Christopher Reeve Research Medal Winner Awarded $50,000Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation (CRPF) today announced that Mary B. Bunge, Ph.D. of the University of Miami School of Medicine and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis has been awarded $50,000 for her research on spinal cord injury and paralysis. The award was presented at the 11th Annual "A Magical Evening" gala at New York City's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. The Christopher Reeve Research Medal for Spinal Cord Repair is awarded annually by the Reeve-Irvine Research Center at the University of California Irvine to individuals who have made recent critical contributions to promoting repair of the damaged spinal cord and recovery of function. The $50,000 cash prize recognizes scientific excellence and achievement and is intended to stimulate interest and research in nerve regenerations and the development of rational therapies for spinal cord injury.  "Dr. Bunge's contribution to the understanding of the biology of Schwann cells is simply outstanding," said Mitchell R. Stoller, President and CEO of the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation. He added, "Her research adds a step in the direction of finding ways to regenerate central nervous system axons which one day might lead to the repair of the spinal cord." Dr. Bunge's current research focuses on combining various strategies with cellular bridges to improve spinal cord neuroprotection and repair, following complete transection or contusion injury. The award to Dr. Bunge also celebrates the contributions of her late husband, Dr. Richard Bunge, and recognizes the unique synergy that existed between the two partners who comprised this outstanding research team. Dr. Bunge is a professor of cell biology and anatomy, neurological surgery and neurology at the University of Miami School of Medicine. Her major research interest for many years has been the development and repair of nervous tissue. She is a member of the CRPF Research Consortium on Spinal Cord Injury. Bunge has served on study sections at National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and is currently Chair of the Committee for the Development of Women's Careers in Neuroscience of the Society for Neuroscience. The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation is a national non-profit organization that encourages and supports research to develop effective treatments and a cure for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury and other central nervous system disorders. The Foundation also allocates a portion of its resources to grants that improve the quality of life for people with disabilitiies.
For more information, or to contact Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, see their website at: www.christopherreeve.org |
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