Parkinson’s Disease Foundation and American Parkinson Disease Association Announce Collaboration to Cultivate Future Scientific Leaders
Expands Opportunities for Emerging Parkinson’s Scientists
(New York, NY – October 15, 2015) The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation® (PDF®) and the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) are pleased to announce their collaboration on Summer Student Fellowships to support research that will help solve, treat and end Parkinson’s disease. The collaboration expands opportunities for talented undergraduates and medical students to gain early exposure to careers in Parkinson’s by conducting ten-week research fellowships with established leaders in the field. The collaboration reflects PDF and APDA’s shared commitment to cultivating students’ early interest and leadership in Parkinson’s research.
“PDF and APDA share an urgency for improving the lives of the one million people in the US living with Parkinson’s,” said Robin Anthony Elliott, President, Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. “And we know that all too often, young talented researchers — those who represent the future of our field — face challenges when beginning careers in science. We are committed to cultivating their early interest and commitment and welcoming them to the fight against Parkinson’s.”
Since 2002, PDF has funded nearly 200 summer student fellows, who have gone on to a variety of careers in medicine, health care and basic research. Similarly, APDA has funded more than 120 medical students through its Summer Research Fellowship program since 1984. These investments have not only enabled students to build their own research careers, but have also allowed students to contribute significantly to the Parkinson’s research of established scientists with whom they work.
Through this collaboration, PDF and APDA are investing $60,000 toward Summer Student Fellowships. The collaboration offers undergraduate and medical students $4,000 in funding for Parkinson’s research projects to be conducted over a ten-week period in the summer of 2016. It also expands the program by offering additional funding for qualified students to share their Parkinson’s research findings with the scientific community at relevant conferences.
“This innovative partnership supports our mutual focus to inspire and invest in young scientists at a critical time in their educational and professional careers. APDA is delighted to combine efforts with PDF to ensure talented medical students are provided with important seed funding that could lead to a long term commitment to Parkinson’s research while potentially helping to unlock the mysteries of this complex and devastating disease that impacts millions of families worldwide,” said Leslie Chambers, President & CEO of APDA.
To learn more about this new collaboration visit www.pdf.org or contact PDF at (212) 923-4700 or grants@pdf.org.
About APDA Research Funding
In the 2015-2016 academic year, APDA invested more than $1.3 million in research and has been a funding partner in most major Parkinson’s disease scientific breakthroughs since its founding in 1961. APDA maintains eight Centers for Advanced Research located in major academic and medical centers across the country. Post-Doctoral Fellowships and Research Grants are awarded annually to promising research by experienced and young scientists. APDA grants are awarded through a competitive application process and reviewed by APDA’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). The SAB is comprised of scientists with nationally recognized expertise in a variety of leading edge research areas within the field of Parkinson’s disease. To learn more about APDA funding visit https://www.apdaparkinson.org/research/what-we-fund/
About the American Parkinson Disease Association
The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) was founded in 1961 with the dual purpose to Ease the Burden – Find the Cure for Parkinson’s disease. In that time, APDA has raised and invested more than $87 million to fund research, patient services and education, and elevate public awareness. As the country’s largest Parkinson’s grassroots organization, APDA aims to Ease the Burden for the more than one million Americans with Parkinson’s disease and their families through a nationwide network of Chapters, Information and Referral (I&R) Centers, and support groups. APDA pursues its efforts to Find the Cure by funding Centers for Advanced Research and awarding grants to fund the most promising research toward discovering the cause(s) and finding the cure for Parkinson’s disease.
About PDF Research Programs
The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation® (PDF®) is focused on funding scientific research to solve, treat and end Parkinson’s disease. Since 1957, PDF has dedicated nearly $110 million to research, which has contributed to major advances in science such as the discovery of genes linked to Parkinson’s disease and development of levodopa. PDF research investments support the development and mobilization of research leaders to work collaboratively toward the cure. PDF invests in research leaders throughout the full cycle of their careers with a special focus on early career scientists — recruiting new scientists to the field early on, helping them to kickstart their innovative ideas and offering funding to help them become independent researchers who can help to find the cure. PDF also invests in opportunities for research leaders to work in collaboration with outside experts, health care leaders and patient leaders through support of research centers, interdisciplinary projects and conferences. View 2015 research investments at www.pdf.org/results_funded.
About the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation
The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation® (PDF®) is a leading national presence in Parkinson’s disease research, education and public advocacy. We are working for the nearly one million people in the US who live with Parkinson’s disease by funding promising scientific research while supporting people living with Parkinson’s disease through educational programs and services. Since its founding in 1957, PDF has dedicated nearly $110 million to fund the work of leading scientists throughout the world and nearly $47 million to support education and advocacy programs.
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CONTACT:
The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation® (PDF®)
Christiana M. Evers, Vice President, Communications | 212-923-4700 | cevers@pdf.org
American Parkinson Disease Association
Stephanie Paul | Vice President Marketing & Development | 718-981-8062 | spaul@apdaparkinson.org