Dr Kristen Krysko, a Canadian neurologist, researcher and clinician, is the winner of the Rachel Horne Prize for Women’s Research in MS in recognition of her outstanding research into how best to guide and treat women with MS during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Dr Krysko is a neurologist at the BARLO MS Centre at St. Michael’s Hospital and an assistant professor at the University of Toronto in Canada.
Her work includes how to optimise treatment strategies, and understanding the safety of MS therapies before and during pregnancy and postpartum while breastfeeding. Her research has also focused on the increased risk and prevalence of peripartum mental illness in mothers with MS.
This year the annual award honours an early to mid-career female scientist for her exceptional contribution to women’s health research in MS.
“We are delighted to celebrate Dr Kristen Krysko as this year’s Rachel Horne Prize winner,” said Dr Marwa Kaisey, chair of International Women in MS, the organisation which oversees the review and judging process.
“Her pioneering research on women’s health in MS, especially around pregnancy and childbirth, is already shaping how we counsel and care for women with MS, with the potential to transform quality of life for countless families. Recognising rising stars like Dr Krysko is vital to the future of our field and underscores the importance of continued investment in MS research to improve the lives of those with MS.”
Dr Krysko will receive the award at the 41st Congress of the European Committee for Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) in Barcelona, Spain, on 26 September 2025.
“I am truly honoured to receive the Rachel Horne Prize 2025,” said Dr Krysko. “As an early career researcher and clinician, recognition of my work in women’s health and MS is deeply meaningful both professionally and personally. This award inspires me to continue expanding my research in pregnancy and other areas of women’s health in MS.”
Award founder Rachel Horne said: “This year we wanted to reward a ‘rising star’ in the MS scientific community. Dr Krysko is a perfect fit for this international prize. Not only is she an outstanding clinician scientist, but she has already made important advances to women’s health research in MS so early in her career.”
The US$40,000 prize, to be used at the discretion of the recipient, is made possible by the generosity of the Horne Family Charitable Fund.
EDITOR’S NOTES
ABOUT DR KRISTEN KRYSKO
Dr Krysko completed her neurology residency at the University of Toronto, followed by a clinical research fellowship in MS and a Master’s degree in Advanced Study in Clinical Research at the University of California San Francisco, supported by a Sylvia Lawry Physician Fellowship Award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (2017-2020).
She has written editorials and commentaries related to women’s health issues in MS and has contributed to publications including in Lancet Neurology, Neurology, and the MS Journal.
Dr Krysko has been an invited speaker on pregnancy and MS at international conferences and alliance meetings.
ABOUT THE RACHEL HORNE PRIZE FOR WOMEN’S RESEARCH IN MS
The Rachel Horne Prize recognises a woman scientist for their outstanding contribution to research in the understanding and treatment of women’s health issues in MS. Established in 2023, the international prize of US$40,000 is judged through International Women in MS (www.iwims.world) and supported by the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS www.ectrims.eu) and the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (www.actrims.org).
ABOUT MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
MS is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Currently there is no cure, but treatments are available. An estimated 2.9 million people live with MS in the world. It is usually diagnosed between the ages of 20-50, with women three times more often affected compared to men. MS symptoms vary from numbness, tingling, vision, cognitive and mobility challenges.
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