Atsuo Sasaki, PhD, Associate Professor
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology

National Cancer Institute R01
Therapeutic resistance and aggressive malignancy in glioblastomas: the contribution of GTP metabolism through regulation by IMPDH2
7/7/2021- 6/30/2026
$413,481.00
This study will identify the mechanisms through which inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase-2 regulates de novo GTP synthesis thereby driving on glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumor growth. These insights, when combined preclinical data on MMF, a drug already approved for its immunosuppressive effects, has the potential to result in rapid translation to human GBM.

Daniel Woo, MD, MS, Professor
Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke T32
Cerebrovascular Fellowship Training Program
This training program includes extensive hands-on experience in clinical research and trials within a broad array of NIH-funded, T-2-focused, translational research. This program includes close mentoring with selection of specific research projects within the first year of the program, well-defined course work, and unique training in the evaluation and treatment of patients with acute stroke and neurocritical care. The postdoctoral training program has been training neurologists for 22 years and emergency physicians formally for 16 years with the goal of producing academic leaders and clinical researchers in the area of cerebrovascular disease and neurocritical care. 

Eva Akshitkumar Mistry, MD, Assistant Professor
Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke K23
Blood Pressure after Endovascular Stroke Therapy-II: A Randomized Trial
7/26/2021- 6/30/2024
$557,388.00
Researchers will conduct the Blood Pressure after Endovascular Stroke Therapy-II (BEST-II) trial, where 120 acute ischemic stroke patients successfully treated with an endovascular mechanical thrombectomy (EVT) will be randomized to three post-EVT systolic BP (SBP) targets (£180, <160, and <140 mmHg) to assess the harm of lower SBP targets and determine the probability of a positive phase III efficacy trial of lower SBP targets to improve patient outcomes. This research will generate high quality data for the planning of a large, multicenter efficacy trial. Collectively, this set of trials will lead to evidence-based guideline generation for the optimal post-EVT BP management in AIS patients.

Jun-Ming Zhang, MD, MSc, Professor
Department of Anesthesiology

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke R01
Study of Activity-Dependent Sympathetic Sprouting
7/15/2021- 6/30/2026
$2,691,775.00
This research aims to determine whether sympathetic innervation is neuroprotective after peripheral nerve injury, examine the relationships between cell death, regeneration, and macrophage subtypes in mouse models of neuropathic pain and determine the role and function of adjacent lymph nodes in sympathetic regulation of immune response, nerve regeneration and cell survival.

Kenneth Sherman, MD, PhD, Professor
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Digestive Diseases

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases R21
Biomarkers of Replication and Injury in HBV/HIV Coinfection
7/12/2021- 6/30/2023
$443,976.00
Researchers will evaluate the potential role of several biomarkers that have not been previously characterized in those with Hepatitis B virus (HBV)/HIV coinfection.

Kim B. Seroogy, PhD, Professor
Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine

Department of the Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity Award
Stress/Glucocorticoid Mechanisms in Parkinsonian Pathologies
9/1/2021- 8/31/2024
$1,200,000.00
This research will test the overarching hypothesis that chronic stress exacerbates the seeding and propagation of aSyn inclusions, neurodegeneration and associated dysfunction of the dopaminergic nigrostriatal system via deleterious glucocorticoid receptor mechanisms. The ensuing study will determine if GRs expressed specifically in midbrain dopaminergic neurons contribute to dopaminergic degeneration and motor and non-motor behavioral dysfunctions following chronic stress.

Melissa Delbello, MD, Director, Professor
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience

National Institute of Mental Health R01
Neurodevelopmental and Clinical Trajectories of Youth at Risk for Bipolar I Disorder
8/1/2021- 5/31/2026
$3,382,572.00
Researchers will assess trajectories in ventral prefrontal network connectivity in youth at-familial-risk for bipolar I disorder compared to those without this risk, and the interaction with or without early life trauma, to determine whether these risks cumulatively lead to increasing emergence of: 1) mood symptoms and syndromes, 2) substance misuse, 3) suicidal behaviors, and 4) approach motivation hypersensitivity. These results can inform future approaches to prevent illness onset and progression in individuals at risk for or early in the course of bipolar disorder.

Pooja Khatri, MD, MSc, Professor
Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine National Institute of Neurological

Disorders and Stroke U01
Validation of Early Prognostic Data for Recovery Outcomes after Stroke for Future, Higher Yield Trials (VERIFY)
9/1/2021- 7/31/2026
$14,440,810.08
The study objective, well-aligned with StrokeNet’s, is to validate the most biologically relevant and primed biomarkers of 90-day upper extremity (UE) motor outcomes after ischemic stroke in the first largescale, prospective, acute dataset of clinical, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and MRI measures. The central hypothesis is that patients have different UE outcomes depending on corticomotor system function measured with TMS, and on corticospinal tract injury measured with MRI.

Richard Branson, MSc, RRT, Professor
Department of Surgery

Air Force Research Laboratory Award
Detecting Asynchrony and Risk of Aspiration (DARS) Phase II
9/1/2021- 12/1/2024 $459,998.00
This study requires a four-phase approach. 1) Identify the epidemiology and interactions that contribute to asynchrony during transport by conducting an observational study with a target enrollment of 100 subjects in a level 1 trauma ICU. 2) Employ a two-method approach to identify events leading up to asynchrony. 3) Capture data involving aspirations. 4) Utilize data and integrate an algorithm for an automated detection signal to enhance the Impact 731 EMV + multipurpose portable ventilator.

Thomas Thompson, PhD, Professor Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development R01
Structure-function analysis of Mullerian Inhibiting Substance (MIS)
8/18/2021- 5/31/2026
$1,977,378.00
This research aims to determine the crystal structure of Müllerian Inhibiting Substance (MIS) with MISRII and Alk2, characterize the MIS receptors and determine how the generate MIS-specific signaling, using both the extracellular and intercellular domains and generate MIS analogs that will be tested in both in vitro binding and cell-based assays, along with in vivo assay including an AAV9 model of follicle suppression. 

Tiina A. Reponen, PhD, Professor
Department of Environmental and Public Health

Sciences Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Award
Education and Research Center
7/1/2021- 6/30/2026
$9,000,001.00
The objectives are to conduct interdisciplinary graduate education and research, continuing education and outreach in environmental and industrial hygiene, occupational and environmental medicine, occupational health nursing and occupational safety and health engineering. The program also includes building the research capacity of graduate research trainees and junior Ph.D. and MD level investigators in occupational health and safety research in collaboration with twelve regional universities including two historically black colleges. 

Timothy Pritts, MD, PhD, Professor
Department of Surgery

Air Force Research Laboratory Award
Development of a Targeted Intravascular Therapy to Stop Non-compressible Torso 9/1/2021- 12/1/2023
$3,458,017.00
The overall goal of this research program is to develop a rapidly deployable targeted therapeutic that is easily administered intravenously and targets precisely the site of active hemorrhage to stop bleeding. This therapeutic will be small, portable, lightweight, heat- and cold-stable, and easily administered intravenously. Development of this therapy requires three design components the delivery vehicle, a guidance package that specifically targets sites of active hemorrhage, and a pro-thrombotic agent (PTA).