Benjamin was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at 29. He left China at 32 to learn how to better manage this disease and see what future therapies were on the horizon. He is now a prolific author and is actively involved in PD research advocacy. He is the founder of Tomorrow Edition, co-founder of the Parkinson's Research Advocacy Group, and patient advisor to the World Parkinson's Congress. Benjamin jointed the Journal of Parkinson's Disease blog team in 2018 to contribute unique content relating to PD, and you can read his posts here.

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Todd comes to the CHH Patient Advisory Council as a recently diagnosed PD patient (2017) and a newly-minted PD activist. Todd has been on the Board of Directors for PD Active since 2020, and the President since early 2024. Professionally, Todd started pursuing a career in hospitality consulting and operations, but then pivoted into hi-tech with the dot-com boom of the early 90s. As a software product manager for 20+ years, Todd's career has focused on building and marketing B2B technology platforms enabling connect-ability. Domains: Internet search marketing, restaurant ordering, social engagement, fintech. SaaS and BaaS have been his playgrounds, and APIs his tools of choice.

Todd grew up in Hawai'i (Oahu and Maui) and Lafayette (CA) and now lives in Rockridge, Oakland. Other than spending time with his wife and two daughters, Todd loves staying active coaching competitive youth club soccer, mountain biking, skiing, pickle ball and fly fishing. Exercise is medicine!

Nate Coomer, PT, DPT, NCS, is the founder of the Parkinson’s Fitness Project and Daily Dose Workouts. He is also a Doctor of Physical Therapy who has been working with neurologic diagnoses as a physical therapist for over ten years. He received his certification as a Neurologic Specialist in 2010 by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialities and has centered most of his work in the past four years to treating Parkinson’s.

Dr. Tamara Stiep is a neurologist who cares for patients with movement disorders. Stiep's research focuses on the effects of deep brain stimulation on non-motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease. She completed a residency in adult neurology at Jackson Memorial Hospital at the University of Miami, where she served as chief resident and received an award for compassion in medicine. She completed a fellowship in movement disorders at the University of Florida. Stiep is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Dr. Mallika Dhawan is an Oncologist and Researcher currently working in Genentech's research and development group (gRED), where she designs and helps run clinical trials for new oncology medications. She previously worked as an Assistant Professor of Oncology at UCSF's cancer prevention and P1 oncology programs and remains on as an adjunct faculty member.

John Millar was born and educated in the South East of England.

In 1997, while studying world religions and complimentary medicine, an insightful Reiki master introduced John to Qigong.

John continued to study Qigong form and philosophy, both in the UK and China.

John’s passion is in finding simple, effective ways of expressing the understanding that resides at the core of the practice of Qigong. He believes that there is huge potential in providing people with practices that are simple enough to be memorable, whilst being profound enough to support deeper practice.

Chander Dhawan is a leading expert in mobile computing, wireless internet and information technology. With over 45 years of professional experience (14 years with IBM), he is an experienced consultant, entrepreneur, innovation expert, author, industry analyst and former Publisher of MobileInfo.Com and currently the president of DOLNET Computer Communications Inc.

Dr. Srinivas Ramachandra graduated from Bangalore University Medical College in 1973. He completed his general surgery residency and vascular surgery fellowship at Hahnemann University (Drexel University) in Philadelphia in 1982. He was a staff surgeon, Chief of Surgery and Chair of the Chief of Vascular Surgery at Kaiser Permanente until 2013. He joined East Bay Cardiovascular and Thoracic Associates in 2013. He is also an advisor at Crack the Wellness Code.