A landmark philanthropic gift from Dr Graham and Mrs Brenda Siddall will support a new five-year programme bringing together the University of Sheffield and the University of Washington to accelerate research, strengthen clinical partnerships, and train the next generation of neuroscience researchers and clinicians. The gift will be split equally between the two universities.
The University of Sheffield is home to the internationally recognised Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), a world-leading research institute dedicated to tackling MND and other neurodegenerative diseases. The University of Washington is home to UW Medicine and its Multidisciplinary ALS Center, which combines world-class patient care with pioneering clinical research.
Together, the two institutions will build a lasting partnership that harnesses their complementary strengths to drive progress in understanding, treating and ultimately overcoming neurodegenerative diseases.
Professor Dame Pamela Shaw, Director of SITraN, said: “This is a very exciting opportunity to consolidate collaboration between two world class institutions - the University of Washington, Seattle and the University of Sheffield.
Several exchange visits have already taken place and plans for research collaborations developed. We are extremely grateful for the support of Graham and Brenda Siddall who have spearheaded this important programme which will drive forward research for the benefit of people with neurological disorders.”
Dr Tim Dellit, CEO of UW Medicine, Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs and Paul G. Ramsey Endowed Dean of the UW School of Medicine, said: “We are thankful to Graham and Brenda Siddall for making this new partnership possible. This collaboration will help to advance discoveries that may improve the outlook for people with devastating neurological diagnoses like MND.”
Researchers increasingly recognise that global collaboration is essential to accelerating breakthroughs. Graham and Brenda’s gift will enable researchers and clinicians from Sheffield and Washington to work more closely together through shared research projects, academic exchanges, visiting lectureships and specialist training opportunities.
By creating new opportunities for knowledge exchange and joint research, the partnership aims to generate discoveries that can be translated more rapidly into benefits for patients and families affected by neurodegenerative diseases.
The universities also expect the initial philanthropic investment to act as a catalyst for securing larger external research grants, helping to expand the collaboration and increase its impact over time.
As the partnership develops, researchers anticipate producing new scientific discoveries, expanding training opportunities and generating insights that improve clinical practice and patient care worldwide.
The Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) is one of the world's leading centres for research into motor neuron disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. Researchers at SITraN work to translate scientific discoveries into new treatments and therapies that improve the lives of patients and their families.
The ALS Multidisciplinary Clinic at UW Medical Center – Montlake brings together experts in neurology, rehabilitation medicine and other specialties to improve the lives of people with ALS while advancing research into this complex neurodegenerative disease. By integrating multidisciplinary patient care with research and academic expertise, UW Medicine is working to deepen understanding of ALS and help develop better approaches to its treatment and care.