Université de Montréal researcher awarded $250,000 over three years for a research study exploring a therapeutic approach with the potential to unlock new treatments
The ALS Society of Canada (ALS Canada) and Brain Canada continue their commitment to advancing ALS research by supporting early-career researchers focused on studying the disease. Dr. Roberta Piovesana of Université de Montréal is the recipient of the 2024 ALS Canada-Brain Canada Career Transition Award and will receive $250,000 over three years to support her research and career development.
This award aims to foster the next generation of ALS researchers by providing crucial funding for both salary and research costs. It is designed to assist awardees as they transition into an independent academic position and establish their own research program focused on ALS. By supporting researchers at this pivotal stage, the program helps accelerate discoveries in both basic and clinical sciences, strengthening Canada’s ALS research landscape.
Investing in early-career researchers is essential to driving progress in ALS research. Through our partnership with Brain Canada, we are proud to help equip Dr. Piovesana with the resources she needs to build a long-term career in ALS research and contribute to scientific advancements that bring us closer to new treatments.
Dr. David Taylor, Chief Scientific Officer at ALS Canada.
This partnership underscores a shared commitment to supporting researchers at critical career stages and ensuring that innovative ideas continue to progress toward a shared goal of a world free of ALS.
“Supporting the next generation of researchers is critical to advancing our understanding of ALS and building a better future for those affected by the disease,” says Dr. Viviane Poupon, Brain Canada President and CEO. “Investing in early-career scientists leads to innovation, helping to drive forward discoveries. By providing them with the resources they need to succeed, we can move towards building a better future for those battling ALS.”
Since 2014, ALS Canada and Brain Canada have maintained a strong partnership dedicated to advancing ALS research. Together, they have invested in a diverse range of research initiatives, including the ALS Canada-Brain Canada Career Transition Award, which has provided more than $2,500,000 to support eight early-career researchers. This ongoing commitment drives scientific progress and helps cultivate the next generation of researchers focused on ALS.
Summary of the 2024 Career Transition Award
CB1 and done? Reconnecting the brain and muscles in ALS
Untangle the endocannabinoid system alteration in ALS: a new therapeutic approach at the neuromuscular junction
Dr. Roberta Piovesana, supervised by Dr. Richard Robitaille, at Université de Montréal, awarded $250,000 over three years
The Career Transition Award competition is funded through a matching contribution from Brain Canada through the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF).
About ALS Canada and the ALS Canada Research Program
The ALS Society of Canada (ALS Canada) is working to change what it means to live with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, an unrelenting and currently terminal disease.
Grounded in and informed by the Canadian ALS community, we respond to the urgent unmet need for life-changing treatments by investing in high-quality research that will fuel scientific discovery and by engaging industry, supporting increased clinical capacity and advocating for equitable, affordable, and timely access to proven therapies.
Responding to the tremendous need for current and credible ALS knowledge, awareness, and education, we empower Canadians affected by ALS to navigate the current realities of ALS, be informed consumers of ALS information, and advocate effectively for change.
Through the ALS Canada Research Program, we fund peer-reviewed research grants, foster collaboration and build capacity within Canada’s ALS research and clinical community, and invest in new areas of research positioned to have high impact. As the only national dedicated source of funding for ALS research across Canada, the ALS Canada Research Program aims to accelerate research impact by providing funding for the most promising ALS projects focused on translating scientific discoveries into treatments for ALS. We are grateful for the support of our donors and the contributions from participating provincial ALS Societies through the Walk to End ALS.
About Brain Canada
Brain Canada plays a unique and invaluable role as a national convenor of those who support and advance brain research. A greater understanding of how the brain works contributes to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of disorders of the brain, ultimately improving the health outcomes of people in Canada and around the world.