Conference guest speakers

Professor Jennifer Frankovich is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy, Immunology Rheumatology at Stanford University/Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital (LPCH). Professor Frankovich completed her training in paediatrics, paediatric rheumatology, and clinical epidemiology at Stanford University and LPCH. Her clinical expertise is in systemic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases that co-occur with psychiatric symptoms. She co-founded and directs the Stanford Immune  Behavioral Health Program (2012- present) and along with her collaborators has created a longitudinal clinical database and large biorepository of patient and control biospecimens.  

In addition to generating clinical data to better understand PANS and related illnesses, she collaborates with more than 15 basic science labs who aim to understand the immunological underpinnings of illness. Professor Frankovich co-led the development of evaluation and treatment guidelines for post-infectious neuropsychiatric conditions including PANS and autoimmune encephalitis and is currently in the beginning stages of an effort to develop clinical classifications and treatment consensus for immunopsychiatric conditions.

Professor Frankovich’s over-arching career goal and the ultimate mission of her program’s research is to understand the immunological pathways contributing to psychiatric deteriorations in order to innovate effective multidisciplinary treatment regimens that will ultimately improve patient outcomes for children with sudden, severe psychiatric deteriorations caused by infectious and inflammatory processes. 

Dr. Susan Swedo is a paediatrician, Chief Science Officer for PANDAS Physicians Network and Scientist Emerita with the U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH). She received her M.D. from Southern Illinois University, completed a paediatrics residency at Northwestern University (NWU) and then did a research fellowship in the Child Psychiatry Branch of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). There, under the mentorship of Dr. Judith Rapoport, Dr. Swedo collaborated with Dr. Henrietta Leonard and others to carry out dozens of research studies and clinical trials of childhood-onset obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), Tourette syndrome and Sydenham chorea. These investigations led to the discovery of Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal infections (PANDAS) and later, description of PANS. 

After receiving scientific tenure from the NIH in 1992, Dr. Swedo quickly established herself as an international expert on post-streptococcal neuropsychiatric disorders. During her three decades at NIH, Dr. Swedo also conducted landmark research on autism spectrum disorders, trichotillomania, seasonal affective disorder, and other paediatric mental health disorders, receiving numerous awards and publishing more than 250 manuscripts.

Professor Gupta graduated from Manchester Medical School and completed his National Grid training in Paediatric Neurology in the Mersey Deanery. He was appointed Consultant Paediatric Neurologist at Birmingham Children’s Hospital in October 2004, where he leads the Paediatric Neurorehabilitation Service; announced the winner of the Hospital Team Award of The Child Brain Injury Trust Diamond Awards in 2022.

In addition to neurorehabilitation, Professor Gupta’s areas of special interest include epilepsy, cerebral palsy, headache, neuro-ophthalmology, PANS, PANDAS and the neurological complications of Wolfram Syndrome. He has conducted research, published and presented on these topics. He is a medical advisor for a number of charities – Corpal, Wolfram Syndrome UK, PANS PANDAS UK, and EXPAND.

Professor Gupta is also passionate about medical education and training and is a faculty member of numerous courses. He is the Head of The Specialist Clinical Teaching Academy for The University of Birmingham Medical School and Birmingham Children’s Hospital. He is Deputy Lead for Paediatrics for The University of Birmingham Medical School and is the Medical Director for the Independent Pharmacy Prescriber Course at Aston University. He is the Chair of the Medical Advisory Committee for the Institute of Health and Neurodevelopment at Aston University and was appointed Honorary Professor of Paediatric Neurology at Aston University in 2011. He was appointed Honorary Professor at The University of Birmingham in December 2021. He is also the Midlands Area Officer for the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

Dr Ashley Liew is Consultant Paediatric Neuropsychiatrist at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, and at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital where he works jointly with Paediatrics and Neurology to provide neuropsychiatric care for children with neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions, often co-occurring with neurological conditions like epilepsy or encephalitis.

Ashley holds honorary academic appointments at the University of Warwick and the University of Birmingham, and his research focuses on children with intellectual disabilities, neuropsychiatric conditions, and integrated paediatric care. Ashley is on the Executive Committee of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Child & Adolescent Faculty, and is part of the PANS PANDAS Steering Group.

Professor Ming Lim undertook his undergraduate medical training at the University of Nottingham, UK. Following completion of his paediatric neurology training in South London, he began his doctoral research fellowship studying the neuroimmune response in childhood neurodegenerative disorders.

He is now Consultant Paediatric Neurologist at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital and Professor of Paediatric Neurology at King’s College London. He is the head of Children’s Neuroscience and Research Lead for Evelina London Hospital; and Associate Director of the NIHR GSTT Clinical Research Facility.

His ongoing research has contributed to the important characterisation and understanding of childhood neuroinflammatory disorders. He leads and contributes to international efforts to improve the diagnosis and management of childhood neuroinflammatory disorders. Additionally, he works in efforts to improve multinational collaborative childhood research in his various roles in connect4children, European Paediatric Neurology Society and various charities.

Dr Tim Ubhi is a Consultant Paediatrician and also Clinical Director and Founder of The Children’s e-Hospital and The London PANS Clinic. He has a specialist interest in PANS and PANDAS.

“I have treated approximately 2,000 PANDAS patients in the UK, one of the largest single cohort of patients in Europe. Over the past 12 years I have developed The Children’s e-Hospital and The London PANS Clinic. I am a founder member of The UK PANDAS and PANS Physician’s Network and together with paediatric neurologists, paediatricians and immunologists from major centres around the UK (including the Evelina Children’s Hospital, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and Birmingham Children’s Hospital) we are working hard to raise awareness of PANDAS in the UK. I am also a member of the Scientific & Medical Advisory group of The European Immunopsychiatric Association.”

Dr Vicky Queralt is a HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist with a broad range of experience supporting children, young people and families across clinical, educational and digital health contexts. She has worked across NHS CAMHS, neurodevelopmental services, paediatric clinical health, specialist education, and digital health work focused on supporting children’s access to healthcare. 

Clinically, Vicky has specialist interests in neurodevelopmental conditions and PANS and PANDAS. Her work is grounded in close collaboration with families, understanding children within their wider family, health and educational context, and developing psychologically informed support that is compassionate, practical and responsive to each child and family. 

Vicky is also a Trustee of PANS PANDAS UK and is passionate about raising awareness, improving understanding and advocating for better recognition and support for children and families affected by PANS and PANDAS. 

Dr Michael Nunns is a systematic reviewer working within the Exeter Evidence Synthesis Group (Isca Evidence), one of nine research groups in the UK commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Care Research Evidence Synthesis Programme to address knowledge gaps or to answer a specific need for health, public health and social care audiences.

Previously, Michael has worked in the Exeter Policy Research Programme Evidence Review Facility and the Exeter HS&DR Evidence Synthesis Centre, producing systematic reviews of evidence to answer or inform policy-related questions within the remit of health and social care in the UK.

Isca Evidence has worked closely with PANS PANDAS UK to create an important evidence and gap map (EGM), designed to document the need for improved funding and further research for PANS and PANDAS.

Lucy McDonald is a child and adolescent psychotherapist (UKCP and BACP) with a special interest in PANS and PANDAS. She has lived experience of the illness and is part of an international coalition of mental health professionals developing developing the first ethical therapeutic guidelines for working with PANS and PANDAS.    

Alexandra ‘Alex’ Manfull died aged just 26 years old, due to a symptom flare she experienced whilst living with PANDAS. Alex had told her parents, William and Susan Manfull, that as soon as she was well, she intended to educate everyone about PANDAS.

To deliver on Alex’s wishes and to ensure no other person loses his or her life, or lose the years it can take to treat this disease successfully, her parents established a fund in her name to raise funds to support research, provide education, and raise awareness on PANDAS and PANS.

Alex’s mother, Susan Manfull, has worked tirelessly to learn more about post-infectious neuroimmune disorders such as PANDAS and PANS, especially in adolescents and young adults, with the ultimate goal that no life ever again be cut short by PANS or PANDAS. Susan and William established a fund in Alex’s name which has evolved into The Alex Manfull Fund. 

Katy is a Registered Paediatric Nutritionist, with an MSc in Nutritional Medicine (Distinction). She is Director of Nutritional Medicine at the London PANS Clinic, leading the development of clinical nutrition services and research, and part of the Naturedoc Clinical Nutrition team.

Grounded in the fundamental principles of good nourishment for children, Katy specializes in Paediatric Developmental, Behavioural, and Cognitive health conditions including PANS and PANDAS, Autism, Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder (ADHD), Avoidant and Restrictive Eating, Anxiety, Emotional Dysregulation, and Disordered Sleep. Katy’s research interest is in Nutritional Psychiatry and Neuroinflammation in Children.

Prior to entering clinical practice 10 years ago, Katy was Head of Scientific Affairs at Danone Nutricia Early Life Nutrition, working with some of the UK’s leading infant nutrition brands and leading paediatric specialists across gastroenterology, neonatology, allergy, infant, toddler and childhood feeding.

In addition to clinical work, Katy is a passionate educator and speaker making nutritional science accessible and engaging to children, parents, and medical and health professionals. She regularly speaks in schools, on professional webinars, and at national and international conferences.  

Katy Hindson is Health and Policy Lead at PANS PANDAS UK, where she supports the organisation’s work to improve awareness, care, and support for those affected by PANS and PANDAS. She co-chairs the National PANS PANDAS Steering Group and represents the charity on the PANS Clinical Guideline Development Group, helping to inform the development of national clinical guidance.

Katy works collaboratively with clinicians, researchers, and partners across the sector to support progress in recognition and treatment. She has a particular interest in patient-centred approaches and the role of lived experience in shaping services and policy.

Katy works closely with the PANS PANDAS UK Youth Advisory Board, helping to ensure that the perspectives of young people and families inform the charity’s work and priorities.

Tina Coope is a former teacher with experience across mainstream and specialist settings, including leading an Autism provision and establishing a Nurture unit.

She is Education Lead for PANS PANDAS UK, where she develops and facilitates CPD-accredited training for teachers and educational psychologists, alongside creating resources to support schools and professionals. Her work focuses on improving understanding of the educational impact of PANS and PANDAS, with a strong emphasis on working alongside families and responding in practical, supportive ways. She also brings lived experience.

Tina contributes to policy work through the PANS PANDAS APPG and other national policy groups. She also co-chairs the PANS Education, Social Care and Health Group (ESCHG), facilitating the development of practice guidance principles for Local Authorities and professionals across education, allied health and social care.

Tina has written for publications including NASEN, Twinkl, Headteachers Update and SecEd, and has delivered presentations on PANS and PANDAS in university and professional learning settings.

Vicky Burford is Chief Executive Officer of PANS PANDAS UK, co-chair of the National PANS PANDAS Steering Group alongside Katy Hindson, and a board member of EXPAND, the European network of PANS organisations.

With a professional background in business management and strategy, Vicky was one of the charity’s founders and previously served as Chair of Trustees before being appointed CEO. She has played a pivotal role in shaping the organisation’s growth and strategic direction, helping to drive greater recognition and acceptance of PANS and PANDAS across health, education, and other key sectors.

As the parent of a child affected by PANS, Vicky brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work. She is a passionate advocate for improving awareness, support, and access to appropriate care for affected children and families, across all nations of the UK.