UAlbany’s RNA Institute to Receive $160,000 from the Muscular Dystrophy Association

Left to right: Tammy Reid, research and development manager and Berglund lab manager at the RNA Institute; John Cleary, assistant director of research at the RNA Institute; Sheila Seery, vice president of government and community relations; Andy Berglund, director of the RNA Institute; UAlbany President Havidán Rodríguez with wife, Rosy Rodríguez; Jibin Abraham Punnoose, postdoctoral associate at the RNA Institute. Photo by Sangeetha Selvam, science communication specialist at the RNA Institute.
Left to right: Jeremy Logue, research collaborator formerly mentored by Andy Berglund who is now at Albany Medical College, with wife Liz Logue; Sheila Seery; Andy Berglund; Havidán Rodríguez; Rosy Rodríguez; Sangeetha Selvam with husband Jibin Abraham Punnoose; Tammy Reid and John Cleary.
Left to right: Andy Berglund, Havidán Rodríguez, Rosy Rodríguez. Photo by Sangeetha Selvam
Andy Berglund delivered remarks at the event, highlighting research progress in the field of muscular dystrophy research.
Andy Berglund delivered remarks at the event, highlighting research progress in the field of muscular dystrophy research.
UAlbany Head Football Coach Greg Gattuso delivered remarks at the event.

ALBANY, N.Y. (July 11, 2023) — The University at Albany’s RNA Institute in the College of Arts and Sciences will receive a gift of $160,000 from the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). The funds were raised at the MDA’s annual “All That Jazz” gala, held last month at the Glen Sanders Mansion in Scotia and will support RNA Institute research investigating muscular dystrophies.

The RNA Institute Director Andy Berglund and UAlbany Head Football Coach Greg Gattuso delivered remarks at the event.

“We at the RNA Institute are so grateful for the tremendous community support that helps make our research possible,” said Berglund, professor of biological sciences. “The funds raised by the Genzano family, who are longtime supporters of the institute, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association will have a major impact on our myotonic dystrophy research program and support the development of potential therapies and the next generation of researchers in the field.”

Coach Gattuso collaborates with the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Mohawk Valley Challengers — a local organization for youth athletes with special needs — to organize an annual flag football and cheerleading event at UAlbany’s Casey Stadium.

“Partnering with MDA and the Challengers has been an incredible experience for our players and coaches,” Gattuso said. “The experience of our players giving back to this community has been priceless for all involved. The annual ‘MDA Challengers Game’ with the UAlbany Great Dane football team has been a major success and we are proud to be involved.”

The RNA Institute researchers also helped staff the gala event. Volunteers included Asmer Aliyeva, Sawyer Hicks and Porama Hoque – all graduate students working in the Berglund lab, as well as Research Support Specialist Claudia Lennon.

Watch News Channel 13 (WNYT) coverage of the event here.