Advisory Board

Dr. Cattand is President of The Association Against Trypanosomiasis in Africa which is based in France. ATA is concerned with the promotion of research and action for the control of sleeping Sickness. At present, Dr. Cattand is actively involved in the implementation of a trypanosomiasis information network and in the delivery of an annual International Training Course on African Trypanosomoses. He is also elaborating “The Encyclopedia of Human African Trypanosomiasis”, an interactive CD-ROM for medical staff, research scientists, field technicians, and all those interested in this disease.

From 1973 to 2001, Dr. Cattand worked in various positions at the World Health Organization, including Technical Officer in charge of Human African Trypanosomiasis, as well as Head Training Officer and Research Officer for Sleeping Sickness. Dr. Cattand formed an association with Kids for World Health, serves on our Advisory Board, and is an information resource for our group.

Kids for World Health is appreciative of his work and great commitment toward the elimination of Sleeping Sickness on the continent of Africa and his contribution to humanity as he continues to serve.

Dr. Thomas Gorrell is a Research Associate at Haskins Laboratories at Pace University in New York City. He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor there, and teaches at the School of Visual Arts. His research interests include the study of the impact of parasites (e.g. African Trypanosoma) (1) and other microscopic lives on their habitats (2). He learned about the “Chatsworth Trypanosome” group while walking by a chapter bakesale! Avocations include cultural and culinary sciences. He received a PhD from Michigan State University in 1978, and B.Sc. from Purdue University in 1972. He learned about the “Chatsworth Trypanosome” group while walking by a chapter bakesale! Dr. Gorrell lives with his family in Larchmont, New York. What a coincidence!

1. Bacci,CJ., Goldberg,B., Rattendi,D., Gorrell,T.E., Spiess,A.J., and Sufrin,J.R. 1999. Metabolic effects of a methylthioadenosine phosphorylase substrate analog on African trypanosomes Biochem.Pharmacol. 57: 89-96. 2. Levandowsky,M.L., and Gorrell,T.E. 2001. Physiological adaptaions in protests. In N.Sperelakis, ed. Cell Physiology: A source book. Pp. 1041-1061. Academic Press, New York

Dr. Jean Jannin is Director of Neglected Diseases for the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. He was also responsible for creating a not-for-profit organization called The Association Against Trypanosomiasis in Africa with which Kids for World Health is associated.

Dr. Jannin lived in Africa between 1981 and 1991 in Cameroon, Chad, Gabon, and the Congo, responsible for large areas of preventive medicines for Tuberculosis, Leprosy, Schistosomisis, and Sleeping Sickness. He was head of the Sleeping Sickness National Program in Congo. Apart from tropical medicine, his official speciality is public health. He worked in the French Ministry of Health for four years and has been with the World Health Organization since 1995.

Dr. Jannin has not only become our advisor, but our mentor for global disease. He has given much time to our organization, and has our deep respect for his efforts toward Sleeping Sickness and the world’s global health problems.

Dr. Jannin lives with his wife and family in France.

Dr. Micheleen “Mickey” Richer launched and coordinated the Southern Sudan Sleeping Sickness Program in 1994, as seen on CBS “60 Minutes” on February 11, 2001.

Due to her leadership and the program’s success, the infection rates in regions of Tambura and Yambio were reduced from epidemic levels of 25% to 2%, saving thousands of lives annually through early detection and treatment. Dr. Richer is currently working with WHO in the Sudan. She is a member of our KFWH Advisory Board. When not in Africa, she resides in Denver, Colorado. Kids for World Health has respect for the dedicated work of Dr. Richer. A copy of a film featuring Dr. Richer can be obtained through CBS, “60 Minutes”.