The Jacob’s Ladder Norman Saunders International Research Prize for 2017

This year The Jacob’s Ladder Norman Saunders International Research Prize, named in memory of Jacob’s beloved doctor, recognizes the outstanding work of Mustafa Sahin M.D., Ph.D. Dr. Sahin is a specialist in the field of childhood neurological diseases and currently holds the position of Director, Translational Neuroscience Center and  Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Sahin received his MD and PhD in neurobiology at the Yale University School of Medicine.  He completed his internship at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and residencies at both Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Boston Children’s Hospital.  He has received numerous awards, including a Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award, a William Randolph Hearst Fund Award, a Spinal Muscular Atrophy Foundation Young Investigator Award, the 2005 Young Investigator Award from the Child Neurology Society and a 2009 John Merck Scholar Award.

Dr. Sahin’s research investigates the normal cellular functions of signaling pathways implicated in neurological disease, with an emphasis on axon growth and guidance. Further focus is on the proteins affected in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) – two neurological disorders whose genetic basis is well understood but whose cell biology remains unknown.  By understanding and developing new mouse models, Dr. Sahin has advanced treatments for TSC that have changed clinical practices.

As a clinical neurologist Dr. Sahin has an active practice treating patients with neurological disease.  His overall goal is “to bring new treatments to childhood neurological diseases and improve the lives of children and families affected by these conditions.”

We look forward to welcoming him in Toronto to receive his award on January 17- 18, 2018.  He will speak to Paediatrics Grand Rounds at the Hospital for Sick Children on Wednesday, followed by the award reception, and speak at Genetics Rounds on Thursday.