Dr. Philip Ancliff is an experienced paediatric haematologist (appointed to GOSH in 2003) with extensive practice in all areas of malignant haematology. His research covers the spectrum from the basic science of the pathogenesis of leukaemia, through optimising mainstream treatment to novel immunotherapeutic approaches. He also has expertise in severe congenital neutropenia and bone marrow failure disorders. Dr Ancliff chairs the UK National Cancer Research Institute’s Childhood Leukaemia study group.

Areas of Expertise

• Paediatric leukaemias and related disorders
• Severe congenital neutropenia
• Bone marrow failure syndromes

Education & qualifications

• 1987 - 1992 University of Cambridge and Addenbrooke’s Hospital Clinical School
• 1993 - 1994 General medical training, Leeds General Infirmary
• 1995 - 1999 Specialist Haematology Training, UCL Hospitals and GOSH
• 2000 - 2003 PhD, UCL. “Pathogenesis of Severe Congenital Neutropenia”

• Consultant Pediatrician
• Head of Thalassemia Department, Fujairah Hospital, UAE

• Symptoms and Pain Specialist, Pediatric Oncology department, NBK Hospital (Oct 2024 – Present)
• Head of Complex Care Unit, Al-Adan Hospital (Jan 2020 - Present)
• Pediatrics Palliative Care Fellow:
  • Stollery Children's Hospital, Edmonton, AB (Apr - Nov 2023).
  • Rotary Flames House Children's Hospice, Calgary, AB (Oct 2022 - Apr 2023).
  • Canuck Children's Hospice, Vancouver, BC (Oct 2021 - Oct 2022)

Dr. Nisreen M. Khalifa is a Consultant Pediatric Oncologist in the Solid Tumor Unit at the NBK Children’s Hospital in Kuwait. Dr. Khalifa received her MD degree in 1992 from Assiut University in Egypt and completed her training in General Pediatrics in Assiut University Hospitals. She received her MSc degree in Pediatrics from Assiut University in 1997. Dr. Khalifa started her career in Oncology at the South Egypt Cancer Institute in Assiut University in 1998. She trained at National Cancer Institute. Cairo University before receiving her PhD in Pediatric Oncology in 2006 and becoming a faculty member at the South Egypt Cancer Institute. Dr. Khalifa joined the Pediatric Unit in the Medical Oncology Department at the Kuwait Cancer Control Centre in 2007. She later joined the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Department at the NBK Children’s Hospital as a consultant. Over her 22 years of practice, Dr. Khalifa has developed experience in solid tumors in children including sarcomas, brain tumors and malignant lymphomas.

• Dr. Eman Elmattar is a paediatric consultant at the department of hematology and oncology at NBK Children's Hospital in Kuwait.
• She received her Bachelor Of Medicine and Surgery from Kuwait University,she received her Diploma in child health,Dublin[DCH]
• Dr Eman joined the department of hematology and oncology at NBK HOSPITAL in 2000. Over 34 years of practice she developed experience in general pediatric and pediatric hematology and leukemia and shared experience through scientific literature and teaching young pediatricians.
• Head of accreditation committee of ministry of health Sabah hospital from 2005-2016
• Head of child abuse and child protection committee Sabah hospital from 2005-2017
• Member of mortality and morbidity committee from 2000-2017
• Member of performance measurement committee of NBK HOSPITAL
• Dr Eman running benign and malignant blood disorder
• Also covering leukemia clinic and platelets disorder clinic in NBK hospital
• Also running leukemia off therapy clinic

Dr. Maha Jassim Bourusly is a pediatric consultant at the department of hematology and oncology at the NBK Children’s Hospital in Kuwait. Dr Maha received her Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from Kuwait University, 1990, She received her Diploma in child health, Dublin (DCH) 1994. And Kuwait Board in Pediatrics (PGTP) 2002. And MRCPCH (UK) 2003. Dr Maha Joined the department of hematology and oncology at the NBK Children’s Hospital in Kuwait in 2003. Over her 32 years of practice, Dr. Maha has developed experience in general Pediatrics and pediatric hematology and leukemia, and shared these experiences through scientific literature and mentoring young pediatricians . She headed the Thalassemia league up until recently, and currently VP Pediatric league, Kuwait Medical Association. She is also board member and Co- founder of I want to learn society, an initiative to teach children at hospital with chronic debilitating illnesses.

• Dr. Alaa Elhaddad is a prominent Egyptian pediatric oncologist with extensive experience in hematology and oncology. He currently serves as the Head of the Pediatric Oncology Department and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at the Children’s Cancer Hospital Egypt 57357 (CCHE), also known as Hospital 57357.
• Dr. Elhaddad earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery in 1980, followed by a Master’s degree in Hematology in 1985, and a Medical Doctorate in Hematology in 1990.
• Throughout his career, Dr. Elhaddad has held significant academic positions, including serving as a professor at the National Cancer Institute, Cairo University.

• His clinical interests focus on bone marrow transplantation, a treatment that has significantly improved survival rates for pediatric cancer patients in Egypt.

• Under his leadership, Hospital 57357 has adopted the latest international treatment protocols, contributing to an overall survival rate exceeding 70% for children with cancer in Egypt.

• Dr. Elhaddad’s contributions to pediatric oncology have been instrumental in advancing cancer care and improving patient outcomes in the region.

Dr. Anupama Rao is a Paediatric Haematologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH). She has extensive experience and a breadth of knowledge in the management of children with rare haematological diseases such as Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukaemia (JMML), Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS), Familial Myelodysplasia, GATA2, MonoMac, Emberger Syndromes and Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes.

Dr. Rao leads a national UK wide study as Chief Investigator on Paediatric Myelodysplasia and Marrow Failure with the goal of enhanced access to advanced diagnostic next generation sequencing testing,genotype-clinical phenotype correlation and develop personalized treatment strategies for children with rare marrow failure syndromes. She has experience in treating children on early phase clinical trials with a proven benefit which has led to improved outcomes and successful bone marrow transplantation in children with rare diseases.

Dr. Rao also has specialist clinical experience inhaemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH),specifically the diagnosis of genetic HLH. She is the UK Principal Investigator for a novel treatment in HLH specifically in the management of refractory HLH

Dr. Rao is committed to improving long term outcomes of children with rare diseases to ensure they lead long and healthy lives. With clinical experience in the long term effects of bone marrow transplantation on growth and puberty Dr Raoensures that she provide holistic care for siblings and the family of a child with a rare haematological disease.

Dr. Yasser Elborai is a Professor of Ped Hematology Oncology & Stem Cell Transplant at National Cancer Institute (NCI), Cairo University. And consultant in Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Dr. Elborai was graduated from Cairo University, and finished his residency and fellowship at National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cairo University. He finished his fellowship of Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard University, Boston USA. Dr. Elborai is an author / coauthor in many scientific publications including research articles, review articles and books. Also, he is a peer reviewer in many prestigious scientific journals.

Dr. Yasser Wali graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt, in 1984 with Honours. He was trained at Alexandria Children’s University Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt, and completed his Master's and Doctorate Degrees in Paediatrics from the same university in 1994. Professor Wali gained his Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) certification in 1998 and was elected as a Fellow of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (FRCPCH) in 2005. He has a special interest in pediatric hematology and oncology and his clinical services extend to all of the Arabian Gulf area.

Yasser Wali is actively involved as a trainer and examiner for the MD, Diploma of Child Health (DCH) (Glasgow), Membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH) (UK), and examinations in the Gulf region. He is highly committed to the improvement and development of Paediatric Undergraduate and Post-Graduate teaching and training programs. He has authored over 115 peer-reviewed journal publications and more than 350 abstracts and presentations in both international and local meetings in the field of pediatric hematology and oncology. He serves as Associate Editor of Acta Biomedica, Oman Medical Journal, and Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal.

Dr. Robert Chiesa is a Consultant in the Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Unit at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London, where he also serves as the BMT Clinical Director. His clinical interests include cord blood transplantation and radioimmunotherapy.

Dr. Chiesa has been involved in educational initiatives, such as hosting a virtual event discussing the bone marrow transplant process for Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD) patients.

In addition to his clinical and educational roles, Dr. Chiesa has contributed to international medical discussions, presenting at conferences like the China Oncology V Conference in Shanghai.

Dr. Chiesa is affiliated with the Department of Bone Marrow Transplant at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust.

Dr. Birte Wistinghausen is a pediatric oncologist affiliated with Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C., where she is a member of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Program. She specializes in treating children, adolescents, and young adults with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, histiocytosis, and leukemia.

Dr. Wistinghausen earned her medical degree from Christian-Albrecht University in Kiel, Germany, in 1993. She completed her pediatrics residency and pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

Her clinical research focuses on non-Hodgkin lymphoma, particularly the role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in post-transplant lymphoproliferative syndrome (PTLD) and cellular therapy for EBV-positive PTLD. She also investigates the biology and treatment of B-lymphoblastic lymphoma.

Within the Children's Oncology Group (COG), Dr. Wistinghausen serves as the principal co-investigator of a clinical study using EBV-specific T-cells in patients with PTLD and is the responsible investigator for B-lymphoblastic lymphoma. She also holds the position of vice-chair for education of the COG non-Hodgkin lymphoma committee.

Dr. Wistinghausen is board-certified in pediatric hematology-oncology and has been recognized as a top doctor in the New York Metro Area.

Dr. Andrés Morales La Madrid is a pediatric oncologist specializing in brain and spinal cord tumors. He is the Head of Oncology at SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital and Chief Medical Officer at Gate2Brain. He trained in Peru, Spain, and the U.S., completing fellowships at Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s and the University of Chicago. His research focuses on innovative therapies, including dendritic cell vaccines for DIPG. He is also involved in global pediatric oncology initiatives to improve cancer care access.

Dr. Eugene (Gene) Hwang is the Chief of the Division of Oncology at Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C. He specializes in pediatric neuro-oncology, focusing on treating children with brain tumors. Dr. Hwang has developed and led numerous early-phase therapeutic clinical trials, particularly in immunotherapy, gene therapy, and targeted treatments. He serves as the site Principal Investigator for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium and co-chairs its Immunotherapy Working Group.

Dr. Hwang earned his medical degree from Duke University, completed a pediatrics residency at Brown University/Hasbro Children's Hospital, and pursued fellowships in pediatric hematology/oncology and pediatric neuro-oncology at Duke. He holds leadership roles in several research consortia, including the Children's Oncology Group, Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium, and Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium.

Dr. José Hinojosa Mena-Bernal is a pediatric neurosurgeon and the Head of the Neurosurgery Service at SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital. He specializes in neuro-oncology, craniofacial surgery, and minimally invasive procedures. Dr. Hinojosa earned his medical degree from the Universidad de Valladolid in 1991 and completed his neurosurgery training at Hospital Ramón y Cajal in Madrid. He has held leadership roles in various scientific societies, including serving as President of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Neurosurgery. His international experience includes training at institutions such as Albert Einstein Medical College in New York and the University of Heidelberg in Germany.