Administration
Dylan Ritter: Director of Scientific and Clinical Initiatives (dylan.ritter@dup15q.org)
Dylan has known the Alliance for quite some time, as his youngest brother, Travis, was diagnosed with Dup15q syndrome when Dylan was only four years old. Sparked by an interest in genetics and developmental disorders, Dylan earned his PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology from Vanderbilt University, where he studied the genetics of cartilage development. He then worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Memorial Sloan Kettering using stem cells to study neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s Disease. Dylan is excited to use his personal experiences with Dup15q syndrome and his formal scientific training to advance the mission of the Alliance. Dylan currently lives in New York City with his wife, Sarah, and their dog, Peanut.
Naka King: Administrative Director (Naka.King@dup15q.org) part-time
Naka King lives in rural Pennsylvania on a hobby farm with her husband Nick, daughter Rylan and son Bryer. With 20 years of experience in administrative management, she joined the Dup15q Alliance as an administrator in 2018. After 3 years of searching for medical answers related to their daughter’s symptoms, they were given a diagnosis of Dup15q Syndrome in March 2015. Naka believes in the importance of raising awareness that helps lead to faster diagnosis and more research into potential treatments. She looks forward to contributing to the Dup15q Alliance Mission as our community of families continues to grow.
Julie Murphy: Business Manager (Julie.Murphy@dup15q.org)
Julie grew up in Tampa Bay (Go Lightning!) and now lives in Southern Indiana with her husband, Jim, three amazing teenagers, and pup, Mercy. While Julie’s career began with finance for small for-profit businesses, using her bean-counting and spreadsheet superpowers for the greater good has become her passion.
Adrienne Paradis: Family Support Manager (part-time)
(Adrienne.Paradis@dup15q.org)
Adrienne has volunteered with the Dup15q Alliance in various roles since her son was diagnosed with Dup15q syndrome in 2007. Combining her degree in Biology with experience in Practice Management, she is thrilled to be joining the team as the Intake Manager and looks forward to helping families as they navigate their journey.
Adrienne lives in Roxborough, CO with her husband Robert, and son Aidan. When not working, they enjoy hiking, biking and throwing rocks into any body of water with him.
Libby Powers: Database and Fundraising Coordinator (part-time)
(Libby.Powers@dup15q.org)
Libby grew up in North Carolina and graduated from East Carolina University. She has experience in various account management roles as well as executive assistant positions. After Maddi was diagnosed Libby left her corporate America job to focus on her family. She currently lives in Cary, NC with her husband, Will and children Shea, Maddi and Kennedy.
After joining the Dup15q Alliance and immersing herself into the community and volunteer work she found how passionate she is about the Alliance and their mission. Libby was hired officially in June 2023 as Development and Administrative Assistant. She is enjoying learning more about the Alliance everyday and how to create better tomorrows for all the loved ones that suffer from Dup15q. When not working Libby loves painting, traveling, playing basketball and baseball with her kids.
Interns
Dup15q Alliance internship opportunities are appropriate for students interested in health care, pediatrics, genetics, neuroscience, advocacy, social work, event planning, information technology. Open to students who are not yet certain of their interests.
Intern commitment: 4 hours per week (60 hours total for the semester)
Apply here: Internship Application