About the Society
Who we are
Our mission is to understand, prevent, and treat posterior fossa syndrome, also known as cerebellar mutism syndrome, which can develop in children after surgery for a tumor in the posterior fossa.
The Posterior Fossa Society brings together clinicians and researchers from around the world who study this condition. Through our meetings and special interest groups, we share research, build collaborations, and work to improve prevention and recovery. The Society is led by a board of officers, the leads of its five special interest groups, and a family advocate.
Current leadership (2026–2028)
Officers
- PresidentCheyenne Svaldi, PhD
- SecretaryVictoria King
- TreasurerDonald Mabbott, PhD, C.Psych, ABPP-cn
- Communications DirectorStuart McAfee, PhD
- Family AdvocateMelanie Mitchell
- Program Director, 2028/2029 meetingAlvaro Lassaletta
Special interest group leads
- NeurosurgeryAndrea Carai, MD
- Imaging & NeuroscienceMina Langhein, MDCo-lead: Stuart McAfee, PhD
- Nosology & ScoringDarcy Raches, PhD
- RehabilitationVânia de Aguiar, PhD
- Education & AdvocacyNathan S. Rosenberg, MD
Read more about each group on our Research page.
Past leadership
2024–2026Sharyl Samargia-Grivette, President
- President
- Sharyl Samargia-Grivette
- Secretary
- Kristin Szymanek
- Treasurer
- Jason Gill
- Communications Director
- Sebastian Toescu
- Family Advocate
- Melanie Mitchell
- Program Director, 2026 meeting
- Rene Mathiasen
- Board members
- Alvaro Lassaletta, Giles Robinson, Kimberley Docking, Stuart McAfee, Jonathan Groenbaek, Andrea Carai
Source: Society records.
2022–2024Shivaram Avula, President
- President
- Shivaram Avula
- Secretary
- Andrew Lux
- Treasurer
- Barry Pizer
- Communications Director
- Sebastian Toescu
- Family Advocate
- Liz Hull
- Program Director, 2024 meeting
- Darcy Raches
- Board members
- Sharyl Samargia-Grivette, Jason Gill, Kimberley Docking, Giles Robinson, Kristin Szymanek
Sources: Society records; 2023 global meeting website.
2018–2020Coriene Catsman-Berrevoets, President
- President
- Coriene Catsman-Berrevoets
- Secretary
- Karin Walsh
- Treasurer
- Barry Pizer
- Communications Director
- Sebastian Toescu (from 2019)
- Board members
- Shivaram Avula, Robert Keating, Emanuela Molinari, Philippe Paquier, Jeffrey Wisoff
Partial record. Sources: Molinari et al., 2019; Society records.
2014–2018Thora Gudrunardottir, founding President
- Founders
- Thora Gudrunardottir, Elizabeth Wells, Karin Walsh
- President
- Thora Gudrunardottir
The Society was founded in 2014. Partial record. Sources: earlier versions of this website; Society records.
Disclaimer
The information on this website is provided without any representations or warranties, express or implied. The Posterior Fossa Society and its members make no representations that the information contained on these webpages is to be used as medical advice or as a substitute for consultation with your own doctor.
The Posterior Fossa Society is primarily a research group and as such does not solicit nor respond to queries of a clinical nature. Families looking for general information can start with our Guidance for families.
About this website
Website designed by Seb Toescu and Stu McAfee, currently maintained by Stu McAfee.
Contact
Write to us at info@posteriorfossasociety.org about:
- joining the Society or its special interest groups
- research collaboration
- our meetings
- this website