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.

Edward Ginns, MD, PhD

About the Scholarship

By supporting young researchers and students, this program will honor the essence of Dr. Ginns’ work and encourage research and efforts to provide better futures for Gaucher patients.

This scholarship aims to encourage early career researchers, undergraduate and graduate students who are intending to pursue research or a medical career in the area of lysosomal storage diseases. The grant of $3,500 will cover registration and travel to attend either the WORLDSymposium, the International Working Group on Gaucher Disease Congress, SSIEM, or an alternative conference approved by the GCA Scholarship Committee. 

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Must be submitted during competition period: October 1 – November 30, 2024
  • Have legal residency in the United States or Canada
  • Be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate university, post-doc, residency or fellowship programs
  • Be at least 18 years of age

Application:

  • All parts of the application must be in English
  • Paragraph explaining why applicant should be awarded the grant
  • Letter of support from mentor or professor
  • Curriculum Vitae

Terms and Conditions

  • Support from GCA should be acknowledged in any presentations given or posters displayed at the meeting.
  • Any unspent funds must be returned within one month of the end of the travel.
  •  If for any reason you do not attend the conference, the funds must be returned in full.
  • You must keep all of the receipts related to your visit to provide to GCA upon return.
  • You must provide a 250-word meeting report and at least two bright, clear photographs.
  • You agree that photos, reports and notice of award will be displayed on GCA’s  website, social media and other promotional materials.

Awarding the Scholarship

  • The selected scholarship option will be decided by a committee of four individuals, with one being an independent reviewer.
  • The committee will be given criteria on how to review the applications.
  • The program will have set rules and guidelines for all applicants and awardees to follow.
  • The annual award winner will be selected by the committee and announced via GCA marketing and social media.
  • The winner will be notified via e-mail. Any winner who does not respond to notification attempts within five (5) business days will forfeit the prize and an alternate winner may be selected at GCA’s discretion.

Publicity Release

Participation in the scholarship constitutes permission and grant to GCA and its designees the right and permission to print, publish, broadcast and use, worldwide in any media now known or hereafter developed including without limitation online at gauchercommunity.org or via Instagram, Facebook and X, including, but not limited to, the Winner’s entry, name, portrait, picture, voice, likeness, opinions and biographical information (including, but not limited to, hometown and state or territory), prize information, quotes attributable to Winner, and any other elements of entrant’s persona for advertising, trade and promotional purposes.