2020 Clinical Research Pilot Grant Awardees and grant titles:
Xiao Huang, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Anatomic Pathology - Comparison of PD-L1 Expression between Primary Triple Negative Breast Cancer and Matched Distant Metastases Correlating with p53 Status
Rance Siniard, M.D., Assistant Professor, Laboratory Medicine - Longitudinal study of the severity of acquired von Willebrand disease (AVWD) in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support at a major academic medical center
Liyun Cao, Ph.D., Instructor, Laboratory Medicine - Investigation of Biotin Interference in Susceptible Clinical Immunoassays
Rati Chkheidze, M.D., Assistant Professor, Neuropathology - Investigation of expression of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 in the CNS following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Sameer Al Diffalha, M.D., Assistant Professor, Anatomic Pathology - Molecular and genetic profiling of mucinous cystic neoplasms of the liver
The Department launched its inaugural Pilot Grant Awards Program in 2018 to support clinical and translational research. The program, spearheaded by Rakesh Patel, Ph.D., interim vice chair for research and Professor, Molecular & Cellular Pathology, was inspired in part by feedback provided at an annual department-wide faculty retreat. The Clinical Research Pilot Awards are designed to provide seed support to facilitate and enhance Translational Research programs and scholarly activity across the Department. Projects in the early stages of planning that will advance our academic, scholarly and research missions were especially welcome. Examples of anticipated use of funds included: supporting collection of data to be used in conference presentations, peer-reviewed publications and extramural grant applications.