Steering Committee

Professor Maghnie is Head of the Paediatric Clinic, Clinical Service in Paediatric Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at the Giannina Gaslini Institute, University of Genoa, Italy. He was awarded his PhD in Paediatric Endocrinology by the University of Pavia in 1991.

Professor Maghnie’s major research interests include growth disorders and their treatment, and the management of paediatric pituitary disorders. He was the Co-Chair of the Education & Training Working Group on GnRH Deficiency: Elucidation of the neuroendocrine control of human reproduction. He is currently a Director of the Paediatric Residency Program at the University of Genoa, Italy. He is a former Director of the Paediatric Residency Program at the University of Genoa, Italy (2008–2014), and a former President of the Italian Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology (ISPED, 2011-2015). He was Chair of the ESPE website from 2004–2008, a co-author of Yearbook of Paediatric Endocrinology from 2004–2009, and a member of ESPE. He is the supervisor of several postgraduate research students and postdoctoral fellows working in his research group and has authored over 250 original articles, textbook chapters and full papers in peer-reviewed journals.

Dr Svein Fredwall is a Senior Consultant and Medical Advisor at TRS National Resource Centre for Rare Disorders, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Norway. He is specialised in General Medicine and has worked for more than 15 years as a general practitioner. Since 2012, he has been working at the National Resource Centre, mainly with rare skeletal dysplasia disorders.

Dr Fredwall has been the principal investigator in The Norwegian Adult Achondroplasia Study, investigating medical complications and physical functioning in adults with achondroplasia. Several papers are published from this study. He is also running an adult skeletal dysplasia clinic at Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital.

Dr Fredwall has presented a number of abstracts at international conferences and has been involved in the development of international guidelines for achondroplasia. He is also a member of several advisory boards.

Moeen AlSayed is a Consultant Clinical Geneticist, working in Clinical Biochemical Genetics and Metabolic Diseases at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a Professor of Genetics at Al-Faisal University in Riyadh. Professor AlSayed has established and is the Director of the MSc Genetic Counselling Programme at AlFaisal University.

Professor AlSayed is a previous Chair of the Department of Medical Genetics at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh. He served in this position for 11 years. During his tenure as a Chair and among many achievements, he has established a completely new and unique Adult Genetics and Metabolic Diseases service and a fully dedicated genetic counselling service in the entire Gulf region. The majority of the practicing genetic counsellors in Saudi Arabia are graduates of the MSc Genetic Counselling Programme that was established by Professor AlSayed in 2014.

Professor AlSayed obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) from the Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh. He completed his paediatric residency at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, Connecticut, USA and his fellowship in clinical genetics and clinical biochemical genetics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, USA. Professor Al-Sayed also has an MBA from the University of Tennessee, USA.

His interests include identification of founder mutations related to metabolic and genetic disorders in the Saudi population, screening and treatment of lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) and the management of organic acidurias. He is frequently an invited speaker at local, regional and international meetings. Professor Al-Sayed is a founding member of the Middle Eastern Metabolic Group (MEMG), the Saudi Paediatric Association – Medical Genetics Subcommittee, the Saudi Charitable Society for Genetic Disorders, the Saudi Society of Medical Genetics, and the Middle Eastern Lysosomal Storage Diseases Expert Council (MELSDEC). He has served and continues to serve on many advisory boards related to rare genetic diseases.

Since 2019, Professor AlSayed has led the transformation of MEMG into a Middle Eastern Society of Inborn Errors of Metabolism (MEASIEM). He is a founding member of this society. As well as of the Middle Eastern Genetic and Metabolic Association (MEGMA).

Professor AlSayed has had numerous abstracts and poster presentations in various conferences, has published more than 90 scientific papers in peer reviewed journals, a chapter on “Genetic Eye Diseases” in Duane’s International Ophthalmology, 2013 edition and authored a “Genetic Case Series” Atlas & Clinician Guide, 2016 edition. He has been a principal investigator and co-investigator in over 40 research projects, including five multicentre trials approved by the US FDA related to the treatment of LSDs and one on treatment of hypophosphatasia.

Dr Tawfeg Ben-Omran received his speciality training in clinical and metabolic genetics at the Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Canada. He obtained both FRCPS and FCCMG in Medical Genetics in 2006. Currently, he is Division Chief, Genetic and Genomic Medicine at Sidra Medicine, as well as a Senior Consultant at the Department of Medical Genetics at Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar. He is also an Associate Professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, Qatar.

Dr Ben-Omran has contributed to the body of published knowledge in clinical and metabolic genetics, with over 130 published articles in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters and abstracts. He is a reviewer for many clinical genetics journals.

An active clinical researcher, Dr Ben-Omran collaborates on projects with local, regional and international communities. He is a lead primary investigator in many high-profile research projects and clinical trials, including the Nurture Trial for Spinal Muscular Atrophy. His main scientific interests include genetics of Mendelian Disorders, Skeletal Dysplasia, and Autosomal Recessive Disorders in Arabs. In addition, Dr Ben-Omran is an external advisor and expert for E-HOD (European registry and network for homocystinurias and methylation defects).

Dr Silvio Boero is the Director of Trauma and Orthopaedics at Istituto Giannina Gaslini in Genoa, Italy. He has extensive experience in the surgical management of congenital and acquired limb length discrepancy including lower limb medial longitudinal hemimelia (tibial hypoplasia) and limb lengthening in achondroplasia, using various methods. He is experienced in the treatment of diaphyseal fracture and treatment of lower and upper limb deformities.

He is a member of the Italian Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology, the Italian Society of Pediatric Orthopedics and Traumatology, of which he was President 2017–2018 and Past- President 2018–2019, the Italian Society of External Fixation, and the European Paediatric Orthopaedic Society. In addition, Dr Boero is a reviewer for the Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Journal of Children’s Orthopaedics, Lo Scalpello, and for Muscoloskeletal Surgery.

Dr Juan Clinton Llerena Jr. is a prominent geneticist specialising in rare diseases and genetic disorders. He serves as the coordinator of the Medical Genetics Centre and the Rare Diseases Service at the National Institute Fernandes Figueira (Fiocruz) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His expertise includes medical genetics, particularly in clinical dysmorphology. Dr Llerena is a principal investigator in research focusing on achondroplasia and other genetic conditions affecting paediatric populations. His work includes pivotal publications on the management of achondroplasia in Latin America.

Professor Valérie Cormier-Daire is Professor of Genetics at Paris Descartes University, France. She is Head of the Genetic Clinic Unit and the French Reference Centre for Skeletal Dysplasia in Necker Enfants Malades Hospital. Since 1999, she has led a research team working on the molecular and physiopathological bases of osteochondrodysplasia at INSERM Unit UMR1163, Imagine Institute, Paris. She obtained her PhD in 1993, and in 1999 she completed one year in the International Skeletal Dysplasia Registry headed by Professor Rimoin in Los Angeles. She created a specific academic diploma course in the field of skeletal dysplasia, as well as a course on rare diseases for medical students.

She has published over 410 publications and is a partner in six industrial projects. Her research has been dedicated to the understanding of the physiopathology of skeletal dysplasia. In the last ten years, she has identified 25 genes encoding proteins involved in ciliogenesis, proteoglycan synthesis and also in the TGFβ signalling pathway and microfibrillar network (SMAD4 in Myhre syndrome and ADAMTSL2, LTPB3 and FBN1 in other acromelic dysplasia).

Dr. Andrew Dauber is currently the Chief of Endocrinology at Children’s National Hospital. Dr. Dauber earned his MD and a Master’s degree in clinical investigation at Harvard Medical School. He completed his pediatrics residency, chief residency, and pediatric endocrinology fellowship training at Boston Children’s Hospital.

At Boston Children’s Hospital, Dr. Dauber began his research career in the laboratory of Joel Hirschhorn. Dr. Dauber’s work focuses on rare genetic causes of growth disorders and the use of next generation sequencing technologies to understand pediatric endocrine disorders. He has identified numerous genetic etiologies for short stature in addition to discovering that mutations in the MKRN3 and DLK1 genes are responsible for central precocious puberty. After his time in Boston, Dr. Dauber was the inaugural Program Director of The Cincinnati Center for Growth Disorders at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. In 2018, Dr. Dauber moved to Washington, DC and assumed his current position of Chief of Endocrinology at Children’s National Hospital. Dr. Dauber is currently leading a clinical trial exploring the use of vosoritide in children with selected genetic causes of short stature.

In acknowledgment of his work, Dr. Dauber has earned multiple awards including young investigator awards from the Pediatric Endocrine Society, the American Society of Clinical Investigation, and the European Society of Pediatric Endocrinology. In addition, he is the recipient of the Richard E. Weitzman Outstanding Early Career Investigator Award from the Endocrine Society.

Dr Sérgio B. Sousa is a Medical Genetics specialist at the Hospital Pediátrico de Coimbra in Portugal. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Coimbra, where he subsequently did his Medical Genetics specialization. He completed an MSc in Molecular Medicine and Oncology at the University of Porto, and received a PhD from University College London in the United Kingdom. Dr Sousa has received several awards including the John M. Opitz Young Investigator Award in 2010 for his work in Nicolaides-Baraitser Syndrome.

He is a member of the Portuguese Society of Human Genetics, of which he has previously been a Board Member and is a present member of the Scientific Committee. He is also a present Board Member of the European Society of Human Genetics. Dr Sousa is a reviewer for a number of journals including the European Journal of Human Genetics, American Journal of Human Genetics, and European Journal of Medical Genetics.

He has over 15 years’ experience in Medical Genetics, with special interests in dysmorphology and skeletal dysplasia, and is the Coordinator of the Rare Bone Disorders multidisciplinary team at the Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra.

Dr Virginia Fano is a distinguished paediatrician specialising in growth and development, with extensive expertise in skeletal dysplasias. She has been working in the Department of Growth and Development at Hospital de Pediatría Juan P. Garrahan, in Buenos Aires, Argentina since 1988 and became the head of this department in 2011. Over more than 30 years, Dr Fano has enhanced clinical practices, research, and education in this field. Her commitment to patient-centric, multidisciplinary care has been widely recognised, earning her the Professor Pierre Maroteaux Award for significant contributions to the study of skeletal dysplasias. Dr Fano’s ongoing work not only underscores her medical expertise but also highlights her dedication to improving quality of life for children with rare growth disorders.

Brigitte Fauroux is Professor in Paediatrics and is based at Necker University Hospital and Paris Cité University. She is the Head of the Paediatric Non-invasive Ventilation and Sleep Unit and a Respiratory Physiology Laboratory.

Professor Fauroux did part of her research training at the Respiratory Muscle Laboratory at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London, UK, where she improved her expertise in respiratory physiology, respiratory muscle testing and non-invasive ventilation.

She is expert in paediatric sleep, respiratory physiology, respiratory muscles, and non-invasive ventilation. Her research is focused on children with rare disease, with a special focus on congenital bone disease. She has published more than 300 papers and is actively involved in numerous scientific societies, assemblies, and workshops.

Dr Encarna Guillen-Navarro is head of the Medical Genetics Section at Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia, Spain, Professor of Pediatrics in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Murcia, and Principal Investigator of Rare Diseases and Genetics Research Group at the Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria (IMIB-Arrixaca). She is also a member of the CIBERER-ISCIII clinical research group, and Coordinator of the ERN-BOND Expert Center at Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia, Spain.

She gained her medical degree from the University of Murcia and became specialist in Paediatrics (MIR System) at Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital. She completed a Fellowship in Medical Genetics in the Human Genetics Programme, at New York University Medical Center, and received her PhD in Public Health and Preventive Medicine in 2000 from the University of Murcia. She is also Master in Health Direction and Management. She was Professor of Genetics and Molecular Biology at New York University School of Medicine from 1995–1997. She was Director of the Chair of Medical Genetics and Rare Diseases at the Catholic University of Murcia from 2013–2015, and is currently Associate Professor at the University of Murcia, a role she first held from 2005–2013. Dr Guillen-Navarro was also Resident Teaching Tutor from 2003–2007 in Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital.

Her commitment to rare diseases is evident through different translational research projects, publications, clinical guides and involvement in policy actions and in patient advocacy groups. Dr Guillen-Navarro has played a leading role in National and Regional policy, acting as an expert advisor, and she spent two years as Health Ministry, promoting an integral rare diseases plan and setting rare diseases as a priority in the research strategy. She is involved in different Spanish patient advocacy groups, such as CRECER and ALPE, and has been Regional representative of FEDER for 2 years. Dr Guillen-Navarro has defended the digital transformation of health and the development of strategies for personalized medicine as a tool for better prevention and care of chronic diseases, age-related conditions and rare diseases.

Dr Melita Irving trained in paediatrics before joining the clinical genetics department at Guy’s and St Thomas’. She undertook a fellowship in skeletal dysplasia at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne and has since established multidisciplinary paediatric clinics in skeletal dysplasia and achondroplasia at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital.

She is chief investigator for a number of clinical trials in achondroplasia and a proponent of embedding clinical research synergistically within clinical service.

Dr Philip Kunkel is a renowned paediatric neurosurgeon based in Germany, who currently leads the Paediatric Neurosurgery section at the University Medical Centre Mannheim (UMM). Dr Kunkel specialises in treating neurosurgical conditions in children. His work includes the management of neurological complications that can arise from conditions such as achondroplasia, including spinal stenosis and hydrocephalus. He is also actively involved in research, particularly in the field of neuro-oncological diseases in children. Dr Kunkel is highly regarded for his interdisciplinary approach, working closely with geneticists, endocrinologists, and orthopaedic specialists to provide comprehensive care.

Dr Lampe is a Senior Physician at the University Hospital Mannheim, Germany. He completed his medical degree at the Free University, Berlin in 1999. In 2000 he was appointed Junior House Officer at the Clinic for Epileptology, at the Evangelic Hospital Königin Elisabeth Herzberge (KEH), Berlin, where he progressed to Assistant Physician in the Department of Paediatric Neurology and Paediatric Epileptology. He received his certification as a Paediatrician in 2009, as a Doctor of Medicine in 2010 and as a Paediatric Neurologist in 2011. Dr Lampe held roles at the Dr Horst-Schmidt-Hospital, Wiesbaden, and the University Hospital Giessen and Marburg before undertaking his current role at University Hospital Mannheim.

Professor Klaus Mohnike is a paediatric endocrinologist based at Children’s Hospital, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Germany. His main clinical expertise and research activities are related to bone dysplasia and congenital hyperinsulinism. He specialises in metabolic and endocrine disorders and is chair of the Central-German Network for Rare Diseases (`Mitteldeutsche Kompetenznetz für Seltene Erkrankungen, MKSE´).

Professor Mohnike is coordinator of two EU-funded projects. The first being the development of a data set for an EU telematic platform for congenital metabolic diseases and the second being a project for congenital skeletal disorders.
Over the last 20 years he developed inter-institutional registries for different rare diseases (bone dysplasia, congenital hyperinsulinism, congenital adrenal hyperplasia) to establish tools for quality assurance in medicine.

Professor Geert Mortier is a certified paediatrician and clinical geneticist. He is currently Director of the Centre of Human Genetics at UZ Leuven and affiliated as full professor in Medical Genetics at the KU Leuven. He is also affiliated professor at the Manipal University in India.

He has a strong research interest in growth diseases and genetic disorders of the skeleton. He participates in several expert networks for skeletal dysplasias and is member of the scientific medical committee and medical advisory board for several companies and agencies. He is currently coordinator of the Flemish Network for Rare Bone Disorders and International Coordinating Investigator for the Dreambird study (a natural history study for achondroplasia sponsored by Therachon/Pfizer).

Dr Keita Okada is an academic and researcher affiliated with the University of Tokyo, where he serves as a lecturer in the Faculty of Medicine. His work is centred on paediatric orthopaedics, with specific attention to skeletal disorders such as achondroplasia. Dr Okada’s contributions include research that bridges clinical and experimental models, enhancing the understanding of therapeutic interventions for genetic skeletal dysplasias. His studies often focus on the development and evaluation of early treatment protocols that could mitigate complications such as spinal canal stenosis and lower limb alignment disorders associated with achondroplasia.

Dr Zagorka Pejin is an expert in the field of orthopaedic surgery, practicing out of Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades in Paris, France. She is recognised for her expertise in paediatric orthopaedic surgery in patients with skeletal dysplasias. Dr Pejin’s contributions to the field of achondroplasia care extend beyond clinical practice, as she has co-authored over 20 peer reviewed publications since 2013. Her extensive research has significantly impacted the clinical management of these conditions, and her expertise is widely recognised across Europe.

Professor Ravi Savarirayan is a leading clinical geneticist and professor at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) in Melbourne, Australia, as well as an honorary paediatrician at The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. His work has significantly advanced the field of genetic skeletal disorders. Professor Savarirayan has focused extensively on developing targeted therapies that address bone growth impairments associated with this condition. His research includes acting as the Principal Investigator on all of the clinical trials for novel achondroplasia therapies. Professor Savarirayan has led international consensus statements aimed at standardising care for patients with achondroplasia.

Marco Sessa (1967) has achondroplasia and has been President of the Italian Association on Achondroplasia (AISAC; Associazione per l’Informazione e lo studio dell’acondroplasia) since 2009.
He has been working for the rights of people with disabilities since 1987, an activity that he combined with his work as a project manager in different companies and, since 2010, as an official in a Public Institution (Regione Lombardia). He carries out initiatives and projects on the value of individual identities. He is author of ‘Nanessere’ (edited by Corsiero), a book reflecting on identity and diversity. He writes for blogs, magazines and newspapers.