Recorded May 24, 2022
Devices that alert to seizure activity are in their early stages, but there is already a clear demand for their use by patients and caregivers. This webinar assessed the pros and cons of the current state of seizure detecting devices; provided objective considerations for patients and caregivers who are selecting a device; and offered information on the future direction of devices, with a preview of technologies in the pipeline. Speakers included pediatrician Dr. Talia Shear from Lurie Children’s Hospital; Tom Stanton from the Danny Did Foundation; and Pedro Irazoqui, Head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. Welcome remarks will be presented by Jeanne Donalty, a longtime advocate, and a mother who lost her son Christopher to SUDEP.
Dr. Talia Shear is a pediatric neurologist with a wide-ranging practice including diagnosing and treating seizures, headaches, tics, and developmental delay. She has a particular interest in managing neurological concerns in children with medical complexity. In her practice, she strives to make families and patients feel comfortable and heard, with a committed partner in their care. She also seeks to maximize each patient’s quality of life. She believes in supporting neurodiversity and is a disability rights advocate and ally.
Dr. Shear earned her medical degree with honors from the University of Chicago. She completed a residency in pediatrics and in child neurology at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, IL. She holds a B.A. in Biology & Society from Cornell University.
Pedro Irazoqui is a pioneer in the development of wireless implantable devices with the potential to treat conditions such as epilepsy and glaucoma. He is Professor and Head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, at Johns Hopkins University. Formerly, he was the Reilly Professor and Founding Director of the Center for Implantable Devices at Purdue University.
Irazoqui is the co-founder and CTO of Bionode, LLC, which aims to commercialize electroceutical therapy for glaucoma. He is CSO for Neurava, LLC which is commercializing diagnostic and therapeutic devices for SUDEP. Irazoqui received his PhD in Biomedical Engineering (2003) from University of California, Los Angeles. He earned both his master’s (1999) and bachelor’s degrees (1997) in Electrical Engineering at the University of New Hampshire, Durham.
Tom Stanton is the President of Danny Did Foundation. Tom has more than 10 years of experience working with non-profits in various capacities, from volunteer work and mentoring to public relations, events management and sitting on boards of directors. Tom has spent his career primarily working in the communications field, and he began his career as staff writer for a national magazine. Tom holds a journalism degree from the University of Dayton, and a master’s degree in Public Policy from DePaul University. More than anything, Tom gained happiness from the love Danny gave by way of lots of hugs. He is thankful to have the chance to keep Danny’s spirit alive through service to the Danny Did Foundation.