciplines, including Anatomy, Physiology, and STEM Education. As a unit coordinator and advocate for innovative teaching methods, he integrates the Scholarship of Learning and Teaching (SoLT) to enhance student outcomes.
In parallel, Dr. Singh serves as an editor and trainer with Cactus Communications, mentoring emerging scientists and refining over 350 biomedical manuscripts for global publication. His commitment to fostering the next generation of researchers is reflected in his mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students in musculoskeletal and translational research.
Dr. Singh's research portfolio highlights pivotal work in osteoanabolic therapies and age-related bone disorders. His interdisciplinary approach and global academic presence underscore his leadership in advancing biomedical sciences and education.
Affiliated with prestigious organizations like the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR), Dr. Singh continues to shape the future of Life Sciences through his research, teaching, and editorial expertise.