Board of Directors
Physicians, researchers and representatives of patient organisations lead the alliance together. The board was appointed at the first in-person General Assembly in Rome on 7 November 2025.
- 23members
- 9countries
- 3year term
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Honorary President
Dr. Sandro Michelini
Italy
Vascular Diagnostics and Rehabilitation Service, Rome
Biography
Has dedicated over 40 years to vascular diseases, lymphoedema, lipedema and related conditions, and took part in the research team that identified the first gene associated with lipedema.
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President
PD Dr. Mojtaba Ghods
Germany
Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Potsdam
Biography
Founded the clinic in Potsdam in 2008 and in 2021 became the first scientist to complete a habilitation on lipedema. Coordinates the lipedema task force of the German Society of Plastic Surgeons.
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Vice President
Dr. Rachelle Crescenzi
United States
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville
Biography
Translational imaging scientist and Assistant Professor of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering. Her SALT Lab studies sodium and the lymphatic system with MRI.
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General Secretary
Kate Forster
United Kingdom
Lipoedema UK
Biography
On the board of Lipoedema UK since 2016, bringing the voice of people living with lipoedema together with professionals and researchers.
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Treasurer
Dr. Thomas Wright
United States
Laser, Lipo and Vein Center
Biography
Fellow of the American Venous and Lymphatic Society and co-author of the US Standard of Care for lipedema.
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LIO Lipedema Italia
Valeria Giordano
Italy
Biography
Founder and president of LIO Lipedema Italia since 2018 and a patient advocate with a master in patient advocacy management.
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Board member
Dr. Gabriele Faerber
Germany
Centre of Vascular Medicine, Hamburg
Biography
Phlebologist and lymphologist, coordinator and lead author of the German S2k guideline on lipedema.
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Board member
Dr. Isabel Forner Cordero
Spain
Lymphedema Unit, Hospital La Fe, Valencia
Biography
Specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation, member of the Executive Committee of the European Society of Lymphology.
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Board member
Dr. Marina Cestari
Italy
Pianeta Linfedema Study Centre
Biography
Angiologist, member of the Executive Committee of the European Society of Lymphology and vice-president of the Italian Lymphoedema Framework.
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Board member
Dr. Philipp Kruppa
Potsdam, Germany
Biography
Plastic surgeon in Potsdam and first author of the LWA Delphi consensus, working on tissue and blood biomarkers and an MRI-based diagnostic protocol.
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Board member
Dr. José Luis Simarro
Madrid, Spain
Biography
Former director of the Instituto del Lipedema, specialised in non-surgical lipedema treatment.
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Board member
Prof. Andrzej Szuba
Poland
Wroclaw Medical University
Biography
Head of the Department of Angiology and Internal Medicine in Wroclaw and past President of the International Society of Lymphology.
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Board member
Jane Wigg
United Kingdom
Lymphoedema Training Academy
Biography
Nurse consultant in lymphology for more than 33 years who introduced ICG imaging and mapping into clinical practice.
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Board member
Dr. Roberto Cannataro
Italy
Galascreen Labs
Biography
Biochemist and nutrition scientist with 30 years in dietetics, in particular ketogenic nutrition.
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Board member
Prof. Dr. Tim Hucho
Germany
University of Cologne
Biography
Professor of translational pain research, whose team was the first pain-research unit to study pain in women with lipedema.
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Board member
Assoc. Prof. Ramin Shayan
Australia
University of Melbourne, O’Brien Institute
Biography
Plastic and reconstructive microsurgeon in Melbourne who co-founded a lipedema research laboratory.
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Board member
Megan Pfeffer
Australia
I Choose Health
Biography
Clinical nutritionist and Advisory Board member of Lipoedema Australia, living with lipoedema herself.
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Board member
Dr. Paula Frederichi
São Paulo, Brazil
Biography
Physician and nutrologist who founded the Brazilian lipedema association ABRALI in 2019.
Also on the board
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Prof. Manuel Cornely
Germany
LY.SEARCH, Düsseldorf and Cologne
Biography
Dermatologist specialised in conservative and operative lymphology since 1997 and scientific director of the research institute LY.SEARCH.
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Sharie Fetzer
Lipoedema UK
United Kingdom
Biography
Chair of Lipoedema UK since 2014, initiator of patient surveys and member of the task force for the Wounds UK best practice guidelines.
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Manuela Lourenço Marques
andLINFA
Portugal
Biography
Founded the patient organisation andLINFA in 2015 and is a European Patient Advocate and ePAG co-chair in VASCERN.
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Dr. Serena Michelini
Rome, Italy
Biography
Specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation, active in genetic and clinical research groups on lymphedema and lipedema.
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Bibiana Sevegnani
ABRALI
Brazil
Biography
Represents the Brazilian lipedema patient association ABRALI on the board.
Roles and biographies as listed on the alliance's board page, November 2026. Portraits of the members listed without a photo are still to be supplied.
How the board is elected
The statute sets out who sits on the board and for how long. Every member group has a voice.
- Elected by
- The Members' Assembly
- Term of office
- Three years, re-election possible
- Composition
- At least one member from each membership group, no group above half of the seats
- Officers
- The board appoints the President, Vice President and Secretary from among its members
- Current board
- Appointed on 7 November 2025 in Rome
- President
- PD Dr. Mojtaba Ghods, elected for three years (announced January 2026)
Work with the board
Members of the alliance vote at the Members' Assembly and can stand for election to the board.