Young Researcher Scholarship Honoring Edward Ginns, MD, PhD

This scholarship is in honor of Dr. Edward Ginns, and his many contributions to the field of Gaucher disease. Dr. Ginns received his PhD from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed his residency in neurology at Albert Einstein School of Medicine. In 1980, he joined the National Institutes of Health where he became a tenured Investigator and Branch Chief. Among his seminal achievements was the discovery that the different Gaucher disease presentations were all due to mutations in the glucocerebrosidase gene. Dr. Ginns cloned and sequenced the human glucocerebrosidase gene (GBA1) and demonstrated that the wide variation in clinical presentations of infantile, childhood and adult disease are caused by genetic mutations in GBA1. He identified the two most common disease-causing variants. He performed the first bone marrow transplant for Gaucher disease, conducted early proof of concept studies leading to gene therapy and generated the first mouse models of Gaucher disease. 

In 2000, Dr. Ginns moved to the UMass Chan Medical School where he is a professor of Psychiatry, Neurology, Pathology and Pediatrics. Throughout his long career, he has continued to provide skilled and compassionate care to many patients with Gaucher disease, always willing to consult with medical professionals and affected individuals and their families. His current research focuses on the development of novel gene and protein replacement therapies for Gaucher disease, the link between Gaucher disease and Parkinsonism and the etiology of several psychiatric disorders. 

Over the years he has mentored trainees at all stages in their careers and continues to be dedicated to educating others regarding Gaucher disease and its management. GCA hopes that this scholarship will enable a young researcher to continue their journey in improving the lives of those affected by Gaucher.