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Epilepsy Foundation Names Jacqueline A. French, MD, as New Chief Scientific Officer

Epilepsy News From: Monday, April 20, 2015

LANDOVER, MD - The Epilepsy Foundation announced today that Jacqueline A. French, MD, director of clinical trials at New York University’s Langone Comprehensive Epilepsy Center and past president of the American Epilepsy Society, has been named as the organization’s chief scientific officer.

The chief scientific officer serves as a leading voice for the Epilepsy Foundation’s broad commitment to accelerate new therapies research in a timeframe that matters for people living with epilepsy and seizures today. 

Philip M. Gattone, president and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation, said, “Dr. French’s extensive research and clinical contributions, as well as her commitment to improving the lives of those in the epilepsy community, make her the perfect choice to serve as our chief scientific officer. She is a pioneer in the clinical care of seizures and her research has led to groundbreaking treatments in epilepsy. We look forward to working closely with Dr. French to enhance and advance our mission.” 

Warren B. Lammert, chairman of the Epilepsy Foundation, said, “Dr. Jackie French is widely recognized for her contributions to advancing new therapies and clinical trial methodologies. We are very fortunate to have Dr. French join us in this role and help us extend the strong leadership provided by Dr. Roger Porter, who stepped down as chief scientific officer earlier this year but continues to serve as a member of our Scientific Advisory Board.”

“It is an honor to join the wonderful team already in place at the Epilepsy Foundation,” said Dr. French. “New therapies and new research have the potential to make a real difference in the lives of people with epilepsy in the foreseeable future, and the Epilepsy Foundation is poised to be at the forefront of realizing these exciting innovations.”

Dr. French’s research focuses on finding new therapeutic interventions for people with epilepsy and on clinical trial methodology. She has written many articles, editorials, and chapters, and has edited two books on the subject of epilepsy. Dr. French’s work has been featured in Lancet Neurology and The New England Journal of Medicine, among other respected publications.

Dr. French has also worked with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to develop new trial designs for antiepileptic drug approval. She has been a key leader in the global conversation on epilepsy and seizure conditions, lecturing around the world on topics related to antiepileptic drug therapeutics.

Dr. French has a history of collaborating with the Epilepsy Foundation to build the AED and Pipeline Conferences, which focus on bringing together industry and experts to present the latest information and innovations in epilepsy therapies.

The AED XIII Conference will be held this year in Miami from May 13-15 and includes the fourth annual Epilepsy Foundation Shark Tank competition, which awards a grant to the best new idea in epilepsy treatment and care. The winning entry will be selected by live voting at the conference by an expert panel of judges and audience members representing industry, patient advocacy, investment, research, and medical communities. The project or projects deemed to be the most innovative will be announced at the event on May 14, and the winner(s) can receive as much as $200,000 to accelerate their idea from concept to development, improving the quality of life for people living with epilepsy.  

About Epilepsy
When a person has two or more unprovoked seizures, they are considered to have epilepsy. Epilepsy affects nearly 3 million people in the U.S. and 65 million worldwide. This year, another 150,000 people will be diagnosed with epilepsy.

About the Epilepsy Foundation
The Epilepsy Foundation, a national non-profit with nearly 50 affiliated organizations throughout the United States, has led the fight against seizures since 1968. The Foundation is an unwavering ally for individuals and families impacted by epilepsy and seizures. The mission of the Epilepsy Foundation is to stop seizures and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), find a cure and overcome the challenges created by epilepsy through efforts including education, advocacy, and research to accelerate ideas into therapies. The Foundation works to ensure that people with seizures have the opportunity to live their lives to their fullest potential. For additional information, please visit www.epilepsy.com.

“Like” the Epilepsy Foundation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/epilepsyfoundationofamerica and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/epilepsyfdn.

Contact Name

Kirsten Withrow | Manager of Program Communications and Media Relations

Contact Phone

(301) 918-3743

Contact Email

kwithrow@efa.org

Reviewed Date

Monday, April 20, 2015

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