Zachary Simmons

Dr. Zachary Simmons serves as Professor and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Neurology at Penn State College of Medicine, with a joint appointment in the Department of Humanities. He directs the ALS Association Certified Treatment Center of Excellence at Penn State Health, which he founded nearly 30 years ago and serves over 200 patients with ALS and related motor neuron disorders.

• Board-certified in Neurology (1989)
• Board-certified in Electrodiagnostic Medicine (1989)
• Director of Multidisciplinary ALS Clinic

Dr. Simmons' research focuses on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, with particular emphasis on quality of life measurement (co-developer of the ALS Specific Quality of Life Instrument), telemedicine applications, cognitive/behavioral dysfunction, and clinical trials. His work spans neurology, biomedical engineering collaborations, and medical humanities, contributing to Sustainable Development Goals through neurological care advancement.

His recent publications (2020-2025) demonstrate consistent output in high-impact journals including JAMA, Muscle and Nerve, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration, covering therapeutic trials, quality of life interventions, and biomarker research. These works reveal strong collaborative networks across clinical neurology, engineering, and behavioral health disciplines.

• Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching (2020)
• Extensive NIH-funded research portfolio
• International recognition in ALS research

As Vice Chair for Research, Dr. Simmons oversees departmental research initiatives while maintaining active clinical practice evaluating ALS patients and performing electrodiagnostic studies. His leadership extends to multiple NIH-funded projects including nutritional interventions, biomarker validation studies, and early treatment approaches for ALS, with significant collaborations across engineering and communications disciplines for telemedicine applications.