Trade Symposia Speakers
Thursday 31 August 2023
Acino Swiss Symposium (08:00 - 09:00)
Prof Jan Buitelaar
Jan Buitelaar is a professor of psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry at the Radboud University Medical Centre, and at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. He has a strong clinical and research interest in neuropsychiatric disorders as ADHD, autism and impulsivity and aggression related disorders, and is involved in pharmacological, cognitive, clinical, genetic, and neuroimaging studies in these disorders. His current active research is focused on translational studies aiming to identify new molecular targets for ADHD and autism through matching preclinical models to human imaging genetics studies. His research is supported by numerous grants from the European Union, NIH, and from the Dutch Medical Research Council. He has published more than 1000 peer-reviewed scientific papers with more than 50,000 citations and is among the top 1% of most often cited researchers worldwide.
He has been awarded several honours, such as the research price of the Dutch Society of Psychiatry in 2011, the international travelling speaker fellowship 2011/2012 of the Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, the Merz Guest Professorship at Goethe University in Frankfurt in 2014, the Oeuvre Award of European Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry ESCAP in 2019, the Lifetime Achievement Award of European Network for Hyperkinetic Disorder Eunethydis in 2022, and the Lifetime Achievement Award of the International Society for Autism Research in 2023. He is an elected member of the Academia Europaea, vice-president of the ADHD World Federation, and treasurer of Eunethydis. He has been knighted in the order of the Dutch Lion.
Friday 1 September 2023
Pharma Dynamics Symposium (08:00 - 09:00)
Ms Karla Pretorius
MA: Psychology, Registered Counselor
Karla Pretorius is an accomplished professional in the field of neurodiversity, serving as one of the directors of AIMS Global (www.aimsglobal.info). With a career spanning nearly two decades, she has been at the forefront of advocating for awareness, acceptance, and understanding of neurodivergent individuals and their families on an international scale. Karla’s expertise lies in psychology research, focusing on autism, ADHD, and related conditions. She holds a double Honours degree in Psychology from both the United States and South Africa and has further enhanced her qualifications by completing a Master’s degree in Psychology through the University of Stellenbosch. Having received her own ADHD diagnosis in her thirties, Karla brings a unique perspective to her work, combining her personal experiences with her clinical background to better support families. Currently serving as the Chief Clinical Officer for Augmental Technologies, Karla and her team has developed Tracto (www.tracto.app), a groundbreaking companion app designed to support parents of children with behavioral and emotional challenges. Through her innovative contributions, she continues to make a significant impact on the lives of individuals and families in need. Join Karla Pretorius at the upcoming conference as she shares her wealth of knowledge and insights, offering invaluable guidance to professionals, caregivers, and individuals seeking a deeper understanding of neurodiversity and effective support strategies.
Saturday 2 September 2023
Dr Reddy's Symposium (08:30 - 09:30)
Dr Fanie Meyer
Dr Fanie Meyer is a psychiatrist based at the Optima@Rustenvrede Hospital outside Stellenbosch. He trained as an undergraduate at University of Pretoria in the 80’s, worked as a GP in Polokwane in the 90’s, and finished his MMed in Psychiatry at the University of the Freestate in 2000’s. He has served on the national councils of SA Society of Psychiatrists, PAINSA, and presented numerous talks at local, national and international forums. He is also the Medical Director of the M-care Optima Psychiatric hospitals in Bloemfontein and Stellenbosch. His main academic passion has been, trying to understand the Mind – Body interface, and how it manifests in Anxiety, Pain, and other Brain disorders.