2022 Development Grant

In Progress

CRISPR/Cas9 Correction of a Common Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) Deletion

“Although we are planning to initially develop this method for correction of one particular mutation, we anticipate that it can be adapted to correct a broader range of mutations in the same region.”
Stefan Nicolau, MD
Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital

2021 Development Grant

In Progress

The Role of Mitochondria in Inclusion Body Myositis

“In contrast to well-established experts in the field, early career physician-scientists have additional challenges in obtaining research funding, as most funding sources require a track record in the disease of interest. Therefore, development grants are crucial to catalyze my research career at this early stage.”
Elie Naddaf, MD
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

2021 Development Grant

In Progress

Neuromuscular Ultrasound and Electric Impedance Myography in CMT type 1A: A Prospective Longitudinal Study

“I appreciate the AANEM and ANF’s support of my career development and research project. Writing the grant application itself was a great opportunity to develop my skillset as a clinical researcher.”
Yohei Harada, MD
Duke University, Durham, NC

2021 Development Grant

In Progress

Activity-Based Treatments to Accelerate Peripheral Axon Regeneration

“There are not many awards available to support early career physicians or scientists in the field of NM and EDX medicine. Therefore the ANF plays an important role in championing research into the conditions affecting the patients we care for.”
Colin Franz, MD, PhD
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab/Northwestern University, Chicago, IL

2020 ANF Development Grant

In Progress

Determining the Pathogenicity of Autoantibodies in Idiopathic Small Fiber Neuropathy

"I sincerely believe that our work will ultimately lead to real, substantial benefits to patients with SFN, which makes all the hard work ahead totally worth it."
Alexander Chamessian, MD, PhD
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO

2019 ANF Development Grant

In Progress

Prevalence and Spectrum of Adult Acute Flaccid Paralysis in Zambia

“As an early career physician scientist, this award is a perfect fit to achieve my career goals of becoming an independent physician scientist with research interests focused around polyneuropathies."
Michelle Kvalsund, MD
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

2018 ANF Development Grant

In Progress

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Imaging for Characterizing Neuroinflammation of Spinal Cord in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

"The AANEM Development Grant Award is a transformative early career opportunity for me, which will play a critical role in my career advancement in the field of ALS.”
Suma Babu, MBBS, MPH
Instructor in Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital

2020 Research Fellowship

Completed

Neurological Application of Neurotoxins

"The ANF grant will support me in extending the platform for the quantification of spasticity and how it responds to the neurotoxin injections."
R. James Cotton, MD, PhD
Northwestern University and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL

2016 ANF Development Grant

Completed

Cognition in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

“This grant has helped me gain traction in my research area. It helped me collect pivotal preliminary data that I have used to apply for a Department of Defense grant."
Mathula Thangarajh, MD
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

2018 ANF/MDA Co-Funded Grant

Completed

Androgen Receptor Isoforms: From SBMA Pathogenesis to Therapeutic Targets

“This grant allows me the freedom to focus on the urgent mission of accelerating the discovery and development of treatments for SBMA.”
Carlo Rinaldi, MD, PhD
Associate Professor Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics Division of Medical Sciences, University of Oxford, United Kingdom

2016 Clinical Research Fellowship

Completed

Neurological Application of Neurotoxins

"This fellowship award allowed me to focus on an area of much needed research – dysphagia in neuromuscular disease."
Lisa Williams, MD
University of California, Davis Medical Center, Davis, California

2017 Clinical Research Fellowship

Completed

Validation of the Triple Timed-Up-and-Go Test as a measure of disease severity in Lambert Eaton Myasthenia patients

"This fellowship award helps me further my goal of being an independent researcher focused on the development of innovative and practical clinical assessment tools."
Shruti Raja, MD
Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina

2016 ANF/MDA Co-Funded Grant

Completed

Glucocorticolds in Fiber Repair and Regeneration of Dystrophic Muscles

"This award will support me in critically advancing knowledge about the action of steroids in muscle on two parallel fronts ."
Mattia Quattrocelli, PhD
Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL

2017 ANF Development Grant

Completed

The Value of High Quality Electrodiagnostic Study in Work-Associated Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

"In the current environment of having to prove quality, this study is key for the future for our members."
Teryl K. Nuckols, MD
RAND Corporation

2016 ANF/MDA Co-Funded Grant

Completed

Motor System Connectivity Influences in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

"Our studies offer significant opportunities to better understand the underlying causes of motor neuron and motor system degeneration."
Christi L. Kolarcik, PhD
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

2015 ANF/MDA Co-Funded Grant

Completed

Improving the Diagnosis of Neuromuscular Diseases

"This award allows me to dedicate my research efforts to the genetic diagnosis of the most difficult muscle disease cases."
Monkol Lek, PhD
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA

2019 Research Fellowship

Completed

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy Research Fellowship

"I feel there remain unanswered questions with respect to the underlying immune mechanism driving this neuropathy, and that further understanding how the disease process works could potentially help guide treatment regimens as well as expectations for prognosis."
Karissa Gable, MD
Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina

2015 ANF/MDA Co-Funded Grant

Completed

LncRNA as Therapeutic Target for SMA

"I strongly believe that this collaborative effort will eventually pay off in a real cure for SMA."
Constantin d'Ydewalle, PhD
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD