Linda Crnic Institute Scientific Advisory Board

Basic science, including translational science, is a key focus of the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome. To this end, the Crnic Institute has a Scientific Advisory Board. The Scientific Advisory Board is responsible to assist in creating and implementing the Crnic Institute’s scientific plan aimed at eradicating the medical and cognitive ill affects associated with Down syndrome.

This includes providing guidance regarding key scientific hires, competitive grants and strategic scientific investments. The Scientific Advisory Board is made up of world-renowned scientists who are truly committed to our children with Down syndrome and the Crnic Institute’s mission.

Kristi Anseth, PhD
Kristi Anseth, PhD
Distinguished Professor, Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator

Kristi Anseth, who earned her doctorate at the University of Colorado in 1994 (just two years after earning her bachelor’s at Purdue), is a pioneer in the field of tissue engineering. Anseth is very interested in collaborations across all branches of science to help people with Down syndrome.

Read more about Kristi Anseth, PhD.

Stylianos Antonarakis, MDStylianos Antonarakis, MD, Doctor of Science
Director of the Division of Medical Genetics at the University of Geneva School of Medicine, Switzerland

Stylianos Antonarakis’ current work focuses on the genome, or the entire heredity of a human being. In particular, he is studying the molecular mechanism that causes Down syndrome and is considered an international expert on disorders of chromosome 21. He also studies the diagnostics and prevention of genetic disorders and the societal implications of genetics and genome research.

Read more about Stylianos Antonarakis, MD, Doctor of Science.

Tom Cech, PhDThomas R. Cech, PhD
Professor, Director Biofrontiers Institute, University of Colorado at Boulder,
Former President, Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Nobel Laureate Tom Cech has been on the faculty of the University of Colorado Boulder since 1978. In 2000, he was named president of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and remained in the position until 2009. Currently his lab in Boulder investigates the structure and replication of telomeric DNA. A telomere protects the end of a chromosome from degenerating or fusing with another chromosome.

Read more about Thomas R. Cech, PhD.

Larry Gold, PhDLarry Gold, PhD
Chairman, Founder, and CEO of SomaLogic; Founder of NeXstar and Synergen

During his prestigious career, Gold has received many citations including the University of Colorado Distinguished Lectureship Award, the National Institutes of Health Merit Award, the Career Development Award, and the Chiron Prize for Biotechnology. In addition, Gold has been a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences since 1993 and the National Academy of Sciences since 1995.

Read more about Larry Gold, PhD.

LeslieLeinwand, PhDLeslie Leinwand, PhD
Professor, Chief Scientific Officer Biofrontiers Institute, University of Colorado at Boulder
Ex-officio Board Member, Global Down Syndrome Foundation

An expert in cardiovascular research, Leinwand is principal investigator of a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Grant and National Institutes of Health Cardiovascular Training Grant.  She established and co-directs the University of Colorado’s Cardiovascular Research Institute (CU-CVI), a collaborative group of physicians, molecular biologists and geneticists. The team works to integrate research and clinical applications, as well as initiate effective treatment programs and preventive therapies.

Read more about Leslie Leinwand, PhD.

Roger Reeves, PhDRoger Reeves, PhD
Professor, Department of Physiology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Dr. Roger Reeves is a Professor in the Department of Physiology and a Core Faculty Member of the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Read more about Roger Reeves, PhD.

Richard J. Traystman, PhD
Professor and Vice Chancellor for Research, University of Colorado School of Medicine

Richard J. Traystman is editor-in-chief of the Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism, serves on the editorial boards of several other prestigious journals, and reviews manuscripts for many journals

Read more about Richard J. Traystman, PhD.