Honoring a visionary technologist whose spirit drives innovation to end ALS.
Peter Cohen (1966–2019) — technologist, innovator, and believer in the power of human connection.
The Peter Cohen Foundation bridges patients, research, and technology to accelerate innovation and participation in the fight against ALS. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we power EverythingALS—a platform dedicated to transforming how we understand and combat this devastating disease. Our mission is rooted in the belief that technology, when combined with human compassion, can compress decades of research into years and bring hope to thousands of families waiting for answers.
Peter Cohen was a founding member of Amazon Web Services (AWS), where he pioneered cloud computing infrastructure that would reshape the technological landscape. His vision extended far beyond building systems—he believed technology could solve humanity’s toughest challenges. Peter’s background as a ballet dancer gave him unique insight into the subtle changes in movement and speech. When ALS entered his life, he recognized early symptoms others might have missed and immediately understood the critical importance of genetic studies and data-driven research. His legacy lives in every line of code, every data point collected, and every patient empowered to participate in their own care.
Today, the Peter Cohen Foundation continues Peter’s vision through EverythingALS, leveraging digital biomarkers, home-based participation, and data-driven research to accelerate discoveries. We’re not just collecting data—we’re building trust, fostering community, and proving that patients can be partners in research. Every voice sample analyzed, every algorithm refined, and every milestone reached honors Peter’s belief that technology paired with empathy can change the world.
Whether you’re a patient, researcher, technologist, or supporter, your participation makes a difference. Together, we can accelerate the path to ending ALS.
A cohesive multidisciplinary team united by purpose, innovation, and heart. With expertise spanning neuroscience, design, technology, advocacy, and community, together we are accelerating progress in ALS.
Our board brings together world-class clinicians and researchers who provide strategic scientific guidance, helping drive innovation, strengthen research quality, and expand our global impact in ALS studies.
James Berry is the Winthrop Family Scholar in ALS Sciences, Chief of the Division of ALS and Motor Neuron Diseases, and Director of the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) ALS clinic. He has expanded care beyond the clinic through programs like ALS
House Call and video tele-visits. As Director of the MGH Neurological Clinical Research Institute, he leads national and global trials focused on biomarkers of inflammation, mobile health, and digital phenotyping to
advance ALS therapies while easing patient burden. He also directs the Mass General Brigham Neurodegenerative Clinical Research Fellowship and serves on leadership panels for NEALS and the CDC.
Ernest Fraenkel is the Grover M. Hermann Professor in Health Sciences and Technology at MIT’s Department of Biological Engineering and Associate Member of the Broad Institute. He directs the Fraenkel Lab, which integrates computational and experimental systems‐biology to discover new therapeutic strategies for diseases such as ALS, Huntington’s, glioblastoma, cancer, and diabetes. Dr. Fraenkel earned his A.B. in Chemistry and Physics summa cum laude from Harvard and his Ph.D. in Biology at MIT. His work focuses on reconstructing molecular signaling pathways from multi-omics datasets to identify regulatory mechanisms and potential drug targets.
Lyle Ostrow is Associate Professor of Neurology at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University and a leading neurologist at the MDA/ALS Center of Hope. He directs the ALS Postmortem Research Core in collaboration with the CDC’s National ALS Registry, advancing biomarker discovery and open-access research. A physician-scientist with dual MD and PhD degrees, he completed his training at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Ostrow also chairs the Department of Defense ALS Research Program, overseeing a $40M+ annual budget. He is widely recognized for his clinical leadership, translational research, and commitment to improving care and accelerating therapies for ALS.
A dedicated group of leaders who provide oversight, direction, and vision to advance our efforts in ALS research, technology, and community engagement.
Bill Nuti, after a merger of the foundation he started, CUREALS, with EverythingALS, became Chairman of the combined entity. EverythingALS is a patient-focused non-profit, inspired by Peter Cohen, and part of the foundation that honors his name. EverythingALS leverages technology innovations and data science to support efforts from — care-to-cure – for people effected by ALS, by offering an open data platform for direct engagement with patients, caregivers, researchers, and drug companies.
Our Fellows and Student Ambassadors form a dynamic group of emerging leaders committed to advancing awareness, supporting research, and elevating the voices of people impacted by ALS. Their dedication and fresh perspectives strengthen our mission every day.
Anusha studied Cognitive Science and Computer Science at Johns Hopkins before working as an AI Research Engineer at a generative AI startup. She is now supporting EverythingALS on clinical trial navigation tools, expert education initiatives, and data-driven research. As an aspiring physician, she is passionate about bridging neuroscience, AI, and compassionate care to better support people living with ALS.
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Passionate about research, advocacy, or improving the lives of people impacted by ALS? Our Student Ambassadors are young leaders who bring curiosity, energy, and heart to this work. Sign up below to learn more about how to get involved.
Be part of our community and help make a difference.
Join the Fight Against ALS
Whether you’re a patient, researcher, caregiver, or supporter — your voice matters. Join our growing community to contribute, connect, and make a lasting impact in the ALS journey.
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
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Silviya Bastola holds a foundation in Neuroscience, complemented by postgraduate training in advanced sciences with expertise in project management, research methodologies, and clinical operations. With over four years of experience, she specializes in managing Phase II–IV clinical studies across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices, focusing on Infectious Disease, Vaccines, Rare Diseases, and Neurology (CNS). At EverythingALS, Silviya drives patient-centered innovation, advancing the care-to-cure mission for ALS through digital health tools, research and study design, and app development. Dedicated to transforming healthcare, she strives to enhance accessibility, improve patient outcomes, and accelerate progress through the fusion of biotechnology and clinical research.
Stephanie Henze leads Design, Clinical Research and Innovation Strategy at EverythingALS, bringing over 30 years of global experience in rapid innovation and end-to-end development of first-to-world physical and digital medical products, customer experiences, and regulated processes. With an integrated background in medicine and industrial design, she unites user-centered design with clinical research to accelerate digital biomarker discovery and patient engagement. Stephanie has held leadership roles at McKinsey & Company, LUNAR Design, and Hiemstra Product Development. A graduate of Art Center College of Design, she brings deep expertise in usability, systems thinking, and real-world impact for neurodegenerative disease solutions.
Indu Navar is a silicon valley tech entrepreneur. She is founder and CEO of the Peter Cohen Foundation operating as EverythingALS.org, and EverythingAD.org a nonprofit focused on technology-driven solutions and biomarker discovery for neurological diseases. After losing her husband to ALS in 2019, she dedicated her career to accelerating patient-driven research and digital health innovation. She serves on the board of Global Genes and the advisory board of Answer ALS. Indu was previously MD at Woodside Capital Partners and Founder/CEO of Serus Corporation (acquired by E2Open), with earlier roles at WebMD, Silicon Graphics, and NASA. She holds degrees in engineering and computer science and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Neuroscience at King’s College London.
