The Neuromuscular Disease Network for Canada

We are excited to share that NMD4C investigators Dr Rashmi Kothary, and Dr Natasha Chang were recipients of the Dr George Karpati Award for Researcher of the Year and Rising Clinician/Researcher Award respectively from Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC) as a part of the Dr. David Green Recognition Program. This award program recognizes and celebrates the contributions of individuals and groups who champion neuromuscular disorders with courage, determination, passion and caring.

We are fortunate to have such dedicated and passionate members of the neuromuscular communtiy involved in our network, and congratulate both Dr Kothary and Dr Chang on their awards! The presentation of the Dr David Green awards took place at MDC’s Champions of Change Conference on November 4th in Calgary, AB.

Dr George Karpati Award for Researcher of the Year

Dr Rashmi Kothary

The Dr George Karpati Award for Researcher of the Year is presented to an exemplary neuromuscular researcher who has made a significant contribution to neuromuscular research, the advancement of care of people with neuromuscular disorders, or to MDC in the areas of public awareness, service and/or fundraising.

Dr Rashmi Kothary is the Deputy Scientific Director and Senior Scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI). He received a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of British Columbia and pursued postdoctoral research in the laboratories of Dr Janet Rossant at the Mount Sinai Hospital Research Institute in Toronto and Dr Azim Surani in Cambridge, U.K.

MDC is very honoured to have Dr Kothary’s support for the Neuromuscular Community, through his volunteer work with Muscular Dystrophy Canada relating to research, fundraising and programs and services. His experience in the research field has also benefitted the work of MDC through serving as a peer reviewer for MDC’s research grants and fellowship competitions. Dr Kothary has also shared his knowledge with the neuromuscular community by speaking during several MDC webinars. By serving as a Walk4MD Research Champion he also raised awareness and funds to support our mission. MDC is always pleased to partner with him, learn from him and leverage his expertise.

Rising Clinician/Researcher Award

Dr Natasha Chang

The Rising Clinician/Researcher Award is presented to a neuromuscular researcher or clinician, in the first five years of their career, who has shown significant potential for contribution to neuromuscular research, the advancement of care of people with neuromuscular disorders, or to MDC in the areas of knowledge translation, education/public awareness, advocacy, service and/or fundraising. 

Dr Natasha Chang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at McGill University. She obtained her Ph.D. with Dr Gordon Shore at McGill University studying BCL-2 family proteins and their role in regulating the cell survival autophagy pathway. 

MDC appreciate Dr Chang’s commitment to the neuromuscular community through speaking at past MDC webinars, and conferences, while also playing an instrumental role in the NMD4C, where she actively contributes to the Early-Career Working Group and now sits on the network steering committee and co-leads the Pre-Clinical Science Pillar. Dr Chang brings a refreshed approach to her work in terms of multidisciplinary collaboration and influencing change with translational science research. She is truly a force and an emerging leader in neuromuscular research. MDC is always pleased to partner with her, learn from her and leverage her expertise.