MEET OUR SPEAKERS

Day 1.

Day 1. 09:30-10:30
FAIR & EFFICIENT ATHLETE EXPERIENCE

Enhancing the Athlete Experience Through Consistent and High Quality Testing Operations

John Degenkolb OLY

Professional Road Cycling Athlete

Yulia Droz

Testing Operations Manager,
International Testing Agency (ITA)
Yulia Droz is Testing Operations Manager at the International Testing Agency (ITA). In this role, she oversees both Out-Of-Competition and In-Competition testing operations. Her responsibilities include, but are not limited to, ensuring an optimised testing allocation on behalf of the ITA's partner ADOs across Sample Collection Authorities worldwide, monitoring the quality of their services and following up on any identified nonconformities.
Yulia has been with the ITA since 2018, developing extensive expertise in anti-doping testing standards and compliance throughout her career. She has played a key role in establishing, enhancing and harmonising processes within the ITA’s Testing Department, with a strong focus on upholding the highest quality standards and ensuring that the ITA’s testing activities contribute to protecting integrity in sport.

Chika Hirai

Director of International Department
and Risk Assessment & Intelligence Office,
Japan Anti-Doping Agency (JADA)
Chika Hirai joined the Japan Anti-Doping Agency (JADA) in 2006. As a senior manager in JADA, she oversaw both JADA's testing program as well as its DCO training/management program. She was seconded to the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games as the Director of Doping Control in 2016. Currently she acts as Director of the International Department and Risk Assessment & Intelligence Office. She is a member of the WADA Strategic Testing Expert Advisory Group and the WADA NADO Expert Advisory Group, and she was a member of the WADA IST Update Drafting Working Group.

Gabriella Juvancz

Test Manager,
Hungarian Anti-Doping Group (HUNADO)
Gabriella Juvanecz leads the Testing Department at the Hungarian Anti-Doping Group(HUNADO), overseeing the strategic planning and coordination of testing activities. Her role includes managing Hungary’s national testing programme and handling international requests. The HUNADO team regularly delivers full sample collection operations at major international events. Notable examples are the 2022 World Aquatics Championships and the 2023 World Athletics Championships, all carried out to the full satisfaction of the organising IFs. Gabriella is committed to high-quality, consistent and athlete-focused testing operations. With a background in civil engineering, she enjoys projects that require precise planning, strong organisation and effective problem-solving.
MODERATOR

Olivier Banuls

Head of Testing,
International Testing Agency (ITA)

Olivier Banuls is Head of Testing at the International Testing Agency (ITA), bringing over 18 years of international experience in the fight against doping.

He began his anti-doping career in 2007 at the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and later progressed through key positions within the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF) — the organization entrusted by the UCI to manage its anti-doping program. Olivier was appointed Director of the CADF in 2019 and joined the International Testing Agency in 2021. He now oversees the ITA's testing activities and is a member of the ITA’s executive management team. 
Since January 2020, Olivier has served on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Strategic Testing Expert Advisory Group, and he also contributes to several other WADA working groups, including the 2027 International Standard for Testing (IST) Drafting Team, dried blood spot (DBS) testing, and the operational independence of National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs).
Day 1. 11:00-12:00
FAIR & EFFICIENT ATHLETE EXPERIENCE

Athlete Whereabouts: Balancing Rights and Responsibilities

Kimberley Bos OLY

Skeleton Athlete,
Dutch Athlete Commission


Brett Clothier

Head,
Athletics Integrity Unit

Brett Clothier is the Head of the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), the independent body that manages all integrity related issues for the sport of athletics globally. The AIU was created in 2017 following changes to the World Athletics Constitution which enshrined the operational independence of the AIU and put in place an independent Board to oversee its functions. Mr Clothier has worked in sport integrity for 20 years. Prior to becoming the inaugural Head of the AIU, Mr Clothier was Head of Competition Integrity for the Australian Football League (AFL) and worked in thoroughbred horse racing as Legal Counsel to the Integrity Services Department of Racing Victoria.

Leon Felderer OLY

Professional Luge Athlete, Chair of the Athlete's Commission and Member of the Executive Board,
International Luge Federation

Leon Felderer is a professional Italian luge athlete with the Centro Sportivo Esercito and the national team. He debuted in the World Cup in 2019, became U23 European Champion in 2022 and competed at the 2022 Winter Olympics. Leon is now fully focused on reaching the podium at Milano Cortina 2026. Alongside his athletic career, he serves as an athlete representative within the FIL community, where he works on athlete welfare, education and the promotion of clean sport. Felderer aims to bring a fresh and transparent perspective to integrity in sport.

Leo Köpp OLY, LLM

Professional Race Walking Athlete,
Doctoral Candidate

Two-time Olympian (Tokyo 2020ne and Paris 2024) Leo Köpp walks among Europe’s Top 8. At the World Championships only ten racewalkers were faster. While pursuing his third Olympics, he teaches constitutional law at Humboldt Uni Berlin. He researches surveillance, human rights and state organization at Goethe Uni Frankfurt in order to complete his dissertation in digital rights and information law. After gathering experience in political negotiations, e.g. at the EU DSA-Trilogue in 2021 and the UNFCCC in 2024, in 2025 his fellow athletes elected him to the federal Athletes’ Commission and the Presidency of their union “Athletes Germany” (Athlet:innen Deutschland).

Rebecca Lee

Anti-Doping Manager,
Union of European Football Associations

Rebecca Lee has over 13 years of experience in anti-doping, beginning at the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games and spending the last 11 years at the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), where she now leads the anti-doping team. She has expertise across all areas of anti-doping, including major event operations, TUEs, education, results management, testing and compliance. Rebecca has contributed to WADA and Council of Europe working groups on TUEs, education and whereabouts. She is committed to promoting clean, fair and inclusive sport.

MODERATOR

Dr Peter Van De Vliet

Chief Executive Officer,
Institute of National Anti-Doping Organisations

Dr Van de Vliet is Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of National Anti-Doping Organisations (iNADO), based in Bonn, Germany. From 2006 to 2020, Dr Van de Vliet served as the Medical & Scientific Director of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). Dr Van de Vliet holds a PhD in Physiotherapy and Motor Rehabilitation with over 50 peer-reviewed publications and is regularly invitated as speaker on anti-doping matters, Paralympic sport science and athlete health. He has been deeply involved in the Paralympic movement, both in coaching and athlete scientific counseling capacity.

Day 1. 11:00-12:00
ENHANCING COLLABORATION & CONNECTIVITY

Connecting the Anti-Doping Community through Technology

Dr Magnus Ericsson

Director,
Laboratoire AntiDopage Français

Dr Magnus Ericsson holds a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from Stockholm University, Sweden. He was the director of the Swedish anti-doping laboratory at Karolinska University from 2012 until 2019 and he is, since 2019, the head of the French anti-doping laboratory (LADF).

Ndiate Chaya Ndiaye

Director Digital Insights,
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)

Ndiate Chaya first joined WADA in 2005 as Manager, ADAMS, and has since served in progressively more senior roles, most recently as Head of Product. As the Director of the Digital Insights Impact Area, steering the product management at WADA, Ndiate's focus is on fostering stakeholder relationships and driving goal-oriented product strategies. She is committed to building trust and ensuring transparency in the development of WADA’s digital ecosystem and data strategy. Her tenure as Head of Product and previous leadership in product management at WADA demonstrate her dedication to enhancing sport’s integrity through innovative technology solutions.

Christian Nilsson

Vice President,
International Doping Tests & Management (IDTM)

Christian Nilsson has a background in technology-driven service and operations, with experience in global support environments across telecom, banking and retail. This includes working with ERP systems, ATM and POS platforms, transaction analysis, master data administration, incident management and structured service delivery under strict SLA and quality requirements. In recent years, the focus has been on international Anti-Doping operations, including global testing coordination, GDPR compliance and collaboration across international teams with a strong emphasis on quality, integrity and high service standards.

Guillaume Zekri

Anti-Doping Investigator,
French Antidoping Agency (AFLD)

Guillaume Zekri is a former athlete and later high-level coach, sprint and hurdles specialist. 

He is now Technical Advisor to the French Ministry of Sport, Testing coordinator and Investigator to the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) . Impartiality, expertise and commitment are the core values that have guided Guillaume's actions in the fight against doping for over 10 years. 

MODERATOR

George Stan

Head of Technology,
International Testing Agency (ITA)

George Stan is the Head of Technology at the International Testing Agency, where he leads a team focused on enabling digital operations for the organization and its partners. He has a background in software development, project management, and digital transformation. George's work is centered on continuously improving the technological capabilities of the agency and implementing interconnected software systems that support the work of his colleagues and enhance their efficiency. As a member of the WADA ADAMS Testing Working Group, he contributes to the development of technology in the anti-doping ecosystem.

George stays updated with the latest developments and is dedicated to advancing the practical application of research in his field of work.

Day 1. 13:30-15:00

INNOVATION & IMPLEMENTATION OF DATA & SCIENCE IN TESTING

The Future of Dried Blood Spot Testing: From Research to Practice 

Thomas Capdevielle

Head of Testing and Compliance & Deputy Head of Atheltics Integrity Unit,
Athletics Integrity Unit

Thomas Capdeville is an accomplished manager with over 20 years of experience in anti-doping and international sport administration. He contributed to the implementation of key developments in the fight against doping in Athletics on a global scale, including the launching of the Athletics Integrity Unit. He manages and oversees the implementation of one of the most comprehensive and global testing programmes of the sport movement.

Dr Valeria Catalani

Manager Special Projects,
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)

Dr. Valeria Catalani is Manager for Special Projects at World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). She holds a Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and a PhD in Pharmacy from University of Hertfordshire. She has built her career in the forensic and anti-doping fields. Since joining WADA in 2024, her work has focused on the development and implementation of innovative analytical approaches, with particular emphasis on dried blood spot (DBS) testing from the laboratory perspective. Her professional interests include analytical harmonization, laboratory performance, and continuous improvement in anti-doping science. 

Lin Ling

Director of Testing Department,
Chinese Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA)

Ling Lin is Director of the Testing Department at CHINADA, with anti-doping expertise she has been building since 2006, covering testing, major events coordination and international  relations. She led the anti-doping program for the Olympic Games Beijing 2022 Organising Committee and has participated in four Olympic and Winter Olympic Games.

Prof Christophe Stove

Director of the Laboratory of Toxicology,
Ghent University

Christophe Stove is associate-professor at Ghent University, Belgium, where he heads the Laboratory of Toxicology at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. He teaches several courses, oversees the laboratory's forensic toxicology service activities and steers the research, encompassing two research lines: microsampling applications and challenges in therapeutic drug monitoring and toxicology, and the pharmacological characterization and screening of new psychoactive substances. He was the promotor of over 20 PhDs and has published some 300 peer-reviewed publications, which collectively have been cited over 11,000 times (Google Scholar). He is Board Member of several national (BLT, KBGGG) and international (TIAFT and IATDMCT) associations.

Prof Dr Andreas Thomas 

Senior Scientist,
German Sport University Cologne

Prof Dr Andreas Thomas currently works as a senior scientist since 2004 at the German Sport University in Cologne, Germany in the Institute of Biochemistry / Center for Preventive Doping Research. There he teaches and conducts research on various topics in the field of anti-doping research and various forensic topics. His main areas of interest are liquid chromatography, high-resolution mass spectrometry, peptide/protein analysis and related research in the field of gene doping. Another focus is the introduction of alternative matrices in doping control analysis, such as dried blood spots or exhaled breath.

He is listed as the author of over 200 scientific articles in peer reviewed journals and has given over 50 presentations at international symposia.

MODERATOR

Dr Neil Robinson

Head of Science & Medical,
International Testing Agency (ITA)

Dr Neil Robinson is Head of the ITA Science & Medical Department. He previously worked at the International Olympic Committee (IOC), where he was responsible for the re-analysis program and management of IOC research grants.

Neil worked for 20 years at the Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses in Lausanne (LAD), conducting research focused on Erythropoietin (EPO) and blood doping, and set-up the first Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) program.

Neil completed his studies at the University of Lausanne, specialising in biochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology and obtained his PhD in 2003.

Day 1. 13:30-15:00
PRODUCTIVITY & OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Designing an Anti Doping Program from Scratch: New and Emerging Sports 

Valentin Capelli

Manager Sport Movement Relations,
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)

After representing the Olympic Movement to the European Union institutions in Brussels for six years, Valentin Capelli joined the Sport Movement Relations Team at WADA in 2021. He currently supports and monitors emerging International Federations and Major Event Organisers, helping them to develop and implement their anti-doping activities. He also manages WADA's Major Event Anti-Doping Legacy (MEAL) programme, which supports Games organisers and LOCs in planning and implementing sustainable anti-doping activities. Valentin also acted as Vice-Chair of the Independent Observers team at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Andy Fuller

Managing Director,
International Federation of American Football

Andy Fuller became Managing Director of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) in February 2015. During his tenure he has worked closely with a number of presidents on the strengthening of the federation and the development of the game worldwide, culminating in the receipt of Full IOC Recognition and the successful inclusion of flag football on the programme of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.

A qualified Physical Education and English teacher, Andy is a former Director of the British American Football Association and employee of the National Football League. Andy graduated from the world-renowned Loughborough University in the United Kingdom.

MinJung Seo

Public Relations Director,
Korean Anti-Doping Agency (KADA)

Minjung Seo is Director of Public Relations at the Korea Anti-Doping Agency (KADA).

Her professional background includes 14 years of experience in the anti-doping field, including service as Head of Doping Control for the PyeongChang Organising Committee for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, with responsibility for the overall operation of the doping control program, and as Major Events Manager at the International Testing Agency (ITA).

Matteo Vallini

Head of International Federations & Major Events,
International Testing Agency (ITA)

"Matteo Vallini is Head of International Federations & Major Events at the International Testing Agency (ITA). With prior experience as a Doping Control Officer, he later assumed a central role at the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF) in Switzerland where he was responsible for the planning of testing operations.

Matteo’s leadership extended to the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), where he headed the Doping-Free Sport Unit, leading anti-doping efforts across 20+ International Federations.

His expertise also guided significant anti-doping endeavors at Major Events, including chairing the Games-time taskforce and overseeing doping control activities at all Major and Youth editions of the Olympic Games since 2018."

Gabriel Zangenfeind

Secretary General,
International Wheelchair Basketball Federation

Gabriel Zangenfeind is the Secretary General of the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF), with a strong track record in sport integrity. Said track-record includes his role as WADA IF Relations Manager, ITA Education Ambassador and external consultant to various IFs. His work primarily focused on building lasting networks to facilitate efficient doping programs. He speaks four languages and holds a bachelor's degree in political science and a Master in Business Administration.

MODERATOR

Lindsey Stafford

Director of Olympic and Paralympic Programs,
U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA)
/ Vice chair, iNADO

Lindsey Stafford serves as the Director of Olympic and Paralympic Programs at the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), where she leads both the Olympic and Paralympic Programs and the agency’s fee-for-service initiatives. With more than a decade of experience in anti-doping, she has been instrumental in shaping the future of clean sport through strategic program development, policy innovation and a steadfast commitment to athlete rights and fair competition. Drawing on deep expertise across anti-doping operations and best practices, Lindsey guides USADA’s efforts to remain a global leader in strategic program delivery, ensuring that its initiatives are effective, impactful and aligned with the organisation’s mission to protect clean sport. In 2021, she was elected to the iNADO Governing Board and re-elected in 2024 as Vice Chair, where she champions strong governance, ethical standards and international collaboration among National Anti-Doping Organisations.

Day 1. 15:30-17:00

INNOVATION & IMPLEMENTATION OF DATA & SCIENCE IN TESTING

Smart Testing: Using Data Analytics for More Effective Testing

Samuel Balet

Senior Strategic Testing Officer,
International Testing Agency (ITA)

Samuel Balet holds a Master’s degree in Sport Sciences from the University of Lausanne with a focus on Training and Performance Diagnosis. With six years of experience in the anti-doping field, he brings extensive expertise in testing strategies, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations. His professional interest lies in analysing anti-doping and performance data to generate insights that support the development of innovative testing approaches based on performance monitoring and aimed at deterring doping. He is also a member of the Data Analytics Working Group (DAWG) established by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD).

George Escott

Data Analytics Lead,
UK Anti-Doping (UKAD)

George is UK Anti-Doping’s (UKAD) Data Analytics Lead. His role involves driving innovation in anti-doping through advanced analytics and AI. He leads initiatives to enhance testing strategies, operational efficiency and collaborates internationally as part of the Data Analytics Working Group (DAWG) to tackle doping using data-driven insights.

Prior to UKAD, George worked at the UK National Audit Office in the Analysis & Insights team, applying analytics to detect fraud and scrutinise government spending. George has extensive expertise in leveraging data to uncover patterns of misconduct and deliver value for money and is passionate about using technology to protect the integrity of sport.

Michael Harkins

Director of Anti-Doping Testing,
Sport Integrity Australia (SIA)

Michael Harkins is Director Anti-Doping Testing at Sport Integrity Australia, a role he has held since November 2020. He joined the former Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) in 2018 as Strategic Advisor to the CEO. With over a decade of experience in government, Michael has led teams delivering customer service, executive support, communications, sport engagement and anti-doping operations. Passionate about sport, he grew up playing rugby union and field hockey and remains an avid sport fan. Michael is committed to safeguarding the integrity of sport through robust testing programs and collaborative engagement with stakeholders worldwide.

Amalie Mathiesen

Data Analyst,
Anti Doping Denmark (ADD)

Holding a Master’s degree in Statistics, Amelie Mathiesen has spent nearly three years at Anti Doping Denmark (ADD), where she works as a data analyst, supporting smarter and more effective testing strategies. Her role focuses on developing risk assessments, supporting strategic decision-making and driving the organisation towards a more data-driven culture, across all operational areas. By transforming complex data, into actionable insights, Amelie helps strengthen the impact, efficiency and integrity of the organisation's anti-doping work.

Sofia Jakobsson

Deputy of Testing and Development,
Antidoping Sweden (ADSE)

Sofia Jakobsson holds a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology from Barry University in Miami. Prior to joining the testing department at Anti-Doping Sweden (ADSE) in 2018, she taught Exercise Physiology and worked within the performance industry, focusing on athletic development and screening. During her tenure at ADSE, she has been involved in most processes within the testing department. She also serves on the field as a DCO/DCC. Sofia leads the ongoing refinement of ADSE paperless system as well as their testing and administration portal. Sofia is also involved nationally and internationally in projects aiming to improve test distribution through a data driven approach.

MODERATOR

Damien Rhumorbarbe

Data Analytics Manager,
International Testing Agency (ITA)

Damien’s background is forensic science, after his master’s degree he worked for 5 years at the University of Lausanne where he was teaching and doing research in several forensic fields. His research interests are illicit drug markets, the monitoring of new psychoactive substances, criminal analysis, and forensic intelligence. During that time, he was also doing forensic casework including the scratch & marks investigation of the Sochi 2014 anti-doping kits. He is currently leading the Data Analytics unit of the ITA, with the aim to expand the systematic use of data to improve anti-doping strategies and processes.

Day 2.

Day 2. 09:30-10:30
NAVIGATING PUBLIC TRUST & CRISES

Rethinking Communication and Media Engagement in Anti-Doping

Dr Eva Bunthoff

Member of the Executive Board & Head of Testing Department,
National Anti Doping Agency Germany (NADA Germany)

Eva Bunthoff has over 15 years of experience in anti-doping. She has been heading the Communication and Marketing Department at NADA Germany for over 10 years and has also acted as spokesperson for NADA Germany. In February 2024 she joined the Executive Board as Member and became Director of the Testing Department at NADA Germany. In her role as Member of the Executive Board, she is still responsible for the Communication and Marketing Department. Eva holds a Doctorate in Sport Science with the main focus on sport communication.

Nick Harris

Founder-editor,
Sporting Intelligence

Dr Magnus Ericsson holds a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from Stockholm University, Sweden. He was the director of the Swedish anti-doping laboratory at Karolinska University from 2012 until 2019 and he is, since 2019, the head of the French anti-doping laboratory (LADF).

Prof Brad Horn

Associate Dean, Strategic Initiatives Professor of Practice,
S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications

Brad Horn is Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Professor of Practice at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. A specialist in crisis communication, ethics and global sport communications, he works with international organisations to develop frameworks, conduct trainings and lead communication strategies. Horn previously held senior leadership roles with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and Major League Baseball organisations. His teaching and professional work focuses on advancing public trust and cross-cultural communication, specifically through the lens of sport and society.

MODERATOR

Marta Nawrocka

Head of Communications,
International Testing Agency (ITA)

Marta Nawrocka is Head of Communication at the International Testing Agency, where she leads strategic, media and institutional communication in the field of international sport integrity, including major multi-sport events. She has been working in the communications sector since the early 2000s.

Her background spans journalism, public institutions, international NGOs and not-for-profit organisations. She specialises in strategic communication, media relations, crisis preparedness and stakeholder engagement in complex, high-stake environments. Her current focus lies on leadership, reputation management and organisational development, with particular interest in how strategic communication contributes to trust-building, public acceptance and long-term credibility in organisations facing increased scrutiny.

Day 2. 11:00-12:30
FAIR & EFFICIENT ATHLETE EXPERIENCE

Contamination: A Multi-Faceted Challenge 

Prof Christophe Champod

Director, School of Criminal Justice, 
University of Lausanne

Professor Christophe Champod received his MSc and PhD both in Forensic Science, from the University of Lausanne in 1990 and 1995 respectively. From 1999 to 2003, he led the Interpretation Research Group of the Forensic Science Service (UK), before taking a full professorship position at the School of Criminal Justice (ESC) of the University of Lausanne. He is Director of ESC and is in charge of education and research on identification methods (e.g. interpretation of DNA, fingerprints, faces or other marks). His research is mainly devoted to the inferential aspects associated with forensic identification techniques. He maintains an activity as an expert witness in areas of marks and biological evidence interpretation.

Dr Matt Fedoruk

Chief Science Officer,
U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA)

Dr. Matthew Fedoruk is the Chief Science Officer leading the Science & Research team at the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). With more than 20 years of experience in anti-doping and a Ph.D. in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Dr. Fedoruk also serves as a standing member of the WADA Health, Medicine and Research Committee (HMRC), is the current Chair of the WADA Strategic Testing Expert Advisory Group and a member of the WADA Contaminants Working Group, and sits on the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Anti-Doping Commission. Dr. Fedoruk also serves as co-Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Partnership for Clean Competition (PCC). Dr. Fedoruk has co-authored numerous publications on the issue of contamination. He has also served in many Paralympic and Pan-American Games since 2014 as a member of the IPC Anti-Doping Committee. He lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Ross Wenzel

General Counsel,
Word Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)
Effective January 2022, Ross Wenzel joined WADA as General Counsel.
Immediately prior to joining WADA, Ross was a partner at the Swiss law firm Kellerhals Carrard, where he acted as WADA's external counsel for over a decade. During his time with the firm (2010-2021), he handled hundreds of doping-related cases before the Court of Arbitration for Sport for WADA and other international sports organizations; and, is widely recognized as one of the world's leading anti-doping lawyers.
From 2004-2007, Ross practiced as a corporate lawyer at Slaughter and May in London (England); and, from 2008-2010, he worked as in-house counsel with Infront Sports & Media, a leading international sports marketing agency based in Switzerland.                     
Ross obtained a Congratulatory First in Modern Languages at Oxford University (England) before studying law at BPP Law School in London, where he graduated with distinction. He also graduated with distinction with the FIFA Master (an international master’s in management, law and humanities of sport).

Dr Tiia Kuuranne

Laboratory Director,
Swiss Laboratory for Anti-Doping Analyses
Dr. Kuuranne is the director of the Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses and its APMU since 2016, and prior to that as the scientific director of the Finnish antidoping laboratory. Tiia Kuuranne is an adjunct professor at the University of Helsinki, specializing in steroid metabolism and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) techniques. In addition to these topics, her research focuses on drug metabolism, biological passports for athletes, and general aspects of doping control.
Dr. Kuuranne has served as chair of the World Anti-Doping Scientists Association (WAADS) (2020–2023), represented laboratories in several WADA working groups, and been associate editor of the journal Drug Testing and Analysis since 2009.

Dr Fredrik Lauritzen

Director Science and Medicine,
Anti-Doping Norway (ADNO)

Dr Fredrik Lauritzen is an Exercise Physiologist with a PhD in Neuroscience, with more than 10 years’ experience from senior positions in a National Anti-doping Organisation. He is currently Chair of the Advisory Group on Science of the Council of Europe Monitoring Group, and member of the WADA Taskforce on Unintentional Doping. Fredrik has authored publications on various anti-doping topics, including dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, prevention programs, doping prevalence and attitudes, anti-doping in gyms, testing strategies, the use of intelligence in anti-doping and the effectiveness of doping testing in sport.

Dimitrij Ovtcharov OLY

Professional Table Tennis Athlete 

Dimitrij Ovtcharov is a German professional table tennis player. He has been competing at the top international level for around 20 years and along the way became a six-time Olympic medalist and former world number one. His career has been built on hard work, discipline, and a genuine love for the game. Off the table, he is a proud father of two kids and tries to be a good role model for them—by showing that dedication and enjoying what you do really matter.

Co-moderator

Dominique Leroux-Lacroix

Head of Legal Affairs,
International Testing Agency (ITA)

Canadian and Swiss Attorney-at-law, sports enthusiast, University of McGill Law graduate, BCL/LLB, member of the New York State Bar Association. Dominique Leroux-Lacroix was Head of the Legal Anti-Doping Services at the Union Cycliste Internationale for seven years and has been Head of the Legal Affairs at the International Testing Agency since its creation in 2018. In her capacity at the ITA, Dominique oversees the prosecution of anti-doping rule violations before first instance panels and the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The ITA Legal Affairs Department is also in charge of various legal corporate matters.

Co-moderator

Prof Mario Thevis

Director,
Institute of Biochemistry of the German Sport University Cologne

Professor Thevis graduated in organic chemistry and sports sciences, earned his PhD in Biochemistry and did post-doctoral research in Biochemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He was appointed as Professor for Preventive Doping Research at the German Sport University Cologne in 2006, further qualified as Forensic Chemist (in 2009) and has been the director of the European Monitoring Center for Emerging Doping Agents since 2011. In August 2017, he accepted the position of Director of the Institute of Biochemistry of the German Sport University Cologne and the position of Director of the WADA-accredited anti-doping laboratory in Cologne, Germany.

Day 2. 11:00-12:30
ENHANCING COLLABORATION & CONNECTIVITY

Enhancing Intelligence & Investigations (I&I) Networks

Daniel Burke

Director of Intelligence & Investigations,
U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA)

Dan Burke serves as Director of Intelligence and Investigations at the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Prior to this role, he was a Division Chief with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations, where he led the agency’s efforts to combat illegal online pharmacy operations and international liaison efforts. For the past 15 years, Dan has also been a Lecturer at the University of Colorado Denver. He holds Master’s degrees in both Criminal Justice Administration and Cybersecurity.

Antoine Marcelaud

Deputy Secretary General,
in charge of Testing, Investigations and Legal,
French Antidoping Agency (AFLD)

Antoine Marcelaud began his career in 2004 at the French Cycling Federation, where he was in charge of results management. After heading a dispute resolution department at the French National Olympic Committee, he joined the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) in 2016 as Director of Legal Affairs. Also responsible for investigations and intelligence since 2022, he now heads a division that also includes testing.

Dr François Marclay

Senior I&I Manager,
International Testing Agency (ITA)

Dr François Marclay completed a PhD in Forensic Sciences from the School of Criminal Justice at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, at the WADA Accredited Lausanne Laboratory. As a PhD Student and then Research Fellow, his research work focused on multi-disciplinary approaches to tackle doping, with emphasis on the perspectives offered by Intelligence processes. During that time, he also served as Certifying Scientist at the Olympic Anti-Doping Laboratories London 2012 and Sochi 2014. He joined the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation in 2015 to establish an Intelligence & Investigations department, and in 2021 the International Testing Agency where he works as a Senior Manager in the Intelligence & Investigations Department.

Francisco Portugal

Anti-Corruption Coordinator,
INTERPOL

Francisco Portugal is the Anti-Corruption Coordinator pro tempore at INTERPOL’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre. Francisco is seconded from the Portuguese Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária), where he spent over a decade as a Criminal Investigator specialising in corruption and trafficking of performance-enhancing drugs. He is now assigned to INTERPOL’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, leading the Anti-Corruption Unit — including the INTERPOL Match-Fixing Task Force. His expertise centers on corruption, corruption in sports and trafficking of performance-enhancing drugs.

MODERATOR

Nick Iliffe

Head of I&I,
International Testing Agency (ITA)

Nick Iliffe is Head of Intelligence & Investigations at the International Testing Agency (ITA). Prior to this he was Director of Intelligence at the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), the body responsible for safeguarding the integrity of tennis worldwide. Nick has spent the last 14 years specialising in sports integrity, with previous roles as Senior Manager Integrity Services at Stats Perform and Intelligence Coordinator at UK Anti-Doping. Nick began his career as an Intelligence Analyst in the Metropolitan Police SO15 Counter Terrorism Command before serving overseas in the intelligence division of the Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad & Tobago.

Day 2. 14:00-15:30
PRODUCTIVITY & OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Testing Workforce Expansion: Development & Productivity

 Eric Berenyi

Deputy Director of the Testing Department,
French Antidoping Agency (AFLD)

Eric Berenyi is the Deputy Director of the Testing Department at the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD). A former elite athlete and member of the French national modern pentathlon team, he spent nearly twenty years working on administrative, regulatory and event-management matters in Athletics. He later joined the AFLD, where he now oversees resources and logistics for the national Test Distribution Plan and contributes to strategic and operational planning. Eric also serves as the agency’s lead on animal-doping testing. 

His background bridges high-performance sport, governance and anti-doping operations.

Federico Valente

Testing Force Manager,
International Testing Agency (ITA)


Dr Sasha Sutherland

Executive Director,
Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organisation

Dr. Sasha Sutherland is the Executive Director of the Caribbean Regional 

Anti-Doping Organization (RADO), managing teams in 18 Caribbean 

countries to ensure compliance with the Code, its International Standards

and the UNESCO Convention through capacity building programmes in 

each country. She is a DCO and Educator Instructor, member of the GLDF 

Compliance Technical Working Group and has been on several Major 

Games taskforces. In partnership with the University of Illinois, she has 

directed the first major social science research project on anti-doping 

perceptions among athletes in the Caribbean to inform education 

practices in the region. She brings her knowledge of being athlete, 

administrator and academic together to benefit all athletes in sport.

MODERATOR

Deslyn Pather

Senior Doping Control Coordinator,
South African Institute for Drug Free Sport (SAIDS)
/ Chair of the IDCO Expert Advisory Group (ITA)
/ Board Member (iNADO)

Deslyn Pathers is Senior Doping Control Coordinator at the South African Institute of Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS). She is a Sport Management graduate with 14 years of experience in National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) operations. Her technical knowledge of the WADA Code and  International Standards has allowed Deslyn to assist numerous burgeoning NADOs and 

RADOs in Africa in establishing and implement doping control operations. She has managed and administered doping control services at numerous international sports events in South Africa. She was a key member of the doping control administration at the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, 2022 Sevens Rugby World Cup and 2023 Netball World Cup, among a few international sports events. Deslyn currently serves as an iNADO Board Member and is the Chair of the ITA IDCO Expert Advisory Committee.

Deslyn is committed to sharing her knowledge and expertise with NADOs on achieving operational efficiencies within the framework of the Code and International Standards.

Day 2. 14:00-15:30 - ROOM: Aura 3
PRODUCTIVITY & OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Laboratory Challenges & Solutions 

Dr Daniel Eichner

President,
Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory

Daniel Eichner is the President of SMRTL, where he leads science-driven research focused on clean sport. His work is designed to improve both sample collection and analytical methods in anti-doping, strengthening accuracy, reliability, and scientific rigor. Daniel works closely with international sport federations, National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs), and professional leagues, collaborating with scientists and laboratories to advance evidence-based practices and protect clean athletes worldwide.

Marco Knipp

Deputy Head of Testing Department,
National Anti-Doping Agency Germany
(NADA Germany)

Marco Knipp holds a University Diploma in Sport Science from the University of Tübingen. After working as a coach and coordinator in youth football for several years, he started as a Testing Manager at NADA Germany in 2015 and has been Deputy Head of the Testing Department since 2024. With over 10 years of experience in the field of Anti-Doping, he has gained extensive experience in all areas of testing and was also involved in leading the doping tests at the FISU World University Games in Germany in 2025.

Dr Dorota Kwiatkowska

President of the World Assiociation of Anti-Doping Scientists (WAADS),
Director of the Polish Anti-Doping Laboratory

Dr Dorota Kwiatkowska is Director of the Polish Anti-Doping Laboratory and the Warsaw Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU), Affiliate Professor at the University of Warsaw, President of WAADS and member of WADA Lab EAG, POLLAB-CHEM, AORC and the Analytical Chemistry Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences. She holds PhD and DSc degrees in Chemistry and Biology. She has authored numerous scientific publications and conference contributions, with long-standing expertise in anti-doping analytics, laboratory management and international scientific cooperation.

Prof Dr Ir Peter van Eenoo

Laboratory Director,
Ghent Laboratory 

Prof Dr Ir Peter Van Eenoo holds a PhD in Veterinary Sciences from Ghent University, focusing his research on the detection of doping in horse racing. He has 30 years of experience in the field of anti-doping in human sports and is director of the WADA-accredited laboratory of Belgium since 2010. He is co-author of ca 250 peer-reviewed publications in the field of detection of doping. He is a former WAADS president and has had several roles in expert advisory and working groups for WADA.

Dr Jenny Schulze

Testing and Science Manager,
Anti-Doping Sweden (ADSE)

Dr Jenny Schulze currently serves as the Manager of Testing and Science at Anti-Doping Sweden since 2016, following three years in Oslo as the Nordic APMU Manager. She holds a PhD in Clinical Pharmacology from Karolinska Institutet and the Stockholm Doping Control Laboratory, and much of her research has focused on investigating confounding factors in the Athlete Biological Passport. Jenny is currently a member of the WADA Strategic Testing Expert Group and the WADA Dried Blood Spot Working Group, and she has previously served on the WADA Laboratory Expert Group.

MODERATOR

Dr Magnus Ericsson

Director,
Laboratoire AntiDopage Français

Dr Magnus Ericsson holds a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from Stockholm University, Sweden. He was the director of the Swedish anti-doping laboratory at Karolinska University from 2012 until 2019 and he is, since 2019, the head of the French anti-doping laboratory (LADF).