Research in Illinois is funded through National MS Society funds as well as through the Illinois Lottery fund, which was created to disburse the net proceeds of lottery scratch off tickets sold annually.

No matter the source of the funding, all MS research is reviewed by the National MS Society peer review process which selects the most meritorious projects for funding.

2014

• Dr. Ludovic D’Auria, a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Illinois at Chicago, is an expert researcher in the field of lipids. Dr. D’Auria has conducted much research on the interaction of lipids in the membrane and is interested in their role both beneficial and consequential in neuroscience.  He is currently working on his three-year project granted by funds from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. 
• Dr. Alexander Aruin, Professor of Physical Therapy, Bioengineering, and the Director of the Knecht Movement Science Laboratory at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Rush University, Chicago. Rehabilitation research training to enhance functional performance in MS/ Anticipatory postural control in individuals with multiple sclerosis.
• Dr. Bo Fernhall, dean of the Department of the College of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and professor of kinesiology and nutrition, recently discussed his National MS Society grant-funded research project “Exercise, Subclinical Atherosclerosis and Walking Mobility in Multiple Sclerosis.” 

2013

• Deyu Fang, Ph.D. (Northwestern University), studying a new target to reduce disease development and allow natural repair systems to work in MS
• Douglas Feinstein, Ph.D. (University of Illinois - Chicago), investigating a possible new therapy to slow nerve damage and enhance nerve growth and myelin repair, to help restore function in people MS
• Robert Motl, Ph.D. (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), expanding a clinical trial testing the ability of exercise to improve function in people with advanced MS and developing ways to evaluate fitness in people with advanced disability from MS
• Brian Popko, Ph.D. (University of Chicago), aiming to develop new drugs to improve walking in people with MS and for use in imaging studies
• Ian Rice, Ph.D. (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), focusing on promoting physical activity in people with MS who use powered wheelchairs by adding the use of manual wheelchairs
• Jacob Sosnoff, Ph.D. (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), testing strategies to reduce falling in people with MS