Leadership

                                      Advisory and Board of Directors:

​Professor Mykola G Shcherban.
​Board of Directors & Advisory

​Associate Professor Anastasiya Bezrodna.
Board of Directors & Advisory

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Executive Management:

Dr. Victor H Mudenda.
Executive Director

Felicia Gatewood.
Mental Health Clinician

Nabil Mahmoud.
Director of Operations

​Tushar Tambe
​Special Projects Director & HR

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LEADERSHIP ROLES  

1. PROFILE OF PROFESSOR MYKOLA G. SHCHERBAN:

PROJECT PROPOSAL: DEVELOPING A FUNCTIONAL CURE FOR CHRONIC HBV BY TARGETING cccDNA -  2025 -2029 PERIOD:

Role: Co-principal researcher (Head of Social and Hygienic, Public and Administrative aspects).
A. Responsibilities:
Supervision of social and hygienic and public scientific and practical research: control of these aspects in the project.
He has forty years of personal experience in conducting and managing scientific and practical research on the problems of developing hygienic standards for harmful chemical compounds for water in reservoirs (130 State Hygienic Standards for Water in Reservoirs of the former USSR and Ukraine have been developed and approved for various classes of surfactants (surfactants). He has personal experience in managing scientific research commissioned by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, which was devoted to the scientific substantiation of the presence of a special ecological pathology among the population in Ukraine due to the widespread use of surfactants (surfactants) in various industries, medicines, cosmetics, and in apartment decoration materials. Given his experience in participating in and managing experimental and scientific and practical research on the problems of the use of surfactants in Ukraine, it is possible to entrust him with the development of a scientific concept for determining the role of surfactants in etiology of hepatitis and the role of plastic, in particular, in the contamination of water, air, equipment and decoration for apartments, which, according to his research, can cause hepatitis in residents whose apartments have old furniture and decoration of apartments that contain surfactants.
1. Mentoring and guidance: mentoring junior researchers and postgraduate students involved in the socio-hygienic aspects of the project.
2. Networking and collaboration: using his academic connections to attract additional expertise, partnerships and resources to the project.
Collaborate on the publication of peer-reviewed manuscripts, presentation of results at international conferences, and contribution to intellectual property arising from this project
B. Current positions:
1. Director of the Research Institute of Labor and Occupational Hygiene and Occupational Diseases
2. Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor - (Kharkiv National Medical University)
3. Academician of the Ukrainian Ecological Academy of Sciences
4. Professor of the Department of Hygiene and Ecology

2. PROFILE OF ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR ANASTASIYA BEZRODNA, Ph.D.:

PROJECT PROPOSAL: DEVELOPING A FUNCTIONAL CURE FOR CHRONIC HBV BY TARGETING cccDNA -  2025 -2029 PERIOD: 

Role: Co-Principal Investigator - (Biochemical and Analytical Research Lead):
A. Responsibilities:

1. Oversight of Clinical Research: Dr. Bezrodna will oversee the clinical aspects of the project, ensuring that the study design aligns with international standards for HBV virology and clinical trials.
2. Expertise in HBV Virology: She will provide insight into the pathophysiology of HBV, especially the mechanisms of cccDNA persistence in hepatocytes.
3. Preclinical Validation: Overseeing the testing of experimental approaches to target and eliminate cccDNA in vitro and in vivo (animal models).
4. International Collaboration: Acts as a liaison for collaborations with Eastern European research institutions to incorporate global perspectives and innovations.
5. Ethics and Compliance: Ensuring that all clinical and experimental procedures comply with ethical standards and regulatory requirements.
6. Mentorship and Guidance: Mentoring junior researchers and PhD students involved in virology aspects of the project.
7. Networking and Collaboration: Leveraging his academic connections to bring in additional expertise, partnerships, and resources to the project.
8. Contribute expertise in molecular virology and clinical hepatology to guide research directions.
9. Collaborate on publishing peer-reviewed manuscripts, presenting findings at international conferences, and contributing to the intellectual property arising from this project.

B. Qualifications:

1. Ph.D. in Biological Sciences in the specialty - Biochemistry (Biological Sciences) focusing on: “The influence of block copolymers based on oxypropylene and ethylene on the indicators of the functional state of the rat liver and the correction of its disorders” - (Kharkiv National University named by V.N. Karazina, Ukraine)
2. Associate Professor of Biological Biochemistry - (Department of Social-Humanitarian and Biomedical Disciplines, Kharkiv Institute Of
   
3.                                                                                                    Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Ukraine).
4. Assistant Professor - (Department of Biological Chemistry, Kharkiv National Medical University, Ukraine)
5. Senior Researcher - (Central scientific laboratory Toxycology department, Kharkiv National Medical University, Ukraine)
6. Post graduate student Genetics of Biology Faculty - (Kharkiv National University named by V.N. Karazina, Ukraine)
7. Bachelor of Science: Genetics Biology Faculty - (Kharkiv National University named by V.N. Karazina, Ukraine)

Profile of Dr. Anastasiya Bezrodna:
C. Currently: Associate Professor - (Department of Social-Humanitarian and Biomedical Disciplines) at Kharkiv Institute Of Medicine and
                                                                       Biomedical Sciences).

1. Research activities:
   Grant issued by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine: Responsible executor:

• Topic: Scientific substantiation of the medical and social clinical concept for the protection of public health of the population of industrial megacity from the ecological pathology of chemical genesis - ( 01/2018-12/2019).
• Topic: Experimental substantiation of the hazard forecast and correction of structural-pathogenetic disorders in the body in the problem of developing hygienic standards of surface-active substances for reservoir water -(01/2015-12/2017).
• Biologist - (Biochemistry laboratory, Kharkiv specialized center of medical genetics, Ukraine.

D. Author of publications on:

1. First or last author of 3 publications in journals indexed in Scopus or WoS
2. H-index 4 according to Scopus
3. The influence of block copolymers based on oxypropylene and ethylene on the indicators of the functional state of the rat liver and the correction of its disorders.
4. Investigation by flow cytophluorymetry of the state of rat
   hepatocytes under the influence of xenobiotics in a subacute experiment

E. Co-author of publications on:

1. Molecular Insights into Hepatis B Virus cccDNA and Therapeutic Challenges: A Review of Antiviral Limitations and Future Directions,
2. Which is more Dangerous for the Human Liver: Is it Hepatitis B Virus or Chemical Pollution of the Environment? (Experimental Study),
3. Causes and Types of Glycosuria,
4. Influence of surfactants on Marine Organisms and Climate Change,
5. Influence of Biomarkers on Membrane Change
6. Biochemical mechanisms of radiomimetic effects of surface-active substances
7. The effect of oligoesters of brands L-3603-2-12 and L-10002-2-80 on microsomal oxidation of hepatocytes and tissue respiration of mitochondria in the organism of experimental animals under conditions of prolonged subtoxic action
8. The effect of subtoxic doses of oligoesters on carbohydrate and energy metabolism of the liver of white rats in the experiment

F. Professional Memberships:
    1. 2015–present:   Ukrainian Biochemical Society
    2. 2015–present:   Kharkiv Society of Clinical and Laboratory Diagnostics
    3. Contact Email: [email protected]

​​3. PROFILE OF VICTOR MUDENDA, Ph.D.:

PROJECT PROPOSAL: DEVELOPING A FUNCTIONAL CURE FOR CHRONIC HBV BY TARGETING cccDNA -  2025 -2029 PERIOD: 

​Principal Investigator (PI), Lily Flower of the Valley Corporation
Location: California, USA
A. Role:

1. Overall Leadership: Oversees the project, including planning, execution, and reporting.
2. Budgetary and Administrative Oversight: Manages the project budget and ensures compliance with funding regulations.
3. Research Coordination: Ensures smooth collaboration between international and local co-investigators.
4. Laboratory Implementation: Supervises lab operations at the Lily Flower of the Valley organization, ensuring alignment with project objectives.
5. Scientific Communication: Acts as the primary contact for stakeholders, funders, and regulatory bodies in the U.S.

B. Qualifications:

1. Ph.D. in Biochemistry Science - (Gideon Robert University, Zambia)
2. Associate Professor of Biochemistry - (Gideon Robert University – School of Graduate Studies Research).
3. Candidate for Doctor of Medicine (MD) Degree - June 2027 - (Kharkiv Institute of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Kharkiv, (4th Year                                                                                                                                      Student)
4. Master of Business Administration (MBA) - (Lincoln University, Oakland, California, USA)
5. Master of Science in Biochemistry Science - (Gideon Robert University, Zambia)
6. Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry Science - (Gideon Robert University, Zambia)
7. Medical Laboratory Scientist - (Health Profession Council of Zambia (HPCZ))
8. CITI Program Certified – Working with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) - (Basic) - California, USA.

C. Profile of Dr. Victor Hamunkoma Mudenda:

1. Dr. Victor Hamunkoma  Mudenda, Ph.D. in Biochemistry (Virology Research Track): Research focused on examining how Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) replication and cccDNA (covalently closed circular DNA) is formed, maintained, and transcriptionally active
2. Associate Professor of Biochemistry - (Gideon Robert University – School of Graduate Studies Research).
3. Currently the Executive Director at Lily Flower of the Valley Corporation, California, USA.
4. Grants and Contracts Manager at West Coast Children’s Clinic ( a Non-Profit Community Mental Health Clinic)
5. Four (4) years of experience in Scientific Research Development.
6. 10 years of experience in non-profit organizations focusing on grants, contracts and finance management of non-profit organizations.
7. Research Assistant in Marketing Management - (Lincoln University, Oakland, California)

D. Author of publications on:

1. Narrowing down the path to identify a specific organelle that future curative therapeutic strategies for HBV could target in the cccDNA biogenesis to potentially degrade and eliminate the formation of cccDNA by rcDNA through molecular mechanisms of biochemistry,
2. The effect of Chinese Traditional Medicine Herbal Decoction Tea on respiratory allergy profile region XVII and possibility of affecting the liver as seen in respiratory allergy (IgE) reaction as well as in the Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine (ALT),
3. A promising biochemical approach to mitigating climate change utilizes engineered molecules that can directly capture and sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide,

E. Co-author of publications on:

1. Molecular Insights into Hepatis B Virus cccDNA and Therapeutic Challenges: A Review of Antiviral Limitations and Future Directions,
2. Which is more Dangerous for the Human Liver: Is it Hepatitis B Virus or Chemical Pollution of the Environment? (Experimental Study),
3. Causes and Types of Glycosuria,
4. Influence of surfactants on Marine Organisms and Climate Change,
5. Influence of Biomarkers on Membrane Change.
6. Understanding of Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma (PCNSL), its Diagnosis, and Treatment.

​
F. Professional Memberships:
    1. 2023–Present: American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rockville, Maryland, USA
    2. 2025 - Present: American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCPi), Chicago, Illinois, USA.
    3. Contact Email: [email protected]
​
4. Felicia Gatewood: Mental Health Programs - MSc, APCC:

Felicia Gatewood is a trilingual mental health therapist (APCC) with over a decade of experience working in non-profits, providing healing, being a community activist, and working with the underserved community. She has worked with multilingual populations providing case management, group, individual, and family therapy. Felicia has worked with populations in situations of homelessness, unaccompanied minors, foster care system, substance use, survivors of sexual exploitation and trauma, and suicide interventions. Felicia’s interests are the intersection of spirituality healing and mindfulness practices.

5. Nabil Mahmoud: Director of Operations, MBA-Finance, BSc-Engineering:
Nabil Mahmoud has 5 years of experience in Finance and Operations focused on non-profit and for-profit organizations

6. Tushar Tambe: Projects Director, MBA-Human Resources:
Tushar Tambe has 7 years of experience focused in technology and mental health projects focusing on helping and uplifting the communities.