The scientific advisory panel is comprised of both basic science and clinical experts specializing in rare diseases and genetics. The purpose of the panel is to direct and supervise the scientific endeavors of the SMSRF. An RFP or request for proposal grant is distributed on an annual basis worth at least $75,000.00 to prospective scientists interested in conducting research to further the understanding of SMS. The panel reviews the prospective/completed applications and makes a recommendation for funding to the Board.
Chair:
Christopher M. Iannuzzi, MD
Chairman, Department of Oncology
Saint Vincent’s Medical Center
Bridgeport, CT
Radiation Oncologist
Christopher M. Iannuzzi, MD, serves as the Chairperson of the Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) for the SMS Research Foundation and as a member of the board. His youngest child, Sydney, was diagnosed with SMS. Chris was inspired by his wife, Jennifer a co-founder of SMSRF, to become more involved in the movement to expand the research base of SMS. Chris attended medical school at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in NY and went on to do an internship at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School, and a residency back at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in Radiation Oncology.
He is currently the Medical Director of Radiation Oncology and the Chairperson of Oncology at the Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care in Bridgeport, CT. Chris feels his medical background places him in a strong position to coordinate and facilitate the scientific review process for potential funding opportunities. Chris is excited about the future research this foundation can offer to the SMS community and will work hard to achieve its mission.
Chris resides in Wilton, CT, with his wife Jennifer, three children Ben, Cole, and Sydney and dog, Ritter.
Member:
Gianluca Pirozzi, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Pirozzi is Senior Vice President, Clinical Development Head, Hematology, Nephrology and Translational Sciences, at Alexion Pharmaceuticals (ALXN), as of October 2019. Prior to joining Alexion, Dr. Pirozzi served as Head of Development, Rare Diseases and translational Gene Therapy at Sanofi (SNY). Dr. Pirozzi has 20 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry, has served on the Board of Directors of Imbria Pharmaceuticals for 2 years, and is currently Board Member of Timber Pharmaceutical, as well as scientific advisor for the Smith-Magenis-Syndrome Research Foundation, a non-profit organization. Dr. Pirozzi holds an MD degree from Università Campus Bio-Medico in Rome, Italy, and a PhD in Immunology from Sapienza Università in Rome, Italy, and a Post-Doc in Immunology at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, France. He speaks four languages fluently.
Member:
Liqun Luo, PhD
Dr. Luo is a full professor of Biology in the School of Humanities and Sciences at the Stanford School of Medicine. He received his PhD from Brandeis University. He is a lead investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) and is interested in how neural circuits assemble during development and contribute to sensory perception.
Dr. Luo has personally developed genetic tools to track neurons in the brains of fruit flies and mice to investigate these problems. For further information regarding Dr. Luo or to learn more about his lab please visit his website. http://web.stanford.edu/group/luolab/
Member:
Dr. Seng H. Cheng, PhD
Seng H. Cheng, PhD, is Senior Vice President of Research and Product Development at Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease. Seng obtained his BSc and PhD degrees in Biochemistry at the University of London and trained as a postdoctoral fellow in the field of tumor biology at the National Institute of Medical Research, U.K.
Seng was previously Senior Vice President & Chief Scientific Officer of the Rare Disease Research Unit at Pfizer. Prior to joining Pfizer, he held roles including Group Vice President of Genetic Diseases Science at Genzyme as well as the Global Head of Research of Rare Diseases at Sanofi. He has contributed to the development of several medicines for rare diseases, co-authored 282 research articles and reviews and is a named co-inventor on 64 issued US patents in the area of biotechnology.
As Senior Vice President of Research and Product Development at Alexion, he is responsible for drug discovery, process development and clinical supply as well as clinical biomarkers and bioanalytical discovery, diagnostics and bioinformatics, supporting the enterprise’s pipeline from target discovery through post-marketing. At Alexion, Seng will also provide strategic oversight of efforts to advance the emerging technology of genetic therapies toward clinical development.
Member:
Weimin Zhong, PhD
Dr. Zhong is an associate professor of molecular, cellular, and developmental biology at Yale University. He earned his PhD at Rockefeller University.
Dr. Zhong’s current interests are in the molecular and cellular mechanisms that govern the behavior of stem cells, in particular how they balance the needs for self-renewal and differentiation during mammalian organogenesis and tissue maintenance. For further information regarding Dr. Zhong visit the website: https://medicine.yale.edu/profile/weimin_zhong/
The SMSRF is confident the panel can provide the guidance and leadership necessary to promote meaningful research for SMS.
