The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research Awards $300,000 to Support Early-Career Investigators Through the Sarcoidosis Research Fellowship Grant
24 Julio 2024 - 12:16PM
The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) is pleased to
announce that Dr. Greer Waldrop, University of California, San
Francisco, and Dr. Miles Hagner, University of Iowa, have been
selected as the recipients of the prestigious FSR Sarcoidosis
Research Fellowship Grant. This fellowship is designed to support
early-career investigators as they develop specialized skills and
gain valuable experience in sarcoidosis.
Thanks to the support of a very generous donor and the high
quality of this year’s applications, FSR is pleased to extend
funding to two extraordinary research projects. Dr. Waldrop and Dr.
Hagner will each receive $150,000 towards each of their research
projects, aimed at advancing the understanding of sarcoidosis and
improving patient outcomes. Since 2018, FSR has awarded over $2
million in support of Sarcoidosis Research Fellowship Grants,
demonstrating a substantial investment in the future of sarcoidosis
research and reflecting FSR’s commitment to fostering innovation
and excellence in this critical field.
Dr. Waldrop’s research aims to study RNA to help identify
potential causes and strategies for generating therapies targeted
to individuals in advancing the opportunity and effectiveness of
treatment of neurosarcoidosis. “I am thrilled for the generous
support from the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research and eager to
focus attention on improving clinical and molecular understanding
of neurosarcoidosis,” said Dr. Waldrop. “I am particularly excited
about the opportunity to standardize and validate definitions of
disease activity within neurosarcoidosis and the possibilities for
more informed pathophysiology (understanding of the disease
progress) and targeted therapeutics from my cerebrospinal fluid
transcriptomic analyses.”
Dr. Hagner will be exploring the role of airway epithelial
responses (respiratory cells critical in immunological defense) in
creating the immunological responses which lead to sarcoidosis. The
goal of this research would be to try to identify in these cells a
biomarker that can expediate diagnosis and/or help streamline the
identification of impactful therapeutics. “Having my research
project recognized by the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research feels
incredible. I found my ‘WHY’ when I started caring for and
researching people with sarcoidosis,” said Dr. Hagner. “Receiving
the FSR Fellowship Grant to pursue my research project means so
much to me! My team and I are so appreciative of the support and
can’t wait to continue this exciting research.”
“FSR is thrilled to be able to support this innovative research
by Dr. Hagner and Dr. Waldrop,” said Mary McGowan, Chief Executive
Officer of FSR. “We are eager to gain the insights from this
research as we aim to focus on our shared goal to improve the
treatments and outcomes for all impacted by sarcoidosis.”
The Sarcoidosis Research Fellowship is part of FSR’s broader
mission to accelerate research, enhance patient care, and
ultimately find a cure for sarcoidosis. By investing in emerging
researchers, FSR aims to drive progress in the field and bring hope
to the millions affected by this challenging disease.
For more information about FSR and its research initiatives,
please visit stopsarcoidosis.org/.
About the Foundation for Sarcoidosis
Research
FSR is the leading international organization dedicated to
finding a cure for sarcoidosis and improving care for sarcoidosis
patients through research, education, and support. Since its
establishment in 2000, FSR has fostered over $6.5 million in
sarcoidosis-specific research efforts. Learn more at
stopsarcoidosis.org.
About Sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis is a rare inflammatory disease characterized by the
formation of granulomas—tiny clumps of inflammatory cells—in one or
more organs of the body. Despite increasing advances in research,
sarcoidosis remains difficult to diagnose with limited treatment
options and no known cure.
Media Contact:Cathi
Daviscathi@stopsarcoidosi.org312-341-5000
A photo accompanying this announcement is available
at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a298ed38-e5c6-483b-8ff5-9f8243a2c1b5