Mary Chapman,  features writer—

Mary graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in journalism. She began her career at United Press International, then spent a decade reporting for the Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (now Bloomberg Industry Group). Mary has written extensively for The New York Times, and her work has appeared in publications such as Time, Newsweek, Fortune, and the Chicago Tribune. She’s won a Society of Professional Journalists award for outstanding reporting.

Articles by Mary Chapman

ALS scholarship program to help students who have lost parents

The nonprofit organization ALS Northwest has partnered with the Oregon State Treasury to establish a college scholarship program through the state-administered Oregon College Savings Plan for students who have lost parents or guardians to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS Northwest will administer the Elinore Nudelman ALS College…

4th annual MLB Lou Gehrig Day now on deck for June 2

The fourth annual Major League Baseball (MLB) Lou Gehrig Day takes place on June 2, a date set aside to pay tribute to the legendary New York Yankees first baseman whose career was halted by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) will again play…

Documentary about I AM ALS seeks to inspire, raise awareness

A new documentary about I AM ALS and the “revolutionary movement” begun by the organization’s founders — which will stream globally on May 28 — is seeking to advance awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative disorders while inspiring others to fight for change. Called “For…

Columbia gets $15M to design gene therapies for rare ALS forms

Columbia University researchers will use a $15 million federal grant to design individualized gene therapies for nine people with ultra-rare genetic forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The three-year grant comes from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s (NINDS) Ultra-rare Gene-based Therapy (URGenT) Network, a program…

It’s year 70 for ‘Fill the Boot’ MDA fundraisers nationwide

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is marking its seven-decade partnership with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) with this year’s launch of Fill the Boot, a nationwide yearlong fundraising campaign supporting research, care, and advocacy for people with neuromuscular disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Association conference features living with ALS as part of program

A conference in July will feature “diverse perspectives,” including patient presentations and discussions featuring people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) along with clinical and research experts. That’s according to the ALS Association, which said its inaugural ALS Nexus Conference will be held July 14-17 at the Gaylord Texan Resort &…

EverythingALS launches AI platform to accelerate ALS research

EverythingALS has introduced a platform aimed at advancing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning — with the ultimate goal of eradicating the disease and restoring lost motor function to those with ALS and other neurodegenerative disorders. The collaborative and technology-enabled platform, dubbed…

Advancing brain-computer interfaces is new collaboration’s aim

Researchers at Mass General Brigham have started an effort to develop brain-computer interfaces (BCI) for people with neurological diseases or brain injuries, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). BCI technologies rely on a person’s unique brain signaling patterns to interpret their intentions, then use that information to control a device…