The Smaldino ALS/FTD Research Project Fund within Ball State University's Department of Biology has received a donation of $25,000 from the Todd Siebert Memorial Foundation.
The generous donation will be used to develop treatment options for two related diseases: C9orf72-linked amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). There are currently no cures or life-extending treatment options for these patients. The patients and their families endure immense suffering and hardship as a result of these diseases.
Dr. Philip Smaldino, associate professor of cell biology, leads a team of undergraduate and graduate students in the Smaldino Lab to understand these diseases at the cellular and molecular levels. The Smaldino Lab and its collaborators then use this information to develop novel treatments, with the hope of extending patient survival and improving quality of life. As such, this donation not only advances ALS and FTD research, but also helps train the next generation of biomedical researchers.
“The funding, support, and awareness we have gained from the Todd Siebert Memorial Foundation has allowed me to develop my laboratory skills, share our science, and advance our current understanding of ALS,” said Joseph Gumina, graduate student researcher in the Smaldino Lab. “Our continued partnership with the Foundation has instilled in me a deep appreciation for those impacted by ALS, helped me realize the profound amount of important work ahead, and will continue to inspire students in Dr. Smaldino’s lab for years to come.”
The Todd Siebert Memorial Foundation, which has previously contributed to the Smaldino ALS/FTD Research Project Fund, was established by the family and friends of Todd Siebert after his passing from ALS in 2021. The nonprofit seeks to raise awareness of ALS and support research aimed at better understanding and treating the disease.
For more information about the Todd Siebert Memorial Foundation, or to donate, visit the organization’s website.