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Next Generation Scientist Awardee Receives Award from the National Institutes of Health

Epilepsy News From: Monday, October 15, 2018

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently awarded Dr. Gemma Carvill, assistant professor of neurology at Northwestern University, the highly-regarded NIH Director's New Innovator Award. This award supports exceptionally creative investigators who propose innovative, high-impact projects. The Epilepsy Foundation is proud to have supported Dr. Carvill early in her career, and we congratulate her on this new accomplishment.

In 2013, the Foundation awarded Dr. Carvill a postdoctoral fellowship to study epilepsy. In 2017, through the Epilepsy Foundation's partnership with the American Epilepsy Society (AES), the Foundation funded her work in genetics through a AES/EF Junior Research Investigator Award. Dr. Carvill was also a recipient of the 2017 Kevin's Fellowship.

Unlocking the Potential of Genetics and Epilepsy Research

Dr. Carvill studies how genetics can impact brain function in epilepsy, as well as how prevalent these mutations are. Over the past few years, there has been great progress in identifying novel genetic causes for epilepsy subtypes in children. The overall mission of Dr. Carvill's lab is to define the genetic basis of epilepsy, understand disease mechanisms, and develop new therapies. Current medications only treat the outward symptoms of a seizure but not the underlying cause. Genetics provide a clue to the potential mechanisms for why epilepsy begins.

The Impact of Early Career Investment

"This new Director's Innovator Award focuses on identifying genetic and epigenetic variation in epilepsy. Much of the preliminary work and ideas in this award stem from my research that was supported by the Epilepsy Foundation, both as a postdoctoral fellow and last year as a Junior Research Investigator Awardee," said Dr. Carvill.

Early career support from the Epilepsy Foundation gives young scientists the opportunity to explore new and innovative ideas that can serve as a springboard to getting their independent labs off the ground.-Dr. Carvill

Many of today's educators, senior investigators, and thought leaders for epilepsy were supported in their early careers with financial assistance from the Epilepsy Foundation. Since the 1960s, the Foundation has been planting the seeds for our future by supporting the careers of over 3,000 epilepsy researchers.

Get Connected with Epilepsy Foundation Research

  • Learn more about the Next Generation Scientist program.
  • Submissions for epilepsy early career development awards start in November. Learn more.
  • Interested in financially supporting and following the research of an investigator? Contact us at 301.918.3753 or email giving@efa.org to learn more.

Authored by

Sonya Dumanis PhD

Reviewed by

Liz Dueweke MPH

Reviewed Date

Monday, October 15, 2018

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