Natalie Fernandez is honored to be co-chair of the newly formed ALS Research Paper Review (ALS RPR) Platform. Her co-chairs are Phil Green and John Russo. Both John and Phil are incredible ALS Advocates and ALS Research Ambassadors. Collectively, Phil and John have been involved in pretty much every major ALS nonprofit org and ALS initiative that has brought about patient-driven change. That list includes I AM ALS, Team Gleason, EverythingALS, The ALS Association, and numerous patient and caregiver advisory committees. John Russo is the mayor/networker/diplomat of the ALS community per se and Phil should receive his honorary PhD in the mail any day now. His knowledge of ALS research and clinical trials is invaluable.
What is the ALS RPR? This initiative was suggested by a couple members of I AM ALS and NEALS and is intended to bridge the gap between scientific research papers and lay people working to understand the disease. The co-chairs plan to host an hour long session once a month in which we review a paper with the researchers that authored the study. Supplementary materials will be provided to assist with scientific and research concept understanding. Our goal is to provide a platform for an engaging conversation that pays respect to and fosters understanding of research within the ALS disease state.
Dr. Bedlack from the Duke ALS Clinic has graciously agreed to be our scientific advisor to help get the project off the ground. Thank you Dr. Bedlack 🙂
