December 29, 2020 – The RYR-1 Foundation is honored to announce the newest member of its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), Dr. Payam Mohassel. Dr. Mohassel is an adult neurologist and neuromuscular specialist at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). After his clinical training at Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Mohassel joined the NIH in 2014 to continue research training in muscle disease with Dr. Carsten Bönnemann, who is also a member of The RYR-1 Foundation SAB. His research focus on neuromuscular neurogenetic disorders spans gene discovery efforts, pre-clinical studies in cellular and animal models, and early-stage clinical trials.

As a clinical neurologist trained in myopathies and muscular dystrophies and experienced in translational research, Dr. Mohassel is passionate about bringing new therapies to individuals with muscle disease, such as RYR-1-related diseases.

Dr. Mohassel is the Principal Investigator of the Rycal Clinical Trial for RYR-1-related diseases at the NIH and was recently awarded the 2020 Young Myologist of the Year Award by the World Muscle Society.

“I am thrilled to be joining The RYR-1 Foundation Scientific Advisory Board, an inclusive, diverse, and all-star group of scientists and physicians focused on bringing new therapies to all individuals affected by RYR-1-related diseases,​” said Dr. Payam Mohassel.

“Dr. Mohassel will be a tremendous addition to the SAB of The RYR-1 Foundation,” ​said Michael F. Goldberg, MD, MPH, President of The RYR-1 Foundation. “He is a brilliant clinician-scientist who represents the next generation of leaders in the field of neuromuscular disease. The RYR-1 community and The RYR-1 Foundation are lucky to have him on our ‘team.’”

The SAB is responsible for setting the research priorities of The RYR-1 Foundation and determining which research grant applications receive funding. Under the leadership of its chair, Dr. Andrew Marks, the SAB is a group of world-renowned researchers and clinicians who have dedicated their careers to helping those affected by RYR-1-related diseases. With the addition of Dr. Mohassel, the SAB will continue to be an invaluable resource to not only The RYR-1 Foundation, but also to individuals and families affected by RYR-1-related diseases. For detailed biographical sketches of the SAB members, please go to: www.ryr1.org/scientificadvisoryboard.

Dr. Mohassel will join the current members of The RYR-1 Foundation SAB, listed below:

Andrew R. Marks, MD (Chair)
Chairman of the Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics
Columbia University (United States)

Carsten G. Bönnemann, MD
Pediatric Neurologist and Senior Investigator
National Institutes of Health (United States)

Robert T. Dirksen, PhD
Chair of Pharmacology and Physiology
University of Rochester Medical Center (United States)

James Dowling, MD, PhD
Neurologist
Hospital for Sick Children (Canada)

Susan Hamilton, PhD
Chair of the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics
Baylor College of Medicine (United States)

Livija Medne, MS, LCGC
Co-Director Individualized Medical Genetics Center, Senior Genetic Counselor
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (United States)

Sheila Riazi, MSc, MD, FRCPC
Director of The Malignant Hyperthermia Investigation Unit
Toronto General Hospital (Canada)

Susan Treves, PhD
Professor: Departments of Anesthesia and Biomedicine
University of Basel (Switzerland)

Filip Van Petegem, PhD
Professor: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of British Columbia (Canada)

Nicol C. Voermans, MD, PhD
Neurologist
Radboud University Medical Centre (The Netherlands)

About The RYR-1 Foundation

The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based 501(c)(3) public charity was launched in October 2014 by members of the Goldberg family, who have been affected by an RYR-1-related disease. It is currently the only organization that exists solely to advocate for and serve the needs of patients with RYR-1 myopathy, the most common cause of congenital myopathy. The mission of The RYR-1 Foundation is to support research leading to effective treatment or a cure for RYR-1-related diseases, to educate physicians about these diseases, and to provide patient/family support and advocacy.