We are delighted to welcome James Goss, PhD, as the new Scientific Director of the STXBP1 Foundation. With the accelerating pace of STXBP1 research and projects, we wanted a dedicated, experienced researcher to drive our work in collaboration with our Scientific Advisory Board, parent Board and research community. Read on for Dr. Goss' greeting and his background:
Hello. First off, please know how honored I am to represent the STXBP1 Foundation as its new Scientific Director. I am a neuroscientist with 30 years of experience in academia, pharma, and non-profits. As an academic I carried out basic research on aging, neurodegeneration, traumatic brain injury, and genetics. As a faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh I taught courses on neuroscience and behavior, neuroanatomy, and neurobiology of aging. While there, I collaborated with a group of other scientists to develop gene therapies for several neurological disorders including Parkinson’s disease, chronic pain, and peripheral neuropathy. I was fortunate in being able to take a gene therapy treatment for severe pain from research concept to human clinical trials. I have worked to develop gene therapies at a small biotech company and biologic drugs at a global pharmaceutical. I have spent the last several years working with non-profit organizations, first in developing anti-HIV drugs and drug/devices for women, primarily for sub-Sahara Africa, and most recently I oversaw the gene therapy program for neurofibromatosis type 1 at a family foundation.
It is clear to me that the STXBP1 Foundation has made incredible progress over a relatively short period of time due to the tireless efforts of the parents and dedicated scientists. As Scientific Director I will use my knowledge and experience in neuroscience and drug development to meet the challenges ahead in finding a cure. Please always feel free to contact me if you have any questions concerning the scientific efforts of the Foundation.
-James Goss, PhD