Fred Fisher Excellence in Research Award

Jone López-Erauskin, PhD receiving Fred Fish Research in Excellence Award.

The Fred Fisher Excellence in Research Award is a $25,000 annual award honoring the extraordinary legacy of Fred Fisher, MSW, LCSW, President Emeritus of the ALS Network, and his transformative leadership within the ALS community.

This award recognizes exceptional scientific leadership and supports researchers whose work has the potential to advance progress toward effective treatments — and ultimately a cure — for ALS.

Honoring Fred Fisher’s Legacy

During his tenure as President and CEO of the ALS Network, Fred Fisher championed a bold and enduring belief: that meaningful progress in curing ALS begins with early, strategic investment in people and ideas capable of redefining what is possible.

His commitment to high-impact research helped shape the ALS Network’s longstanding focus on:

  • Scientific innovation

  • Cross-disciplinary collaboration

  • Research excellence

  • Investing in emerging scientific leaders

The Fred Fisher Excellence in Research Award continues this vision by recognizing scientists whose work reflects these same values and aspirations.

Fred Fisher Champions (500 X 800 Px)

Inaugural Award Recipient

The ALS Network is proud to honor Jone López-Erauskin, PhD, of UC San Diego, as the inaugural recipient of the Fred Fisher Excellence in Research Award for 2026.

Dr. López-Erauskin exemplifies the spirit of this honor through:

  • Exceptional scientific rigor

  • Innovative and creative research approaches

  • A deep commitment to advancing ALS science

  • Meaningful engagement with the ALS community

Her work represents the type of groundbreaking research that the award seeks to encourage and support.