IDefine was founded in 2020 by a group of U.S.-based parents seeking answers for their children living with a Kleefstra Syndrome diagnosis. However, because KS is rare and it knows no borders, in just over a year, the organization has intentionally connected with experts worldwide and established a global presence.
Dr. Tanja Zdolsek Draksler, a
research project manager in
information technologies at the
Jožef
Stefan Institute (JSI) –
the leading Slovenian
scientific research institute
specializing in natural
sciences, life sciences and
engineering – is one of those
experts. She has also played a
key role in helping IDefine make
international connections.
Tanja lives in Slovenske Konjice,
Slovenia with her husband,
Martin, and their daughters
Zala, 7, and Adja, 5, who was
diagnosed with KS in 2019.
Although Adja is a very happy
child who enjoys her swing,
books, swimming, helping out in
the kitchen, and being
surrounded by family, Tanja
feels an urgency to take action.
Because she has expertise with
research projects dealing with
artificial intelligence, machine
learning, and data mining, among
other areas, Tanja began
reaching out to see where her
skills might be able to make a
difference. First, she connected
with Dr.
Tjitske Kleefstra about
possible research collaborations
and working on joint European
research proposals. Then, after
learning about IDefine around
the time of its inaugural International
Family and Scientific
Conference – Tanja reached
out to offer her services.
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