The UNMC College of Medicine recently received grants and awards representing more than $21 million in new funding. Awards included:
- Shibiao Wan, PhD, genetics, cell biology & anatomy, received a grant of $1 million from the NSF for “SCH: A Multi-Modal Transfer Learning Framework to Reduce Health Disparities for Breast Cancer.”
- Jae Hyuk Yoo, PhD, ophthalmology and visual sciences, received a grant of $848,335 from the U.S. Army/USAMRAA/CDMRP for “Novel Therapeutic Approach to Prevent Uveal Melanoma Progression.”
- Russell McCulloh, MD, pediatrics-hospitalists, received a grant of $829,675 from the University of Kansas Medical Center for a data coordinating and operations center for the ECHO IDeA States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network.
- Aditya Bade, PhD, pharmacology and experimental neuroscience, received a grant of $422,125 from DHHS/NIH/NICHD for a study on “Imaging Biomarker for Determining Antiretroviral-induced Neurodevelopmental Impairments.” Dr. Bade also received a grant of 718,374 from DHHS/NIA/NIDA to study the synergistic effect of nicotine and antiretrovirals on placental development.
- Siwei Zhao, PhD, surgery-transplant, received a grant of $435,373 from DHHS/NIH/NIBIB to explore a novel and efficacious electrotaxis system for enhancing chronic wound healing.
- Amanda Brinkworth, PhD, pathology, microbiology and immunology, received a grant of $417,845 from DHHS/NIH/NIAID for a study on adaptation of an in vitro generated human skin model for tick feeding to study Borrelia Burgdorferi transmission.
- Tammy Kielian, PhD, pathology, microbiology and immunology, received a grant of $417,845 from DHHS/NIH/NIAID for a study identifying novel immune determinants that influence S. aureus biofilm infection using collaborative cross mouse lines.
- Dhirendra Singh, PhD, ophthalmology and visual sciences, received a grant of $384,364 from the DHHS/NIH/NEI for the study of a molecular approach to ameliorate the age-dependent loss of clock protein Bmal1 andNrf2-antioxidant response in eye lens: implications for eye lens health span.
- Lindsey McAlarnen, MD, obstetrics and gynecology, received a grant of $359,960 from the GOG Foundation for a study of Sacituzumab Govitecan vs. treatment of physician’s choice in participants with endometrial cancer who have received prior platinum-based chemotherapy and anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy.
- Ashu Shah, PhD, biochemistry and molecular biology, received a grant of $309,000 from the U.S. Army/USAMRAA/CDMRP for a study of how axonal guidance molecule neuropilin-2 (NRP2) promotes perineural invasion (PNI) and pain in PDAC patients.
- Pooneh Bagher, PhD, cellular and integrative physiology, received a grant of $230,250 from DHHS/NIH/Office of the Director for the study “Development of Transgenic Mouse Model Resources for Red Fluorescence-Based Genetically Encoded Indicator Studies.”
- Scott Ouellette, PhD, pathology, microbiology and immunology, received a grant of $216,002 from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center for a study on regulation of chlamydial divisome assembly.
- Bin Duan, PhD, internal medicine-cardiovascular, received a grant of $149,826 from the National Science Foundation for collaborative research on “EAGER: Embedded Section-by-Section Bioprinting of Large-Scale Cellular Human Tissue Constructs.” Dr. Duan also received a grant of $95,547 from the Nebraska DHHS for a study of porous nerve grafts with iPSC-SCs for nerve repair.
- David E. Warren, PhD, neurological sciences, received a grant of $127,637 from the University of Nebraska at Omaha for a study of heat therapy for the treatment of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome.
- Sandipan Brahma, genetics, cell biology & anatomy, received a grant of $105,000 from Nebraska DHHS for “Chromatin Remodeling in an Embryonic Origin Cancer.”
- Kavita Mallya, PhD, biochemistry and molecular biology, received a grant of $97,305 from DHHS/NIH/NCI for a study of novel models and biorepository for early detection and therapeutic intervention of pancreatic cancer.
- Tate Johnson, MD, PhD, internal medicine-rheumatology, received a career development bridge funding award of $75,000 from the Rheumatology Research Foundation for work in inflammatory responses, fibrotic mediators, and comorbidity burden as determinants of myocardial dysfunction and heart failure in rheumatoid arthritis.
- Shubham Agarwhal, MD, internal medicine-DEM, received a Nebraska ICA grant of $56,045 from the Nebraska Biomedical Association.
- Hani Haider, PhD, orthopaedic surgery, received a grant of $60,000 from Massachusetts General Hospital for a work order for an in vitro wear durability study of GSPE femoral and tibial components.
- Sidharth Mahapatra, MD, PhD, pediatrics-critical care, received a grant of $22,921 from the University of Pennsylvania for “PROSpect – Prone and Oscillation Pediatric Clinical Trial.”
- Siddappa Byrareddy, PhD, pharmacology and experimental neuroscience, received a grant of $15,000 from Nebraska Bankers Association Equipment Grants/NU Foundation for a study on “The Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) for Cognitive Assessment.”
Industry-sponsored grants and contracts:
The following industry-sponsored grants and contracts were received.
- Cyrus Desouza, MBBS, internal medicine-DEM, received funding to evaluate the impact of Maridebart Cafraglutide on cardiovascular outcomes in participants with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity. Dr. Desouza also received funding for a study comparing the efficacy and safety of once-weekly insulin Icodec and once-daily insulin Glargine U100, both in combination with insulin Aspart, in adults with type 1 diabetes. He also received funding to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of once-weekly CT-388 administered subcutaneously for 48 weeks to participants who are overweight.
- David F. Mercer, MD, PhD, surgery-transplant, received funding for a study to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of DefenCath in reducing central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in adult participants.
- Benjamin Tepley, MD, internal medicine-hematology/oncology, received funding for a study of SYNC-T therapy SV-102 for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
- Matthew Tao, MD, orthopaedic surgery, received funding for an evaluation of the MISHA knee system for symptom relief in subjects with medial knee osteoarthritis versus the use of non-surgical treatment.
- Heidi Hon, MD, surgery-plastic and reconstructive, received funding for an evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of the GORE tissue reinforcement for breast reconstruction device (TRBR device) when used in the reinforcement of breast reconstruction.
- Joseph Fernandes, MD, neurological sciences, received funding to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DNTH103 in adults with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.
- Christopher D’Angelo, MD, internal medicine-oncology/hematology, received funding for a study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Zilovertamab Vedotin (MK-2140) Plus R-CHP vs. Polatuzumab Vedotin plus R-CHP in treatment-naïve participants.
- Jill Poole, MD, internal medicine-allergy/immunology, received funding for a study of an anti-TSLP antibody in adults with uncontrolled asthma.
- Scott Westphal, MD, internal medicine-nephrology, received funding to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of Tegoprubart in kidney transplant recipients.
- Marian Urban, MD, PhD, surgery-cardiothoracic, received funding for a study of hearts transplanted after non-ischemic heart preservation from extended donors continued access protocol.
- Ezequiel Piccione, MD, neurological sciences, received funding to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of Ulviprubart (ABC008) in subjects who have completed a trial of Ulviprubart for the treatment of inclusion body myositis.
- James Murphy, MD, internal medicine-pulmonary, received funding to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of SP-101 via nebulizer for the treatment of cystic fibrosis.
- Jonathan Cramer, MD, pediatrics-cardiology, received funding to investigate the pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability of Milvexian in pediatric patients from 28 days to less than 18 years of age at risk of thromboembolic events.
- Jana Broadhurst, MD, PhD, received funding for a “Pilot Clinical Evaluation of the SPOTFIRE Warrior Panel.”
- Brad Brabec, MD, pediatrics-health system science, received funding to evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of Zavegepant in children 6 to less than 12 years of age with history of migraine.