Africa
Chahnez Triki
Edward Kija
Moustafa Ndiaye
Pauline Samia
Richard Idro
East-Asia Oceania
Kate Riney
Lakshmi Nagarajan
Mitsuhiro Kato
Wang Tso Lee
Yuwu Jiang
Europe
Bernard Dan
Biju Hameed
Hans Hartmann
Helen Cross
Nicola Specchio
North America
Archana Patel
Biosketch
From the earliest stages of my career, I have been committed to improving access to appropriate neurologic care for children in resource-constrained regions. As a pediatric neurologist and epileptologist at Boston Children’s Hospital, I lead our department’s global health efforts, including trainee education focused on global perspectives of pediatric neurologic conditions and how to work effectively and ethically in limited resource regions. For over a decade, I have worked in Africa, currently spending over 4 months in the region annually focused on: (1) clinical neurology education and infrastructure development in Rwanda and Zambia, and (2) collaborative clinical research focused on early identification and management of children with epilepsy.
In Zambia, I have been deeply involved in training the first Zambian child neurologists, teaching neurology to pediatric residents and non-specialists across the country and promoting epilepsy advocacy through community health worker initiatives. Through the Human Resources for Health Program in Rwanda, I developed and implemented a child neurology curriculum for pediatric trainees, and continue to provide clinical, education, and research support for young pediatricians as a visiting consultant, with a focus on nurturing interest in our field as the country currently has no child neurologist. My current research is focused on identifying predictive factors for post-malaria epilepsy, with the goal of improving early identification of epilepsy in the highest risk children.
I am active in the global neurology community through several mechanisms that allow me to promote practice and policy change focused on health equity and access to care. I have served as an active consultant with the World Health Organization since 2015. I also serve on the Lancet Commission on Epilepsy; the International League Against Epilepsy’s Commission on Medical Therapies, including as Chair of the Task Force on Access to Medications; and most recently, joined the JICNA editorial board.
Vision
The ICNA’s focus on providing education and research opportunities for child neurologists globally with consideration of perspectives from all regions is central to my own career mission. Having seen the impact of child neurology exposure on places where subspecialty expertise is scarce, I have a strong understanding of the needs and potential for improvement in these regions. In Zambia, the field is exponentially growing since graduation of the first local neurologists; in Rwanda, there has been significant improvement in caring for children with neurologic needs with inclusion of neurology education in the pediatric curriculum.
My experiences have highlighted the importance of bidirectional educational exchanges. Should I be elected to the board, I would work to continue to promote such exchanges through several avenues: (1) increasing opportunities for child neurologists from LMIC to see advanced diagnostics and treatments available in resource-rich countries for both experience as well as drive vision for advancing care locally; (2) fostering partnerships with pediatric associations in countries without child neurologists to provide both deeply needed clinical expertise and exposure and training opportunities for local clinicians; (3) expanding opportunities for trainees from high resourced countries to gain direct experience on the impact of resource limitations on children with neurological diseases and to encourage the consideration of global perspectives in research and development of policy and practice parameters; and (4) promoting and advocating for increased investment in research exchanges between higher and lower resourced regions which demonstrate principles of strong and fair partnerships, including building sustainable clinical and research capacity on the ground.
By assuring that these global clinical and research initiatives are appropriately collaborative and respectful of local healthcare needs and priorities, we can continue toward the important goal of achieving equity in child health.
Charuta Joshi
Biosketch
Biosketch
Dr Charuta Joshi is board certified in pediatric neurology in both Canada and the United States, clinical neurophysiology (Canada) and epilepsy (United States). She graduated medical school from Grant Medical College, Mumbai in 1995 with high honors. She did her pediatric neurology training in New York Presbyterian Hospital and clinical neurophysiology fellowship at Childrens Hospital Michigan. This was followed by seven years in Canada where she practiced pediatric neurology/ epilepsy at the University of Manitoba, Childrens Hospital Winnipeg before returning to the United States. She is presently a Professor in Pediatric Neurology at University of Texas Southwestern, School of Medicine, Childrens Medical Centre Dallas and holds the Dr Roy D. and Ragan S Distinguished Chair in Pediatric Epilepsy.
She is the Program Director of Advanced EEG and Epilepsy Research Fellowship. She has worked in resource rich as well as resource limited countries and is interested in global health, developmental and epileptic encephalopathies, surgical and non -surgical therapy (ketogenic diet, neuromodulation) of medically intractable epilepsies.
She spoke at ICNA in 2018 (Mumbai) as co-chair of a parallel symposium on infantile spasms. In 2020 (San Diego), she co-chaired a symposium on telemedicine and global heath. In 2022 (Antalya Turkey), she will chair a breakfast symposium on EMAS. She has been an invited speaker for the Epilepsy Colloquium (India 2020- converted to zoom due to COVID), Brain Hour at the McMaster University and at local, regional and national educational congresses.
Dr Joshi is passionate about teaching and has received several awards for teaching(medical student and resident level). She wishes to teach globally. She has participated in the ICNTN webinar and serves on the international affairs committee of the Child Neurology Society. She has started discussions with Dr Edward Kija regarding setting up a curriculum for teaching in Tanzania.
Vision
Vision
I finished medical training in Mumbai – Grant Medical College -batch of 1989 and am board certified in pediatric neurology (Canada and USA), clinical neurophysiology (Canada), and epilepsy (USA). My main interests are in global health, developmental and epileptic encephalopathies, surgical and non -surgical therapy (ketogenic diet, neuromodulation) of medically intractable epilepsies. I have seen the scope of medical practice in both resource rich and resource poor areas of the world. While there are factors that cannot be changed in how medicine is practiced, I feel that increasing knowledge has the power to change attitudes and finally change practice of whichever field one might be in.
My goal is to take another step in the right direction for the global population of children with epilepsy through greater participation in ICNA. This could be achieved through greater number of seminars/ lectures done online. The seminars could either be directed towards specialists or towards generalists and the hope is that case-based teaching will help the general care of epilepsy patients in areas where the ratio of the patient to doctor is very low. During COVID lockdown, I was bolstered by the educational content on websites like AES and ILAE and hope that I can contribute to enriching the same for ICNA.
I would like to run for the position of treasurer along with my application to the executive board because I believe that sitting at the same table will allow greater participation and would also allow me to use my time more wisely due to the advice received from other members of the board. My work as a treasurer will be geared to towards assuring that ICNA remains financially stable to allow further growth in its activities to promote care for children with neurological disabilities worldwide.
Elaine Wirrell
Biosketch
Biosketch
Dr. Wirrell completed her medical school at the University of British Columbia, followed by a residency in Child Neurology at Dalhousie University. She is currently the Director of Pediatric Epilepsy at Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota. Dr. Wirrell has served as an ICNA Board member since 2018 and is Chair of the ICNA Research Committee. She is also the former Co-Chair of the Nosology and Definitions Task Force of the ILAE, and currently serves on both the Pediatrics and Surgical Therapies Commissions and the Terminology and the SNOMED Task Forces. She is Co-Editor-in-Chief of Epilepsy.com, the public education website for the Epilepsy Foundation of America.
Dr. Wirrell has a keen interest in Neurology Education and served as the Vice-Chair of the Neurology Examination Committee of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada from 2009-14. She currently is the Program Director of the Child and Adolescent Neurology Residency at Mayo Clinic as well as Co-Chair of the Pellock Epilepsy Symposium, an educational program offered to all North American final year Child Neurology trainees through the Child Neurology Society. Her research interests include optimizing care for children with Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies, epidemiology of epilepsy and co-morbidities of pediatric epilepsy and she has published over 230 peer-reviewed articles and numerous book chapters. She has been the recipient of several awards including the AES Kiffin Penry award for Excellence in Epilepsy Care and the Mayo Clinic Distinguished Clinician award.
Vision
Vision
I have had the privilege of serving on the Executive Board of ICNA since 2018 representing North America. During this time, I have chaired the ICNA Research Committee, served on the Finance and Nominations committees as well as the Scientific Committees for the 2020 and 2022 ICNA Meetings. I have a keen interest in enhancing collaboration between members of the international child neurology community and have had the privilege of visiting child colleagues in many regions of the globe. This alliance has allowed me to gain valuable insight on global delivery of care to children with neurological disorders, as well as opportunities to enhance collaboration for education and research amongst child neurology providers. My goals for the ICNA:
- Continue the efforts of ICNA to advance child neurology globally, to optimize clinical care of all children with neurological disease, regardless of socioeconomic status or region of residence. This work will involve continued partnering with representatives of other national and international child neurology organizations and health agencies to work towards this goal.
- Support education in child neurology globally, and in particular in resource-limited regions.
- Enhance international collaboration of child neurologists in practice-changing research to reduce burden of disease and enhance quality of life for children impacted by neurological disorders.
The COVID pandemic has challenged our traditional models of care delivery as well as education and research collaboration. ICNA has responded to this challenge by building outstanding educational and research content on ICNApedia, with key input from our junior members (FLICNA), which is readily accessible online to all members. Our Research committee has created on-line content on how to do research and designed a Research Methodology course, to be offered to attendees of the upcoming ICNA meeting in Antalya. We anticipate this work will facilitate international collaboration in child neurology research.
I would be honored to continue to serve on the ICNA Board.
Hannah Glass
Biosketch
Biosketch
Dr. Hannah Glass, MDCM, MAS (https://profiles.ucsf.edu/hannah.glass) is a Professor of Neurology, Pediatrics, and Epidemiology & Biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco, where she leads clinical, research, and education programs in Neonatal Neurology. She is the founding co-director of the Neurointensive Care Nursery (NICN), and Director of Neonatal Critical Care Services at the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, as well as the director of the Neonatal Neurology Fellowship Program. Dr. Glass leads a robust research program that has received funding from the NIH, Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute, March of Dimes, Cerebral Palsy Alliance, and the Pediatric Epilepsy Research Foundation to conduct research that uses advanced imaging and brain monitoring to predict outcomes following newborn brain injury.
She is co-PI of the Neonatal Seizure Registry (https://neonatalseizureregistry.ucsf.edu/), a ninecenter collaborative that has studied diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of seizures in more than 1000 newborns since 2012. Dr. Glass earned a medical degree at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and completed pediatrics training, a child neurology residency, and chief residency at the University of Calgary. She trained in Neonatal Neurology and earned a master's degree in clinical research at UCSF. She lives with her husband, six-year-old son and nine-year-old dog in beautiful Lafayette, California. When not working, she enjoys reading, hiking, and travel.
Vision
Vision
There have been rapid advances in neurological care for children over the last decade, including genetic testing, detailed brain imaging, and specialized treatments for rare diseases. Yet many countries around the world lack access to these tools and specialized treatments. As a result, there are growing inequities in the way we understand local frequency, manifestations, and treatment options for important neurological conditions that affect children around the world. As a member of the Executive Board for the ICNA, my overarching goal would be to reduce inequity in the treatment and outcomes of neurological conditions that affect children around the world through education and support for local research programming. To achieve this goal, my primary approach would be to work with the international Scientific Committee to better understand the educational needs of the society members and help plan meetings with strong content to address those needs.
Jonathan Mink
Biosketch
Jonathan W. Mink, MD PhD is Professor of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Pediatrics at the University of Rochester (NY) where he is the Frederick A. Horner, MD Distinguished Professor in Pediatric Neurology and Chief of Child Neurology. He has an research program that focuses on 1) understanding the control of movement and mechanisms of movement disorders due to basal ganglia disease and 2) therapy development for the Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses (Batten Diseases). Clinically, he specializes in pediatric movement disorders with special interests in dystonia and Tourette Syndrome and in childhood-onset neurodegenerative disease. He is former President of the Child Neurology Society (CNS) and was the Chair of the Scientific Planning Committee for the joint meeting the CNS and ICNA in 2020. Dr. Mink is a former Associate Editor of Neurology and currently serves on the Editorial Boards of Pediatric Neurology, Neurology, and the Journal of the International Child Neurology Society.
Vision
I have been a member of the ICNA since 2004 and have participated actively in the ICNCs since then. I have had the privilege to serve on the ICNA Executive Board since 2014 and Chaired the Constitution and Bylaws Committee from 2014 – 2018. During that time, the ICNA has grown substantially and I have had the pleasure of participating in a number of educational programs in low- and middle-resource settings. This, to me, is the most important mission of the ICNA. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been to limit the opportunities for in-person educational programs, but the use of technology has allowed us to reimagine how these programs can occur virtually.
My vision for the ICNA in the next 4 years is to capitalize on more widespread use of video technology to foster the expansion of the ICNA community in the areas of education, clinical consultation, and research. The historical priorities of providing opportunities in low- and middle-resource settings and to younger members of our profession are my priorities as well. As a member of the 2022-2026 Executive Board, I would leverage my prior experiences in these areas and work with my colleagues to develop and expand opportunities in the areas of education and research. In particular, working to develop a platform for consultation and sharing of expertise on children with complex movement disorders will be a priority aim.
Jorge Vidaurre
Biosketch
Jorge Vidaurre MD, FAES, FACNS
Director, Pediatric Clinical Neurophysiology
Program Director EEG laboratory
Nationwide Children’s Hospital - The Ohio State University
Dr. Vidaurre currently serves as Director of the Pediatric Clinical Neurophysiology Program and EEG Laboratory at Nationwide Children's Hospital - The Ohio State University Medical Center. He is the Chair of “International Affairs Committee” for the Child Neurology Society (CNS), Chair for the “Education Task Force” from the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE)” and “International Education Advisor” for the International Child Neurology Association (ICNA).
Dr. Vidaurre actively serves in multiple national and international societies. His activities include: Chair of the “Global Health, Special Interest Group (SIG)” at the American Epilepsy Society (AES), Regional leader for Latin America, from ILAE “Global Task Force” and member of the “Executive Board and Education Committee” at the Ibero-American Child Neurology Association (AINP). He participates in the “Professional Development Mentorship Program” at the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society (ACNS) and “Fellow-Mentor Program” from AES. He also served as member of the AES “Scientific Program Committee” and ACNS “International”, “Clinical Research Committee”.
Dr. Vidaurre is board certified in Neurology with Special Qualifications in Child Neurology, Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsy. He completed his neurology training at State University of New York (SUNY) and epilepsy training at Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine. After finishing his fellowship, he returned to Latin America and worked in El Salvador for three years, before accepting his current position at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. As a member of the “ILAE North American Commission”, he collaborated in the implementation of epilepsy surgical programs in El Salvador and continues to work in this project.
Dr. Vidaurre is greatly involved in work related to international outreach collaborative programs in the field of pediatric neurology and epilepsy. He has extensive experience in the planning of educational and training programs in poor- resource regions, fostering collaborative efforts between multiple national and international societies. He works with local leaders in different regions including Latin America, Caribbean, Africa, and Asia. He has organized numerous local and regional international symposia in different countries and joined collaborative efforts directed at building infrastructure, such as, establishment of EEG laboratories, donations of EEG machines and training of EEG technicians in low -income countries. As chair of the ILAE Education Task Force, he is working on a practical, interactive, basic EEG curriculum to be used in resource limited countries.
Dr. Vidaurre is the recipient of the 2022 “Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism award” form CNS. He has authored and published multiple peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. His research interests and publications are in the field of pediatric epilepsy, epileptic encephalopathies, quality improvement in status epilepticus, and global health. He is an advisor for the international National Institute of Health (NIH) grant “Center without walls grant on antiepileptogenesis in traumatic brain injury”.
Vision
Future Vision
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Encourage active participation of young leaders from different world regions, especially low-income countries, in the planning of educational programs directed to improve the practice of child neurology in poor-resource areas.
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Support specific educational and training programs (These programs include local/regional symposia and training workshops) based on local need assessment.
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Stimulating research that is of benefit for resource-limited region. This includes fostering programs directed to mentor and support young investigators, especially researchers working in low-medium income countries
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Strengthen collaborative efforts between ICNA , CNS to increase the number of educational programs and develop long term- self-sustainable international outreach programs and facilitate collaborative efforts with other local, regional, and international societies, such as International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE).
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Facilitate building of infrastructure needed in poor resource areas, throughout collaboration between societies, academic institutions and nonprofit organizations
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Creation of new initiatives to support training of primary care providers, working in regions with limited or no access to properly trained child neurologist and creating practice guidelines, which are applicable to the specific regions and can facilitate neurological care.
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Continue to build online resources which can be used by members seeking educational material and websites that facilitate communication between members and local leaders
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Develop collaborations with large academic medical centers, involved in training of child neurologists in poor-resource regions by strengthening their infrastructure and providing support with ongoing programs.
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Promote collaboration of academic centers in high income countries to support training in poor resource settings
Karen Skjei
Biosketch
Karen L. Skjei, M.D. was inspired to pursue a career in medicine after witnessing the impact of limited access to medical care during her 2 years in the U.S. Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic. She attended medical school at the University of California, San Francisco, followed by a pediatric neurology residency at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. She then completed a 2-year fellowship in Clinical Neurophysiology/Epilepsy at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She is active in health disparities research and founded/leads the Health Equity Committee of the Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium.
After serving in academic leadership positions for 10 years, Dr. Skjei chose to combat health disparities directly by setting up the first pediatric epilepsy practice in El Paso, Texas, a city of 850,000 with a single pediatric neurologist. Internationally she has given lectures in English and Spanish at regional education conferences organized by ICNA, the American Epilepsy Society and the American Academy of Neurology in Ecuador, Paraguay, India and the Sudan. She has been editor of the ICNA Journal Watch since its inception in 2019 and now serves as editor of the Journal Watch section of JICNA. She has been an active participant in Executive Board meetings for the past 2 years.
Dr. Skjei is a fellow of the AES and has published more than a dozen peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. She’s won major awards throughout her career including the UCSF Chancellor’s Award for Public Service, the Mayo Brother’s Distinguished Fellows Award at Mayo, and the Tower Award for Outstanding Faculty at the University of Texas-Austin. She founded the Epilepsy Fellowship at the University of Texas and has garnered several teaching awards. Her passion has inspired many trainees to pursue pediatric neurology and pediatric epilepsy and she continues to mentor trainee from the undergraduate level through fellowship.
Vision
There are great disparities in Pediatric Neurology training and specialty care across the globe. Through its international reach, ICNA is positioned to ameliorate some of these disparities. I believe ICNA’s priorities in the coming years should include:
1) Improving our understanding of the needs of our membership. This can be accomplished through a biannual membership renewal survey which I suggested at the most recent Executive Board Meeting and which was approved by the Board.
2) Focusing our educational efforts on practice-changing discoveries. I have assisted in this through the educational lectures I have given in India, the Sudan, and Latin America, and through founding an organized ICNA Journal Watch, which has now been incorporated as a section in JICNA
3) Promoting international networking so that we can assist each other on an individual scale. This is accomplished through our biannual meetings and through sub-organizations such as FLICNA and the ICNA committees. I believe this can be aided by providing opportunities to a broader pool of interested members to be actively involved in ICNA committees, ICNApaedia and other ICNA activities. These members and their areas of interest and talent will be identified through the biannual membership survey.
4) Expanding the reach of our communal knowledge through virtual Pediatric Neurology training and other in-person and online educational opportunities.
Phillip Pearl
Biosketch
Phillip L. Pearl, M.D. is Director of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology at Boston Children’s Hospital and William G. Lennox Chair and Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Pearl, originally from Baltimore, attended Johns Hopkins University and Peabody Conservatory of Music and University of Maryland School of Medicine. He took his residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital. He was Division Chief of Neurology at Children’s National Medical Center, Director of Neurology Education Programs, and Professor of Neurology, Pediatrics, and Music at the George Washington University School of Medicine until returning to Boston in January 2014. Dr. Pearl also is a faculty member of the Music and Health Institute at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Dr. Pearl served on the Neurology RRC of the ACGME for six years and was a principal author of the revised program requirements for training in child neurology in the US as well as for the epilepsy fellowship. He has been a member of examination writing committees of the ABPN for 20 years and served as an oral board examiner over 20 times.
His major research interest is inherited metabolic epilepsies with specific focus on disorders of GABA metabolism. His book, Inherited Metabolic Epilepsies, had a second edition published in 2018. He is an editor of Swaiman’s Pediatric Neurology. Dr. Pearl is Past President of the Professors of Child Neurology and the immediate Past President of the Child Neurology Society. He has authored over 220 peer-reviewed manuscripts and over 150 chapters and reviews, written or edited five books including one translated into Chinese and another into Japanese, and produced two musical CDs, the first of which debuted at Georgetown’s Blues Alley and supports the care of indigent children in the capital city, Washington, D.C.
Vision
On one hand, it was jarring to have had the “pandemic presidency” of the Child Neurology Society (CNS). Having looked forward to leading the CNS into the long anticipated 2020 combined meeting with ICNA, and then our 50th Anniversary 2021 meeting, we were instead thrust with rapid fire and unprecedented needs, e.g. changing the standard of care for infantile spasms, assembling telemedicine toolkits, responding to crises in institutional racism.
On the other hand, what was inspiring above all was to work with Jo Wilmshurst and Pratibha Singhi in organizing the ICNA-CNS conference, a true albeit virtual success that required rapid implementation of a unique e- format. Furthermore, I developed more connections with international colleagues, with an especially important new group consisting of the presidents of child neurology societies across the globe. I have had meaningful international experiences previously, from working in Romanian orphanages during the 1990s, including establishing an epilepsy clinic in an orphanage in Siret, Romania and bringing children to the US for care before a moratorium was placed there on international adoptions, to wonderful visits and lecturing at conferences throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and South America.
These international experiences, now facilitated by our new electronic means to meet and communicate, have been eye opening and enlightening. While I hope the input of the Child Neurology Society and my experiences will be helpful to ICNA, it is me that has truly benefitted from widening my horizons and working on behalf of pediatric neurology globally to enhance our discipline and improve conditions for all of our practitioners and investigators and, above all, our mutual patients and their families. The current pandemic only proves our interdependence. It would be a special pleasure and honor to join the ICNA board and continue to work on behalf of pediatric neurology worldwide.
Rajesh RamachandranNair
Biosketch
Rajesh Ramachandran Nair, MD,FRCP, FRCPCH,FRCPC is an Associate Professor at McMaster University and the Director of the Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Program (CPEP) at McMaster Children’s Hospital (MCH), Canada.
Dr Ramachandran Nair is the Co-Program Director of the International Child Neurology Teaching Network (ICNTN) of the ICNA. He initiated the ICNTN grandrounds in early 2021, providing the membership with the oppurtunity to interect with experts in child neurology worldwide. Dr Ramachandran Nair and team is develeoping a comprehensive learning module based certificate program in Pediatric Neurology. Dr. Ramachandran Nair leads the creation of the epilepsy module. His team will be presenting a symposium on ICNTN at the ICNC 2022, Turkey.
In 2020, Dr. Ramachandran Nair established the Canadian Epilepsy Teaching Network (CETN) the Canadian league Against Epilepsy (CLAE0.. In addition to monthly webinars CETN also started an EEG teaching course for neurology trainees. Dr. Ramachandran Nair started the weekly McMaster Pediatric Neurology Rounds “Brain Hour” in 2007, which are now attended (virtually) by an international audience. In 2012, he helped to develop the accredited EEG training program for EEG technologists. In 2017, he was awarded the McMaster Pediatric Neurology teaching award. Dr. Ramachandran Nair started the first epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) at MCH in 2008, and developed CPEP in 2014. He was an active member of the Provincial Epilepsy Task Force.
Dr Ramachandran Nair was the co-Chair of the committee that drafted the Provincial Guidelines for the Management of Epilepsy. He was an invited member of the SUDEP Task Force of the AES, and a board member of the Canadian Association of Child Neurologists (3 years) He is a member of the scientific program committee of the AES. He is funded by the Ontario Brain Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation, Innovation Fund of the Academic Health Sciences by the Ministry of Health, and SUDEP Aware. To date he has authored over 50 peer reviewed journal articles, 4 book chapters and numerous conference abstracts. His publications on SUDEP communication with patients are widely cited by healthcare professionals, in conferences and in professional guidelines about SUDEP.
Vision
ICNA should continue to function as the primary global professional organization of child neurology clinicians that advocates and facilitates quality, comprehensive and optimal clinical care for children with neurological diseases worldwide at the right time and at the right place. This can be achieved through fruitful collaboration with regional child neurology professional organizations, global membership campaign, and working with child neurology patient advocacy groups. As the co-program director of ICNA’s Child Neurology Teaching Network (ICNTN), my major goal will be around education.
- Enhance the work of International Child Neurology Teaching Network (ICNTN) through better visibility and quality work using modern technology.
- Timely completion of the all the modules of ICNTN ICNA child neurology e-learning modules
- Facilitate translation of e-learning modules to major languages.
- Providing the e-learning modules at reduced fee to professionals from low-income regions.
- Working with national and regional child neurology training institutions and Universities to encourage trainees to adopt the ICNTN ICNA Child Neurology teaching modules as part of their curriculum.
- Provide more opportunities for young child Neurologists in ICNA education and policy working groups.
- Create a framework for international trainee exchange programs, and national and international mentorship program.
South/Central America
Ana Carolina Coan
Biosketch
Dr. Ana Carolina Coan is Associated Professor of Child Neurology of the Department of Neurology of the Campinas University – Unicamp, Campinas, Brazil. Dr. Coan is author of over 71 peer-reviewed original articles and reviews. Since 2000, she developed her research at the Neuroimaging Laboratory at UNICAMP focusing at the use of structural and functional MRI for the identification of biomarkers associated epilepsies phenotypes. Her studies described the network of cerebral gray and white matter abnormalities in distinct phenotypes of epilepsies.
Dr. Coan also studied the use of multimodal neuroimaging to improve the noninvasive pre-surgical evaluation of individuals with pharmacoresistant epilepsies and how they can accelerate and diminish the costs of this evaluation. Her current research focuses on the association of clinical phenotypes and brain structural and functional abnormalities of different epileptic syndromes and their impact on brain development. At Unicamp, she is involved in teaching both undergraduates, residents and post-graduates. She supervised 9 master and doctoral thesis. She supervise the general child neurology and epilepsy outpatient clinics as well as the pediatric video-EEG and epilepsy surgery program of the Clinical Hospital of Unicamp. She has dedicated to translating and teaching PET (Pediatric Epilepsy Training) courses in Brazil.
Dr. Coan is an associated researcher of the Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnlogy - BRAINN. She is currently the vice president of the Brazilian Society of Child Neurology (SBNI) and the representative of child neurology of the Education Commission of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology (ABN). She is also member of the Executive Board of the International Child Neurology Association (ICNA).
Vision
My vision is that ICNA should be a reference for worldwide education of pediatric neurologists as well as a society engaged in contributing to achieve high quality, efficient and humanistic health care services for children and adolescents according to the specific needs of each country. I believe I can contribute to maintain and expand the important work of ICNA worldwide. I believe ICNA should guarantee continuous worldwide education of pediatric neurologists according to the reality and needs of each different country. This educational approach was significantly expanded with the improvement of online contents in the last two years. I believe I can contribute to improve the access to the educational content for the Latin America and other countries of Portuguese languages.
The translation and teaching o PET (Paediatric Epilepsy Training) is an example of success in this area. By removing the language barrier, the PET course was accessible to different countries in the South America and Africa. A second important role of ICNA in my view is to contribute to advance research in different areas of child neurology. Through proposals such as the Connectome project ICNA can help to improve multicenter studies initiatives.
The Connectome project it could be expanded through partnerships and possible funding from national societies. As a professor of one of the most important Brazilian universities, I have access to government personal and it also puts me in contact with healthy professionals of the different facilities in Brazil. Being a university professor also facilitates my contact with international professionals. I have been working with different international consortiums of child epilepsy education, including an online Latin American course for primary physicians.
Juliana Gurgel Giannetti
Biosketch
Vision
Maria Celeste Buompadre
Biosketch
Vision
Silvia Tenembaum
Biosketch
Vision
West Asia
Anaita Hegde
Biosketch
Dr Anaita Udwadia-Hegde, Pediatric Neurologist, Mumbai, India. -Director of Neurosciences, SRCC Narayana Children’s Hospital & Honorary Consultant at the Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre & Wadia Children’s Hospital. -President of the Association of Child Neurology-India (AOCN-India)2021-2023. -Elected, Executive Board Member of the International Child Neurology Association, ICNA, 2018-2022, Lead of Education.
- Jt Organising Secretary, International Child Neurology Congress, Mumbai, 2018.
- Post graduate teacher, over 25 years
- Guide and mentor, Pediatric Neurology Fellowship program, over 16 years.
In the 4 years with ICNA, learnt alot regards the situation & needs of child neurology in different regions of the world. We have helped support with personnel, ideas, funds and or collaboration, national child neurology bodies and passionate professionals keen to improve the situation in their country.
Helped conceive the Global Regional Initiative Program -GRIP, a collaborative effort to upskill child neurology worldwide. Here ICNA with other international child neurology associations such as CNS, EPNS, etc plan to fund & support an upskilling regional project for 2 years.
The ICNA educational activities, inspite of COVID have been amazing. Numerous National associations have been endorsed by ICNA. Cross continent teaching programs and the ICNTN has been a run-away success.
As President of the AOCN-India, have created active verticals with a thrust on education, research, advocacy, outreach, finance, website and offbeat. Focus is to connect, empower, increase and enhance the child neurology fraternity in our country.
But my passion, is my work in rural Maharashtra. Founded the Rural Child Neurology Program, in 2010. Conduct camps quarterly. We treat, give holistic, multidisciplinary & nutritional care to over 800 children with neurological problems at each camp, & focus on parent education. During COVID, we were able to support the children with medication and virtual consults. I do believe that corrective measures in the critical first few years of a child’s development, have maximum benefits on mental and developmental growth
Vision
Having completed a term on the Executive board, I have had the opportunity to learn and see how the ICNA works in all regions of the world. As Lead of Education, ICNA, the pandemic made us move from conventional academic programs to the beauty of the virtual world. Change in educational methods, structure, platforms, has made us all closer, connected and made travel dispensable in the pursuit of education.
- I hope to enhance the educational activities already conducted by regional national bodies, international conferences, the very successful ICNTN & FLICNA sessions. We will continue the programs with the aim to reach all corners of the world.
- I would like to see the GRIP program (Global Regional Initiative Program)come to fruition and thus help different regions of the developing world to a solid 2year supported program, from ICNA & other international child neurology partners eg CNS, EPNS etc. They can avail of this program for any emergent need in their region eg: training of first few child neurologist in their country, establishing an epilepsy surgery program, metabolic lab, research project etc.
- Collaborating with other child neurology bodies to facilitate cross continental training for both students in developed and developing countries. There is much to be learned on both sides.
- Creating a role for ICNA as a body to promote the number of child neurology members worldwide. Creating awareness at international and local levels, support training programs, eg: fellowships, funds, collaboration, and help with practice parameters.
- In creating advocacy statements in support of correct child care, against wrong or misinformed practices and to guide the parent body towards correct developmental concerns.
- Multinational, multicentric research activities to combine knowledge for better science.
- Giving a more global and multicultural feel to the practice of child neurology worldwide.
HasanTekgül
Biosketch
Dr. Hasan Tekgül was born in Gümülcine-Greece, in 1964. He migrated with his family to the west part of Turkey, Izmir, in 1974. Dr. H. Tekgül graduated from the University of Ege, Izmir, Turkey in 1986. Dr. Tekgül began his career in pediatrics in 1992, then as a pediatric neurologist in 1994, and as an associate professor in 1998. In 2000, he was awarded a grant by the Turkish Scientific Research Council, Research Fellowship at Harvard University. He studied neonatal neurology with Joseph Volpe and neonatal EEG with Gregory Holmes and Blaise Bourgeois between 2000-2002 at Children’s Hospital Boston.
Dr. Tekgül also spent three months in Cleveland Clinics, Ohio, for a three-month EEG course. He returned in 2002 to set up a pediatric clinical neurophysiology lab for the comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents with epilepsy at Ege University Hospital. Dr. Hasan Tekgül took up the position as Professor of Pediatric Neurology at the University of Ege, in 2003. His clinical sub-specialties are Neonatal Neurology, Developmental Neurology, Pediatric Epilepsy, and Pediatric Clinical Neurophysiology (EEG Monitoring, EMG, and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation-TMS). He has designed and tested a reduced electrode EEG montage for neonatal EEG monitoring. He has also contributed to seminal research on biomarkers of epileptogenesis and neuronal plasticity in the developing brain with TMS. His current projects include genetic characterization of developmental epileptic encephalopathies, new EEG modalities for neonatal seizures in neonatal intensive care units.
Dr. Hasan Tekgül has 166 original research publications (103 in international journals and 63 national journals) and numerous book chapters. He has presented her research at international meetings but also supports global educational programs, with a particular focus on national EEG courses ( basic EEG: 12, and advanced EEG:11) and EMG courses.
Current Position:
- Pediatric Neurologist / Epileptologist Consultant Head, Department of Pediatric Neurology, Ege Children’s Hospital, Izmir, Turkey,
- Clinical Professor Ege University Medical Faculty, Izmir, Turkey
Other Relevant Positions:
- Turkish Child Neurology Society Vice President
- An Active Member of the International Child Neurology Association (ICNA)
- Antalya 2022 ICNC Chairman and Scientific Committee Member
- The European Pediatric Neurology Society is an active member.
- The Asian-Oceanian Child Neurology Association is an active member.
- Reviewer for a number of journals.
- Turkish Scientific and Research Council (TUBTAK) reviewer
Conflict of Interest I have provided consulting services to UCB, Sanofi, Novartis, Nutricia, Abbot, and Nestle. I received lecture fees and professional travel accommodations from UCB, Sanofi, Novartis, Nutricia, Abbot, and Nestle.
Vision
ICNA is a golden synapsis between health professionals to advance knowledge, education, facilitation, and sharing resources in field of neuroscience and reach children across the world.
I have been a member of ICNA since 2005 and have attended ICNA meetings. I have worked over the past fifteen years to establish international collaborations. I have trained residents and fellows from Cyprus, Azerbaijan, and Iran.
I have attended four educational meetings as an ICNA speaker: Colombus, Sri Lanka (22-23 March 2014), Tebrise, Iran (13-15 Sep 2016), Cox-Bazar, Bangladesh (5-6 November, 20016), Chennai, India (Jan 2016).
I actively work in clinical and laboratory research on neonatal neurology, pediatric epilepsy, and pediatric clinical neurophysiology. I would like to share and contribute to the education of junior child neurologists. I can be actively involved in educational exchange programs, symposiums, workshops.
It would be an honor to be a member of the Executive Board of ICNA. If I have been nominated and elected to the EB of ICNA, I can contribute to international education activities and congresses.
Rekha Mittal
Biosketch
Dr Rekha Mittal Additional Director ( Pediatric Neurology)
Madhukar Rainbow Children’s Hospital, New Delhi – 110017
Ph: 9958870028, Email: drrekhamittal2008@gmail.com
Professional experience
1988: Completed two years in - service training (from the Army ) in Pediatric Neurology from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi , in 1998.
1988-2010 : Worked as Pediatrician and later Pediatric Neurologist in Armed Forces, India.
Subsequently, practiced Pediatric Neurology in diverse medical set ups in different cities across India – from basic medical centres to the advanced Army Hospital Research and Referral, New Delhi.
2010 - present: Worked in different superspeciality hospitals in New Delhi. Presently with the Madhukar Rainbow Children’s Hospital, New Delhi, where I also see children from different countries, including the middle east, Africa, and Asia, and have some insight into challenges in Pediatric Neurology in these countries.
Social work
Ran a charitable centre for 5 years, where Pediatric Neurology services were provided free of cost to children from economically weaker families.
Organisational experience
A. Association of Child Neurology (AOCN):
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Was one of the seven founding members of the AOCN, and subsequently, Secretary and President of the AOCN.
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Was secretary/chairperson in the organization of 3 National Conferences of the AOCN
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Initiated /organized and was part of, many educational activities of the AOCN like Continuing Medical Education/ similar programs.
During the Covid pandemic, which happened when I was president of AOCN, academic activities were continued online, with masterclasses, short courses, lectures for Pediatric / Pediatric Neurology Residents, General Pediatricians and Pediatric Neurologists.
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Convened 3 important consensus statements for India : • Social and Legal Aspects of Childhood Epilepsy • Diagnosis and Management of Febrile Seizures • Diagnosis and Management of West Syndrome
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As President, I was successful in getting approval from the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (Government of India), for Pediatric Neurology as a subject for awarding a degree in this subject ( equivalent DM )
I have experience in practice of Pediatric Neurology under diverse medical setups and populations, and also organisational experience and success in different activities at a National Level in India.
Vision
1. Pediatric Neurology UPSKILLING AT EVERY LEVEL : from the ground upwards to the sky is the limit, can be achieved; it is the key for resource development.
The ICNA is a prestigious world body to which Pediatric Neurologists the world over seek membership and follow. As such, the body already has a leadership role in multiple areas of education, practice, advocacy and encouraging and awarding research in Pediatric Neurology at different levels. However, a footprint into Pediatric Neurology practice at the grassroots level can be expanded, in best interest of children requiring Pediatric Neurology services.
In a majority of developing countries with limited resources, the pediatric neurology practice is mostly by General Pediatricians. The Zimbabwe story on the ICNA website ( https://icnapedia.org/icna-zimbabwe-appeal ) is not limited to Zimbabwe; it is still the story of most countries.
The way forward would be :
- Pediatric Neurology for Pediatricians : ICNA could have a greater role in improving knowledge and academic programs by partnering with local Pediatric / Pediatric Neurology bodies in different countries and regions.
- Training and teaching modules for Pediatric residents in certain key areas ( Epilepsy, Developmental disorders, Neuroinfections, clinical examinations). The making of a good Pediatric Neurologist , as well as inculcating good Neurology practice starts in Pediatric MD residency. Residents doing MD often find Pediatric Neurology challenging. Hopefully, this will spark more interest in the subject in the brightest minds.
- Short term courses for paramedical workers in certain focussed areas can be designed (eg Epilepsy counselling, Autism counsellors, Neuromuscular disorder counsellors). This can be modified according to regions in partnership with local bodies, to adjust for regional differences.
- The network of Pediatric Neurologists around the world could be motivated to volunteer for this activity.
2. Development of ICNA consensus statements/ guidelines on common neurological disorders for practice at differing levels of healthcare.
3. Recognition of Pediatric Neurology services by individuals in this field, beyond research. This would encourage Humanism and innovation in practice of Pediatric Neurology.
Shaheen Akhter
Biosketch
Prof Akhter is the Professor of Paediatric Neurology and Dean, Faculty of Paediatrics at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), the only medical university in Bangladesh. She has been working for more than 22 years in Paediatric Neurology, Neurodevelopment, and Autism. She has taken an active role in developing and implementing the 'Paediatric Neurology and Neurodevelopment Residency Course' at BSMMU. She is actively engaged in patient management alongside clinical research and teaching commitments.
Prof Akhter is the Founder-Director of the Institute of Paediatric Neurodisorder and Autism (IPNA). IPNA is a pioneer institute that operates at the national level, providing comprehensive and tertiary-level services to children with neurodevelopmental disorders and autism. IPNA aims to consolidate research initiatives at the national and international level and organize national and international seminars and workshops to disseminate disability/autism-related knowledge and other essential skills to doctors, teachers, and parents. It also runs a model 'School for Children with Autism' by autism-expert teachers and their team, involving parents in managing children with disabilities. IPNA regularly organizes national and international training and seminars for paediatric neurologists, paediatricians, and other health professionals.
She is an active member of ICNA and, as IPNA head, she and her team had organized a two-day-long "ICNA Educational Meeting" at Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, in 2016. The event hosted internationally reputed child neurology and child development scholars and focused on exchanging knowledge and best practices in Autism, Epilepsy, Movement Disorder, child development, CNS Infections, Cerebral Palsy Neurometabolism, and Neurodegenerative disorders.
Prof Akhter has also been working with the Bangladesh Non-communicable Disease Control Programme to develop tools for screening neurodevelopmental problems and ASD for community field workers in health care. Prof. Shaheen does not have any conflicts of interest to disclose.
Vision
During the pandemic, the ICNA’s continued role in creating a knowledge environment by providing education and training and engaging in research and advocacy was hugely beneficial for paediatric neurologists worldwide. We especially felt its positive impact in Bangladesh during the prolonged and continued lockdowns. I believe it is vital to build on these close connections and forge a deeper relationship based on learning and knowledge-sharing. I believe we can offer a unique perspective: of medical practitioners dealing with a vast number of healthcare seekers in low-resource settings.
More and more research is being conducted locally based on this context, especially since there are still certain infectious diseases that prevail in developing countries like Bangladesh, which struggle with providing care to a significant population with limited means. In Bangladesh, paediatric neurology is still a relatively new sub-specialty, but more and more doctors specialise in it. Integrating such understandings into a platform as huge as ICNA can enrich us in Bangladesh and bring diverse critical perspectives into the ICNA itself. Such representations can make crucial contributions to an ever-growing and increasingly diverse association in an ever globalizing and integrating world. Now more than ever, we need to improve systems to respond adeptly to the challenges children living with a neurologic condition face.
We need to work harder to create inclusive opportunities for all children and families to access and receive the quality of care they deserve. In this, each of us in the child neurology community has a role to play, and ICNA is already an integral actor in fulfilling this responsibility and disseminating scientific knowledge to empower regional healthcare delivery. I am committed to being a part of this journey and working to improve the lives of children with neurological disorders and neurodisability as a part of this worldwide neurology community.
Sheffali Gulati
Biosketch
Professor Sheffali Gulati: trained/working at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Part of the team which started first DM Pediatric Neurology Program in South Asia (2004), Program Director (2008-). Contributed towards establishing Pediatric Neurology programs across India/SAARC countries.
Over 25 years experience, has developed Pediatric Neurology in India as a specialty- academics, clinical care, patient empowerment, research, advocacy and public health domains. National/International awards(Over 25)- First India recipient, Sheila Wallace Award(ICNA)2014, National Award for Science & Technology communication 2021; Fellowship Award, McGill University 2006,ICNA 2010. Fellow, Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health, UK; Fellow, National Academy of Medical Sciences/Indian Academy of Pediatrics/International Medical Science Academy.
Envisioned, conceptualized and heading Centre of Excellence and Advanced Research for Childhood Neurodevelopmental Disorders (2017-): high quality care, high end research, education hub(www.pedneuroaiims.org), National registry and National Child Neurology telehelpline/ consultation (24X7; toll free) .
Over 365 research publications (NEJM, JAMA pediatrics), Citations: 5094; h-Index 34; i10-index 125; Highest IF: 91.245, Maximum citations:316.Research projects leading to innovations/advocacy (NIH/Autism speaks/MRC,UK/ AIIMS-UCL): Neurodevelopmental disorders including Screening/Diagnostic Instruments(National programs; Mobile app PedneuroaiimsDiagnostics: google/ios) Drug refractory epilepsy including dietary therapies, Autism spectrum disorders, Cerebral palsy, SLD, Neuromuscular disorders/neurorehabilitation
Scientific associations International Society for Autism Research-Global Senior Leader (2021-); Association of Child Neurology, India- Founder member (2002); President elect (2023-2025); Academy of Paediatric Neurology, Indian Academy of Paediatrics- Chairperson (2021); National Convenor-Guidelines (2022), Indian Epilepsy Society(National body of ILAE): Co-convenor Paediatric section; Executive Board Member; Indian Academy of Neurology- Curriculum review / Guidelines development committee Member, Advisory board, ICNC 2018; Member, Advisory Board, ICNTN; Coordinator, Neurodevelopmental disorders module, organized “PediatricNeurogenomics” webinar series with ICNTN collaboration.
Has been instrumental in transforming care for children with neurodevelopmental disorders across India and her contributions in the field of epilepsy, autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders are unmatched CV summary: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12q3y8JIYWazVSCxrUc74rB60C4t7jWv9/view?usp=sharing
Vision
My vision for ICNA is for it to be a premier association for paediatric neurologists globally promoting the highest quality patient centered care for children with neurological disorders and neuro-disability and supporting the professional development of the members.
The association should focus on the trinity of clinical care, academics and research and to
- Promote advocacy and commit itself to the better care of children and families through joint collaborative work with the National/regional neurological societies, national governments and NGOs.
- Promote evidence-based medicine, and best education for both families and professionals, through adoption of modern technology to surmount barriers to health care in culturally/linguistically diverse settings in both patient/ practitioner populations.
- Equip child neurologists with the tools, skills and knowledge to be the best qualified health professional through innovative approaches in education and lifelong learning especially in resource limited countries.
- Provide members with platforms for improved networking, communication, coaching & mentoring opportunities to help advance their career goals.
- Lead and guide, how we adapt and respond to evolving changes in the post-COVID era, in supporting members to remain resilient, work together and help deal with local/regional/global issues.
- Use of a comprehensive registry may be helpful in many ways including creating a database and improving the clinical practice as per SOPs developed.
- Contribute to the development of assessment, training and recruitment strategy, creating and maintaining an efficient world-class training system that engages and prepares students to be globally competitive and to foster the future generation of child neurologists with a special focus on LMICs.
- Facilitate capacity building of research institutions for education, research and international co-operation to develop an effective international research system and foster local, regional, national and international collaborations. We should be fostering interactive, dynamic and more collegial relationship.
Viraj Sanghi
Biosketch
Viraj Sanghi is a consultant paediatric neurologist at the SRCC Children’s Hospital and the KEM hospital and GS Medical College in Mumbai with a keen interest in paediatric stroke, neuromuscular disorders and palliative care.
He received his MBBS and MD degrees from Grant Medical College in Mumbai, India and subsequently received the Diplomate of the National Board in Neurology in 2002. He went on to obtain his fellowship in Paediatric Neurology from SickKids, Toronto. Recently he completed certification in Palliative care from Harvard Medical School, Boston.
Over the past 22 years he has been passionate about and closely involved in ethical and holistic care as well as rehabilitation of children and currently serves the Rehabilitation committee as well as the Ethics committees at the SRCC Children’s Hospital in Mumbai. He is also instrumental in establishing the Family Centred Care programme and setting up a paediatric Palliative Care programme at the hospital. He is an enthusiastic teacher and has conducted several education programmes for fellows, residents, neurologists, community paediatricians and other healthcare workers. Additionally, he has also uses his administrative skills to organize and serves as faculty in several Regional, National and International conferences including the ICNC 2018 which was held in Mumbai. As a Trustee of Neurology Foundation, a charitable organization based in Mumbai, he is involved in fund raising and philanthropic activities for the underprivileged sector of society. He is currently on the ICNA Executive Board and is committed to serving the organization to help achieve its mission and goals.
In his spare time, away from the hospital and his work, Viraj enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, adorable black Labrador, reading, working out and watching Netflix! He is an avid traveler and loves to explore different cultures and cuisines across the globe.
Vision
ICNA is a global community of individuals who share the philosophy of providing high quality neurological healthcare for children from all regions of the world. We come together on a common platform with the intent of decreasing the burden of disease. Towards this common goal we must strive to achieve the following:
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Grow the paediatric neurology workforce, especially in resource limited regions, with an unwavering commitment to excellence in education. We must continue to provide cutting-edge academic programs that promote the intellectual and ethical growth of students, residents and fellows through in-person as well as online models of academic programmes.
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Expand and support paediatric neuroscience Research and encourage and support young researchers in this regard.
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Develop standardized protocols and clinical algorithms that can promote highest levels of care and yet be applicable to those with limited financial means.
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Provide a network that allows for free exchange of ideas and communication towards the promotion of high quality patient care and better outcomes. This would include mentorship programmes for residents and neurologists in early stages of their careers to help foster a sense of support.
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Attain financial growth and sustainability for the organisation and yet continue to provide low cost resources for those regions that need financial support.
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Continue the development and promotion of JICNA and other educational activities already in place.
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Advocate for patients and care givers with policymakers and form partnerships with other societies, the government and community.
8.Uphold the values, ethics and integrity of ICNA and integrate professional education with humanistic, scientific and social learning.
I remain committed to the core principles of ICNA and would be honoured to continue to serve the board.
Vrajesh Udani
Biosketch
Vrajesh Udani completed his medical training at the prestigious Grant Medical college Mumbai, India with honours. He trained in Child Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology at the State University of New York, Brooklyn. After board certification he returned to Mumbai and set up one of the first Child Neurology services in India at the PD Hinduja National Hospital. A sabbatical year at the Miami Children’s Hospital enabled him to set up an active epilepsy surgery program. He further started an active teaching program at two public teaching institutions. Several child neurologists have trained under him in India.
His clinical and research interests have spanned several areas. He was part of the first international RCT studying the use of interferon in SSPE. He co-authored original clinical and genetic descriptions of MLC with subcortical cysts and PKAN in the Agrawal community in India. The link between infantile epilepsy and neonatal hypoglycemic brain injury was explored and has emerged as one of the commonest etiologies of drug-resistant epilepsy in the developing world. Long-term outcome studies in drug resistant epilepsy and autistic spectrum disorders have highlighted what happens in resource-poor setting. Recent research interests have been autoimmune encephalitis and MOG associated disorders.
He has published > 80 papers in peer-reviewed journals and 25 chapters in textbooks. He has served on expert consensus groups including the ILAE Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery task force and the ILAE Nosology Commission Syndrome Definitions.
He was the organizing chairperson of the International Child Neurology Congress in Mumbai in 2018 which was rated highly by most members. He is a member on the ICNA nominating committee for the last 4 years. He has served the Indian neurology community as President of the Association of Child Neurology-India and Chairman of the Pediatric Neurology subsection of the Indian Academy of Neurology.
He has lectured extensively in national and international meetings and given several prestigious orations.
Vision
A few initial thoughts about the state of world child neurology and what my goals would be if elected to the executive board
1) Though the burden of childhood neurological disease is high in the developing world, access to even basic child neurologic services is sorely lacking. This is primarily due to the lack of organized training in many parts of the world. The ICNA has been fairly successful in the continuing medical educational activities tried with regular physical and online teaching programs but a lot more needs to be done.
2) We probably have the highest numbers of rare disorders in child neurology. This makes it a challenge to study these diseases. We need international registries to be set up so to help increase our collective knowledge which would help our patients in the long run.
3) Access to advanced testing is a still a major hurdle in diagnosing rare disorders in many parts of the world due to cost / availability issues.
4) Finally novel therapies are rapidly gaining ground in different disorders. However, these are extraordinarily expensive and out of reach for most of the world. The ICNA is in a unique position in bridging these gaps with its reach across the world and its rapidly expanding membership.
I propose to help
1) Expand educational initiatives in parts of the world needing them most using not only world-renowned speakers but local experts as well
2) Establish registries to help study the epidemiology & natural history of rare disorders
3) Make available lists of where advanced genetic /immunologic tests can be done at reasonable rates
4) Use the good offices of ICNA to lobby the pharmaceutical industry to reduce costs and increase access to expensive medications
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