Myriam Rai
Name: Myriam Rai
Title: PhD Since 2002, I have been working at the Experimental Neurology Laboratory at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) in Brussels, Belgium. I am currently starting my new job with FARA as a Director of Global Relations and Initiatives.
What got you interested in FA research? My journey in FA started with Massimo Pandalfo. After spending an hour in his office, I remember leaving with the original reprint of the Science paper describing the GAA repeat expansion in FA. The next morning I decided to go for a PhD on FA. I was quickly introduced to the FA community: scientists, clinicians, advocacies, and of course persons living with FA.
What do you see as your primary responsibility as the Director of Global Relations & Initiatives? I was always impressed by FARA’s work: the scientific conferences, the fundraising activities, the grant management… When Jen Farmer and I discussed the opportunity to work together for a global approach towards a cure for FA I realized the challenge to putting together more synergy but overall, its value. My primary responsibility will be developing relationships with non-US key stakeholders: scientists, clinicians, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, patient advocacy organizations and government agencies. I hope to help to advance FARA’s research priorities on a global scale and accelerate research towards a cure for FA.