NEW ORLEANS -- Tulane gene therapy researcher Leena Ala-Kokko recently received the Anders Jahre Prize for medical research done by younger medical researchers in the Nordic countries. This award, named for a Norwegian entrepreneur philanthropist, recognizes Ala-Kokko for her contributions to understanding the genetic factors contributing to a number of diseases. The award was presented at a gala ceremony in Oslo on October 11.

Ala-Kokko has studied musculoskeletal diseases and collagen-related diseases, including osteoarthritis. Using these findings, she has developed a number of diagnostic DNA tests, many of which are unique tools to aid clinicians.

Ala-Kokko is the first Tulane faculty member to receive this award, which recognizes outstanding scientists in the five Nordic countries. It is the highest honor next to the Nobel Prize that can be awarded to a Scandinavian scientist.

Ala-Kokko was born in Oulu, Finland and received her MD and PhD degrees from the University of Oulu, Finland. Dr. Ala-Kokko joined the faculty at the Tulane Center for Gene Therapy as an associate professor of medicine in 2000 and was recently promoted to full professor. Ala-Kokko still maintains an active research and teaching program at the University of Oulu in Finland. Ala-Kokko is a recipient of the Arthritis Foundationýs prestigious Osteoarthritis Biomarkers Biomedical Science Grant and research grants from the National Institute of Health and the Marfan's Association.