Listed in alphabetical order.
Clinical Data Coordinator
After graduating from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems in May of 2020, Afifah received an offer from a local pharmaceutical research company, DM Clinical Research, for the position of Research Data Coordinator. This position helped spark her interest in the realm of Clinical Research and paved the way to her current role at Solve M.E. as a Clinical Data Coordinator. Afifah aspires to further her education in Public Health and attain a PhD in Epidemiology within the next five to ten years.
In her freetime, she enjoys reading, watching “Gravity Falls”, planning trips, going on drives, spending time with her family, writing, modifying her Spotify playlists, or scrolling through reddit.
Director of Advancement
Ilise Friedman has worked in development for over two decades, most recently in the independent school sector: at Turning Point School, where she served for 5 years as Director of Advancement, and previously at Campbell Hall School, where she spent 10 years as Associate Director of Advancement.
She received her BA in Sociology from UC Santa Cruz, graduating with honors. After working as an Executive Assistant after college, she found her calling to help others by serving as the Director of Development for Gateway Center of Monterey County, an adult residential and vocational facility. At Gateway, Ms. Friedman was responsible for the organization’s grant writing, foundation relations, and fundraising events.
Ms. Friedman has managed numerous volunteer committees and finds great joy in working with community members from a diverse range of backgrounds. From 2001-2005, Ms. Friedman worked as the Gala Director for the International Tennis Hall of Fame in New York and Rhode Island. She also served as a volunteer manager for the Salvation Army immediately following the 2001 terror attacks.
She has also worked as a Development Officer for the Starlight Children’s Foundation; an Outreach Volunteer post-hurricane Sandy via SeabrightRising.org and Habitat for Humanity. She also served on the scholarship panel for the Nordstrom Foundation, granting $10,000 scholarships to high school juniors in Los Angeles County who exhibited exemplary community service.
In her spare time, you can find Ms. Friedman on the beach collecting seashells with her daughter, and on new adventures, either in a book or on a plane, traveling near and far.
Manager of Human Resources and Operations
Erin brings over a decade of experience in the for-profit sector. Throughout her career, she has always harbored a deep passion for non-profit work. After earning her degree in Organizational Management, she seized the opportunity to transition into the non-profit sector.
Currently, she proudly serve as a valuable team member at Solve, where she channels her expertise and commitment into making a positive impact on individuals and communities affected by ME/CFS and Long Covid. She am passionate about driving change, fostering social responsibility, and creating a better world for all.
Chief Scientific Officer, Head of Research Strategy and Alliances
With more than two decades of research and scientific management experience, Tim joins Solve M.E. with the passion to strategically accelerate M.E./CFS research with and for patients, their families, and the broader community that share the interest in combating infection-associated chronic illnesses. Tim believes that medical research not only enriches the collective knowledge of humankind but also, more importantly, brings hope to patients.
Immediately before joining Solve M.E., Tim exercised leadership to steer the research and alliance strategy in a non-profit setting and mobilized the government, research foundations, and private sector stakeholders to partner and advance medicine together. Previously, Tim oversaw a multi-million-dollar portfolio of federal investments in scientific research as Program Director for the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In addition, Tim worked in science policy for the NIH Office of the Director, small business innovation for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), and epigenetic research for the National Cancer Institute (NCI). He has been recognized by awards such as the NIH Director’s Award, NCATS Director’s Award, NIAID Merit Award, the U.S. Department of State Embassy Science Fellowship, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science and Technology Policy Fellowship. Tim holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry from Yale University.
President, Chief Executive Officer
Emily Taylor brings over two decades of unwavering commitment and expertise to her role as CEO of Solve M.E. With a career deeply rooted in health policy, grassroots advocacy, and community empowerment, Emily has dedicated herself to advancing medical research and patient voices in the realm of ME/CFS, Long Covid, and other infection-associated chronic conditions and illnesses.
A key member of Solve’s leadership team since 2016, most recently as Vice President of Advocacy and Engagement, Emily has been instrumental in driving impactful change, including the publication of pivotal white papers, advocating for increased NIH research funding, and successfully securing $1.25 billion for Long Covid research. She serves as a policy and advocacy advisor, fostering critical partnerships with Members of Congress and federal agencies to amplify the voice of those with ME/CFS, Long Covid, and infection-associated chronic conditions on Capitol Hill.
Emily’s signature programs include “Solve Advocacy Week,” a nationally recognized campaign that has evolved into a cornerstone event in the field, “EmPOWER M.E.” and the Long Covid Patient Leadership Advancement Network (LC-PLAN). She has also spearheaded legislative efforts, including the introduction of H.R. 7057, The Understanding COVID-19 Subsets and ME/CFS Act, the first-ever legislation for ME/CFS research funding.
Prior to her tenure at Solve, Emily served as the director of policy and advocacy for an award-winning autism organization, where she achieved remarkable success in overhauling disability, early intervention, and education policies. Throughout her career, Emily has been a catalyst for change, celebrating legislative victories, securing millions grant funding, and building groundswell to address the most pressing challenges facing communities.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Emily is deeply connected to the mission of Solve through her lived experience as a caregiver, inspired by her mother’s courageous battle with ME/CFS and chronic autoimmune conditions. She received a B.A. with honors in politics and international relations from Scripps College in Claremont and earned her M.A. in American politics from Claremont Graduate University.
Engagement Manager
Consulting Senior Advisor
An epidemiologist specializing in clinical epidemiology, research study design and analysis, and best practices for data collection, Leslie is accomplished in helping organizations navigate complex epidemiologic questions, providing insight and support to better understanding the ME/CFS landscape. Leslie holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health from Harvard University and a Doctorate in Epidemiology from the University of Washington. She has served in a variety of analytic and leadership capacities in research and public health and, in addition to epidemiology, has expertise in survey research, health equity, population health, and Lean Startup methodologies.
At Solve, Leslie is focused on “getting under the hood” to identify data insights that can be translated into actionable next steps. As a Seattle resident through many a grey, wet winter, Leslie has developed an excessive addiction to coffee and an impressive collection of GORE-TEX.
Associate Director of Advancement
Elissa has worked in nonprofits for nearly two decades including positions in resource development, volunteer management, and organizational support. She has served in organizations that focus on equity for American Indian and Alaska Native communities, resources and case management for refugees and asylees, and appreciation and inclusivity of culturally diverse populations. In these positions, she been privileged to stand alongside and staff, clients, volunteers, interns and community groups working toward their missions.
In her current role, Elissa is honored to steward Solve’s loyal donors, friends, families, and patient communities.
Executive and Advocacy Manager
350 N Glendale Ave.
Suite B #368
Glendale, CA 91206
SolveCFS@SolveCFS.org
704-364-0016
