The Neuromuscular Medicine Research Division

The Neuromuscular Medicine Division at UMass Chan Medical School and UMass Memorial Health was established in 1982, under the guidance of David Chad, MD, professor of neurology. Dr. Chad partnered with the established Worcester Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) clinic, operating out of St. Vincent’s Hospital by co-directing monthly sessions to meet patients and facilitate services, under the direction of Dr. Norman Biesaw. In 1989, Dr. Chad assumed directorship of the MDA clinic and relocated the program to the UMass campus. In 2005, the clinic became the 32nd MDA-ALS Center in the United States. Dr. Chad shared clinic leadership with pulmonary medicine physicians, Dr. Richard Irwin, and Dr. Mark Wilson; the center’s success was supported by the extraordinary oversight from nurse practitioners, Cindy French and Jodi Reale Wilson. 

The Neuromuscular Medicine Division and centers were directed by Dr. Chad for 26 years before leadership transitioned to Robert Brown, MD, DPhil, professor of neurology, and world-renowned scientist, in 2008. Dr. Brown, known for his significant research discoveries related to ALS gene mutations, joined UMass as the Department of Neurology chair, and director of Neuromuscular Medicine. His leadership and innovation expanded clinical and translational science research initiatives. With his vision, the Department of Neurology increased the number of PhD researchers focusing on translational research solutions. 

The directorship of the Neuromuscular Medicine Division was passed to Lawrence Hayward, MD, PhD, professor of neurology, in 2022. Dr. Hayward joined UMass in 2000 and has provided treatment care for patients with muscular dystrophy disease and neuromuscular disorders at UMass for over 25 years. His research specializes in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), managed through the FSHD clinic, and the UMass Wellstone Center. Dr. Chad shared, “During my time at UMass, Dr. Hayward conducted cutting-edge research into channelopathies and ALS and was an inspired mentor to several post-docs and neurology residents.” The Neuromuscular Medicine Division continues to train and prepare physicians and neuroscientists who desire to specialize in neuromuscular disease through our Neurology Residency and Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship programs. 

The Neuromuscular Medicine and ALS Clinic and Research Centers are directed by Margaret “Ayo” Owegi, MD, assistant professor and experienced clinical trialist specializing in neuromuscular disorders, primarily focusing on ALS. Dr. Owegi was recruited to join the UMass community in 2014 by Dr. Brown, after completing her fellowship training at Johns Hopkins University. She joined Dr. Brown's neuromuscular and ALS clinical research teams. Dr. Owegi shares, her clinical research interests focus on, “finding therapies to slow down the disease and improve patient outcomes, while waiting for a cure.” 

Dr. Owegi treats patients diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, muscular dystrophy, myopathy, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), peripheral neuropathy, diabetic neuropathy, and genetic causes. She is interested in expanding the clinical trial base established in neuromuscular medicine to include collaborating with the UMass gene therapy center. She aims to advance treatment options by improving patient outcomes through groundbreaking research to shape the future of therapeutic innovations in neurology. 

Shiv Bhadola, MD, assistant professor and investigator in the neuromuscular research center specializes in the diagnosis and management of neuromuscular disorders with a particular focus on myasthenia gravis, neuropathy, myopathy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and amyloidosis while his research interests include immune-mediated neuropathies, neuromuscular junction disorders, quality improvement, and health policy. Dr Bhadola joined the neuromuscular medicine research team in 2024. 

Eleonora D'Ambrosio, MD, assistant professor, medical director of translational institute for molecular therapeutics (TiMT), and neuromuscular medicine specialist for neurodegenerative diseases, focuses on developing gene therapies from the research bench to the patient bedside through the TiMT at UMass Chan since 2024. Her research and clinical expertise focus on treating genetic neuromuscular diseases, rare diseases, gene therapy, and ALS through translational science and patient care. 

The neuromuscular medicine research team has developed and launched two new websites over the past year to support online communication for patients and health care professionals. The ALS Clinic and Research Center, and the Neuromuscular Medicine Clinic and Research Center join our existing neuromuscular programs, the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) Program and the UMass Wellstone Center, with an online presence. These new sites are valuable resources for patients and increase community awareness of the provided services. This year, community members have joined to support neuromuscular and ALS research endeavors by submitting donations through the new websites. 

The neuromuscular clinical research center at UMass Chan Medical School is devoted to testing innovative therapies for patients with neuromuscular and rare genetic disorders. Through a collaborative effort of experienced clinical research experts and clinical trialists, the team continue to excel at meeting the highest standards of clinical research to ensure studies are completed efficiently and properly, while ensuring the needs of the research participants are always a top priority.  

Catherine Douthwright, PhD, is an assistant professor and director of the neuromuscular clinical research program. She oversees the planning, execution, and management of neuromuscular clinical trials, working closely with cross-functional teams across the campus to ensure smooth and compliant study operations. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Douthwright brings extensive knowledge of FDA and GCP requirements and has implemented best practices to support regulatory compliance. She is also passionate about mentoring new coordinators and fostering collaboration across departments to advance clinical research. 

Reylyn Tanchiatco, clinical research coordinator, joined the neuromuscular team in 2023. She manages the clinical trial research with patients after their pre-screening sessions are complete. Reylyn shares, “Being a support for patients challenged with the complexities of neuromuscular disease requires adaptable, quick-thinking responses to support the needs of those they serve when unexpected situations arise.” Her connection with patients has inspired her to apply for medical school. 

Sheryl Kelley, MPH, clinical research coordinator, joined the neuromuscular research team in 2024 after a lengthy career analyzing efficacy and finance data relating to human subject research. With a desire to work directly with patients, she transitioned into a role as a research coordinator. She enjoys her time with patients in an atmosphere fostering hope. Sheryl coordinates and manages neuromuscular observational studies for diseases such as Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD), and a gene therapy trial for Adreno myeloneuropathy (AMN). Sheryl appreciates the mentorship she receives from Drs. Owegi, Brown, and Hayward; and benefits from the simplified explanations shared with patients relating to the complexities of the diseases. Sheryl shares, “I feel grateful to work directly with patients towards alleviating their suffering.”   

Tyler Mola, clinical research coordinator, joined the neuromuscular research team in 2025. Tyler previously supported the Sena-Esteves Lab in neurology and will support the translational institute for molecular therapeutics (TiMT) clinical trials and FSHD studies.