MD, PhD Inmaculada Pitchard Castellano

In 1996, I obtained a degree in medicine at the University of Valencia, received training in research aptitude in Universidad de Barcelona in 2001 and studied the paediatric specialty at the Hospital Universitario La Fe de Valencia in 2002. In 2016, I was awarded with my doctoral degree at the Cardenal Herrera University in Valencia, and the topic of my doctoral thesis was focused on the study of paediatric neurology. After that, I was recently formed as University Expert in Clinical Management (Universidad Internacional de la La Rioja, 2021) and I will finalise my formation as expert in Paediatric Neuromuscular Diseases the next year 2022 at the Universidad Europea de Madrid.
I am coordinator of the Paediatric Rare Neuromuscular Diseases Unit of the Hospital Universitario La Fe in Valencia, recognised since 2016 as a National Reference Unit (CSUR) and also as a reference centre by the European Reference Network for Rare Neuromuscular Diseases (EURO-NMD).
My clinical work relies on the study and diagnosis of neuromuscular diseases in the paediatric age, aiming to find an early therapeutic approach, a proper family counselling, and the prevention of possible complications advancing in the prognostic. I am part of a translational research team dedicated to support with advanced technology the diagnosis of complex neuromuscular diseases and the development of specific research projects in collaboration with National and European networks.
In the last decade, I have participated in 5 clinical trials for the treatment of Epilepsy and Cerebral Palsy, and 25 phase II-III clinical trials (8 of them as PI) focused on the treatment of Neuromuscular Disorders.
Further, I am an active participant in the dissemination of science with patient associations, mainly with Association of neuromuscular diseases (ASEM), Duchenne Parent Project España, Fundación Atrofia Muscular Espinal España – FundAME, myasthenia (AMES and ASMIC). I also participate in advice and educational activities, with diverse Pharma companies such as Biogen, Roche, Novartis, PTC, Pfizer, Shantera and Sanofi. I complement my clinical work teaching medical students’ internships and I act as supervisor of PhD students.
Since 2017, I am member of the Advisory Subcommittee for the evaluation and monitoring of therapies in Neurode generative Diseasesand other Rare Diseases of High Health and / or Economic Impact of the Ministry of Universal Health and Public Health. I am membership of scientific societies and professional associations such as Spanish Association of Paediatrics (AEP), Spanish Society of Paediatric Neurology (SENEP), Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN) and member of the director board of the Valencian Society of Neuropaediatrics (SVAN).