Meet the STARS Advisors

Alberto Acuña Marbán, MD, is a psychiatrist trained at the University of Costa Rica whose work centers on mental health, personal growth, and human connection. Born in Spain and raised in Costa Rica, he brings a multicultural perspective to his clinical and advocacy work. As a person who stutters, Alberto is deeply committed to raising awareness and promoting understanding of stuttering. His approach integrates professional expertise with lived experience, aiming to foster compassionate, inclusive spaces where individuals feel heard, supported, and represented.

Per A. Alm, PhD, is a researcher and senior lecturer in neuroscience and speech science affiliated with Uppsala University in Sweden. His work focuses on the underlying mechanisms of stuttering, from background risk factors to brain processes and the nature of speech disruptions.Dr. Alm’s research integrates experimental methods and large-scale analysis of published data to advance theoretical frameworks for understanding stuttering, with the goal of informing future research and improving treatment approaches.

Gustavo “Gus” Alva, MD, is Medical Director of ATP Clinical Research in Orange County, California, and a board-certified neuropsychiatrist with extensive experience in clinical research and patient care.He previously served as Associate Professor and Deputy Director of the Clinical Research Division in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the University of California, Irvine, and is a forensic psychiatric consultant for the Superior Court of California. Dr. Alva’s research has focused on treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and other complex psychiatric disorders, and he is a frequent national and international speaker.

Raphael Machado Castilhos, MD, PhD, is a neurologist specializing in cognitive and behavioral neurology at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre in southern Brazil, where he coordinates the Dementia Outpatient Clinic. His research focuses on dementia epidemiology, phenotypic characterization of neurodegenerative diseases, and early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. An investigator in major Brazilian cohorts and principal investigator of the BRASCODE study, Dr. Castilhos is also a person who stutters. Motivated by his lived experience, he aims to expand his research to include stuttering, with particular interest in its epidemiology and phenotypic presentation within the Brazilian population.

George Garibaldi, MD, is a co-founder of StutterSenseAI Therapeutics, Inc. Trained in child psychiatry, statistics, mathematical modeling, and psychopharmacology, he is a longtime developer of central nervous system (CNS) therapies with a focus on translating innovation into real-world clinical impact. George is a strong advocate for patient-centered development and has consistently integrated patient and family perspectives into therapy design. Together with Dr. Gerald Maguire, he co-developed the Brief Stuttering Assessment. He is a co-founder and past president of the International Society for Central Nervous System Clinical Trials and Methodology (ISCTM), a former chairman of the International Society for CNS Drug Development (ISCDD), and a member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP).

Annie Hernandez graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, specializing in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. She currently works as a Research Assistant at the Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology in Jupiter, Florida, conducting inflammation experiments. Stuttering since early childhood, she has been actively involved in the stuttering community, and in 2024 presented as a keynote speaker at several international conferences for people who stutter. When she isn’t conducting inflammation experiments at Scripps, Annie enjoys singing and songwriting, kayaking, and paddleboarding with her family and friends. As a dedicated STARS member, Annie is committed to leveraging her biomedical expertise and passion for supporting individuals who stutter to enhance their quality of life.

Gonçalo Leal is the co-founder and Clinical Director of the Speechcare & iStutter Center (Portugal, Spain, UAE). He serves as a professor and mentor in the “Specialization in Fluency Disorders” program at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Concepción, Chile, and as a guest professor at the University of Ghana. A founding member of the Portuguese Society of Speech Therapy, he also served as coordinator of the Ethics Committee of the Portuguese Association of Speech Therapy. Gonçalo collaborates with leading technology companies to develop digital speech therapy solutions and continues to engage in research, contribute to international conferences, and mentor students worldwide. He also delivers clinical training for Speech and Language Pathologists across Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia.

Gregory W. Mattingly, MD, is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and CEO of the Midwest Research Group. He is a nationally recognized expert in psychopharmacology with more than two decades of experience in clinical research and medical education. Dr. Mattingly has served as a principal investigator in over 500 clinical trials and currently serves as President of the American Professional Society for ADHD and Related Disorders (APSARD). His work focuses on advancing evidence-based treatments for neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Katrin Neumann, MD, PhD, is a physician specializing in phoniatrics, pediatric audiology, and otolaryngology. She is a Professor of Population Medicine in Communication Disorders and Director of the Department of Phoniatrics and Pedaudiology at Muenster University Hospital in Germany. She leads the Audiology Center Muenster, co-chairs the Cochlear Implant Center Muensterland, and advises the WHO on ear and hearing care. She also represents several international professional societies within the WHO World Hearing Forum. Dr. Neumann is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Fluency Disorders and has authored more than 280 publications. Her research focuses on hearing, speech, language, fluency, and voice disorders, as well as newborn hearing screening and rehabilitation with hearing devices.

Peter N. Nwokoye, MPhil, is an MD candidate at Stanford University School of Medicine on the physician–scientist track. His work bridges neuropharmacology, GPCR biology, and computational drug discovery, with a focus on the neurobiological basis of stuttering.At Stanford, Peter developed machine learning and bioinformatics approaches to uncover novel ligand–receptor interactions with therapeutic potential. His current research explores how GPCR signaling within cortico-striatal circuits may influence speech fluency regulation, closely aligning with STARS’s mission to advance neuroscience-based understanding and treatment of stuttering.

Tiago Proença dos Santos, MD, is a pediatrician and pediatric neurologist at Hospital de Santa Maria in Lisbon, Portugal, where he has worked in neuropediatrics since 2013. Trained in pediatrics, neuropediatrics, and psychiatry, he brings a multidisciplinary approach to child and adolescent neurodevelopment and mental health.Dr. Proença dos Santos combines clinical practice with academic and regulatory roles, serving on the Medical Advisory Board of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and as a medical advisor to Infarmed, the Portuguese Authority of Medicines and Health Products. His clinical and research interests focus on movement disorders, higher cognitive functions, and neurodevelopmental conditions in children.

Dr. Shahriar SheikhBahaei is an Empire Innovation Assistant Professor of Neurobiology at the State University of New York, Stony Brook, and a person who stutters. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and his PhD from a joint program between University College London (UCL) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. SheikhBahaei’s research investigates how astrocytes interact with neurons to regulate voluntary motor behaviors, focusing on speech and respiratory circuits. Using genetic, optical, and electrophysiological tools, his lab aims to uncover the contributions of glial cells to motor behaviors and disorders such as developmental stuttering

Nino Tchikadze, MD, is a neurologist specializing in movement disorders and a person who stutters. She completed her Neurology residency at S. Khechinashvili University Hospital in Tbilisi, Georgia. She later received a clinical training award from the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society and completed a fellowship at Sapienza University of Rome. Dr. Tchikadze focuses on the diagnosis and management of movement disorders, with particular interest in Parkinson’s disease. She has presented award-winning work, including an E-poster recognized at the 2025 CONy Congress, and is a co-investigator on a Sapienza University project studying rigidity in Parkinson’s disease. Motivated by her own experience as a person who stutters, she is also engaged in research exploring the neural mechanisms of stuttering, with growing interest in basal ganglia involvement.

Thomas Valente, MD, is a double board–certified adult and geriatric psychiatrist with more than 30 years of experience in private practice and community-based mental health care. He holds faculty appointments at the University of South Florida and the University of Central Florida Colleges of Medicine and serves as a clinical preceptor for medical and physician assistant trainees. For over 25 years, Dr. Valente has served as Chief Medical Officer at LifeStream Behavioral Center, where he provides direct patient care, supervises multidisciplinary teams, and supports clinical education. He is also a principal investigator in multiple clinical trials and has been active in pharmaceutical research since 2001.

Tricia Hedinger is a clinical associate professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Knoxville and a board-certified specialist in stuttering, cluttering, and other fluency disorders. With a strong background in stuttering support, anti-bullying initiatives, and summer camps, she is dedicated to fostering inclusive and empowering environments for individuals who stutter. Ms. Hedinger serves as Vice Chair and Director of Continuing Education for the World Stuttering Network. She is also a published author, contributing to books, chapters, and peer-reviewed articles on stuttering and speech-language development.

Bryan Esler is a Michigan-based photographer who specializes in corporate and community events. Known for his authentic, people-first approach, he focuses on capturing the energy and emotion that make each moment worth remembering. As a person who stutters, Bryan brings a unique perspective and personal understanding to every STARS event, helping him connect on a deeper level with those he photographs. He’s also taken part in several stuttering research studies over the years, driven by a genuine interest in exploring new treatments and solutions for people who stutter.

Zach Greene has always been fascinated by language and stories, leading to a BA in English from the University of California, Santa Barbara, a minor in the Classics, and a specialization in Literature and the Mind. Pharmacological intervention represented a significant milestone, impacting both his speech and igniting a passion for new treatment opportunities.

Hans is a global footwear expert with over 35 years of experience leading innovation, development, and operations across three continents. From the factory floor to the boardroom, his career has been defined by shaping the future of footwear. Now certified as a personal trainer, Hans combines coaching and consulting to help others thrive in business, health, and personal growth. A person who stutters, Hans is also a passionate advocate for the stuttering community, dedicated to raising awareness, challenging stigma, and empowering others to find their voice.

Tarek Hallal is a technology professional with over 35+ years' experience in the semiconductor sector, leading product development, business processes, and operations. As a person who stutters, Tarek is committed to supporting science-based awareness and medical research aimed at finding a cure. He is also active in the CNS brain tumor community, serving as an advocate and liaison across multiple foundations, research institutes, and patient support groups—helping to drive bold, cross-disciplinary strategies to accelerate progress.

Tom Scharstein is an entrepreneur, advocate, and international keynote speaker dedicated to supporting the global stuttering community. As Chair of the World Stuttering Network (WSN), the world’s largest international stuttering support organization, he has played a key role in fostering connections and resources for people who stutter. With nearly 30 years of leadership and advocacy, Tom is committed to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and empowering individuals who stutter worldwide.

Sam is a graduate student at Columbia University with a passion for advancing treatment options for people who stutter. As a person who stutters himself, Sam has experienced significant improvement in his speech since starting pharmacological treatment several years ago. His personal journey has fueled his commitment to raising awareness and advocating for medical approaches to stuttering treatment.

Jordan Inniss graduated in 2021 from Longwood University with a Bachelor's degree in Communications, specializing in Digital Media. Drawing on his skills in the travel industry, Jordan is dedicated to helping people around the world who suffer from stuttering. A person who stuttered from an early age, Jordan was unaware of self-help strategies or support groups until he was introduced to the STARS family. Since then, his mission has been to become more actively involved in the stuttering community. When he's not supporting others, Jordan enjoys spending quality time with loved ones and skateboarding outdoors in warm weather—especially when he can do both at once.

Ernie Canadeo is the Chairman and Founder of The EGC Group, a New York-based advertising and digital marketing agency celebrating its 40th anniversary. EGC has created award-winning marketing programs for major companies such as Canon USA, Brother International, KISS Products, Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream, Emerging Vision, and dozens of healthcare, financial and education companies. He is a person who stutters and was Chairman and served on board of the National Stuttering Association for over a decade. He created the NSA Kids program to expand programs to reach more young people and initiated the NSA Research Program to fund research into stuttering. He currently serves as Chairman of the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, and lives in Long Island, New York with his wife Catherine.