Charcot Award Winner, Dr Henry McFarland, is currently chief of the Neuroimmunology Branch of National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), USA.

MSIF's International Medical and Scientific Board has selected Dr Henry McFarland as the winner for the 2003 Charcot Award for a lifetime achievement in MS research. The Award was presented at the Berlin Conference in September 2003 where Dr McFarland also gave the Charcot Lecture, entitled "The Changing Face of MS".

As one of the world’s leading neuroimmunologists, Dr McFarland has made outstanding contributions to the understanding of MS and has conducted research in the areas of neurovirology, immunology, genetics, clinical trials and imaging. He was instrumental in the development of MSIF's major research project, the Sylvia Lawry Centre for MS Research.

Beyond his own personal research efforts, Dr McFarland has also trained many young researchers from all over the world and is a significant, and dedicated volunteer for the US National MS Society and has served on MSIF's International Medical and Scientific Board. At the National MS Society, he has served as a member of both a postdoctoral fellowship evaluation committee, a research grant peer review committee and as member and chair of the Society’s most senior scientific advisory group, the Research Programs Advisory Committee. He is currently chair of the Society’s Advisory Committee on Clinical Trials of New Agents in MS, and has had a major role in that group’s efforts to shape clinical research policy, including participating in the revision of MS diagnostic criteria. Dr. McFarland currently serves as a member of the National MS Society’s Board of Directors. He has served as well as a long-standing volunteer for the Society’s chapter in his community, the National Capital chapter, serving on its board, as chair of its clinic advisory committee and in other capacities.

Few have devoted as much of their career to ending the devastating effects of MS; few have made as significant scientific contributions to the field; few have combined these professional achievements with a dedication to the concerns and issues of the voluntary health agencies that represent the needs of people with MS and their families worldwide.*

* Dr Stephen Reingold, Vice President, Research Programs, National MS Society, USA speaking of Dr McFarland’s contribution to MS research.