Meet the Team Behind the Project

Kick-Off Meeting

Gal Lazarus, Israel
(Coordinator)

Dr. Lazarus studies personalized dynamic models in mood and anxiety disorders. He is an expert in intensive longitudinal research methods and data analysis. His lab will employ these methods to study neurodevelopmental disorders in daily life. Following the diagnosis of his son with ARID1B‑RD he founded the Foundation for ARID1B-Research and designed a clinical trial readiness strategy for the disorder.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
DatesInstitutionFunction
2022 to presentThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem Inc.Assistant professor
2022 to presentKU LeuvenPostdoctoral fellow
2020–2022University of California, BerkeleyPostdoctoral fellow
2013–2020Bar-Ilan UniversityPh.D. in clinical psychology
2010–2013Tel-Aviv UniversityBSc in psychology

Philippe Campeau, Canada
(Partner)

Dr. Campeau is a medical geneticist with clinical expertise in skeletal dysplasias and neurodevelopmental disorders. He directs a research lab whose goal is to identify and characterize neurodevelopmental disorders. They perform deep phenotyping of patients, characterize the consequences in cells lines and then move on to study mouse models to better understand disease pathophysiology and eventually explore potential therapies.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
DatesInstitutionFunction
2018 to presentCHU Sainte-Justine, University of Montreal, QC, CanadaAssociate professor, Department of Pediatrics
2013–2018CHU Sainte-Justine, University of Montreal, QC, CanadaAssistant professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics
2008–2013Baylor College of Medicine, TX, USAPostdoctoral fellowship
2003–2008McGill University, Montreal, QC, CanadaMedical genetics residency
1998–2003Laval University, Quebec, QC, CanadaMD studies

Sarah Lippé, Canada
(Collaborator)

Full professor of Neuropsychology at the University of Montreal.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
DatesInstitutionFunction
2020 to presentUniversity of Montreal, QC, CanadaFull professor, Psychology Department
2020 to presentUniversity of Montreal, QC, CanadaDirector Ph.D RI Clinical Neuropsychology Program
2017–2021CHU Sainte-Justine, University of Montreal, QC, CanadaDeputy, Brain and Child Development research axis
2014 to presentUniversity of Montreal, QC, CanadaAssociate professor, Psychology
2013–2016University of Montreal, QC, CanadaDirector Ph.D clinical/research neuropsychology program
2004–Ordre des Psychologues du QuébecClinical psychologist

Dagmar Wieczorek, Germany
(Partner)

Dr. Wieczorek has long standing experience in identification of new genes and signaling pathways related to neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), autism, syndromal entities especially craniofacial malformations. She has over 10 years’ experience in the use of Next Generation Sequencing for the detection of causative genetic variations. She hosts large patient cohorts for the study of NDD.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
DatesInstitutionFunction
2020 to presentHeinrich Heine University, Germany, Medical Faculty, Institute of Human GeneticsSpeaker of the Zentrum für Seltene Erkrankungen, UKD, Düsseldorf, Germany
2018 to presentHeinrich Heine University, Germany, Medical Faculty, Institute of Human GeneticsLocal speaker Düsseldorf, West German Genome Center (WGGC)
2017 to presentHeinrich Heine University, Germany, Medical Faculty, Institute of Human Genetics — Representative of the ERN-ITHACA Düsseldorf Expert Center
2015 to presentHeinrich Heine University, Germany, Medical Faculty, Institute of Human GeneticsFull professor (W3), head of Institute of Human Genetics
2006–2015University Clinic Essen, Germany, Institute of Human Genetics (head: B. Horsthemke)Senior physician
2000–2005University Clinic Essen, Germany, Institute of Human Genetics (head: B. Horsthemke)Scientific assistant
2005University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, Institute of Human GeneticsPostdoctoral thesis (“Habilitation”)
1994Ruhr-University of Bochum, GermanyMD-thesis (supervisor: M. Tegenthoff)
1987–1993Ruhr-University of Bochum, GermanyStudy of medicine

Eva Meisenzahl, Germany
(Collaborator)

Full Professor of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Director of the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
DatesInstitutionFunction
2021 to presentHeinrich Heine University, Germany, Medical Faculty, Dept. Psychiatry & PsychotherapyCoordinator CARE Computer-assisted risk evaluation in early recognition of psychosis, (care-network.eu)
2021 to presentPresident ESAS European Scientific Association on Schizophrenia and other Psychoses Vice President, ESAS European Scientific Association on Schizophrenia and other Psychoses
2016 to presentHeinrich Heine University, Germany, Medical Faculty, Dept. Psychiatry & PsychotherapyFull professor (W3), director
2010–2016LMU Munich, Germany, Medical FacultyFull professor (C3)

Ioulia Ziavrou, Germany
(Collaborator)

Psychiatry and Psychotherapy specialist, LVR Klinikum Düsseldorf, Germany.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
DatesInstitutionFunction
2025 to presentLVR Klinikum Düsseldorf, GermanyPsychiatry and Psychotherapy specialist, Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic
2024–2025LVR Klinikum Düsseldorf, GermanyNeurology residency
2021–2024LVR Klinikum Düsseldorf, GermanyPsychiatry residency
2018–2021LWL Klinikum Marl-Sinsen, GermanyChild and adolescent Psychiatry residency
2016–2018Salus Fachklinikum Bernburg, GermanyChild and adolescent Psychiatry residency
2015–2016Ameos Klinikum Haldensleben, GermanyNeurology residency
2008–2015University of Ioannina, GreeceStudy of medicine

Peter Krawitz, Germany
(Partner)

Dr. Krawitz’ research focus lies on next-generation phenotyping (NGP), dysmorphic pattern recognition in rare diseases, whole genome data analysis for complex mutational signatures, and inherited GPI-anchor deficiencies.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
DatesInstitutionFunction
2017 to presentInstitute for Genomic Statistics and Bioinformatics, University of BonnDirector
2009–2017Department for Medical Genetics, Charité University MedicinePostdoc, resident
2001–2008Technical University MunichMedical studies
2001–2008Ludwig Maximilians UniversityPhysics

Gaetano Cantalupo, Italy
(Partner)

Dr. Cantalupo is a specialist in Neurology and in Child Neuropsychiatry. He deals with neurological diseases of childhood, with main interest in Epilepsies, Sleep Disorders, and Movement Disorders, particularly in genetic disorders. Furthermore, he is involved clinical and experimental neurophysiology, with expertise in computer-aided analysis of EEG signal.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
DatesInstitutionFunction
2019 to presentUniversity of Verona, ItalyAssociate professor (child neuropsychiatry)
2013 to presentChild Neuropsychiatry Unit, Integrated University-Hospital of Verona, ItalyStaff physician
2011–2019University of Verona, ItalyAssistant professor (child neuropsychiatry)
2008–2013University of ParmaResidency program in child neuropsychiatry
2002–2007University of BolognaResidency program in neurology
1994–2002University of BolognaDegree in medicine and surgery

Kristiina Tammimies, Sweden
(Partner)

Dr. Tammimies’ research aims at understanding the genetic and molecular architecture of NDDs, and how these are related to symptoms, severity and intervention outcomes. The research group employs prediction modelling, integrating genetic and clinical data, to examine the effects of genetic background to better understand patient subgroups such as rare disorders within NDDs and health care needs.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
DatesInstitutionFunction
2021 to presentKarolinska InstitutetDocent (associate professor)
2017–2020Karolinska InsitutetAssistant professor
2016 to presentCenter of Neurodevelopmental Disorders at Karolinska Insitutet, SwedenDeputy director
2015Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders at Karolinska Insitutet, SwedenReturning postdoc
2012–2014The Hospital for Sick Children, Univ. of Toronto, CanadaInternational postdoc fellow
2007–2011Karolinska InstitutetPh.D. in medical sciences
2002–2007University of OuluMSc in genetics, biochemistry and statistics

Vincent des Portes, France
(Partner)

In 1998, Dr. des Portes identified the gene DCX, responsible for X-Linked Lissencephaly (des Portes et al., Cell 1998) and contributed to the identification of several genes involved in X-Linked Intellectual Disabilities. Since 2002, he has been working on genetic syndromes with ID: (i) Therapeutic trials in Fragile X; (ii) Clinical characterization of several genetic syndromes with ID; (iii) follow-up of children with cerebral malformations (inc. ARID1B‑RD).

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
DatesInstitutionFunction
2017 to presentNational Network For Rare Diseases of Neurodevelopment, DefiScienceCo-founder and head of the National Network
2004 to presentSchool of medicine Lyon Sud Charles Merieux, University of Lyon, FranceProfessor of pediatrics
2002 to presentHFME, University Hospital, Lyon, FranceFounder and head of the Department of Child Neurology
2001–2002MIND Institute, UC Davis, CaliforniaResearch fellow
1998–2001Department of Child Neurology, St Vincent de Paul Hosp, APHP, ParisClinical fellowship
1995–1998INSERM, Cochin University, Paris. Mentor Pr J Chelly. Lab directed by Pr Axel KahnPhD in neurosciences
1989–1994School of Medicine, Pitié Salpétrière, University of Paris, FranceInternship in pediatrics. MD, child neurologist

Yasemin Alanay, Turkey
(Partner)

Dr. Alanay’s research aims at deep-phenotyping, dysmorphic pattern recognition integrating genetic and clinical data, in diverse populations and health care needs. She has over 10 years’ experience in the use of Next Generation Sequencing for the detection of causative genetic variations. She has a cohort of over 200 patients with diagnostic WGS data deep phenotyped by a single physician.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
DatesInstitutionFunction
2013 to presentAcibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Graduate School Of Health Sciences, Department Of Genomic StudiesProfessor, division head
2011–2013Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, School of Medicine, Department Of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric GeneticsAssociate professor
2008–2011Hacettepe University, School of Medicine, Department Of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric GeneticsAssociate professor
2004–2009Hacettepe University, Graduate School Of Health SciencesPh.D. in medical genetics
2002–2004Hacettepe University, School of Medicine, Department Of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric GeneticsClinical fellowship
1997–2002Hacettepe University, School of Medicine, Department Of PediatricsResidency
1990–1996Hacettepe University, School of MedicineM.D., medical doctor

Amanda Seidl, USA
(Collaborator)

Dr. Seidl’s lab uses a variety of infant-friendly testing paradigms and daylong recording technologies to explore how typically-developing infants and those at-risk for atypical speech and language outcomes learn to process and produce speech in a language-specific way. This is a crucial endeavor since measures of infant production and perception of speech predict language outcomes which relate to later academic and social outcomes.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
DatesInstitutionFunction
2015 to presentPurdue UniversityFull professor
2009–2014Purdue UniversityAssociate professor
2003–2008Purdue UniversityAssistant professor
2000–2003The Johns Hopkins UniversityPostdoctoral fellow
2000University of PennsylvaniaPhD conferred

Audrey Thurm, USA
(Partner)

Dr. Thurm is a child clinical psychologist with clinical and research expertise in genetic conditions and neurodevelopmental disorders. She directs a clinical research service with a goal of characterizing the developmental phenotypes of neurodevelopmental disorders and developing measures to be used to track change over time. They perform deep phenotyping in natural history and clinical trials to better understand trajectories over time and test novel treatments.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION
DatesInstitutionFunction
2016 to presentNational Institute of Mental Health (Intramural), Bethesda, Maryland, USADirector, Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Phenotyping Service
2005–2016National Institute of Mental Health (Intramural), Bethesda, Maryland, USAStaff scientist
2002–2005National Institute of Mental Health (Extramural), Bethesda, Maryland, USAProgram officer
2001–2002Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions/Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USAPostdoctoral fellowship