Margarida D. Amaral, PhD, Joins Emily’s Entourage Scientific Advisory Board

Dr. Amaral’s career has been dedicated to understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of cystic fibrosis (CF) and how to effectively translate this knowledge to benefit patients

Lower Merion, PA — December 21, 2022 — Emily’s Entourage (EE), an innovative 501(c)3 foundation that accelerates research for new treatments and a cure for the final 10% of people with cystic fibrosis (CF), including those with nonsense mutations, today announced the addition of Margarida D. Amaral, PhD, to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). EE’s SAB brings together top researchers, clinicians, and health industry leaders, including some of the most respected names in CF research and care. The SAB plays a critical role in supporting EE’s mission of accelerating research and drug development for the final 10% of people with CF.

For over 20 years, Dr. Amaral’s research career has been dedicated to the basic and translational research of CF. The overall goal of her research is to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms of CF and how to effectively translate this knowledge to benefit patients. To date, Dr. Amaral has authored more than 170 international papers.

“Developing breakthroughs for CF starts with understanding this complex disease at the most fundamental level. Dr. Amaral has spent her career working to better understand — and leverage — the pathology of the disease,” said Chandra Ghose, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at Emily’s Entourage. “ Dr. Amaral’s expertise in rare and nonsense mutation research will be an impactful addition to our SAB.”

Dr. Amaral is currently a Full Professor of Biochemistry/Molecular Biology at the Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisboa (Portugal) and Group Leader at the Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute (BioISl). Dr. Amaral is an alumna of European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and of the Gulbenkian Institute of Science. Dr. Amaral has received multiple awards, including the Pfizer-SCML Award for Basic Biomedical Research and the Annual Award of the European Cystic Fibrosis Society.

“I am thrilled to be able to serve on Emily’s Entourage’s Scientific Advisory Board,” said Dr. Amaral. “Together, we can work toward developing innovative treatments for the entire CF community.”

Dr. Amaral joins the following members on the Scientific Advisory Board:

David M. Bedwell, PhD
Jennifer Bomberger, PhD
Kevin Foskett, PhD (board chair)
Denis Hadjiliadis, MD
Patrick Harrison, PhD
Batsheva Kerem, PhD
Maria Limberis, PhD
Jennifer Taylor-Cousar, MD, MSCS, ATSF
Ted J. Torphy, PhD
David B. Weiner, PhD

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About Emily’s Entourage

Emily’s Entourage is an innovative 501(c)3 that accelerates research for new treatments and a cure for individuals in the final 10% of the cystic fibrosis (CF) population that does not benefit from currently available mutation-targeted therapies, including those with nonsense mutations of CF. Since 2011, Emily’s Entourage has awarded millions of dollars in research grants, launched a now-acquired CF gene therapy company, developed a patient registry and clinical trial matchmaking program to accelerate clinical trial recruitment, and led worldwide efforts to drive high-impact research and drug development. The organization has been featured in national media, including the New York Times, STAT, CNN, People, and more. Learn more at emilysentourage.org.

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