About us
Our Story
The Homer Hack is a Not For Profit Charity holding a DGR 1 status. It consists of a broad group of individuals who have a keen joint interest in the effects of Homer gene variants and other rare genes in humans on day-to-day function.
Some members have been personally touched by the debilitating effects of Homer gene variants whilst others have scientific interests in research discoveries and translating results into tangible outcomes. The team donates their time, energy, and resources to this worthwhile cause in the hope of benefiting many families in the future.
Our Vision
Our knowledge, translated into practice, delivers demonstrable improvements in the capacity and lifetime journeys of people affected by Homer variants and other rare gene variants.
Our Mission
To drive research to better understand Homer and other rare genes and their role in neurological conditions and improve outcomes for people living with these variants, their families and careers.
Our aspirations are to increase awareness in the general population of Homer and other rare gene variants and their effects on the developing nervous system and contribution to complex neurological conditions including autism, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. By increasing funding, we hope to expedite research and evidence to assist families with faster diagnosis timeframes. Finally – and most importantly – we aim to connect people with these rare gene variants and their families with others to provide support and guidance on the treatment journey and improve long-term outcomes.
D’Arne Finnis
The Homer Hack Founder
Our Board
D’Arne Finnis
Neuro-Developmental Educator and Founder of The Homer Hack
D’Arne Finnis has been an Early Childhood Educator since 1997 and has worked in numerous settings across Melbourne. She went on to focus on the area of Neuro-developmental physiology and the part this played in children’s learning and development.
Matt Finnis
Chief Executive Officer of Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership.
Prior to joining Cranlana Matt was the CEO of St Kilda Football Club for 9 years.
Associate Professor Libby Callaway
Independent Living Stream Lead, Rehabilitation, Ageing and Independent Living Research Centre and Occupational Therapy Department, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University
Paul Dolan
Paul has over 22 years of experience working with and in Health, Mental Health, and Human Services in both the UK, Australia and New Zealand. He has held leadership, executive and non-executive positions across consulting, government, not-for-profit and private sectors. Paul is currently a Partner at Anadrom, an Advisory business focussed on shaping the next generation of equitable, sustainable systems and services that strengthen people and communities.
Patrick Potts
Patrick is Portfolio Manager and Investment Analyst and has been a professional Fund Manager since 2003.
He has worked for a large Melbourne-based International Equities Fund manager since 2008.
Scientific Advisory
Professor Terrence O’Brien
Terence J. O’Brien, MB, BS, MD, FRACP, FRCPE, FAHMS, FAES, is Chair of Medicine (Neurology) and Head, Central Clinical School, Monash University and Program Director, Alfred Brain and Deputy Director of Research, Alfred Health. He was formally The University of Melbourne’s James Stewart Chair of Medicine and Head, The Department of Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospitals (2008-17) and Van Cleef Roet Chair of Neuroscience at Monash University and Director of Neurology at Alfred Health (2017-20).
Professor Lisa Foa
Head of School, Psychological Sciences, College of Health and Medicine University of Tasmania
Lisa graduated with her PhD in 1996 from Deakin University and during her candidature, completed the prestigious “Neural Systems and Behaviour” course at Woods Hole Marine Laboratory.
Associate Professor Libby Callaway
Independent Living Stream Lead, Rehabilitation, Ageing and Independent Living Research Centre and Occupational Therapy Department, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University
Professor David Amor
Galli Chair in Developmental Medicine, Consultant clinical geneticist, and clinician-scientist Royal Children’s Hospital, Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
Professor Russell Dale
Professor of Paediatric Neurology Children’s Hospital at Westmead; Research head – Kids Neuroscience Centre, University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health
Help us reach our goals
By donating to The Homer Hack, 100% of your contribution will go directly to our research.
