ALS won’t stop UNC professor Steve Reznick from making the world a better place Posted Dec 21, 2015 UNC psychology professor Steve Reznick assumed that the problem with his finger was a simple muscle problem. It was not until October that a neurologist told him the cause: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS – also known as Lou Gehrig disease. The progressive lethal illness was confirmed in November. He resolved to waste no more precious time with fear or self-pity (UNC.edu)