Panos Englezos is a graduate of the London School of Economics. He is a successful businessman and founding member of the Cyprus Thalassaemia Association (CTA), serving as its first President - a post he held for 30 years. CTA has awarded him the Golden Medal and made him emeritus honourary president of CTA. CTA was among the first, if not the first patients' organisation to be established, setting the pace in the prevention and treatment of thalassaemia. Mr Englezos through his capacity as president of CTA is also a founding member of the Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF), playing a pivotal role in its establishment in 1986 and promotion, until to date. He is the first President of TIF - a post he holds to this day, and travels extensively to promote TIF's objectives and mission, in particular the establishment of national thalassaemia patients' associations.
Despite losing his son, who suffered from thalassaemia, at the age of 27 in 1993, Mr Englezos shows constant strength and persistence in his work for thalassaemia. He has won many honours for his contribution to the struggle against the worldwide problem of thalassaemia. In addition, Mr Englezos held other high level posts, outside the field of thalassaemia including membership of the Board of the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Chairman of the Cyprus Telecommunications Authority and more recently, Chairman of the Board of the Cyprus Tourist Organisation. Mr Englezos is very well nown and respected in the Cyprus but also in the international thalassaemia community. Mr Englezos was formally elected Chairman of the PBSA in 2005.
Dr Eleftheriou obtained her graduate and postgraduate degrees (BSc Hons, MSc, PhD) from the University of London, in the fields of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Virology. She has been awarded a number of scholarships by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Fulbright Commission. Her postdoctoral fellowship was completed at the Centre for Disease Control in Atlanta, GA, USA. Dr Eleftheriou has also recently obtained a Diploma in Business Management from the University of Leicester, UK. From 1990 and until August 2006, Dr Eleftheriou served as head of the Virus Reference Centre of the Cyprus Ministry of Health - a centre she was closely involved in its establishment and promotion. She is now the Executive Director of the Thalassaemia International Federation (TIF), based in Nicosia, Cyprus, and Coordinator of its educational programme. In addition, Dr Eleftheriou regularly acts as a WHO consultant on issues related to her field of expertise.
Through her work with TIF, Dr Eleftheriou has carried out numerous projects of local, national, regional and international scope, working closely with international experts, local physicians and thalassaemia associations worldwide. She is the author of several works published by TIF, as well as a number written in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other international bodies on a wide range of scientific topics. Dr Eleftheriou is the Chief Editor of TIF Magazine, issued quarterly and distributed to 3,500 subscribers in more than 40 countries worldwide. Dr Eleftheriou was elected as Secretary of PBSA in 2005 and appointed by the Board as Coordinator of the Scientific Advisory Board.
Michele Lipucci di Paola has been an active member of the Eurordis Board of Directors since its founding. He is a member of the Scientific Committee of Associazione Veneta per la Lotta alla Talassemia (Italy) and a member of COMP/EMEA/WGIP (Working Group Interested Parties). From1994 - 2006 he served as chairperson of the International Relations and Research Development Committee of Eurordis, and is a collaborative member of the Thalassaemia International Federation.
Michele is a researcher in Agriculture and Biological Science at the University of Pisa. As a research specialist in cell biology, he promoted the development of important projects of basic and clinical research in the haemoglobinopathies. He is actively devoted to assisting rare disease associations in the correct transfer of medical information to patients and their families, in Europe.
Dr Nkohkwo is the Chief Executive of the Sickle Cell Society and is currently participating in the UK NHS Public Health Leadership Development programme. He gained his PhD in Medicine at Hope Hospital, Manchester, followed by a Fellowship in Laboratory Medicine. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Health Promotion. He has worked for over ten years at the Royal Marsden Hospital, London, as a Clinical Scientist in Nuclear Medicine, taking a 'career break' to serve in community healthcare.
Dr Lorna Bennett is the Chairperson of the Sickle Cell Society UK and works for the NHS in England as a genetic counsellor, community nurse and service manager, specialising in haemoglobin disorders. Her work involves the provision of high quality information, counselling and nursing care and support for people living in an inner city area of London. She is a registered general nurse, health visitor, family planning nurse and field work tutor. For her M.Sc. diploma, Lorna carried out a study exploring the role of counselling in disease prevention. She gained her doctorate in Strategic & Policy Development in the Haemoglobinopathies and carried out research by conducting a survey on knowledge and competencies in the haemoglobinopathies among public health nurses in Camden & Islington area of London.
She is currently serving as professional development lead for the Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Association of Counsellors in the UK. Dr Bennett was elected Coordinator on all aspects of education and training.