Welcome James Goss, New Scientific Director

We are delighted to welcome James Goss, PhD, as the new Scientific Director of the STXBP1 Foundation. With the accelerating pace of STXBP1 research and projects, we wanted a dedicated, experienced researcher to drive our work in collaboration with our Scientific Advisory Board, parent Board and research community. Read on for Dr. Goss' greeting and his background:

Hello. First off, please know how honored I am to represent the STXBP1 Foundation as its new Scientific Director. I am a neuroscientist with 30 years of experience in academia, pharma, and non-profits. As an academic I carried out basic research on aging, neurodegeneration, traumatic brain injury, and genetics. As a faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh I taught courses on neuroscience and behavior, neuroanatomy, and neurobiology of aging. While there, I collaborated with a group of other scientists to develop gene therapies for several neurological disorders including Parkinson’s disease, chronic pain, and peripheral neuropathy. I was fortunate in being able to take a gene therapy treatment for severe pain from research concept to human clinical trials. I have worked to develop gene therapies at a small biotech company and biologic drugs at a global pharmaceutical. I have spent the last several years working with non-profit organizations, first in developing anti-HIV drugs and drug/devices for women, primarily for sub-Sahara Africa, and most recently I oversaw the gene therapy program for neurofibromatosis type 1 at a family foundation.

It is clear to me that the STXBP1 Foundation has made incredible progress over a relatively short period of time due to the tireless efforts of the parents and dedicated scientists. As Scientific Director I will use my knowledge and experience in neuroscience and drug development to meet the challenges ahead in finding a cure. Please always feel free to contact me if you have any questions concerning the scientific efforts of the Foundation.

-James Goss, PhD