The ATTR Early-Career Research Forum, an academic colloquium focused on recognizing, inspiring, and equipping physician-scientist fellows and junior faculty working in the field of ATTR amyloidosis, is back for its 2nd Annual installment. US-based young investigators conducting active research projects in ATTR are encouraged to apply prior to the October 17, 2025 submission deadline for a chance to share their work with top experts and compete for a chance to win one of two $100,000 Wiesman awards to further their research.
GEORGETOWN, Ky., April 29, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The abstract submission window for the 2nd Annual ATTR Early-Career Research Forum is officially open and will remain open until a deadline of Friday, October 17, 2025. The Forum, which is jointly provided by Cornerstone Medical Education and American Academy of CME, and supported by an independent educational grant from AstraZeneca and Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease, is intended to identify, equip, and empower US-based early-career physician-scientists conducting research in transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (ATTR), all of whom are strongly encouraged to apply. Co-Chaired by a panel of leading ATTR experts – Drs. Sami Khella (University of Pennsylvania), Noel Dasgupta (Indiana University), Ahmad Masri (Oregon Health & Science University), and Morie Gertz (Mayo Clinic) – the Forum offers early-career researchers an opportunity to directly interface with top thought leaders and peers alike, gleaning meaningful insights, receiving structured feedback, and forging collegial connections that will serve as fundamental catalysts throughout their career in ATTR.
This 2nd Annual installment builds upon the robust successes of the inaugural Forum, which boasted strong young investigator presentations across the spectrum of ATTR. The winners of the 1st Annual Forum – Drs. Senthil Selvaraj (Duke University) and Ani Nalbandian (Columbia University) – each received $100,000 awards issued directly to their institutions to support their ongoing ATTR research.
When asked about his experience at the 1st Annual Forum. Dr. Selvaraj said, "The Forum is a terrific opportunity to meet leaders in the field and learn about outstanding science from other Young Investigators. The generous research funding comes at an important time in our career trajectory to help propel new projects and analyses in the field of ATTR." Dr. Nalbandian added, "This event gifted me exposure to experts in the field and a network of fellow researchers. This award motivates me to push forward with both research and the care of patients with ATTR, a long under-recognized and under-treated disease."
Based on this inaugural success and the promise of impending abstracts for the 2nd Annual Forum, Drs. Noel Dasgupta and Ahmad Masri emphasized the critical importance of fostering and supporting early-career ATTR researchers. "ATTR amyloidosis used to be a death sentence," Dr. Dasgupta said, "but now there's hope for patients to live a full life. The researchers that are awarded grants from the ATTR Early-Career Research Forum are continuing to make scientific breakthroughs and are anticipated to be future leaders for the disease." Dr. Masri agreed and added that, while there is already tremendous burgeoning interest in the ATTR field, "initiatives (like the Forum) are essential to help foster that interest among early-career clinicians."
But perhaps the most resonant endorsement of the Forum came from Sean Riley, an ATTR patient advocate who works with Mackenzie's Mission and serves on their Amyloidosis Speakers Bureau. During the 1st Annual Forum, Mr. Riley told young investigators, "If it wasn't for the work your peers have done before you, and the wonderful work you are doing now, I can tell you quite literally – I would not be here talking to you right now. Please take that to heart…the work you are doing is so, so important for me and other amyloidosis patients."
The 2nd Annual ATTR Early-Career Research Forum Call-for-Abstracts (CFA) is available on Cornerstone Medical Education's website. PDF abstracts can be submitted here.
The top four young investigators, based on blinded abstract score, will be invited to present their research before the Co-Chair panel during the Live Virtual Forum on November 17, 2025. The top two performers from the Live Virtual Forum, as scored by the Co-Chairs, will each win a $100,000 Wiesman Award for Excellence in Early-Career ATTR Research, named in honor of the trailblazing ATTR clinician-researcher, Dr. Janice Wiesman.
Media Contact
Bryan C. Taylor, PharmD, MBA, Cornerstone Medical Education, 1 270-256-5406, [email protected], https://cornerstonemeded.com/
SOURCE Cornerstone Medical Education
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