The work of Nassim Rad, MD, associate professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the UW School of Medicine and co-director of the ALS Multidisciplinary Clinic at UW Medical Center – Montlake, helped inspire a transformational philanthropic gift that will strengthen a new international partnership focused on motor neuron disease research, clinical collaboration, and education.
A landmark philanthropic gift from Dr. Graham Siddall and Mrs. Brenda Siddall will support a new five-year program bringing together the University of Sheffield (UK) and the University of Washington to accelerate research, strengthen clinical partnerships, and train the next generation of neuroscience researchers and clinicians. The gift will be split equally between the two universities.
The partnership builds on existing connections between the University of Washington and the University of Sheffield, including collaborations with the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), one of the world's leading centers for research into motor neuron disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. At UW Medicine, the collaboration is closely connected to the ALS Multidisciplinary Clinic, where Dr. Rad serves as co-director alongside Michael D. Weiss, MD.
Dr. Rad is among a small number of physicians who combine specialty training in physical medicine and rehabilitation with board certification in neuromuscular medicine. Her clinical work focuses on helping people living with conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), muscular dystrophy, and spinal muscular atrophy through an integrated model that combines neurological and rehabilitation expertise.
Since joining UW Medicine in 2017, Dr. Rad has established UW's first multidisciplinary clinic for patients with spinal muscular atrophy, helped expand care for individuals with neuromuscular conditions, and built collaborations that improve care across the lifespan. She has also been a leader in advancing multidisciplinary care models that bring rehabilitation medicine and neurology together to better support patients and families.
The ALS Multidisciplinary Clinic at UW Medical Center – Montlake was designated an ALS Association Certified Center of Excellence in 2025. The designation recognizes the clinic's team-based approach to care and commitment to improving outcomes for people living with ALS. Led jointly by specialists in rehabilitation medicine and neurology, the clinic brings together physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers, and other experts to provide coordinated, patient-centered care.
The Siddalls' gift will support collaboration between researchers and clinicians in Seattle and Sheffield through shared research projects, academic exchanges, visiting lectureships, and specialized training opportunities. The partnership aims to generate discoveries that can be translated more rapidly into benefits for patients and families affected by neurodegenerative diseases. The universities also expect the initial philanthropic investment to help catalyze larger external research grants in the future.
"This gift will help us advance research in biomarkers, better understand disease progression, and explore opportunities for earlier intervention, with the goal of translating scientific discoveries into meaningful improvements in our patients’ lives as quickly as possible,” said Dr. Rad. “After visiting Sheffield recently, I’m looking forward to deepening our collaboration by combining SITraN’s expertise in motor neuron disease research with UW’s experience in delivering emerging genetic therapies and multidisciplinary clinical care, particularly as we work toward identifying disease earlier and understanding how to best measure treatment response.”
Earlier this year, Dr. Rad received the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine's inaugural "Excellence in Departmental Impact” Award. The award recognizes faculty whose leadership, mentorship, advocacy, and service strengthen the department's mission. Dr. Rad was honored for her contributions to clinical care, education, mentorship, and advocacy for individuals living with neuromuscular conditions.
As the partnership develops, leaders at both institutions anticipate new research collaborations, expanded training opportunities, and discoveries that advance understanding and treatment of motor neuron disease and related neurological conditions.
Learn more
- Read the University of Sheffield announcement: Transformational gift launches international partnership to accelerate motor neuron disease research
- Learn about the ALS Multidisciplinary Clinic at UW Medical Center – Montlake and its designation as an ALS Association Certified Center of Excellence
- Read the clinician profile of Nassim Rad, MD
- Learn more about the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) and its motor neuron disease research programs