The Children’s Tumor Foundation’s Friedrich von Recklinghausen Award is given to individuals in the professional neurofibromatosis community who have made significant contributions to neurofibromatosis research or clinical care. It is named after Friedrich Daniel von Recklinghausen (1833-1910), the German physician who first described ‘von Recklinghausen’s disease’ – what we now know as neurofibromatosis type 1.
With great pleasure, the Children’s Tumor Foundation announces the recipient of the 2022 Friedrich von Recknghausen Award, Jaishri O’Neill Blakeley, MD.
Dr. Blakeley is a Professor in Neurology, Oncology and Neurosurgery (Neuro-oncology) at Johns Hopkins University, Director of the Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Neurofibromatosis Center, and Director of the Neurofibromatosis Therapeutic Acceleration Program (NTAP) which she co-founded in 2012 to dramatically shift the landscape of NF1 clinical care via necessary, efficient and expert discovery, translational and clinical research.
Dr. Blakeley has been one of the most significant thought leaders in the NF field for many years, notably in clinical trial design and outcome measures in both REiNS and the NF Clinical Trials Consortium, as well as having made important contributions to the DHART SPORE program. Overall, Dr. Blakeley has made significant contributions to our understanding of all forms of NF: NF1, NF2-related schwannomatosis, and schwannomatosis and through her involvement with all funding entities of NF, Dr. Blakeley has established herself as a model of collaboration, which has been transformative for the community.
Of additional significance is her tireless efforts to support the development of junior investigators through the Francis Collins Award, underscoring her commitment to mentorship and training which is second to no one. And, of course, Dr. Blakeley is deeply respected and loved by her patients, to whom she is totally dedicated, treating not just the patient but the person.
The Children’s Tumor Foundation, along with her colleagues and peers, is proud and thrilled to recognize Dr. Blakeley with the 2022 Friedrich von Recklinghausen Award, not only for her many outstanding achievements over her years in the field but also for her dedicated efforts in supporting the entire NF community. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Blakeley for this well-deserved honor.
