Emerging Research Conference Travel Award Winners

An Ngoc Dang Do, MD PhD
NICHD, NIH

For many young investigators of rare diseases, having the opportunities to present the research and to discuss in-person ideas for partnerships with other researchers, families and organizations are crucial. This encourages continued commitment and collaboration towards common goals. I experienced this from having attended the 2018 International NCL conference in London and the 2018 BDSRA meeting in Nashville. You have made my attendance at the 2018 NCL conference possible through the BDSRA Emerging Researcher Travel Award. It is a humbling reminder for me that with all the challenges NCL families face daily, you have made a dedication to supporting others. Thank you. Best wishes as we continue to work together towards a better understanding of these diseases.

Shannon Dean, MD PhD
University of Rochester School of Medicine

The opportunity to attend the meeting allowed Dr. Dean to discuss future potential collaborations between the University of Rochester Batten Disease Center and other groups.  This is an exciting time with many recent breakthroughs in Batten Disease.  The discussion of the multiple current potential treatments undergoing testing in animal models of the various subtypes of Batten Disease will allow Dr. Dean to shape her studies in the future which will hopefully help prepare for future clinical trials.

Joshua T. Dearborn, PhD
Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine

Attending the NCL2018 conference in London provided benefits that will further my research endeavors and professional career, but I believe it will also have far-reaching benefits on the search for NCL treatments. Perhaps the greatest benefit from attending this meeting was renewing, and starting anew, relationships with NCL researchers with an eye toward collaboration. I had introductory conversations with well-established NCL researchers who are running large labs, chatted over coffee and dinner with young researchers new to the field, and brainstormed with researchers I’ve known for years about how better to tackle treating and curing NCL. This conference has already positively affected both my personal drive and the integrity of my research, and my attendance will absolutely strengthen my contributions to research aimed at helping Batten families. Thank you so much to the BDSRA and to those who donated to the new funding initiative. Your donations sent me to this conference when I was not hopeful that I would be able to attend. Your support means a great deal to me.

Hemanth R Nelvagal, PhD
Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine

The NCL 2018 conference in London brought together researchers from all over the world to share their research that focused on various aspects of the NCLs. Attending this conference has broadened my horizons, allowing me to learn of new scientific methods and therapeutic possibilities for these diseases. Equally, it has also afforded me the opportunity to meet leading researchers in the field and discuss various possibilities to collaborate to find treatments for the NCLs. Further, the opportunity to present our lab’s research at the conference meant that I received a lot of positive feedback from other scientists that will help to significantly improve these ongoing studies. Having met so many researchers committed to finding treatments for these devastating diseases has had as positive impact on my enthusiasm and commitment that I hope will translate into research that can help Batten families. I therefore want to thank the BDSRA and those who helped fund this initiative that allowed myself and other young scientists to attend this conference. This would not have been possible without your support.

Dr. Nelvagal was the winner of the Genetics, Cell Biology/Omnics Poster Prize!