Muscular Dystrophy Association honors ALS researcher with 2023 Legacy Award

In a ceremony Monday at its annual meeting, the Muscular Dystrophy Association presented the 2023 Legacy Award for Achievement in Clinical Research to Merit Cudkowicz, MD, MSC, a renowned neurologist and researcher in ALS.

According to an MDA press release, Cudkowicz is chief of neurology and director of the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Massachusetts General Hospital — as well as the Julieanne Dorn Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School — and has dedicated her research to investigating therapies to treat ALS.

The award, which recognizes outstanding accomplishments in neuromuscular disease research, was presented to Cudkowicz by her longtime mentor, Stanley H. Appel, MD, director of the MDA ALS Research and Clinical Center at Houston Methodist Neurological Institute.

“It’s an honor for me to receive the 2023 MDA Legacy Award for Achievement in Clinical Research, particularly at the MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference in front of the global neuromuscular community. I’m grateful as well to have this presentation by one of my mentors, Dr. Stan Appel,” Cudkowicz said in the release. “I received my very first grant from the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and Stan reviewed the first grants I ever wrote in ALS — and both have supported me throughout my career.

“I’m grateful for the continued commitment and dedication to finding a cure for ALS by the Muscular Dystrophy Association and for this recognition of the work we’re doing to accelerate treatments and find a cure to end this devastating disease.”