Workshop: High-Impact
Research to Change Lives
November 7, 2014
Learning Objectives: Participants should leave energized by progress occurring in MS
research, and should be able to inspire others by explaining in simple terms several promising
areas of research and the Society’s role in driving progress.
About Our Panelists
Mark Allegretta, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President of Commercial Research, National MS Society
Mark’s responsibilities include providing leadership and direction for the Society’s commercial
research programs and portfolio, including partnerships developed through Fast Forward. He
joined the Society in 2014 with 28 years of experience in biotechnology and pharmaceutical
operations. Most recently, he was President, Chief Scientific Officer and Co-founder of
BioMosaics in Burlington, Vermont, where he dealt with all aspects of cancer biomarker
development, licensing deals and business partnerships. Mark earned his Bachelor’s degree
from Hartwick College and his PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of
Vermont. He was the recipient of a National MS Society postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford
University.
Benjamin Deneen, PhD
Associate Professor, Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine
Ben earned his PhD in Molecular Biology at the University of California, Los Angeles, and did a
postdoctoral research fellowship at the California Institute of Technology. Ben’s research
interests focus on mechanisms involved in nerve degeneration and repair in a variety of
conditions including MS. His laboratory studies gene mechanisms that control the generation and
differentiation (specialization) of glial cells including myelin-making cells. He studies myelin repair
and factors that block myelin repair. He also studies the role of a brain cell type called astrocytes
in disease. As he notes, “While glial cells constitute roughly 90% of the central nervous system,
and are associated with numerous neurological disorders and malignancies, the mechanisms
that control their development and diversity remain shrouded in mystery.” Ben serves as a
volunteer scientific peer reviewer for the National MS Society, and he will be participating on a
panel featured during the Research Luncheon later today.
Karen Lee, PhD
Vice-President of Research, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
Karen oversees day-to-day research operations and provides leadership to a broad range of
initiatives set in motion to find the cure for MS and improve the quality of life for people who are
affected by MS. She serves as the Managing Director for the endMS Research and Training
Network, providing leadership to regional training centres across Canada and ensuring effective
implementation of programs to attract and retain MS researchers. She also serves on the
Scientific Steering Committee of the international Progressive MS Alliance. Her PhD degree is in
Cellular Molecular Medicine from the University of Ottawa.
Michael Racke, M.D.
Professor, Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University
An international leader in neurological sciences, Mike is a distinguished scholar known for his
research in immunology and multiple sclerosis. He serves on the executive committee of the
Multiple Sclerosis Section of the American Academy of Neurology and the National MS Society’s
Research Programs Advisory Committee. He has previously served on scientific advisory
committees for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the National Institutes of Health. He
has received the prestigious Harry Weaver Neuroscience Scholarship from the National MS
Society and the Young Investigator in Multiple Sclerosis Award from the American Academy of
Neurology Education and Research Foundation. Mike is investigating the pathogenesis of MS
with an eye toward developing new and better therapies. Mike is being inducted into the
Volunteer Hall of Fame as a researcher – an honor he previously received as an MS physician
with the Lone Star Chapter.
Questions? Cathy Carlson, AVP of Research Information cathy.carlson@nmss.org
Additional Resources
Online Research Champion Video and Training Module:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Research/Research-We-Fund/How-We-Fund-Research-NOWCampaign/Become-a-Research-Champion
Research News and Progress: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Research/Research-NewsProgress
Learn About Research the Society Funds to Stop MS, Restore Function and End MS Forever:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Research/Research-We-Fund
Research in Progressive MS: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Research/Research-NewsProgress/Progressive-MS-Research
Progressive MS Alliance: http://www.endprogressiveMS.org
Nervous System Repair: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Research/Research-WeFund/Restoring-What-s-Been-Lost/Repairing-Damaged-Tissues
Wellness and Lifestyle Research: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Research/Research-NewsProgress/Diet/Wellness-and-Lifestyle
Driving Commercial Research: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Research/Research-WeFund/Driving-Solutions/Driving-Commercial-Progress
The NOW Campaign to Move Research Forward Faster:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/NationalMSSociety/media/MSNationalFiles/Brochures/MSNOW-Brochure_2014.pdf