The Kaul Pediatric Research Institute (KPRI) was created by the Board of Trustees of Children’s of Alabama in 1989 to provide internal funding for junior faculty who were just beginning their academic careers. The initial funding came from proceeds (10%) of the Children’s Miracle Network telethon, with half committed to an endowment and the other half to support grants submitted by faculty or professionals working at Children’s of Alabama. The first grants were awarded in 1993. Following the donation of an initial $5 million from the Kaul Foundation to increase the endowment, the Board of Trustees changed the name of this program to the Kaul Pediatric Research Institute (KPRI).
KPRI Grant Program
Multiple research awards are made each year in the amount of $35,000 each for new investigators and $50,000 each for established investigators.
The program is competitive and peer-reviewed in an NIH format. Since 2008, $6,280,000 has been awarded to pediatric biomedical research though the Kaul Pediatric Research Institute competitive grants program. Ninety-one awards, provided to 74 unique investigators, have included 19 Established Investigator Awards and 72 New Investigator Awards. Of those funded, 53 investigators continue in their research at UAB.
The major goal of the KPRI grant program is to allow investigators to obtain data for additional extramural funding. This will bring new knowledge to the care of children, leverage the investment of the KPRI and allow projects to be competitive for the very best science on the national stage. A second, but important, goal is to ensure that a dedicated funding source is available to unique segments of the pediatric research and education.
There has been a strong return on investment from KPRI awards during the most recent period of analysis from 2010–2018.
The application cycle for 2025 funding is open. The deadline is September 30. Visit the KPRI Grant Application page to view the guidelines.
| KPRI funding awarded | Funding directly associated with KPRI | Associated ROI | Cumulative funding received 1 year post-KPRI | Cumulative ROI | |
| Established investigators | $560,000 | $250,240 | 0 | $7,660,866 | 1,268% |
| New investigators | $2,100,000 | $8,533,863 | 306% | $18,195,812 | 766% |
2024 Awardees
Established Investigators
Tom Harris, M.D.
Professor
Division of Pediatric Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine
Project Title
"Cell-specific miRNA manipulation to enhance efficacy of CFTR-directed therapeutics"
Ariel Salas, M.D.
Associate Professor
Division of Neonatology
Project Title
"Racial Differences in Respiratory Outcome After Early Vitamin D Supplementation in Infants Born Extremely Premature: A Randomized Trial"
New Investigators
Jeffrey Blount, M.D.
Professor
Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery
Project Title
"Effectiveness of novel folic acid fortified iodized salt in Zambia, a non-fortifying country"
Christy Foster, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes
Project Title
"Evaluation of Chromogranins in New onset Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents"
Byron Lai, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine
Project Title
"Virtual Reality Gaming to Improve Physical Activity and Psychosocial Health Among Pediatric Cancer Rehabilitation Patients that Transition From Clinic to Community: Idiopathic Clinical Trial"
Hope Wilson, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Project Title
"Evaluation of Factors Associated with Anticoagulation Adherence in Children"
Past Awardees
-
2022
2022
New Investigator Awards
Anna Hoppmann, M.D.
Instructor
Division of Pediatric Hematology-OncologyProject title: Social determinants of health and adverse outcomes among children with cancer
Thomas Spencer Poore, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of Pediatric Pulmonary & Sleep MedicineProject title: Impact of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus fumigatus Co-Infection in CF
Vivek Shukla, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of NeonatologyProject title: Brain MRI Radiomics-based Prediction of Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Neonates
Aman Wadhwa, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of Pediatric Hematology-OncologyProject title: Body Composition and Outcomes in Children Post Blood or Marrow Transplantation
Tennille Webb, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of Pediatric NephrologyProject title: Early Detection and Management of AKI after Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Established Investigator Award
Gregory Friedman, M.D.
Professor
Division of Pediatric Hematology-OncologyProject title: Targeting Tumor Metabolism to Enhance Efficacy of Oncolytic HSV
Robert Russell, M.D.
Associate Professor
Division of Pediatric SurgeryProject title: Sex-dependent imbalance of blood ADAMTS13 and vWF activity: A mechanism for the development of post-TBI acute kidney injury?
-
2021
2021
New Investigators
Pallavi Iyer, M.D.
Associate Professor
Division of Pediatric Endocrinology & DiabetesProject title: "Integrative Genomic Characterization of Pediatric Differentiated Thyroid Cancer"
Viral Jain, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of NeonatologyProject title: "Chorioamnionitis Leads to Altered Neonatal Immune System Development"
Claudette Poole, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of Pediatric Infectious DiseasesProject title: "The Association of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Diabetes Mellitus in Children"
Brandon Rocque, M.D.
Associate Professor
Division of Pediatric NeurosurgeryProject title: "Traumatic Stress and Shunt Failure: A Link between Psychology and Inflammation"
Emily Smitherman, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of Pediatric RheumatologyProject title: "Evaluating Access to Care in Childhood-onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Nephritis"
Kent Willis, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of NeonatologyProject title: "The Mycobiome Shapes Oxygen Exposure Lung Injury in Newborns via the Chitin Binding Receptor FIBCDl"
Established Investigators
William Britt, M.D.
Professor
Division of Pediatric Infectious DiseasesProject title: "Seasonal Coronavirus Infections and Antibody Responses to SARS-CoV-2"
Randy Cron, M.D.
Professor
Division of Pediatric RheumatologyProject title: "Functional Genomics of Novel Cytokine Storm Syndrome Genes Linked with SARS-CoV- 2"
-
2020
2020
New Investigator Award
Nitin Arora, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of NeonatologyProject title: Interaction Between HCMV and FcRn to Understand Viral Transcytosis Across the Maternal-Fetal Interface.
Sam Gentle, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of NeonatologyProject title: Reducing Adverse Delivery Outcomes Through Teleneonatology: a Feasibility Study
Marissa Gowey, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of Pediatric GastroenterologyProject title: Targeting Self-Regulation in Family-Based Behavioral Treatment for Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
Bhuvana Sunil, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of Pediatric Endocrinology & DiabetesProject title: Disparities in Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Youth with Type 2 Diabetes
Colm Travers, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of NeonatologyProject title: Predicting Episodes of Bradycardia Among Infants with Apnea of Prematurity
Established Investigator Award
Suresh Boppana, M.D.
Professor
Division of Pediatric Infectious DiseasesProject title: Role of HCMV Envelope Protein Glycosylation Patterns on Virus Neutralization
Ambika Ashraf, M.D.
Professor
Division of Pediatric Endocrinology & DiabetesProject title: Gut Microbiome and Type 2 Diabetes in Children
-
2019
2019
New Investigator Awards
Ammar Alishlash, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine
Prostacyclin Agonist Therapy for Acute Chest Syndrome in Sickle Cell Mouse Model
Emily E. Johnston, M.D., MS
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
End-of-Life Care of AL Children with Cancer: Disparities and Parent Priorities
Michael A. Lopez, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Neurology
Smad8 in Dystrophic Muscle Disease & Its Role in MicroRNA Regulation & Disease
Donna L. Murdaugh, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
A Longitudinal Pilot Study Examining Neurocognitive Outcomes in Survivors of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Before and After a Cognitive Remediation Program
Gabriela R. Oates, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine
Technology-Enabled Patient Support System for Self-management of Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis
Swetha G. Pinninti, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Infectious Disease
Significance of co-infection with CMV and STI’s during pregnancy
Aman Wadhwa, M.D.
Instructor (7/1/2019)
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Body Composition and Adverse Outcomes in Childhood Cancer
Established Investigator Award
Shannon A. Ross, M.D., MSPH
Associate Professor
Pediatric Infectious Disease
Neuroimaging Findings and Hearing Outcome in Asymptomatic Congenital CMV Infection -
2018
2018
New Investigator Awards
Ismail S. Mohamed, M.D.
Associate Professor
Pediatric NeurologyProject title: Computational Neurology for Non-invasive Delineation of the Epileptogenic Zone
Robert P. Richter, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Critical CareProject title: Heparanase and Endotheliopathy in Pediatric Sepsis
Robert T. Russell, M.D.
Associate Professor
Pediatric General SurgeryProject title: Coagulopathy Following Head Injury in Pediatric Trauma: From Bedside to Bench
Arial A. Salas, M.D.
Assistant Professor
NeonatologyProject title: Effect of Increased Enteral Protein on Body Composition of Preterm Infants: A Randomized Trial
Established Investigator Awards
Daniel I. Feig, M.D.
Professor
Pediatric NephrologyProject title: ESTaBLISH: Impact of Early life STressors on the BLood pressure and vascular function In adoleScents and cHildren
Gregory K. Friedman, M.D.
Associate Professor
Pediatric Hematology & OncologyProject title: Immunovirotherapy to Target Pediatric Brain Tumors
Wendy Landier, Ph.D., RN
Associate Professor
Pediatric Hematology & OncologyProject title: Integrating Technology to Enhance Patient/Family Education in Pediatric Oncology
-
2017
2017
New Investigator Awards
Matthew Alexander, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Neurology
“Genetic modifiers of Duchenne muscular dystrophy via genome sequencing of discordant siblings”Margaux Barnes, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, & Nutrition
“Mediational Analysis of Diet, Physical Activity, and Lean Mass in Youth with IBD”Jegen Kandasamy, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Neonatology
“Mitochondrial Genetic Contribution to Hyperoxia Induced Lung Injury”Charitharth (Vivek) Lal, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Neonatology
“The Role of Microbiome Induced Ac-PGP in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia”Colin Martin, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Surgery
“Maternal and Environmental Influence on Early Neonatal Immunity”Michael Seifert, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Nephrology
“Early Life Stress and Cardio-renal Disease in Kidney Transplantation"Established Investigator Awards
Elizabeth Beierle, M.D.
Professor
Pediatric Surgery
“Role of PIM kinase in maintaining hepatoblastoma tumor initiating cell population”Karen Fowler, Ph.D.
Professor
Pediatric Infectious Diseases
“Racial & ethnic disparities in congenital CMV infection: role of maternal CMV” -
2016
2016
Established Investigator Awards
Dr. Suresh Boppana
Project title: Vestibular and Balance Disorders in Children with Congenital CMV Infection (Sergio Stagno Award)
Dr. Randy Cron
Project title: Inhibition of HIV-1 Expression by Regulatory CD4 T Cells (Rud Pohill Award)
New Investigator Awards
Dr. Jennifer Guimbellot
Project title: Development of Personalized Approaches to CFTR Modulator Efficacy
Dr. Manran Ramani
Project title: Mechanisms by which Retinoids Attenuate Hyperoxia-Induced Memory Deficits in Mice
Dr. Julie Wolfson
Project title: A Comprehensive Investigation of Outcome Disparities in Children, Adolescents, & Young Adults with Cancer
Dr. Veronica Sanchez
Project title: HCMV Affects Glioblastoma Invasive Phenotypes
Dr. Purnima Singh
Project title: Molecular Pathogenesis of Anthracycline-related Congestive Heart Failure in Childhood Cancer Survivors
KPRI Quality and Safety Awards
In 2016, Children’s of Alabama and the Kaul Pediatric Research Institute (KPRI) began the KPRI Quality and Safety Award Program. The major goal of the this grant program is to allow teams to identify and address specific quality and safety issues that cannot easily be addressed using existing operational resources or structures.
This year, four grants were awarded with funding totaling $84,200. All funded applications are directed toward the improvement of child health care.q
2024 Awardees
Assistant Professor Project Title Professor Assistant Professor Project Title Assistant Professor Project Title Assistant Professor Project Title
Sam Gentle, M.D.
Division of Neonatology
Reducing Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Extremely preterm Infants
Avi Madan-Swain, Ph.D.
Chibuzo Ilonze, M.D.
Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Screen to Intervene: Improving Inpatient Family-Centered Psychosocial Pain Management Program for Youth Diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease and Their Families 
Adolfo Molina, M.D.
Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine
Improving the Screening of Food Insecure Patients
Jordan Newman, M.D.
Division of Pediatric Critical Care
Using Audiovisual Tools to Improve Interprofessional Communication During Escalation of Care at Children’s of Alabama
Past Awardees
-
2021
2021
Emily Smitherman, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of Pediatric Rheumatology
Project title: Adolescent Transfer to Adult Care—Rheumatology PatientsMary Lauren Scott, M.D.
Associate Professor
Division of Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes
Project title: Improving Glycemic Control in High-risk Patients with Type I DiabetesIsmail Mohamed, M.D.
Associate Professor
Division of Pediatric Neurology
Project title: Pediatric Epilepsy Learning Health System -
2020
2020
Nicole Samies, D.O.
Fellow
Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Project title: Review of Bacterial Tracheitis Diagnosis and ManagementMary Lauren Scott, M.D.
Associate Professor
Division of Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes
Project title: Improving Glycemic Control in High-risk Patients with Type I Diabetes -
2019
2019
Michael Seifert, M.D.
Pediatric NephrologyProject title: Reducing residual cardiac risk after pediatric kidney transplantation
Betsy Hopson, MSHA
Project title: QI project to improve bowel management in Spina Bifida Clinic
Avi Madan-Swain, Ph.D.
Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
Margaux Barnes, Ph.D.
Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and NutritionProject title: Improving family centered psychosocial screening
-
2017
2017
David Galloway, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, & Nutrition
“Improving Care for Pediatric Constipation: A joint effort between pediatricians and gastroenterologists”Chrystal Rutledge, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Pediatric Critical Care
“Development of a Novel Nursing-Focused Pediatric Advanced Life Support Training Program” -
2016
2016
Dr. Robert Russell
Project title: Quality Improvement in Imaging Strategies for Ped Appendicitis
Dr. Leslie Hayes
Project title: Reducing Waste in the PICU Through a Standardized Lab Reduction Strategy