Recognizing Excellence in MSA Research
The Multiple System Atrophy Coalition has established an awards program to promote high achievement by early career investigators.
Don Summers Memorial Travel Award
The Don Summers Memorial MSA Travel Award was established in 2014 in memory of past president Don Summers who led the organization from 1999 to 2010. Endowed by Sylvia Summers, the award consists of a $2000 cash prize and a plaque which are given in recognition of outstanding MSA research by an early career investigator. Presented annually at the American Autonomic Society Congress, this award promotes and encourages MSA research by providing early career researchers an incentive to study this rare disease and to receive recognition and financial support for doing so.
The award winner is selected in partnership with the American Autonomic Society (AAS). Eligibility rules and application process may be found on the AAS website.
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Don Summers Memorial Travel Award Past Recipients
2021
Abhishek Lenka, Georgetown University Hospital, WashIngton DC, USA
Cardiac 18-F Dopamine PET Distinguishes PD with Orthostatic Hypotension from Parkinsonian MSA
2020
No award given
2019
Miguel Perez, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
Baseline characteristics of patients with multiple system atrophy enrolled in the Natural History Study of the Synucleinopathies
2018
Prashanthi Vemuri, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
Discovery and validation of MRI morphometry features for early multiple system a
2017
Jose-Alberto Palma, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
Preliminary results of the Global Multiple System Atrophy Registry (GLOMSAR): an internet-based patient-reported registry
2016
Jelle de Jong, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Circadian blood pressure control in afferent versus efferent lesions in the arterial baroreflex
Ekawat Vichayanrat, University College of London, London, UK
Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in autopsy‐confirmed multiple system atrophy: predictors of bad and good outcome
2015
Sarah Berini, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
Pure autonomic failure – predictors of conversion to clinical CNS involvement
Jose-Alberto Palma, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
Hypotension-induced vasopressin release distinguishes Lewy body disorders from multiple system atrophy
2014
Elizabeth Coon, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
Survival in multiple system atrophy: insights from a large retrospective cohort
The Don Summers Memorial Travel Award was established in 2014. Previously this award was known as the Shy-Drager MSA Travel Award
2013
Phillip Low, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
Rifampicin treatment trial in MSA fails to find drug superior to placebo
2012
Juan Jose Figueroa, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
Prognostic indicators and clinical spectrum of MSA based on autopsy-confirmed cases
2011
No award given
2010
Phillip Low, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
Prospective 5-year natural history study of probable multiple system atrophy (MSA) in 175 North American subjects
2009
No award given
2008
Phillip Low, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
Prospective differentiation of multiple system atrophy from Parkinson’s disease
2007
No award given
2006
Peter Novak, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
Quantitative analysis of dermal small fibers in Parkinson’s disease and multiple system atrophy
2005
Eduardo Benarroch, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
Involvement of cardiovagal nuclei in MSA
2004
Yehonatan Sharabi, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA Differentiating between primary dysautonomias – multiple system atrophy, pure autonomic failure and Parkinson’s disease: a pathophysiology-based approach