Our Team

David Walk - male with gray hair wearing a blue shirt and sweater

David Walk, MD, FAAN
ALS Research Program Director
ALS Neurologist and Medical Director
Head, Neuromuscular Division
Department of Neurology

Dr. Walk is a clinician-scientist focused on real-world impacts of the diagnosis and treatment of ALS and PLS. The ALS Clinical Research Program harnesses the world-class experts of the University of Minnesota and applies their skills to ALS research. The ALS Clinical Research Program has made contributions to the field that have been presented at international and national conferences, and our collaborations around the world help make the ALS Clinical Research Program at the University of Minnesota a leader in ALS clinical care and research.

Faculty collaborators at the University of Minnesota have included:

Sang-Hyun Oh, PhD
International Institute for Biosensing

Mark Fiecas, PhD
Biostatistics & Health Data Science

Christophe Lenglet, PhD
Gulin Oz, PhD
Pramod Pisharady, PhD
Center for Magnetic Resonance Research

Marija Cvetanovic, PhD
Institute for Translational Neuroscience and Stem Cell Institute

Danni Li, PhD
Advanced Research and Diagnostic Laboratory

ALS Research Team

Valerie Ferment headshot - female with blond short hair wearing a black blazer.

Valérie Ferment, MS, CCRP
Clinical Research Manager

Amanda Rueter's headshot - female with medium brown hair wearing a striped blazer.

Amanda Rueter, PhD
Program Manager

Julia Munoz - female with dark brown hair wearing a black blouse.

Julia Muñoz
Clinical Research Coordinator

Mia Freiberg - female with dark brown and teal hair with glasses wearing and orange blouse and black sweater.

Mia Freiberg
Clinical Research Coordinator

Cat Kokoul - female with blond hair wearing a blue shirt and black sweater.

Cat Koukol, CCRC
Clinical Research Coordinator

Claire Mavis - woman with straight blond hair and a striped sweater.

Claire Mavis, MA
Clinical Research Coordinator

ALS Clinical Team

Dr. David Walk - male with gray hair wearing a blue shirt and sweater.

David Walk, MD, FAAN
Neurologist - Medical Director

Dr. Georgios Manousakis - male with grayish black hair and glasses wearing a tan shirt.

Dr. Georgios Manousakis, MD, FAAN
Neurologist 

Pitcha Chompoopong - female with reddish brown hair wearing a tan shirt and tan blazer.

Dr. Pitcha Chompoopong, MD
Neurologist 

Dr. Bimaje Akpa - male with dark short hair wearing a purple shirt and purple tie.

Dr. Bimaje Akpa, MD
Pulmonologist 

Tami Schroeher - woman with brown hair wearing a black shirt.

Tami Schroeher, DPT
Physical Therapist 

 

Kari Nystul - woman with reddish brown hair wearing a white shirt and brown cardigan.

Kari Nystul, MSW, LICSW
Social Worker 

Kelly Brock - woman with straight brown hair wearing a tan sweater.

Kelly Brock, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist

Irma Frlj - woman with straight brown hair wearing a tan sweater.

Irma Frlj, RD
Clinical Dietitian

Kelsey Lenhart - woman with brown wavy hair.

Kelsey Lenhart, LCGC
Genetic Counselor 

 

Sara Puchalla - woman with wavy brown hair wearing a striped shirt.

Sara Puchalla, PharmD, BCACP
Pharmacist

Corrie Libby - woman with wavy light blond hear wearing a black sweater.

Corrie Libby
ALS Association Liaison 

Kate Nilson - woman with short brown hair wearing a black shirt and white cardigan.

Kate Nilson, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist 

Pam Sandin - woman with light brown hair with blond highlights, smiling at camera.

Pam Sandin
Nurse Clinic Coordinator