Research
Dr. James G. Colson, Children's Hearts Fund Research Director, spent years narrowing down the etymology of PLE the disease and finding those pockets of individuals around the world that were running simultaneous research. He instituted the first PLE Symposium in 1999 bringing together researchers around the globe to share their findings and move forward towards a common goal. (Reference the tab section 2003 Symposium Update)
Out of this Symposium, he discovered an individual with the interest and commitment to curing this disease. Dr. Hudson Freeze, Burnham institute has been the most responsive and to date, our most exciting link to finding the cause of this disease. Dr. Freeze biography and his research summaries are noted in the Current Research Section of this website.
The year 2006 brought the passing of Dr. James G. Colson, and forced us to form a Scientific Review Board in his absence. With research at the core of our Mission it was imperative that we create a vehicle for evaluating our process for curing PLE and evaluating the research proposals that are submitted to us.
This review board consists of premier members of the Buffalo research community that guide our efforts in awarding funding to research applications, establishing the protocol for research, and monitoring the outcomes.
The following members make up the Childrens Hearts Fund Scientific Advisory Board:
Jean-Michel Roland, M.D Pediatric Cardiology
Jane Griffin, PhD Hauptman-Woodward Institute - Principal Research Scientist, Associate Professor of Structural Biology, SUNY ? Buffalo
Norma Nowak, PhD, Director of Science and Technology
New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics & Life Sciences
M.K. Gaedeke Roland Kaleida Health - Associate General Counsel for Corporate administration.
Beth Griffiths, Ph. D Interim co-director of Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo Foundation, Office of Health Research.
M. Steven Piver, M.D Gynecological Oncology- Obstetrics and Gynecology- Specialty Center for Women CHS
In addition the following founders of the Children's Hearts Fund:
Thomas J. Colson, Esq.
Nina Colson
Kathleen A. Colson
Terri Colson
James G. Colson, Ph. D. (1998-2005)
As we press forward with funding researchers to uncover the cause and cure for PLE, we can rely on this team of people to evaluate the proposals for legitimacy, evaluate the progress of the funded research and make sure that research monies are being spent in the best way possible.
Our progress will always be described in this ?Research? section. Its intended to keep you informed of where your dollars are being spent and to communicate progress to the PLE families. These updates are vital to them.