The great unforgettable Prof. David Begley PhD passed away last July 6, 2023. Though his physical presence is no longer with us, his unwavering spirit and enthusiasm continue to inspire and drive our organization forward.
As planned with Prof. Begley just before his passing, the Brains for Brain Foundation remains steadfastly committed to fostering research among young scientists. The foundation is particularly focused on encouraging these researchers to unravel the pathophysiology of Lysosomal Diseases’ neuronopathic phenotypes and search for therapies that can cross the blood-brain barrier – a cause that was dear to David’s heart.
In honour of Prof. Begley’s remarkable legacy and contributions, the Brains for Brain Foundation has established the prestigious David Begley Award. It is with great pleasure that we announce the inaugural recipient of this award, Ms. Chloé Dias, an outstanding PhD student in Prof. Jerome Ausseil’s lab at the University of Toulouse, France.
Ms. Dias was recognized for her groundbreaking work on “Microglia-derived extracellular vesicles promote neuropathology in Sanfilippo Syndrome,” which was presented at the 17th Symposium on Mucopolysaccharidosis and Related Diseases, which took place from April 4-7, 2024 in Würzburg, Germany, and that was aimed at discussing the latest information about MPS and related lysosomal storage.
The Brains for Brain Foundation extends its heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Chloé Dias, a promising young researcher who exemplifies the spirit of innovation and dedication that defined Prof. David Begley’s legacy. We are confident that her work will continue to inspire and propel the field of Mucopolysaccharidosis research forward, honouring the memory of our dear friend and colleague.
As we move forward without Prof. Begley’s physical presence, we are resolved to carry on his vision and ensure that the Brains for Brain Foundation remains a beacon of hope and a driving force in the pursuit of treatments and cures for Lysosomal Diseases. Through initiatives like the David Begley Award, we will continue to nurture the next generation of researchers and innovators, empowering them to follow in David’s footsteps and make a lasting impact on the world.