Movement disorders pioneer Dr. Anthony E. Lang to receive Jay Van Andel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Parkinson’s Disease Research

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (April 19, 2022) — Van Andel Institute has chosen renowned movement disorders pioneer Anthony E. Lang, O.C., M.D., RCP, FAAN, FCAHS, FRSC, to receive its 2022 Jay Van Andel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Parkinson’s Disease Research. The award will be presented during Grand Challenges in Parkinson’s Disease, VAI’s flagship annual Parkinson’s disease symposium, Sept. 28–29, 2022.

Dr. Lang is the Jack Clark Chair for Parkinson’s Disease Research at University of Toronto and the director of the Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson’s Disease, the Rossy PSP Program and the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Clinic. He also holds the Lily Safra Chair in Movement Disorders at Toronto Western Hospital. In addition to his research and clinical appointments, Dr. Lang is a past co-editor-in-chief of the prestigious journal Movement Disorders.

Dr. Lang is among the most highly cited researchers in the field of movement disorders. He was a founding member of the Parkinson Study Group, a collaborative network of Parkinson’s clinicians and medical care providers, and a past president of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society, which has more than 11,000 members globally.

His groundbreaking, multifaceted research seeks to understand how movement disorders such as Parkinson’s begin, how they spread in the brain, and how these insights may be translated into treatments that slow or stop disease progression — a feat not possible with existing therapeutic strategies.

“Dr. Lang’s visionary leadership over the years has catalyzed connection and innovation in the fields of Parkinson’s research and treatment,” said Patrik Brundin, M.D., Ph.D., co-chair of the 2022 symposium. “He is an exceptional scientist, whose research addresses the full spectrum of Parkinson’s disease, from diagnosis and biomarkers to disease-modifying therapies. Dr. Lang embodies the spirit of the Jay Van Andel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Parkinson’s Disease Research, and we are thrilled to recognize his countless contributions.”

The award was established in 2012 in memory of VAI Founder Jay Van Andel, who battled Parkinson’s disease for a decade before his death in 2004. The annual award is given to scientists who have made outstanding contributions to Parkinson’s disease research and who have positively impacted human health.

Each year, the Grand Challenges in Parkinson’s Disease symposium and Rallying to the Challenge, a parallel meeting for people with Parkinson’s hosted in partnership with Cure Parkinson’s, bring together scientists, medical professionals and Parkinson’s advocates from across the globe to explore the latest breakthroughs in Parkinson’s research and treatment.

This year’s events, which will offer in-person and virtual attendance options, will highlight recent advances in the development of therapies to slow or stop Parkinson’s progression. They will feature scientific talks by 19 invited speakers, a research poster session and advocacy discussions.

Registration for the 2022 Grand Challenge in Parkinson’s Disease symposium and Rallying to the Challenge meeting is now open and may be completed at grandchallengesinpd.org.