Speakers Bio

Life expectancy and methods for health from highlanders from the municipality of Ujsoły in Beskid Zywiecki, Poland.
Tadeusz Pietka, MSc, the Head of the Commune Ujsoly

A prescription for longevity from the highlanders of Istebna, Jaworzynka and Koniaków, the area of the Silesian Beskid.
Elżbieta Legierska-Niewiadomska, MA

Born in 1970 in Koniaków, in the Beskid Śląski region of southern Poland, she is a folklorist, soloist, and dancer with a deep appreciation for cultural traditions. A graduate of the Faculty of Pedagogy and Art at the University of Silesia in Katowice, Branch in Cieszyn (1992–1997).

Since the age of seven, for 15 years (1978–1986), she was a dancer and singer in the Children’s Regional Ensemble Mały Koniaków, later serving as its director for eight years (1986–1994). During this time, she achieved numerous successes at international festivals, including those in Nowy Sącz and Zielona Góra. For 28 years (1994–2020), she served as the director of the Municipal Cultural Center in Istebna, actively promoting and organizing numerous events dedicated to folklore, tradition, highlander dance, and singing. Simultaneously, she managed and choreographed the Regional Ensemble Istebna and played a key role in securing funding for regional costumes for a large group of children and adolescents from Istebna, Jaworzynka, and Koniaków.

Her deep knowledge of tradition, distinctive and beautiful dialect, and great sense of humour always drew crowds to the amphitheater stage in Istebna, where she served as a master of ceremonies for events organized in the Istebna Commune. As a folklore expert, she has often served as a jury member for dialect competitions and music reviews organized by various institutions. Since 2020, she has been the manager of the Children’s Regional Ensemble Mały Koniaków and since 2021, has been working as a guide at the Beskid Museum in Wisla. 

She is currently implementing a scholarship funded by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage Touch the Speech of Grandparents – Saving the Disappearing Dialect of the Beskid Highlanders („Dotknąć mowy dziadków – ratujemy zanikającą gwarę górali beskidzkich”). This project enables her to gather valuable insights into the lives of the indigenous highlanders of Istebna, Jaworzynka, and Koniaków, who serve as her key informants.
AWARDS: the honorary badge Merit to Polish culture (2012), the title of Original Woman of Cieszyn Silesia (2020), a diploma by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage for her contributions to the promotion of folk culture (2021), as part of the 115th anniversary of the Regional Ensemble Istebna. In 2021, she received a financial award from the Minister of Culture and National Heritage in recognition of her overall contributions and achievements and a year after, the honorary badge for her lifetime achievements in culture, the Silver Laurel of Cieszynianka.

In 2023, she received a scholarship from the National Institute of Culture and Rural Heritage under the programme the Master and Student for her project: Dance in the Old-Fashioned Way – Learning Archaic Dances of the Beskid Slaski.” („Tańcować po starodownymu – nauka archaicznych tańców Beskidu Śląskiego). 

Senior Policy of the City of Poznań, Greater Poland Voivodship.
Magdalena Pietrusik-Adamska, Msc, the Director of the Department of Health and Social Affairs of the Poznan City Hall

Magdalena Pietrusik-Adamska – Head of the Department of Health and Social Affairs of the Poznan City Hall, responsible for the preparation and implementation of many nationally and internationally recognized innovative social, equality, senior, family and pro-health projects. She graduated from law at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań and completed several postgraduate courses in management.
Chairwoman of the Social Policy Commission of the Union of Polish Cities, chairwoman of the Social Policy and Health Commission of the Union of Polish Metropolises and deputy representative of the Union of Polish Metropolises in the Health and Social Policy Team of the Joint Commission of the Government and Local Government.
She has extensive experience in managing public administration units and implementing social services and health policy programs. He coordinates the development and implementation of activities related to the introduction in the city of the Strategy for Solving Social Problems, Senior Policy. Policy for Families, Policy for Integration of Migrants and Migrant Women, Equality Action Plan, in accordance with the European Charter on Equal Rights for Women and Men in Local Life, and a number of other municipal social and health programs.
In the structures of the City of Poznań, she serves, among others, as deputy chairwoman of the Equality and Diversity Policy Team, deputy chairwoman of the Program Council on Senior Citizenship Policy in Poznań. She is also deputy chairman of the Program Council for the development, implementation and updating of the “Strategy for Solving Social Problems for the City of Poznań for 2017-2025” and deputy chairman of the Program Council for the implementation and execution of the Policy of the City of Poznań for Families for 2022 – 2025.
On a daily basis, she manages the work of the 10-branch department, coordinates the activities of independent specialists and supervises the activities of the city’s organizational units set up to carry out tasks in the field of health and social affairs.
Through her efforts, Poznań was the first city in Poland to launch the Center for Family Initiatives, which alongside the Center for Senior Initiatives implements a number of activities to improve the quality of life and support residents.

Microbiota modulation as integral part of Lifestyle Medicine
Wojciech Marlicz, Professor of Medicine, MD, PhD, FACG, FRCPE

Endoklinika, The Centre for Digestive Diseases, CEO.
Consultant in gastroenterology and internal medicine, professor of medicine at the Department of Gastroenterology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Poland. For last 20 years I have been involved in diagnostic and therapeutic gastrointestinal endoscopy, conducting several national and international research projects investigating the role of adult stem cells, microbiota and probiotics in human gastrointestinal diseases. I have also been involved in teaching and educational activities highlighting the importance of healthy lifestyle and nutrition to promote wellbeing and longevity. I have become a member of European Crohns and Colitis Organisation (ECCO), European Society of Neurogastroenterology & Motility (ESNM), Polish Society of Gastroenterology PTG-E (Head of West Pomeranian Division of PTG-E 2012-2016), European Lifestyle Medicine Organization (ELMO – Country Representative for Poland) and Polish Coeliac Society (Honorary Member), Fellow of American College of Gastroenterology (FACG) and Royal College of Physicians (Edinburgh, FRCPE). Specialties: Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine.

Alpine skiing and its effect on the mental health of individuals with physical disabilities and PTSD.
Dr Barbara Hall, PhD

Post-doctoral lecturer and researcher at the Department of Clinical Physiology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Fundamentals of Biomedical Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Poland.
An accomplished Doctor of Philosophy in Exercise & Sport Science, specializing in Human and Exercise Physiology, with a strong research background in Nutrition, Allergology, and Health. Passionate about Lifestyle Medicine and currently pursuing certification in the field. Possesses extensive scientific and teaching experience in Poland and the United Kingdom, including academic roles at the University of Manchester and Salford University. Additionally, an experienced alpine and adaptive ski instructor with national and international expertise. 
E-mail: b.hall@awf.katowice.pl; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1487-780X

Sources of sustainable change – a perspective on a healthy lifestyle as a lifelong journey.
Ass. Prof. Klaudia Zuskova, PhD

I am Associate professor at the Faculty of Medicine of Charles University in Hradec Králové 🎥 Author and presenter of the TV docureality „Ke štěstí „To Happiness”🎤Author and co-presenter of the video podcast HEALTHY LIVING. Author of the book „NA ZDRAVÍ!” (For health!)
Throughout my professional career, I have been involved in topics related to the human psyche associated with healthy lifestyles and physical activities, including sporting activities. I am not only involved in these areas in my academic and professional work at universities, but I also use the knowledge from them in my counselling and consulting activities within personal development and sport psychology training. I also use my management skills in the organisation of professional and social events. In recent years, I have also expanded my professional scope to include creative activities such as authorial television production. I feel myself to be an open-minded person, a seeker, knowing that life brings many question marks to which I may not find an answer right away. Creativity, quality interpersonal relationships and meaningful work are important to me.
Link to Lin Profile: linkedin.com/in/klaudiazuskova

Direction: Longevity
Prof. Marek Postula, MD, PhD

Professor Marek Postula is a preventive cardiologist trained both in internal medicine and cardiology. Currently, he holds a full professor position at the Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, a chief position of the Pharmacogenomic Laboratory, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland. His research focuses on novel biomarkers for cardiovascular diseases, genetic background of drug response, and personalized medicine for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Throughout his career, he also gained experience as a postdoctoral Fulbright fellow in the Laboratory of Perioperative Genomics, Penn State College of Medicine in the US. Currently, he is continuing his personal development at the London School of Economics and Political Science by studying health economics, outcomes, and management in cardiovascular science as a part of a MSc program. He has received several research grants and has been carrying out a broad range of international cooperation with scientists from Austria, Italy, Holland, Japan, Brazil, Canada and the US. He is experienced in planning and performing clinical trials, platelet function testing and genetic and epigenetic analyses focusing on non-coding RNA as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in cardiovascular diseases and modern prevention.
MAJOR FIELDS OF SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITY: Genetic background of platelet reactivity in patients with type 2 diabetes. Genetic background of ischemic stroke related to genes associated with platelet reactivity and new genetic polymorphisms. MicroRNA analysis and relation to platelet reactivity in patients with ischemic stroke. Noncoding RNA as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in cardiovascular diseases. Sporty cardiology. Effect of physical activity on noncoding RNA. Profile on Lin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marekpostula/

Lifestyle Medicine, a new medical field and its importance to health and longevity
Ioannis Arkadianos, MD
 

Clothing – the nearest human environment.
Prof. Malgorzata Zimniewska, PhD

Professor in the discipline of Materials Engineering – Textiles.
1) World President of the Institute of Textiles, Manchester 2021 – ongoing; 2) member of the Scientific Committee of The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) under Horizon Europe, Brussels 2021 – continuing;
3) Member Advisory Board, BIOEAST Council – Central and Eastern Europe Initiative for Knowledge-Based Agriculture, Aquaculture and Forestry in the Bio-Economy, 2021 – ongoing; 4) Quality Controller, Horizon Europe, Pioneer European Innovation Council, European Commission, Brussels, 2021 – ongoing; 5) Guest Editor of a special issue of the journal Materials: ‘Ecological Textiles: Fibres, processing and applications’, IF 3.748, 2023; 6) guest editor of a special issue of the journal Materials: ‘Biomaterials and textile technologies’, IF 3.748, 2021-2022; 7) member of the Scientific Committee of the Working Group on Fibres and Textile, EIHA European Industrial Hemp Association, 2020 – 2015
Implementation of international research projects:
– BIOEAST Macro-Regional Foresight, Visegrad Countries Project, Expert, 2020 – 2021;
H2020-NMBP-TO-IND-2018-2020, GA no: 952972, INN-PRESSME, ‘Open INNovation ecosystem for sustainable – — Plant-based nano-enabled biomateRials deploymEnt for packaging, tranSport and conSuMEr goods’, 2020 – 2025, Polish task leader,
– 3rd COllective Research NETworking – Project CORNET/24/Celpreg/3/2017, Polish-German cooperation: ‘Pre-impregnated linen fibre laminate. More: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-malgorzata-zimniewska-a3b3a9331/

Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 and Lipid Profile in the Elderly. 
Professor Aleksandra Żebrowska, Ph.D. in Medical and Health Sciences

Professor, Ph.D. in Medical and Health Sciences within the discipline of Exercise Sciences, specialising in human physiology, exercise and exercise training physiology and physiotherapy, with high interest and experience in the sciences of cardiology, pulmonology and sports endocrinology. 

Lectured under- and post-graduate Polish and foreign students studying courses associated with medicine. Head of the Department of Clinical Physiology and Pathophysiology at the Faculty of Fundamentals of Biomedical Sciences at the Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Poland.The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice
Mikolowska 72a, 40-065 Katowice, Poland, Tel: +48 32 2075144
E-mail: a.zebrowska@awf.katowice.pl; ORCID 0000-0001-7446-528X

Cancer in Blue Zones: Lessons for Prevention
Adnan AwadMD, MBBS, DipIBLM

Oncology Resident – Oncology Centre, Al Mana Hospital – Dammam, Saudi Arabia

I’m Sudanese, Based in Saudi Arabia. Working as Resident Doctor at an Oncology Centre.

As a Lifestyle Medicine Physician, my areas of interest include Health Behavioural Change, Health Protective Factors, and the relation between Lifestyle and Cancer.

Integrating that in my clinical work and my involvement with ELMO by:

• Counselling and mentorship to individuals and groups
• Delivering awareness programs
• Delivering presentations and facilitating workshops.

Sleep, Depression and Obesity: 3 factors associated with lifestyle, longevity and quality of life.
Myrto Arkadianou, Biology Student

My name is Myrto Arkadianou, and I am currently studying Biology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Regarding my high school education, I graduated the American College of Greece with a grade of 19.9. I am also an active member of the European Lifestyle Medicine Organization (ELMO) and cooperate with the Clinic of Dr. Ioannis Arkadianos M.D. in Athens. 

Sleep and circadian rhythm in the context of immune system efficiency.
Prof. Grzegorz Dworacki, MD, PhD

Grzegorz Dworacki, Prof. MD, PhD as a Professor of Pathology and Immunology he is the Head of the Chair of Pathomorphology and Clinical Immunology at the Poznan University of Medical Sciences in Poznan, Poland.

Specialist in oncohaematology and flow cytometry. His research and scientific interests include the tumour microenvironment and tumour-derived immunosuppressive mechanisms and more recently, lifestyle interventions in immune system health, recovery and relevance to longevity.
Researcher: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Grzegorz-Dworacki

 Prevention vascular dementia to live longer and better.
Prof. Roberto Volpe, MD, AMS, PhD

University of Rome „La Sapienza”, University of SienaUniversity of Rome „La Sapienza”, University of SienaDoctor of Medicine & Surgery from University of Rome „La Sapienza”Doctor of Medicine & Surgery from University of Rome „La Sapienza”

– specialization on Liver and Metabolic Diseases from University of Rome “La Sapienza”;
– degree of Doctorate of Research (PhD) on Atherosclerosis (Preventive Cardiology) at University of Siena from the Minister of the University and Scientific and Technological Research.

Agricultural system, genetic structure, and other factors influencing the exceptional longevity of inhabitants of city Teulada and the region, Sardinia, Italy”
Special guest: Salvatore Loi, MSc, ex- Mayor of Teulada ^on-line

Salvatore Loi (Teulada, 1950) is a passionate researcher of Sardinian history and ethnography, with particular reference to the Sulcis area. In this regard, he has published several studies, including: Domus, Furriadroxius, Madaus a Teulada e Arresi dal 1840 al 1940, Selargius (Ca) 2006; Sa Tunda. Bread of Sardinia. Food – Wage – Symbol. Peasant labour and bread production in Domus de Maria, Sant’Anna Arres and Teulada (1920-1940), Selargius (Ca) 2011; Health and longevity. The wheat. The goats. The families. Contadini e pastori centenari a Teulada, Sant’Anna Arresi e Domus de Maria. 1700-2020, Iglesias 2022, and In defence of Efisio Salisio notaio di Teulada. Vice consul, rich and rebellious. L’azione sovversiva di un teuladino durante il bombardamento francese di Cagliari, 1792-1793, Iglesias 2023. In collaboration with Mario Paderas, he edited the volumes Sant’Anna Arresi. Genti in movimento. Il popolamento di Arresi dalla Baronia di Teulada all’autonomia comunale – 1624-1965, Iglesias 2014 and Storia di Teulada e dei Teuladini, Monastir (SU) 2019.
The author of books, e.g. „“Salute e longevità – Il grano, le capre, le famiglie” (Health and Longevity – Wheat, Goats, Families), 2022; „Teulada. History and society. On the 400th anniversary of its foundation (1624-2024)”; 2024; „Sa tunda. Pane di Sardegna”, 2011, and more: https://www.amazon.com.au/s?i=books-single-index&rh=p_27%3ASalvatore%2BLoi&s=relevancerank&text=Salvatore+Loi&ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1

When time is pressure
Anna Lengyel, MD

She is graduated from Medical School of University of Pécs, Hungary, formerly teaching at the same University. Working now at her own company as ocupational health physician and acupuncturist, involving LSM. My passion is prevention, always searching for the root of the problems and giving the best solutions possible even „When time is pressure”.

Positive bonuses of yoga practice. 
Agnieszka Pluto-Pradzynska, PhD

I am the Founder of “Lifestyle Medicine for Longevity. Blue Zones Inspirations” Scientific Conference to connect people from many scientific areas and experiences: I began my journey with Lifestyle Medicine (LM) in 2018 and acquired my Lifestyle Medicine Coach certificate in 2019. It was a natural consequence of my previous interest in lifestyle and immunity. In the same time grew up my interest into longevity Blue Zones – observing centenarians I saw that a lot of their life habits are expressed in LM tools. I understood that centenarians set an example and LM offers us tools for healthy and active longevity due to taking care of good-quality nocturnal sleep, respect to tradition, outdoors activities like walking, gardening, healthy social relationships and avoid stress and overeating.

I share my knowledge teaching MD and nutrition students at Poznan University of Medical Sciences in Poznan, where in 2020 I defended my PhD thesis at the Faculty of Health Sciences on the topic of 'Yoga, physical activity and quality of life’.. My prior education includes a postgraduate degree in Hospitals Management (2014), and MSc in Management and Economics. I am also a Slavic Gymnastic for Women and yoga instructor (practicing yoga since 2006).
Link to Li profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agnieszka-pluto-prądzyńska-phd-32778a246/

Lifestyle Medicine’s perspective on self-care for healthcare professionals.
Sunil Kumar, MD, MBBS, MRCA, FCAI, FRSA, FBSLM, DipIBLM

Dr. Sunil Kumar is a Specialist Anaesthesiologist, Consultant Lifestyle Medicine Physician, Author, Master Health Coach, and International Speaker with over 30 years of medical experience, including a dedicated focus on lifestyle medicine and integrative healthcare. He serves as a Council Member of the Royal Society of Medicine (Food & Health Forum) and is a key faculty member at NHS England for Health & Wellbeing Workshops. Dr. Kumar is also on the faculty for the International Master’s in Lifestyle Medicine at the University of Thessaly, Greece, and contributes to Lifestyle Medicine Certification at the European Lifestyle Medicine Organization (ELMO).

In addition to his clinical and teaching roles at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, Dr. Kumar is an Exam Faculty Member for the International Board of Lifestyle Medicine (IBLM). He has played a pioneering role in lifestyle medicine, being a founding member of the LM Initiative at the Global Wellness Institute. Dr. Kumar is deeply involved in physician well-being and professional standards. He serves as Co-Chair for Health & Wellbeing at BAPIO (British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin) and is an Advisory Member of the Professional Standards Review Group at the UK Health Coaches Association. He also serves as an Advisory Member on the Centre for Perioperative Care (CPOC) for Lifestyle Medicine, representing BSLM, advocating for the integration of lifestyle interventions in perioperative care. His previous leadership roles include being the Lead Tutor at the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine and a Former Elected Council Member and Trustee of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA).

As an author, Dr. Kumar has published books on self-care, prehabilitation, and lifestyle medicine, including The Power of Preparation for Surgery. He is also the lead editor of the upcoming Oxford Handbook of Lifestyle Medicine.
A sought-after international speaker, Dr. Kumar has delivered keynote talks at major global conferences, advocating for lifestyle medicine, physician well-being, and prehabilitation. Through his extensive work, he continues to empower patients and healthcare professionals alike, promoting sustainable health improvements through lifestyle interventions.

Dr. Svetlana Chamoun, MD, PhD, FACC, DipABLM

She is a recognized leader in cardiology, physician wellness, and Lifestyle Medicine. 

She completed her Internal Medicine residency at the University of Virginia and her Cardiology fellowship at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia. With dual board certifications in Cardiology and Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Chamoun serves as Co-Chair of the Cardiology Member Interest Group at the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. As Founder and CEO of CardioSeeds LLC and host of the CardioSeeds Podcast, she combines her expertise in cardiovascular prevention and physician wellness to educate and inspire healthcare professionals (https://cardioseeds.com/).

Dr. Chamoun created the RECLAIM by CardioSeeds wellness program, which helps healthcare professionals address stress, burnout, and improve cardiovascular health. Physicians experiencing burnout can enroll in this program to enhance their well-being. An accomplished author. Dr. Chamoun’s books for women physicians, Resilience In Scrubs: Thriving As a Woman Resident Physician (2023) and The Woman Physician’s Survival Guide: Thriving from Residency to Retirement (Healthy Learning, 2024), provide a comprehensive roadmap for success throughout a medical career.

Dr. Chamoun believes in the power of creativity and narrative medicine. Her most recent book, Unbreakable: A Woman Physician’s Essays on Life, Medicine, and Resilience, a deeply personal and insightful collection of essays, chronicles her journey through the challenges, triumphs, and invaluable lessons of life and medicine. The author shares how creative writing became her most powerful tool to combat stress, process complex emotions, and rediscover balance in the face of burnout. Dr. Chamoun is also the creator of Wellness Farm by CardioSeeds™, a children’s tabletop game designed to promote healthy lifestyle habits through fun and play, set for release in 2025. Through her publications, podcast, and speaking engagements, Dr. Chamoun continues to advance her mission of promoting wellness and reducing cardiovascular risk among healthcare providers, patients, and families.

Ziya “Z” Altug, PT, DPT, MS, DipACLM, OCS

A board-certified orthopaedic physical therapist, health coach, and a certified lifestyle medicine professional from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. He is the author of „The Lifestyle Medicine Toolbox” (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2024) as well as other articles on lifestyle medicine and physical therapy. He lectures internationally through Physiopedia and provides on-demand physical therapy services in Los Angeles.

He may be reached at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ziyaaltug/

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/zaltugdpt

Instagram: @zaltugdpt

Facebook: @zaltugdpt

YouTube: @zaltugdpt

Email: zaltug13@gmail.com

Affiliation: 

Ziya “Z” Altug creates courses for Physiopedia (https://www.physio-pedia.com/home/) and provides in-home physical therapy services through Luna Physical Therapy (https://www.getluna.com/) in Los Angeles.