2024 Amyloidosis Forum Annual Meeting

Angela Dispenzieri, M.D., is a consultant in the Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic. She has joint appointments in the Division of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, and the Department of Molecular Medicine. Dr. Dispenzieri holds the academic rank of Professor of Medicine and of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, and she is recognized with the distinction of a named professorship, the Serene M. and Frances C. Durling Professorship. She joined the staff of Mayo Clinic in 1998 and served as Chair of Hematology Research from 2014 to 2022. She served as the President of the International Society of Amyloidosis from 2016 to 2018, and currently chairs the Mayo Clinic Amyloid Interest Group.

Isabelle Lousada has been the driving force behind ARC, building successful collaborations and programs across the sectors to advance the science and understanding of the amyloidosis diseases.

Isabelle was diagnosed with AL amyloidosis and was one of the first patients to successfully undergo a stem cell transplant. For the past twenty years she has been committed to empowering other patients while serving on several boards and committees, speaking at leadership meetings and key events to encourage research, increase access, and support the critical and unmet needs of amyloidosis patients.

Professor Julian Gillmore undertook MD and PhD degrees in the field of amyloidosis.  His research interests include pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of amyloidosis.  He was appointed Centre Head at UCL’s Centre for Amyloidosis in 2019 and is research lead at the UK National Amyloidosis Centre.  He has published more than 300 peer-reviewed articles, has supervised a number of students through post-doctoral research degrees, is CI/PI on a range of amyloid-related clinical trials, and has received extensive grant funding.

Dr. Maurer is a general internist and geriatric cardiologist with advanced training in heart failure and cardiac transplantation. He is the Arnold and Arlene Goldstein Professor of Cardiology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, where directs the Clinical Cardiovascular Research Laboratory for the Elderly (CCRLE). Dr. Maurer is a member of the Advanced Cardiac Care Center at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital – Columbia Campus.

He has published over 350 articles including peer reviewed manuscripts, reviews and book chapters. He was Chair of the American College of Cardiology’s Geriatric Cardiology Member Section, which is the largest organization dedicated to advancing the care of older adults with cardiovascular disease. He was co-chair of the Steering Committee of the ATTR-ACT trial showing tafamidis was a safe and effective therapy for transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy. Throughout his career, he has promulgated an approach to older adults with cardiovascular disease that offers the best of both geriatric and cardiovascular medicine in which a comprehensive holistic approach to enhance functional capacity and quality of life is at the forefront of emerging techniques to address cardiovascular physiologic derangement that disproportionately afflict older adults.

Michelle is a senior researcher and leader with more than 20 years of experience in patient-centered research and outcome measurement, including the development, modification, and evaluation of patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures and other clinical outcome assessments (COA). She has led or advised on 80+ studies that have included qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method research methodologies, including measurement strategy for regulatory engagement, dossier development, landscape and gap analysis, patient preference, observational studies, meta-analyses, in-trial interviews, and others across a broad range of rare and prevalent conditions; and research on the of technology and eCOA, including novel approaches to make it easier for patients and their families to participate in research studies. Her expertise includes strategic consultation and preparation for regulatory meetings and submissions to support product labeling based on COA endpoints. Prior to joining QM in 2008, Michelle conducted addiction treatment outcome studies and supported a comprehensive assessment system for addiction and mental health treatment. She has also held adjunct positions at Illinois State University and the University of Illinois, where she earned her master’s degree and PhD in sociology, respectively. 

Dr. Preston Dunnmon received his medical degree from the Duke University School of Medicine, following which he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Cardiology fellowship at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. He was the recipient of an American Heart Association / Bugher Foundation Molecular Cardiology Fellowship, during which his research focus was G-protein mediated transmembrane signal transduction in the heart, and he reviewed manuscripts regarding G-proteins for Circulation. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. After serving in the US Air Force as Division Chief of Cardiology at Andrews Air Force Base Medical Center and cardiac catheterization laboratory staff at both Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda National Naval Medical Center, Preston transitioned to private industry where he was Section Head of late phase clinical development for cardiovascular, GI, and GU development programs globally at Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals. In 2010, Preston returned to government service, most recently as clinical team leader and cross-disciplinary team leader for the Division of Cardiology and Nephrology at the US Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. After departing FDA in 2021, Preston transitioned to Janssen Research and Development where he is currently Vice President, Data Science, Cardiovascular/Metabolism & Pulmonary Hypertension. He holds current board certifications in both Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Diseases.

Rajshekhar Chakraborty, MD is an assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in the division of hematology/oncology. Dr. Chakraborty cares primarily for patients with plasma cells disorders, including multiple myeloma, AL amyloidosis, monoclonal gammopathy of clinical significance, and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia. His research interests include clinical trials and outcomes research in plasma cell disorders.

Rosalyn Adigun, MD, PharmD, MSc received her MD and PharmD degrees from University of Texas Medical Branch and University of Houston College of Pharmacy respectively. She completed training in Adult Cardiology, Advanced Echocardiology, and Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology at Mayo Clinic Rochester. She also holds a M.Sc. in Clinical and Translational Sciences from Mayo Clinic School of Biomedical Sciences with an area of interest in Cardiac Amyloidosis. Dr. Adigun is a Medical Officer within the Division of Cardiovascular and Renal Products, Office of New Drugs in CDER/FDA.