Speakers
Donna Ludwinski
Family Support Advocate
Donna Ludwinski has a vast knowledge of the neuroblastoma research landscape. As a staunch parent advocate, Donna is passionate about providing resources to neuroblastoma families and guiding them through the world of clinical trials to empower their decision-making. She is based in Virginia, USA, and is the Director of Research Advocacy Programs for Solving Kids' Cancer in the US. Donna is an active member of the New Approaches to Neuroblastoma Therapy (NANT) Advisory Council, Coalition Against Childhood Cancer (CAC2) Board, and National Cancer Institute (NCI) Pediatric Central Institutional Review Board. She is also a member of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), Pediatric Cancer Working Group (PCWG) and was a member of their Steering Committee 2015-2018. Donna also serves on the Pediatric Oncology Subcommittee of the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (PedsODAC) for the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Donna’s son, Erik, passed from neuroblastoma in 2010 at the age of 24.
Mandy Berriman
Parent Advocate
Mandy Berriman is a devoted neuroblastoma advocate whose journey began when her youngest son, Peter, was diagnosed with intermediate-risk neuroblastoma in 2019 at just eight years old. Mandy became involved with Solving Kids’ Cancer UK when Peter relapsed with high-risk disease in 2020. Fortunately, Peter now has no evidence of disease. She openly shares her family’s journey, speaking about the emotional and practical challenges of navigating treatment and the importance of finding reliable, trustworthy information.
Dr Claudia Pasqualini
Institut Gustave Roussy
Dr Claudia Pasqualini, MD, PhD, is a physician scientist at Gustave Roussy. She specialises in high‑risk neuroblastoma and is the Principal Investigator of the international HR‑NBL‑2 trial, leading efforts to improve outcomes for newly diagnosed high‑risk patients.
She is also an active member of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology European Neuroblastoma Group (SIOPEN).
Her work combines clinical care with research aimed at developing more effective and personalised treatment approaches for children with cancer.
Dr Sara M. Federico
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Dr Sara M. Federico, MD, is Director of the Division of Solid Tumour in the Department of Oncology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the US. She is an internationally recognised paediatric oncologist specialising in high-risk solid tumours, including neuroblastoma. Dr Federico also plays a key leadership role in national clinical research as Study Co-Chair of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) ANBL2131 trial, a major frontline Phase 3 study evaluating early chemoimmunotherapy for newly diagnosed high-risk neuroblastoma. Her work continues to advance treatment strategies and improve outcomes for children facing aggressive solid tumours.
Nick Bird MBE
Nick Bird MBE is Chair of Trustees and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board at Solving Kids’ Cancer UK. He plays a pivotal role in positioning the organisation as a leading funder of innovative, patient-centred clinical trials, championing international collaboration, and advocating for research that truly prioritises children’s needs. His commitment was recognised with an MBE in the 2025 New Year Honours list for exceptional services to children and families affected by neuroblastoma.
Nick’s journey began in 2009 when his youngest son, Adam, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at just five years old. Over the next four years, Adam underwent intensive treatment in the UK, Germany, and the United States. Despite these efforts, Adam tragically passed away in 2013. Since then, Nick has dedicated himself to supporting families and advancing research.
Professor Juliet Gray
Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton
Professor Juliet Gray is a Professor of Paediatric Oncology working in the Department of Paediatric Oncology at Southampton Children’s Hospital and the Centre for Cancer Immunology at the University of Southampton. Her clinical and research expertise centres on neuroblastoma and cancer immunotherapy, with a strong focus on developing novel, antibody-based treatments for children with high-risk disease. She is also a valued member of Solving Kids’ Cancer UK’s Scientific Advisory Board.
Professor Gray is the co-lead investigator of the BEACON2 study. Her leadership and scientific contributions continue to drive progress in childhood cancer research, shaping the development of more effective and targeted treatments for young patients facing this challenging disease.
Dr Sally George
The Institute of Cancer Research, London
Dr Sally George, PhD, is a Paediatric Oncologist and Clinician Scientist at The Institute of Cancer Research, where she leads the Developmental Oncology Group. A CRUK Clinician Scientist, she specialises in paediatric solid tumours, particularly neuroblastoma. Her research spans laboratory discovery and early phase clinical translation, with a strong focus on ATRX mutant disease. Dr George is an active contributor to major research networks, including the UK NCRI Neuroblastoma Clinical Trials Group and the European neuroblastoma consortium SIOPEN. She is also the Chief Investigator of the upcoming MINT trial (MIBG in Neuroblastoma with Talazoparib), opening in the UK, Netherlands, Germany and Canada. Dr George is widely recognised for her valuable leadership in advancing neuroblastoma research.
Dr Francesca del Bufalo
Bambino Gesù Chidren’s Hospital
Dr Francesca Del Bufalo, MD, PhD, is a Paediatric Haematology Oncology Consultant at Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital. She is a paediatric oncologist who specialises in CAR T-cell therapy for neuroblastoma. Dr Del Bufalo leads the GD2CART01 clinical trial, which is offering encouraging progress for children with relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma.
She is recognised internationally for her work in developing new immunotherapy approaches for paediatric solid tumours and is helping to improve future treatment options for children with high-risk cancers.