About
COFFI brings together selected international cohort studies to better understand post-infective fatigue and related conditions.
Aims
COFFI aims to advance understanding of post-infective syndromes by investigating biological, psychological, and social factors influencing persistent symptoms following infection.
The collaboration brings together multidisciplinary researchers and harmonised data from cohort studies worldwide. By combining expertise and resources, COFFI seeks to identify risk factors, mechanisms, and potential targets for prevention and treatment.
How we work
COFFI is a collaborative network of researchers across disciplines and cohorts. At the centre of our work are the COFFI cohorts - observational studies that contribute data and meet shared scientific quality standards.
Research is conducted through project-based working groups that combine data and expertise to address shared research questions. Proposals for new projects are reviewed by the Steering Committee, with input from COFFI’s advisory groups, to ensure scientific quality and alignment with the collaboration’s aims.
Further details are given in the formal Consortium Agreement.
Organisation
COFFI is organised around four two standing groups, as well as project working groups formed around current projects. Two advisory groups inform both the strategic and operational work of COFFI.
Steering Committee
At the core of COFFI is the Steering Committee, which comprises of COFFI partners – all principal investigators or representatives of included cohorts. The committee is chaired by the leader of the COFFI collaborative, and a consumer representative is present at all meetings. The Steering Committee provides overall strategic direction and oversight.
Netherlands
Dr. Kees van den Wijngaard
National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM)
Norway
Dr. Knut-Arne Wensaas
NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen
Norway
Tonje Stiansen-Sonerud
Akershus University Hospital
Norway
Prof. Knut Stavem
Akershus University Hospital
Australia
Dr. Carolina Sandler
University of New
South Wales, Western Sydney University
Netherlands
Dr. Ruud Raijmakers
Radboud University Medical Centre
Netherlands
Prof Maria Prins
Amsterdam University Medical Center
Netherlands
Prof. Hans Knoop
University of Amsterdam
USA
Prof. Ben Katz
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
France
Dr. Patrick Gérardin
Research Center for Health and Medical Science CHU,
Réunion Island
UK
Dr. Rachael Evans
University of Leicester
USA
Prof. Dedra Buchwald
University of Washington
Australia
Prof. Andrew Lloyd
University of New South Wales
Norway
Prof. Vegard Wyller (chair)
Akershus University Hospital
Executive committee
The operational work of COFFI is led by the Executive Committee, and comprises the leader and the deputy leader of the collaborative, as well as a data manager, a biorepository manager, and an administrative assistant at the host institution.
Norway
Prof. Vegard Wyller (chair)
Akershus University Hospital
Australia
Dr. Carolina Sandler
University of New
South Wales, Western Sydney University
Australia
Prof. Lucette Cysique
University of New South Wales
Australia
Dr. Braulio Mark Valencia Arroyo
University of New South Wales
Norway
Tonje Stiansen-Sonerud
Akershus University Hospital
Australia
Prof. Andrew Lloyd (co-chair)
University of New South Wales
Consumer Advisory Group
The Consumer Advisory Group comprises of individuals who have first-hand experience with post-infective fatigue or chronic fatigue syndrome, either as patients or as next-of-kin.
USA
Zona McKenzie
Medical doctor with 20 yrs experience. Diagnosed with ME/CFS.
Norway
Tore Kristiansen
Chair person Recovery Norway, biologist. Next-of-kin to ME/CFS patient
UK
Fiona Symington
Diagnosed with ME/CFS
UK
Prof. Paul Garner
Academic. Previously affected by the post-COVID-19 syndrome
Netherlands
Mabel Ansenk
Previously affected by post COVID-19 syndrome
Australia
Daniel Forrest
Psychologist.
Affected by post-infective fatigue syndrome (post Epstein-Barr virus)
Netherlands
Ilke de Lange
PhD student - Brain and cognitive sciences.
Previously affected by post-infective fatigue syndrome (Post Epstein-Barr virus)
UK
Rachel Whitfield (chair)
Previously affected by the post-COVID-19 syndrome
Scientific Advisory Group
The Scientific Advisory Group consists of distinguished researchers in the field who are not otherwise affiliated with single COFFI cohorts.
Belgium
Prof. Omer Van den Bergh
University of Leuven
USA
Prof. Daniel Clauw
University of Michigan
UK
Prof. Sir Simon Wessely
King's College
Australia
Hon. A/Prof. Ute Vollmer-Conna
University of New South Wales
UK
Prof. Trudie Chalder
King's College
Netherlands
Prof. Emer. Jos Van Der Meer (chair)
Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre
Founding partners
no longer active in COFFI
UK
Esther Crawley
Previously Professor in Child Health at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom
UK
Peter D. White
Emeritus Professor of Psychological Medicine at Queen Mary University of London
USA
Renée Taylor
Associate dean and professor of occupational therapy, and director of the Univerisity of Illinois, Chicago Model of Human Occupation Clearinghouse
UK
Rona Moss-Morris
Professor of Psychology as Applied to Medicine at the Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry & Neuroscience at King's Collegelondon
Commitees and groups
Steering Committee
At the core of COFFI is the Steering Ccommittee, which comprises of COFFI partners – all principal investigators or representatives of included cohorts.
The committee is chaired by the leader of the COFFI collaborative, and a consumer representative is present at all meetings. The Steering Committee provides overall strategic direction and oversight
Executive Committee
The operational work of COFFI is led by the eExecutive cCommittee, and comprises the leader and the deputy leader of the collaborative, as well as a data manager, a biorepository manager, and an administrative assistant at the host institution.
Project working groups
Ad hoc project working groups (PWG) are arranged around a research or strategical aim of COFFI. The PWGs are responsible for drafting scientific abstracts and papers based on concept sheets approved by the Steering Committee, as well as publication and dissemination of results.
Consumer Advisory Group
The Consumer Advisory Group comprises of individuals who have first-hand experience with post-infective fatigue or chronic fatigue syndrome, either as patients or as next-of-kin.
Scientific Advisory Group
The Scientific Advisory Group consists of distinguished researchers in the field who are not otherwise affiliated with single COFFI cohorts
Founding partners (no longer active in COFFI)
Rona Moss-Morris
Professor of Psychology as Applied to Medicine at the Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry & Neuroscience at King's College London.
Renée Taylor
Associate dean and professor of occupational therapy, and director of the Univerisity of Illinois, Chicago Model of Human Occupation Clearinghouse.
Peter D. White
Emeritus Professor of Psychological Medicine at Queen Mary University of London.
Esther Crawley
Previously Professor in Child Health at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom
People
COFFI brings together researchers and advisors across disciplines and countries. Below is an overview of the individuals contributing to the collaboration.
Executive committee
A short text as to what the Executive committee does.
NORWAY
Prof Vegard Wyller
Akershus University Hospital
Australia
Prof Andrew Lloyd
University of New South Wales
Australia
Dr Carolina Sandler
University of New South Wales
Western Sydney University
Norway
Tonje Stiansen-Sonerud
Akershus University Hospital
Australia
Dr Braulio Mark Valencia Arroyo
University of New South Wales