6th Annual Pediatric
Neuroscience
Conference
&
3rd GCC Pediatric
Neurology
Conference

Prof. Amna Al-Futaisi

Professor Amna Mohammed Al Futaisi is a distinguished leader in the field of pediatric neurology, currently serving as a Professor at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), and as the assistant dean for research and postgraduate studies. In her clinical capacity, she is a Senior Consultant Pediatric Neurologist at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital.

Her clinical and research interests are centered on:

• Complex epilepsy and neurophysiology
• Neurogenetics and neurometabolic diseases
• Cerebral palsy and neurodevelopmental disorders

Dr. Al-Futaisi’s influence extends across regional and international borders through her extensive leadership roles. She serves as the President of the Oman Pediatric neurology society and vice president of Oman pediatric epilepsy society. Furthermore, she chairs the Pediatric Neurology Fellowship Program of the Arab Board of Medical Specialization, where she shapes the training of the next generation of pediatric neurology specialists.

A researcher and dedicated educator, Dr. Al-Futaisi has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications. She remains a driving force behind collaborative research and multidisciplinary care programs aimed at improving neurological health outcomes for children both in the Middle East and globally.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Recognize the major cutaneous manifestations associated with common pediatric neurological disorders.
• Identify key neurocutaneous syndromes through characteristic dermatologic findings on physical examination.
• Differentiate benign skin findings from those that warrant further neurological evaluation.
• Apply a systematic approach to incorporating skin examination into the neurological assessment of children.
• Determine appropriate investigations, referrals and initial management based on specific dermatologic clues to underlying neurological disease.

Dr. Robert Keating

Robert Keating, MD  is currently the Senior Vice President of Neuroscience and Behavoiral Medicine as well as the McCullough Distinguished Professor of Neurosurgery and Chief of Neurosurgery at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC. Dr. Keating graduated from Georgetown University Medical School in 1983 and subsequently went to New York where he did his training in Neurosurgery at Montefiore/Albert Einstein Medical Centers in the Bronx as well as completeing fellowships in Pediatric Neurosurgery and Craniofacial Surgery there in 1990. Dr Keating returned to Montefiore/Albert Enstein after serving in the Navy and then moved to Washington in 1996 to join the faculty at the Children’s National Medical Center becoming Chief of the of Neurosurgery in 2003 and Professor of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics in 2008.

He has published and presented extensively in the field and is senior editor of “ Atlas of Orbitocranial Surgery” and “Tumors of the Pediatric Nervous System” and recently edited the second edition of Neurosurgical Operative Atlas of Pediatric Neurosurgery, (Thieme publisehed in 2025 as well as “Focused Ultrasound (FUS) in Neurosurgery: Current approaches and new Horizons” to be published in 2026.

He currently maintains a busy practice of pediatric neurosurgery, with an emphasis on tumors, Chiari malformations, craniofacial reconstruction, spinal dysraphism, spasticity and brachial plexus surgery and continues be actively involved with long-standing memberships in the CNS , AANS , ASPN and is currently on the Executive Board of the ISPN.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Learn how to differentiate normal from abnormal skull growth.
• Understand morphological changes associated with individual types of craniosynostosis.
• Review current approach to diagnostic workup for craniosynostosis.
• Provide a brief overview of current therapeutic approaches for craniosynostosis.

Dr. Mohammad Al-Muhaizea

MD

Professor, Alfaisal university college of medicine, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Consultant, pediatric neurologist
Neuromuscular and IOM department
Neuroscience Center of Excellence
King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Riyadh
Saudi Arabia

Chairman of Examination committee of the Saudi board of pediatric neurology, under Saudi commission for health specialties

Prof. Almuhaizea graduated from King Saud university, faculty of medicine in 1994. He then completed residency in pediatrics at KFSH&RC and fellowship in child neurology at the cleveland clinic foundation, cleveland, Ohio, USA. He spent additional training in pediatric neuromuscular field at Dubowitz neuromuscular center, Hammersmith hospital, London, UK in 2005.

He has been practicing as pediatric neurologist with expertise in pediatric neuromuscular disorders, neuro-disability, and movement disorders. He contributes to training medical students, residents and fellows and is the founding chair of the national Saudi pediatric neurology residency program. He serves currently, as the chair of the examination committee under the Saudi commission for health specialties in Saudi Arabia. He is also a founding member of the Saudi pediatric neurology society and served on its executive board for three periods. He is actively involved in training and advocacy through several commitments as task force or committee member.

Over nearly two decades, prof. Almuhaizea served as physician collaborator and executive board member of the children with disability society serving children with disabilities throughout the country. This broadened his perspective and experience with disability nationwide.

Prof. Al-Muhaizea is active in clinical observational and interventional research in the field of child neurology. He is currently participating in multiple trials in the field of spinal muscular atrophy. He has 90+ publications and has participated in many national and international conferences.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Recognize the early clinical signs and risk factors of cerebral palsy and apply evidence-based diagnostic pathways for infants at risk.
• Review how to do a proper assessment of children presenting with cerebral palsy.
• Discuss the management of cerebal palsy using multidisciplinary, family-centered management plan that optimizes neuroplasticity, functional outcomes, and quality of life across childhood.

Dr. Farouq Thabet

Dr. Farouq Thabet is an Attending Pediatric Neurologist at Sidra Medicine and an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar. Before joining Sidra. Dr. Thabet worked as a Consultant Pediatric Neurologist at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. He is an adjunct Assistant Professor of Specialty Medicine at Des Moines University in Iowa, USA. He is American Board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and the American Board of Pediatrics. Dr. Thabet is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Differentiate evidence-based facts about autism spectrum disorder from common myths and misconceptions.
• Explain the current scientific understanding of autism spectrum etiology and variability in presentation.
• Identify prevalent misconceptions like vaccines, parenting, “cure” narratives.
• Discuss treatment options between evidence and debate.

Dr. Baker Alzidaneen

Dr. Baker A. Alzidaneen is a renowned neurosurgeon with over 14 years of experience in the field. He specializes in Pediatric brain and spine surgeries and is participating in numerous research papers in adult along with pediatric neurosurgery.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Recognize neurological red flags for spinal dysraphism.
• Discuss the role of appropriate imaging (ultrasound vs MRI).
• Discuss how to Implement timely, multidisciplinary management to prevent long-term neurological impairment.

John M. Schreiber

John M. Schreiber, MD, FAES is the Associate Chief of Neurophysiology and the director of Epilepsy Genetics at Children's National Hospital. His primary clinical and research interests are on the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of genetically-mediated epilepsies. Dr. Schreiber is the Principal Investigator at Children’s National for various epilepsy observational and interventional clinical trials with a focus on neurogenetic disorders. He serves on the Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium board, is the co-chair for the Investigators' Workshop Committee of the American Epilepsy Society, and serves on several other advisory boards.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Review ILAE classification of seizures and epilepsy.
• Understand the epidemiology of seizures and epilepsy.
• Recognize basic principles of seizure evaluation and management.

Dr. Pawan Kashyape

MD, DCH, DNB (Pediatrics), FRCPCH (UK), CCT-UK (Pediatric Neurology)

Dr Pawan is a consultant Pediatric Neurologist and Epileptologist at Al Jalila Hospital and Dubai Health since 2015.

He also serves  as Chief of Division of Neurosciences.

He trained extensively in Pediatric neurology and neurophysiology in the NHS in UK and has been practicing as a consultant in pediatric neurology since 2013.

He has played key roles in expanding the pediatric neurology service in Dubai Health, establishing the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit and neurophysiology service, and led several service improvement projects including epilepsy education and awareness, establishing epilepsy transition service and First seizure clinic amongst others.

He is a certified trainer for the British Pediatric Neurology Association (BPNA) Pediatric epilepsy training courses, program faculty for Pediatric Neurology Residency program at MBRU and Al Jalila hospital, and clinical associate Professor of pediatric neurology at MBRU.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Define the spectrum of non-epileptic paroxysmal events in children and recognize the common age-related presentations.
• Identify historical and semiologic features that favor a non-epileptic movement over an epileptic seizure.
• Differentiate common pediatric seizure mimics such as stereotypies, shuddering attacks, breath-holding spells, syncope, tics, sleep-related movements, and paroxysmal dystonia from epileptic events.
• Describe the role and limitations of EEG and video-EEG in evaluating suspected seizures.

Dr. Brahim Tabarki Melaiki

Dr. Tabarki completed his medical school at University of Tunisia and his residencies in pediatrics, pediatric neurology, and neurophysiology at Paris V University, France, and UCL-Brussels, Belgium. His currently Professor and consultant pediatric neurology, universities of Alfaisal, Riyadh and Sousse (Tunisia).

His fields of clinical and research interest include epilepsy, movement disorders, and neurometabolic disorders.  Academic teaching contributions include international courses and research focused on the same disorders, leading to numerous publications (139 pubmed indexed). He is a member of the editorial boards of several scientific journals.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Recognize the key clinical patterns of acute-onset weakness in children through case-based presentations.
• Construct a focused differential diagnosis for acute weakness, including neurological, infectious, inflammatory, metabolic, toxic, and functional causes.
• Identify red flags and appropriate initial investigations to guide urgent management and referral decisions.

Dr. Amena Almotawaa

Dr. Amena, MD, is a graduate of the Arabian Gulf University School of Medicine in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Dr. Amena trained at the Hamad General Hospital, where she completed her internship and then completed her residency in the pediatric department. During her residency, she was able to provide high-quality care and consultation that resulted in the overall improvement in department patient satisfaction. Afterward, she completed a fellowship in pediatric neurology at Hamad General Hospital in the pediatric department. Dr. Amena focused on children with neurological disorders and reevaluated several methods of therapy management. Dr. Amena has been practicing in the Department of Pediatric Neurology at Hamad General Hospital in Qatar since 2007, one of the major governmental hospitals in Qatar. Her practice focuses on children with neurological disorders such as epilepsy, developmental delay, muscle disease, and headaches.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Recognize red flags in pediatric headache.
• Diagnose idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).
• Recognize intracranial hypotension.
• Compare clinical and MRI findings of both conditions.
• Discuss evidence-based management.

Dr. Wagdy Mohammed Al-Kadasi

Dr. Wagdy Mohammed Al-Kadasi, MBBS, FRCS(Eng), FEBNS, ABNS, JBNS, Paediatric Neurosurgery Specialist, Sidra Medicine, Qatar After earning his medical degree (MBBS) from Sana'a University in 2009, Dr. Al-Kadasi completed his neurosurgery residency at the Royal Medical Services in Jordan, with training at King Hussein Cancer Center. Following completion of the Jordanian Board of Neurosurgery (JBNS) and the Arab Board of Neurosurgery (ABNS) certifications; he served as an assistant-consultant neurosurgeon at King Fahd Specialist Hospital in Dammam, Saudi Arabia before joining Sidra Medicine as a specialist in neurosurgery in 2020, he later completed a pediatric neurosurgery fellowship at Sidra Medicine. Dr. Al-Kadasi further honed his expertise through rigorous training and certifications, including fellowships from the Royal College of Surgeons of England (FRCS) and the European Board of Neurological Surgery (FEBNS). With over a decade of experience, Dr. Al-Kadasi is an active researcher and educator, involved in peerreviewing for neurosurgical journals, has published several clinical studies and case reports, and has presented at national and international conferences.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Understand how pediatric hydrocephalus presents.
• Describe the clinical picture of hydrocephalus across different ages.
• Recognize the red flags. Know the warning signs that need urgent attention.
• Understand the main approaches to managing hydrocephalus in children.

Shaima Ismail Ali

I hold a Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy and a PharmD from Qatar University. After four years of pharmacy experience at Hamad Medical Corporation, with a focus on women's health and neonatal intensive care, I joined Sidra Medicine as a Medication Safety Pharmacist. My work focuses on medication safety, risk assessment, pharmacy quality, and supporting regulatory and accreditation initiatives, including JCI and MoPH. I also significantly contributed to Sidra Medicine's JCI-recognized organizational strength in the risk assessment of concentrated electrolytes.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Identify the most common types and contributing factors of medication errors in pediatric ICU neurology patients.
• Analyze the common factors that contribute to medication errors in pediatric ICU neurology patients.
• Apply evidence-based strategies to prevent medication errors in pediatric neurocritical care.

Busisiwe Tshabalala

Busisiwe Tshabalala is an accomplished and dually qualified Speech Language Pathologist and Audiologist. Busi further earned her Board Certification through the Academy of Neurological Communication Disorders and Neurosciences, a credential that reflects advanced expertice in pediatric neurorehabilitation and neurosciences. She is the lead SLP in the area of complex Acquired brain injury and neuroprogressive diseases with the neurorehabilitation services (an interdisciplinary group of rehabilitation professionals, and other medical providers). In this capacity, she provides assessment, tracks progress, and provides neurorehabilitation to children who have experienced acute and post-acute neurological injury related to their diagnosis. Her work bridges clinical precision with operational implementations, advancing patient safety through system-wide clarity. She is actively involved in mentorship, presented in international platforms, and has contributed to the new graduate nursing education program at Sidra.

Ms. Tshabalala’s style can be described as purpose-driven, people-centric, and outcome-oriented.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Define Multidisciplinary team communication
• Explain impact of MDT care on patient safety
• Demonstrate one example of an MDT provided by the rehabilitation team

Dr. Abdallah Mahmoud

Dr. Abdallah Mahmoud, MSc, PhD is a Diagnostic Ophthalmic Imaging Specialist with over 20 years of experience in ophthalmic imaging, advanced ocular diagnostics, and retinal imaging. I Have obtained my MSc and PhD in Diagnostic Ophthalmic Imaging from the University of Warwick, UK, and gained extensive clinical experience in the United Kingdom before joining Sidra Medicine. As a founding member of the Ophthalmology Service, I played a key role in establishing the service in 2017 and developing its comprehensive ophthalmic imaging program that supports the delivery of world-class pediatric eye care.

Additionally, I am specializing in multimodal ocular imaging, retinal diagnostics, electrophysiology, and pediatric ophthalmic imaging, and work closely with multidisciplinary ophthalmology, neurology, and neurosurgery teams to support accurate diagnosis and improve patient outcomes through patient-centered, evidence-based care, innovation, and quality improvement.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Understand the relationship between the visual system and the developing brain.
• Recognize ophthalmic manifestations of common pediatric neurological disorders.
• Identify ocular findings associated with pediatric neurosurgical conditions.
• Appreciate the role of ophthalmology within multidisciplinary care.

Karen El-Akouri

Karen El-Akouri, MS, CGC, is a Senior Genetic Counselor in the Division of Genetic and Genomic Medicine at Sidra Medicine in Doha, Qatar. She is certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling and holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Human Genetics from McGill University (Montreal, Canada) and a Master of Science in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling from Sarah Lawrence College (New York, USA).

With more than 10 years of practice in Qatar, Karen has clinical experience across pediatric, prenatal, reproductive, and adult genetics, with a particular focus on supporting children and families through genetic evaluation, genomic testing, diagnostic clarification, recurrence-risk counseling, and complex decision-making in pediatric and neurodevelopmental settings. A multilingual and internationally trained genetic counselor, she is actively involved in education, training, and mentorship of genetic counseling students and trainees, and advocates for the advancement of genomic medicine and genetic counseling in the Middle East.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Identify how genetic counseling contributes to the care of families affected by childhood neurological disorders.
• Describe key elements of family-centered pre-test genetic counseling within the diagnostic and care journey.
• Recognize key individual and familial implications of genetic testing and diagnosis in childhood neurological disorders.

Lujain AlBader

Lujain Albader is a Pediatric Physiotherapist at Sidra Medicine, with experience in pediatric neurosciences, oncology, and acute rehabilitation. Her clinical interests include neurorehabilitation and neuromuscular conditions. She is passionate about interdisciplinary care and working to optimize function and participation in children.

Lana Zaidieh

Lana Zaidieh is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist at Sidra Medicine. She specializes in pediatric neurosciences, with clinical interests in Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), early intervention, and family-centered care.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Discuss the evolving role of rehabilitation therapies following gene therapy in children with Spinal Muscualr Atrophy (SMA), highlighting current evidence, clinical experience at Sidra Medicine, outcome measures, and rehabilitation challenges.
• Discuss the evolving role of rehabilitation therapies following gene therapy in children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), highlighting current evidence, clinical experience at Sidra Medicine, outcome measures, and rehabilitation challenges.

Dr. Michael Rowe

Dr. Michael Rowe is the Director of Teaching and Learning in the School of Health and Care Sciences at the University of Lincoln in the United Kingdom. Michael's scholarship focuses on the transformative potential of digital technologies in professional education, with an emphasis on how they mediate relationships between teachers and students in learning environments. Drawing on critical pedagogy and complexity science, his work focuses on the use of technological innovation to enhance both education and clinical practice while maintaining human-centred approaches to learning. More recently, he has concentrated on the implications of generative AI in health professions education and clinical practice, contributing to institutional and professional guidance for AI integration in health professions education.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Describe current evidence on AI performance in clinical reasoning, diagnosis and communication tasks relative to human clinicians.
• Discuss the specific implications of AI-supported practice for pediatric populations, including caregiver/family use of AI for symptom interpretation and treatment-planning.
• Consider accountability and scope of practice questions specific to multidisciplinary pediatric teams as AI tools enter shared care pathways.

John M. Schreiber

John M. Schreiber, MD, FAES is the Associate Chief of Neurophysiology and the director of Epilepsy Genetics at Children's National Hospital. His primary clinical and research interests are on the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of genetically-mediated epilepsies. Dr. Schreiber is the Principal Investigator at Children’s National for various epilepsy observational and interventional clinical trials with a focus on neurogenetic disorders. He serves on the Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium board, is the co-chair for the Investigators' Workshop Committee of the American Epilepsy Society, and serves on several other advisory boards.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Recognize the impact of genetic testing on patient care and seizure management.
• Discuss precision therapies for DEEs with attention to seizure outcomes and disease-modifying effects.
• Assess gene-targeted therapies for DEEs in clinical development.

Dr. Jose Hinojosa

Dr. Jose Hinojosa - Since November 2018, Dr. Hinojosa led the Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Sant Joan de Déu Hospital (Barcelona), a global reference center in the field. Our team performs over 500 surgical procedures and manages nearly 3,000 medical consultations annually. The department is recognized for its excellence across all subspecialties, with particular expertise in Neuro-Oncology, Epilepsy Surgery, Craniosynostosis, Spinal Dysraphism, and Tethered Cord Syndrome.

We are nationally accredited as a CSUR (Centro de Referencia Nacional) for Complex Pediatric Neurosurgery and Epilepsy Surgery. Internationally, we are recognized as a European Reference Network (ERN) center in three key areas: Craniofacial Surgery (ERN CRANIO), Pediatric Oncology (PaedCAN), and Epilepsy Surgery (EpiCARE). Our commitment to innovation, multidisciplinary care, and clinical excellence continues to position our department at the forefront of pediatric neurosurgery.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Identify specific patient selection criteria for invasive pediatric monitoring.
• Discuss how to design precise 3D trajectory plans using advanced neuroimaging modalities.
• Review the execution of safe stereotactic electrode implantation techniques in children.
• Interpret complex multi-channel pediatric electroencephalographic seizure patterns.
• Review mapping of critical functional cortex areas using extraoperative electrical stimulation.
• Discuss the formulation targeted surgical resection or ablation plans based on data.

Dr. David Bieber

David Bieber, MD is an epileptologist at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics with appointments in Neurology and Epilepsy at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, USA. He has a strong clinical and academic interest in epilepsy surgery, including advanced neuromodulation therapies and the multidisciplinary care of children undergoing surgical evaluation. His work is dedicated to expanding access, locally and internationally, to innovative treatments that improve seizure control and quality of life for children with epilepsy.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Summarize and illustrate the unique burden of pediatric epilepsy on quality of life.
• Demonstrate future directions for improvement in quality of life in pediatric epilepsy.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Understand the definition of SUDEP
• Review the risk factors of SUDEP
• Discuss the pathophysiology of SUDEP? How far are we from understanding?
• Discuss preventive measures and SUDEP counseling

Dr. Daniel Aharon Donoho

Co-Director, Pituitary and Skull Base Program
Pediatric Neurosurgeon
Children’s National Hospital

Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Daniel A. Donoho, MD, is an assistant professor of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Children’s National Hospital and the George Washington University. He received an undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College (economics) and medical degree from SUNY- Stony Brook, where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.  He completed residency at the University of Southern California and fellowships at Harvard Medical School and Texas Children’s Hospital. Dr. Donoho’s NIH- funded research group studies surgical education and develops technologies that improve surgical safety, having published over 100 manuscripts and book chapters and given more than 100 conference talks and invited presentations. Dr. Donoho is board certified in adult and pediatric neurosurgery and has served in leadership for major surgical societies and nonprofit organizations. 

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Understand state of epilepsy diagnostics
• Understand role of AI in seizure diagnosis
• Explain future directions for outpatient care

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Recognize brain anomalies that may require fetal or early post natal intervention.
• Differentiate fetal ventriculomegaly from hydrocephalus.

Dr. Eiman Al Ajmi

Dr. Eiman Al-Ajmi, is a Senior Consultant Neuroradiologist in the Department of Radiology and Molecular Imaging at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, University Medical City, Muscat, Oman. She completed her Diagnostic Radiology residency at McGill University, Canada, followed by subspecialty fellowship training in Neuroradiology at the University of Toronto. Dr. Al Ajmi has established an active academic and research portfolio, authoring more than 50 peer-reviewed publications with contributions spanning neuroradiology, pediatric neuroimaging, head and neck imaging, and advanced imaging applications. She has actively collaborated with multidisciplinary teams at both the local and international levels and has presented at scientific conferences and educational courses nationally and internationally.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Recognize characteristic neuroimaging patterns of pediatric neurometabolic disorders.
• Apply MRI pattern-based approach to generate focused differential diagnoses.
• Integrate clinical, biochemical, and imaging findings to guide targeted metabolic and genetic investigations.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Demystify Chiari 1 and Tethered Cord.
• Review the Role of MR Imaging in Patients with Scoliosis.

Dr. Khalid Al-Dasuqi

Dr. Khalid Al-Dasuqi is a board-certified diagnostic radiologist and a diplomate of the American Board of Radiology with subspecialty certification in pediatric radiology. He currently serves as an Attending Radiologist in Pediatric Neuroimaging and Associate Program Director of the ACGME-I accredited Pediatric Radiology Fellowship at Sidra Medicine. He received his medical degree with academic distinction from Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar, completed residency training at Yale-New Haven Hospital/Yale School of Medicine, where he served as chief resident, and pursued dual fellowships in pediatric radiology and pediatric neuroradiology at Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School. Dr. Al-Dasuqi’s academic interests include pediatric neuro-oncology, brain malformations, AI/imaging informatics, and radiology education.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Describe the current applications of artificial intelligence across the pediatric neuroimaging workflow.
• Evaluate the unique challenges and barriers to AI implementation in pediatric neuroradiology.
• Analyze the potential of AI to enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning.

Dr. Ahmed Bamaga

Dr. Ahmed K. Bamaga, MD, FRCPC, ABPN, CSCN (EEG & EMG) is a Consultant in Adult and Pediatric Neuromuscular Medicine and Child Neurology, Associate Professor, and Head of the Pediatric Neurology Unit at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. His clinical and research interests focus on pediatric neuromuscular disorders, including spinal muscular atrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, inherited neuropathies, and congenital myopathies. He is actively involved in clinical research, national initiatives, and multidisciplinary care, and has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in pediatric neurology and neuromuscular medicine. He is also master degree candidate in neuro disability.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Evaluate the clinical utility and diagnostic yield of modern genetic testing modalities (such as rapid whole-exome sequencing vs. targeted gene panels) in infants presenting with acute neuromuscular weakness.
• Identify how early genetic confirmation directly influences clinical decision-making, including the timely initiation of gene-targeted therapies for conditions like Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).
• Interpret complex genetic test results, including managing “Variants of Uncertain Significance” (VUS), within the context of a child’s phenotypic presentation.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Review the clinical features of hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP)
• Review the genetic causes of HSP
• Review the diagnostic algorithm of HSP and treatment options

Dr. Khalid Ibrahim

Dr. Khalid Omer Ibrahim, CCST, MD, FRCP, FRCPCH, MBBS, MRCP, is a Senior Attending Pediatric Neurologist at Sidra Medicine and Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar. Before joining Sidra Medicine, Dr. Ibrahim served as the Chief of the Pediatric Neurology Division at Hamad Hospital. He was also the former Pediatric Neurology Fellowship Program Director at Hamad Hospital. Former Clinical Lead for Epilepsy Service in North London, UK. Former Member of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN)

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Review the natural course, and the disease burden of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
• Highlight the management approach and the available therapeutic option.
• Share our experience in managing and treating children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Dr. Lisa Thornton

Dr. Lisa Thornton is an American Board-Certified Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine physician and the Chief of the Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine and Developmental Pediatrics at Sidra Medicine. She also serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar. With a broad expertise in pediatric physical disability, Dr. Thornton focuses on providing holistic care for children with complex movement disorders, cerebral palsy, and other motor disabilities. She is also an advocate for enhancing accessibility and inclusion for children with disabilities across education, transportation, recreation, and more.

Prior to joining Sidra Medicine, Dr. Thornton was a sought-after health commentator on U.S. national television, where she frequently discussed topics related to pediatric health and disability. She has lectured widely about the needs of children with disabilities and continues to drive public policy initiatives that support full integration of these children into the community.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Describe the key pathophysiological mechanisms underlying muscle weakness in common pediatric neuromuscular disorders.
• Identify appropriate functional assessment tools to evaluate children with neuromuscular conditions.
• Identify evidence-based therapeutic interventions (e.g., physiotherapy, assistive technologies, orthotics)

Dr. Nancy Kuntz

Professor Kuntz is a child neurologist with additional board certifications in Pediatrics, Electrodiagnostic Medicine and Autonomic Medicine.  She is Medical Director of the Mazza Foundation Neuromuscular Disorders Program, the PPMD Duchenne Care Center and the MDA Care Center at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.  

Dr. Kuntz is interested in early diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders and the development of less invasive methods of neuromuscular diagnosis in children such as electrical impedance myometry, ultrasound, nerve excitability and MUNE.  She serves as site Principal Investigator in a number of natural history and clinical treatment trials for neuromuscular disorders. Dr. Kuntz is a Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Identify disease modifying therapies (in addition to gene replacement) that improve outcomes in children with spinal muscular atrophy and discuss how they impact both motor neurons and other affected organ systems.
• Understand how disease modifying therapies for boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy need to target both skeletal and cardiac muscle and how infusions of cardiosphere-derived cells are being studied to improve outcome in both types of muscle.
• Recognize the potential contribution of therapies in development for pediatric neuromuscular disorders that impact maturational flaws partially responsible for dysfunction in spinal muscular atrophy (arrested maturation of peripheral axon myelination) and in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (abnormal differentiation of stem cell progenitors).

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Develop a good understanding of Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy
• Discuss surgical strategies and long term outcomes in birth-related brachial plexus injury.

Dr. Robert Keating

Robert Keating, MD  is currently the Senior Vice President of Neuroscience and Behavoiral Medicine as well as the McCullough Distinguished Professor of Neurosurgery and Chief of Neurosurgery at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC. Dr. Keating graduated from Georgetown University Medical School in 1983 and subsequently went to New York where he did his training in Neurosurgery at Montefiore/Albert Einstein Medical Centers in the Bronx as well as completeing fellowships in Pediatric Neurosurgery and Craniofacial Surgery there in 1990. Dr Keating returned to Montefiore/Albert Enstein after serving in the Navy and then moved to Washington in 1996 to join the faculty at the Children’s National Medical Center becoming Chief of the of Neurosurgery in 2003 and Professor of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics in 2008.

He has published and presented extensively in the field and is senior editor of “ Atlas of Orbitocranial Surgery” and “Tumors of the Pediatric Nervous System” and recently edited the second edition of Neurosurgical Operative Atlas of Pediatric Neurosurgery, (Thieme publisehed in 2025 as well as “Focused Ultrasound (FUS) in Neurosurgery: Current approaches and new Horizons” to be published in 2026.

He currently maintains a busy practice of pediatric neurosurgery, with an emphasis on tumors, Chiari malformations, craniofacial reconstruction, spinal dysraphism, spasticity and brachial plexus surgery and continues be actively involved with long-standing memberships in the CNS , AANS , ASPN and is currently on the Executive Board of the ISPN.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Understand the basic science behind intracranial pressure and brain perfusion.
• Evaluate current approaches to ICP management.
• Review current non-invasive techniques of ICP measurement.
• Discuss future trends in non-invasive measuring of real-time, accurate ICP.

Dr. Jose Hinojosa

Dr. Jose Hinojosa - Since November 2018, Dr. Hinojosa led the Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Sant Joan de Déu Hospital (Barcelona), a global reference center in the field. Our team performs over 500 surgical procedures and manages nearly 3,000 medical consultations annually. The department is recognized for its excellence across all subspecialties, with particular expertise in Neuro-Oncology, Epilepsy Surgery, Craniosynostosis, Spinal Dysraphism, and Tethered Cord Syndrome.

We are nationally accredited as a CSUR (Centro de Referencia Nacional) for Complex Pediatric Neurosurgery and Epilepsy Surgery. Internationally, we are recognized as a European Reference Network (ERN) center in three key areas: Craniofacial Surgery (ERN CRANIO), Pediatric Oncology (PaedCAN), and Epilepsy Surgery (EpiCARE). Our commitment to innovation, multidisciplinary care, and clinical excellence continues to position our department at the forefront of pediatric neurosurgery.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Differentiate ideal candidates for SDR versus intrathecal baclofen pumps.
• Perform detailed intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring during rhizotomy procedures.
• Review the techniques in the execution of precise lumbar laminectomy and selective nerve rootlet division.
• Demonstrate correct surgical implantation techniques for intrathecal baclofen pumps.
• Discuss the management of acute postoperative complications, pump malfunctions or baclofen withdrawal.
• Discuss the coordination of long-term multidisciplinary rehabilitation and pump maintenance schedules.

Dr. Mohamed El Beltagy

MD, Ph.D., FACS, MBA

Dr. Mohamed El Beltagy is a professor of Neurological Surgery at Kasr-Al-Ainy School of Medicine, Cairo university-Egypt. He also leads the Department of Neurosurgery, Children’s Cancer Hospital in Egypt as division chief. Dr. El Beltagy completed his MD. of Neurosurgery from the University of Cairo, Egypt and from the University of Zurich, Switzerland. He received his European Board of Neurosurgery. He completed his fellowship of Vascular Neurosurgery from Zurich University Hospital, Switzerland and his fellowship of General Neurosurgery in Frankfurt am Main University Hospital, Germany. Dr El Beltagy completed his fellowship of pediatric Neurosurgery in Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard University, USA.

In 2007, Dr. El Beltagy established and directed the neurosurgery department in the children’s Cancer hospital of Egypt, where he is currently serving as the head of the department of neurological surgery, performing 600 - 800 complex brain tumor surgeries annually in children, where it is now considered the largest pediatric Neuro-oncology Hospital in the region. He has contributed to more than 80 publications in international journals of neurosurgery and wrote 13 chapters in different pediatric neurosurgery text books. In 2019 founded the African pediatric Neurosurgical oncology society (APNOS). He is currently the President of APNOS and the Vice President of Egyptian Society of Neurological surgeon (ESNS). He also serves as an executive board member of the ISPN and is the chair of the executive board membership committee of IFNE.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Review the indications, patient selection criteria, and current role of neuroendoscopy in the management of pediatric brain tumors.
• Discuss the surgical techniques and technological advances that facilitate endoscopic tumor biopsy, resection, and cerebrospinal fluid diversion procedures.
• Evaluate the outcomes, advantages, limitations, and potential complications of endoscopic approaches in children with brain tumors.
• Explore emerging applications and future directions of minimally invasive endoscopic surgery in pediatric neuro-oncology.

Dr. Gnanamurthy Sivakumar

I am a full-time Consultant Neurosurgeon in the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, UK practising both Paediatric and Adult Neurosurgery. My Specialisation is Functional and Paediatric neurosurgery. I have been working as a Consultant for 12 years in the UK. I trained in Neurosurgery at the Nottingham University Hospitals, Queens Medical Centre. I did my fellowship in Functional Neurosurgery at the Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Liverpool, UK, and my Paediatric Fellowship at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Explore the current trend and updates in Functional Neurosurgery in Children.
• Discuss research and trial opportunities.
• Discuss future prospects in functional neurosurgery.

Dr. Youssef Kousa

Dr. Youssef Kousa is a neonatal neurologist and scientist who has been at the forefront of developing synergistic teams in studying emerging pathogens and translating these insights into therapeutic targets. Dr. Kousa is the Founding Director of the Prenatal Infection and Neurodevelopmental Genetics (PING) Consortium. Formed nearly a decade ago, the PING consortium is an international clinical and translational research effort designed to identify maternal and prenatal factors affecting virally induced brain injury, develop diagnostic platforms, and advance therapeutic protocols. With investments by NIH and CDC, the PING Consortium includes six countries, 19 cities, 23 centers, 35 researchers, nearly 8,000 mother/infant participants, and 3063 bio-banked samples. The team is systematically gathering and maintaining volumes of clinical, laboratory, imaging, developmental, and genomic data. The datasets are currently being used to identify modifiers of epidemic viral infections and brain injury.

Dr. Kousa is also the founding principal investigator of the K-Labs research program, a discovery-oriented basic research effort using cell, tissue culture, and animal systems to study emerging viral infections and test therapeutic targets. Expertise in the lab includes neurology, pediatrics, neurobiology, virology, bioinformatics, genomics, immunology, vaccine development and RNA therapeutics.

Dr. Aravanan Chakkarapani

Dr. Aravanan Anbu Chakkarapani is a distinguished Attending Physician at Sidra Medicine and an Assistant Professor in Clinical Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medicine, Qatar. With an illustrious career spanning multiple countries and academic pursuits, he is a leader in neonatal-perinatal medicine.

Dr. Chakkarapani commenced his medical journey in India, where he completed his post-graduation in pediatrics. Following this, he relocated to Canada to deepen his expertise, undertaking Fellowships in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at McMaster University and the University of Toronto. During this time, he received additional training in neonatal transport medicine, earning his Sub-Specialist Affiliate in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 2016.

In 2020, Dr. Chakkarapani broadened his skill set by completing a specialized program in Neonatologist Performed Echocardiography (NPE), aligning his practice with European standards. Since joining Sidra Medicine on November 26, 2017, he has been instrumental in establishing groundbreaking programs in neonatal neuro-critical care, neonatal research and neonatal hemodynamics. His leadership extends to spearheading new approaches in Neurocritical and Cardiac care within Sidra Medicine’s NICU.

Recognized for his academic contributions, Dr. Chakkarapani leads the NICU Clinical Translational Research, Neonatal Neuro-Critical Care team and NICU Clinical Audit Program at Sidra and has been the Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator on several research grants, including ETHOS, DEFINE, and multi-center study projects.

A fervent advocate for education and mentorship, Dr. Chakkarapani has led over a hundred educational sessions, offering invaluable training to residents, fellows, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in the NICU. His extensive publication record can be accessed through his ORCiD and Google Scholar accounts (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5539-5770 Aravanan Anbu Chakkarapani - Google Scholar). With a career characterized by leadership, innovation, and education, Dr. Chakkarapani stands as a luminary in his field.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

Dr. Youssef Kousa

• Understand the clinical utility of therapeutic hypothermia in the neonatal period.
• Identify the limitations of therapeutic hypothermia for the later preterm infant.
• Consider the potential use of therapeutic hypothermia in severe HIE.

Dr. Aravanan Anbu Chakkarapani

• Review the current evidence and physiological rationale for therapeutic hypothermia in late preterm infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.
• Discuss the unique neurodevelopmental, hemodynamic, and safety considerations associated with cooling infants born at 35 weeks gestation.
• Critically appraise existing guidelines, evidence gaps, and controversies surrounding therapeutic hypothermia in late preterm populations.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Evaluate the clinical benefits and limitations of implementing whole genome sequencing (WGS) as a first-line diagnostic test in children with suspected neurological disorders.
• Compare the ethical, economic, and healthcare system implications of offering WGS as routine first-line testing versus a stepwise diagnostic approach.
• Critically appraise the evidence supporting and opposing first-line WGS in pediatric neurology to inform evidence-based clinical decision-making and patient-centered care.

Dr. Alia Satti

Dr. Alia Satti is an Attending Physician in Developmental Pediatrics and Rehabilitation Medicine at Sidra Medicine, where she has served since 2019. She works closely with a multidisciplinary team to assess and manage children with communication, social, intellectual, behavioral, and mobility challenges.

Dr. Satti is the Clinical Lead for Developmental Pediatrics and Associate Program Director of the Fellowship Program. She is the only UK CCT board-certified pediatric neuro-disability subspecialist (GRID) in Qatar and holds a Diploma in Pediatric Neuro-disability from Sheffield Hallam University—one of only two practitioners in Qatar with this qualification.

Actively involved in national service planning and research initiatives, Dr. Satti focuses on autism and early intervention for children with disabilities.

Before joining Sidra, she served as Consultant and Lead for Pediatric Neurodisability, Epilepsy, and Clinical Governance at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, one of the UK’s top-performing hospitals.

Dr. Majid Aziz

Dr. Majid Aziz is a pediatric neurologist and epileptologist with expertise in complex epilepsy, epilepsy surgery, and EEG. His other areas of interest are movement disorders, headaches, and stroke. Dr. Aziz received his medical degree from Pakistan and trained in pediatrics and child neurology in the United Kingdom. He then completed a fellowship in movement disorder at Evelina Children’s Hospital, London, and a second fellowship in pediatric epilepsy and EEG at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne. He has been working at SKMC, Abu Dhabi, since 2019. Before joining SKMC, he was working as a Consultant Paediatric Neurologist in the Northern Children's Epilepsy Surgery Service at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, UK.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

Dr. Alia Satti

• Evaluate current evidence: Critically assess the scientific data supporting or refuting the use of stem cell therapy in cerebral palsy and autism.
• Discuss ethical considerations: Explore the ethical and safety issues surrounding the integration of stem cell therapy into pediatric neuroscience practice.
• Compare treatment approaches: Contract stem cell therapy with established interventions, highlighting potential benefits, limitations, and future directions for clinical application.

Dr. Majid Aziz

• Understand the potential for disease modification with personalized treatment strategy, especially for genetically defined disorders with identifiable mechanisms.
• Discuss emerging clinical evidence, advances in cell characterization, manufacturing, and delivery techniques continue to improve the field.
• Higlight safety and ethical concerns.

Dr. Khalid Al-Kharazi

Dr. Khalid Al-Kharazi is a senior pediatric neurosurgeon at Sidra Medicine with about 25 years of neurosurgical experience. Before joining the medical team in Qatar in 2014, he practiced in Canada, Germany, Jordan, and Yemen. He holds neurosurgery certifications from Canada, Germany, the UK, and Jordan. He completed a clinical fellowship in pediatric neurosurgery at the University of British Columbia (BCCH, Vancouver).

Dr. Al-Kharazi is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and earned the German board certification after training in Berlin. He has pioneered several neurosurgical interventions in Qatar, including minimally invasive craniosynostosis and epilepsy surgeries.

Dr. Al-Kharazi is the director of pediatric neurosurgery fellowship program and is an examiner in the Qatar Board of Medical Specialties (QBMS). Dr. Al-Kharazi also holds an MBA from the University of Manchester, UK. Dr. Al-Kharazi is associate professor at Qatar University and assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar.

Dr. Mitchell Stotland

Dr. Mitchell Stotland is Vice Chair of the Department of Surgery, Division Chief of Plastic, Craniofacial, and Hand Surgery, and Medical Director of Perioperative Services at Sidra Medicine. He completed medical school and plastic surgery residency at McGill University, followed by a craniofacial surgery fellowship at UCLA. In 1997, he began clinical practice at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, founding a multidisciplinary craniofacial anomalies program. He earned a Master of Science in Evaluative Clinical Sciences from the Dartmouth Institute in 2007.

Since joining Sidra in 2014, Dr. Stotland has introduced complex plastic surgical procedures and established a multidisciplinary approach to craniofacial care in Qatar. He was appointed Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine – Qatar in 2019.

His clinical interests include cleft lip/palate, craniosynostosis, facial trauma, and ear reconstruction. His research focuses on measuring facial differences, including AI-driven models. In 2023, he chaired Sidra’s inaugural symposium on AI in medicine.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Discuss the advantages of minimally invasive approach in craniosynostosis.
• Discuss caveats and requirements minimally invasive approach in craniosynostosis.

Dr. Ángeles García-Cazorla

Dr. Garcia-Cazorla is a neuropaediatrician and researcher at the Hospital Sant Joan de Déu (Barcelona) where she directs the Neurometabolic Diseases Unit. She is also director of the International Master's Degree in Neurometabolism and Cell Biology for clinicians at the University of Barcelona. Her main focuses of interest are defects in neurotransmission and synaptic communication, and the development of personalised therapies in various neurometabolic pathologies. He coordinates the neurotransmitter working group of the European MetabERN network and is a member of the SSIEM Council. She has published 280 peer-reviewed articles and is co-editor of the reference book ‘Inborn Errors of Metabolism: Diagnosis and Treatment’, Springer, 2022.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Understand the basic principles of gene therapy for metachromatic leukodystrophy.
• Recognize the warning signs for early diagnosis of metachromatic leukodystrophy.
• Understand the effect of gene therapy in patients undergoing long-term follow-up.

Dr. Mohammed R. Shaker

Dr. Mohammed R. Shaker is a Scientist at the Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University. He earned his PhD in Neuroscience from Korea University and subsequently joined the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology at The University of Queensland, where he progressed to Senior Research Fellow. His research combines patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells, organoid technology and functional analysis to investigate human neurodevelopment and neurological disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, leukodystrophies, and neural tube defects.

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Describe how patient derived iPSCs and organoid platforms can be used to model human neurodevelopment and neurological disorders.
• Explain how patient genomics can be integrated with proteomics, single cell reference mapping, and functional neural network analysis to investigate disease mechanisms.

Dr. Daniel Aharon Donoho

Co-Director, Pituitary and Skull Base Program
Pediatric Neurosurgeon
Children’s National Hospital

Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Daniel A. Donoho, MD, is an assistant professor of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Children’s National Hospital and the George Washington University. He received an undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College (economics) and medical degree from SUNY- Stony Brook, where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.  He completed residency at the University of Southern California and fellowships at Harvard Medical School and Texas Children’s Hospital. Dr. Donoho’s NIH- funded research group studies surgical education and develops technologies that improve surgical safety, having published over 100 manuscripts and book chapters and given more than 100 conference talks and invited presentations. Dr. Donoho is board certified in adult and pediatric neurosurgery and has served in leadership for major surgical societies and nonprofit organizations. 

Session-Specific Learning Objectives

• Understand use of AI in medicine and surgery for diagnosis
• Understand use of automation and AI agents in healthcare
• Explain the next steps in AI development that will impact healthcare