Who we are

Qatar and Jordan – Chair of the INPA Movement Disorders Special Interest Group

Hanan Khalil is a professor of neurological physical therapy at Qatar University, department of rehabilitation sciences, college of health sciences. Professor. Khalil is a researcher in the area of exercise and related outcome measures in people with Long Term Neurological Conditions (LTNCs) namely Parkinson’s disease (PD). Further research interest includes cross-cultural adaptation and validation of outcome measures in Arabic language as well as motor learning and the impact of exercise on improving non-motor symptoms in these populations including sleep, cognition and mood.

As part of her PhD degree at Cardiff University-UK and for the past 13 years, Dr. Khalil has been actively involved in these areas of research. She successfully obtained funding (as a principal investigator) and led clinical several studies (both observational and interventional) in people with neurological diseases and mental health issues. Dr. Khalil was a member of the International Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders society (MDS) task force for the Middle East and currently is a member of the MDS working group for the Middle East. Through this, Dr. Khalil led two multi-site projects for translating and validating standardized outcome measures in PD in Arabic language. She also led several MDS educational courses in the area of rehabilitation for people with neurological diseases for the allied health professions. As a recognition of her research and scholarly activities, Dr. Khalil won the L’Oréal UNESCO for Women In Science Levant fellowship in 2018 and further she was selected for the TechWomen Emerging Leader Program award as well as for the International Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders’ Society (MDS) LEAP program for young leaders of 2019. Further, she was selected to participate in a number of WHO advisory committees in the area of brain health and neurodegeneration.

Australia – Vice-Chair of the INPA Movement Disorders Special Interest Group

Dr Natalie Allen is an Associate Professor of Physiotherapy in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at The University of Sydney, Australia. She specialises in neurological physiotherapy and is internationally recognised for her expertise in physiotherapy interventions for people living with Parkinson’s disease. Natalie brings over a decade of clinical experience, primarily in rehabilitation, to her academic role. Her research program focuses on three key areas in people with Parkinson’s disease: 1) Mobility and falls prevention – developing interventions to enhance safety and reduce falls; 2) Non-pharmacological pain management including exercise; 3) Innovative models of care – exploring service delivery approaches, including technology-enabled solutions and strategies for exercise self-management. Through her work, Natalie aims to advance evidence-based physiotherapy practice and improve outcomes for individuals with movement disorders worldwide.

Jordan – Secretary 1 of the INPA Movement Disorders Special Interest Group

Dr Aseel Aburub is a physiotherapy academic and researcher, serving as Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences and Head of the Physiotherapy Department at Applied Science Private University (ASU), Jordan. She holds a PhD from Keele University (UK) and has over 45 peer-reviewed publications. Her research focuses on Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation, and quality of life in movement disorders. Dr. Aburub is actively engaged in international collaboration, curriculum development, and accreditation, and has received regional and international recognition, including awards and research grants.

UK – Secretary 2 of the INPA Movement Disorders Special Interest Group

Dr Julie Jones is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean in the School of Health at the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. She specialises in neurological physiotherapy and is the Parkinson’s UK Excellence Network Clinical Therapy lead.  Julie is passionate about research which explores interventions that directly impact those living with Parkinson’s today. Julie has been involved in the field of Parkinsons for over a decade working both clinically and within research.   Her research program focuses on four key areas in people with Parkinson’s disease: 1) Exercise implementation within practice; 2) Gait and turning dysfunction; 3) Self-management in Parkinson’s; 4) Education and technology to support delivery of effective and sustainable health solutions. Julie aims to raise the profile of the valued contribution Physiotherapists bring to all stags of Parkinson’s, to improve health outcomes for PwP worldwide.

Brazil – Past Chair of the INPA Movement Disorders Special Interest Group

Tamine Capato is a board-certified neurological physiotherapy and movement disorders specialist. She completed her Ph.D. at University of São Paulo (Brazil 2020) and Radboud University (Netherlands 2022). Currently, she works as post-doc and clinical researcher at the Department of Neurology of both Universities. Coming from a strong clinical background as a physiotherapist and supervising students, her research focuses on identifying and developing new clinical assessments and multidisciplinary approaches to improve gait and postural instability in Parkinson’s disease and related Movement Disorders.

Luxembourg- Past Chair of the INPA Movement Disorders Special Interest Group

Mariella Graziano BSc (Hons) is a physiotherapist member of ParkinsonNet Luxembourg, member of the ParkinsonNet international network. She is the past Parkinsonnet Luxembourg physiotherapy trainer (2018-2025). Mariella is one of the authors of the European Physiotherapy Guideline for Parkinson’s and is committed to implement research-based physiotherapy practice. She runs her neurological practice at Esch-sur- Alzette. She is also past chair of the Movement Disorder INPA subgroup, and past President of the Association of Physiotherapists in Parkinson’s Disease Europe (2000-2018).