Lillann was born and raised in Oslo Norway. She earnt several degrees in art history, cultural history and history of ideas from the University of Oslo, and completed research in political science, society, art and architecture.

Since 2016, Lillann has been involved in Spafo Norge Norway’s projects, interest policy work (working for the members’ best interests with government and policy makers) and daily activities. She has a passion for interest policy work because of the difference it makes to people. Lillann has worked closely with the ASIF team on the International Map of Axial Spondyloarthritis (IMAS) project, which she enjoys as she cares deeply about science, knowledge-based dissemination and working internationally. Lillann has written many articles for Spafo Norge’s member magazine and for rheumatic conferences including EULAR and ACR.

Uta gained her MD in 1997 from Ruhr University Bochum, Germany. Currently, she works as a rheumatologist in Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet, Germany. She treats the wide range of inflammatory rheumatic diseases in a specialised rheumatology outpatient clinic. Uta’s main scientific interest is on the field of spondyloarthritis, focusing especially on patient-reported outcomes and quality standards. She has coordinated the developments and the update of the national guideline for axial spondyloarthritis in Germany for more than 10 years. Since 2008, Uta has been a member of Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS). She has been scientific advisor to ASIF since 2017.

Marco is a full professor at the University of Seville and leads the Health & Territory Research group at the University of Seville. He has published more than 30 articles in peer-reviewed journals and more than 100 presentations at international conferences (including EULAR, ACR, BSR among others). He has worked in international organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO).

In the field of Axial Spondyloarthritis, Marco is PI of the European and International Map of Axial Spondyloarthritis (IMAS) projects that are being implemented in more than 35 countries in 4 continents (Europe, Asia, North/Central/South America and Africa). Additionally, Marco Garrido leads the REUMAVID project aimed to Assess the Impact of Pandemic COVID-19 on patients with Rheumatic Diseases in six European countries. Marco participated in the ASAS ASAS/OMERACT Core Set Axial Spondyloarthritis and the SKIPPAIN Clinical Trial.

Marco is committed not only to Spondyloarthritis Research but also to the patient movement, being Scientific Advisor of the ASIF and the Spanish Federation of Spondyloarthritis Associations (CEADE).

In 2017 Jo was appointed as Executive to the Board, ASIF’s first employee. Jo has a background in grant-management and charity governance.  It is such an exciting time to work for ASIF as it grows its global community and is working on some exciting major international projects.  “It is an honour to work in a job where you get to meet so many amazing people all around the world who are doing their best to make life better for people with axSpA”.  Jo was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis more than 30 years ago after suffering a number of years of pain without diagnosis.  She now lives well with the disease and is an active member of NASS in the UK where she is Chair of NASS Euston a local group of patients in London, who exercise together regularly.

As ASIF’s Assistant Administrator, Valeria helps and supports the fantastic people (her words!) who run and make the Federation truly a worldwide entity. Italian art historian and marketing consultant with an international background, Valeria co-founded a small charity supporting children with neurodevelopmental disorders in London. After a cancer diagnosis, she chose to devote her time to her family. Valeria is training to become a Tai Chi Chuan teacher, keeping herself healthy competing on at a national level, she also studies acupuncture. Knowing that her work with ASIF can help friends and patients diagnosed with axSpA, Valeria sees it as a form of therapy as well as an important vocation.

Michael is a past-Secretary of ASIF and a current volunteer. A retired banker, Michael was diagnosed with axSpA after a ten-year search for a diagnosis. “I didn’t want that to happen to anyone else if I could help it” says Michael, who finds volunteering in the axSpA community a therapy in itself. Michael assisted in forming the Canadian Spondylitis Association in 2006 and was its first President until retiring in 2017.

Jo joined ASIF as Project Manager in September 2020. She manages ASIF’s key projects, including the International Map of Axial Spondyloarthritis (IMAS); Delay to Diagnosis and a members’ resources project.

Jo was born in Manchester, UK – but now lives in Portugal. She has worked in a variety of healthcare research roles at The University of Manchester, including project managing clinical trials and studies involving healthcare workers in the NHS. Jo has worked extensively with patient groups and is passionate about ensuring the patient voice is always heard. She is eager to better understand the experiences of people living with axSpA globally and dedicated to help improve their quality of life.

Joanne joined ASIF in 2021 to develop and grow the organisations’ communications. Joanne has 20 years of marketing and communications experience in health-related charities. She has worked with national patient groups both directly and while working for international membership organisations, similar to ASIF. Joanne understands the importance of advocating for patients’ rights to medical care. She is passionate about using communications to improve the lives of patients and ensuring their voices are heard.