Dr. Gilbert Hosts: Exciting Impact of APDA Research

In this session of Dr. Gilbert Hosts, special guests Clemens Scherzer, MD, Sunil Kumar, PhD, and Giulietta M. Riboldi, MD, PhD, discussed the exciting impact of APDA research and answered audience questions live. APDA is dedicated to advancing the most promising scientific projects and supporting talented clinicians focused on uncovering the causes of Parkinson’s disease and finding a cure. We often provide critical seed funding that helps launch groundbreaking research, fostering innovation and encouraging early-career scientists to dedicate their lives to Parkinson’s research. Many researchers supported by APDA have leveraged our funding to gather essential pilot data, which frequently serves as a springboard to secure larger grants from esteemed institutions such as the National Institutes of Health and other funding partners. During this program, you’ll meet three exceptional PD researchers and learn how APDA’s investment has fueled their work, driven their discoveries, and shaped their careers: DR. CLEMENS SCHERZER Who was: an APDA George C Cotzias Memorial Fellow from 2004-2006 And now is: Stephen and Denise Adams Professor of Neurology & Director of the Stephen & Denise Adams Center for Parkinson's Disease Research at Yale University Will discuss: His research on precision neurology which uses massive data streams from genomes, transcriptomes, and longitudinal cohorts to predict and prevent the progression of Parkinson’s disease. DR. SUNIL KUMAR Who was: an APDA Research Grant Awardee in 2021 and 2022 And now is: Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology and Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Knoebel Institute of Healthy Aging at the University of Denver Will discuss: His research on identifying drug-like ligands that can specifically target and disrupt the aggregation of α-synuclein, a process that is directly associated with the development of PD DR. GIULIETTA RIBOLDI Who was: an APDA Post-Doctoral Fellow in 2018 And now is: Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology and Executive Director, The Marlene and Paolo Fresco Institute for Parkinsons and Movement Disorders at NYU Langone Medical Center Will discuss: Her research on the discovery of new genetic variants associated with Parkinson’s disease and other Movement Disorders to better understand how known and new genetic mutations contribute to disease mechanisms. Let's Stay Connected 1) SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel to stay informed about other APDA videos. 2) Turn On YouTube Notifications to get alerts whenever we go live or upload new content. 3) Connect with APDA on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn at @APDAparkinsons.