Lipedema Foundation Advisors
Scientific Advisory Committee
Co-Chairs
Vincenza Cifarelli, PhD
Saint Louis University
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Tim Padera, PhD
Harvard University
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committee members
Rachelle Crescenzi, PhD
University of Virginia
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Pamela A. Nono Nankam, PhD
Helmholtz Munich Leipzig University Hospital
Philipp Kruppa, MD
Hospital Ernst von Bergmann, Potsdam
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Philipp Scherer, PhD
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Joseph Rutkowski, PhD
Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine
At-Large Advisors
Stephanie Peterson, MA
LF Consultant
Purpose & Scope
Scientific Advisory Committee
The Lipedema Foundation Scientific Advisory Committee provides expert scientific and strategic advice to the Foundation’s leadership, focusing on:
Shaping and helping to update the Lipedema Research Roadmap in the context of current research.
Participating on ad-hoc teams to advance high priority Roadmap recommendations (e.g., drafting a common case report form; creating a gold-standard diagnostic protocol/case definition for research purposes).
Reviewing grant proposals and advising on Foundation-initiated research projects.
Advising on usage and allocation of biobank samples and data, with additional oversight considerations when the LF CSO is the Principal Investigator.
The Committee’s role is advisory, offering expert guidance that informs— but does not replace— final decisions made by the Foundation CEO, CSO, and the Founder.
At-Large Advisors
In addition to the SAC, the Lipedema Foundation also has At-Large Advisors, including clinicians, scientists, and other experts, who offer specialized insight, targeted feedback, strategic connections, and occasional input in meetings to advance the Foundation’s research priorities.
Charter
For questions, reach out to the science team at awards@lipedema.org