The West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute (WVCTSI) is pleased to announce the latest recipients of research project funding, facilitated by its Pilot Projects Core. The following proposals were submitted for the spring 2021 or fall 2020 funding rounds and have received necessary approvals to begin their projects.
Through the Small Grants funding mechanism where investigators can request up to $5,000 for a maximum period of six months, six research studies were selected including:
- “Level and phenotype of macrophage exosomes in hemorrhagic stroke patients,” led by Ji Bihl, Ph.D., associate professor in Marshall University’s Department of Biomedical Sciences.
- “MiRNA profiling of exosomes derived from perivascular adipocyte tissue in type 2 diabetic condition,” led by Jinju Wang, Ph.D., research assistant professor in Marshall University’s Department of Biomedical Sciences.
- “Study of the role of HSPA9 gene in regulating human erythroid maturation,” led by Tuoen Liu, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor in West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine’s Department of Biomedical Sciences.
- “Improvement of lentiviral vectors titers by viral nucleocapsid proteins,” led by Alexey Ivanov, Ph.D., research assistant professor in West Virginia University’s Department of Biochemistry.
- “Mental Health Service Use in Survivors of Brain Tumor,” led by Krestin Radonovich, Ph.D., director of Pediatric Neuropsychology at West Virginia University.
- “Aqueous Outflow Characterization using AS-OCTA and HVI before and after MIGS,” led by Joel Palko, M.D., assistant professor in West Virginia University’s Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.
The Open competition is another funding opportunity that supports innovative research that addresses healthcare needs in West Virginia. Through this funding mechanism that was announced in fall 2020, research investigators can request up to $50,000 in funding that must be utilized over a 12-month period.
Kristin Lupinacci, DO, assistant professor in West Virginia University’s Department of Surgery, was selected to receive funding for her project “Pioglitazone Therapy Targeting Fatigue in Breast Cancer.”
“Through funding clinical and translational research projects such as these studies, the WVCTSI is supporting research that will ultimately improve the care and health of all West Virginians,” said Gary Rankin, Ph.D., director of the Clinical and Translational Pilot Grants Program.
For information on current funding opportunities, visit the WVCTSI funding page.
WVCTSI Background
WVCTSI is funded by an IDeA Clinical and Translational grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (U54GM104942) to support the mission of building clinical and translational research infrastructure and capacity to impact health disparities in West Virginia.