## Breadcrumb - [Home](/) - [About Us](/about-us) - [Leadership](/about-us/leadership) ## Breadcrumb - [Home](/) - [About Us](/about-us) - [Leadership](/about-us/leadership) # James Beck, PhD ![James Beck, Senior Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer](/sites/default/files/styles/470x550/public/images/jamesbeck.jpg?h=04e82f97&itok=7vkMKNSN) Executive Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer ## James Beck, PhD As Chief Scientific Officer, James Beck, PhD, sets the strategic direction for the Parkinson’s Foundation research vision. Dr. Beck oversees a portfolio that has guided more than $400 million in research to explore what causes Parkinson’s disease (PD) and how to improve treatments. With the goal of enhancing care and advancing research toward a cure to create a world without PD, Dr. Beck has played an integral role in positioning the organization as a leader in accelerating Parkinson’s research. Dr. Beck launched [PD GENEration: Mapping the Future of Parkinson's Disease](/advancing-research/our-research/pdgeneration "PD GENEration: Powered by the Parkinson’s Foundation"), an international study started by the Parkinson’s Foundation in 2019 that offers genetic testing for Parkinson’s-related genes and genetic counseling at no cost for participants with a confirmed PD diagnosis. This [innovative study](https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/147/8/2668/7716154) is directly accelerating precision medicine clinical trials for Parkinson’s while also advancing research and care. Additionally, he led the team that provided the first updated estimate of [prevalence](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41531-018-0058-0) and [incidence](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41531-022-00410-y) of PD in the U.S. in nearly 50 years and collaborated with several organizations to ascertain the [economic burden](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41531-020-0117-1) of Parkinson’s disease and investigate [access to care](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41531-023-00523-y) for people with Parkinson’s. This current and relevant public health data on Parkinson’s was a critical influence on the passage of [The National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act](/blog/awareness/national-parkinsons-project "The Latest on The National Parkinson's Project"). ![Dr. Beck, John Lehr and Christiana Evers at Georgia Senator Johny Isakson's office](/sites/default/files/styles/380x361/public/images/james-beck-ga-senator-office_0.jpg?itok=axoq3N5R) During his tenure, Dr. Beck has worked directly with those living with Parkinson’s to identify and support research of relevance to the PD community. While patient engagement is now seen as the standard, his initial efforts to drive research that reflects the input of the Parkinson’s community was entirely novel. Dr. Beck is firmly committed to ensure that efforts to improve care and advance research continue to reflect the needs and priorities of those living with Parkinson’s to create better lives for the those living with PD. In addition, he has greatly increased the organization’s impact in the PD community by: - Becoming the first PD organization to include people with Parkinson’s disease in the research review process - Tripling the number of applicants for the research grants program - Becoming the first PD organization with an open-access policy, encouraging broad data sharing including access to published Foundation-funded research to accelerate our understanding of PD - Launching *[npj Parkinson’s Disease](/advancing-research/our-research/npj-parkinsons-journal "npj Parkinson's Journal")*, an international open-access journal devoted to publishing the most important scientific advances in Parkinson's research - Acting as co-chair of [Parkinson's Disease Gene Curation Expert Panel](https://clinicalgenome.org/affiliation/40079/), the first ClinGen working group for neurodegenerative diseases in adults - Serving on the Roundtable on Genomics and Precision Health organized by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine ![Dr. Beck at the Parkinson's Foundation Centers of Excellence Leadership Conference](/sites/default/files/styles/380x361/public/images/james-beck-speaker.jpg?itok=zR-sJAlI) Dr. Beck has been published in multiple leading journals including *npj Parkinson’s Disease*, *Neurology*, *Movement Disorders*, *Journal of Parkinson’s Disease*, *Parkinsonism & Related Disorders*, *Genetics in Medicine*, and *Brain* among others. He is currently an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience and Physiology at the New York University School of Medicine. He holds a BS from Duke University and a PhD from the University of Washington, Seattle. [DOWNLOAD HEADSHOT](https://www.parkinson.org/sites/default/files/images/JamesBeck-highres.jpg) ### Media Requests If you are a member of the media and would like to interview Dr. Beck, please contact Melissa Nobles Gonzalez, Public Relations Manager, at 305-537-9134 or **.** ## In The News In The News ### [ Parkinson’s Foundation Invests $5 Million to Accelerate Parkinson’s Disease Research ](https://news.fundsforngos.org/2026/07/15/parkinsons-foundation-invests-5-million-to-accelerate-parkinsons-disease-research/) Funds For NGOs July 13, 2026 The Parkinson’s Foundation has announced an additional $5 million investment to advance Parkinson’s disease research, supporting scientists working to better understand the condition, develop new treatments and identify ways to reduce environmental risks linked to the disease. [ Learn more ](https://news.fundsforngos.org/2026/07/15/parkinsons-foundation-invests-5-million-to-accelerate-parkinsons-disease-research/) In The News ### [ Streamlining Genetic Screening and Recruitment for an LRRK2-Targeted Parkinson Disease Trial: James Beck, PhD ](https://www.neurologylive.com/view/streamlining-genetic-screening-recruitment-lrrk2-targeted-pd-trial-james-beck) Neurology Live June 25, 2026 In Parkinson's disease, growing interest in genetically informed therapeutics has heightened the need for efficient identification and engagement of patients who may benefit from targeted clinical trials. Parkinson's Foundation Chief Scientific Officer, James Beck, PhD, discusses how the Parkinson's Foundation PD Trial Navigator program helps to identify individuals with PD who may be eligible for studies, like the phase 2 NEULARK study. [ Learn more ](https://www.neurologylive.com/view/streamlining-genetic-screening-recruitment-lrrk2-targeted-pd-trial-james-beck) In The News ### [ New PD Trial Navigator program flags thousands for NEULARK study ](https://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/news/new-pd-trial-navigator-program-flags-neulark-study-participants/) Parkinson's News Today June 3, 2026 More than 2,000 potential participants have been identified for screening in a Parkinson’s clinical trial, thanks to the Parkinson’s Foundation‘s PD Trial Navigator matching program. [ Learn more ](https://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/news/new-pd-trial-navigator-program-flags-neulark-study-participants/) In The News ### [ Expanding Access to Parkinson Disease Research Through At-Home Genetic Testing ](https://www.neurologylive.com/view/expanding-access-parkinson-disease-research-through-at-home-genetic-testing) Neurology Live May 13, 2026 James Beck, PhD, of the Parkinson’s Foundation, and Ben Casavant, PhD, of Tasso discuss new PD GENEration findings, the growing role of genetic testing in Parkinson disease, and how at-home blood collection may expand participation in neurologic research. [ Learn more ](https://www.neurologylive.com/view/expanding-access-parkinson-disease-research-through-at-home-genetic-testing) In The News ### [ Meet the Cleveland scientists working to reverse Parkinson’s disease ](https://thelandcle.org/stories/meet-the-cleveland-scientists-working-to-reverse-parkinsons-disease/) The Land (Cleveland, OH) March 23, 2026 A team at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) School of Medicine has created a protein, called CS2 for short, that helps in mice, human cells and human tissues to undo a brain malfunction behind the progressively debilitating disease. Foundation Chief Scientific Officer, James Beck, PhD, is quoted. [ Learn more ](https://thelandcle.org/stories/meet-the-cleveland-scientists-working-to-reverse-parkinsons-disease/) In The News ### [ Illuminating Genetic Insights in Parkinson Disease Through PD GENEration ](https://www.neurologylive.com/view/illuminating-genetic-insights-parkinson-disease-through-pd-generation-james-beck) Neurology Live April 30, 2025 Neurology Live interviews Parkinson’s Foundation Chief Scientific Officer Dr. James Beck, PhD, about how broad genetic testing through PD GENEration is uncovering valuable prognostic and diagnostic insights in Parkinson disease during the 2025 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting. [ Learn more ](https://www.neurologylive.com/view/illuminating-genetic-insights-parkinson-disease-through-pd-generation-james-beck) In The News ### [ Expanding Access to Whole Genome Sequencing in Parkinson Research: James Beck, PhD ](https://www.neurologylive.com/view/expanding-access-whole-genome-sequencing-parkinson-research-james-beck) Neurology Live April 17, 2025 Parkinson’s Foundation Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. James Beck, PhD, is interviewed about the Foundation’s efforts to integrate whole genome sequencing into PD GENEration and expand access across diverse global populations during the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting (AAN). [ Learn more ](https://www.neurologylive.com/view/expanding-access-whole-genome-sequencing-parkinson-research-james-beck) In The News ### [ Early Symptoms of Parkinson’s Experts Want You to Know and When to See a Doctor ](https://www.womansworld.com/wellness/early-symptoms-of-parkinsons-disease-you-shouldnt-ignore) Woman’s World January 15, 2025 Parkinson’s Foundation Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. James Beck, is interviewed about how to recognize early signs of Parkinson’s disease (PD), spotlighting motor and non-motor symptoms that can appear first. Dr. Beck also highlights how PD can appear differently in men and women and how to best go about seeking treatment. [ Learn more ](https://www.womansworld.com/wellness/early-symptoms-of-parkinsons-disease-you-shouldnt-ignore) In The News ### [ Football players, boxers at higher risk of developing Parkinson’s ](https://www.newsnationnow.com/morninginamerica/football-players-boxers-at-higher-risk-of-developing-parkinsons-doctor-morning-in-america/) September 25, 2024 NewsNation - Morning in America Former NFL MVP Brett Favre revealed his Parkinson’s diagnosis during a Tuesday House hearing about a Mississippi welfare scandal. Doctors are warning of football and other physical sports leading to the development of Parkinson’s. [ Learn more ](https://www.newsnationnow.com/morninginamerica/football-players-boxers-at-higher-risk-of-developing-parkinsons-doctor-morning-in-america/) In The News ### [ Higher-than-expected rate of gene mutations seen in Parkinson's patients ](https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/higher-than-expected-rate-gene-mutations-seen-parkinsons-patients-2024-07-30/) Reuters July 30, 2024 Parkinson’s Foundation Chief Scientific Officer James Beck is interviewed about the implications of the most recent results of the Foundation’s PD GENEration (PD GENE) study, published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Brain. [ Learn more ](https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/higher-than-expected-rate-gene-mutations-seen-parkinsons-patients-2024-07-30/) In The News ### [ Major Shift in the Clinical Definition of Parkinson's Triggers Debate ](https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/major-shift-clinical-definition-parkinsons-triggers-debate-2024a1000cv1) Medscape July 12, 2024 Parkinson’s Foundation Chief Scientific Officer Dr. James Beck, PhD, offers expert commentary on a proposed shift from a clinical to a biological definition of PD following recent advances in the detection of misfolded and aggregated alpha-synuclein protein, proposed by international research groups. [ Learn more ](https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/major-shift-clinical-definition-parkinsons-triggers-debate-2024a1000cv1) In The News ### [ What is Parkinson’s disease — and why is it so hard to diagnose? ](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/parkinsons-disease-cause-symptoms-diagnosis?utm_source=headtopics&utm_medium=news&utm_campaign=2024-07-10) National Geographic July 10, 2024 The cause of the neurological disorder — marked by uncontrollable movements — remains elusive. Yet experts say we may be entering the golden years of Parkinson’s disease (PD) research. Parkinson’s Foundation Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. James Beck, PhD, is quoted for his expertise, discussing PD research milestones and the challenges ahead. [ Learn more ](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/parkinsons-disease-cause-symptoms-diagnosis?utm_source=headtopics&utm_medium=news&utm_campaign=2024-07-10) In The News ### [ Using a Blood Collection Device to Advance Genetic Research in Parkinson Disease: James Beck, PhD & Ben Casavant, PhD ](https://www.neurologylive.com/view/using-blood-collection-device-advance-genetic-research-pd-james-beck-casavant) Neurology Live May 3, 2024 Parkinson’s Foundation Chief Scientific Officer James Beck, PhD, and Tasso Chief Executive Officer Ben Casavant, discuss the recently announced partnership to expand and accelerate genetic research in Parkinson’s disease during this long-format interview. [ Learn more ](https://www.neurologylive.com/view/using-blood-collection-device-advance-genetic-research-pd-james-beck-casavant) ## Videos Featuring Dr. Beck ![Photo of Dr. Beck in front of blue background with black text that reads "Neuro Talk: Parkinson's Disease Statistics"](/sites/default/files/styles/820x460/public/images/neurotalkpdstatistics.png?h=42ab2369&itok=Ggw1kUTZ) ![Headshot of Dr. Beck in front of blue background with black text that reads "Neuro Talk: Top Findings from the Parkinson's Outcomes Project"](/sites/default/files/styles/820x460/public/images/neurotalk_thumbnail_pop.png?h=42ab2369&itok=sTGp0w9n) Previous Next ## Latest Tweets by the Research Team - Share on Facebook - Share on X - Share on LinkedIn