Conference guest speakers

Professor Dale is a leading international expert in neuroimmunology, namely the role of the immune system in brain disorders. Using clinical phenotyping coupled with diagnostic technologies including autoantibody assays, RNA sequencing, proteomics and metabolomics of blood and cerebrospinal fluid, the team have uncovered consistent abnormalities in children with acquired neurological disease and neurodevelopmental disorders. Prof Dale has led some of the key diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for autoimmune brain disorders affecting children. 

However, at present, there are no disease-modifying therapies for most children with neurodevelopmental disorders (autism, ADHD, Tourette, OCD). We believe transcriptional control (gene regulation) related to epigenetic machinery (chromatin, RNA modification, post translational modification) is a key pathological process in neurodevelopmental disorders. Using biomarker diagnostics, plus therapeutic studies (animal models, in vitro, ex vivo) we are developing novel and repurposed drugs to treat neurodevelopmental disorders affecting children. 

Prof Dale is a 2025 Clarivate highly cited researcher (classified as one of the most cited researchers in the world, ‘1 in a 1000 global researchers’). Prof Dale is the most highly cited paediatric neuroimmunologist in the world (Expertscape). He has published over 400 peer reviewed publications. His work has improved the diagnosis, understanding of pathophysiology and treatment of important neuroinflammatory disorders including autoimmune encephalitis, autoimmune demyelination, infection triggered encephalopathy syndrome and clinical syndromes such as paediatric acute neuropsychiatric syndrome and autistic regression. He foresees a future of treating the ‘disease mechanisms’ of common and important problems affecting children (neurodevelopment and mental health) rather than treating symptoms only. 

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.

Su loved being a general paediatrician at Barnet Hospital for 30 years. During that time, she held several lead roles in medical education and she is currently Director of Medical Education for the hospital, and a Training Programme Director for the London School of Pediatrics. Since retiring from clinical practice, she has become Associate Medical Director of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice in Barnet. Su is Chair of the PANS Clinical Guideline Development Group, part of our PANS PANDAS Steering Group.

Su has written three books for parents and was the “Mother and Baby” magazine paediatrician for many years. She has also been involved in broadcasting on many paediatric topics.

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. 

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.  

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.