Professor Kevin Rostasy, EPNS President 2022-2026
Head of Paediatric Neurology, Witten/Herdecke University, Children’s Hospital Datteln, Dr. Friedrich Steiner Str. 5, D-45711 Datteln, GERMANY.
Training: 2014- Head of Paediatric Neurology, Children’ Hospital Datteln, University Witten/Herdecke, Germany, 2007-2014 Head of Paediatric Neurology, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria), 2001-2007 Paediatric Neurologist, Department of Paediatrics, Medical University, Göttingen, Germany. 2006 Habilitation/PhD, Medical University Göttingen, „Inflammation and neuroaxonal injury in MS and AIDS dementia complex”. 1999-2001 NIH Research Fellow “Molecular and cellular mechanisms of cerebral injury in the AIDS”. 1996-1999 Neuropaediatric Residency Program (Floating Hospital for Children, Boston, USA). 1991-1996 MRCP I/II (Member Royal College of Physicians): Edinburgh, Scotland and Senior- and Supervisory-Senior-House-Officer/ Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, Scotland.
Fields of clinical and research interest: Neuroimmunology (MOGAD, MS, OMS, Autoimmune encephalitis, GBS/CIDP).
Memberships: EPNS (Board member 2016-2021) and Head of EPNS Research Group Neuroinflammatory Diseases; German Society of Neuropaediatrics (GNP), Board Member 2012-2021. International Paediatric Multiple Sclerosis Study Group (IPMSSG), Member of the Steering committee.
Professor Nadia Bahi-Buisson, EPNS Board Member
Necker Enfants Malades Hospital, Paris, FRANCE.
Training: Professor in Paediatrics, Specialisation in Paediatric Neurology PhD Neuroscience – Neurogenetics.
Fields of clinical and research interest: Neurogenetics and developmental epileptic encephalopathies; Rett syndrome and Rett like disorders; Cortical malformations; Fetal neurology.
Memberships: EPNS Board 2017-2021 ; Société Francaise de Pediatrie ; Société Francaise de Neurologie Pédiatrique.
Dr Dewi Bakker, EPNS Board Member
Training: 2020 clinical leadership course. 2018 qualified academic teacher
2015 Head of training in paediatric neurology, AUMC. 2012-2014 Fellow peadiatric neurology, Erasmus MC Rotterdam. 2008-2012 Neurology, Medisch Centrum Haaglanden Medicine, University of Groningen. 2003-2008 Medicine, University of Groningen. 2000-2003 Doctor thesis ‘Bacterial adhesion to polyurethane coatings’, University of Groningen ‘Biomedical Engineering’. 1995-1999 Biology ‘cum laude’, specialization: molecular biology, University of Groningen.
Fields of clinical and research interest: 2015 Head of training in paediatric neurology, AUMC. 2012-2014 Fellow paediatric neurology, Erasmus MC Rotterdam. 2008-2012 Neurology, Medisch Centrum Haaglanden Medicine, University of Groningen. 2003-2008 Medicine, University of Groningen. 2000-2003 Doctor thesis ‘Bacterial adhesion to polyurethane coatings’.
Memberships: Chair of the Dutch committee of training and education in paediatric neurology. EPNS. ICNA.
Dr Sandra Bigi , EPNS Board Member
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland & Department of Neurology, University Hospital Bern, SWITZERLAND.
Training: Upon completion of medical school at the University of Basel (Switzerland) in 2003, I started my paediatric training in the cantonal hospital in Aarau. In 2008, I moved to Bern to accomplish my paediatric and child neurology training at the University Children’s Hospital. Board certification was accomplished in 2010 (paediatrics) and 2012 (child neurology) respectively. During my residency in Aarau and Bern, I completed the BPNA distance-learning program. From 2011-2014, I pursued my clinical-research fellowship at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada, in the field of paediatric demyelinating diseases. In parallel, I completed a Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Toronto. Upon my return to Switzerland in 2015, I joined the faculty in a staff position in the department of child neurology at the University Children’s Hospital in Bern, Switzerland. In 2019, I decided to enhance my training in paediatric epileptology at the Epilepsy Clinic in Zürich, Switzerland. I was EEG board certified in March 2021 (delay of exams due to the corona pandemic). Currently, I work in Bern at the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, where I developed and run the Swiss Paediatric Inflammatory Brain Disease Registry www.swiss-pe
d-ibraind.ch). Furthermore, I hold a cross-appointment in the neuroimmunology team at the Department of Neurology at the University Hospital in Bern.
Fields of clinical and research interest: My fields of expertise and interest include paediatric stroke and paediatric inflammatory brain diseases.
Memberships: SGP, GNP, SGNP, EPNS, ICNA, Steering Committee of the medico-scientific advisory board of the Swiss MS Society, SFCNS (Scientific Committee).
Dr Anne Marie Childs, Co-opted Committee of National Training Advisers (CNA) member for the term 2024-2026
Leeds Teaching Hospitals, UNITED KINGDOM
Training:As NTA for paediatric neurology in the UK 2016-2021, I was responsible for: 1. Writing and developing the new syllabus and associated BPNA/RCPCH training guide for paediatric neurology training in the UK. 2. I led development workshops to formulate the content and ensure the learning outcomes were realistic and aligned to the BPNA distance learning programme and short courses- which is now available to the EPNS. 3. I led the implementation of the new curriculum in 2019. 4. I wrote the neurology content for the ‘START’ formative assessment of training. 5. I was responsible for the selection and interview of trainees to the UK paediatric neurology training programme and for paediatricians wishing to undertake specialist training in epilepsy 6. I led neurology trainees’ annual reviews, assessments, and final training accreditation. 7. I worked with wider UK paediatric training networks, neurologists and hospital leads to overcome barriers to progress and to support trainees in difficulty I am a facilitator and trainer on BPNA epilepsy courses.
Fields of clinical and research interest:I lead the neuromuscular service in Yorkshire, am principal investigator for 12 NM studies and am one of the paediatric experts on the English clinical panel to support novel treatments in SMA
Memberships: BPNA, WMS, EPNS. Medical Trustee: SMA-UK, Martin House Children’s Hospice
Professor Maria Roberta Cilio, EPNS Board Member
Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels. Saint-Luc University Hospital, Brussels, BELGIUM.
Training: Residency in Paediatric Neurology 1988-1993: Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium/University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy. Fellowship in Paediatric Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology 1994-1997: Bambino Gesu’ Children Hospital, Rome. PhD student 1998-2001: Harvard University, Gregory Holmes’ lab, Boston, USA.
Fields of clinical and research interest: Paediatric and neonatal neurocritical care. Paediatric and Neonatal Neurophysiology, Paediatric and neonatal epilepsy. Neonatal neurology. Early-onset genetic epilepsies, diagnosis and treatment. Targeted and precision therapies for seizures and epilepsy in the neonate.
Memberships: EPNS, American Epilepsy Society, Société Européenne de Neurologie Pédiatrique.
Professor Dana Craiu, Chair EPNS Education & Training Committee
Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, ROMANIA.
Training: I am a senior Paediatric Neurologist (PN), Paediatrician and I have competence in Neurophysiology. I completed my training in medicine in 1993 in Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania. In 1999 I became a specialist in PN. I attended a fellowship for epilepsy and video-EEG in year 2000 in The Netherlands, Epilepsie Instellingen Netherlands, locatie Meer&Bosh, under the supervision of Walter van Emde Boas. Here I have learned video-EEG and participated to the epilepsy surgery meetings. I further finished my PhD in Frontal epilepsies and video-EEG in 2005 in Bucharest. In the same year I graduated with maximum degree as a senior PN.
Fields of clinical and research interest: Epilepsies, Neurophysiology, Epilepsy Surgery, Rare disorders. In my daily activity I am a clinician Paediatric Neurologist and see patients in the inpatient and outpatient department. My first interest are epilepsies and rare disorders and I am coordinating the Center of Expertise of Rare Disorders in Obregia Hospital which is part of the EpiCARE and ENDO-ERN networks for rare disorders. As a Professor of Paediatric Neurology I also coordinate courses and educational activities for students (5th year) of Medicine Faculty and Residents in Paediatric Neurology but also Neurology, Paediatrics, Neonatology having rotation in PN department. My research activity is centered on epilepsies and rare disorders, too.
Memberships: Romanian Society of Paediatric Neurology, Romanian Society Against Epilepsy, Romanian Neurophysiology Society, EPNS, ILAE, ICNA.
Dr Rob Forsyth, EPNS Secretary
Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant Paediatric Neurologist, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UNITED KINGDOM.
Training: Cambridge, Oxford, Nottingham, Newcastle, UK and Vancouver, Canada.
Fields of clinical and research interest: Acute neurology and coma; Neuroinflammation; neuroprotection, the epidemiology of and outcome prediction after paediatric acquired brain injury and plasticity after acquired brain injury and neurorehabilitation. I lead a research group applying network neuroscience perspectives to the effects of brain injury and rehabilitation. I am a co-founder and Course Leader for the EPNS Masterclass series (2015, 2017, 2018: 2022 in preparation). Editor, Oxford University Press Handbook in Paediatric Neurology (3rd edition 2017).
Memberships: British Paediatric Neurology Association; Society for Research in Rehabilitation (UK); World Federation for Neurorehabilitation; International Paediatric Brain Injury Soc; EPNS.
Dr Lucia Gerstl, Co-opted EPNS Board Member
Consultant Paediatric Neurologist, Department of Paediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, LMU Center for Development and Children with Medical Complexity, Dr. von Hauner Children`s Hospital, University Hospital, LMU Munich, GERMANY
Training: Medicine: TUM – Technical University of Munich. Residency in Paediatrics: University Hospital Würzburg. Paediatric Neurology: University Hospital Würzburg and LMU Munich, University Hospital. EPNS Fellowship with Prof. Finbar O´Callaghan, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London. Current position: Consultant Paediatric Neurologist.
Fields of clinical and research interest: Paediatric Stroke / Neurovascular diseases. Epilepsy. Founder of the first German “Paediatric Stroke Unit”. Head of the “German Network Paediatric Stroke”. “Outside the box” – EPNS Cambridge Masterclass. Associate Editor of the European Journal of Paediatric Neurology.
Memberships: EPNS, GNP – German–speaking Neuropaediatric Society, DGKJ – German Society for Paediatrics. DGKN – German Society for Neurophysiology, DGfE – German Epilepsy Society. DSG – German Stroke Society. IPSO – International Paediatric Stroke Organisation, ESO – European Stroke Organisation, WSO – World Stroke Organisation.
Dr Kathleen Mary Gorman , EPNS Board Member
Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland. School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, IRELAND.
Training: Basis Specialist Training (2 years), followed by Higher Specialist training (5 years) in General Paediatrics. Administered by the Royal College of Physician’s, Ireland. Rotating through different specialities with sub-specialisation in paediatric neurology. Completed July 2017. Doctor of Medicine Degree (MD Thesis) Whole-exome sequencing in a cohort of patients with early-onset neurological disorders and consanguinity. Completed during my specialist training scheme. A clinical and laboratory-based research project, developing my skills in neurogenetics. Paediatric Neurocritical Care Fellow Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago (07/2016-07/2017). Clinical fellowship focusing on paediatric neuro-intensive care and neonatal neurology. Clinical Fellow in Neurogenetics and Complex Movement Disorders, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children & UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London (08/2017-08/2018). Clinical and research fellowship focused on assessment, investigation, and management of complex movement disorders, neurogenetics and neurodegenerative disorders. Current Position: Consultant Paediatric Neurologist (October 2018 – To Date) Providing acute in-patient and out-patient services in CHI at Temple Street, Dublin a tertiary & quaternary referral centre. Assistant Clinical Professor, University College Dublin.
Fields of clinical and research interest: Neurogenetics. Movement Disorder. Epilepsy. Neurocritical care. Neonatal neurology. Medical education.
Memberships: Fellow of Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (Paediatrics). Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (U.K.). International: British Paediatric Neurology Association (BPNA): Member of Research Committee, Head of the local organising committee for 2022 BPNA annual conference. Movement Disorder Society. European Paediatric Neurology Society. European reference network. National: Irish Paediatric Association. Irish Institute of Clinical Neuroscience. International League Against Epilepsy – Irish Chapter. Irish Paediatric Neurological Group.
Professor Anna Jansen, Chair EPNS Advocacy and Collaboration Committee
Professor Paediatric Neurology Universitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen, Universiteit Antwerpen and Vrije Universiteit Brussel, BELGIUM.
Training: Undergraduate: Antwerp University Medical School, Postgraduate: Neurology and Child Neurology training at UZ Brussel. Neurogenetics Fellowship at the Montreal Neurological Hospital and Institute. PhD in Medical Sciences at Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
Fields of clinical and research interest: Paediatric Neurology, Neurodevelopment, Neurogenetic disorders with special focus on brain malformations and tuberous sclerosis complex. https://researchportal.vub.be/en/persons/anna-jansen/publications.
Memberships: Belgian Society of Paediatric Neurology (board member), European Paediatric Neurology Society (co-opted board member), Society for the Study of Behavioural Phenotypes (Honorary Secretary), International Child Neurology Association (member), COST Action 18116 Neuro-MIG (Vice Chair), European Journal of Paediatric Neurology (Associate Editor).
Dr Altynshash Jaxybayeva, Co-opted EPNS Board Member
Astana Medical University, KAZAKHSTAN.
Training: I graduated an Almaty State Medical Institute in 1996 and got a qualification as a paediatrician. Then was trained as a paediatric neurologist for two years at Almaty State Medical Institute for postgraduate education. In 1999 got a specialization in paediatric neurology and psychiatry at Tor Vergata University under the supervision of prof. Paolo Curatolo. Special interest: refractory epilepsy, TSC, ADHD, ASD. In 2007 defended a Ph.D. work devoted to Global developmental delay at preschool-age children. Then had short-term training on paediatric neurology (epilepsy and neuromuscular disorders) in Italy, UK, and the US. At 2013 Honorary clinical observership at Child Developmental Center, Addenbrookes hospital, Cambridge, UK.At 2016 Clinical observership at Paediatric neurology and psychiatry department in Policlinico Umberto1, La Sapienza University, Rome and Bambino Gesu Hospital, Rome. At 2017 Visit to the Department of Paediatric Neurology. of La Sapienza University inframe of academic mobility program. 2018 Invited lecturer at Paediatric Neurology Department at Ljubljana Medical University, Slovenia in frame of Erasmus Mundus program. 2019 Training course on Neuromuscular disease at Gaslini Hospital, Genoa, Italy.Invited speaker at EPNS Teaching course 2019:Uzbekistan
Fields of clinical and research interest: Epileptic encephalopathy, neuromuscular disorders, perinatal neurology.
Memberships: Kazakh Association of Paediatric Neurology, EPNS, ICNA.
Professor Ilona Anna Kopyta, Co-opted EPNS Board Member
Department of Paediatric Neurology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, POLAND.
Training: Associate Professor of Paediatrics, Paediatric Neurology, Department of Medical Sciences, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland, Training: Hospital Virgen de la Salud, Toledo, Spain; Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; Erasmus courses.
Fields of clinical and research interest: Cerebrovascular disorders, Neurodevelopmental and rare diseases, Cerebral palsy, Epilepsy, Work in Polish Advisory Board on paediatric multiple sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy.
Memberships: European Paediatric Neurology Society, Polish Child Neurology Society (vice president of Vascular Section), Editorial Board: BMC Neurology, Journal of Paediatric Neurology; Topic Board of Brain Sciences and Children, International Paediatric Stroke Study (now- International Paediatric Stroke Organisation) co-investigator; EUROPET co-worker.
Professor Pavel Krsek, Co-opted EPNS Board Member
Department of Paediatric Neurology, Charles University in Prague, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Motol University Hospital, Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC.
Training: MD – 1996, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague. PhD – 2001, thesis “Electrophysiological, behavioral and morphological consequences of pilocarpine-induced nonconvulsive status epilepticus”. Associate professor of neurology – 2007, thesis “Diagnostics and surgical treatment of intractable epilepsy caused by focal cortical dysplasia”. Professor of neurology – 2012, honorary lecture “Advances in localization of the epileptogenic zone in children”. Current position – Head of Department of Paediatric Neurology, Charles University in Prague, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital; chair of Czech Society of Paediatric Neurology.
Fields of clinical and research interest: Drug-resistant epilepsy in children, epilepsy surgery (special focus on focal cortical dysplasia and tuberous sclerosis), genetic causes of epileptic encephalopathies and malformations of cortical development, intraoperative monitoring, quality of life of children with epilepsy.
Memberships: European Paediatric Neurology Society, Czech Society of Paediatric Neurology, Czech and International League Against Epilepsy, Czech Neurophysiological.
Professor Lieven Lagae, EPNS President 2010-2018
University Hospitals Leuven, BELGIUM.
Training: Paediatrics, Leuven University Belgium, Paediatric Neurology, Leuven University Belgium and Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School USA.
Fields of clinical and research interest: Childhood epilepsy : -New medications, preclinical and clinical research.
Memberships: Belgian Society Paediatric Neurology, International Child Neurology Association (ICNA), treasurer, American Epilepsy Society, European Reference Network EPICARE, board member.
Dr Ming Lim, EPNS Board Member
Children´s Neurosciences Centre, Evelina London Children´s Hospital, UNITED KINGDOM.
Training: I undertook my undergraduate medical training at the University Nottingham, UK. Following completing my paediatric neurology training in South London, I began my doctoral research in the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (London) with the award of a Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Fellowship. I was appointed as Consultant Paediatric Neurologist at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital in 2006; and promoted to a Reader in Paediatric Neurology within Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London in 2016.
Fields of clinical and research interest: I have a major interest in childhood inflammatory disorders and run the nationally commissioned highly specialist paediatric brain and spine inflammation service. I work collaboratively with European and International colleagues on numerous studies to define childhood central nervous system autoimmune disorders. I am well published in the field of childhood CNS autoimmunity. In addition, I also has a research interest in the inflammatory mechanisms in childhood onset neurodegenerative disorders; and works on projects to evaluate the beneficial role of treating inflammation in childhood neurodegeneration.
Memberships: British Paediatric Neurology Association Member (serve on research committee), Various UK based Royal Colleges (Physicians; Paediatrics and Child Health), EPNS member, ICNA member.
Dr Jean-Pierre Lin, Chair EPNS Membership, PR and Website Committee
Honorary Reader, Women and Children’s Health Institute, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, Kings Health Partners AND Consultant Paediatric Neurologist, General Neurology & Complex Motor Disorders Service, Evelina Children’s Hospital, Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Lambeth Palace Road, London, SE1 7EH, UNITED KINGDOM.
Training: Qualified in Medicine in Edinburgh in 1983; Member of the Royal College of Physicians (UK) 1986; PhD ‘Motor Assessments in Cerebral Palsy’ 1998 Edinburgh University; Child Neurology training RHSC (Edin) and GOSH (Lond) 1990-6; Visiting Fellow Hartford Connecticut and San Diego Gait Analysis Laboratories Sept-Dec 1996; appointed Consultant Paediatric Neurologist Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust London in 1997. Fellow of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 2017.
Fields of clinical and research interest: Movement Development and Disorders: Genetic, Cerebral Palsy, (CP), Status Dystonicus. Neuromodulation with Deep Brain Stimulation, Pharmacotherapy for movement disorders.
Memberships: British Paediatric Neurology Association (1991-present): past President 2016-18; Chair BPNA Movement Disorders Special Interest Group 2010-19. European Paediatric Neurology Society 2013-present. Joint Chair Movement Disorders Group 2014-present.
Ass Prof Ignacio Malaga Dieguez, Co-opted EPNS Board Member
Head of the Child Neurology Unit. Paediatrics Department. Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias. Oviedo. Spain. Associate Professor in Paediatrics. Facultad Padre Ossó / Oviedo University, SPAIN.
Training: Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine. Oviedo University. Oviedo, Spain. 1992-1998, Erasmus Fellowship. Université Libre de Bruxelles. Bruxelles, Belgium 1995. Erasmus Fellowship. (free mover). Bristol University.Bristol, UK. 1997. Doctorate in Medicine. Oviedo University. Oviedo, Spain. 2004. Training in Paediatrics. Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias. Oviedo. Spain. 2000-2004. Training in Paediatric Neurology (Master’s Degree). Sant Joan de Deu University Hospital/ Universidad de Barcelona. Barcelona. Spain. 2004-2006.
Fields of clinical and research interest: Epilepsy, drug resistant epilepsy, status epilepticus, antiepileptic drugs, Neuroimmune disorders, paediatric multiple sclerosis, ADEM, anti NMDA receptor encephalitis, anti MOG encephalitis. Neurodevelopemental disorders, with special interest in Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Memberships: Spanish Paediatric Neurology Society (currently member of the Board, as past President) – SENEP. European Paediatric Neurology Society – EPNS. Committee of National Advisors (CNA) – spanish representative. Spanish Paediatric Association (member of the Board 2019-2021) – AEP.
Professor Francesco Muntoni, EPNS Board Member
University College London UNITED KINGDOM.
Training: Medical degree in Cagliari (Italy) 1984, Child Neurology and Psychiatry (Italy) 1989, Specialist register Paediatric Neurology, UK, 1994
Fields of clinical and research interest: Neuromuscular disorders, preclinical, clinical, and translational research aspects.
Memberships: General Medical Council, Royal College Paediatric and Child Health, UK, British Paediatric Neurology Association, EPNS, World Muscle Society (steering Committee), International Child Neurology Association, Fellow Academy Medical Science.
Professor Finbar O’Callaghan, EPNS Board Member
Professor of Paediatric Neuroscience, UCL Great Ormond Street Hospital Institute of Child Health and Hon. Consultant in Paediatric Neurology at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UNITED KINGDOM.
Training: Undergraduate degree: University of Oxford 1983. Medical Degree: University of Bristol 1990. MSc in Epidemiology: University of London. PhD in Clinical Epidemiology: University of Bath. Paediatric & Paediatric Neurology training: Bristol, Bath, Birmingham, Toronto, Southampton. Epidemiology training: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, MRC Epidemiology Unit, Southampton, and National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford.
Fields of clinical and research interest: Epilepsy (Chief Investigator of ICISS trial in infantile spasms, Chief investigator of UK CATE trials of Cannabis based medicines in refractory epilepsy). Tuberous sclerosis Complex: Lead TS Clinics at Great Ormond Street, London and Royal United Hospital, Bath. Member of TOSCA Scientific Advisory Board. UK Chief Investigator of EXIST-1 and EXIST-3 trials investigating use of everolimus in TSC. UK Chief investigator of GWEP 1521 study investigating use of cannabidiol in refractory epilepsy in TSC. Chief investigator of Metformin in TS study (MiTS Trial). Childhood Stroke (Chief Investigator of Study of Outcome of Childhood Stroke (SOCS), member of executive of International Paediatric Stroke Study (IPSS), member of steering committee of PASTA trial. Co-Chair of EPNS Stroke Working Group, EPNS Research Meeting. Neuroepidemiology.
Memberships: Board Member of EPNS (2014-2022), Secretary (2014-18), Chair of the Membership committee (2018-22). President of British Paediatric Neurology Association (BPNA) 2018-21. Co-Chair of 14th EPNS Congress, Glasgow 2021. Member of European Academy of Neurology Scientific panel on Neuroepidemiology. Editorial Board of European Journal of Paediatric Neurology. Member of ILAE and American Epilepsy Society.
Professor Barbara Plecko, Chair EPNS Scientific and Research Committee
Training: 1985-1990 training in general medicine in the KAGes hospitals of Styria, Austria. 1991-1995 residency in paediatrics at the Dep. of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Austria (Mentor Prof. Dr. Stockler-Ipsiroglu). During my residency I had the opportunity to be a visiting physician (4 months) at the Department of Child Neurology in Göttingen (Prof. Folker Hanefeld). 1995-1999 specialization in child neurology and metabolic disorders, Dep. of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Austria. 1999-2000 research fellowship at the Division of metabolic Diseases, Dep. of Paediatrics, Medical University of Vienna. 2000 EEG certificate (ILAE, chapter Austria). 2007 acknowledgement as child neurologist; Habilitation in 2003, head of Child Neurology at the Dep. Of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Graz from 2005-20011. In 2007 I spent a year as an associate professor at the Children’s and Woman´s Hospital in Vancouver and contributed to the build-up of a joint neurometabolic clinic with genetics. From 2011-1017 I have been a professor for Child Neurology at the University Children´s Hospital in Zurich and returned to Austria in 2017, where I am now heading the Division of general Paediatrics, including the service for Child Neurology and Metabolic Diseases.
Fields of clinical and research interest: Neurometabolic disorders, neurogenetic disorders.
Memberships: EPNS, GNP, ICNA, APS, ÖGKJ, ÖGfE, MitoNet, FSK.
Professor Thomas Sejersen, EPNS Board Member
Astrid Lindgrens Children’s Hospital, Karolinska Hospital and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, SWEDEN.
Training: PhD, 1987, Medical school, 1988; MD, 1990, Docent in Medical cell genetics 1991, Specialist in Paediatrics. 1998, Specialist in Paediatric neurology and habilitation, 1999, Professor in Paediatric Neurology 2009.
Fields of clinical and research interest: Neuromuscular disorders
Memberships: Chairman of Swedish research council network on muscle disorders 2000-2003. Board member and scientific secretary Swedish paediatic neurology society 2001-2005. Board member of Scientific committee of RBU (National Association for Disabled Children and Adolescents), 2006-2016. Member of Stockholm ethics review board for medical research, 2006-2016.Activity leader for standards of diagnosis and care, executive committee member in international network for neuromuscular disorders, TREAT-NMD, 2007- Invited DuchenneConnect Advisor, 2008-. Member of governing board for EU-project on development of high throughput genetic diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders, NMD-CHIP, 2008-2011. Work package leader and member of governing board for EU-project to develop best practice guidelines for rare diseases, RARE-BESTPRACTICES, 2012-2016. Member of Board for European Reference Network for neuromuscular disorders EURO-NMD. EPNS. ICNA.
Professor Agnese Suppiej, Co-opted EPNS Board Member
Professor of Paediatrics and director of the School of Paediatrics and the Paediatric Section at the Department of Medical Sciences of the University of Ferrara (Ferrara, Italy). ERN-EYE full member. Consultant in paediatric neurology and neuro-ophthalmology at the R. Hollman Foundation, Padua, ITALY.
Training: Graduated in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Verona, specialized in Paediatrics and in Child Neurology and Psychiatry (summa cum laude) at the University of Padua (Italy). She has received her Medical Doctorate on Sciences of Development at Burden Neurological Institute Bristol- UK and Dept. Paediatrics University of Padua (Italy) in 1992. She was appointed as a visiting scholar of the St Bartholomew Hospital in 1995 and of the Institute of Child Health London (UK) in 1997. She has been working in the areas of neonatal neurology and clinical neurophysiology, child neurology, paediatric neuro-ophthalmology and visual electrophysiology for over 25 years at the Paediatric University Hospital of Padua (Italy). She received the High Specialty in Neonatal Neurology in 2006 and was appointed as the Director of the clinical and research paediatric neuro-ophthalmology program – Neuroscience Group – Department of Mother and Child Health- University of Padua in 2016, representing the Health Care Provider University Hospital of Padua in the ERN-Eye until 2018.
Fields of clinical and research interest: The clinical and research interest is on Paediatric Neurology and Paediatric Neurosciences including: clinical neurophysiology in neonates and children; Early markers of brain injury in neonates at neurological risk; cerebrovascular and neuro-immunological disorders in childhood; child neurology in the emergency setting; neuro-ophthalmology and isolated/ syndromic retinal dystrophies; rare neurological and neuro-ophthalmological disorders, low vision.
Memberships: Member of the EPNS (CNA and research working groups on neonatal neurology and neuro-immunology). Member of the Italian Society of Paediatric Neurology; member of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology (paediatric clinical neurophysiology working group).
Dr Inga Talvik, Co-opted EPNS Board Member
Tartu University, ESTONIA.
Training: Tartu University
Fields of clinical and research interest: Epilepsy, autoimmune diseases, paediatric neurology.
Memberships: Estonian paediatric neurology society, Baltic Child neurology Association, Association of Estonian Neurologists and neurosurgeons, Estonian Association of Paediatricians.
Dr Ana Monica Vasconcelos, Co-opted Committee of National Training Advisers (CNA) member for the term 2022-2023
Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra. PORTUGAL
Training:Medicine graduation since 1996 (University Coimbra). General Paediatrician since 2005 (Portuguese Medical Council). Paediatric Neurologist since 2009 (Portuguese Medical Council). Graduate Hospital Assistant of Paediatrician since 2016 (Child Development Center, Paediatric Hospital, Coimbra University and Hospital Center). Master in Sleep: Fisiology and Medicine since 2014 (University of Murcia, Spain). Member of the Sleep and Ventilation Laboratory team of Coimbra Paediatric Hospital (2010-2021). Tutor of the Child Health Internship of the 6th year of the integrated master’s degree in Medicine (2009 – 2021). Organization of several courses and congresses.
Fields of clinical and research interest: Demyelinating disorders of the central nervous system. Sleep medicine. Epilepsy.
Memberships: President of Portuguese Paediatric Neurology Society. Vice – president of Assembly of Representatives of the Order of Physicians. Board member of the Association of Children’s Health in Coimbra. European Paediatric Neurology Society. Portuguese Paediatric Society. Portuguese Attention Deficit Society. Portuguese Society of Metabolic Diseases. Portuguese Sleep Association. Portuguese League Against Epilepsy.
Professor Federico Vigevano, EPNS Board Member
Bambino Gesu’ Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, ITALY.
Training: Postgraduate Diploma in Neurology and Psychiatry achieved on 12.01.1977, at the I ^ Clinic of Nervous and Mental Diseases, University of Rome, with the mark 70/70 cum laude Degree in Medicine and Surgery, 8-11-1974, at the University of Rome with 110/110 cum laude. Dr. Federico Vigevano has focused on studies, using video-EEG monitoring systems, in the field of childhood epilepsy, with particular attention to seizures in the first years of life. He has been in the Scientific and/or Organizing Committee of different European Congresses. Has been Chair of the Scientific Committee of the International Congress on Epilepsy (Rome 2011). He is the organizer of the annual “International Course on Resistant Epilepsy” (Tagliacozzo – Italy).
Fields of clinical and research interest: He studied the electroclinical patterns of various types of epileptic seizures in childhood, especially epileptic spasms. He identified a clinical entity that is currently recognized as called BFIS. Studies on focal dysplasias and hemimegalencephaly led to the definition of surgical indications for these cases.
Memberships: President of the LICE from 1999 to 2002. Member of the ILAE Commission of European Affaires 2001-2009. President of the European Advisory Council of the European Leagues Against Epilepsy 2001 to 2005. Ambassador of Epilepsy since 2001. President of the Epilepsy Foundation since 2010. Member of the ILAE Commission on Classification and Terminology since 2014. Dr. Vigevano has been on the advisory board of “Epileptic Disorders” and “Epilepsia”. He has published more than 230 papers in the most important international journals. Prof. Vigevano received the European Epileptology Award by the ILAE Europe (2016).
Professor Michel Willemsen, EPNS Treasurer
Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, THE NETHERLANDS.
Training: 1986 – 1993: Medicine plus internships, Radboud university medical center (RUMC), Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Registration as physician: Febr 1993. 1993 – 2000: Training as paediatrician and paediatric neurologist: Paediatrics: RUMC, Nijmegen, The Netherlands (prof dr RCA Sengers), and CWZ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands (dr PMV van Wieringen): Neurology: RUMC, Nijmegen, The Netherlands (prof dr GWAM Padberg); Paediatric neurology: RUMC, Nijmegen, The Netherlands (prof dr FJM Gabreëls); Registration as paediatrician: 01 Jan 2000; Registration as paediatric neurologist: 2000.
Fields of clinical and research interest: Movement disorders and neurometabolic disorders.
Memberships: ICNA board, EPNS board, SSIEM, MDS National societies (paediatrics, paediatric neurology, inborn errors of metabolism).
Professor Dilek Yalnizoglu, Co-Opted Chair of the Committee of National Training Advisers (CNA)
Professor in Paediatrics and Paediatric Neurologist, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Paediatrics, Division of Paediatric Neurology TURKEY
Training: MD degree at Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. Paediatric residency and Paediatric Neurology fellowship at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsy fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA.
Fields of clinical and research interest:Paediatric epilepsy, epilepsy surgery, rare neurometabolic/ neurogenetic disorders.
Memberships: European Paediatric Neurology Society, International Child Neurology Association, American Epilepsy Society. National Societies: Turkish Child Neurology Society, National Paediatrics Society, Turkish Epilepsy Society, Turkish Clinical Neurophysiology EEG-EMG Society, Biochemical Genetics Society.
Professor Dimitrios Zafeiriou, Editor-in-Chief, European Journal of Paediatric Neurology (EJPN)
Professor of Paediatric Neurology & Developmental Paediatrics 1st Department of Paediatrics, Hippokratio General Hospital, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, GREECE.
Training: Graduated from AUTH’s Medical School and undertook specialist training in Paediatrics at the Ludwig Maximilian University University (LMU), Munich, Germany, achieving both my certification and my PhD at the same University. Further training in Paediatric Neurology at LMU and at GOSH, London, UK. Currently Professor of Paediatric Neurology and Developmental Paediatrics at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), Greece and Head of the 1st Department of Paediatrics and the Neurodevelopmental Center “A Fokas” at “Hippokratio” General Hospital. Since 2013 Guest Professor at the Department of Paediatric Neurology, at Boston’s Children Hospital, Harvard University, USA.
Fields of clinical and research interest: Neuromuscular & neurometabolic disorders, neonatal neurology and cerebral palsy, clinical neurophysiology, paediatric epileptology, paediatric stroke, neurobiology of autism and bioethics of fetal and paediatric neurology. Authored more than 180 peer-reviewed publications (Medline) in the field of paediatric neurology. Participation in at least 30 clinical trials (12 of them sponsored from Pharma industry -phases III, IV and observational) in the last 10 years.
Memberships: EPNS, ICNA, SSIEM, BPNA, CNA, German Society for Neuropaediatrics. American Epilepsy Society, American EEG Society, American Academy of Clinical Neurophysiology. Past President of the Greek Association of Paediatric Neurology, the Greek Society for the Study of Inborn Errors of Metabolism, the Northern Greek Paediatric Society and the Bioethics Committee of Aristotle’s University. IPMSSG (International Paediatric Multiple Sclerosis Study Group). IPSS (International Paediatric Stroke Study). Currently EPNS Board Member. Since 2014 Associated Editor and since December 2020 Editor of European Journal of Paediatric Neurology.
Professor Sameer Zuberi, EPNS President 2018-2022
Consultant Paediatric Neurologist & Honorary Professor of Paediatric Neurology, Royal Hospital for Children & University of Glasgow, UNITED KINGDOM.
Training: Undergraduate training – University of Edinburgh, qualified 1989, Postgraduate training in paediatrics and neurology in Edinburgh, Sydney and Glasgow. Qualifications – MB ChB, MD, FRCP, FRCPCH, Doctorate of Medicine Thesis – Ion Channel Disorders in Child Neurology.
Fields of clinical and research interest: Clinical & research interests: epilepsy & paroxysmal disorders, neurogenetics, innovative technologies, sleep disorders. Clinical & Research Lead Paediatric Neurosciences, Lead Scottish Genetic Epilepsy Service, President of EPNS, Chair ILAE Commission on Classification & Terminology 2013-17, Member of ILAE Task Force on Nosology & Classification defining epilepsy syndromes. Our research group has focused research interests on the epidemiology, aetiologies and outcomes of early onset epilepsies, Dravet syndrome and genetic predictors of outcome and developing novel video technologies for epilepsy diagnosis & management.
Memberships: British Paediatric Neurology Association, Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health, European Paediatric Neurology Society, International League Against Epilepsy, International Society for Social Paediatrics.
Head of Paediatric Neurology, Witten/Herdecke University, Children’s Hospital Datteln, Dr. Friedrich Steiner Str. 5, D-45711 Datteln, GERMANY.
