Our Medical Advisory Committee

Medical advisory committee

Our Medical Advisory Committee leads the search for MSA (Multiple System Atrophy) research with the potential to make the greatest impact for people living with MSA and their families. They bring clinical expertise, research knowledge and lived experience to every research recommendation we make.

What the committee does

The committee actively seeks out research that shows real promise. For every opportunity, they weigh up how promising it is, whether it can realistically be achieved, and what difference it will make for families living with MSA. Only research that stands up to all three will be recommended for funding.

Committee co-leads

Dr Kelly Bertram is a neurologist and Head of Movement Disorders at The Alfred, where she leads MSA clinical trials. She is also a Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Neuroscience at Monash University, and consults at Caulfield Hospital's Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Clinic. Working across both the clinic and research, Kelly sees firsthand what families living with MSA need most. As co-lead of our Medical Advisory Committee, she helps make sure our research funding goes where it can change outcomes.

Prof David Finkelstein has a strong research background in MSA and a real passion for finding answers for the people and families living with it. His research found that high levels of iron in the brain help drive MSA, and that iron-lowering treatments can slow the disease in early studies. He also studies the proteins behind how MSA progresses, and possible treatments for the muscle wasting it causes. David previously led the Parkinson's Disease Laboratory at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health. He is Chair of Parkinson's Victoria and an Honorary Professorial Fellow in the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences at the University of Melbourne.

Committee members

Tina Ezard, CEO and Co-founder, brings lived experience of MSA and a deep understanding of what families need. With a background in brand strategy, hospitality and creating people-centred experiences, she keeps the committee’s work connected to the families it’s for, and helps Combat MSA grow its reach across Australia.

Theo Charalambous, Director, brings lived experience of MSA and a long career in healthcare leadership. He is Chair and President of Optometry Australia, holds a Senior Executive MBA from Melbourne Business School, and through his charity work has delivered healthcare to people in need across Africa, Australia and the Pacific. Theo brings that experience to the committee to help make sure Combat MSA’s work is well run and reaches the people who need it most.