2 September 2025

Dr. Kristen Krysko, a Canadian neurologist, researcher and clinician, is the winner of the Rachel Horne Prize for Women’s Research in MS in recognition of her outstanding research into how best to guide and treat women with MS during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Dr Krysko is a neurologist at the BARLO MS Centre at St. Michael’s Hospital and an assistant professor at the University of Toronto in Canada.

Her work includes how to optimise treatment strategies and understanding the safety of MS therapies before and during pregnancy and postpartum while breastfeeding. Her research has also focused on the increased risk and prevalence of peripartum mental illness in mothers with MS.

This year the annual award honours an early to mid-career female scientist for her exceptional contribution to women’s health research in MS.

“We are delighted to celebrate Dr Kristen Krysko as this year’s Rachel Horne Prize winner,” said Dr Marwa Kaisey, chair of International Women in MS, the organisation which oversees the review and judging process.

“Her pioneering research on women’s health in MS, especially around pregnancy and childbirth, is already shaping how we counsel and care for women with MS, with the potential to transform quality of life for countless families. Recognising rising stars like Dr Krysko is vital to the future of our field and underscores the importance of continued investment in MS research to improve the lives of those with MS.”
Dr Krysko will receive the award at the 41st Congress of the European Committee for Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) in Barcelona, Spain, on 26 September 2025.

“I am truly honoured to receive the Rachel Horne Prize 2025,” said Dr Krysko. “As an early career researcher and clinician, recognition of my work in women’s health and MS is deeply meaningful both professionally and personally. This award inspires me to continue expanding my research in pregnancy and other areas of women’s health in MS.”

Award founder Rachel Horne said: “This year we wanted to reward a rising star in the MS scientific community. Dr Krysko is a perfect fit for this international prize. Not only is she an outstanding clinician scientist, but she has already made important advances to women’s health research in MS so early in her career.”

The US$40,000 prize, to be used at the discretion of the recipient, is made possible by the generosity of the Horne Family Charitable Fund.

The RH Prize is a program of Aqueduct Foundation with its Horne Family Charitable Fund.  Special thanks to our international jury of scientists for their time and commitment.

For more information, see the Rachel Horne Prize for Women’s Research in MS website here.