Gari Clifford, PhD

Biomedical Informatics at Emory University and Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

Dr. Clifford is trained as a PhD in Neural Networks and Biomedical Engineering from the University of Oxford, United Kingdom. He has an international reputation in mHealth informatics, critical care data analysis and the application of signal processing and machine learning to medicine. Dr. Clifford received postdoctoral research training from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology when he later became a Principal Research Scientist, and also helped found the Sleep, Circadian Rhythm and Neuroscience Institute at the University of Oxford, where he is an Honorary Professor and led one of its five themes.

Juergen Hahn, PhD

Professor & Department Head, Biomedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Dr. Hahn is the department head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, in addition to holding an appointment in the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering. Dr. Hahn’s research focuses on the development of new systems analysis techniques and their application in systems biology as well as for traditional chemical engineering processes, over 140 peer-reviewed publications in print. Special emphasis is placed on methods for nonlinear systems that can take into account significant levels of uncertainty in the model. Applications of these techniques include biomarker identification for autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Hahn is also leading an exploratory analysis of how The Center for Discovery’s data can be used to better understand and improve patient outcomes.

Donald W. Landry, MD, PhD

Former Physician-in-Chief, New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center of Surgery

Donald W. Landry, MD, PhD, served as the Physician-in-Chief at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center and Chair of the Department of Medicine at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (through April 1, 2023). For nearly four decades, Dr. Landry has conducted exceptional pioneering research and forged new medical approaches to intractable health challenges. Dr. Landry’s work as a biomedical researcher and clinician is matched in significance by the enduring institutional contributions he has made to the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and to New York-Presbyterian.

Eric London, MD

Psychiatrist, The Center for Discovery

Dr. Eric London is the director of the Autism Treatment Laboratory for the NYS Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disorders. His primary research interests are in very early screening and diagnosis, and novel treatment strategies. Dr. London is the founder of the National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR), the first nonprofit organization in the country dedicated to advancing autism research. He served as the Chief Science Officer, as well as the Chair of its Scientific Advisory Committee. Following NAAR’s merger with Autism Speaks in 2006, Dr. London served on the organization’s Scientific Affairs Committee and currently participates on the Scientific Advisory Committee for the Autism Science Foundation. His paper, “Early Medical and Behavioral Challenges of NICU Infants Later Classified with Autism Spectrum Disorders,” in Pediatrics, was honored by Autism Speaks as one of the 10 most important papers on autism in 2010.

Ruth Ann Luna, PhD

Assistant Professor, Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine and Director of Medical Metagenomics, Texas Children’s Hospital

Dr. Luna is the Director of Medical Metagenomics of the Texas Children’s Microbiome Center (TCMC) at Texas Children’s Hospital and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology & Immunology at Baylor College of Medicine. Her primary research focus is the microbiome-gut-brain axis in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Dr. Luna is currently presiding over the largest pediatric autism microbiome study in the country. She also serves as Director of the DNA Sequencing Core of the Texas Children’s Microbiome Center.

Kara Gross Margolis, MD

Professor of Molecular Pathobiology at NYU College of Dentistry, Cell Biology and Pediatrics

Dr. Kara Gross Margolis is a pediatric gastroenterologist, physician-scientist, and internationally recognized expert in disorders of the brain-gut axis, including autism spectrum disorder. She leads translational research focused on the gut microbiome, neurotransmitters, and novel therapies for gastrointestinal and neurodevelopmental conditions. Her NIH- and Department of Defense-funded research advances new approaches to improving health through gut-focused interventions.

Gene D. Morse, PharmD, FCCP, BCPS

Professor, University at Buffalo (UB) School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences; Director, Translational Research, UB NYS Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences; Co-Director, SUNY Global Health Institute

Dr. Morse has been involved in HIV clinical pharmacology research since the inception of antiretrovirals in 1986, with more recent emphasis on HCV infection and drug development. Within the UB Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Dr. Morse is the Drug Development Core and Translational Research Workforce Development Associate Director. Additionally, he is associate director for the Clinical Trials Methods and Technologies Pillar for the Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Dr. Morse is co-founder of the Buffalo Jamaica Innovation Enterprise, a partnership between UB, the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus and the Jamaica Ministry of Health. He has more than 25 years of NIH, industry, and philanthropic research support with wide-ranging experience in grant applications and mentoring. Dr. Morse was the recipient of the 2012 Volwiler Research Achievement Award from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.

Rune Simeonsson, PhD, MS.PH.

Professor Emeritus, Psychology Department, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

Dr. Simeonsson, Professor Emeritus at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, previously held appointments as a research professor of psychology and fellow at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute. His academic preparation and professional background reflect the intersection of child development, special education and public health, particularly the developmental and psychological characteristics of children and youth with chronic conditions and disabilities. Dr. Simeonsson’s research includes studies of the role of school and community environments on school participation of students, and analyses of the developmental progress of young children, with data collected from the National Early Intervention Longitudinal Study

Nancy M. Wells, PhD

Professor, Human Centered Design; Senior Associate Dean, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University

Nancy Wells is Professor in the Department of Human Centered Design within the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University. As an environmental psychologist, Wells studies people's relationship to the built and natural environment through the life course. Her studies have focused on residential environments -- housing and neighborhoods -- and more recently, schools. Dr. Wells’ research focuses on the beneficial effects of nature on human health, functioning, and resilience. Her current focus is how time in the natural environment may affect the functioning and well-being of individuals with autism and severe disability.