ALS Canada and Brain Canada invest in future leader of ALS research with 2023 Career Transition Award

Quebec researcher receives $250,000 over three years to investigate gene-based research to treat ALS

The ALS Society of Canada (ALS Canada) and Brain Canada are dedicated to a shared mission to advance amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research. Together, ALS Canada and Brain Canada are proud to announce the recipient of the 2023 Career Transition Award. Dr. Sahara Khademullah at the CERVO Brain Research Centre at Université Laval will receive $250,000 over a period of three years to support her innovative ALS research.

This award aims to develop the next generation of scientists across various disciplines within basic and clinical sciences, advance knowledge generation and translation in ALS research, and support the recipient in both salary and research costs as they transition into their first faculty position.

“ALS Canada, alongside our partners at Brain Canada, remain committed to investing in early career researchers. These funds are necessary to develop and support the future leaders of ALS research in Canada.”

Dr. David Taylor, Vice-President of Research and Strategic Partnerships at ALS Canada.

“Our organizations have been fortunate to support Dr. Khademullah’s work over the past decade, and the resulting discoveries are quite novel and exciting. We are proud to reinforce her successes by helping her to achieve an independent academic position and an opportunity to drive this therapeutically minded research forward towards potential human impact.”

The recipients of the Career Transition Award are chosen by a peer review process based on the merits of the applicant, the quality of their project, the relevance of the work to ALS, and their likelihood for future success. This funding aims to identify and engage rising stars pursuing innovative research in labs and academic institutions in Canada. Successful candidates will expand their research horizons and develop independence to become a future leader in the field.

“At Brain Canada, we firmly believe in the power of investing in early-career researchers to transform lives and shape a better future for individuals and families affected by ALS. Our collaboration with ALS Canada holds immense promise, fostering innovation and paving the way for breakthroughs.”

Dr. Viviane Poupon, President and CEO of Brain Canada.

To date, the ALS Canada – Brain Canada partnership has resulted in more than a $25 million investment in a wide range of research projects that have helped further the study of the disease.  

Summary of the 2023 Career Transition Award   

Can these gene-based strategies help restore a normal balance in the brain?

Therapeutic validation of gene-based strategies aimed at restoring neuronal KCC2 in ALS
Dr. Sahara Khademullah, supervised by Dr. Yves De Koninck, at the CERVO Brain Research Centre, Université Laval, awarded $250,000

The Career Transition Award competition is funded through a matching contribution from Brain Canada through the Canada Brain Research Fund (CBRF).  

The CBRF is an innovative arrangement between the Government of Canada (through Health Canada) and Brain Canada Foundation, which increases Canadians’ support for brain research and expands the philanthropic space for funding brain research to achieve maximum impact.

To learn more about this project, visit our directory of funded research.