Who we are

Click on the photos to read more.

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  Chair ZHIVKO YANKOV Bulgaria
  

  Chair

  ZHIVKO YANKOV

  Bulgaria

  Zhivko Yankov was elected as president for ASIF at the 2016 Council Meeting in Moscow, after spending two years as a trustee. He has been Chairman of the Bulgarian Ankylosing Spondylitis Association since 2009. He was the representative for Bulgaria in PARE, founding member of Bulgarian organisation for patients of rheumatic diseases and AGORA – the international body representing rheumatic organisations in southern Europe. Zhivko has a master’s degree in engineering and computer CAD/CAM design, as well as a master’s degree in psychology. In his spare time Zhivko likes travelling and hiking. His dream is for scientists to find a cure for axial spondyloarthritis. He is a strong believer that communication is the best cure for everything and everyone.

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  Vice Chair LILLANN WERMSKOG Norway
  

  Vice Chair

  LILLANN WERMSKOG

  Norway

  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.

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  Treasurer RENÉ BRÄM Switzerland
  

  Treasurer

  RENÉ BRÄM

  Switzerland

  Rene is the director of the Swiss Ankylosing Spondylitis Association and is a board member and trustee of national associations and foundations in Switzerland. René has supported ASIF since its foundation, when for many years he was the treasurer as well as working as an auditor. With his renewed involvement as treasurer, he commented that he would like to contribute to people with axSpA being diagnosed earlier, being able to cope with everyday life and participate in social life despite the disease.

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  Secretary ANDRI PHOKA Cyprus
  

  Secretary

  ANDRI PHOKA

  Cyprus

  “In 2016 I received a letter from ASIF as patient member representative, this letter asked for people to nominate themselves for a trustee position. I, as a person with Ankylosing Spondylitis and a board member of the Cyprus League Against Rheumatism, saw this as an opportunity to work towards a better future for people with axSpA around the world. When I became an ASIF trustee, I met passionate trustees who wanted to raise awareness globally for axSpA, visionaries for a global organisation who can help big and small organisations to improve the situation in their countries, and even help countries without a patient organisation to start one. Having served ASIF for 5 years now, I believe it was one of the wisest decisions I made to become a trustee.  I have learnt a lot about axSpA, I empower my knowledge and I share it in my national organisation, I share my opinions, my ideas, and my knowledge with others. I see ASIF becoming a bigger and stronger global organisation day by day and I am part of it. In addition, I have learnt about people around the world: scientists, rheumatologists, advocates, patients, people from the industry. I have participated in lots of conferences and I feel like I gain much more than I give. I would truly recommend becoming a Trustee of ASIF.” – Andri Phoka, Cyprus

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  Trustee PRACHEE BHOSLE India / UK
  

  Trustee

  PRACHEE BHOSLE

  India / UK

  Prachee is the President of the Ankylosing Spondylitis Welfare Society (ASWS), a patient-led charity in India dedicated to raising awareness and advocating for axSpA patients and caregivers.

  Prachee holds a Master’s degree in Social Psychology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology. While raising her children and taking care of several pets, she remained committed to social work and advocacy. Prachee has represented ASWS at international platforms such as the GAfPA Roundtable in Brussels, the EULAR Conference in Vienna, the ASIF meeting in Bogota, and the PARE Conference in Brussels. She was also a member of the Novartis Health Advocacy Council.

  Prachee continues to balance her family life and advocacy work, striving to create positive change for the axSpA community.

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  Trustee JULIETH BUITRAGO Colombia
  

  Trustee

  JULIETH BUITRAGO

  Colombia

  Julieth was born in Colombia and raised in Bogotá. She earned her degree as a lawyer and business administrator. She specialised in labor law, social security and business management and has an MBA in Business and Administration.

  She was diagnosed with axSpA in 2010 and since then has worked to lead and support the axSpA community and those with other conditions.

  In 2014, Julieth became a founding member of the Ankylosing Spondylitis Foundation in Colombia, an organisation created to spread knowledge of the disease through a network of multipliers, to advance early detection and support patients by improving their quality of life.

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  Trustee DR. TUNCAY DURUÖZ Turkey
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  Trustee NADIA MALLIOU Greece
  

  Trustee

  NADIA MALLIOU

  Greece

  Nadia is a licensed cognitive and experimental psychologist experienced in various professional settings both in mental health services, primary care services and administration. She’s an axSpA patient herself and focuses on RMDs and chronic pain working as a volunteer with EULAR PARE, the Pain Alliance Europe-PAE, the European Pain Federation EFIC, ASIF, the Hellenic League Against Rheumatism ELEANA and the Federation for Rare Diseases.

  Nadia recently started her PhD. Meanwhile, she’s a volunteer supporting patients in the Pain Unit of Thessaloniki General Hospital AHEPA. She has participated in several research projects either as a researcher or a patient research partner and has been an invited speaker in numerous conferences. Working with HCPs but most importantly with other patients has been a meaningful experience that contributed to her empowerment and self-improvement as a patient and a professional. Nadia’s inspirational quote is: everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.

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  Trustee CASSIE SHAFER United States of America
  

  Trustee

  CASSIE SHAFER

  United States of America

  Cassie joined Spondylitis Association of America (SAA) as the new CEO in 2017 and became an ASIF Board of Trustee in 2018. She brings more than 35+ years of nonprofit healthcare executive management to her role having prior senior management experience with US nonprofits that include the American Heart Association, American Lung Association, National Kidney Foundation and American Diabetes Foundation. She has a background in Psychology from Sonoma State University. Cassie enjoys learning something new about Spondyloarthritis and it’s impact on patients everyday from members of the spondy community served by SAA. Expanding partnership opportunities with ASIF on various programs and projects allows more awareness and exposure internationally for both organizations, reaching those diagnosed with Spondyloarthritis. One key area Cassie wants to focus on for SAA is more disease awareness to those suffering from undiagnosed chronic back and neck pain and helping patients recognize the need to see a rheumatologist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. The opportunity to meet such passionate patients internationally has been a very positive experience since joining ASIF as a member organization and the Board of Trustees.

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  Assistant Director JO DAVIES United Kingdom
  

  Assistant Director

  JO DAVIES

  United Kingdom

  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.

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  Project Manager JO LOWE Portugal
  

  Project Manager

  JO LOWE

  Portugal

  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.

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  Communications Manager JOANNE DE BRY United Kingdom
  

  Communications Manager

  JOANNE DE BRY

  United Kingdom

  Joanne joined ASIF in 2021 to develop and grow the organisation’s communications. Joanne has 25 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.

Expert Advisory Committee

ASIF receives guidance from a multi-disciplinary Expert Advisory Committee (EAC), which provides a healthcare perspective on ASIF’s work. Alongside patient organisations, the committee includes rheumatology; physiotherapy and rehabilitation; nursing; psychology; and epidemiology experts. The EAC is geographically diverse with members from five continents. The steer of the committee ensures that ASIF’s work is impactful, relevant and credible; and that we are able to explore new opportunities from a range of different healthcare perspectives.

Click on the photos to read more about our EAC members.

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  EAC Chair Dr Tuncay Duruöz Turkey
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  Dr Wilson Bautista-Molano Colombia
  

  Dr Wilson Bautista-Molano

  Colombia

  Dr Wilson Bautista-Molano is a Physician and Rheumatologist. He graduated from the National University of Colombia, where he completed his specialisation in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology. He earned a PhD in Rheumatology from Leiden University in the Netherlands, serving as a researcher in the Department of Rheumatology and successfully defending his doctoral dissertation.
  Currently, Dr Bautista-Molano leads the Rheumatology Department at the University Hospital Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá. He also holds faculty positions as Professor at the School of Medicine in Universidad El Bosque University and University of the Andes, where he contributes to the academic development of medical students and healthcare professionals.
  He serves as a member of the Executive Committee of ASAS (Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society) and is an active member of GRAPPA (Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis). Additionally, he coordinates the Axial Spondyloarthritis Study Group of PANLAR (Pan-American League of Associations for Rheumatology).
  Dr Bautista-Molano’s research interests focus on clinical outcomes assessment, disease burden, and imaging diagnostics for rheumatic and autoimmune diseases, with a particular emphasis on axial spondyloarthritis. He is passionate about integrating innovative technologies into medical education and training. His work extends to collaborative research projects in the fields of immunology, autoimmunity, and clinical epidemiology.

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  Dr Deniz Bayraktar Turkey
  

  Dr Deniz Bayraktar

  Turkey

  Deniz Bayraktar (Denislav Orlinov), PT, PhD

  Dr. Deniz Bayraktar (Denislav Orlinov) is a physiotherapist by background and an Associate Professor at Izmir Katip Celebi University (Türkiye). Since June 2024, he has been an Affiliate Scientist at Arthritis Research Canada. He collaborates with European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) as the President of Turkish Health Professionals Association, and with the Pediatric Rheumatology European Association (PReS) as the Representative of Health Professionals in Auto-Inflammatory Working Party. He and his team are currently conducting clinical research focusing on the effects of different exercise approaches in various childhood and adulthood rheumatic diseases. He also recently initiated implementation and public involvement projects supported by Dr. Linda Li (University of British Columbia) in the field of arthritis.

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  Dr Christine Bundy UK
  

  Dr Christine Bundy

  UK

  Christine Bundy PhD, AFBPS, CPsychol
  Professor of Health Psychology / Behavioural Medicine

  Christine specialises in providing and teaching psychological management support for complex inflammatory skin and joint conditions. As a behaviour change expert I focus on health anxiety, adherence and patient self-management. I develop training for healthcare staff to address psychological issues in consultations and knowing when to refer to psychological specialities.

  My grant income is over £24 million and I have over 140 publications to date.

  Christine was President of the UK Society for Behavioural Medicine December 2014-2016. She served two NICE clinical guideline development groups, and three research Priority Setting Partnership groups. She is currently working on two EU Guideline development groups and a global project in axSpA.

  Christine was a member of the Covid-19 Technical Advisory Group from 2019 to 2023.

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  Moataz Daoud Canada
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  Prof Marco Garrido-Cumbrera Spain
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  Dr Muhammad Asim Khan USA
  

  Dr Muhammad Asim Khan

  USA

  Muhammad Asim Khan, MD, MACP

  Living with AS since age 12, Dr Khan has experienced first-hand the struggles and triumphs of a journey that is both a professional calling and a deeply personal mission. With nine members of his extended family affected by axSpA, his resolve to make a difference only deepened. This shared challenge drives his commitment to research, education, and advocacy for those who endure in silence and those who fight with resilience. After earning his medical degree in 1965 and completing postgraduate training in the UK, he moved to the US in 1969 to pursue specialisation and academia. Along the way, he has been honoured with many accolades, but what truly matters to him is the collective impact that we achieve—through ASIF and SAA, and in collaboration with ASAS, SPARTAN, and GRAPPA—to advance clinical and genetic research, pioneer innovative therapies, and promote education.

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  Prof Robert Landewé Netherlands
  

  Prof Robert Landewé

  Netherlands

  Professor Robert B.M. Landewé, MD

  Robert Landewé is a professor of rheumatology at the Academic Medical Center / University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and is chair of the department of rheumatology at Zuyderland Medical Center Heerlen, The Netherlands.

  Professor Landewé received practical training in general internal medicine and rheumatology at Atrium Medical Center, Heerlen and in rheumatology at the University Hospital, Maastricht. He practices rheumatology in the Zuyderland Medical Center in Heerlen/Sittard, The Netherlands

  Currently, Professor Landewé is involved in outcome research and epidemiological research in the field of rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis and other rheumatic and musculoskeletal manifestations. He has extensive experience in the design and analysis of clinical trials and has a special interest in medical statistics. Professor
  Landewé has authored or co-authored more than 600 articles and many book chapters covering a variety of topics, but with an emphasis on clinical epidemiology, methodology, statistics and guideline development (‘meta-research’). Recently he has developed an interest in -and published about- worldwide equity-issues pertaining to rheumatic diseases, as well as overdiagnosis and overtreatment. He is a regular reviewer for several general medicine, rheumatology, and epidemiology journals.

  He has led many EULAR recommendation initiatives and updates thereof on the management of systemic sclerosis, early arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, and on the management of COVID in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

  Professor Landewé is board member and past-president of the Assessment in Spondyloarthritis International Society (ASAS), executive board member of the METEOR foundation (monitoring in rheumatology) and previous chair of the Quality of Care committee of EULAR.

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  Prof Ajesh Maharaj South Africa
  

  Prof Ajesh Maharaj

  South Africa

  Professor Ajesh Maharaj, South Africa

  Professor AB Maharaj is a consultant rheumatologist at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital and a faculty member in the Department of Internal Medicine at Walter Sisulu University. He completed his undergraduate training at Banaras Hindu University, India and obtained his PhD from the University of Amsterdam. From 2006 to 2018, he led the Department of Internal Medicine at PMMH, University of KwaZulu Natal. Professor Maharaj is a prominent member of various international committees, including ASAS and GRAPPA, where he is Co-Lead of the comorbidities treatment recommendations domain and a member of the education committee. He is South Africa's only representative on ASAS and is actively involved in GRAPPA. Recognised for his contributions, he serves as Deputy Editor and social media editor for Best Practice and Research Clinical Rheumatology. He is the guest editor for special editions on precision medicine in RA and tropical rheumatology. He has a significant publication record, is a member of numerous editorial boards and is a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology.

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  Nadia Malliou Greece
  

  Nadia Malliou

  Greece

  Nadia is a licensed cognitive and experimental psychologist experienced in various professional settings both in mental health services, primary care services and administration. She’s an axSpA patient herself and focuses on RMDs and chronic pain working as a volunteer with EULAR PARE, the Pain Alliance Europe-PAE, the European Pain Federation EFIC, ASIF, the Hellenic League Against Rheumatism ELEANA and the Federation for Rare Diseases.

  Nadia recently started her PhD. Meanwhile, she’s a volunteer supporting patients in the Pain Unit of Thessaloniki General Hospital AHEPA. She has participated in several research projects either as a researcher or a patient research partner and has been an invited speaker in numerous conferences. Working with HCPs but most importantly with other patients has been a meaningful experience that contributed to her empowerment and self-improvement as a patient and a professional. Nadia’s inspirational quote is: everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.

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  Helena Marzo-Ortega UK
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  Mwidimi Ndosi UK
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  Andri Phoka Cyprus
  

  Andri Phoka

  Cyprus

  “In 2016 I received a letter from ASIF as patient member representative, this letter asked for people to nominate themselves for a trustee position. I, as a person with Ankylosing Spondylitis and a board member of the Cyprus League Against Rheumatism, saw this as an opportunity to work towards a better future for people with axSpA around the world. When I became an ASIF trustee, I met passionate trustees who wanted to raise awareness globally for axSpA, visionaries for a global organisation who can help big and small organisations to improve the situation in their countries, and even help countries without a patient organisation to start one. Having served ASIF for 5 years now, I believe it was one of the wisest decisions I made to become a trustee.  I have learnt a lot about axSpA, I empower my knowledge and I share it in my national organisation, I share my opinions, my ideas, and my knowledge with others. I see ASIF becoming a bigger and stronger global organisation day by day and I am part of it. In addition, I have learnt about people around the world: scientists, rheumatologists, advocates, patients, people from the industry. I have participated in lots of conferences and I feel like I gain much more than I give. I would truly recommend becoming a Trustee of ASIF.” – Andri Phoka, Cyprus

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  Prof Yeliz Prior UK
  

  Prof Yeliz Prior

  UK

  Professor Yeliz Prior is a Professor of Clinical Rehabilitation at the University of Salford and an internationally recognised expert in rheumatology rehabilitation, self-management, and digital health innovation. As both a researcher and clinician, she has led numerous studies focusing on improving the lives of people with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and other rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD).

  Living with axSpA herself, Prof. Prior is deeply committed to patient-centred research and the development of self- management tools, digital health solutions, and workplace
  interventions that support people to manage their condition and maintain their quality of life. She also champions knowledge equity, patient and public involvement, and co-production in healthcare research.

  As a member of the Expert Advisory Committee at ASIF, she brings her professional expertise alongside her lived experience to support global advocacy, research translation, and strategic initiatives aimed at improving axSpA care worldwide.

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  Prof James Cheng-Chung Wei Taiwan
  

  Prof James Cheng-Chung Wei

  Taiwan

  Professor James Cheng-Chung Wei, MD, PhD, FACR

  Dr. James Cheng-Chung Wei, MD, PhD, FACR is a clinical immunologist, rheumatologist and clinical researcher, serving as a Professor at the Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, and Vice Superintendent of Chung Shan Medical University Hospital. His expertise spans translational research in ankylosing spondylitis, clinical trials in rheumatology, and big data real-world studies.

  Dr Wei has an H-index of 45, with more than 600 peer-reviewed papers in leading scientific journals, accumulating over 15,000 citations. His research has been featured in high-impact journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, JAMA, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, Arthritis & Rheumatology, Diabetes care, eClinicalMedicine, Drugs, and Journal of Autoimmunity.

  In addition to his clinical and research roles, Dr. Wei is the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases and holds editorial positions in Frontiers in Immunology and Frontiers in Pharmacology. He has conducted over 200 global clinical trials and is actively involved in scientific advisory roles with international organizations like GRAPPA, ASAS, and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). He is currently the president of Taiwan Medical Big data Medical Research Society.