ASU Parkinson’s expert Jeffrey Kordower named vice president of World Parkinson Coalition

The World Parkinson Coalition announced the appointment of new executive leadership who will guide the organization through the next three years leading up to the eighth World Parkinson Congress scheduled for June 2029 in Quebec City, Canada.

Taking over the position of president is Malú G. Tansey, with Jeffrey H. Kordower serving as vice president.

Kordower is the founding director of the the ASU-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center and The Charlene and J. Orin Edson Distinguished Director at the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University.

He has been involved with the World Parkinson Congress since its inception, serving as a speaker, program committee member and board director. His pioneering work in neural transplantation, disease pathogenesis, gene therapy and stem cell research has helped shape the field of Parkinson's research over the past four decades.

“I could not be prouder to be elected vice president of the World Parkinson's Coalition. The WPC is the world’s leading society that brings patients, caregivers, scientists and doctors together under one roof,” Kordower says. “Great things are about to come.”

Continuing in their leadership roles are Alice Nieuwboer as secretary and Rajesh Pahwa as treasurer. The WPC also welcomes Leonidas Stefanis as its newest member of the board of directors.

The World Parkinson Coalition hosts the only global event that brings together all stakeholders in the Parkinson’s community, including scientists, neurologists, clinicians, rehabilitation specialists, nurses, allied health professionals, people with Parkinson’s and care partners. Through its work and the triennial World Parkinson Congress, the WPC creates opportunities for collaboration, education and innovation aimed at improving treatment, care and quality of life for people living with Parkinson’s worldwide.

"Strong leadership is essential to advancing the mission of the World Parkinson Coalition," said Elizabeth Pollard, executive director of the WPC. "We are thrilled to welcome this exceptional leadership team and newest board member as we build on the momentum of our ongoing work and of the recent seventh World Parkinson Congress as we look ahead to 2029."

Dr. Tansey assumes the role of president after serving as vice president of the World Parkinson Coalition. An internationally recognized neuroscientist, Tansey is director of neuroimmunology research at the Stark Neurosciences Research Institute and a faculty member at the Indiana University School of Medicine. Her research focuses on the role of inflammation and immune system dysfunction in Parkinson's disease and related neurodegenerative disorders.

A long-time supporter of the World Parkinson Congress, Tansey has served in numerous leadership roles within the organization and has been a strong advocate for fostering collaboration among researchers, clinicians, people with Parkinson's and care partners. As president, she will help guide the coalition's efforts as it looks toward the eighth World Parkinson Congress.

Joining the board of directors is Dr. Stefanis, professor of neurology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine and director of the 1st Department of Neurology at Eginition Hospital in Athens, Greece. He is also an affiliated researcher at the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens. An internationally respected clinician-scientist, Stefanis is known for his research into the molecular mechanisms underlying Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, with a particular focus on alpha-synuclein biology, lysosomal dysfunction and neurodegeneration. He has authored hundreds of scientific publications and has been actively involved in numerous international Parkinson's research initiatives.

"The WPC occupies a unique place in the Parkinson's community,” Tansey says. “I look forward to building on the organization's remarkable legacy and continuing to foster meaningful collaboration that accelerates progress for everyone affected by Parkinson's."

"We are excited to welcome Leonidas Stefanis to the board and to begin this new chapter under Malú's leadership," said outgoing WPC President Roger Barker. "Their scientific expertise, international perspectives and longstanding commitment to the Parkinson's community will help guide the coalition as it continues to expand its global impact."

A complete list of the WPC Board of Directors is available at the World Parkinson Coalition website.