Who We Are
16p11.2 Genetic Foundation
Introducing the board
To provide up to date, practical and digestible information and guidance for families to promote children and individuals with 16p11.2 deletion to reach their full potential while celebrating the joys of individual variation.
Wendy Chung, MD, PhD as Medical Director. Dr. Chung is the Chief of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. She is a clinical and molecular geneticist who directs the DISCOVER and TREATMENT programs at Columbia University and performs human genetic research. She directs NIH funded research programs in human genetics and large programs in autism genetic research including Simons Searchlight. She is involved in developing genomic testing in the prenatal setting and is experienced in the ethical implications of research. She enjoys the challenges of genetics as a rapidly changing field of medicine and strives to facilitate the integration of genetic medicine into all areas of health care in a medically, scientifically, and ethically sound, accessible, and cost effective manner. Her TED Talk is fascinating
Caroline Pereira, MBA as Director of Finance and Treasury. Ms. Pereira is the associate vice chancellor for UCI Health Advancement Affairs. She is a seasoned fundraiser with over 2 decades of experience with a focus on academia and health care. Her efforts lead to the most successful fundraising year on record leading to the development of the UCI Medical Complex.
Faranak Herrera, DO, MPH Founder and CEO. Dr. Herrera is a board certified Internal Medicine physician and seasoned primary care doctor. She has a special interest in 16p11.2 deletion and has identified a need for a standard of care with this rare disease. Along with Dr. Chung, she has authored the clinical care guidelines for this condition named Health Supervision for Children and Adolescents with 16p11.2 Deletion Syndrome.
Who is Dr. Nika Akid?
To provide up to date, practical and digestible information and guidance for families to promote children and individuals with 16p11.2 deletion to reach their full potential while celebrating the joys of individual variation.
Dr. Nika Akid is a doctor of internal medicine specializing in primary care. What she excelled in was explaining challenging medical concepts to her patients to partner with them and empower them to manage their chronic conditions. She lives in Southern California with her husband and two children. When her son was 3 years old, he was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition known as 16p11.2 deletion syndrome. She wanted her son to be armed with the knowledge of his condition and authored three children’s books to explain genetics, variations and the social aspects of genetic conditions for her son and anyone else who would benefit. She is also heavily involved with the 16p11.2 Genetic Foundation and is the acting liaison to help all patients and families affected by this condition to thrive.
Transparency
To provide up to date, practical and digestible information and guidance for families to promote children and individuals with 16p11.2 deletion to reach their full potential while celebrating the joys of individual variation.
We are dedicated to transparency and hold a high ethical bar in this very important work. As such, all of our finances will be published and made public for all to see. We want the public to be confident that all donations will be used to provide up to date, practical and digestible information and guidance for families and to promote the health of individuals and families with 16p11.2 deletion through research, advocacy and practical information.