91短视频

The Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at 91短视频 General Hospital (MGH), ALS Finding a Cure®, and FightMND selected three recipients for their global two-year ALS Scholars in Therapeutics program. The program received outstanding applications from many institutions. Selected recipients are awarded $150,000 USD/year for two years.

This year’s selected recipients listed alphabetically are Miriam Linsenmeier, PhD, of University of Pennsylvania, Elizaveta Okorokova, PhD, of University of California, Davis, and Arens Taga, MD, of Johns Hopkins University.

Miriam Linsenmeier, PhD, has been awarded for her work on engineering nuclear import receptor-derived therapeutics to counter TDP-43 proteinopathy in ALS. She received a B.Sc. in Molecular Medicine from the University of Ulm (Germany) in 2015, a M.Sc. in Biochemistry and Biophysics from the University of Freiburg (Germany) in 2018, and a Ph.D. from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich Switzerland) in 2022. Dr. Linsenmeier is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher in the lab of James Shorter, PhD, at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research focuses on uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation and properties of biomolecular condensates to explore new therapeutic opportunities in the context of neurodegenerative diseases. For her project, Dr. Linsenmeier will use a multi-step selection process involving biochemical, biophysical, and genetic tools to develop a novel drug candidate designed to resolve TDP-43 pathology in ALS.

Elizaveta Okorokova, PhD, has been awarded for her work restoring communication in ALS patients through multimodal brain-computer interfaces. She completed her PhD in Computational Neuroscience at the University of Chicago under the mentorship of Sliman Bensmaia, PhD in 2023. She currently works as a Postdoctoral Researcher in the lab of Sergey Stavisky, PhD and David Brandman, MD, PhD, at the University of California, Davis. Dr. Okorokova specializes in electrophysiology and neural data analysis techniques. For her project, she will develop advanced algorithms for the next generation intracortical brain-computer interfaces that will help to restore the natural communication and independence of those living with ALS and other neurogenerative diseases, transforming their ability to interact with the world.

Arens Taga, MD, has been awarded for his work exploring the pathophysiological role and the therapeutic potential of β1-importin in C9orf72 ALS. He earned his medical degree from the University of Parma in Italy, followed by a Neurology residency at the University of Parma and Johns Hopkins University. Currently, Dr. Taga serves as a Clinical Postdoctoral Fellow in Neuromuscular Medicine at Johns Hopkins University and will complete his fellowship in 2025. Under the mentorship of Dr. Nicholas Maragakis, MD, at Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Taga uses neurons derived from patient blood cells to model ALS in a dish. His current research focuses on axonal regeneration, applying advanced techniques to investigate how β1-importin aggregates impair its function and whether boosting β1-importin levels can restore nerve regeneration.

The ALS Scholars in Therapeutics program funds young investigators researching new treatments for people living with ALS. This two-year program is designed to engage physician-scientists and post-doctoral fellows to gain training and experience in therapy development for ALS at their home institution with a unique opportunity to engage with people living with ALS and attend a year-long educational series focused on enhancing their understanding of the drug development process from an industry perspective. All ALS scholars are part of the broader Healey & AMG Center, ALS Finding a Cure®, and FightMND’s global community. By engaging motivated and creative individuals with a passion for bringing treatments to people living with ALS, we are expanding the community of experts and expediting therapy development.

About the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Mass General

At the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Mass General, we are committed to bringing together a global network of scientists, physicians, nurses, foundations, federal agencies, and people living with ALS, their loved ones, and caregivers to accelerate the pace of ALS therapy discovery and development.

Launched in November 2018, the Healey & AMG Center, under the leadership of Merit Cudkowicz, MD and a Science Advisory Council of international experts, is reimagining how to develop and test the most promising therapies to treat the disease, identify cures and ultimately prevent it.

With dozens of active clinical trials and lab-based research studies in progress right now, we are ushering in a new phase of ALS treatment and care. Together, we will find the cures.

About ALS Finding a Cure

ALS Finding a Cure® (ALSFAC), is focused on identifying gaps in the scientific understanding of ALS that are preventing the development of a cure. The organization, a program of The Leandro P. Rizzuto Foundation, collaborates with numerous companies, ALS organizations, and pALS (people with ALS) and their families to ensure research efforts are non-duplicative, synergistic, and focused on the ultimate goal: finding a cure.

About FightMND

FightMND was established in 2014 by Neale Daniher AO, Pat Cunningham and the late Dr. Ian Davis OAM. They are a founder-led organization with a vision of a world free from motor neurone disease (MND). FightMND works to raise awareness and fund vital research to improve the quality of life and find treatments and, one day, a cure for those living with MND.