By Keith Fargo, Chief Scientific Officer
The CMT Research Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board is composed of distinguished scientists and clinicians who provide independent expert perspectives as key volunteers. Their contributions take several forms. Most visibly, when we evaluate projects to potentially fund, they provide input related to the strength of the proposed research and the potential for the project to deliver treatments and cures for people with CMT – our sole focus. Often, this input is behind-the-scenes, as the evaluate and score proposals before each is discussed by the full SAB during a regular monthly meeting. Other times, they join us in meetings with potential grantees. Their advice helps shape each project to ensure that it has maximum impact.
Equally important, SAB members advise us on advances in science and technology from around the world that may benefit people with CMT. We use this information to ensure that our research priorities are current and focused on the areas that are most likely to advance research toward clinical trials and, ultimately, your medicine cabinet.
In short, our work to develop treatments and a cure for CMT would not be possible without the invaluable input and generosity of the SAB.
The SAB is fully vested in CMTRF’s exclusive focus on funding the discovery and development of treatments and cures for CMT. Our approach combines investment in the most promising research with a commitment to accountability, collaboration, and transparency. Our SAB helps match companies with promising research, with disease experts to streamline and expedite development. With academic projects, they help match researchers with experts in drug development
The SAB is extraordinary in the way they think about attacking CMT. They are critical, rigorous, and well-versed in CMT. They challenge us to fund projects that address critical barriers that are not otherwise being addressed. Because of the innovation and expertise of the CMTRF SAB members, our scientific portfolio is diverse and well-positioned to develop treatment options that are prepared for clinical trials.
Today, I am pleased to report we have added two new SAB members, each with exceptional credentials:
Anthony Antonellis, PhD, is a leading researcher in the field of peripheral nerve development and disease, and Professor and Chair of the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Michigan. The primary focus of his laboratory is elucidating the molecular mechanisms and pathways underlying CMT. Among his accomplishments in this area is the discovery of numerous mutations in tRNA synthetases that underly several forms of CMT. (Read more about him here)
Brett McCray, MD, PhD is an Assistant Professor in Neurology at Johns Hopkins. He is a physician-scientist with a clinical and research focus on CMT and other forms of peripheral neuropathy. In addition to caring for patients with CMT and other neuromuscular diseases, he also runs a discovery science lab focused on the pathogenesis of inherited forms of peripheral neuropathy with the goal of identifying common pathogenic mechanisms and novel broadly applicable therapeutic targets. (Read more about him here)
Join me in thanking these unsung heroes for their work that makes CMTRF the most progressive and aggressive foundation in search of a cure.
Exciting news! Building momentum and striving for a cure.
Welcome to Doctor Antonellis and Doctor McCray. I am looking forward to learning more about your involvement with CMTRF SAB.