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research dossier

Tisch Multiple Sclerosis Research Center of New York Inc
New York, NY · EIN 251922851 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE H48 · Medical Research · Large ($10M-$50M) · tischms.org
revenue
$10.4M
expenses
$10.7M
net assets
$15.2M
employees
43
program ratio
83%
mission · from form 990

The purpose of Tisch Multiple Sclerosis Research Center of NY, Inc. is to conduct medical research directed toward finding the cause and eventual cure for multiple sclerosis.

profile · synthesized from sources

Tisch Multiple Sclerosis Research Center of New York (Tisch MSRCNY) is an independent nonprofit dedicated to finding the cause and cure for multiple sclerosis through cutting-edge medical research. The organization conducts translational studies spanning stem cell therapy, disease modeling, and root-cause investigation, with a focus on progressive forms of MS. Based in New York City, it operates a 20,000-square-foot research facility and trains early-career scientists in neuroscience and MS research.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $302K
    SEE ATTACHED STATEMENT
named programs · 6 · from sources

What they call their work

Epstein-Barr Virus Research
Studies the role of EBV in MS development using brain organoid models and investigates immune activation markers across disease stages and treatments
Organoid Modeling
Produces cerebral organoids ("mini brains") from patient-derived stem cells to study neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, and environmental influences on MS progression
PPMS Animal Modeling
Developed the first animal model specifically for primary progressive MS to study disease mechanisms and test novel therapies by manipulating cerebrospinal fluid components
Root Cause Investigation
Long-term research effort to identify the trigger of MS by characterizing B-cell antibody responses and isolating pathogenic agents using a curated library of patient-derived B-cells
Stem Cell Clinical Trial
Conducted the first-ever FDA-approved Phase II placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial using mesenchymal stem cells to treat progressive MS; ongoing research into stem cell-derived neural progenitors for neurorepair
Training the Next Generation of Scientists
Two-year research assistant program for recent science graduates; fellowships for physicians and scientists; weekly journal clubs and grand rounds to advance MS research training
activities · 4 groups

What they do

  • Neurological Disorder Research & Rehabilitation 4 activities
    • Conducting clinical trials on stem cell therapies for progressive multiple sclerosis
      Executes FDA-approved Phase I and Phase II placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials evaluating mesenchymal stem cell therapy for progressive MS, with published results showing neurological and functional improvements, including enhanced bladder function and mobility outcomes.
    • Conducting cutting-edge research on the causes, mechanisms, and potential cures for multiple sclerosis
      Performs foundational and translational research in neuroimmunology to understand the biological mechanisms of multiple sclerosis, including myelin sheath destruction, lesion formation, and disease triggers such as Epstein-Barr virus. Develops animal models and uses patient-derived samples to study progressive forms of MS (PPMS and SPMS).
    • Developing and utilizing advanced neural models to study MS progression and repair
      Produces cerebral organoids ("mini brains") and 2D/3D neural cultures from patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to model neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and myelin repair in multiple sclerosis. Conducts experiments using EBV-exposed brain organoids to investigate viral links to MS.
    • Publishing and disseminating original scientific findings on multiple sclerosis
      Produces and publishes peer-reviewed research, including landmark studies on myelin repair failure and patient-derived spinal cord organoids, contributing over 100 original scientific papers to the field of MS research.
  • Genetic and Neurological Disease Research Funding 1 activity
    • Funding multiple sclerosis research at Tisch Center through annual donations
      Donates an annual portion of proceeds to support multiple sclerosis research at the Tisch Multiple Sclerosis Research Center of New York Inc., enabling ongoing scientific investigation and therapeutic development.
  • Medical Professional Education & Training 1 activity
    • Hosting educational forums to advance scientific knowledge in MS
      Organizes weekly journal clubs and grand rounds, both in-person and virtual, to discuss recent advancements in MS research, and conducts internal education sessions to integrate new scientific methodologies into laboratory practice.
  • Research and Scholarly Fellowship Support 1 activity
    • Training early-career scientists and research assistants in MS research
      Offers two-year research assistant rotations for college graduates and provides fellowships for physicians and scientists, training over 100 individuals since 2006, with all second-year participants in 2021 matriculating to top medical or graduate programs.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$10.37M
Contributions & grants$5.58M54%
Program service revenue$247K2%
Investment income$-16K-0%
Other revenue$4.57M
expenses
Total expenses$10.69M
Program expenses83%
Admin / overhead10%
Fundraising7%
Salaries & benefits$3.59M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$29.51M
Cash$3.04M
Investments$0
Liabilities$14.29M
Net assets$15.21M
Liquid reserves3.4 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -11.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 6
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
Violaine Harris Senior Research Scientist 40 $265K
Amanda B Oppenheimer Chief Operating Officer 40 $183K
Talene Kelly Director of Development 40 $139K
Jerry Lin Senior Staff Associate 40 $135K
Jamie Wong Research Scientist 40 $131K
Masooda Sultani Production Supervisor 40 $128K
board members · 19
  • Alan Tisch — Director
  • Alla Weisberg — Director
  • Bernadette Mariani — Nominating Committee Chair
  • Bonnie Eisler — Director
  • Bonnie Tisch — Director
  • Bradley H Freidrich — Director
  • Charles Thoele — Director
  • Cliff Eisler — Treasurer
  • Cynthia Brodsky — Director
  • Daniel Tisch — Director
  • Deven Parekh — Director
  • Elizabeth Maslow Montesano — Director
  • Enke Bashllari PhD — Director
  • Greta Rubin Schwartz — Director
  • Hillary Mandel — Director
  • James Mariani — Director
  • Jimmy Connell — Director
  • Lee J Seidler — Chairman Emeritus
  • Monika Parekh — Director
relationships · 9

Who they work with

  • Bugged Out Partner — Children's apparel brand that annually donates a portion of proceeds to support MS research at Tisch MS Research Center of New York Inc.
  • Dr. Saud A. Sadiq Government — Scientific leader and principal investigator guiding research at Tisch MSRCNY
  • Dr. Saud Sadiq Government — Lead neurologist and leader of the Tisch MS Research Center of New York.
  • Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience Network — Journal in which the organization published research on myelin repair failure in progressive MS.
  • Goodshop Partner — Partner platform enabling supporters to shop for MS by directing a portion of purchases to Tisch MS.
  • International Society for Stem Cell Research Partner — Collaborates with and participates in the annual meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research to exchange research findings and advance regenerative medicine.
  • Tisch MS Research Center of New York Network — Member of the network of multiple sclerosis research organizations operating under the name Tisch MS Research Center of New York.
  • eBay For Charity Partner — Partner platform allowing sellers to designate proceeds from eBay sales to support Tisch MS.
  • iGive.com Partner — Partner platform enabling supporters to shop for MS by directing a portion of purchases to Tisch MS.
strategies · 4

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Early-Career Scientist Development Through Structured Training
    methodology: early-career_scientist_development
    By providing structured research training, publication requirements, and academic integration through journal clubs and critical review, the organization cultivates the next generation of MS researchers, because early exposure to rigorous scientific practice increases long-term career retention and research quality.
  • Interdisciplinary Translational Research Model
    methodology: interdisciplinary_translational_research
    By integrating scientists and clinicians across disciplines, the organization accelerates the translation of laboratory discoveries into clinical applications, because cross-functional collaboration bridges gaps between basic science and patient care.
  • Neuroimmunology-Focused Research Pathway
    methodology: neuroimmunology-focused_research
    By concentrating research efforts on neuroimmunology, the organization aims to uncover the biological mechanisms of multiple sclerosis and advance toward a cure, because this scientific pathway directly addresses the autoimmune nature of the disease.
  • Patient-Specific Organoid Modeling for Disease Mechanism Study
    methodology: patient-specific_organoid_modeling
    By using patient-specific cerebral organoids to model MS in vitro, the organization studies individualized disease biology, because these lab-grown neural systems replicate key features of the human brain and spinal cord, enabling targeted investigation of pathological mechanisms.