John Vissing is professor of Neurology at the University of Copenhagen since 2007, and the Director of the Copenhagen Neuromuscular Center at the National Hospital, Rigshospitalet. Dr. Vissing obtained his MD from the Medical School at the University of Copenhagen in 1986, and following graduation, he was a research fellow at University of Copenhagen and UT, Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, USA.

He has authored more than 280 scientific articles in international journals on muscle diseases. His research interests include developing diagnostic tests and treatment for patients with metabolic myopathies, mitochondrial diseases, and muscular dystrophies, studying the relationships between genotype and phenotype in a variety of muscle diseases, investigating the effect of physical training in patients with Neuromuscular diseases and studying the utility of MRI in investigation of muscle diseases.

Karen originally trained in the biological sciences and worked on lab-based cancer research projects before developing a career in health services research. Following ten years of research work at the University of Glasgow and the MRC Institute of Hearing Research, she joined the NHS in 2002 to lead health technology assessment projects. Karen managed a team of researchers in the synthesis of evidence to support healthcare policy development. Karen’s current role is Deputy Director of Evidence. This directorate undertakes health technology assessments, produces SIGN guidelines and develops national standards and indicators to support health and services improve quality.