Invited Speakers

University of North Georgia professor Dr. Andrzej Przybyla is a movement scientist with a multidisciplinary background spanning movement neuroscience, biomechanics, and engineering. His research investigates the neural mechanisms underlying lateralization of motor control and motor behavior and how these mechanisms shape movement coordination, performance, skill acquisition, and motor decision making. He integrates fundamental and applied perspectives, using diverse experimental models and populations, such as stroke survivors, left handers, elite fencers, and youth soccer players, to test theories of lateralized motor control and movement performance. His work advances basic understanding of how the brain controls movement and translates this knowledge into mechanism based approaches for performance optimization, skill acquisition, and the design of training, assessment, and technology supported interventions in clinical and high level sport contexts.

Gerald Solomon served as the Executive Director of the Samueli Foundation for 14 years managing their global philanthropy, providing grants to innovative entrepreneurial programs in excess of $500 Mil worldwide. The focus was on STEM Education and Youth Development. During his tenure, he designed and launched the STEM Learning Ecosystems in over 90 cities across the globe redefining STEM learning with a focus on workforce development and economic impact. In 2018, he created NASEF (Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federations), the nation’s first ever approach connecting gaming and learning using esports to provide opportunities for students to play, have fun, and acquire the STEM skills needed for the workforce of tomorrow, connecting them to the tech industry. In 5 short years, NASEF is now in all US states, and has established NASEF Affiliates in 34 countries reaching over 250,000 students, establishing over 7,000 NASEF esports Clubs around the world.  He serves on the Board of Directors of IESF (International Esports Federation) and as Chair of the Esports Education Commission, the global leader in esports with 150+ member countries. He is a sought after speaker and trainer, having presented in such places as: ISTE, FETC, BETT London and BETT Asia, Beijing, Chengdu, Hanoi, Tokyo, Busan, Montenegro, Brussels, Bali and Riyadh to name a few.

Edin Uzicanin is a university professor, researcher, and currently serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport at the University of Tuzla. His academic expertise lies in kinesiology, sport sciences, and physical education, where he actively teaches across undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs, and plays a key role in academic governance and curriculum development. He is the author and co-author of over 70 scientific papers and three university textbooks, with a focus on motor development, training methodology, and inclusive physical education. He has participated in nine research projects, serving as principal investigator or lead expert in several of them. Currently, he leads the TKFit Project, which investigates motor and functional development among primary school children in the Tuzla Canton. He also collaborates with the World Health Organization through the SUNRISE study, examining physical activity patterns in preschool children, and is a contributor to the international PARTISH Project, which focuses on the development of short-cycle and part-time study programs in higher education. He serves as a peer reviewer for several international journals and frequently appears as an invited speaker at scientific and professional conferences. Beyond academia, he plays a leading role in strategic development at multiple administrative levels and currently serves as the Chairman of the Sports Council of Tuzla Canton.

Iva Blazevic is a full professor at the Faculty of Educational Sciences of the Juraj Dobrila University of Pula (Croatia). In 1996 she enrolled to the Faculty of Kinesiology of the University of Zagreb where she graduated in 2001. She defended her master thesis at the same faculty in 2006 and her doctoral dissertation in 2010. During her studies she obtained the Rector’s award. From 2001 to 2006 she worked as a junior researcher at the Faculty of Kinesiology of the University of Zagreb. From 2006 to 2012 she worked as a Physical Education teacher at primary schools and as an external associate at the Juraj Dobrila University. In 2012 she got employed at the Faculty of Educational Sciences of the Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, giving lectures at the Integrated Undergraduate and Graduate Teacher Study, the University undergraduate study Early and Preschool Education, the University graduate study Early and Preschool Education, the doctoral study New Educational Paradigms and at all departments which have the elective course Kinesiological culture in their educational programme. She filled the post of chief of the teacher training study department, vice dean and the dean of the Faculty of Educational Sciences. Her main scientific interests focus on research in physical activity, nutritional status, nutritional habits and fitness of children.

Kadhim Alabady is a public health physician and epidemiologist with extensive international experience in research, policy, and health system development. He holds a Doctorate in Public Health and Epidemiology (DrPH), a Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology (MSc), and a Master of Public Health (MPH), all from universities in the Netherlands. He is a Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health (FFPH, UK) and a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (FRCP – Glasgow). He has worked in public health since 1999 across academic, national, and international settings, including institutions such as Erasmus University Rotterdam, Queen Mary University of London, the University of East Anglia, the United Nations, the National Health Authority in Qatar, the UK National Health Service (NHS), and the Dubai Health Authority. With a strong background in research and development (R&D), he has led and contributed to numerous public health initiatives and scientific projects. He is registered as an Epidemiologist Grade A with The Netherlands Epidemiological Society and has published widely in the United Kingdom. His work focuses on advancing evidence-based public health strategies, epidemiology, and health system performance.

Mirela Sunda was born in 1977 in Croatia. After completing secondary school, in 1996 she enrolled at the Faculty of Physical Education, University of Zagreb, where she graduated in 2001 and earned the degree of Professor of Physical Education. At the same faculty, she later completed her doctoral studies in kinesiology and obtained a Ph.D. She continued her academic career at the Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Osijek. Her main scientific interests focus on research in physical literacy, physical activity, and fitness of children and youth. She actively participates in a national project aimed at designing and developing a digital platform to monitor students’ physical fitness and postural characteristics in order to promote health. She has published about fifty scientific and professional papers in national and international journals and conference proceedings and is a regular presenter at scientific and professional conferences in Croatia and abroad. In addition to her research, she has more than twenty years of experience in teaching physical education. She has received numerous awards, including the Croatian Kinesiological Association Award for the most successful young kinesiologist, the Association’s Recognition for Successful Work, and the Croatian School Sports Federation Award for contributions to school sport. She has twice received the Ministry of Science, Education, and Youth Award for the most successful educational professional, as well as the Faculty of Kinesiology Osijek Award for excellence in scientific research.

Nemanja Lakicevic began his academic journey in South Carolina, USA, where he combined his passion for sport and science as a collegiate basketball player while completing his degree in Exercise Physiology. His path then led him to Bavaria, Germany, where he deepened his expertise by exploring the intersection of physical activity promotion and public health, and gained hands-on experience working at a sports medicine diagnostic laboratory. Motivated to further specialize, Dr. Lakicevic pursued his doctoral studies in Palermo, Italy. His PhD research focused on sport nutrition in combat sports, with a particular emphasis on weight cycling practices and their acute and long-term effects on health and performance in disciplines such as judo, sambo, and wrestling. This line of work positioned him at the forefront of research on rapid weight loss and its physiological and psychological consequences for elite athletes. Currently, Dr. Lakicevic serves as a researcher and lecturer at Lomonosov Moscow State University within the Department of Psychology. His current projects investigate the relationship between physical activity and executive functions in preschool children, reflecting his broader interest in how movement shapes both physical and cognitive development across the lifespan. In addition to his academic appointments, Dr. Lakicevic contributes to the scientific community as an editor and reviewer for several top-tier international journals. Widely recognized as one of the most promising young scholars in combat sports nutrition, he has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and actively collaborates with international research groups. His career reflects a unique blend of practical sports experience, interdisciplinary research, and dedication to advancing knowledge at the interface of sport, health, and psychology.

Radenko Matić is an associate professor of Sports Management at the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education (FSPE), University of Novi Sad, Serbia, where he also works as the Head of the Department of Applied Sports Sciences. From 2016 to 2024, he was the Manager of a Sports Center with outdoor and indoor facilities, an organizational part of the FSPE. Further, he is a senior researcher at the three research groups: Sport Management and Sociology Lab (SMS lab, Serbia), Western Balkan Sport Innovation Lab (WBSI lab, Montenegro) and Research Group Sports Management and Entrepreneurship at Sports University in Kaunas (Lithuania). He has authored or co-authored more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and conference papers at prestigious scientific conferences such as the European Association of Sport Management (EASM) conference, four book chapters, three keynote speeches, and authored one book. His current research includes two main themes: 1) service quality and behavioral intentions in sports, leisure, and tourism management and marketing, and 2) approaches for effective physical activity promotion. He has a leading position in provincial, national, and international (ERASMUS and INTERREG Europe projects), as well as leading roles and memberships in the governing bodies of professional and scientific organizations.

Selcuk Akpinar is currently employed at Nevsehir Haci Bektas Veli University at the Faculty of Sport Science, Department of Physical Education and Sport as a Vice Dean. He finished his bachelor degree with honors (first rank position) at Hatay Mustafa Kemal University. He was assigned to be a Physical Education Teacher by the Ministry of Education. He worked as PE teacher for two years. He continued his education with a master degree at Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University where he became a research assistant. Later on, he moved to Middle East Technical University for the doctorate where he focused on motor learning and control studies. During his doctorate, he went to the Penn State University, USA, as a visiting scholar for one and a half years and later on Post-doc for 6 months. During his state at the Penn State University, he worked at a motor control laboratory and tried to find out the effect of participation of sports training on motor lateralization. After finishing his doctorate, he moved to Nevsehir. He was promoted as an Associated Prof by the Higher Educational Council of Turkey in December 2017. Ha has started working in Equine Assisted Activities in Nevsehir in 2013. He participated and coordinated Erasmus + Projects in Equine Assisted Activities and has been conducting researches in this topic. He is also assistant principal of Horsemanship-Horseback Riding Application and Research Center at Nevsehir Haci Bektas Veli University. He has articles in respected international journals in this topic, too. He has developed many international cooperation and has many colleagues from all over the world. His area of interest mainly focused on motor lateralization in sports and the effects of age in motor lateralization, arm selection, motor learning, and body composition.

Szabolcs Halasi graduated on the Faculty of Sports and Physical Education of the University of Novi Sad, defended his master’s thesis, and in 2016 received his doctorate. Worked as a physical education teacher in primary and secondary schools and as a professional football coach abroad and in the country. He is the founder of Active Kids Sports Association. He teaches at the University of Novi Sad and Gál Ferenc University (Szeged, Hungary), where he is also the head of the Research Institute. In the center of his research interest was always motor development, body composition and nutrition of children and athletes. He is a participant in numerous international projects, congresses. He has published three books and over 60 publications (14 with IF) in international refereed journals in co-authorship.