The Francis S. Collins Scholars Program in Neurofibromatosis Clinical and Translational Research

A career-changing program that fully funds clinician scientists to become leaders in NF1-related research and clinical care

Program overview

The Francis S. Collins Scholars Program is for talented post-doctoral researchers or early-career faculty members looking to make a significant impact in clinical and translational research for NF1.

Named for the pioneering scientist who led a team that discovered the NF1 gene in 1990, The Francis S. Collins Scholars Program accepts applications from candidates who are committed to advancing the frontiers of NF1 research and clinical care. This highly competitive program, which was launched in 2014, has inducted close to 20 clinician scientists who now hold positions of leadership in the field. It provides formal training in clinical and translational science, mentorship from leaders in NF1 and related fields, and clinical training for the care of patients with NF1.

As a Francis S. Collins Scholar, you will receive up to 100% salary support for NF1-associated clinical, research, educational and mentorship activities.

This is a career-changing opportunity to join a community of scientists committed to making a lasting impact in NF1 research and clinical care.

Launched in 2014, the Francis S. Collins Scholars Program has inducted 18 individuals who are changing and leading the NF1 field.

FCS 2024 Cohort images
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Peer-review
publications

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follow-on grants including
K08, R01, Program awards,
CDMRP awards

>$

million in
follow-on funding

 

Funding, mentoring
and resources

  • Full salary for 3 years
  • Training in the care of NF1 patients
  • Tuition support and formal training in clinical translational science
  • Participation in collaborative translational research programs with government, academic and industry partners
  • Funding for research costs
  • Travel costs for scientific meetings
  • High-level mentoring support from top scientists

Eligibility requirements

  • Must hold a health professional degree that permits patient care and be committed to engaging in clinical care.
  • Commit at least 75% of professional time to the program for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years.
  • Be in the last stages of post-doctoral training or be a junior faculty member within seven years of the first faculty appointment.
  • Have a commitment to patient-focused research in the field of NF1.
  • Demonstrate prior research commitment and accomplishments.
  • Have a team of up to three people that includes research, clinical, and career mentors who are committed to the candidate’s training, expertise in the proposed research skill set, and in the clinical management of NF1.
  • Agree to meet all of the requirements of the Francis S. Collins Scholars Program in Neurofibromatosis Clinical and Translational Research, including participation in required Scholars meetings and activities.

How to apply

View the Francis S. Collins Scholars Program in Neurofibromatosis Clinical and Translational Research application requirements and guidelines.

Application forms are only available from late June to early Dec of each calendar year.

For the incoming 2024 cohort, applications will be open from June 23, 2023 to December 1, 2023.

Application deadlines

Applications are due mid-December of each calendar year. See application form for the exact date for that calendar year.

Applicants are notified mid-January.

The program Term commences July 1 of each calendar year.

Francis S. Collins Scholars Research Projects

The body of research produced by Francis S. Collins Scholars continues to grow annually. Below is a selected list of NTAP-funded projects that have been conducted by Francis S. Collins Scholars. For complete details and links to the Narrative associated with each project, please visit the Index of Funded Projects.

Optimizing outcomes for children and adults with neurofibromatosis-associated tumors
Chelsea Kotch M.D.
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA, USA

Dr. Chelsea Kotch received her BA from Boston University and her MD from Tufts University School of Medicine. She subsequently completed internship and residency in pediatrics at Johns Hopkins Hospital. After residency training, she completed fellowships in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Pediatric Neuro-Oncology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. In addition, she received a Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Pennsylvania. During her fellowship training, she developed an interest in the application of advanced epidemiologic research approaches to improve outcomes for children with neurofibromatosis-associated tumors. Dr. Kotch joined the Center for Childhood Cancer Research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as an attending physician and faculty in 2021 and has further established her research focus in epidemiology and risk stratification for patients with neurofibromatosis-associated tumors. As a Francis Collins Scholar, Dr. Kotch’s research will include evaluating the comparative effectiveness of existing treatment approaches for plexiform neurofibroma utilizing advanced epidemiologic analyses and novel clinical trial emulation methods. Dr. Kotch is originally from Maine but now lives in the Philadelphia area with her husband, daughter, and golden retriever. In her free time, she enjoys camping, hiking, and reading fiction.

Multi-omic liquid biopsy analysis for early detection of malignant transformation of peripheral nerve sheath tumors in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)
R. Taylor Sundby, M.D.
National Cancer Institute
Bethesda, MD, USA

Dr. R. Taylor Sundby received his undergraduate education at Haverford College before completing his medical training at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. At Vanderbilt, Dr. Sundby worked in the laboratory of Dr. Jennifer Pietenpol studying the effect of obesity on genetic heterogeneity in triple negative breast cancer. In 2014, Dr. Sundby started his pediatrics residency at the University of California San Francisco where he was a member of the Clinical and Translational Science Pathway, working with pediatric geneticist Dr. Joseph Shieh to investigate how vastly different malignant phenotypes and accumulated mutations arise across cancers stemming from common driver mutations. Dr. Sundby then joined the combined Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Fellowship training program at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Pediatric Oncology Branch (POB) and Johns Hopkins University in 2017 under the mentorship of Dr. Jack Shern. His research in Dr. Shern’s lab led to the CCR milestone publication “Cell-free DNA ultra-low-pass whole genome sequencing to distinguish malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) from its benign precursor lesion: A cross-sectional study.” Dr. Sundby became an Assistant Research Physician in 2022. Current efforts focus on the development of circulating biomarkers for non-invasive surveillance and the study of tumor evolution. Study Description >

Standardizing the analysis of cutaneous neurofibromas in Nf1-KO mice and exploring drugs targeting tumor cells and their microenvironment in this model.
Laura Fertitta, M.D.
Henri-Mondor University Hospital
Creteil, France

Dr Fertitta completed her M.D. and dermatologic residency training at Université Paris Cité School of Medicine, Paris, France. She is currently working as a dermatologist, in the Department of Dermatology at Henri-Mondor Hospital – University Paris Est Créteil (UPEC), housing the French Referral Center for Neurofibromatosis (CERENEF) and directed by Prof. Pierre Wolkenstein. She has experience in both pediatric and adult dermatology, with a special interest in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Her clinical practice and research project are focused on cutaneous neurofibromas (cNF). Within CERENEF, where around 2000 NF1 patients are followed, she has her own NF1-dedicated clinic and performs laser and surgical sessions to treat cNF. She is involved in NF1 clinical research, including the definition a core outcome set for cNF within the international REiNS consortium. She is also member of Prof. Piotr Topilko lab team and is actively involved in translational research and the design of pre-clinical studies. The team recently developed a genetically engineered NF1 mouse model which faithfully recapitulates numerous aspects of the human disease. Using this model and other state-of-the art technologies, Dr Fertitta is working on the identification of candidate drug capable of treating cNF and/or preventing their development.  Study Description >

Understanding how epigenetic dysregulation and Ras misactivation cooperate during NF1 deficient Schwann cell tumorigenesis to drive druggable dependencies
Harish Vasudevan, M.D., Ph.D.
University of California San Francisco (UCSF)
San Francisco, CA, USA

Dr. Harish Vasudevan attended the California Institute of Technology for his undergraduate education before completing his MD/PhD training at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where his thesis work focused on understanding receptor tyrosine kinase signaling during development. He is now a Holman Pathway Research Fellow in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) where his postdoctoral work has elucidated genomic mechanisms underlying tumor heterogeneity and oncogenic signaling in neurofibromatosis type I (NF1). As a Francis Collins Scholar, Dr. Vasudevan will focus on understanding the transformation of neurofibroma to malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) with an emphasis on identifying and testing novel treatments for patients with NF1. In addition, through his clinical practice as a radiation oncologist, Dr. Vasudevan will play an active role in the multidisciplinary care of tumors arising in patients with NF1 and translate discoveries made at the laboratory to the clinic. Study Description >

Uncovering the molecular alterations that drive malignant transformation in NF1- associated peripheral nerve sheath tumors
Suganth Suppiah, M.D.
University of Calgary, Canada
Calgary, Canada

Dr. Suganth Suppiah completed his medical training at Western University and is currently completing his neurosurgical residency and Ph.D. at the University of Toronto. In 2022, he will be a fellow in peripheral nerve surgery at the University of Calgary. During his graduate training, he has characterized the molecular landscape of peripheral nerve sheath tumors associated with NF1, including neurofibromas and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) using state-of-the-art technologies. Integrating these valuable datasets, Dr. Suppiah is working to identify the molecular pathways that drive malignant transformation in the context of NF1 and identify therapeutics to treat these tumors. Through his research and his clinical exposure to the Elisabeth Raab Neurofibromatosis Clinic in Toronto, he developed a commitment to NF1. As a peripheral nerve surgeon, he plans to specialize in surgical management of these tumors and improve the quality-of-life of NF1 patients. Study Description >

Defining the factors that dictate the pattern of glioma formation in NF1 Project
Nicole Brossier, M.D. Ph.D.
Washington University, School of Medicine
St. Louis, MO, USA

Dr. Nicole Brossier obtained her M.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Alabama School of Medicine, then completed her Pediatric residency and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis (WUSL) as part of the Pediatric Physician Scientist Training Program. She is a pediatric neuro-oncologist who specializes in the care of children with NF1-related brain tumors. During her postdoctoral work in the lab of Dr. David Gutmann, she built a platform to assess how different factors impact brain tumor penetrance in children with NF1. Her laboratory now focuses on how different factors (including environmental, developmental and genetic) impact neural stem cells to modulate pediatric brain tumor development. As an FCS scholar, Dr. Brossier will study whether germline NF1 gene variants and maternal diet are risk factors for NF1-glioma formation. Study Description >

Towards clinical translation of imaging studies in neurofibromatosis type 1
Tamar Green, M.D.
Stanford University, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Washington, DC, USA
Project status: Active

Dr. Green is a physician-scientist and a child psychiatrist. She gained her training as a child psychiatrist at Tel Aviv University in Israel. She has completed a postdoctoral research fellow in neuroscience at the Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research at Stanford University. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford. Her lab takes a “genetic first” approach, which is the study of children with known genetic conditions who present with attention deficits, hyperactivity, and deficits in social cognition. Her lab’s focus is on the Rasopathies, a collection of syndromes associated with genetic mutations affecting the Ras/MAPK pathway. Dr. Green holds a career developmental award from NICHD studying Ras/MAPK mutations’ effects on the developing brain. These studies are directed at uncovering neural correlates associated with deficits in attention, memory, and social skills in Noonan syndrome. As an FCS scholar, Dr. Green will expand her focus to study brain development and organization in children with NF1. The ultimate goal to understand how brain imaging in NF1 can serve as sensitive indicators of a treatment’s effects on cognitive and behavioral functions related to ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, and learning disabilities in NF1. Study Description >

Targeting the Let7-HMGA2 axis in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Prevention
Steven Rhodes, M.D. Ph.D.
Indiana University School of Medicine/Riley Hospital for Children
Indianapolis, IN, USA
Project status: Active

Dr. Steven Rhodes completed his M.D., Ph.D. and pediatric residency training at the Indiana University School of Medicine/Riley Hospital for Children. He is currently completing his fellowship training in Hematology-Oncology as part of the Pediatric Scientist Development Program (PSDP) supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and the American Society of Pediatric Department Chairs (AMSPDC). He is performing his post-doctoral research in the laboratory of Dr. Wade Clapp. During his training, he has developed new mouse models that accurately mimic the progression of cutaneous and atypical neurofibroma precursor tumors to a deadly sarcoma called malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST); the leading cause of death in people with NF1. Using these models and other state-of-the art technologies, Dr. Rhodes is working to identify potential new therapies that can not only treat MPNST, but ultimately prevent the development of these devastating tumors in individuals who are at risk. As a pediatric oncologist, he plans to devote his clinical practice to caring for children with NF1-associated neurofibromas, MPNST, and other related tumors. Study Description >

Imaging predictors of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors
Ina Ly, M.D. Massachusetts General Hospital, 2018
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, MA, USA
Project status: Active

Ina Ly, M.D., grew up in Cologne, Germany, and attended King’s College London for medical school before coming to the U.S. for a postdoctoral research fellowship in neuro-oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Boston, in 2010. After completing her residency in neurology at the University of Washington, Seattle, she returned to MGH and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in 2015 for her clinical fellowship. Her current research involves the use of advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques, such as diffusion, perfusion and spectroscopy imaging, to study the biology of nervous system tumors. Through her clinical exposure to NF1 patients, she developed a strong interest in peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNST), which can become malignant and contribute to significant patient morbidity and mortality. Her goal is to apply her knowledge of advanced MRI to identify imaging features that predict tumor growth and malignant transformation in PNSTs. She is grateful to NTAP and the NF1 community for supporting her research in order to advance our understanding of NF1 and have a positive impact for patients. Study Description >

The Role of Gaba in the working memory impairments in neurofibromatosis TYPE 1
Shruti Garg, M.B.B.S., M.R.C. Psych, Ph.D.
University of Manchester, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital
Manchester, UK
Project status: Active

Shruti Garg, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., is a child and adolescent psychiatrist from Mumbai, India. After finishing medical school there, she moved to the U.K. to complete her training at Oxford University and the University of Manchester. She now splits her time researching and seeing patients at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. After learning about NF1 during her residency in 2008, she noticed a lack of understanding about its deep psychological, social and cognitive effects. “Much of the real-life impact of NF1 on children and families comes from learning and behavioral difficulties that aren’t well studied,” she says. “For example, many kids with NF have autism, too.” With this award, Garg plans on studying working memory in children with NF1. (Working memory helps us pay attention, follow instructions, reason through things and make decisions.) She will use imaging to monitor levels of the brain chemical GABA, which is related to working memory. She already has preliminary data suggesting that GABA levels improve with transcranial direct stimulation to the frontal area of the brain. She is honored to be the first non-U.S. resident and the first cognitive researcher to be inducted as a FCS. Study Description >

Development of a Preclinical NF1-MPNST Platform Suitable for Precision Oncology Drug Discovery and Evaluation
Angela Hirbe, M.D, Ph.D.
Washington University
St Louis, MO, USA
Project status: Active

Dr. Angela Hirbe is a graduate of the Washington University M.D. Ph.D. program and completed her residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Oncology as part of the Physician Scientist Training Program. Dr. Hirbe has had a longstanding interest in Neurofibromatosis research and her post-doctoral work was performed in the laboratory of Dr. David Gutmann where she used next-generation sequencing technologies to identify b-III spectrin as a protein involved in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) pathogenesis and developed a mouse model for this deadly type of sarcoma. .This work has transitioned into her own lab when she joined the faculty at Washington University. Dr. Hirbe is currently an Assistant Professor in the Division of Medical Oncology in the Department of Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis. Clinically, Dr. Hirbe treats patients with sarcoma and has a strong clinical interest is in the care of patients with NF1-MPNST. Her laboratory continues to use genomics to identify drivers in MPNST pathogenesis and further develop mouse models for preclinical studies and therapeutic drug testing. Study Description >

Novel therapeutic development of NF1-associated malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST)
Ping Chi, M.D., Ph.D.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Project status: Active

Dr. Ping Chi is an Assistant Member in the Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program (HOPP), and an Assistant Attending Physician in the Department of Medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Dr. Chi completed clinical training in internal medicine at the Brigham and Woman’s Hospital and Medical Oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and a concurrent postdoctoral training in epigenetics and chromatin biology in the C. David Allis’ lab at the Rockefeller University. Dr. Chi’s current laboratory research focuses on understanding the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of transcriptional activation of novel oncogenic transcripts and oncogenic transcription factors in solid tumor malignancies. Through mechanistic studies, she aims to identify novel therapeutic strategies to target oncogenic transcription factors and aberrant transcriptional activation of oncogenes. Dr. Chi also maintains an active academic clinical practice, leads early phase clinical trials, and works with a multidisciplinary team to care for patients with sarcomas, with the goal to expedite clinical translation of laboratory research. Study Description >

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Dermal Neurofibroma Longitudinal Natural History Study and Selumetinib Clinical Trial
Ashley Cannon, Ph.D., M.S.
University of Alabama
Birmingham, AL, USA
Project status: Active

Ashley Cannon, Ph.D., M.S., C.G.C. is an Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in the Department of Genetics. Dr. Cannon was named to the Francis S. Collins Scholars Program in 2016. She is a neuroscientist and certified genetic counselor. Her previous research experience at Mayo Clinic Florida encompassed molecular genetics, neuropathology, and mouse modeling of neurodegenerative diseases. This research exposed her to the significance of genetic counseling for individuals and families affected by genetic conditions and motivated her to become trained as a genetic counselor. She received an M.S .in Genetic Counseling at UAB in 2015. She currently provides genetic counseling for the Neurofibromatosis Clinic and Undiagnosed Diseases Program. Her current research comprises the longitudinal quantification, treatment, and psychosocial impact of cutaneous neurofibromas in individuals with NF1. She is a native of Jacksonville, Florida and loves science fiction novels and movies. Study Description >

Development of a novel treatment approach to Neurofibromatosis Type 1-related MPNST using genetically engineered Clostridium novyi-NT
Verena Staedtke, M.D., Ph.D.
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD, USA
Project status: Active

Dr. Verena Staedtke received her M.D./Ph.D. from the Charite, Medical School of the Humboldt and Free University in Berlin, Germany. Currently an Assistant Professor and Director of pediatric Neurofibromatosis at Johns Hopkins, she completed her pediatric neurology residency and UCNS neuro-oncology fellowship at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Staedtke’s spearheaded the use of the therapeutic “anti-cancer” agent Clostridium novyi-NT (C. novyi-NT), a genetically modified anaerobic bacterium, for the use in nervous system cancers, particularly glioblastomas and malignant peripheral​ nerve sheath tumors, the most common malignancy in NF1 patients. In addition, she is interested in immunotherapies and chemoprevention in NF1. In her free-time, Dr. Staedtke is an avid swimmer, painter and plays the piano, flute and ping-pong. Study Description >

The Role of MEK-inhibitors for the Prevention and Treatment of Optic Pathway Gliomas in an Nf1 Deficient Mouse Model
Miriam Bornhorst, M.D.
Children’s National Health System
Washington, DC, USA
Project status: Active

Miriam Bornhorst, M.D., received training in Pediatrics and Hematology/Oncology through the University of Michigan followed by a Neurooncology fellowship at Children’s National Health System. She currently works as an assistant professor in Oncology and Cancer Genetics at Children’s National Health System in Washington, DC. Under the mentorship of Dr. Yuan Zhu, her primary research focus is the use of preventative therapy for optic pathway gliomas. She was awarded the Neurofibromatosis Therapeutic Acceleration Program’s Francis S. Collin’s Scholarship in 2016 and plans to use this opportunity to enhance her clinical and research knowledge in NF1. Through her work, her overall goal is early detection and management of tumors in patients with cancer predisposition syndromes. Outside of work, she spends most of her time with family, particularly enjoying outdoor activities (hiking, camping, fishing, canoeing)  Study Description >

Imaging Biomarkers of Neurofibromatosis Type 1-Associated Optic Pathway Glioma
Peter de Blank, M.D.
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati, OH, USA
Project status: Active

Peter de Blank, M.D., M.A., M.S.CE was a Francis S. Collins Scholar in NF Clinical and Translational Research from 2014-2016 and continues to receive funding for ongoing projects from NTAP. He is also a current St. Baldrick’s Scholar. He graduated from the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine in 2005, and completed a Masters of Arts in English and American Literature at Stanford University, and a Master’s of Science in Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Pennsylvania. He completed residency in Pediatrics, and fellowships in Pediatric Hematology & Oncology and Pediatric Neuro-Oncology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. de Blank was a member of the faculty at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital from 2012-2016 where he served as Scientific Director of the NF Clinic from 2014-2016. He joined the faculty at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in 2017 where is an Associate Professor in the division of Neuro-Oncology and leads efforts on cancer imaging in the Cancer & Blood Diseases Institute. His research focuses on the application of advanced MR techniques in children with NF1 and brain tumors. He is interested in the characterization of novel MR sequences to investigate brain tumors, and the development of early radiographic biomarkers of functional complications of brain tumors and brain tumor therapy. Dr. de Blank has two wonderful girls (Casey 8 years and Reed 6 years) and a wife he doesn’t deserve (Robin). When he has free time, he remembers that he liked to play Ultimate Frisbee. Study Description >

Targeting the mechanisms underlying cutaneous neurofibroma formation in NF1: a clinical translational approach
Matthew R. Steensma, M.D.
Spectrum Health
Detroit, Michigan USA
Project status: Completed

Dr. Matthew Steensma received his B.A. from Hope College in Holland, Mich., and his M.D. from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Mich. He subsequently completed internship and residency training in the Grand Rapids Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program. After completing residency, he trained in the laboratories of Drs. George Vande Woude and Rick Hay at VARI under an Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation training award. Subsequently, Dr. Steensma was admitted into the prestigious fellowship program in Musculoskeletal Surgical Oncology in the Department of Surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York where he obtained sub-specialty training in the surgical management of musculoskeletal tumors. His fellowship in New York also provided Dr. Steensma with the opportunity to work in the laboratory of Dr. Steve Goldring, Chief Scientific Officer of the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York. Dr. Goldring is one of the world’s leading orthopaedic researchers and has a particularly strong reputation for training leading clinician-scientists. During his training with Dr. Goldring, Dr. Steensma further developed his interests in understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the development of bone and soft-tissue sarcomas. Dr. Steensma joined Van Andel Research Institute in 2010 as an Associate Scientific Investigator in the Center for Skeletal Disease Research. Study Description >

A multidimensional approach to understanding and treating sleep disorders in children and adolescents with neurofibromatosis Type 1
Natalie Pride Ph.D.
The Children’s Hospital at Westmead
Westmead, Australia
Project status: Active

Dr. Natalie Pride is a clinical neuropsychologist who received her undergraduate and master’s degree at Macquarie University (Sydney, Australia). She completed her doctoral education at the University of Sydney and pursued postdoctoral training under Professor Kathryn North and A/Professor Jonathan Payne at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead (CHW), Australia.  During this training her research focused on the neural correlates of cognitive, social and behavioral impairment in individuals with NF1. Currently, Dr. Pride divides her time between leading the NF1 Learning Clinic, where she specializes in the neuropsychological management of children with NF1 and heading the NF1 Neuropsychology Research Team at the Kids Neuroscience Centre, CHW. Dr. Pride holds a new investigator award from CDMRP NFRP to study sleep disturbances in children with NF1, risk factors and adverse cognitive outcomes. As an FCS scholar, Dr. Pride will broaden her research scope to employ polysomnography in characterizing sleep disorders in NF1. She aims to explore potential causes and assess the cognitive impact of these disorders, ultimately leading to the development of an educational tool for intervening in sleep-related challenges faced by children with NF1.

About Francis S. Collins

Dr. Francis S. Collins led the team that discovered the NF1 gene in 1990. In addition to this work, Dr. Collins has been at the forefront of advancing translational science in his roles as Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and former Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute. His leadership helped to establish the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) and Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN).

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Begin your application to be a Francis S. Collins Scholar in Neurofibromatosis Clinical and Translational Research

“Millions of people will never know Dr. Collins saved their lives. Countless researchers will aspire to follow in his footsteps.”

-President Joe Biden