Brain Research Foundation To Honor Frederick A. Gibbs Discovery Award Recipients

CHICAGO, Nov. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Brain Research Foundation (BRF) will bestow its 2018 Dr. Frederic A. Gibbs Discovery Awards to individuals advancing innovative neuroscience research through extraordinary philanthropic initiatives and ground breaking neuroscience research at its annual dinner this month.

David D. Olson will present the award for philanthropic leadership to Dr. Joanne C. Smith, president and chief executive officer of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (formerly Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago) for her distinguished commitment to driving research and the application of innovative scientific solutions to people recovering from traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. Mr. Olson is a BRF trustee. 

Mr. Thomas A. Reynolds III, BRF trustee and partner at the law firm Winston & Strawn will present the award for scientific achievement to Dr. James A. Mastrianni, professor and director of the Memory Center at the University of Chicago. Dr. Mastrianni leads multiple clinical and basic neuroscience research efforts in the area of neurodegenerative disease and dementia.  His major focus is to better understand and develop therapies for the prion diseases, which are rare progressive and infectious neurodegenerative disorders. Dr. Mastrianni's studies have led to the recognition of new forms of prion disease in humans. In addition to these prion-focused studies, other studies that focus on Alzheimer's disease are running in parallel.   

"Together, these recipients of the 2018 Dr. Frederic A. Gibbs Award highlight the mission and vision of our Foundation" stated Dr. Terre A. Constantine, BRF Executive Director and CEO. "We fund groundbreaking science that is the product of focused and tireless research conducted in a collaborative manner. And we are dedicated to the recognition, understanding and commitment to fund important research opportunities that lead to applications beneficial to our communities.  Joanne and Jim, and the many collaborators they represent, are worthy representatives of neuroscience and great examples of how important work in the laboratory helps our communities." We thank BRF board members Tom Reynolds and David Olson for their continued participation in the Foundation and in this year's awards."

The Discovery Dinner will be held Wednesday, November 14 in Chicago. This year's dinner will include a panel discussion on the opioid epidemic, which is an ongoing focus of BRF's programing and research. BRF earlier this year, with support from its Opioid Advisory Committee, conducted a national request for proposals for neuroscience research that could positively affect opioid addiction relapse that resulted in two grants now ongoing. More information about BRF's opioid initiative can be found at BRF's website along with information about the Discovery Dinner.

The 2018 Brain Research Foundation Discovery Dinner is chaired by board trustees Dr. Richard A. Chaifetz, Wilbur H. Gantz, David D. Olson and Peter B. Pond.

The Discovery Dinner is a major fundraiser for the Foundation and 100 percent of the proceeds go into basic neuroscience research that will impact our understanding and treatment of ALS, Alzheimer's, autism and virtually all neurological diseases and disorders.

About Brain Research Foundation
Brain Research Foundation supports neuroscience research that leads to advanced understanding of brain function in children and adults. This Foundation is committed to advance discoveries that will lead to novel treatments and prevention of all neurological diseases.  We deliver this commitment through research grant programs - which provide initial funding for innovative research projects – and educational programs for researchers and the general public. 

CONTACT: Deborah Schneider, 312-280-8702, [email protected]

SOURCE Brain Research Foundation

Related Links

https://www.thebrf.org

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