Hello! My name is Val and I have been a researcher at ALS TDI since 2010. ALS TDI is a nonprofit biotech lab dedicated to researching ALS therapies (Lou Gehrig's Disease). I do molecular biology in the lab and manage our small but growing zebrafish program. 

I have ridden in the Tri-State Trek since 2012...which means my Trek count is officially a tweenager. Eleven years of riding in every type of summer (and not-so-summery) weather imaginable (plus one year indoors), eleven years of open mic night, cheering at the top of John Street, jumping into the ocean, pulling into rest stops to the sound of cowbells, stopping by breweries, playing frisbee, dancing on the side of the road while changing flat tires...you name it, we've done it during the Trek weekend. 

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We have a saying which goes "ALS isn't incurable; it's underfunded". The Trek is one of our biggest fundraising events and I am humbly asking for donations to fund our scientific research. You can also choose to help by sharing, passing the word on to one of your cycling friends, or joining the ride! You can also join virtually with our Trek Your Way option, even if you're not a cyclist. You can ride, run, swim, do adaptive sports, walk, roll, jump rope, e-bike, or whatever you want to raise money for ALS research. 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Much love, Val

PS if you've read this far, you should know that I've also dyed my hair purple every year since 2017. Last year, I went even crazier and did half blue and half purple (by donor request). This year, who knows what I'll do (the only guarantee is that it will be at least partially purple).