Announcing the Recipients of the Achievements for Ann - Backlund Fellowship

The ALS Society of Alberta, in partnership with Alberta Neuroscience, are proud to announce the first-ever recipients of the Achievements for Ann - Backlund Fellowship: Dr. Evandro Jose Beraldi and Dr. Parastoo Razmara. These groundbreaking ALS researchers are at the forefront of urgent, Alberta-based studies that could change the lives of those battling this devastating disease.

This Fellowship holds special significance as it was established by Frida Backlund, wife of Calgary Flames’ captain Mikael Backlund, in loving memory of her mother, Ann Engstrom. Ann’s strength and hope inspired Frida and Mikael to create this initiative, which reflects their commitment to supporting meaningful advancements in ALS research.

“This announcement is deeply meaningful to me and my family,” said Frida Backlund. “The Achievements for Ann - Backlund Fellowship was created to honour my mom, and supports groundbreaking research here in Alberta that reflects her strength and hope for a future free from this disease. We are proud to support these two exceptional researchers as they work toward advancements that could transform the lives of those affected by ALS."

With $140,000 awarded to each researcher over the span of two years, both research projects show significant promise in helping to better understand the cause, and a potential cure, for ALS.

Dr. Beraldi is studying how bacteria in the gut might affect ALS, and how it differs between males and females. His research focuses on whether certain gut bacteria could help protect nerve cells, which might lead to new treatments for ALS. Based at the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine, Dr. Beraldi has great mentors and resources supporting his work.

Dr. Razmara is using zebrafish to test existing FDA-approved drugs to see if they can help fix protein problems that cause nerve and muscle issues in ALS. Working with a talented team at the University of Alberta, her research could speed up the process of finding new treatments for the disease.

The ALS Society of Alberta, in partnership with Alberta Neuroscience, are committed to keeping the public informed about the progress of these groundbreaking studies over the next two years. Updates will be shared regularly, highlighting key milestones and discoveries as researchers work toward improving the lives of those affected by ALS.