About Us
Formerly known as The Crohn’s Infection, Human Paratuberculosis Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization founded in 2016. We are a IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Managed by a dedicated group of volunteers, the Human Paratuberculosis Foundation (HPF) is committed to providing patients and health care professionals information about the role of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) in immune conditions, and sponsoring innovative human MAP research studies.
Learning to heal
Current research shows that a human form of MAP likely plays a critical role in Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Type 1 Diabetes and other conditions. By empowering patients and providing accessible information about MAP to the community, HPF endeavors to provide healing solutions for those suffering from MAP-driven conditions.
Together we are stronger
The Human Paratuberculosis Foundation strives to develop collaborations between patients and health care providers surrounding the treatment of MAP-driven conditions so these groups can connect, discuss, support and share knowledge. Our social media platforms encourage real-time discussion of the latest research and the sharing of information. HPF plans to sponsor conferences and collaborations of health care professionals focused on human MAP.
MAP 2 Cure
Research strongly suggests that MAP plays a critical role in Crohn’s disease, and possibly other immune conditions. While no cure is currently available, the Human Paratuberculosis Foundation is committed to supporting innovative human MAP research studies which could lead to healing, and eventually a cure for MAP-driven conditions.
We will never stop seeking a cure for human MAP-driven diseases.
Board of Directors and Officers
Julie Doyle has spent her professional career in the medical and legal sectors. Diagnosed with Crohn’s disease two decades ago, she began The Crohn’s Infection website to provide patients access to the research that healed her. As Human Para’s Executive Director, she has collaborated with conference organizers and researchers to complete three conferences and two research studies since 2015. She continues to interface with patients and researchers from around the world in order to provide the latest resources surrounding MAP and fund innovative, evidence-based MAP research studies. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a J.D. from Georgia State College of Law.
Ildiko Mehes is an Independent Consultant advising a wide range of investment management firms, consulting firms, hedge funds, pharmaceutical companies and law firms about risks and opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry. She previously served in business and legal roles at Teva Pharmaceuticals (June 2005 – March 2017), most recently as Senior Vice President & General Counsel. Prior to Teva, Ildiko was a litigation Associate at Goodmans LLP in Toronto, specializing in Intellectual Property Litigation. Ildiko is a past recipient of the Global Counsel Award for Litigation Management and the Canadian General Counsel Award for Litigation Management. Ildiko holds a Juris Doctor degree from York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, Canada, and is admitted to the Bars of Massachusetts and Ontario. She received her B.A. (Honours) in Economics from Queen’s University, Canada.
Lisa Kelley is semi-retired from a career in the accounting field. With a history of Crohn’s Disease in both her immediate and extended family, she has a strong personal interest in research regarding the disease. She has spent years interacting with researchers, physicians, and patients regarding the role of MAP in Crohn’s Disease. She attended the 2015 Game Changing Concepts in Crohn’s Medicine symposium. She is also an advocate for fellow bereaved parents.
Dawn Snyder hails from West Virginia and enjoys watching her boys play baseball, teaching a Sunday school class and working at the local middle school. When her son began having Crohn’s disease symptoms at age 9, she began to search for answers. After coming across the MAP theory, which she thought made perfect sense, she was encouraged by a friend to create the Crohn’s MAP Support Group on Facebook to give patients a place to discuss the research and treatment surrounding the MAP theory of disease.
Sharon Cooney has spent the last 9 years striving to create an environment of information and healing for her child who was diagnosed at 16 months with IBD. Her journey has led her to The Human Paratuberculosis Foundation. Prior to this she has worked as a director of franchising with a diverse portfolio of roles including the establishment and development of multiple small businesses, group strategic management, marketing and financial planning. She has a Bachelors of Business Studies from Trinity College, Dublin and a Masters of Business Studies from the University College, Dublin.
Jeff Edwards has served in a wide range of jobs throughout his career. After graduating from Rochester Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, he served as an Aviation Officer for eleven years and was honorably discharged at the rank of Major. Since then Jeff has had numerous roles in the production, transportation and maintenance fields and currently works as the building maintenance coordinator at Wegmans Food Markets. He has also earned his M.B.A. from California Lutheran University with a focus on Personal Financial Planning. Jeff currently resides in Rochester, NY with his wife Jennifer and two children.
Research Advisory Panel
The Research Advisory Panel is made up of qualified volunteers who evaluate each submitted research proposal. They provide feedback and a recommendation to the Board on the design, scientific value, and feasibility of funding each proposal. The Human Para Research Advisory Panel members are:
Adrian Bulfon, BHSc
John Channing, BSc, PhD (Chair)
Marianne Mann, MD
Core Volunteers
William M. Chamberlin, M.D
Medical Advisor
Dr. William M. Chamberlin is a retired physician. He received his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College, his medical degree from Tufts University and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at William Beaumont Army Medical Center. From there, he completed a Fellowship in Gastroenterology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. His early work experience took him to positions in Thailand, Southern Australia, Papua New Guinea, Germany and Japan. He served 20 years in the U.S. Army Medical Corps with his last assignment being at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research where he studied the immune systems responses to microbial infections. His primary research interests are non-tuberculosis mycobacteria in chronic inflammatory conditions, hormonal immune regulation, and emergence and evolution in biological systems. Since retirement he co-founded and is Chief Science Officer of Protibea Therapeutics, a company promoting immune therapy for infectious and inflammatory diseases.