The 16th annual ALS Network Research Summit (formerly the California ALS Research Summit) brought together over 200 researchers, clinicians, biotech representatives, government officials, partner organizations, and advocates in ALS and related fields. Held in Pasadena, January 22-24, 2026, the Research Summit showcased dynamic presentations and discussions on cutting-edge topics, including:
- Proteomic biomarkers for ALS: diagnostic and prognostic insights
- Gene therapy
- Advanced models of ALS
- Precision medicine approaches
- Clinical trial and industry updates including examining infectious and inflammatory mechanisms
Nearly 40 guest speakers led special lectures, panel discussions, and scientific presentations, representing institutions across California, Hawaii, the U.S., and beyond.
On the final day, we honored the 2026 Barber ALS Research Award winners:
- He Lilian Gao, University of California San Diego
- Briana Ondatje, Barrow Neurological Institute
- Yuri Stanislav Tsitkov, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Each awardee received $1,000 and a commemorative memento, celebrating their outstanding Summit poster presentations. The awards, presented annually by the Barber Family and the ALS Network, reflect Jim Barber’s commitment to fostering early-career researchers and advancing scientific collaboration.
Additionally, Jone López-Erauskin, PhD, of UC San Diego, was recognized as the first recipient of the Fred Fisher Excellence in Research Award. This new honor celebrates the legacy of Fred Fisher, MSW, LCSW, President Emeritus of the ALS Network, whose leadership and dedication helped shape the organization’s focus on bold, high-impact research.
In the weeks ahead, our next ASK ME educational webinar, hosted by ALS Network President & CEO Sheri Strahl, will share additional outcomes from the Summit and highlight emerging scientific advances, clinical updates, and the momentum shaping the next generation of ALS therapies.
Please join us virtually on Thursday, February 26 for ASK ME: ALS Research and Care in 2026 at 5:00 PM PST / 3:00 PM HST. You will hear from the following speakers:
- Clive Svendsen, PhD, Chair, ALS Network Research Advisory Committee; Professor and Executive Director, Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, Cedars-Sinai RMI
- Sarah Dougherty, PhD, Senior Director of Research, ALS Network
- Steve Finkbeiner, MD, PhD, Director, Center for Systems and Therapeutics & Taube/Koret Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Gladstone Institutes; Professor, Departments of Neurology and Physiology, University of California, San Francisco
- Martina Wiedau, MD, Regional Co-Chair, ALS Network Research Summit; Co-Director, Assistant Professor, Neurology Member, Brain Research, Institute Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, UCLA