Mission & Vision      |      Core Values     |      Directors     |     Scientific Committee       |      Patient Advisory Group     |     Project Management & Communications     |      Evidence to action

Mission & Vision      |      Core Values     |      Directors     |      Scientific Committee     |   Patient Advisory Group     |     Project Management & Communications     |      Evidence to action

1.5 billion people worldwide
are affected by liver disease*
Approx. 33% of the global pop.
live with MASLD—closely linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic risk factors*
More than $100 billion is spent annually
on MASLD-related healthcare costs in the US and Europe alone.*

Source       | Source       | Source

Source      | Source     | Source

Mission

To connect science, policy, care—and people—in advancing global recognition of steatotic liver disease (SLD)—especially metabolic dysfunction-associated SLD (MASLD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)—as a key component of the metabolic health crisis.

We foster inclusive dialogue across disciplines and lived experiences, expand a diverse community of practice, and accelerate the integration of liver health into national and global non-communicable disease (NCD) agendas.

Vision

A future where steatotic liver disease is a recognised global health priority—addressed through early diagnosis, prevention, and equitable treatment and care. By 2030, liver health is fully embedded within city, national and global NCD strategies, contributing to fewer preventable deaths, reduced health inequities, and stronger, more integrated responses to metabolic disease worldwide.

Core Values

We are committed to reducing health disparities by prioritising the needs of the most affected and underserved populations—aiming to make liver health efforts inclusive, just, and globally relevant.

We break down silos across disciplines, sectors, and geographies—believing that progress happens when researchers, clinicians, policymakers, people with lived experiences, and communities co-create solutions.

We act with determination and focus, recognising the growing burden of steatotic liver disease and the opportunity to drive meaningful change by 2030 through coordinated global action.

We champion evidence-based strategies while grounding our work in lived experiences—believing that policy and care must reflect both data and dignity.

We aim for impact, transparency, and measurable progress—working to ensure that liver health is not just discussed, but integrated and acted on within broader NCD and sustainable development goals (SDG) commitments.

We value creative, practical solutions that challenge the status quo—finding smarter, more effective ways to integrate liver health into care systems, policies, and everyday lives.

Who we are

The Global Think-tank on Steatotic Liver Disease is a collaborative initiative designed to bring together diverse stakeholders to advance the recognition, understanding, diagnosis, and management of steatotic liver disease—with a particular focus on MASLD/MASH as part of the broader metabolic health crisis.

Behind every major initiative is a committed team. On this page, you’ll find our directors, scientific committees, patient advisory group, and a full overview of the people driving this work forward.

Directors

Director

Jeffrey V Lazarus

Professor, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, NY, USA. Research Professor, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Spain. Director, MASH Cities.

Jorn Schattenberg

Co-Director

Jörn M Schattenberg

Professor, Director. Department of Internal Medicine. Saarland University Medical Centre, Germany.

Co-Director

Naim Alkhouri

Chief Academic Officer, Summit Clinical Research. Director of the SLD Programme, Clinical Research Institute of Ohio, USA.

Local Chair

Dídac Mauricio

Department of Endocrinology & Nutrition. CIBERDEM, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Spain. Professor, University of Vic. Central University of Catalonia, Vic, Spain.

Scientific committee

Kushala Abeysekera

Hepatologist, Bristol Royal Infirmary / Consultant Senior Lecturer in Liver Disease Epidemiology, Uni of Bristol

Marco Arrese

Hepatologist, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile / Vice President, ALEH

Meena Bansal

Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, USA.

Michael Betel

President, Fatty Liver Alliance

Jérôme Boursier

Hepatologist / Head of the HIFIH Laboratory, Angers University / Head of the Hepato-Gastroenterology and Digestive Oncology Department, Angers University Hospital

Paul Brennan

University of Dundee, Scotland, UK.

Stefan Buttigieg

Resident Specialist, Public Health Medicine, Ministry for Health and Active Ageing

Graciela Castro-Narro

Hepatologist, Medica Sur Hospital / National Institute of Sciences and Nutrition “Salvador Zubirán” / Past President of the Latin American Association for the Study of the Liver

Cyrielle Caussy

Lyon University, Lyon South Hospital, France.

Kenneth Cusi

Professor of Medicine at the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, University of Florida, USA

Kristina Curtis

Lyon University, Lyon South Hospital, France.

Nikos Dedes

Patient advocate, Greece.

Luis Antonio Diaz

Assistant Professor, University of California San Diego

Ajay Duseja

Professor & Head of Dep. of Hepatology, Post Grad Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India.

Gema Frühbeck

Obesity Area, Dept. of Endocrinology & Nutrition, CIBEROBN, University of Navarra Clinic, IdiSNA.

Amit Gupta

Secretary Global Advisory Board ADA / Chair, School of Diabetes and Education Committee, International Diabetes Federation

Hannes Hagström

Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Helen Jarvis

Primary Care – General Practitioner / Clinical Lecturer, Newcastle University

Scott Isaacs

Endocrinologist, Emory University School of Medicine, USA.

Fasiha Kanwal

Professor of Medicine; Director, Baylor College of Medicine; Institute for Clinical and Translational Research

Carolina Lapena Estella

Primary Care Nurse, Primary Heathcare Center Sanllehy, Barcelona Institut Català de la Salut (ICS).

Michael Ninburg

Executive Director Emeritus, HEP

Silvana Pannain

Associate Professor of Endocrinology Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Chicago / Obesity Medicine Director, Center for Weight and Metabolic Health

Rogério Ribeiro

Research Lead, APDP, Diabetes Portugal / Assistant Professor, ECTS – School of Health Sciences and Technologies, Lusófona University,

Maru Rinella

Gastroenterologist, Director, Metabolic and Fatty Liver Disease Dept, University of Chicago, USA.

Michael Roden

Scientific Exec. Officer, German Diabetes Center (DDZ) Prof/Director, Dept. of Endocrinology & Diabetology, Heinrich Heine Univ. & Univ. Hospital Düsseldorf

Manuel Romero-Gómez

Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, University of Seville, Spain.

Giada Sebastiani

Hepatologist, McGill University Health Centre / President, Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver

Jordi Serrano Pons

Hepatologist, McGill University Health Centre / President, Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver

Ferdinant M. Sonyuy

Health Economist Executive Director, Africa NCDS Network (ANN)

Wendy Spearman

University of Cape Town, South Africa.

Mark Swain

Hepatologist, Professor of Medicine, University of Calgary

Emmanuel Tsochatzis

Hepatologist, Royal Free Hospital, UK.

Vincent Wong

The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Yusuf Yilmaz

Marmara University, Turkey.

Shira Zelber-Sagi

University of Haifa, The Tel-Aviv Medical Center, Israel.

Patient advisory group

Coming Soon: A Collective Voice for Change

We’re building a dedicated space for patient advocates to lead, connect, and shape the future of care. Rooted in the lived experiences of people across the liver and metabolic disease continuum, this group will ensure that patient voices drive every conversation—locally, globally, and systemically.

Project management & communications

Lisa Rice-Duek

Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)

Anthony armenta

Anthony Armenta

Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)

trenton white headshot

Trenton M. White

Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)

Evidence to action: the liver health continuum

This timeline traces the global journey of liver health from scientific breakthroughs to real-world policy and implementation. Each milestone reflects growing momentum to integrate steatotic liver disease—MASLD/MASH, and related conditions—into the heart of public health systems and strategies. Members of our think-tank have played an active role—contributing to, participating in, or benefitting from these moments—in line with our mission to drive evidence-based action and our vision to position steatotic liver disease as a global public health priority embedded across all health agendas.

Scientific Breakthroughs

Key publications, landmark studies, or paradigm shifts in understanding liver disease (e.g., redefinition to MASLD).

Expert Endorsement / Consensus

Guidelines released (e.g. EASL, AASLD, WHO reports), position papers, or major global forums where consensus was achieved.

Policy Momentum

Inclusion in WHO strategies, SDG frameworks, national health plans, NCD roadmaps, UNGA mentions, or global pledges.

Action & Implementation

Initiatives that turn policy into practice: country-level programs, financing commitments, health system adaptations, screening campaigns, etc.

Línea de Tiempo Interactiva - Mobile

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Línea de Tiempo Interactiva

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Scientific Breakthroughs

Resmetirom Phase 3 Trial

Demonstrated clinical efficacy of Resmetirom in treating MASLD/MASH in a pivotal Phase 3 trial.