AANEM ANNOUNCES 2021 GOLSETH YOUNG INVESTIGATOR AWARD WINNERS

ROCHESTER, MN – October 1, 2021 – The Golseth Young Investigator Award honors AANEM founding member, Dr. James Golseth. It is presented annually to a medical student or physician in the early stages of their career for original research in NM and EDX medicine. Both a winner and a runner-up were selected for 2021. Both will be recognized at the 2021 Annual Meeting in Aurora, Colorado on October 13-16, 2021.

Winner: Jonathan Morena, MD

Title: Characteristics of Triple Seronegative Myasthenia Gravis: A Single Center Experience

Dr. Morena and his team intended their research to further clarify the clinical characteristics of triple seronegative MG patients. They created a retrospective study on all patients who were diagnosed with MG at the Ohio State University Medical Center within a 10-year period. “Most studies that exist on the topic of the seronegative population have been performed prior to the discovery of LRP4 antibodies,” states Dr. Morena. “We felt it was important to better understand the triple seronegative population to prevent delay in diagnosis, misdiagnosis, unnecessary testing and unnecessary treatments.” This study also allowed them to analyze the impact of thymectomy in these patients.

Dr. Morena says he is “beyond honored to win this award.” He has many mentors to thank, including Drs. Freimer, Segal, Elsheikh, Arnold, Hoyle, LoRusso, Kolb, and Quick. “I would also like to thank my parents,” he adds. “I would not have been able to follow my passions if it weren’t for their support.”

Dr. Morena completed his undergraduate training at the Ohio State University. He went on to complete his medical degree at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. He has returned to Ohio State where he is currently a PGY4 neurology resident. Dr. Morena will be honored with the Golseth Award in person at the 2021 Annual Meeting in Aurora, Colorado. “I am very excited to attend the upcoming annual conference in person,” Dr. Morena says. “I look forward to meeting the renowned neuromuscular physicians in the field whom I have looked up to. I am also looking forward to learning more about the amazing projects currently going on in our field.”

Runner-up: Coreen Schwartzlow, MD

Title: Inflammation in Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy

Dr. Schwartzlow’s retrospective review demonstrated that inflammation was commonly seen in a University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) cohort of patients with immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM). The study found heterogeneity in the subtype of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) and identified avenues for further research as more is discovered about IIM.

“I am passionate about advancing the current knowledge base of IIM,” shares Dr. Schwartzlow. “This includes underlying mechanisms and subsequent impact on the clinco-seropathologic features with particular attention to implications on response to treatment and quality of life.” 

Dr. Schwartzlow began her career as an electrical engineer after graduating from the University of Arizona in Tucson. She attended medical school at the same University 11-years later and completed her medical degree.

“I would like to thank my coauthor on this manuscript, Dr. Nozaki,” says Dr. Schwartzlow. “He has had a significant influence in my overall development and invested in me as my fellowship director.” Dr. Schwartzlow has many mentors, colleagues, and friends to thank for their support over the course of her career. She says she is honored to be awarded as the runner-up for the Golseth, especially while she is furthering her professional aspirations while studying a field she cares deeply for. 

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About AANEM

The American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) is a nonprofit membership association dedicated to the advancement of neuromuscular (NM), musculoskeletal (MSK), and electrodiagnostic (EDX) medicine. For more information about AANEM, visit www.aanem.org or find us on Facebook and Twitter.