Our Aims
Advancing Knowledge
Empowering Patients
Enhancing Clinical Practice
Fostering Collaboration
Influencing Policy
The Chronic Infection Pathology Related Education and Science Society (CiPRESS) is a global alliance of researchers, healthcare professionals, and patients working together to transform the landscape of chronic infectious disease.
Meet our board — diverse expertise in science, medicine, and patient engagement.

Board Member
Dr. Blehle held various management positions and worked as a consultant within and outside the German healthcare system. She has in-depth medical knowledge, particularly in rheumatology and in autoimmune diseases. Since 2017, she has been working exclusively in the field of tick-borne diseases, initially as Deputy Medical Director and as partner of Dr. Nicolaus at BCA. After Dr. Nicolaus retired from patient care, in April 2020 she founded the Alviasana Praxisklinik and continued to care for patients.

Board Member
Dr. Leona Gilbert is a Docent of Cell and Molecular Biology and the CEO of Te?ted Oy. This university spinoff company aims to get the patients tested so they can be treated and recover quicker. She has a doctorate in biotechnology and a very long experience in bio-innovation and bio-business.

Board Member
Kunal Garg is Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Tezted Ltd, a Finland-based IVD manufacturing company specializing in innovative diagnostic tools for infectious and chronic diseases. Recognized in Forbes 30 Under 30 for his contributions to tick-borne disease diagnostics.

Board Member
Markus Berger graduated in Sports Economics from the German University for Prevention and Health Management (DHfPG) in Leipzig in 2012, then worked as a health coach, nutritionist, and rehabilitation trainer at a clinic specializing in tick-borne diseases, supporting patients with complex chronic conditions.
In 2018 he founded PhytoBox, where he is CEO, developing complementary health concepts and providing consulting and education for physicians and therapists. That same year he joined ArminLabs, where he began in Sales and now serves as Head of Logistics, Marketing and Sales, working on strategic development, international partnerships, laboratory logistics, and communicating specialized diagnostics to healthcare professionals.
His focus lies at the intersection of chronic and vector-borne infections, laboratory diagnostics, and complementary therapeutic approaches.

Board Member
Dominic D. Smith, Dipl. Hort is an horticulturist, landscape designer and entrepreneur with expertise in ecology, public health, and patient advocacy. He is actively involved with national and international patient organisations, institutional networks, and healthcare initiatives focused on infectious diseases, tick-borne illnesses, and Post-Acute Infection Syndromes (PAIS), contributing to research, policy development, patient representation, and healthcare improvement.