Fatty Liver Foundation Opens Applications for Year 2 of the Dr. Stephen A. Harrison Patient Advocacy Fellowship

Second Cohort Builds on Strong Inaugural Year with Growing Impact in Liver Research and Policy

MAY 11, 2026, BOISE, IDAHO, USA — The Fatty Liver Foundation (FLF) today announced the opening of applications for the second cohort of the Dr. Stephen A. Harrison Patient Advocacy Fellowship, a first-of-its-kind program designed to elevate patient advocates as equal partners in the advancement of care, research, and policy for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and other phenotypes of steatotic liver disease (SLD). The Fellowship is named in honor of Dr. Stephen A. Harrison, whose work helped transform the understanding and treatment of MASH and emphasized the importance of integrating patient perspectives into research and care.

Following a highly impactful inaugural year, the Fellowship has already established itself as a unique platform for advancing patient engagement at the earliest stages of clinical research and development. Fellows from the first cohort have contributed to key multi-stakeholder discussions, engaged with leading researchers, regulators, and industry partners, and are increasingly recognized as an emerging expert group in patient-centered liver disease research.

“The Fellowship has strengthened my confidence and understanding of how collaborative research works, where patients are recognized as partners. It’s been empowering to contribute alongside researchers and clinicians, representing the patient community, to help shape clinical trials and advance more patient-centered care.” — Gabriela Portugal-Bouza, Inaugural Cohort (Utah, United States)

Up to 20 Fellows will be selected for Year 2. While the program is primarily focused on the United States, it also welcomes applications from Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. Participants will receive comprehensive education, mentorship, and support to participate in major scientific meetings.

“This Fellowship continues to demonstrate what is possible when patient advocates are engaged not as participants, but as partners,” said Wayne Eskridge, Founder and CEO of the Fatty Liver Foundation.

“The first year of the Fellowship clearly demonstrated the need for well-trained patient advocates in MASH and broader SLD research and highlighted the potential of sustained collaboration between research teams and patient advocates. This level of partnership is critical to moving research forward,” said Henry E. Chang, Executive Director of FLF.

The program continues to build a network of informed patient advocates contributing to key conversations across the liver disease ecosystem.

The Fellowship is supported by Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, the founding sponsor of the program.

Applications for the 2026–2027 Fellowship cohort open on May 11, 2026. Learn more and apply by June 22, 2026.