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Parkinson’s Data Challenge Team Member Reinforces Need for Collaboration Outside Traditional Communities

Parkinson’s Data Challenge Team Member Reinforces Need for Collaboration Outside Traditional Communities

Daniel Vannoni says that as an "entrepreurial doer, sometimes you need to knock down a couple walls to get things done."

Daniel Vannoni, an entrepreneur with Gecko Ventures, was a member of the team that compiled the patient-generated data — captured via smartphone  used in the MJFF Parkinson’s Data Challenge. His brother Alex Vannoni, a strategist focused on health and wellness, worked with Daniel on the data collection in partnership with Max Little, PhD, an MIT/Wellcome Trust fellow who is currently working to develop methods for detecting PD from voice recordings. 

The challenge is mentioned in a guest blog on new models of collaboration from our CEO Todd Sherer, PhD, posted on Forbes.com earlier this week. Daniel wrote to Todd reacting to the piece, and we publish his message below with permission:

Todd,

Great editorial in Forbes about collaboration. I think you make some really good points, similar to some that I have been thinking/making. I'm really glad the Data Challenge went so well, and you found it to be a useful experiment for the Foundation. I'm always excited when I see it used as an example. We had a call last week with the LionSolver team [winners of the Parkinson’s Data Challenge] to talk about ways to look at smartphone data. Hopefully some interesting steps come from it.

Alex and I both think collaboration is going to be key, and, even deeper, collaboration outside the traditional science communities — including people like mathematicians, designers, entrepreneurs, and actual patients with Parkinson’s and their families — will help innovations move to the market even more quickly. I know I learned a tremendous amount just watching and listening to patients and their loved ones talk about their experiences and ask questions.  We are always happy to help, so please reach out if we can be helpful. 

All the best,
Daniel

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