The CMTA-STAR Advisory Board brings together world-leading experts to guide and accelerate every stage of CMT research, from early discovery to clinical trial delivery and everything in between. This integrated structure ensures that all CMTA-STAR-funded projects are scientifically sound, translationally relevant, and clinically actionable.
The Advisory Board Comprises Three Core Groups
Scientific Advisory Board (SAB)
The SAB provides scientific input and strategic guidance across the CMTA-STAR research portfolio. Its responsibilities include:
- Evaluating the strength and relevance of research proposals
- Reviewing progress of active projects and recommending adjustments as needed
- Identifying and refining key biological targets for each CMT subtype
Therapy Expert Board (TEB)
The TEB assesses the translational potential of proposed and ongoing projects, focusing on:
- Pharmacological strategy and therapeutic feasibility
- Preclinical model selection and alignment with clinical goals
- Opportunities for strategic partnerships with industry
Clinical Expert Board (CEB)
The CEB supports clinical trial readiness by:
- Informing trial design based on natural history and clinical experience
- Advising on biomarker validation and outcome measures
- Supporting trial site recruitment through the CMTA Centers of Excellence and the CMTA-INC Alliance
Together, these boards help ensure that CMTA-STAR investments lead to real-world solutions for people living with CMT.
Meet the Scientific Advisory Board
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Joined: 2015
Type/Subtype Expertise: Demyelinating CMT
Therapy Approach Expertise: Small Molecule
Click to Read Dr. Popko’s Bio
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Joined: 2022
Type/Subtype Expertise: All dominant forms of CMT, with an emphasis on CMT2A, CMT2E, CMT1B
Therapy Approach Expertise: Genetic Therapy | CRISPR
Click to Read Dr. Conklin’s Bio
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Joined: 2024
Type/Subtype Expertise: All types/subtypes of CMT with emphasis on CMT2C in laboratory research
Therapy Approach Expertise: Gene Therapy – ASO; Small Molecule – CMT2C
Click to Read Dr. Sumner’s Bio
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Joined: 2014
Type/Subtype Expertise: CMT1A
Therapy Approach Expertise: Small Molecule? (He states “Therapy development for CMT1A”)
Click to Read Dr. Baas’s Bio
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Joined: 2015
Type/Subtype Expertise: All types/subtypes of CMT with emphasis on CMT1A
Therapy Approach Expertise: Small Molecule; Drug Screening; Biomarkers
Click to Read Dr. Svaren’s Bio
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Joined: 2009
Type/Subtype Expertise: All types of CMT
Therapy Approach Expertise: All/Most therapy types and approaches
Click to Read Dr. Li’s Bio
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Joined: 2015
Type/Subtype Expertise: CMT1A
Therapy Approach Expertise: Small Molecule
Click to Read Dr. Nave’s Bio
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Joined: 2018
Type/Subtype Expertise: All types/subtypes of CMT with emphasis on CMTX1 (aka CMT1X, CMTX), CMT4C, CMT1A, CMT2A, CMT4D
Therapy Approach Expertise: Gene Therapy; Disease Models
Click to Read Dr. Kleopa’s Bio
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Joined: 2018
Type/Subtype Expertise:
Therapy Approach Expertise:
Click to Read Dr. Saporta’s Bio
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Joined: 2017
Type/Subtype Expertise: CMT1A, CMT1B, CMT1E, CMT2J/I
Therapy Approach Expertise: Animal Models; Small Molecule; Gene Therapy
Click to Read D’Antonio’s Bio
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Joined: 2019
Type/Subtype Expertise: All types/subtypes of CMT
Therapy Approach Expertise: Animal Models; Small Molecule; Gene Therapy
Click to Read Dr. Burgess’s Bio
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Joined: 2015
Type/Subtype Expertise: CMTX1 (aka CMT1X, CMTX) / CMT1B / CMT2J
Therapy Approach Expertise: Inflammation (as treatment option)
Click to Read Dr. Martini’s Bio
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Joined: 2018
Type/Subtype Expertise: CMT1A, CMT2D, CMT4B3
Therapy Approach Expertise: Gene therapy
Click to Read Dr. Harper’s Bio
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Stephan Züchner, MD, PhD, FAAN
Joined: 2012
Type/Subtype Expertise: All types/subtypes of CMT
Therapy Approach Expertise: Genetic Discovery; Gene Therapy
Click to Read Dr. Züchner’s Bio
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Joined: 2018
Type/Subtype Expertise: CMT4J, CMT4K, CMT4C, CMT4A, GAN
Therapy Approach Expertise: Gene Therapy
Click to Read Dr. Gray’s Bio
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Joined: 2008
Type/Subtype Expertise: All types/subtypes of CMT
Therapy Approach Expertise: All/Most therapy types
Click to Read Dr. Scherer’s Bio
Meet the Therapy Expert Board
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Joined: 2013
Type/Subtype Expertise: All types/subtypes of CMT
Therapy Approach Expertise: Small Molecule or Oligonucleotide Therapeutics
Click to Read Dr. Wahlestedt’s Bio
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Joined: 2018
Type/Subtype Expertise:
Therapy Approach Expertise:
Click to Read Dr. Herrmann’s Bio
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Joined: 2013
Type/Subtype Expertise: All types/subtypes of CMT
Therapy Approach Expertise: Small Molecule; Drug Discovery
Click to Read Dr. Knutsen’s Bio
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Joined: 2014
Type/Subtype Expertise: All types/subtypes of CMT
Therapy Approach Expertise: Small Molecule; Gene Therapy
Click to Read Dr. Honoré’s Bio
Meet the Clinical Expert Board
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Joined: 2018
Type/Subtype Expertise:
Therapy Approach Expertise:
Click to Read Dr. Herrmann’s Bio
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Joined: 2014
Type/Subtype Expertise: All types/subtypes of CMT
Therapy Approach Expertise: Natural History; Clinical Trials
Click to Read Dr. Pareyson’s Bio
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Diana Bharucha-Goebal, MD, PhD
Joined: 2022
Type/Subtype Expertise: All types/subtypes of CMT with a focus in pediatrics
Therapy Approach Expertise: Viral Mediated Gene Replacement Therapy; Natural History
Click to Read Dr. Bharucha-Goebal’s Bio
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Joined: 2017
Type/Subtype Expertise: All types/subtypes of CMT
Therapy Approach Expertise: Pediatrics; Outcome Measures; Digital Health Technologies; Clinical Trials; Natural History Studies
Click to Read Dr. Burns’s Bio
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Mary M Reilly, MD, MBE | CEB Co-Chair
Joined: 2020
Type/Subtype Expertise: All types/subtypes of CMT
Therapy Approach Expertise: Genetic Therapy; Natural History; Biomarkers; Clinical Trials
Click to Read Dr. Reilly’s Bio
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Joined: 2008
Type/Subtype Expertise: All types/subtypes of CMT
Therapy Approach Expertise: Natural History; Biomarkers
Click to Read Dr. Shy’s Bio
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Joined: 2022
Type/Subtype Expertise: All types/subtypes of CMT with a primary focus in pediatrics
Therapy Approach Expertise: Genetic Therapy – ASO
Click to Read Dr. Finkel’s Bio
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Joined: 2008
Type/Subtype Expertise: All types/subtypes of CMT
Therapy Approach Expertise: All/Most therapy types
Click to Read Dr. Scherer’s Bio
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Joined: 2022
Type/Subtype Expertise: All types/subtypes of CMT
Therapy Approach Expertise: Longitudinal Natural History Analysis; Designing and Executing Treatment Trials for Neuropathy
Click to Read Dr. Fridman’s Bio
