The Michael J. Fox Foundation Annual Report 2015 – Purpose. Partnership. Progress. | Page 51

Honoring Revolutionary
Thinking and Leadership
in the Field

A BOVE
(L to R) MJFF Scientific Advisory Board member
Mark Cookson, PhD, 2015 Pritzker Prize
recipient John Hardy, PhD, MJFF Scientific
Advisory Board member Andrew Singleton, PhD,
and Michael J. Fox at the Pritzker Prize luncheon

IN 2015, THE MICHAEL J. FOX FOUNDATION

on Xandra O. Breakefield, PhD, for her pioneering

HONORED RESEARCHERS whose achievements

research in genetics leading to better diagnosis

have had a profound impact on the Parkinson’s

and treatment of dystonia, the third most common

research field and whose work and leadership

movement disorder. The $100,000 prize was created

continue to propel advances and discovery

through the collaborative research alliance between

throughout neurology and the life sciences.

MJFF and The Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia and
Parkinson Foundation.

John Hardy, PhD, was recognized with the Robert
A. Pritzker Prize for Leadership in Parkinson’s

Eugene Johnson, PhD, received the Langston Award,

Research in April 2015. Dr. Hardy was saluted for his

given annually to an MJFF adviser who displays

work uncovering the role of genetics in Parkinson’s

outstanding commitment to MJFF’s mission and

disease and for his commitment to mentoring PD

named for Dr. James Langston, the Foundation’s

researchers. The $100,000 prize was established

first chief scientific adviser. In addition to his

in honor of Robert Pritzker, the industrialist,

contributions to the understanding of nervous system

entrepreneur and philanthropist. In November, Dr.

cells, Dr. Johnson served as the head of MJFF’s

Hardy’s contributions to Alzheimer’s research were

Scientific Advisory Board for nine years, counseling

recognized with the $3 million Breakthrough Prize in

research staff in shaping research priorities. Upon

Life Sciences, given by technology entrepreneurs to

receiving the award in May, Dr. Johnson requested

extraordinary scientific leaders.

that the accompanying $25,000 grant be directed to
PD research efforts at Washington University School

In May, the inaugural Bachmann-Strauss Prize for

of Medicine, where he has served on the faculty

Excellence in Dystonia Research was conferred

since 1976.

2015 Annual Report

49