Tyler Nelson, PhD, of the Rajesh Khanna Laboratory, was awarded the prestigious American Neuromuscular Foundation (ANF) President’s Research Initiative Award at the 2025 American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine Conference.
Tyler Nelson, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Florida, was recently honored with the prestigious President’s Research Initiative Award at the 2025 American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) Annual Meeting in San Francisco. This award, presented by the American Neuromuscular Foundation (ANF), recognizes outstanding research abstracts that address critical topics in neuromuscular medicine and are selected by the AANEM President.
Dr. Nelson received the award for his abstract titled “Mouse Models of Non‑Dystrophic and Dystrophic Myotonia Exhibit Nociplastic Pain‑Like Behaviors.” His research explores how muscle hyperexcitability in myotonia can lead to persistent pain-like behaviors in the absence of nerve injury or inflammation. Using mouse models, Nelson demonstrated that a single episode of myotonic muscle overactivity can trigger prolonged hypersensitivity to touch and temperature. These findings suggest that muscle activity itself may be a key driver of nociplastic pain, offering new avenues for non-opioid therapeutic strategies.
Dr. Nelson’s personal connection to myotonic disorders adds a deeply human dimension to his scientific work. His commitment to understanding and alleviating the pain associated with these disorders exemplifies the power of patient-centered research. As he prepares to present his findings at the AANEM Annual Meeting, Nelson’s work stands as a testament to the University of Florida’s growing impact in neuromuscular and pain research.
Congratulations to Dr. Tyler Nelson on this well-deserved recognition. His dedication, insight, and innovative contributions continue to elevate the field of pain research and embody the values of excellence and impact that define the University of Florida’s research community.