Meet one of our 2025 Short Term, High-Priority Grant Recipients, Samuel Carrell, MD, PhD! Dr. Samuel Carrell's scientific and clinical focus has been directed toward myotonic dystrophy since his PhD at the University of Rochester, where he studied DMPK reduction in mouse models. His work contributed to understanding the cardiac risks of DMPK reduction, supporting the therapeutic potential of antisense oligonucleotide therapies. Dr. Carrell also developed methods for measuring toxic CUG repeat RNA and investigating allele-selective targeting.

After completing his neurology residency and neuromuscular fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania, he worked on gene therapy for myotonic dystrophy. Now a junior faculty member at Virginia Commonwealth University, he aims to explore clinical variability in DM1 and advance therapeutic approaches and is working on the project “Identifying Genetic Sources of Disease Variability in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1”. Dr. Carrell intends to establish a strong platform for his career as an independent physician-scientist, working to improve the understanding and care of individuals with myotonic dystrophy.

Click here to learn more about MDF's research funding opportunities and prior grant recipients.