Mahmoud A. Ghannoum, PhD, MBA, FIDSA, FAAM, is a distinguished professor at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, where he also serves as Director of the Integrated Microbiome Core and Center for Medical Mycology. Dr. Ghannoum has an extensive academic background, including an MSc in Medicinal Chemistry and a PhD in Microbial Physiology from the University of Technology in Loughborough, England, and an MBA from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH.

Dr. Ghannoum is a leading authority in microbiology and entrepreneurship. He has authored over 450 peer-reviewed publications and six scientific books, placing him in the top 1% of cited scientists worldwide. Dr. Ghannoum is renowned for his pioneering work on fungal communities, coining the term "Mycobiome," and establishing a multidisciplinary Center of Excellence bridging basic and translational research. Recognized for his outstanding contributions, he has been honored with prestigious awards such as the Rhoda Benham Award from the Medical Mycological Society of the Americas (MMSA) and the Freedom to Discover Award from Bristol-Myers Squibb. Dr. Ghannoum is a Fellow of the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA), past President of MMSA, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology (FAAM) and the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (FESCMID). Additionally, he is an entrepreneur-scientist, founding several companies focused on biofilm infections and microbial dysbiosis treatments.