Bright Minds Biosciences Inc. announced the addition of four global experts in Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB):Tania Markovic, MBBS PhD FRACPJennifer L. Miller, MDElizabeth Roof, H.S.P., M.A.Theresa V. Strong, PhD Tania Markovic MBBS PhD FRACP is the Director of the Metabolism & Obesity Services, a Senior Staff Specialist in the Department of Endocrinology at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney and a Clinical Associate Professor at the Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney. For the past 20 years, her clinical work and research have revolved around the understanding and management of obesity. As the director of a large multidisciplinary weight management clinic at a tertiary referral centre she has been involved in all aspects of the care of patients with complex obesity.
Her team treats a diverse group of patients with obesity using many forms of therapy, including education programs, group and individual counselling, very low energy diets, pharmacotherapy and surgery. She is the director of the Metabolism & Obesity Service, where she runs a clinic dedicated to managing adults with Prader-Willi Syndrome. Dr. Jennifer Miller is a Professor in the division of Pediatric Endocrinology at the University of Florida.
She received her medical degree from the University of Florida in 1998, and an M.S. in Clinical Investigation from the University of Florida in 2005. Dr. Miller specializes in the care and treatment of individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome and other genetic causes of early-onset excessive weight gain. Her research focuses on investigation of the etiology and possible treatment for obesity and metabolic abnormalities in individuals with PWS and early-onset obesity.
For the past 12 years, Dr. Miller?s work has focused on achieving an appropriate treatment for hyperphagia. She currently follows more than 500 patients with PWS from around the world, and over 100 patients with early-onset obesity due to other genetic causes. She is working on clinical treatment trials to treat hyperphagia in individuals with PWS and early-onset obesity.
Elizabeth Roof, H.S.P., M.A., Senior Research Specialist, Research Lab Director, has worked with children and teens with PWS for almost 30 years at Vanderbilt University. Ms. Roof has been licensed since 1994 as a Health Service Provider in Psychology in the state of Tennessee and has been conducting research with Elisabeth Dykens since 2003, focused on the psychiatric, behavioral and adaptive strengths in PWS and WS. Ms. Roof has personally evaluated over 450 individuals with PWS and WS.
She has trained 27 research staff over the years, who take that expertise with them to graduate, medical, and nursing school, and out into the real world. Ms. Roof also works with residential and clinical professionals and schools to provide best practices for those living with PWS and WS. She has managed five NIH trials and 11 clinical trials in PWS since 2014 and works with sponsors to identify best outcome measures, study designs, and logistics that best suit PWS families.
Ms. Roof has spoken at PWS and was conferences across the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Theresa V. Strong, Ph.D., received a B.S. from Rutgers University and a Ph.D. in Medical Genetics from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). After postdoctoral studies with Dr. Francis Collins at the University of Michigan, she joined the UAB faculty, leading a research lab focused on gene therapy for cancer and directing UAB?s Vector Production Facility.
Theresa is one of the founding members of the Foundation for Prader Willi Research (FPWR) and has directed FPWR?s grant program since its inception. In 2016, she transitioned to a full-time position as Director of Research Programs at FPWR. She remains an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Genetics at UAB.
She and her husband Jim have four children, including a son with PWS.
