DSRTF Announces Appointment of New Executive Director Chris Rose

PALO ALTO, CA--(Marketwire - July 06, 2010) - The Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation (DSRTF) today announced the appointment of Chris Rose as the foundation’s new Executive Director. Chris will fill the top leadership position in the organization following Dr. Michael Harpold’s decision to focus full time on the foundation’s expanding research program.

Chris joins DSRTF, a leader in funding biomedical research that will accelerate the development of treatments to significantly improve cognition for individuals with Down syndrome, at an exciting time for the organization. With the identification of five drug targets, the viability of its founding premise has become apparent. Cognition research holds great promise for those with Down syndrome, increasing the ability of individuals with Down syndrome to live independently, to be gainfully employed and to be fully integrated in their communities.

“The promising results of the research DSRTF has funded to-date confirm the organization’s commitment to its mission, the viability of the DSRTF research model and the tremendous opportunity for expanded funding for compelling Down syndrome cognitive research,” states Chris. “With a focus on cognition research, grounding in hard science and utilization of a multi-disciplinary, collaborative approach, DSRTF has a realistic opportunity to deliver a breakthrough for the Down syndrome community. I am excited to work with Dr. Harpold and lead DSRTF through the next stage of its important mission to open up opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome.”

Chris comes to DSRTF after successfully transitioning to the nonprofit sector after holding leadership positions in both large and early stage technology companies. Most recently he served as the Executive Director of the nationally acclaimed Meth Project where his responsibility for strategic fund development, program oversight and partner development expanded the Project’s activities from Montana, the first state to deploy the large-scale methamphetamine prevention program, to seven additional states.

Prior to the Meth Project, Chris served as an executive with a number of public and private technology companies, with responsibility for sales, business development and corporate development. His broad experience in these roles offer DSRTF the ability to develop the stable, sustainable revenue required to bring the organization closer to its goal of identifying therapies to improve the cognitive abilities of individuals with Down syndrome and maintain its leadership in the field of Down syndrome cognition research.

“Chris is an exceptionally talented person who has the energy, focus, vision and leadership skills to elevate DSRTF and its mission,” said Vince Randazzo, DSRTF’s Board President. “I am excited that he has agreed to be the chief public champion for DSRTF’s mission, which has come a long way under Dr. Michael Harpold’s leadership.”

As Executive Director of DSRTF, Chris will work closely with Dr. Harpold in his role as Chief Scientific Officer and Na’eem Salaam, Director of Finance and Operations. Dr. Harpold has been instrumental in developing and executing a research strategy that has moved research from the discovery phase toward the clinical phase at a pace unprecedented in this field. Dr. Harpold will continue to drive the organization’s research agenda and lead the DSRTF’s world-class Scientific Advisory Board.

The DSRTF Board of Directors is delighted to have Chris Rose at the helm of the organization at a time when both researchers and the general public are becoming increasingly aware that research advances over the next decade will enable a wider range of opportunities for people with Down syndrome.

About DSRTF: The Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation (DSRTF) is a national nonprofit focused on stimulating biomedical research that will accelerate the development of treatments to improve significantly cognition for individuals with Down syndrome. The foundation seeks a world in which people with Down syndrome are fully included in academic and social environments and where they can live independently as adults, if they so choose.