Meet the Team

Anthony Angel (Chairman)

Anthony was the former Worldwide Managing Partner at Linklaters, Executive Managing Director EMEA at Standard & Poor’, Global Co-Chairman at DLA Piper and Trustee and Treasurer of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust before becoming chairman of Jnetics’ board of trustees. Anthony’s son Benjamin died aged 26 from Cystic Fibrosis. He is committed to preventing the suffering and pain of other Jewish families from the death of a child from what are now avoidable genetic diseases.

Leon Blitz

Leon is the co-founder of Grovepoint, a London-based private equity and investment management firm. Prior to this, Leon held senior roles at Investec for over 21 years after having qualified and trained as a chartered accountant in South Africa.

Leon has served as a non-executive Director and Chairman of several companies in the UK, Europe, Israel and Australia. He is the Life President and former Chairman of UK Israel Business (Bilateral Chamber of Commerce) driving initiatives to connect those in the UK to innovative and cutting-edge Israeli technologies and their ecosystem and was involved in the establishment of the UK Israel HealthTech forum.

Leon is also committed and involved with several charitable and communal organisations where he serves in various capacities. In addition, Leon has had personal knowledge and experience with certain genetic conditions.

Married to Cara and has three adult children.

Allan Freinkel

Juliette Harris PhD, MSc - Genetic Counsellor

Juliette is a specialist Genetic Counsellor at North West Thames Regional Genetics Service. She was the dedicated NHS Genetic Counsellor for Jnetics from 2018-2020 and has volunteered as a screening advisor with Jnetics for over 6 years and helped set up the first ever Jnetics community screen in 2014. She has a PhD in Human Genetics from Imperial College School of Medicine and qualified as a Genetic Counsellor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York City. She is passionate about the role that public involvement and community engagement has in increasing awareness, acceptance, and uptake of genetic screening programmes.

Anthony Leon

Anthony is Finance Director at Brandpath Group. Anthony is involved with several charitable and communal organisations.

Dr Jonathan Krell

Dr Jonathan Krell qualified in medicine at Leeds University Medical School, where he also gained a first class honours degree in pharmacology. After completion of junior doctor posts at St. James' Hospital in Leeds and Guy's and St. Thomas' hospitals in London, he undertook his training in oncology at Charing Cross and Hammersmith hospitals in London. He has been a consultant and senior clinical lecturer at Imperial College London for two years. His clinical focus is on the systemic management of patients with breast and gynaecological malignancies. He also has a specialist clinical interest in cancer genetics and hereditary malignancies, particularly those involving the BRCA gene and other genetic mutations.

Emma May

Emma was Director of Operations and Employment at Work Avenue. Emma is a law graduate from Manchester University and qualified HR professional. Emma has a background in HR management, psychometric assessment, outplacement and careers guidance and has held roles in the public, private and not for profit sectors.

Lord David Pannick

Lord Pannick KC is one of the UK’s most highly regarded advocates, practising in a broad range of areas with a particular emphasis on Public law & Human Rights. In November 2009 he became a crossbench peer and sits in the House of Lords.

Lord Leslie Turnberg

Lord Turnberg is a British medical professional and an author of many publications and books related to the medical and health services fields. His experience extends to areas of research in these fields and maintaining a clinical practice. He has published four books and some 150 articles on medical and scientific research. He is a Labour Life peer and sits in the House of Lords.

Monica Ziff

Monica is a Specialist Registrar in Clinical Genetics at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London. She qualified from University College London Medical School and has a BSc in Human Genetics. She has volunteered as a screening advisor for Jnetics since 2017 and published their screening carrier rates in a peer-reviewed journal. She is passionate about increasing awareness of genetic conditions and providing an informed and supportive genetic testing service.

Nicole Gordon

CEO

Our Chief Executive Officer, Nicole Gordon, is responsible for our strategic direction, delivery of our services, as well as running the day-to-day aspects of the charity.

Nicole has extensive experience in growing charities and together with her scientific background has been instrumental in the expansion of Jnetics.

Ruthie Abenson

Finance Officer

Our Finance Officer Ruthie Abenson is responsible the day today management of the charity’s finances.

Gaby Baigel

Head of Operations & Programme Delivery (Universities & Schools)

Gaby is our Head of Operations & Programme delivery in schools and at universities. Gaby’s experience in Project & Service Management and IT puts her in an ideal position to over see many of our projects and services. Gaby is also responsible for the charity’s database and analysis of much of Jnetics’ data.

Emma Bergen

Head of Fundraising & Marketing

Emma is our Head of Fundraising & Marketing, responsible for growing and looking after our patrons and major donors. Emma has a wealth of experience of fundraising within the Jewish community and cultivating partnerships and donor relationships.

Rachael Citron

Programmes Coordinator - Maternity Cover

Rachael is our Programmes Coordinator for the Jnetics in Schools and Jnetics on Campus Programmes. With a Medical Sciences background and experience working for University Jewish Chaplaincy she is well equipped to help our students and volunteers.

Josh Forman

Head of Science, Education & Outreach

Josh is our Head of Science, Education and Outreach, with responsibility for the overall delivery of sharing Jnetics’ work and the scientific understanding associated with the Jewish community. Josh comes to Jnetics with extensive experience in leading and managing science education as a Head of Science, with 14 years of teaching experience in a broad range of environments.

Lara Jeffrey

Digital Marketing & Fundraising Executive

Lara is our Digital Marketing & Campaign Fundraising Executive.

Gidon Schwartz

Education & Outreach Executive

Gidon is responsible for our education and outreach, raising awareness of JGDs and our work in schools, universities, and the wider Jewish community. Gidon has a degree in Medical Genetics and was previously National Director of Bnei Akiva bringing a wealth of knowledge of the Jewish community.

Samantha Wilder

Programmes Coordinator

Samantha is our Programmes Coordinator and is responsible for coordinating all of our recessive screening services.

Tiffany Angell

Junior Events and Marketing Manager

Tiffany is the Junior Events and Marketing Manager, responsible for supporting the Head of Fundraising and Marketing across all of Jnetics' fantastic events, and growing the Jnetics Challenges portfolio. Tiffany has a marketing and events background, working in a range of sectors including Jewish charities, media, retail and recruitment.

Chayim Schell-Apacik

MD

Chayim is a consultant clinical geneticist, now running the London based private practise Schell Genetics. Chayim has worked in genetics since 1990, specialising in paediatric genetics (childhood genetic disorders and syndromes), and possess a comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of clinical/medical genetics and have been involved in all aspects of genetics, including caring for families in the prevention and management of Jewish genetic disorders. Chayim has also conducted research on inherited brain malformations and had the opportunity to work as a research fellow at the Children's Hospital in Philadelphia from 2000 to 2002 as well as conducting research at the Children's Centre in Munich, Germany in 2005- 2006 Prior to establishing Schell Genetics, I ran my own practice for Human Genetics in Berlin, Germany, from 2007, and subsequently, held the position of Head of the Medicover Berlin-Westend Medical Care Unit.

Dr N. Ellissa Baskind

MBChB MD MRCOG

Ellissa is a Consultant in Reproductive Medicine & Gynaecology, the Clinical lead for Pre-implantation Genetic Testing at LTHT, the Clinical lead for Gynaecology Governance and Audit at LTHT and Clinical lead for Genomics at Care Fertility Ellissa developed and leads the NHS PGT-M/SR service in Leeds at LTHT which covers NHS provision of PGT for the North of England. She leads the risk and governance service for gynaecology at LTHT and is an active member of the LTHE ethics committee. She was involved in the development of the “Cancer Fertility and Me” decision aid. Ellissa also has a keen interest in education and was an elected chair of Subspeciality Trainees in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery (STIRMAS)and is currently the Deputy Programme Director for Sub Speciality Training in Leeds, an educational supervisor and BFS trainer. Ellissa has a key interest in research and has authored and co-authored several peer reviewed papers and book chapters as well as presenting her work at national and international conferences.

Daniel Cohen

BMedSc(Hons) MBChB PhD FRCS(Urol)

Daniel Cohen is a Consultant Urological Surgeon. He completed a PhD in the Division of Surgery at Imperial College London and undertook surgical training in London, followed by a fellowship in laser prostate surgery (HoLEP). He is one of a few Consultants in North London to offer both HoLEP and Aquablation waterjet therapy for benign prostate enlargement and use of MRI-fusion biopsies to accurately diagnose prostate cancer. Mr Cohen’s main clinical interests are in the diagnosis and management of prostate and bladder cancers, benign prostate enlargement and bladder function, in addition to a general urology practice covering peno-scrotal and testicular problems and urological emergencies. Mr Cohen has sat on the panel for the European Association of Urology Bladder Cancer bladder cancer guidelines panel, acted as an advisor to Prostate Cancer UK and is a medical advisor to a national genetics charity and local cancer charities.

Dr Justin Daniels

BMedSci BMBS MSc FRCPCH

Justin is the Medical Director and a Consultant Paediatrician at East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust. He studied at Nottingham University and after a short stint in New Zealand moved to London to train as a paediatrician. He worked as a consultant at North Middlesex Hospital for 17 years prior to moving to his current role. Justin is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer at University College London (UCL).

Professor Ros Eeles

FMedSci, PhD, FRCP, FRCR

Professor of Oncogenetics, The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and Honorary Consultant in Clinical Oncology and Oncogenetics, The Royal Marsden Hospital (RMH). Professor Eeles is both a clinician and scientist and has been instrumental in ensuring new discoveries in cancer genetics immediately benefit patients, particularly in her speciality areas of genetic predisposition to prostate cancer from rare and common constitutional genomic variation. She trained at the University of Cambridge and St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School, has a PhD in cancer genetics and is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of London and the Royal College of Radiologists (Clinical Oncology Faculty). She is also the Genomics Champion for The Royal College of Radiologists (Clinical Oncology Faculty). She leads the largest prostate cancer genetic study in the UK, set up an international consortium that involves over 100 research groups worldwide, and is leading multiple clinical trials and screening studies. She also started the flagship, Prostate Risk clinic at the RMH to evaluate the increasing role of genetic testing in men with and at risk of prostate cancer. She has sat on many genetics advisory committees, both national and international. She is author on over 500 papers and her book which she led as lead editor ‘Cancer Prevention and Screening’ won the BMA Chairman’s Book of the Year Award in 2019.

Dr Ian Ellis

MB BS FRCP BS

Consultant Clinical Geneticist Dr Ian Ellis has over 25 years experience as a Consultant Clinical Geneticist personal and family history genetic assessment targeted genetic testing and where appropriate genetic screening. He is also an expert in medico-legal Clinical Genetics reports. Dr Ellis qualified in Medicine from the Middlesex Hospital in London before going on to establish the national Tay-Sachs carrier screening programme in the 1990s. This was to be the start of his lifelong interest in genetic disorders of the Jewish community. He has been a consultant clinical geneticist in Liverpool for over 30 years with a broad range of clinics in adult, paediatric and cancer genetics. During that time, he established EUROPAC, an international research collaboration to identify genetic markers that predispose to familial pancreatic cancer. Dr Ellis helped to establish the UK Gauchers Disease Association, alongside Jnetics and their continuing campaigns to offer extended carrier screening. He is also an advisor to Chana, the fertility support charity for the UK Jewish community, as well as to Chai Cancer Care. He is now providing a consultancy service in Clinical Genetics to The London Clinic and continues his interest in medicolegal aspects of genomic testing and the psychosocial consequences of widespread genetic screening.

Dr Harry Leitch

PGCert DipRCPath MB Bchir PhD

Dr Harry Leitch is an Associate Professor and Honorary Consultant in Clinical Genetics and Genomic Medicine, based in the Genetics & Genomic Medicine Department at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and the North East Thames Regional Genetics Service, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust.

Professor Nick Lench

Sara Levene

RGC MSc BSc

Sara is the Consultant Genetic Counsellor and PGD Lead (Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis) at the Centre for Reproductive and Genetic Health (CRGH), which is a leading IVF and PGD centre in London. Previously Sara worked for many years in the Clinical Genetics department at Guy's Hospital, where she was a member of the PGD team there. Sara's special interest is in genetic conditions which are more common in the Jewish population, and as well as previously running the Tay Sachs screening clinic at Guy's, she was awarded a Dept of Health funded 'Visiting Fellowship' to visit Jewish Genetic screening programmes in the USA, Canada, Australia and Israel in 2005. This lead to the UK National Screening Committee funding further work in 2008, to review the provision of Tay Sachs screening service around the UK. In 2013 Sara oversaw the development of a private genetic screening service for 8 other Jewish genetic disorders at both Guy’s Hospital and through the charity Jnetics.

Dr Joshua Plaut

MA(Cantab) MBBS MRCSEd MRCGP

Joshua Plaut is community GP, with extensive experience working in North London and Hertfordshire with over 25 years experience. Joshua is also one of 2 UK mohelim for the Progressive Jewish community. Dr Joshua Plaut qualified from the Royal Free & University College Medical School in 2001, having completed his preclinical training at Cambridge University. He worked in general, vascular and neurosurgery before moving into general practice. He joined the Eisman Myers GP practice in 2020. Dr Plaut has experience in all aspects of general practice, including paediatrics, mental health, long-term conditions and care of the elderly. He has a particular interest in complex medical care, palliative care, ophthalmology and men’s health.

Professor Mina Ryten

MD PhD

Prof Mina Ryten is a clinician scientist specializing in human brain transcriptomics to understand neurological diseases. After completing her medical training at Cambridge and an MBPhD at UCL, she transitioned into bioinformatics via an MRC Post-doctoral Fellowship. This led to her training in Clinical Genetics and an MRC Clinician Scientist Fellowship. Since 2017, she has led research groups at UCL and, as of January 2024, at Cambridge University, where she now directs the UK DRI at Cambridge. Her work focuses on using transcriptomic data to uncover genetic mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative and rare neurogenetic diseases, with particular expertise in Lewy body disorders.

Dr Michael Wacks

Michael is a General Paediatric consultant at Kings College Hospital.

Nechama Weider

DPhil

Nechama Wieder has a PhD from the Centre for Human Genetics and Big Data Institute at the University of Oxford. Her research focussed on the role of non-coding regions of the genome in rare diseases using large-scale multi-omics data. Nechama also has long-standing interests and efforts in patient advocacy, genetic testing and Jewish medical ethics. She consults as a scientific advisor.

Dr Joanna Ziff

PhD

Joanna is the Evaluation and Performance Lead for the Newborn Genomes Programme at Genomics England. Joanna works on commissioning and evaluation newborn sequencing (at birth). She has an academic background in the genetics of hereditary hearing loss and has previous experience working in the Civil Service in the Department for Health and Social Care and Number 10.