The Michael J. Fox Foundation Annual Report 2016 – Frameworks for Progress | Page 39

In November 2016, The Michael J. Fox Foundation
(MJFF) awarded three researchers prizes for their
groundbreaking work in advancing therapeutic
development for the benefit of those living with
Parkinson’s and dystonia.
— Susan Bressman, MD, and Laurie
Ozelius, PhD, accepted the second
annual Bachmann-Strauss Prize for
Excellence in Dystonia Research.
Together, their research identified
three primary or isolated dystonia
genes, and they have built a repository
of thousands of genes associated with
dystonia. Their work also has yielded
innovative imaging studies in families
with these genetic associations.
Created through a research alliance
between MJFF and The Bachmann-
Strauss Dystonia and Parkinson
Foundation (BSDPF), the $100,000
prize will be shared by Drs. Bressman
and Ozelius to further their individual
dystonia studies.
— Ira Shoulson, MD, received
the Robert A. Pritzker Prize for
Leadership in Parkinson’s Research.
Dr. Shoulson co-founded the
Parkinson Study Group in 1985 and
the Huntington Study Group in
1994, two international academic
consortia devoted to research and
development of treatments. He
also had made key contributions to
regulatory science and medicine and
was formerly a Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.
Foundation health policy fellow in
the U.S. Senate. The $100,000 Robert
A. Pritzker Prize for Leadership
in Parkinson’s Research is named
in honor of the late industrialist,
entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Renowned artist and Parkinson’s
patient Tom Shannon designed the
award. Dr. Shoulson will direct his
prize toward advancing research on
Parkinson’s patient-reported outcomes
and patient preferences.
From left to right
Susan Bressman, MD, Michael J. Fox,
Ira Shoulson, MD,
BSDPF Founder and MJFF
Board member Bonnie Strauss
and Laurie Ozelius, PhD.
2016 Annual Report
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