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Muscular Dystrophy Association Names Angela Lek as Vice President for Research
New York, NY – November 3, 2021. The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has announced the appointment of Angela Lek, PhD, as Vice President for Research, reporting to Chief Research Officer Sharon Hesterlee, PhD. Lek will work closely with Hesterlee to oversee MDA's research grants program, including MDA Venture Philanthropy, the annual MDA Clinical and Scientific Conference and new research initiatives related to de-risking drug development for unmet needs in the neuromuscular space.
"We are thrilled to have Angela join us at MDA," said Hesterlee. "She brings a wealth of experience in muscle disease research and a passion for the neuromuscular space."
Lek was most recently a Research Scientist at Yale University. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Dr. Louis Kunkel's laboratory at Boston Children's Hospital as an MDA Development Grant awardee. Angela and her spouse (Dr. Monkol Lek) have decided to dedicate their careers to advancing the diagnosis, understanding and treatment options for neuromuscular diseases. Their passion stems from Monkol's diagnosis with Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (LGMD) Type 2G, and their involvement with MDA in their home country of Australia.
"I look forward to making a real-world impact on neuromuscular disease research through my new role at MDA," said Lek. "We are entering an exciting era where therapeutic options are now being tested for many neuromuscular diseases. In my new role, I am excited to identify and support cutting-edge research in the field - facilitating their translation into the clinic in partnership with medical, industry, and regulatory partners."
About the Muscular Dystrophy Association
For 70 years, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has been committed to transforming the lives of people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases. We do this through innovations in science and innovations in care. As the largest source of funding for neuromuscular disease research outside of the federal government, MDA has committed more than $1 billion since our inception to accelerate the discovery of therapies and cures. Research we have supported is directly linked to life-changing therapies across multiple neuromuscular diseases. MDA's MOVR is the first and only data hub that aggregates clinical, genetic, and patient-reported data for multiple neuromuscular diseases to improve health outcomes and accelerate drug development. MDA supports the largest network of multidisciplinary clinics providing best-in-class care at more than 150 of the nation's top medical institutions. Our Resource Center serves the community with one-on-one specialized support, and we offer educational conferences, events, and materials for families and healthcare providers. MDA Advocacy supports equal access for our community, and each year thousands of children and young adults learn vital life skills and gain independence at summer camp and through recreational programs, at no cost to families. During the COVID-19 pandemic, MDA continues to produce virtual events and programming to support our community when in-person events and activities are not possible. MDA’s COVID-19 guidelines and virtual events are posted at mda.org/COVID19. For more information, visit mda.org.
