How Advocacy Perspectives Can Improve Neurology Research

Dr. Stephanie Buxhoeveden, PhD, MSN, FNP-BC, MSCN is Chief Scientific Officer of the Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis (ACP), where she leads the organization's research portfolio, including iConquerMS, one of the largest patient-powered research networks in MS. Diagnosed with MS at age 25, she has dedicated her career to advancing research that reflects the priorities, experiences, and needs of people living with neurological disease.

Stephanie's career spans clinical care, research, industry, and nonprofit leadership. She began as a neurosurgical ICU nurse before becoming an MS-certified nurse practitioner and co-director of a comprehensive MS care center in Virginia, where she cared for more than 1,000 people living with MS. She later served as a Medical Science Liaison at Biogen and earned a PhD from Virginia Commonwealth University, where her research focused on sex-based disparities in MS.

Today, Stephanie works at the intersection of patient engagement and scientific discovery, helping researchers, clinicians, industry partners, and advocacy organizations build more patient-centered approaches to research. She also serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the National MS Society's Virginia–West Virginia Chapter, and is a longtime Nursing Consultant and podcast host for Can Do MS.

Dr. Lauren Moore received her BS in Biomedical Physics from Northeastern University and her PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Michigan, where her research focused on preclinical assessment of antisense oligonucleotides for the treatment of Spinocerebellar Ataxia type 3. After completing her PhD, Dr. Moore transitioned into a Scientist position in industry for several years, working towards the development of gene silencing therapies for Hereditary Ataxias and other neurodegenerative diseases. In 2022, she became the first Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of NAF. In her role as CSO, Dr. Moore is responsible for leading NAF’s scientific strategy, engaging with key stakeholders in academia and industry, and expanding patient accessibility and engagement in clinical research. Dr. Moore was inspired to enter the field of Ataxia research following the diagnosis of Ataxia in her own family. She is passionate about advancing Ataxia research and the development of treatments and technologies to impact patients.

Valeria Palladino is the Executive Director of the Epilepsy Association of Edmonton and Northern Alberta (EAENA), formerly known as the Edmonton Epilepsy Association (EEA), where she is dedicated to serving the epilepsy community across Northern Alberta and Canada. With university degrees in education and communication technologies, she brings decades of academic and corporate leadership to her work in advocacy and community engagement.

Valeria is passionate about helping people feel confident in their own skin by increasing understanding of medical conditions, building practical coping strategies, and fostering strong, supportive communities—often where answers have been overlooked or dismissed.

She is passionate about social support and the power of communities. In her spare time, she is an avid reader, a dog lover and a passionate traveller.

Leah Schust Myers has spent her entire career working in health care administration and never imagined she would find a use for her skills in an entirely different way.

From medical secretary to hospital manager and everywhere in between, Leah learned how to manage the needs of large populations within a medical setting. When her son, Ben, was diagnosed with an SCN2A Disorder in 2012, it became abundantly clear how to leverage her 20+ years of experience to help not only her family, but hundreds of others.

In July of 2019, Leah transitioned from her volunteer position as President of the Foundation Board, to a full time Executive Director role. The experience she brings with her, especially from her most recent position as Executive Project Manager for a fortune 500 Healthcare company, is giving the foundation the professional edge to meet the growing needs of the community.

Communication and collaboration being her area of expertise, Leah has been instrumental in forming relationships with clinicians and scientists to advance progress in studying SCN2A and novel treatments. These alliances with researchers and industry leaders have been influential in catapulting SCN2A onto the map of exciting targets to study.