{"id":4620,"date":"2022-08-18T09:02:48","date_gmt":"2022-08-18T16:02:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deepconnections.net\/?page_id=4620"},"modified":"2026-07-07T12:36:43","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T16:36:43","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/deepconnections.net\/ug\/about-us\/","title":{"rendered":"\u0628\u0649\u0632 \u06be\u06d5\u0642\u0642\u0649\u062f\u06d5"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>DEE-P Connections is a global, parent-led organization supporting families affected by developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE) through trusted resources, education, and advocacy. We unite families, experts, and partner organizations worldwide to improve quality of life and accelerate progress toward better care and treatments.<\/p>\n<h1>\n\t\t\tLeadership Team\t<\/h1>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/deepconnections.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/PXL_20220915_131804965.PORTRAIT-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Gabi Conecker Portrait NEW\" height=\"2560\" width=\"1440\" title=\"Gabi Conecker Portrait NEW\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n\t<h2><strong>Gabi Conecker, MPH<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong><em>President and Co-founder of the International SCN8A Alliance, DEE-P Connections and The Inchstone Project<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Gabi is mom to Elliott, now 13 years old, who struggles with one of the most severe strains of SCN8A mutations. Gabi founded Wishes for Elliott to fight for better treatment and research even before Elliott was diagnosed with SCN8A at 15 months. At diagnosis, the family received the one published article on SCN8A in children offering little to no guidance on care, treatment, or prognosis. Even though she was still working full time building maternal\/child health programs in sub-Saharan Africa and caring for a severely medically fragile child, she was inspired to bring the passion and urgency of SCN8a families to the nascent but growing community of SCN8A researchers and clinicians &#8211; and do everything possible to improve understanding for better treatment and outcomes for all SCN8A children.<\/p>\n<p>View a video about the\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=KT3ZF4x5CU4\">decision to launch their initial foundation, Wishes for Elliott.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-0\">View Gabi&#8217;s Bio<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-0\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Coming soon&#8230;<\/p>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/deepconnections.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/jayettav2-768x1024-1.jpeg\" alt=\"jayettav2-768x1024\" height=\"1024\" width=\"768\" title=\"jayettav2-768x1024\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n\t<h2><strong>JayEtta Hecker, MS<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong><em>Board Chair and Co-founder of the International SCN8A Alliance, DEE-P Connections and The Inchstone Project. JayEtta is an economist who specialized in independent public policy analyses and held several positions with the National Academy of Sciences.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>JayEtta trained and served in multiple federal agencies, including 25 years with the Congressional research arm, the Government Accountability Office. Elliott was her first grandchild and she was an active caregiver and partner in his diagnostic odyssey. She partnered with Gabi, her daughter, to form Wishes for Elliott to advance SCN8A research and create a lasting legacy for Elliott, who continues to serve as an inspiration with his pure love, connection, resilience, and joy.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-0\">View JayEtta&#8217;s Bio<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-0\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Board Chair and Co-founder of the International SCN8A Alliance and Wishes for Elliott. JayEtta is an economist who specialized in independent public policy analyses and held several positions with the National Academy of Sciences.<\/p>\n<p>JayEtta is a formidable advocate in the fight against SCN8A and developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. Her journey into SCN8A and DEE advocacy is deeply personal, driven by her connection to the cause as the mother of Gabi Conecker, the Executive Director, and grandmother to Elliott, who has SCN8A and Severe DEE.<\/p>\n<p>JayEtta had an illustrious career as an economist and policy analyst. She held key positions with the National Academy of Sciences and contributed 25 years to the Government Accountability Office, the Congressional research arm. Her work in public policy analysis and her numerous testimonies before Congress have laid a solid foundation for her current advocacy, allowing her to navigate and influence the complex landscape of medical research and healthcare policy.<\/p>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/deepconnections.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/kelly.jpg\" alt=\"kelly\" height=\"300\" width=\"300\" title=\"kelly\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n\t<h2><strong>Kelly Muzyczka, PhD<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong><em>Executive Deputy Director of the International SCN8A Alliance, DEE-P Connections, and The Inchstone Project. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Kelly is a social scientist with a focus on health equity, data science, and social networks. She has extensive experience making data relatable and maximizing presentation to ensure accessibility across a wide range of backgrounds and needs.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-0\">View Kelly&#8217;s Bio<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-0\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Coming soon&#8230;<\/p>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/deepconnections.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/gabby.sarlo_.jpg\" alt=\"gabby.sarlo\" height=\"400\" width=\"400\" title=\"gabby.sarlo\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n\t<h2><strong>Gabby Sarlo, PhD<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Program Director &amp; Lead Scientist<\/p>\n<p>Gabby Sarlo is a clinical neuroscientist with seven years of experience in pediatric epilepsy, contributing through research, scientific program leadership, and science policy engagement. She is committed to translating complex science into clear, accessible information for researchers, clinicians, and families.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-0\">View Gabby&#8217;s Bio<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-0\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Coming soon&#8230;<\/p>\n<h1>\n\t\t\tStaff\t<\/h1>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/deepconnections.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/shannon.jpeg\" alt=\"shannon\" height=\"1600\" width=\"1200\" title=\"shannon\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n\t<p><strong>Shannon Guardiola<\/strong><\/p>\n\t<p><strong>DEE-P Connections Community Outreach<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-0\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-0\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/deepconnections.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NNarino.jpeg\" alt=\"Headshot of N Nari\u00f1o\" height=\"800\" width=\"800\" title=\"NNari\u00f1o\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n\t<p><strong>Natalia Nari\u00f1o, MA<\/strong><\/p>\n\t<p><strong>DDE Program Manager<\/strong><\/p>\n\tNatalia is a Program Manager with 10+ years of experience designing and implementing complex, multi-program portfolios in mission-driven environments.\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-0\">View Natalia&#8217;s Bio<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-0\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/deepconnections.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_0735-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"Caragh Maloney with Jordan, a cutie living with an undiagnosed DEE\" height=\"1920\" width=\"2560\" title=\"IMG_0735\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n\t<p><strong>Caragh Maloney<\/strong><\/p>\n\t<p><strong>Communications Intern<\/strong><\/p>\n\t<p>Caragh is a DDE Intern and a senior at the University of Connecticut, where she recently graduated with her degree in English.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-0\">View Caragh&#8217;s Bio<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-0\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n<h1>\n\t\t\tBoard of Directors\t<\/h1>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/deepconnections.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/jayettav2-768x1024-1.jpeg\" alt=\"jayettav2-768x1024\" height=\"1024\" width=\"768\" title=\"jayettav2-768x1024\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n\t<p><strong>JayEtta Hecker<\/strong><\/p>\n\t<p><strong>Board Chair<\/strong><\/p>\n\t<p>Read JayEtta&#8217;s bio above in the leadership team section.<\/p>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/deepconnections.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/mills.jpg\" alt=\"mills\" height=\"379\" width=\"474\" title=\"mills\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n\t<p><strong>Juliane Mills, MPH<\/strong><\/p>\n\t<p><strong>Vice Chair &amp; Governance Committee Chair<\/strong><\/p>\n\t<p>Juliane Mills is a rare disease clinical and therapeutic strategy leader with more than 20 years of experience across research and global drug development. Her work focuses on building strong partnerships between patient advocacy groups and industry to advance patient-centered clinical research in complex and underserved conditions.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-0\">View Juliane&#8217;s Bio<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-0\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Juliane Mills is a rare disease clinical and therapeutic strategy leader with more than two decades of experience spanning laboratory science, clinical research, and global drug development. She currently serves as Executive Director of Therapeutic Strategy for Rare Disease and Real-World Evidence at Worldwide Clinical Trials, where she partners with biopharma and advocacy stakeholders to advance development programs across complex and underserved conditions.<\/p>\n<p>Throughout her career, Juliane has held senior roles in scientific affairs, clinical operations, and therapeutic strategy at organizations including ICON, PRA Health Sciences, United BioSource Corporation, Centocor, and DuPont Pharmaceuticals. Her work has supported programs from early development through late-stage clinical trials, with deep expertise in rare disease trial design, regulatory strategy, endpoint development, and Good Clinical Practice. She has also served as a science consultant to the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, contributing to initiatives aimed at accelerating biomedical research and collaboration.<\/p>\n<p>Juliane holds a Master of Science in Public Health and a Master of Science in Science Communication. She is deeply committed to strengthening collaboration between patient advocacy organizations, researchers, and industry, with a focus on elevating caregiver and patient priorities in drug development. As a member of the Board of Directors, she brings strategic insight, cross-sector perspective, and a strong commitment to advancing meaningful, patient-centered research for developmental and epileptic encephalopathies.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/deepconnections.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Anne.jpg\" alt=\"Anne\" height=\"300\" width=\"300\" title=\"Anne\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n\t<p><strong>Anne Thompson Heller, PhD, LMFT<\/strong><\/p>\n\t<p><strong>Secretary<\/strong><\/p>\n\t<p>Anne holds a PhD in human development and family sciences and has worked in research, clinical care, and policy focused on health and wellbeing. She is also the mother of a child with DEE, bringing lived experience to her commitment to supporting families.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-0\">View Anne&#8217;s Bio<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-0\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\tAnne is a respected professional in the field of human development and family sciences, with a Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut. Her academic work focuses on health and wellbeing, particularly in the context of collegiate recovery programs. She has applied her expertise as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist to provide supportive mental health services and contribute to policy development at the University of Connecticut.\nIn her personal life, Anne is a dedicated mother to daughter Jordan, who has DEE, giving her a deeply personal connection to the condition. Her professional pursuits are informed and enriched by her firsthand experiences, driving her commitment to support and advocate for families navigating similar challenges.\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/deepconnections.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/brian.jpg\" alt=\"brian\" height=\"200\" width=\"200\" title=\"brian\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n\t<p><strong>Brian Pfister<\/strong><\/p>\n\t<p><strong>Fundraising Committee Chair<\/strong><\/p>\n\t<p>Brian is a pharmaceutical and biotechnology executive with nearly 30 years of experience in epilepsy and rare neurological disorders. His work is shaped by both industry leadership and his experience as a parent of a child with epilepsy.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-0\">View Brian&#8217;s Bio<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-0\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/deepconnections.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/gibbons.jpg\" alt=\"gibbons\" height=\"474\" width=\"474\" title=\"gibbons\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n\t<p><strong>Ariel Gibbons<\/strong><\/p>\n\t<p><strong>Treasurer (Acting)<\/strong><\/p>\n\t<p>Ariel is an educator with a deeply personal connection to SCN8A and is dedicated to supporting families with SCN8A and DEEs. Her work focuses on strategic communications and board advocacy.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-0\">View Ariel&#8217;s Bio<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-0\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Ariel Gibbons has over 15 years experience as an educator. Ariel&#8217;s expertise and dedication shine in her advocacy for inclusive education.<\/p>\n<p>Her passion for education extends beyond the classroom, as she holds a master&#8217;s degree in ESL and Special Education and K-12 education.<\/p>\n<p>Her commitment to the International SCN8A Alliance exemplifies her dedication to making a difference in the lives of those affected by SCN8A and DEEs.<\/p>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/deepconnections.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/halpern.jpg\" alt=\"halpern\" height=\"294\" width=\"294\" title=\"halpern\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n\t<p><strong>Michael Halpern<\/strong><\/p>\n\t<p>Michael Halpern is a science and technology policy leader with more than 20 years of experience advancing mission-driven programs across healthcare, government, and advocacy organizations. His work focuses on strategic communications, movement building, and integrating scientific evidence into effective public policy.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-0\">View Michael&#8217;s  Bio<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-0\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Michael is a dedicated Science &amp; Technology Policy Program Director with a rich background spanning over two decades. Known for his strategic leadership and commitment to integrating science in policy-making, Michael has steered significant initiatives across healthcare, government, and various sectors. He is passionate about advancing scientific integrity and fostering collaborative solutions to complex challenges. With a knack for communication and innovation, Michael is a respected figure in science policy, continually working to ensure that scientific insights lead to positive societal impact.<\/p>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/deepconnections.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/79CEF326-48FF-4417-B315-5BC3F413803E.png\" alt=\"Ryan Ruggiero Headshot\" height=\"1254\" width=\"1254\" title=\"Ryan Ruggiero Headshot\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n\t<p><strong>Ryan Ruggiero<\/strong><\/p>\n\t<p><strong>Treasurer<\/strong><\/p>\n\t<p>Ryan Ruggiero is a finance leader with more than a decade of experience helping organizations improve financial visibility, strengthen operating discipline, and navigate complex business decisions. His background combines experience operating within the complexity of a Fortune 100 company with executive finance leadership in smaller company environments.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-0\">View Ryan&#8217;s Bio<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-0\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Across his career, Ryan has led and supported work across financial planning and analysis, strategic finance, cash forecasting, working capital management, cost structure improvement, board reporting, banking relationships, and cross-functional business partnership. He has partnered with executive teams, boards, lenders, and operational leaders to support sustainable decision-making and improve organizational performance.<\/p>\n<p>Ryan holds an MBA with a concentration in Strategy and Finance from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management, as well as a master&#8217;s degree in accounting. He is also the father of a daughter diagnosed with an SCN8A-related developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, giving him a deeply personal connection to the rare epilepsy community. As Treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors, Ryan brings financial stewardship, strategic operating experience, and a caregiver&#8217;s perspective to Decoding Developmental Epilepsies. He is committed to supporting the organization&#8217;s mission to advance research, improve collaboration, and help create a more hopeful future for children and families affected by developmental and epileptic encephalopathies.<\/p>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/deepconnections.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/CDB2025.jpeg\" alt=\"Chris Breder Headshot\" height=\"400\" width=\"400\" title=\"CDB2025\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n\t<p><strong>Chris Breder<\/strong><\/p>\n\t<p><strong>Treasurer (Acting)<\/strong><\/p>\n\t<p>Christopher D. Breder, MD, PhD is a physician-scientist with extensive experience in both the pharmaceutical industry and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As a former FDA Medical Officer and Lead Medical Officer, he contributed to the review of numerous INDs and multiple NDA\/BLA approvals across neurology, anesthesiology, and rare diseases.\u00a0<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-0\">View Chris&#8217;s Bio<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-0\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>In industry, he has served in senior clinical development leadership roles at Sunovion, Supernus, and Bristol Myers Squibb, and now consults widely across biotech, investment, and legal sectors. Dr. Breder brings deep expertise in clinical trial design, regulatory strategy, safety assessment, and product development from early-stage programs through approval, and into life cycle management. He has been involved in 18 approvals and major labeling changes, including 2 anti-epileptic drugs.<\/p>\n<figure itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/deepconnections.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/unnamed.jpg\" alt=\"Inna Hughes Headshot\" height=\"480\" width=\"320\" title=\"Inna Hughes Headshot\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t<\/figure>\n\t<p><strong>Inna Hughes<\/strong><\/p>\n\t<p>Inna Hughes, MD, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Child Neurology and Epilepsy at the University of Rochester, in Rochester, NY. Her clinical interests in pediatric epilepsy focus on the care of patients with developmental epileptic encephalopathies.\u00a0<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\"  id=\"fl-accordion--label-0\">View Inna&#8217;s Bio<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" id=\"fl-accordion--icon-0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"fl-accordion--panel-0\"><i>Expand<\/i><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Dr. Hughes completed undergraduate at Williams College and graduated from Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine from the combined MD, PhD program in Developmental Biology. She completed her Child Neurology residency training and a Pediatric Epilepsy fellowship at the UofR. She is currently serving as the Chief of the Pediatric Epilepsy and the Interim Chief of the Child Neurology Divisions. \u00a0 Her clinically focused academic interests include the genetics of childhood onset epilepsy syndromes, dietary therapy in children and teens, transition of care for young adults with epilepsy, and development of teaching and community programs to improve education and awareness for patients with epilepsy.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>DEE-P Connections is a global, parent-led organization supporting families affected by developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE) through trusted resources, education, and advocacy. 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