MDA Research Momentum Award: Łukasz Sznajder Named Inaugural Recipient

In a press release, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) announced that Łukasz Sznajder, PhD, MSc, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, has been named the first recipient of its new MDA Research Momentum Award. The release frames the honor as a new form of recognition for early-career investigators whose research is positioned to shape neuromuscular disease science. MDA leadership also describes the award as recognizing emerging leaders and reflecting a commitment to investing in scientists at a pivotal career stage.

As described in the release, the MDA Research Momentum Award is aimed at “rising scientists” who are within five years of their first faculty appointment. MDA characterizes the award as recognizing promise reflected in scientific originality, developing leadership, and meaningful engagement with the neuromuscular research community. Sharon Hesterlee, PhD, MDA’s President and CEO, is quoted as saying the award reflects a commitment to investing in both current breakthroughs and the scientists expected to drive the next generation of discovery, while also emphasizing a goal of building a more collaborative future for neuromuscular research.

The release says Sznajder is being recognized for molecular genetics work focused on mechanisms underlying neuromuscular and neuropsychiatric disorders, including myotonic dystrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), among others. It states that his research focus is oriented toward advancing new targeted therapeutic approaches. In a quoted statement, Sznajder says that MDA support enabled work including development of new models to study disease biology and therapeutic approaches, identification of previously missing components of disease mechanisms, and discovery of novel disease biomarkers. Across these descriptions, the throughline highlighted is a molecular-genetic approach to disease mechanisms coupled with model and biomarker development.

MDA also describes factors beyond technical innovation as part of its selection rationale. The release states that Sznajder has shown momentum toward independent leadership through collaboration, mentorship, and participation in MDA-supported programs and initiatives that MDA says strengthen the neuromuscular research ecosystem. It further notes that his work draws on nearly two decades of research conducted in the United States and Poland, and summarizes his publication and funding history in broad terms. Angela Lek, PhD, MDA’s Chief Research Officer, is quoted describing early-career investigators as drivers of advances in neuromuscular research and framing the award as recognition of scientists whose innovation, leadership, and engagement “signal lasting impact.”

The press release says the award will be presented during the 2026 MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference, scheduled for March 8–11, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. It positions the new award as complementary to the MDA Legacy Awards, which it describes as recognizing established leaders in clinical research and community impact, and it links both award programs to the conference’s role as a platform for recognition and collaboration. In its conference overview, MDA reports prior-year participation figures (including attendance and session-track counts) and lists sponsor categories with named industry sponsors for the 2026 meeting. The presentation of the inaugural Research Momentum Award is described as part of this broader conference programming and recognition context.

Key Takeaways:

• The release reports that MDA named Łukasz Sznajder, PhD, MSc, as the inaugural recipient of its new Research Momentum Award.
• The release describes the award as recognizing rising early-career investigators (within five years of a first faculty appointment) for originality, emerging leadership, and engagement with the neuromuscular research community.
• The release notes the award is slated for presentation at the 2026 conference in Orlando, Florida, on March 8–11, 2026.