Erik P. Pioro, M.D., Ph.D., F.R.C.P.C.
Scientific Advisor
Background:
Erik P. Pioro, MD, Phd, FRCPC is the ALS Society of British Columbia (ALSBC) Professor and Chair of ALS Research at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health (DMCBH) at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver. A clinician-scientist specializing in neuromuscular neurology, he focuses on diagnosing and treating ALS and related disorders. His research explores neuroimaging changes and molecular mechanisms of ALS, with additional interests in its genetics and the role of misfolded proteins such as TDP-43.
Significant Contributions and Achievements:
Throughout his career, Dr. Pioro had significantly contributed to ALS patient care, diagnosing over 2,500 cases, leading multiple clinical trials, securing NIH and other research funding, and publishing extensively. At the Cleveland Clinic, he led the Section of ALS & Related Disorders from 2000 and held the Barry Winovich Endowed Chair in ALS Research until 2021. Before joining UBC in March 2024, he was Vice-Chair of Translational Research and Medical Director of the Neuromuscular Division and EMG Laboratory in Northwestern University's Department of Neurology in Chicago, IL.
At UBC, Dr. Pioro is establishing the ALS & Related Disorders (ALSRD) Program at DMCBH, which includes: (1) the multidisciplinary ALSRD Clinic, in collaboration with ALSBC, providing high-quality care to approximately 450 individuals loving with ALSRD in British Columbia; (2) the ALSRD Clinical Trial & Translational Research group, offering experimental treatments and clinical research opportunities; and (3) the ALSRD Basic Research group, focused on studying molecular disease mechanisms.
Education:
Dr. Pioro earned his MD from the University of Calgary and his DPhil (PhD) from the University of Oxford. He trained in anatomic pathology (neuropathology) at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, followed by a postdoctoral research fellowship in Pharmacology & Therapeutics at McGill University. He then completed his neurology residency at McGill, a fellowship in MR spectroscopy at the Montreal Neurologic Institute (MNI), and a neuromuscular/EMG fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH.
