National leaders in genetic autism research available for interviews during World Autism Awareness Month

NEW YORK, April 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- April is World Autism Awareness Month (WAAM). SPARK for Autism (Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge), a landmark genetic research project, is spreading the word about the importance of autism research and recruiting more individuals and families to participate. SPARK's scientific leadership is available for interviews.

WHAT: SPARK for Autism is the nation's largest genetic study of autism ever.

WHO: SPARK's scientific leadership:

Wendy Chung, M.D., Ph.D., Principal Investigator of SPARK. Dr. Chung's TED Talk on autism's multiple, interlocking causes has been viewed over 2.5 million times. She is also the director of the clinical genetics program at Columbia University.
Pamela Feliciano, Ph.D., Scientific Director of SPARK. Dr. Feliciano is a geneticist who has previously worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering and as the senior editor of Nature Genetics. She is also the parent of a child with ASD.

WHEN: April, World Autism Awareness Month, and throughout the year

WHY: SPARK is accelerating autism research and expanding our understanding of this common but complicated condition. One in 68 people is affected by autism, but we have a long way to go when it comes to identifying its causes and developing more effective treatments. Drs. Chung and Feliciano can provide expert scientific perspective on what we know about:

Autism and genes
The need for more genetic research about autism
The wide-ranging causes and presentations of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism and gender (women and girls)
Scientific advances in our understanding of ASD and the future of this research
And any other related topics

CONTACT: To schedule an interview with Drs. Chung and/or Feliciano, please contact Amy Lebowitz (Health Unlimited, for SPARK for Autism) at [email protected] or 212-886-2231.

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-leaders-in-genetic-autism-research-available-for-interviews-during-world-autism-awareness-month-300623480.html

SOURCE SPARK for Autism

Latest Press Release on Mental Health News

Brave Healer Productions Releases Volume 2 of Holistic Mental Health: Calm, Clear and In Control for the Rest of Your Life

BETHESDA, Md. , April 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 57 million American adults live with a mental health issue whether it be anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD or bipolar disease...

Hilinski's Hope and Athletes for Hope Partner for First Athlete Mental Health Week, May 4-11 2024

During Mental Health Awareness Month, the two organizations seek to bring conversations about mental health to the forefront for athletes at every level NEW YORK , April 18,...

New Study Finds Continuing Pervasive Disparities in Access to In-Network Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Out-of-network use much higher for behavioral health care than medical care, with greater financial burden for patients RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. , April 17, 2024 /PRNewswir...

Nanalan' partners with CMHA for Mental Health Week to highlight the power of compassion

The partnership emphasizes the healing benefits of compassion and its ability to connect us all TORONTO , April 15, 2024 /CNW/ - Popular children's show Nanalan' , is teamin...

Cognito Launches All-in-One Mental Health Treatment in Ontario

Following success in BC, Cognito brings its all-in-one mental health treatment to Ontario offering virtual therapy, medication and an integrated care team in one easy subscription. ...