Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Reveals Top Research Grant Winners for 2015
One of the country’s leading organizations dedicated to finding a cure for pulmonary fibrosis (PF), the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF), recently revealed the recipients of this year’s Established Investigator and Junior Investigator Awards. These prestigious research grants are directly supported by the Foundation’s Research Fund to Cure Pulmonary Fibrosis, and given only to the most promising programs focused on better understanding and addressing PF.
“The PFF is focused on advancing the care of patients with pulmonary fibrosis through its support of scientific innovation and new therapeutics,” said Gregory P. Cosgrove, MD, PFF chief medical officer, in a news release. “The Research Fund to Cure Pulmonary Fibrosis awards, now in their fourth year, are an integral part of our mission.”
The Foundation’s Research Fund assists both emerging and seasoned scientists in advancing their work in order to obtain bigger public and private funding to eventually bring their studies to completion. The PFF’s support does not end upon awarding these grants, as it also commits to closely follow past awardees’ progress. In fact, Dr. James Hagood of the University of California, San Diego, a 2012 awardee, recently received an additional $1.8 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
According to a press release, this year’s recipients of the Albert Rose Established Investigator Awards are:
- Tracy Luckhardt, MD, MS:Â University of Alabama at Birmingham
“Frailty as an Outcome Measure in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis”
Funded by Boehringer Ingelheim - Hon Yuen, PhD, MS:Â University of Alabama at Birmingham
“Home-Based Pulmonary Rehab for Patients with Pulmonary Fibrosis”
The 2015 I.M. Rosenzwieg Junior Investigator Award recipients are:
- Jose D. Herazo-Maya, MD:Â Yale University
“Serum microRNA Expression Profiles as Biomarkers in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis”
Funded by Genentech - Jonathan Kropski, MD:Â Vanderbilt University
“Â RTEL1 and DNA Damage Signaling in Pulmonary Fibrosis”
Award recipients, selected through  a peer review process, each receive a $50,000 grant distributed over two years.
The PFF is set to host its third biennial Summit 2015: From Bench to Bedside, an international health care conference, on November 12-14, 2015, in Washington, D.C. Those interested to learn more can visit www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org or dial 844.TalkPFF (844.825.5733) or +1 312.587.9272 if calling from outside of the United States.
