Dr. Suzanne Vernon and the CFIDS Association of
America
I was very excited when I heard the CFIDS Association
of America was looking for a Scientific Director. While it’s seems that
we’re on the cusp of something in the research field it’s also clear that
the opportunities the field presents are not being matched by the work done
in it – the amount of ME/CFS research
being done still remains very low. It’s obvious we need someone who can
effectively communicate those opportunities to the medical establishment.
Given the controversy ME/CFS
raises, though, I wondered what kind of hearing the CAA’s
search was getting. This is, after all, not the subject for someone who’s
primarily concerned with prestige or security. It’s the kind of subject that
independent people who desire to make a difference are interested in. I’d
assumed we’d get a smart, young and idealistic researcher. Instead we have
Dr. Suzanne Vernon, an innovative researcher with a long track record
joining the fray.
Dr. Vernon has an outstanding resume. During the eleven
years she worked on ME/CFS at the CDC she
lead the effort to develop gene expression technology and apply to it to ME/CFS.
During that time she co-authored almost 50 papers. She co-lead the most
extensive attempt yet to understand ME/CFS
which culminated in the publication of the 14 Pharmacogenomic’s papers.
Throughout her work on ME/CFS she’s been
on the cutting edge of research technology. She’s one of the top researchers
in the field.
Now she’s left the prestige and security of the CDC
after 17 years to join a small national support and advocacy group.
Why would she make such a dramatic
career change? Why embark on such an uncertain course? I really don’t know.
I suspect that part of it, though, is that, as with many other professionals
working in this field who could have taken easier and more lucrative paths,
that she’s gotten ‘hooked’ by ME/CFS and
that she sees a chance to make a real difference.
As someone who’s intensely followed ME/CFS
research over the past five years I was excited (and somewhat amazed) that
the CAA
was able to nab someone of Dr Vernon’s caliber. The CAA
deserves credit for taking on this bold new research initiative and for
offering the kind of opportunity a researcher of her caliber would embrace.
Of course Dr. Vernon’s background at the CDC will give
some pause. I hope, though, that those with worries can give her a chance as
she takes off her old hat, ‘ME/CFS CDC
researcher’, and puts on her new one, ‘ME/CFS
Advocate’. (What a transition that is!) Dr.
Vernon’s charge is to promote ME/CFS
research but she’ll be communicating with the patient community as well.
She has agreed to an interview. I
don’t know what she’ll say but I’m sure it’ll be interesting.
Cort Johnson
