Joe Beckman with wife Tanya at the Discovery Award ceremony in Portland

The MRF Discovery Award recognized Joseph S.Beckman,Ph.D.,a biochemist whose research has led to new understanding about the role of oxidative stress in Lou Gehrig’s disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Dr.Beckman investigates how peroxynitrite,a powerful oxidant formed from nitric oxide and superoxide, is involved in neurodegeneration.

His lab’s long-range goal is to understand how superoxide dismutase causes ALS and to identify drugs and dietary compounds with the potential to treat the disease. (read more)