Dr. Nathalie Nguyen is a pediatric gastroenterologist at the Children’s Hospital of Colorado. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas and medical degree from Texas A&M College of Medicine. She completed her pediatric internship and residency at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. She completed her Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition fellowship at the University of Colorado/ Children’s Hospital of Colorado where her research focused on the role of the epithelial barrier in eosinophilic esophagitis. Dr. Nguyen is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Gastroenterologist at the Children’s Hospital of Colorado in the Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Disease Program (GEDP) with the hope of improving the lives of children with eosinophilic GI disease by providing individualized, multi-disciplinary care. Her research and clinical interests are in eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease, including eosinophilic esophagitis and innovative methods for disease monitoring, including transnasal endoscopy. Transnasal endoscopy is where we are able to do endoscopy without general anesthesia in children.

Dr. Book has been involved in a volunteer capacity on the executive board of APFED, serving as the board’s President since 2009. She has led education, advocacy, research, and awareness efforts leading to the creation of National Eosinophil Awareness Week, NIH report language, the NIH Task Force on the Research Needs of Eosinophil-Associated Diseases (TREAD) document, insurance coverage of medical foods, and development of ICD-9-CM codes for eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases. She assisted in development of APFED’s HOPE on the Horizon Research Grant Program which has directed more than $2.3 million to research efforts to date. Her efforts have led to collaborations with other patient advocacy groups, physicians, medical societies, and federal agencies. Her experience as a parent of a chronically ill child, and as a physician, provides a unique perspective on the patient experience and challenges involved in navigating the medical system. 

Dr. Nathalie Nguyen is a pediatric gastroenterologist at the Children’s Hospital of Colorado. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas and medical degree from Texas A&M College of Medicine. She completed her pediatric internship and residency at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. She completed her Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition fellowship at the University of Colorado/ Children’s Hospital of Colorado where her research focused on the role of the epithelial barrier in eosinophilic esophagitis. Dr. Nguyen is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Gastroenterologist at the Children’s Hospital of Colorado in the Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Disease Program (GEDP) with the hope of improving the lives of children with eosinophilic GI disease by providing individualized, multi-disciplinary care. Her research and clinical interests are in eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease, including eosinophilic esophagitis and innovative methods for disease monitoring, including transnasal endoscopy. Transnasal endoscopy is where we are able to do endoscopy without general anesthesia in children.

Amiko Uchida, MD is a basic and translational physician-scientist gastroenterologist at the University of Utah School of Medicine where she also obtained her medical degree. She trained in gastroenterology at Massachusetts General Hospital and completed her post-doctoral work in the laboratories of John Garber and Stephanie Dougan. Dr. Uchida’s clinical and research interests include immune disorders of the GI tract, such as eosinophilic GI disease and inflammatory bowel diseases. She currently is investigating the increasingly common, yet poorly understood disease called eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and other eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases, focusing on signaling mechanisms of disease pathology, the microbiota and therapeutic options for patients suffering from EoE. Dr. Uchida’s other academic interests include the advancement of women in medicine and science and physician well-being.

Dr. Caitlin M. Burk is a physician-scientist at the Food Allergy Center in the Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at Massachusetts General Hospital for Children. She performs research in the laboratory of Wayne G. Shreffler, MD PhD focusing on the role of T cells in eosinophilic esophagitis and food allergy.

Dr. Furuta is the holder of the La Cache Gastrointestinal Allergic and Immunologic Diseases Endowed Chair from Children’s Hospital Colorado and Professor of Pediatrics with Tenure at University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is a faculty member of the Digestive Health Institute and Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition at Children’s Hospital Colorado where he serves as the Director of the Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Diseases Program (GEDP). The GEDP is a multidisciplinary program dedicated to providing care for children with eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases (EGIDs), including eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Dr. Glenn Furuta’s research focuses on determining mechanisms that eosinophils participate in gastrointestinal dysfunction. Translational and clinical studies funded by the National Institutes of Health are dedicated to determining novel methods to improve the lives of patients with EGIDs. He has published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters and review articles and is the editor of two books focusing on EGID and EoE. He is a member of the Society of Pediatric Research, American Pediatric Society, North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, American Gastroenterological Association and the International Eosinophil Society and is co-Principal Investigator for the Consortium of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease Researchers (CEGIR).

Dr. Calies Menard-Katcher is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and a Pediatric Gastroenterologist in the Digestive Health Institute at Children’s Hospital Colorado. There she is a clinician and Associate Director of Clinical Research within the Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Diseases Program (GEDP). A central goal of her clinical and research roles is to improve management strategies and outcomes for children and adolescents with EoE and other eosinophilic GI diseases. Her own research focuses on clinical and translational approaches to understand clinical phenotypes of EoE and the clinical, structural and molecular implication of esophageal remodeling in pediatric EoE

Dr. Oliva is Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Maternal and Child Health Department, at the Sapienza University of Rome. He has published over 70 manuscripts and 16 book chapters in international peer-reviewed journals in the field of pediatrics, gastroenterology and gastrointestinal endoscopy. He is a member a member of the European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) and currently involved in several working groups: Endoscopy Working Group, Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders WG (EGDIs) and in the IBD Interest Group. He is a coordinator of the European Prospective Pediatric Registry of Eosinophilic Esophagitis (pEEr) and The Pediatric Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders Biobank (PEGID-BB) on behalf of ESPGHAN, is a member of the steering committee of the EUREOS (European Consortium for Eosinophilic Diseases of the GI tract) and is a trainee of the Consortium of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease Researchers. 

Dr. Dan Atkins has been a practicing allergist for almost 40 years. After 20 years as the Head of the Division of Ambulatory Pediatrics at National Jewish Health he became the founding Chief of the Allergy & Immunology Section at Children’s Hospital Colorado from 2014-2019. Since 2007 he has been the Co-Director of the Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Disease Program, a multidisciplinary program designed for the optimal evaluation and treatment of children with gastrointestinal eosinophilic disorders. His career interests include adverse reactions to foods and eosinophilic diseases of the gut.

Dr. Maureen Bauer is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Section of Pediatric Allergy & Immunology at Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine. She serves as the fellowship training program director at Children's Hospital Colorado. She additionally works in the Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Diseases Program at Children's Hospital Colorado, a multidisciplinary team that provides outstanding care to children both locally and nationally with gastrointestinal eosinophilic diseases.

Raquel Durban, MS, RD, LDN, is a registered dietitian specializing in the dietary management of families with food allergies. She received her master of science degree in nutrition from the University of Maryland and completed a nutrition internship at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. As a recognized authority on the dietary and nutritional management of food allergies, she is a frequently invited speaker at allergy and immunology conferences and has the pleasure of precepting dietetic interns. Ms. Durban has contributed her expertise to peer-reviewed publications and continuing education programs.

Ms. Durban is a steering committee member and cochairs the internship program of the International Network of Dietitians and Nutritionists in Allergy and serves on the Medical Advisory Board of the International Association for Food Protein Enterocolitis. She plays an active role in the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). She serves on the organizations’ numerous committees, collaborating with other health care professionals and patient advocacy groups to improve quality of life and advance understanding for families living with the challenges of food allergies. 

From pediatric weight gains and losses to restricted diets for food allergy and disease management, she does not believe there is a one-size-fits- all answer for success. She will work to find the best balance of meeting nutritional needs with lifestyle demands and ensure collaboration with other members of the care team.

Dr. Maureen Bauer is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Section of Pediatric Allergy & Immunology at Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine. She serves as the fellowship training program director at Children's Hospital Colorado. She additionally works in the Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Diseases Program at Children's Hospital Colorado, a multidisciplinary team that provides outstanding care to children both locally and nationally with gastrointestinal eosinophilic diseases.

Kelly Klaczkiewicz is a pediatric dietitian, accredited by the Commission on Dietetic Registration since 2002 and has been with Children’s Hospital Colorado since 2012.  Kelly cares for a variety of patients seen within the Digestive Health Institute.  She loves working with children with EGIDs and to be a part of the Children's Hospital Colorado Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Diseases Program team!  She holds a Board Certification as a Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition from the Commission on Dietetic Registration.  Her personal interests include pottery, running, hiking and spending time with her adorable daughter!

Taryn Van Brennan, RDN is a pediatric clinical dietitian, accredited by the Commission on Dietetic Registration since 2014 and has been at Children’s Hospital Colorado ever since. Taryn specializes in working with patients with food allergies on restricted diets in the Allergy and Immunology Clinic. She also is a team member in the Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Diseases Program supporting patients and their families with eosinophilic esophagitis. She is a member of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) and the International Network of Dietitians and Nutritionists in Allergy (INDANA). Aside from her clinical work with patients, she is a preceptor and educator for dietetic interns and new dietitians interested in practicing in the food allergy world.

Rebecca Doidge has enjoyed practicing as an SLP and feeding specialist for over 23 years.   Working alongside families to create a positive mealtime experience and lifelong success with eating is a passion of hers.  Rebecca has extensive experience working alongside children with Eosinophilic Esophagitis, Pediatric Feeding Disorder, ARFID, Autism, and gastrointestinal disorders.  She has a unique understanding of how of GI pain and discomfort affects feeding, including different methodologies in feeding treatment for babies through teens.  Her years of practice in early intervention, home health, private practice, outpatient feeding clinics, and multidisciplinary care teams has provided Rebecca with an understanding of the dynamic relationship between a child and their caregivers.  She embraces a “whole child” approach to feeding, understanding that eating takes integration of all systems.  Rebecca is a Colorado native and currently lives in Denver with her husband, adult children, and dogs.  She enjoys hiking, skiing, playing games, and gardening.

Dr. Jane R. Robinson is currently a Pediatric Clinical Psychologist, Associate Professor: University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Colorado (CHOC) Section of Allergy and Immunology. She has practiced as a Pediatric Psychologist for 25 years at both National Jewish Health and CHOC where she has treated children and families struggling with atopic conditions, including food allergies, asthma, eosinophilic diseases, and a myriad of chronic medical conditions.  Her areas of clinical and research interest include managing and treating anxiety and depression in the context of chronic pediatric medical conditions, developing age-appropriate coping skills, providing parent training, and facilitating patient care within a multidisciplinary team approach. Her research interests are focused on eosinophilic disease and the psychosocial variables that give rise to stress and anxiety.

Dr. Book has been involved in a volunteer capacity on the executive board of APFED, serving as the board’s President since 2009. She has led education, advocacy, research, and awareness efforts leading to the creation of National Eosinophil Awareness Week, NIH report language, the NIH Task Force on the Research Needs of Eosinophil-Associated Diseases (TREAD) document, insurance coverage of medical foods, and development of ICD-9-CM codes for eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases. She assisted in development of APFED’s HOPE on the Horizon Research Grant Program which has directed more than $2.3 million to research efforts to date. Her efforts have led to collaborations with other patient advocacy groups, physicians, medical societies, and federal agencies. Her experience as a parent of a chronically ill child, and as a physician, provides a unique perspective on the patient experience and challenges involved in navigating the medical system. 

Ryan Piansky has eosinophilic esophagitis as well as eosinophilic asthma and follows a restricted diet. Despite health issues, he leads an active life including travel, such as a semester abroad, and patient advocacy efforts. A long-time volunteer of APFED and supporter of the organization’s mission, Ryan has educated lawmakers on Capitol Hill about eosinophil-associated diseases and the unmet needs of the patients, has shaped educational programming, and has participated in research initiatives. 

Mary Jo Strobel has 25 years of professional experience in the nonprofit sector with a specific focus on patient advocacy for allergic conditions. She has a broad background and direct experience in a multitude of initiatives related to patient education, disease awareness, advocacy, and research. She collaborates with research investigators, facilitates patient experience data, advises on recruitment strategies, and contributes to research design and protocol. She has co-authored numerous research abstracts and journal manuscripts. In addition to invitational speaking engagements around the U.S. and abroad to share insights and information to patients, providers, industry, government agencies, and other nonprofits, she also represents APFED as a member of the Consortium of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease Researchers; the Rare Disease Clinical Research Network Coalition of Patient Advocacy Groups; the Lay Organization Strategic Partnership of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; and in several national and global collaboratives to identify and address unmet needs for eosinophil-associated disease.

Dr. Book has been involved in a volunteer capacity on the executive board of APFED, serving as the board’s President since 2009. She has led education, advocacy, research, and awareness efforts leading to the creation of National Eosinophil Awareness Week, NIH report language, the NIH Task Force on the Research Needs of Eosinophil-Associated Diseases (TREAD) document, insurance coverage of medical foods, and development of ICD-9-CM codes for eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases. She assisted in development of APFED’s HOPE on the Horizon Research Grant Program which has directed more than $2.3 million to research efforts to date. Her efforts have led to collaborations with other patient advocacy groups, physicians, medical societies, and federal agencies. Her experience as a parent of a chronically ill child, and as a physician, provides a unique perspective on the patient experience and challenges involved in navigating the medical system. 

Ryan Piansky has eosinophilic esophagitis as well as eosinophilic asthma and follows a restricted diet. Despite health issues, he leads an active life including travel, such as a semester abroad, and patient advocacy efforts. A long-time volunteer of APFED and supporter of the organization’s mission, Ryan has educated lawmakers on Capitol Hill about eosinophil-associated diseases and the unmet needs of the patients, has shaped educational programming, and has participated in research initiatives. 

Dr. Lugogo is a Clinical Professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care Medicine at the University of Michigan. She is the Director of the Michigan Medicine Asthma Program and runs a busy outpatient practice that is focused on the management of severe and difficult to treat asthma. She served as the Medical Director of the Michigan Clinical Research Unit. She has a passion for patient care and participates in Industry funded clinical trials that are focused on identifying new therapies for patients with asthma. She also focuses on understanding the heterogeneity of treatment responses to biologics and the implementation of technology based approaches to optimize asthma management. She is currently the Director of a statewide quality improvement collaborative (INHALE) that focuses on improving the care of asthma and COPD.

Dr. Michael Rosenblum’s research focuses on understanding the fundamental mechanisms of how immune responses are regulated in peripheral tissues, and how this knowledge can be exploited to treat human disease. Using transgenic mouse model systems to mechanistically dissect how regulatory T cells (Tregs) function in tissues, Dr. Rosenblum has discovered that Tregs can differentiate into memory cells that utilize unique pathways for their establishment and long-term maintenance. In skin, these cells play major roles in wound healing and mediating tolerance to commensal microbes. His lab has discovered that skin-resident Tregs augment the function of epithelial stem cells during both hair follicle regeneration and epidermal barrier repair. Dr. Rosenblum also functionally investigates Tregs in human tissues and has discovered that human skin contains a unique population of tissue-resident Tregs. He has found that these Tregs are dysfunctional in patients with several inflammatory diseases. He was the scientific co-founder of Delinia Bio., and is a co-founder of TRex Bio. and Sitryx Bio. Currently, he has authored over 100 basic science research papers.

Dr. Thanai Pongdee is an allergist/immunologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He graduated from Duke University and received his medical degree from the University of Kentucky. He then completed an internal medicine/pediatrics residency at the University of Tennessee and allergy/immunology fellowship at Mayo Clinic. He is an active clinician, investigator, and educator. His research interests include hypereosinophilic syndromes, systemic mastocytosis, genomics, and information technologies. Dr. Pongdee also serves on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, and he has been selected as a Teacher of the Year by the Mayo Clinic Fellows’ Association.

Dr. Paneez Khoury is an investigator in the Human Eosinophil Section of the NIH where she is involved in clinical and translational research. Her research interests span a variety of eosinophilic disorders including hypereosinophilic syndromes (HES), eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs), Gleich’s syndrome, eosinophilic fasciitis, as well as development of patient-centered outcome and quality-of-life instruments for patients with HES. In addition to being an investigator in clinical trials and natural history clinical studies for these disorders, she spends her time training and mentoring Allergy/Immunology fellows as the Program Director for the A&I fellowship training program at NIH.

Holly Knotowicz holds a Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Nazareth College. She is a Speech Language Pathologist and a Feeding and Swallowing specialist with more than 10 years of experience. Her areas of clinical interest include behavioral, oral motor, and oral sensory feeding disorders, including mealtime dynamics. She specializes in working with children who have eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases, including eosinophilic esophagitis and working with children who have food allergies, FPIES, and neurogenic disorders. She is an active participant in research, has been published in Gastroenterology Journal and is an international speaker on feeding.

Ryan Piansky has eosinophilic esophagitis as well as eosinophilic asthma and follows a restricted diet. Despite health issues, he leads an active life including travel, such as a semester abroad, and patient advocacy efforts. A long-time volunteer of APFED and supporter of the organization’s mission, Ryan has educated lawmakers on Capitol Hill about eosinophil-associated diseases and the unmet needs of the patients, has shaped educational programming, and has participated in research initiatives.