The Alport Syndrome News Editorial Staff:
Chris Comish — Publisher: Publisher Chris Comish is actively engaged on a daily basis in supporting the editorial staff and works to source fresh, informative news stories that can make a difference in the lives of those in search of reliable news and content on the web.
Grace Frank — Editor-in-Chief: Grace Frank worked as a copy editor, city editor, reporter and news designer for leading American newspapers, including The New York Times and The International Herald Tribune, for many years. She has won numerous journalism awards, and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for an investigative series into eye surgeries wrongly conducted outside a clinical trial.
Margarida Azevedo — Managing Editor: Margarida graduated with a BS in Health Sciences from the University of Lisbon and a MSc in Biotechnology from Instituto Superior Técnico (IST-UL). She worked as a molecular biologist research associate at a Cambridge UK-based biotech company that discovers and develops therapeutic, fully human monoclonal antibodies.
Isaura Santos — Social Media Director: Isaura Santos graduated with a BS in Cell and Molecular Biology from Universidade Nova de Lisboa and a MA in Communication, Culture and Information Technologies from University Institute of Lisbon (ISCTE-IUL). Her professional interests include science communication, public awareness of science and communication of science through entertainment.
Carol Jertson — Contributing Editor: Carol Jertson, a New Jersey native who lives in South Florida, is an award-winning journalist who has worked as a reporter, copy editor, and assistant city editor for small and big-city daily newspapers, including the Miami Herald and the Atlantic City Press, where she wrote stories about the mob when organized crime owned the unions that ran the casinos. At the Miami Herald, her staff of reporters covered local beats and the intricacies of state government. Most recently, she worked for Newsmax, an online site that reported political, national and global news.
Eileen Soler — Contributing Editor: Eileen Soler is a 22-year veteran newspaper reporter, photographer and editor whose prolific body of work has included a gamut of medical coverage from hospital-based humor therapy to cutting edge cancer treatments. The longtime South Florida resident has contributed significantly to the local news and health sections of the Miami Herald and to websites, blogs and newsletters produced by regional medical institutions. Most recently, she helped lead The Seminole Tribune newspaper of the Seminole Tribe of Florida to national recognition as the most award winning publication of its kind.
Charles Moore — Technology Editor: Charles Moore has a long-proven track record in both print and digital journalism, touching on a wide range of subjects, from biotech and healthcare to politics and technology. He contributes substantial feature articles research and development for the news site, particularly pertaining to technology.
Maureen Newman — Senior Research Columnist: Maureen Newman currently works as a PhD student studying biomedical engineering at University of Rochester, working towards a career of research in biomaterials for drug delivery and regenerative medicine. She is an integral part of Dr. Danielle Benoit’s laboratory, where she is investigating bone-homing therapeutics for osteoporosis treatment.
Patrícia Inacio, PhD — Senior Research Columnist: Patricia holds her Ph.D. in Cell Biology from University Nova de Lisboa, and has served as an author on several research projects and fellowships, as well as major grant applications for European Agencies. She also served as a PhD student research assistant in the Laboratory of Doctor David A. Fidock, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Columbia University, New York.
Daniela Semedo, PhD — Senior Research Columnist: Daniela holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology from The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom, a MSc in Health Psychology and a BSc in Clinical Psychology. Her work has been focused on vulnerability to psychopathology and early identification and intervention in psychosis.
Teresa Pais, PhD — Senior Research Columnist: Teresa F. Pais holds her PhD in Biomedical Sciences from University of Porto. She has worked in innate immune responses in the context of both infection and neurodegeneration. Currently, she is a researcher at Instituto de Medicina Molecular where she investigates inflammatory processes in the brain.
Kara Elam — Senior Research Columnist: Kara Elam is currently working on her Doctorate in Health Policy. She holds Master Degrees in both epidemiology and microbiology. Her research interests include emerging viral diseases, the intersection of human rights and intellectual property rights, and ending violence against women.
Malika Ammam, PhD — Senior Research Columnist: Malika Ammam received her MS degree from the University of Pierre et Marie CURIE in July 2002 and her PhD from the University of Paris Sud XI, France in September 2005. From 2006 to 2007, she worked as a research fellow at the University of Kansas in collaboration with Pinnacle Technology Inc. (USA). From 2007 to 2010, she was a research associate at KU Leuven, Belgium. From 2010 to 2012, she worked at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in collaboration with Alcohol Countermeasure Systems Corporation, Canada. She has also held the prestigious Rosalind Franklin fellowship.
Ozge Ozkaya, PhD — Senior Research Columnist: Özge has a MSc. in Molecular Genetics from the University of Leicester and a PhD in Developmental Biology from Queen Mary University of London. She worked as a Post-doctoral Research Associate at the University of Leicester for six years in the field of Behavioural Neurology before moving into science communication. She worked as the Research Communication Officer at a London based charity for almost two years.
Carolina Henriques – Daily Columnist: Carolina holds a BSc in Anthropology and a MSc in Urban Studies., and brings her interdisciplinary skills to her writing on a range of different topics in science, research and advocacy news.
Andreia Peixoto — Social Media Manager: Andreia has a degree in New Communication Technologies and experience in social media, design and tech. She is eager to find new ways to communicate and explore her curiosity about science and technology.
Marta Ribeiro — Social Media Manager: Marta graduated from Universidade Fernando Pessoa in Porto with a degree in Communication Sciences and a Masters degree in New Communication Technologies. She has experience in social media, worked with several media channels, and has also worked as a freelance photographer and a graphic artist for almost 10 years.
Wendy Henderson — Social Media Manager: Wendy is a proven blogger and social media manager who has helped to build online communities for businesses and organizations. She currently heads the website’s social outreach online through social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
DISCLAIMER: Alport Syndrome News is a science and health publishing website that occasionally writes about clinical trials taking place in the Alport Syndrome research community. The information provided on this site is designed to help educate patients on clinical trials that may be of interest to them, based on the topic of the story, and to help patients contact the centers conducting the research. Alport Syndrome News is neither promoting research nor involved in conducting any clinical trials. Some study summaries have been edited for clarity purposes to make them easier to understand.
Note: Alport Syndrome News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.