An integrated approach to investigating GI & neurological comorbidities caused by SYNGAP1

Here are the introductory comments:

• We are very excited to continue the SRF webinar series. The goals of the series are:
• getting families closer to the science 
• making families aware of the research that is been done and the opportunities to participate
• empowering communications with clinicians 

And equipping families to advocate for the needs of your loved one with SynGAp1.

We also want to share with you our next webinar which will take place Thursday, May 6th at 1pm Eastern. This will be with Lorri Unumb Esquire, the CEO of the Council of Autism Providers and is entitled “Let me hear your voice: effecting change through effective advocacy””. You can sign up for all of our future webinars and view past presentations at syngapresearchfund.org.

Our presentation today is a huge win for the SynGAP community because, for the first time, we have a team of scientists and clinicians joining us. Today’s talk is entitled “An integrated approach to investigating GI & neurological comorbidities caused by SYNGAP1” and will be given by Dr. Julia Dallman, Dr. Andreas Jimenez, and Dr. Baharak Moshiree.

Dr. Julia Dallman is an associate professor of biology at the University of Miami where she is also director of the zebrafish facility. Her lab studies the mechanisms by which genes influence behavior using zebrafish as a model. This includes a number of collaborations aimed at elucidating genetic changes linked to autism and its comorbidities. 

Dr. Andreas Jimenez is a pediatric neurologist at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Miami. He completed his residency and fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine at Texas. It was here that he gained experience working with SynGAP1 patients prior to moving to Florida and becoming an essential provider to a growing group of families affected by SynGAP1 in the south Florida area. He is passionate about health care in Latin America and participated recently in SRF’s first Spanish roundtable.

Dr. Baha Moshiree is Professor of Medicine and Director of Motility at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. She is also a gastroenterologist who specializes in treating patients with bowel disorders and motility disturbances. She completed medical school and fellowship at the College of Medicine at the University of Florida. Her commitment to treating patients with complex disorders which affect their gastrointestinal  function is demonstrated by her record of research participation, including work on diseases such as cystic fibrosis.

Drs. Dallman, Jimenez and Moshiree are coming together to conduct an important study for the SynGAP1 community which will utilize their various areas of expertise. We are excited to learn from their experiences in both the lab and clinic and to hear more about their upcoming GI study. 

At the end of the presentation, you will have an opportunity to ask your questions by writing them in the chat. A recording will be made available on the SRF website. Again, welcome to our presentation today, entitled “An integrated approach to investigating GI & neurological comorbidities caused by SYNGAP1”.