This session will explore the challenges and opportunities scientists, research administrators, and funders face in navigating misinformation within today’s information ecosystem. With a focus on rare disease research, the discussion will examine issues around data accuracy, interpretation, and the ways complex scientific findings can be misunderstood or misrepresented. Panelists will also explore the evolving relationship between research producers and science communicators—including journalists, and media professionals—and highlight evidence-based strategies for effectively communicating research to non-expert audiences. By examining different sources of misinformation and successful approaches to countering them, this session aims to identify ways to build public trust and support informed decision-making.

Moderator

• Kevin Sia, PhD – Program Officer for Medical Research, Doris Duke Foundation
  As senior program officer for medical research at the Doris Duke Foundation, Kevin Sia manages and evaluates grant programs and actively contributes scientific expertise and knowledge to build relationships with existing grantees. Prior to joining the foundation in 2021, Sia was a postdoctoral research fellow at the Sloan Kettering Institute of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He has a research background in immunology and microbiology, particularly focused on vaccine immunity and antibiotic resistant pathogens. Sia earned a Doctor of Philosophy in immunology and molecular pathogenesis from Emory University, where he trained at the Emory Vaccine Center.
  

Speakers

• Renée DiResta – Social Media Researcher, Author of  Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies into Reality
  Renée DiResta is a social media researcher and the author of Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies into Reality. She studies adversarial abuse online, ranging from state actors running influence operations, to spammers and scammers, to issues related to child safety. In October 2024, she joined the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy as an Associate Research Professor. Prior to that, she was the Technical Research Manager at the Stanford Internet Observatory.

• Leetha Filderman, FRSA – President/CEO, PopTech Institute
  Leetha Filderman is the President and CEO of the PopTech Institute, a global innovation network and consultancy focused on collaborative solutions for public health, climate action, and social innovation. As a strategist, she facilitates programs and partnerships that foster social change, including leading PopTech’s fellowship programs and mentoring initiatives.

• Alycia Halladay, PhD – Chief Science Officer, Autism Science Foundation
  Alycia Halladay is the Chief Science Officer for the Autism Science Foundation, where she oversees all of the scientific activities, grant programs, funding projects and scientific initiatives of ASF including the Baby Sibs Research Consortium, the Alliance for the Genetic Etiologies of Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Autism, the Next Gen Sibs project. Prior to joining ASF in 2014, she served as the Senior Director of Clinical and Environmental Sciences at Autism Speaks. She has authored over two dozen peer-reviewed papers in science journals around autism spectrum disorder, with a focus on the needs of the underserved and underrepresented in scientific research. Alycia also served on Board of Directors for the Phelan McDermid Syndrome Foundation and the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, and currently serves on the board of the Health Research Alliance and the Rare Epilepsy Network. She is on the editorial boards of Neurotoxicology and Frontiers in Pediatrics. She received a PhD in biopsychology from Rutgers in 2001 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ in 2004. She still holds a faculty appointment at Rutgers. She is the parent to a 15 year old daughter with ASD.