In recognition of World ME Day (May 12) and its commitment to advancing urgently needed biomedical research, Solve M.E., a US-based nonprofit involved in research and advocacy for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, has announced the first recipient of its inaugural ME/CFS Catalyst Award: Dr Akiko Iwasaki, Yale School of Medicine.

Dr Iwasaki will receive targeted funding to accelerate her study, 'Probing Functional Autoantibodies in Patients with ME/CFS'.

"We created the Catalyst Awards to meet a clear need: pushing breakthrough science forward now, not later," said Emily Taylor, Solve M.E president and CEO. "Dr Iwasaki is pursuing a bold, high-potential investigation, and we are honoured to support her work. Our mission is driven by the patient community which has long deserved answers, action and hope. I can't think of a better way to celebrate World ME Day than to demonstrate our commitment to finding treatments and cures for the millions who suffer from this devastating and underfunded disease."