Scientific Chief in Life-style Medication and Mentor Bastiaan Bloem, MD, PhD, Awarded 2025 Robert A. Pritzker Prize

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) awarded the 2025 Robert A. Pritzker Prize for Leadership in Parkinson’s Research to Bastiaan (Bas) Bloem, MD, PhD, professor of motion dysfunction neurology and director of the Center of Expertise for Parkinson’s Disease at Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. 

The Pritzker Prize acknowledges researchers who make distinctive contributions to Parkinson’s illness (PD) analysis and reveal a robust dedication to mentoring the subsequent era of Parkinson’s scientists. 

Bloem is being honored for his pioneering work advancing holistic, person-centered care and analysis, and for his dedication to collaboration that continues to form the worldwide Parkinson’s group. 

“Professor Bloem has long championed a holistic approach to treating the person, not just the disease,” mentioned Brian Fiske, PhD, Chief Scientist at MJFF. “He’s shown through rigorous research that lifestyle, creativity, and community are essential parts of therapy. His leadership in building collaborative networks and mentoring the next generation has created a legacy that will guide the field for years to come.” 

Fiske offered the award to Bloem throughout MJFF’s Fall 2025 Research Roundtable in New York City, held along side the Foundation’s annual gala. The occasion introduced collectively folks and households residing with Parkinson’s, together with scientists and trade companions, to debate the Foundation’s analysis priorities and up to date scientific progress. 

Over the previous 20 years, Bloem has change into a world chief in Parkinson’s care and analysis. His research have proven that non-drug approaches reminiscent of cardio train, mindfulness, and inventive engagement, can enhance mind well being and should even gradual illness development. His Park-in-Shape trial demonstrated how home-based train can improve mind plasticity and protect perform, whereas his ongoing Slow-SPEED research, supported partly by MJFF, is exploring whether or not early-stage train can delay or stop signs. 

Bloem additionally leads the Personalized Parkinson Project (PPP), a long-term research monitoring greater than 600 people with Parkinson’s to advance digital, imaging, and organic biomarkers. In partnership with MJFF’s landmark research, the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), PPP helps determine new illness mechanisms and potential drug targets to hurry the event of remedies. 

In addition to his scientific achievements, Bloem is internationally acknowledged for founding ParkinsonInternet, a community of greater than 4,000 specifically skilled allied well being professionals who ship coordinated, evidence-based Parkinson’s care throughout the Netherlands. The mannequin has improved outcomes, lowered problems like hip fractures, and impressed comparable programs worldwide. 

“Receiving the Robert A. Pritzker Award for Leadership in Parkinson’s Research is an incredible honor and a powerful motivation to keep moving forward,” mentioned Professor Bloem. “Our goal has always been to do everything alongside people with Parkinson’s and to keep pushing the boundaries of science, care, and creativity until Parkinson’s stops.” 

The Robert A. Pritzker Prize for Leadership in Parkinson’s Research was established in 2011 by Karen Pritzker and her late husband, Michael Vlock, to honor Karen’s father, Robert A. Pritzker, a famend industrialist and philanthropist who lived with Parkinson’s. The prize features a $200,000 analysis grant and is awarded yearly by MJFF’s Scientific Advisory Board. 

Past recipients embody Dario Alessi, PhD; J. Timothy Greenamyre, MD, PhD; Glenda Margaret Halliday, PhD; Caroline Tanner, MD, PhD; and Claudio Soto, PhD. 

The award sculpture, designed by artist and Parkinson’s affected person Tom Shannon, was offered on the Foundation’s annual Research Roundtable in New York City.