The Barth Syndrome Foundation’s (BSF) international Scientific and Medical Advisory Board is a dedicated team of researchers and physicians who generously donate their time and expertise to our mission. Without them, we would not be able to review grant applications with multi-dimensional expertise or write medically-approved educational materials about Barth syndrome. These eminent scientists and physicians are central to our goals and our operation. BSF is incredibly pleased to introduce our members, each of whom has agreed to serve for a four-year term. This international group forms the review panel for research grants and provides scientific and medical advice and guidance to BSF's Board of Directors.
Ronald J. A. Wanders, PhD
Head of Laboratory of Genetic Metabolic Diseases, Emma Children´s Hospital; Professor, Department of Pediatrics & Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Ronald J. A. Wanders, Ph.D. has been a steadfast champion for the Barth syndrome community. From the earliest days of the discovery of Barth syndrome, he worked closely with Dr. Peter Barth to learn about the underlying mechanisms of the disease. Before his retirement, he served as a Professor and Head of the Laboratory Genetic Metabolic Diseases at the Amsterdam University Medical Center, a world-renowned expert center for the diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism. Throughout his career, Dr. Wanders’ leadership and scientific insight have been invaluable to advancing Barth syndrome research. A founding member of the BSF Scientific and Medical Advisory Board in 2001, he has helped shape the Foundation’s scientific strategy, contributed extensively to grant review, and played a major role in Sci-Med conference programming. He has also served as an influential mentor to a new generation of scientists, including Drs. Houtkooper, Vreken, and Vaz, all of whom are now established researchers in the field. Dr. Wanders’ academic contributions are extraordinary: he has authored more than 50 book chapters and over 950 peer-reviewed publications, which have collectively been cited more than 29,000 times. Yet beyond his scientific achievements, Dr. Wanders is defined by his deep compassion for the Barth syndrome community. He has consistently offered his time, empathy, and thoughtful guidance to Barth families, reflecting a commitment that extends far beyond the laboratory.
