Team

Dominique entered the world of KIF1A in 2015 during her time as a doctoral scientist at the University of Vermont, where she characterized how mutations and modifications of the KIF1A protein impact KIF1A function in neurological diseases/disorders. During this time, Dominique connected with KIF1A.ORG and was first introduced to the relentless KAND community. For years Dominique served as a volunteer for KIF1A.ORG with focus on lay-level scientific literacy and communication, aimed at educating and empowering KAND patients, families, and advocates. In 2020, Dominique joined KIF1A.ORG staff where she served as Chief Science Officer for over three years, with a focus on creating long-term relationships with cross-disciplinary stakeholders. Most recently, Dominique has worked in the rare disease biotech sector, with emphasis on operational oversight and vision, company financial growth, and rare disease program/project management.

For the past 10+ years, KIF1A.ORG and the KAND community have shaped Dominique’s personal and professional life in a multitude of meaningful ways and forms: as an academic researcher, an organization volunteer and employee, a KAND and rare disease advocate, an industry representative and KOL, and more. Throughout this past decade, the KAND community has remained at the center of Dominique’s personal “why”, focused on empowering patients to have agency over their own treatment and cures while meaningfully weaving the patient voice throughout all elements of scientific discovery. As an equity-driven business strategist and scientist, Dominique is eager to bring the culmination of her skills and experiences back to KIF1A.ORG while wearing a new hat and on a mission to make the next decade even more impactful than the last.

Dylan joined KIF1A.ORG in 2022 after completing his PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Colorado Medical Campus. Dylan’s research aimed to understand how different cell types in the brain support one another during development and neurodegeneration. In addition to his academic research, Dylan has built a career helping experts explain scientific information to community stakeholders, using intuitive language to enrich science education and policy.

As Chief Science Officer, Dylan acts as a liaison between KIF1A.ORG’s many stakeholders and our patient community. His goal is to bridge communication between KAND patients and academic, clinical, and industrial networks to facilitate empathy-driven and patient-centered research and clinical outcomes. Dylan’s passion is based in listening to community needs and finding common language that empowers informed decision-making.

After an engaging and enlightening summer 2021 internship with KIF1A.ORG, Michelle joined KIF1A.ORG’s team as the Therapeutic Development Associate, where she helped the team accelerate treatment for KAND. Since then, she has become an essential team member and leader within the organization and now serves in a volunteer role as KIF1A.ORG’s Director of Strategy.

Michelle has a M.A. in Biotechnology from Columbia University, and an undergraduate degree from NYU Stern with a B.S. in Business (concentrations in Finance and Global Business) and a minor in Genetics. Subsequently, she worked in healthcare banking for 5 years. Michelle is passionate about breaking down human-made barriers to treatment in order to ensure equitable access to care.

Angie Fuller joined KIF1A.ORG in 2023. Angie’s background is in nursing, and lives in Boise Idaho with her husband and two sons. She is mother to Weston (11), who was diagnosed with KAND in 2020.

As a volunteer, Angie looks forward to supporting our growing community, working on existing initiatives, and building upon the successful networks and opportunities created since the organization was founded in 2017.

In her free time Angie enjoys outdoor adventures with her family, skiing in the winter, boating in the summer, and is currently learning to play pickleball! Most important, Angie is dedicated to every KAND family’s future and rolls up her sleeves to work hard for our relentless community.

Luke Rosen and Sally Jackson founded KIF1A.ORG in 2016 following their daughter Susannah’s KIF1A diagnosis. In 2017 Luke left his career in film and television to accelerate discovery of treatment for Susannah and children like her.

With a focus on research strategy and outcome measures, his mission is to accelerate biotech innovation and forge efficient collaborations to rapidly discover treatment for KIF1A Associated Neurological Disorder.

Luke continues to urgently drive our mission to research, discover, and develop treatments for KAND through collaborations with advocacy groups, clinicians, and biotechnology leaders.