Autism

Mirolyuba Ilieva obtained her Master degree in Cell biology and Pathology at Sofia University in 2006. In August 2013 she got a PhD in Nanotechnology from Danish Technical University (DTU). She has been researcher at Copenhagen University and currently she is a scientist in the Department of Psychiatry, Odense, University of Southern Denmark. Her research is focused on induced pluripotent stem cells and brain organoids as a model for neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorders, e. g. Autism Spectrum Disoeders; neurotrophic factors mimetic peptides as therapeutic agents, nanosensors for monitoring gene expression during cell reprograming and neuronal differentiation. EU expert for reviewing projects for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships.

Way Lau is an Assistant Professor in Department of Special Education and Counselling at the Education University of Hong Kong. He completed his Ph.D. in biomedical sciences in Department of Medicine and did his postdoctoral trainings in Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology at the University of Hong Kong. One of his key research interests is on identifying biomarkers of Autism Spectrum Disorder, using molecular and system neurosciences techniques, and psychobiological approach. He is also keen on studying mechanisms of psychological resilience in non-clinical samples and students with special educational needs for prevention of stress-induced mental illness, and cultivation of resilience and strength in counteracting adversity.