For people living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), decisions about care become increasingly complex as the disease progresses, making it essential that support remains aligned with each person's wishes, values, and quality of life. To advance understanding in this important area of care, the ALS Society of Canada (ALS Canada), in partnership with Brain Canada, has awarded the 2026 ALS Canada-Brain Canada Clinical Research Fellowship to Dr. Laurence Rouleau at the University of Western Ontario and London Health Sciences Centre. Supported by $100,000 in funding over one year, her research will explore the experiences of people living with ALS who consider or pursue Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) and help inform more person-centred care.
The ALS Canada-Brain Canada Clinical Research Fellowship plays a vital role in building the future of ALS care in Canada by supporting emerging clinician-researchers at a critical stage in their careers. By investing in promising clinician-scientists like Dr. Rouleau, the fellowship helps accelerate progress toward better treatments, improved clinical care, and enhanced quality of life for people affected by ALS.
"People living with ALS and their families face complex challenges as the disease progresses, making research like Dr. Rouleau's critically important. By advancing understanding in an understudied area of care, her work will help generate evidence that supports better care for the ALS community. The ALS Canada-Brain Canada Clinical Research Fellowship has a proud legacy of supporting emerging clinician-researchers and strengthening Canada's ALS research ecosystem. We are grateful to Brain Canada for its continued partnership in making this important work possible."
– Dr. David Taylor, Chief Scientific Officer at ALS Canada.
Many people living with ALS and their families face difficult decisions related to MAiD, yet there is limited research to guide the support they receive throughout that journey. Through the ALS Canada-Brain Canada Clinical Research Fellowship, Dr. Rouleau's research will help address this gap, generating knowledge that can support healthcare professionals and improve care for people and families navigating this complex stage of the disease.
"Brain Canada is proud to continue our partnership with ALS Canada in supporting clinician-researchers like Dr. Laurence Rouleau, whose work reflects the priorities of people living with ALS and their families. Research like this is key to building critical knowledge and improving quality of life at every stage of ALS and other progressive neurological conditions."
- Dr. Viviane Poupon, President and CEO of Brain Canada.
Dr. Rouleau will conduct this research under the supervision of Dr. Christen Shoesmith, a neurologist at the ALS Clinic in London, Ontario, a member of the ALS Canada Board of Directors, and Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Western Ontario and London Health Sciences Centre. Together, their work will help advance knowledge in an important area of ALS care.
Learn more about Dr. Rouleau's research.
