CMT Research Foundation is pleased to announce that Dr. Afrooz Rashnonejad has joined the Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board.
The SAB is composed of distinguished scientific and clinical experts specializing in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and drug development. The SAB plays a vital role in the Foundation’s mission by evaluating and selecting research projects with the highest scientific merit for funding, ensuring impactful investments in research that advances and accelerates the development of treatments and cures for CMT. In six years, CMTRF has become a significant force in the CMT research arena, funding 25 research projects, with five resulting in pre-clinical candidates.
In addition to joining CMTRF’s SAB, Dr. Afrooz Rashnonejad currently works as an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and a principal investigator at the Center for Gene Therapy at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Her core expertise lies in developing AAV-based gene therapies for rare neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases. Since establishing her independent lab in April 2022, Dr. Rashnonejad has focused on creating novel gene therapies for congenital myopathies and peripheral neuropathies, including CMT1B. Her lab is also dedicated to engineering Schwann cell-tropic AAV capsids.
“Dr. Rashnonejad’s expertise in gene therapy development for neuromuscular disorders, including CMT, aligns perfectly with our mission to accelerate progress in finding effective treatments for CMT,” said Dr. Riann Egusquiza, CMTRF’s director of research. “We are thrilled to have her join CMTRF’s SAB and are excited about the impact her contributions will have as we continue working toward our shared goal of developing treatments and cures for CMT.”
Dr. Rashnonejad has been recognized for her contributions to the field of gene therapy with two Excellence in Research Awards from the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy in 2019 and 2020. She has served as chair of the ASGCT New Investigator Committee and is an active member of the ASGCT Prenatal Cell and Gene Therapy Committee.
“Joining the SAB is an exciting opportunity to work with other experts toward identifying gaps in the field and shaping the future of CMT research by advising on funding decisions to accelerate therapies and improve patient care,” said Dr. Rashnonejad.
Dr. Rashnonejad received her Ph.D. in biotechnology from Ege University in Turkey. Additionally, she holds two master’s degrees, one in microbiology and one in stem cell science.