Yolanda de Diego Otero, PhD

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Dr. Yolanda de Diego Otero graduated with a bachelors in Biology from the Universidad de Sevilla, she is a doctor in Molecular and Cellular Biology. She completed her postdoctoral training at the Department of Clinical Genetics at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam (The Netherlands) and at the Department of Pharmacology at the Faculty of Medicine of the Universidad de Málaga. She has been dedicated to study fragile X syndrome and other neurodevelopmental disorders for almost 30 years. Her research has used a mutant mouse model that manifests fragile X syndrome and the preclinical results showed a possible therapeutic target for the disease by treating brain oxidative stress. She currently coordinates the research group CTS546, based since 2002 at the Hospital Regional Universitario. She has participated as principal investigator in numerous research projects and clinical trials. Their results have been published in high-impact international journals. In addition, she has participated as a speaker, scientific committee and organizer of conferences both in Spain and internationally. She has active participation in societies and associations focused on the study and dissemination of information about fragile X syndrome, autism, and other child development disorders.

Yolanda de Diego Otero, PhD

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La Dra. Yolanda de Diego Otero es licenciada en Biología por la Universidad de Sevilla, es doctora en Biología Molecular y Celular. Realizo su entrenamiento postdoctoral en el Departamento de Genética Clínica en la Universidad Erasmus de Rotterdam (Holanda) y en el Departamento de Farmacología de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Málaga. Ha estado dedicada a la investigación del síndrome X frágil y otros trastornos del neurodesarrollo infantil por casi 30 años. Su investigación tiene como base el modelo de ratón mutante que manifiesta el síndrome X frágil y los resultados preclínicos mostraron una posible diana terapéutica para la enfermedad tratando el estrés oxidativo cerebral. Actualmente coordina el grupo de investigación CTS546, radicado desde 2002 en el Hospital Regional Universitario. Ha participado como investigadora principal en numerosos proyectos de investigación y ensayos clínicos. Sus resultados han sido publicados en revistas internacionales de alto impacto. Además, ha participado como ponente, comité científico y organizadora de conferencias tanto en España como a nivel internacional. Tiene participación activa en sociedades y asociaciones enfocadas en el estudio y la difusión de información acerca del síndrome X frágil, el autismo, y los trastornos del desarrollo infantil.

Maribel Hernandez

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Maribel Hernandez es Especialista en Alcance Comunitario en el Centro de Recursos del Centro para la Excelencia en Discapacidades del Desarrollo (CEDD) del MIND Institute. Maribel brinda recursos, apoyo y educación a las familias, asegurando que los recursos sean cultural y lingüísticamente apropiados. Entre sus muchos roles, Maribel facilita “Vamos a platicar”, que es una serie de seis semanas realizada completamente en español para padres de niños con discapacidades para compartir sus experiencias, aprender sobre el diagnóstico y las necesidades de sus hijos, y ayudarlos a alcanzar su máximo potencial. También facilita el grupo “Junta para la Comunidad” y es la coordinadora de la conferencia anual en español del MIND Institute “Aprendiendo Juntos”. Maribel es madre de 2 adultos jóvenes que viven con autismo y ha estado en el CEDD por los últimos 8 años.

Maribel Hernandez

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Maribel Hernandez is a Community Outreach Specialist in the MIND Institute’s Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (CEDD) Resource Center. Maribel provides resources, support, and education to families, ensuring that resources are culturally and linguistically appropriate. Among her many roles, Maribel facilitates the parent-group Vamos a platicar (Let’s Talk), which is a six-week series conducted entirely in Spanish for parents of children with disabilities to share their experiences, learn about their child’s diagnosis and needs, and help them achieve their full potential. She also facilitates the group Meeting in the Community and is the coordinator of the MIND Institute’s annual Spanish language conference “Aprendiendo Juntos.” Maribel is a parent of 2 young adults living with autism and has been with the Center for 8 years.

Patricia Soto-Icaza, PhD

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Dr. Patricia Soto-Icaza is a professor and researcher at the Center for Research in Social Complexity (CICS) of the Universidad del Desarrollo (UDD), Santiago, Chile. She is a psychologist, she graduated from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile . She has a master’s degree in clinical psychology, with a doctorate in neuroscience from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. She has more than 20 years of experience in patient care as a clinical psychologist and more than 15 years dedicated to autism research. She has focused her studies on her on her on her on her in the area of ​​neurodevelopment of the social brain with special emphasis on the precursors of the development of social skills in childhood.She currently leads research projects on children with special educational needs and autism in women. She is an author in publications in scientific journals and books.

 

Patricia Soto-Icaza, PhD

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La Dra. Patricia Soto-Icaza es profesora e investigadora en el Centro de Investigación en Complejidad Social (CICS) de la Universidad del Desarrollo (UDD), Santiago, Chile. Es psicologa egresada de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Es magíster en psicología clínica, con un doctorado en neurociencias de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Cuenta con más de 20 años de experiencia en atención de pacientes como psicóloga clínica y más de 15 años dedicada a la investigación en autismo. Ha profundizado sus estudios en el neurodesarrollo del cerebro social con especial énfasis en los precursores del desarrollo de habilidades sociales en la niñez. Actualmente lidera investigaciones en niños y niñas con necesidades educativas especiales y autismo en mujeres. Con publicaciones en revistas científicas y participación en libros.

Dilian Francisca Toro Torres

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Dr Toro is a physician. She graduated from the Universidad Libre Cali, Colombia. Specialist in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and in Health Administration of the Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia. She was Mayor (1992-1994) of the Municipality of Guacarí, Valle del Cauca; she served as Health Secretary of the Department and Health Consultant of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). In 2002 she was elected Senator.  In 2006, she served as President of the Congress and in 2010, as President of the Constitutional Seventh Permanent Commission. Advocate for health issues and author of the Reform to Law 100, the Human Resource on Health Act, the Anti-Smoking Law, Non-Violence against Women Law and the Orphan Diseases Law. She was a panelist at the UN General Assembly. She has received several distinctions as the Order of Congress of the Republic for her work as president of the Senate; José Vicente Huertas Order of Merit of the Colombian Cancer Institute and the Award for Leadership and Excellence in Smoke-Free Environments policies from The Global Smoke Free Partnership. She was Governor of the Valle del Cauca for the period 2016-2019. During her period, she was elected best Governor in categories 1 and 2, distinction awarded by the Colombia Leader Foundation to the Best Mayors and Governors for the period 2016-2019.

Posters

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Poster submission deadline: September 15, 2022

Call for poster presentation at the 1st Pan American Congress of Autism, Fragile X Syndrome and Neurodevelopmental Disorders:

Within the framework of the activities of the 1st Pan American Congress of Autism, Fragile X Syndrome and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, the call to participate in the presentation of scientific posters is open

1. About the presentation of posters:

The Congress will take place in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, October 27th & 28th, 2022.

The purpose of the Congress is to update professionals on basic concepts of neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as comorbidities, diagnosis, treatments and new pharmacological, therapeutic, technological, genetic and clinical advances. With the presentation of the poster format, the aim is to enhance scientific communication and dissemination of research projects.

The presentation of posters shall have only the in-person modality:

Posters will be exhibited from the morning of the first day of the Congress to the afternoon of the last day. At least one of the authors must be registered and ready to present the poster, answer questions and enter into dialogue with the participants, in a period of two hours that will be communicated to the authors.

Proposals will have to go through an evaluation process, which will be based on a summary/abstract. The evaluation will be carried out by a Scientific Evaluation Committee. Under no circumstances a poster proposal may be accepted if it cannot be presented in person by the authors themselves during the Congress.

2. Selection process:

The summary/abstract of the poster (up to 300 words) must be accompanied by the following information:

1. Poster title

2. Full name of the author(s).

3. The name of the author submitting must be underlined

4. Institution or entity to which the authors are affiliated to

5. Email and contact phone number

6. Keywords (4-6)

7. Specify the area: scientific or clinical

The deadline for submission of poster summaries is still TBD. Abstracts must be sent via email to copa.axt@gmail.com

The Scientific Committee will evaluate the proposals and communicate to the authors, by e-mail, their acceptance or rejection decision.

The criteria to be evaluated are: Consistency and relevance with the contents of the Congress

Once the poster summary is accepted, the authors can proceed to print the poster. The printed version must have the following dimensions: 122 cm (high) by 92 (wide), and will be mounted in the exhibition space defined on Thursday, October 27th (before the official opening).

3. Recognition and awards:

The posters will be evaluated by the scientific evaluation committee during the two-hour period assigned for presentation. Once the poster presentation session is completed, the 3 most outstanding works will be announced. The winners will receive a certificate of recognition and the reimbursement of the total registration cost.

Extended versions of the presented work will be published by Revista de Neurología – Spain

Scientific Evaluation Committee:

1. Bibiana M Restrepo, MD (USA)

2. Rosa D Rodriguez, MD (USA)

3. Denise Medici, PhD (Spain)

4. Leticia Boada, PhD (Spain)

5. César Payán, MD, PhD (Colombia)

Brett Dufour, PhD

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Dr. Dufour is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Davis in the laboratory of Dr. Veronica Martinez-Cerdeno.  He earned his PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and his MS in Animal Sciences from Purdue University. The focus of his research is to characterize the neuropathological mechanisms that underlie neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, and to use these findings to develop targeted genetic and pharmacological therapies. His MS thesis research focused on abnormal repetitive behaviors in animals, with an emphasis in stereotypic and compulsive behaviors. He has worked with a variety of different species, including human and non-human primates as well as a variety of rodent species. Currently he is investigating whether there are alterations in the neural circuitry that regulates social behavior in fragile X syndrome and autism utilizing human postmortem brain tissue.

Amaya Miquelajauregui, PhD

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Dr. Miquelajauregui is an assistant professor at the Institute of Neurobiology of the University of Puerto Rico at the Medical Sciences Campus. Research in Dr. Miquelajauregui’s lab aims to understand brain development processes from embryonic to postnatal stages and to characterize alterations caused by genetic and environmental factors using rodent models of neurodevelopmental disorders. She also currently conducts a longitudinal study that tracks infants under 3 months to 18 months of age trying to describe the development trajectories of high-risk populations using cognitive and physiological measures.