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GLOBAL Research & Medical Care Roundtable at NDSC

Global Down Syndrome Foundation Research & Medical Care Roundtable 

What Parents, Self-Advocates & Caregivers Should Know

SAVE THE DATE! Thursday, July 24, 2025

NDSC 53rd Annual Convention, Hilton Anatole, Dallas, TX

Upcoming Research & Medical Care Webinars
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Co-Organized with the NDSC, the GLOBAL Roundtable is a free benefit and features internationally renowned scientists and medical professionals. Important topics to be covered include updates on:

  • Physical Fitness and Activity
  • Advancements in Alzheimer’s Treatment
  • Groundbreaking Clinical Trials
  • Immune System Conditions
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea
  • Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation
2022 Webinars

Joaquín Espinosa, PhD

Executive Director, Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome; Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine

An Important Update on Groundbreaking Clinical Trials & Research Benefiting People with Down Syndrome

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Melissa Parisi, PhD, MD

Chief of the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)

Insights from the INCLUDE Project with a Focus on Development and Behavior 

2025 NDSC Roundtable Speaker Headshot PArisi

Michael Rafii, MD, PhD

Professor of Clinical Neurology at the Keck School of Medicine and Medical Director of the Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute (ATRI)

Breaking New Ground in Alzheimer’s: Cutting-Edge Diagnostics, Treatment, and the Unique Risks for Individuals with Down Syndrome

2024 NDSC Speaker Headshot - Michael Rafii

Thessa Hilgenkamp, DPT

Assistant Professor Physical Therapy at University of Nevada Las Vegas

Physical Activity and Fitness of Individuals with Down Syndrome

UNLV CARE LAB - Led by Dr. Thessa Hilgenkamp CArdiovascular Research and Exercise Lab The research in the CARE Lab focuses on how the body responds to exercise. The main interests are the regulation of heart rate and blood pressure and the heart and vascular system's structure and function. The CARE Lav investigates the body's response to different tasks like standing up and doing exercise and the long-term changes that occur with exercise programs. The researchers are specifically interested in individuals with Down syndrome and individuals with intellectual disabilities. Research is conducted through the use of state-of-the-art equipment and non-invasive research methods, which are both high-quality and participant-friendly. Dr. Thessa Hilgenkamp - Reddish Hair - in image 161 Ph.D Students Alice Matthews - grey hair - in image 166 RDCS (RegisteredDiagnostic Cardiac Sonographer) a 2nd-year grad student in the UNLV Neuroscience Ph.D. program Victor Beck - in image 172 International student from Breukelen, Nederland. He completed his undergrad in biomedical sciences at Radboud University in the Netherlands. 2nd-year grad student in the interdisciplinary health sciences Ph.D. program focusing on exercise and oxygen exchange. Marissa Shahani - Black hair - in image 162 1st-year grad student in the interdisciplinary health sciences Ph.D. program focusing on Kinesiology and Nutrition. Equipment used LBNP - lower body negative pressure machine The LBNP simulates gravity while the participant is lying down, also used in astronaut research. Ultrasound Machine used for Echocardiograms and for changes in the vascular system. The machine measures the arteries and veins. An echocardiogram checks how your heart's chambers and valves are pumping blood through your heart. Plethysmography machine: measures blood pressure in your finger continuously with a light sensor, so the use of a traditional blood pressure cuff is not required over and over again. Trackmaster Treadm

Ignacio Tapia, MD

Chief of the Division of Pediatric Pulmonology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Obstructive sleep apnea: Rethinking Conventional Treatments and Exploring Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation

2025 NDSC Roundtable Speaker Headshot - Tapia1.07

Nicole Baumer, MD, MEd

Director, Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome at Children’s Hospital Colorado

Title Coming Soon!

Nicole Baumer

Michelle Sie Whitten, MA

Co-Founder, President & CEO, Global Down Syndrome Foundation

GLOBAL Update & Moderator Introductions

Michelle Whitten

David Egan

Author, Speaker, Actor, Advocate, Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Awardee

What Research & Medical Care Means to Me

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Bryn Gelaro, MA

Vice President of Research & Medical Care, Global Down Syndrome Foundation

Welcome Remarks/Medical Care Guidelines

Bryn Gelaro

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