Upcoming Events
SPEAKER: Dr. Nancy O’Hara
TITLE: Demystifying PANS/PANDAS Part 2, with extended Q&A
DATE: Wednesday 24th April
TIME: 19:30 BST
19:30 CEST (Central European Summer Time), 14:30 ET (Eastern Time)
DESCRIPTION:
We’re thrilled to have Dr. O’Hara returning to delve deeper into the complexities of PANS & PANDAS. Building upon our previous discussion, Dr. O’Hara will explore the latest research surrounding these autoimmune diseases, shedding light on assessment, diagnosis, and treatment methodologies.
From the distinctive triggers to the triad of treatments, participants will gain invaluable insights into managing these conditions effectively. Join us as we continue our journey towards understanding and combating these challenging yet recoverable illnesses.
Dr. O’Hara will also be answering any questions the audience has.
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ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dr. Nancy O’Hara is a board-certified paediatrician who specialises in treating PANS, PANDAS and BGE (Basal Ganglia Encephalitis), and other neurodevelopmental disorders. She is a leading trainer and mentor of clinicians in the US and globally, educating medical professionals to recognise, diagnose and treat PANS, PANDAS and BGE.
Dr. O’Hara graduated with highest honours from Bryn Mawr College, as part of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. She earned her Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh, and completed her residency, chief residency and general paediatric fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh.
Before she began her medical career, Dr. O’Hara taught children with autism. From 1993 to 1998 Dr O’Hara was a practicing general paediatrician and partner in a group practice. In 1999, she began her consultative, integrative practice for children with special needs, dedicating her practice to treating children with neurodevelopmental disorders, ADHD, PANS/PANDAS and BGE, OCD, Lyme, and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
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REGISTER HERE: aonm.org/DrOHara
SPEAKERS: Professor Leona Gilbert, Mr. Kunal Garg, Dr. Gisell García-Bretón and Dr. Mitzuko Fajardo
TITLE: Revolutionising Lyme Disease Management: Predictive Modelling and Diagnostic Innovations Unveiled
DATE: Tuesday 30th April 2024
TIME: 19:00 – 20:15 (BST)
19:00 CEST (Central European Summer Time), 14:00 ET (Eastern Time)
DESCRIPTION:
Join us for an exclusive roundtable webinar hosted by AONM, featuring a panel of distinguished authors, including Professor Leona Gilbert and Mr. Kunal Garg, alongside esteemed Dr. Gisell García-Bretón and Dr. Mitzuko Fajardo. Together, we embark on a journey through the latest advancements in Lyme disease management, integrating insights from their collaborative efforts showcased in the book “Borrelia burgdorferi Methods and Protocols.” https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-1-0716-3561-2
In this compelling discussion, our panel will collectively present insights from Chapters 15 and 16, offering a holistic view of predictive modelling, clinical algorithms, and diagnostic tools for Lyme disease.
This collaborative webinar promises a rich exchange of ideas, bridging the gap between research and practice in Lyme disease management. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to engage with leading experts and gain actionable insights that can drive transformative change. Register now to reserve your spot at the forefront of Lyme disease innovation.
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ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Professor Leona Gilbert is a Docent / Adjunct Professor of Cell and Molecular Biology and the CEO of Te?ted Oy. Leona has over 20 years’ experience in research driven initiatives that provided valuable tools for patients.
She has a doctorate in biotechnology and a very long experience in bio-innovation and bio-business. She has supervised numerous PhD, MSc and BSc students and her various peer-reviewed articles span turning research results into translational value with developing novel delivery vectors as well as diagnostic lab-on-chip platforms. In addition, Leona’s publications also demonstrate the thorough investigation of how a common virus or bacterium can contribute to autoimmune diseases. Another highlight in these publications is the demonstration of a multi-disciplinary background and collaborative efforts between clinicians, microbiologists, diagnostic developers, nano-scientists, physicists, and engineers. Gilbert’s research initiatives into complete diagnostic platforms and clinical profiling of patients for tick-borne and autoimmune diseases will allow a better understanding of how chronic conditions could be established with infectious pathogens.
Professor Gilbert is Editor of Borrelia Burgdorferi – Methods and Protocols. “Cutting-edge and comprehensive, Borrelia burgdorferi: Methods and Protocols encompasses a wide range of techniques and caters to scientists from various disciplines and career stages, such as cell and molecular biologists, statisticians, and clinical researchers.” (https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-1-0716-3561-2#about-this-book)
Mr. Kunal Garg is the co-founder and chief technology officer at Tezted Ltd, Finland. He graduated from VIT University, India, in 2013 and from the University of Jyväskyla, Finland, in 2015, with B.Tech and M.Sc. degrees, respectively. His academic background in biotechnology and experience as an entrepreneur has provided him with a broad range of skill sets to create and commercialise in vitro diagnostics. Kunal has developed a diagnostic tool to simultaneously test several pathogens and multiple disease stages in patients suspected of tick-borne disease. He is currently developing tools to help directly detect and confirm fungal toxins in humans.
Dr. Mitzuko Fajardo, MD, a graduate of the University of Panamerica, a premier institution for medical education in México, found her passion for medicine early in her career. During her undergraduate internship and social service, she recognised a gap in patient care quality, driving her towards a research-oriented path. With a master’s degree from CICESE, a leading research centre in México, she cultivated skills bridging basic science and clinical practice. Discovering Sanoviv, she was captivated by its patient-centred approach and holistic mission. Now, as a dedicated member of Sanoviv’s Research Department, she is committed to promoting its integrated healthcare model.
Dr. Gisell Garcia Breton, MD, a native of Baja California, Mexico, earned her medical degree from the Autonomous University of Baja California. With a master’s degree in clinical nutrition, regenerative, and anti-aging medicine, she is a certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician by the International Board of Lifestyle Medicine. Dr. Garcia Breton is a dedicated practitioner of integrative medicine, employing functional and regenerative medicine methodologies to assess, diagnose, and treat patients collaboratively. Leading Sanoviv’s Lyme and chronic infections treatment program for eight years, she has contributed to publications in the Townsend Letter magazine and ILADS 2020 and is an active member of ILADS. As the medical coordinator at Sanoviv Medical Institute, Dr. Garcia Breton oversees healthcare delivery, defines quality improvement initiatives, and supervises medical practitioners. A fitness enthusiast, she enjoys nature walks in her leisure time.
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REGISTER HERE: aonm.org/DiagnosticInnovations
SPEAKER: 
Professor Craig Shimasaki, PHD, MBA
TITLE: The Autoimmune Brain Panel™ & Neurological Symptoms; CaMKII in Neurodevelopmental Disorders
DATE: Wednesday 8th May 2024
TIME: 19:00 BST
19:00 CEST (Central European Summer Time), 14:00 ET (Eastern Time)
DESCRIPTION:
In this webinar Professor Craig Shimasaki will explore the nuanced interplay between autoimmune responses directed at the brain and the emergence of diverse neurological, psychiatric, and behavioural symptoms.
Join us as he explains the complexities of the Autoimmune Brain Panel™ and its relevance for understanding and managing a spectrum of conditions
Professor Shimasaki will also be analysing the pivotal role of CaMKII activation in shaping neurodevelopmental disorders, offering insights into potential interventions and therapeutic approaches.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights into cutting-edge research and advancements in the field of neuroscience.
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ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Professor Shimasaki is co-founder and CEO of Moleculera Labs, a neuroimmunology precision medicine company focused on diagnosing neurologic, psychiatric, and behavioural disorders triggered by an autoimmune response. The company’s testing panel is based on over 20 years of work from Dr. Madeleine Cunningham’s laboratory at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Centre.
He has been in the biotechnology industry for over 35 years, starting his career at Genentech. As a scientist, businessperson, and serial entrepreneur Professor Shimasaki’s work spans all stages of research and development from bench to bedside. His R&D work included epitope mapping for an HIV vaccine, SNP-based genetic breast cancer risk prediction biomarkers, a rapid influenza diagnostic, and therapeutic and biologic products for infectious diseases, neuropsychiatric disorders and noise induced hearing loss. He co-founded several companies and led multiple products through the FDA approval process and is a co-inventor on several patents.
Professor Shimasaki received his BS in Biochemistry from University of California at Davis, his PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Tulsa, and his MBA from Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Business. He is an Adjunct Professor and Senior Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the University of Oklahoma, Price School of Business and teaches biotechnology entrepreneurship. His passion is to help translate scientific and medical discoveries into acutely needed products so that more patients can live healthier lives.
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REGISTER HERE: aonm.org/ AutoimmuneBrainPanel
SPEAKERS: Professor Leona Gilbert, Dr. Armin Schwarzbach, Dr. Mihail Pruteanu and Mr. Markus Berger
TITLE: Adaptive Immune Response Investigation in Lyme Borreliosis
DATE: Tuesday 18th June 2024
TIME: 19:00 (BST)
19:00 CEST (Central European Summer Time), 14:00 ET (Eastern Time)
DESCRIPTION:
In this webinar the authors of Chapter 6 in Borrelia Burgdorferi – Methods and Protocols (Edited by Professor Leona Gilbert) – ‘Adaptive Immune Response Investigation in Lyme Borreliosis’ will discuss the nuances of diagnosing Lyme Borreliosis through humoral and cellular immunity.
You will learn about the innovative EliSpot assay, unveiling T cell responses to Borrelia burgdorferi infection and gain an understanding of how this T cell-based approach bridges diagnostic gaps, especially for seronegative patients.
The authors will offer insights into the dissociation between humoral and cellular immune responses, and the great potential of EliSpot in identifying Borrelia infections.
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ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Professor Leona Gilbert is a Docent / Adjunct Professor of Cell and Molecular Biology and the CEO of Te?ted Oy. Leona has over 20 years’ experience in research driven initiatives that provided valuable tools for patients.
She has a doctorate in biotechnology and a very long experience in bio-innovation and bio-business. She has supervised numerous PhD, MSc and BSc students and her various peer-reviewed articles span turning research results into translational value with developing novel delivery vectors as well as diagnostic lab-on-chip platforms. In addition, Leona’s publications also demonstrate the thorough investigation of how a common virus or bacterium can contribute to autoimmune diseases. Another highlight in these publications is the demonstration of a multi-disciplinary background and collaborative efforts between clinicians, microbiologists, diagnostic developers, nano-scientists, physicists, and engineers. Gilbert’s research initiatives into complete diagnostic platforms and clinical profiling of patients for tick-borne and autoimmune diseases will allow a better understanding of how chronic conditions could be established with infectious pathogens.
Professor Gilbert is Editor of Borrelia Burgdorferi – Methods and Protocols. “Cutting-edge and comprehensive, Borrelia burgdorferi: Methods and Protocols encompasses a wide range of techniques and caters to scientists from various disciplines and career stages, such as cell and molecular biologists, statisticians, and clinical researchers.” (https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-1-0716-3561-2#about-this-book )
Dr. Armin Schwarzbach is a world expert in the field of laboratory medicine and infectious diseases. He is committed to working tirelessly on refining the various diagnostic tests for Borrelia burgdorferi and coinfections, a research area to which he has devoted more than 20 years of his professional life.
His unparalleled expertise in testing for tick-borne disease culminated in the creation in 2015 of his own laboratory, ArminLabs, in Augsburg, Germany. Under his watchful eye, his 30-strong, hand-picked laboratory team has processed over 150.000 samples from patients with tick-borne disease, in addition to all the other medical and specialised tests run daily for practitioners from over 150 countries.
Read Dr. Schwarzbach’s full profile HERE
Dr. Mihail Pruteanu, born in Moldova in 1979, is a skilled physician specialising in microbiology, virology, and infection epidemiology, with expertise in parasitology. He obtained qualifications as a “Physician for Hygiene and Epidemiology” and later as a “Specialist in Infection Epidemiology, Microbiology, and Virology” in Moldova. He conducted research and lectured at Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy before managing a medical laboratory focused on parasitology, mycology, and viral infections.
Moving to Germany, Dr. Pruteanu has held various medical roles, including medical product developer, laboratory assistant, and research associate at the University Hospital in Augsburg. In 2022, he joined ArminLabs as a physician specialising in parasitology and infectious diseases, where he applies his extensive experience to patient care. In 2023, he received medical recognition in Germany from the Technical University of Munich.
He has authored numerous publications.
Mr. Markus Berger graduated in 2012 with a degree in sports economics at the German University for Prevention and Health Management in Leipzig.
Until August 2018 he worked as a health coach, nutritionist and rehabilitation trainer in a clinic for tick-borne diseases.
Since September 2018, Markus Berger is Sales Manager of ArminLabs, a laboratory specialised in the diagnosis of tick-borne infections and other chronic infectious pathogens.
Besides this position, Markus Berger is the managing director of PhytoBox.
He advises patients, patient groups and therapists regarding physical training, nutrition, and dietary supplements.
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REGISTER HERE: aonm.org/Chapter6