Dr. Nicole Russo-Ponsaran Awarded “Young Investigator” by the National Fragile X Foundation

By Camaree Turman

Congratulations to RNBC’s Associate Research Director Nicole Russo-Ponsaran, PhD, on being honored with the Young Investigator Award by the National Fragile X Foundation. Russo-Ponsaran received the award at the 13th International Fragile X Conference held in Miami, July 27–29, 2012.

A total of ten Young Investigator Awards were given at the conference.  Awardees were selected based on the recommendation of the basic science members of the Fragile X Foundation’s Scientific & Clinical Advisory Committee.

In addition to receiving her award, Russo-Ponsaran presented research analyzing the effectiveness of using the Pediatric Anxiety Rating Scale (PARS), Revised in assessing anxiety, a core feature of fragile X syndrome. Russo-Ponsaran supervised Rush University Medical Center (RUMC) student Jessica Yesensky BA, on this project. The project also included collaborators Elizabeth Berry-Kravis MD PhD from RUMC and David Hessl PhD from the UC Davis MIND Institute. The scale was administered to parents of 49 children and adults with fragile X syndrome at RUMC and the MIND Institute. The study found the scale was a feasible, valid, and reproducible measure of clinically-relevant anxiety in fragile X syndrome.

Russo-Ponsaran obtained her PhD in Neuroscience from Northwestern University. In addition to her research on fragile X syndrome, Russo-Ponsaran’s areas of expertise include autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and language-based learning problems.

Revised: August 6th, 2012
July 3rd, 2012