Welcome to the North American Metabolic Academy
About SIMD NAMA
Established in 2007, the North American Metabolic Academy (NAMA) was created by the Society for Inherited Metabolic Disorders (SIMD) as a way of enhancing the teaching of genetics trainees about metabolic disorders, and to address the metabolic workforce issue from an educational standpoint.
NAMA Foundations provides a forum for medical genetics and biochemical genetics trainees to expand their base of knowledge about the inborn errors, their pathophysiology, diagnosis and management, while meeting their training peer group and interacting with established clinical and laboratory professionals in the specialty.
NAMA Systems Review invites clinicians who have never had any formal metabolic training: geneticists (non-metabolic) and other specialists, health professionals who work in metabolic clinics (nurse practitioners/nurses, physician associates, genetic counselors, dietitians) – and trainees to study selected areas of metabolism in more detail in order to participate more actively in the diagnosis and management of patients with inborn errors of metabolism.
Our Courses
September 2025
NAMA Foundations
A 6-day comprehensive review of the inborn errors primarily for medical genetics and biochemical genetics trainees. Given the increasing number of applications each year, individuals are permitted to attend NAMA Foundations only once.
NAMA Systems Review
Each 2.5 day conference focuses on (a) specific area(s) of metabolism, oriented around a particular organ system or presenting symptom. The topics change from year to year. Repeat attendance at future meetings is permitted (and encouraged)!
Meet the Editors
Jerry Vockley, MD, PhD
Executive Editor
Cleveland Family Endowed Chair in Pediatric Research, Professor of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh
Chief of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, Director of the Center for Rare DIsease Therapy, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Mark Korson, MD
Executive Editor
Director of Physician Support
Director of Education
VMP Genetics, LLC
Shamima Rahman, FRCP, FRCPCH, PhD
Executive Editor
Professor of Pediatric Metabolic Medicine
UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
What People Are Saying
“Overall this was an excellent course and I'm really glad I came. I will definitely be approaching my clinical practice differently and am so grateful for everything I've learned! Also- I'm planning to assemble for myself a compilation of all the "NAMA Algorithms" to keep on hand."
— SIMD NAMA Attendee
“This is a huge part that I cannot stress enough to future trainees I meet. Being together for a week really allowed me to get to know the other people in the program, and I know they will be the peers I will be collaborating with the rest of my career.”
— SIMD NAMA Attendee
“This was a wonderful experience and I am so glad I came. Playing Jeopardy on the last night I noticed I had learned more than I realized! I look forward to looking the course materials over to synthesize it all!”
— SIMD NAMA Attendee
“THANK YOU SO MUCH for putting this wonderful course together. I feel that I have the tools and community to help me with my career long term. Truly an exceptional opportunity!”
— SIMD NAMA Attendee
“The course was beyond my expectations and had a significant impact on my mindset, sparking my interest in pursuing a metabolic fellowship.”
— SIMD NAMA Attendee
“I truly appreciate the vignettes and cases - that will help me in clinic for a long time to come.”
— SIMD NAMA Attendee
“Overall wonderful course; fantastic faculty with excellent presentations. I really appreciated the opportunity to meet with and gain knowledge from experts in the field. The lectures were well-designed, and the group sessions were an enjoyable way to reinforce learning. Thank you all for your hard work in making this course amazing."
— SIMD NAMA Attendee
“As an aspiring biochem trainee, this course really solidified my decision to pursue this as a career. Course is intense, but in a good way.”
— SIMD NAMA Attendee
“I really loved this course! Far exceeded my expectations. Great faculty and fun environment. I can tell a lot of time is spent on making this a culture of enjoyment in learning and very collegial. I appreciate the loads of work to make this work!”
— SIMD NAMA Attendee
“As I apply to be a faculty member, I vividly remember my experience at NAMA 1.0 during my training as a budding geneticist. It was a wonderful experience and jam-packed with opportunities to delve into the pathogenesis and management of inborn errors of metabolism. The faculty were dynamic and engaging, and that week of intensive learning sparked my interest to further my training in biochemical genetics. I am forever grateful to have had this opportunity which shaped my career and helped form lasting connections with colleagues within the field.”
— SIMD NAMA Faculty Member Applicant
NAMA Founding Sponsors
Interested in becoming an Exhibitor?
Between one third and one half of the practicing geneticists in the US and Canada have attended the North American Metabolic Academy Foundations Course. NAMA is helping to train the clinicians and researchers of tomorrow!
There is a shortage of biochemical geneticists. As a result, metabolic clinics are depending on their non-physician clinical staff to play a greater role in patient care. NAMA recognizes their need to learn as an educational priority!
The Exhibitor Fair occurs on Day 2 of NAMA Foundations. It is a highly successful, interactive opportunity to inform these professionals about the metabolic disorders that are important to our corporate and advocacy foundation partners.
If you are interested in supporting NAMA and participating in the Exhibitor Fair on Day 2 of NAMA Foundations, please contact us!