The Searle Foundation has committed philanthropic funds to support investigator-initiated research. Applications are solicited that propose significant and innovative translational, clinical, basic science, behavioral, or population-based research. The intent of these pilot grants is to support well-designed projects that will allow development of preliminary data to enable the investigators to be competitive for future federal or private funding. Interdisciplinary proposals are of particular interest.
| Year of Award | Awardee | Pilot Project Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Tamar Caceres, MD Assistant Professor Department of Pediatrics, RMC | Exploring neurophysiological biomarkers of auditory and language processing in DDX3X syndrome for clinical translation |
| 2025 | Brian T. David, PhD Assistant Professor Department of Neurological Surgery, RMC | Mitigating inflammation following spinal cord injury using SIRT1-modulating matrix implants to attenuate blood-spinal cord barrier permeability |
| 2024 | Esther Lee, MD, MPH Assistant Professor Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, RMC | Mixed methods research for retinopathy of prematurity |
| 2024 | Adrienn Markovics, MD, PhD Assistant Professor Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Department of IM, Division of Rheumatology, RMC | Targeting periprosthetic joint infection via the application of mRNA-encoded lysostaphin |
| 2023 | Adrienn Markovics, MD, PhD Assistant Professor Department of Orthopedic Surgery, RMC | The role of T cells and SHP-1 in a murine model of rheumatoid arthritis |
| 2023 | Liudmila Romanova, PhD Assistant Professor Department of Neurological Sciences, RMC | Arachnoid barrier in Alzheimer’s disease |
| 2022 | Frank C. Ko, PhD Assistant Professor Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, RMC | Examining periostin-integrin receptor signaling in intramembranous bone regeneration |
| 2022 | Liudmila Romanova, PhD Assistant Professor Department of Neurological Sciences, RMC | Macrophage-mediated clearance of Aβ and tau at the CNS border in Alzheimer's disease |