HA Innovator Awardees Garner Multi-Million Dollar NIH Grants for Hydrocephalus Research
The Hydrocephalus Association (HA) is thrilled to highlight the continued success of two of our Innovator Award recipients, Dr. Brandon Miller and Dr. Sheng Chih (Peter) Jin who have recently secured substantial multi-million dollar grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These grants not only validate their innovative work initiated through the Innovator Awards but also pave the way for research that will greatly enhance our understanding of hydrocephalus.
The Innovator Award program was established in 2015 to provide seed funding for bold and innovative research with the potential to transform the field of hydrocephalus. This award is funded by our generous donors who invested in creating traction for hydrocephalus research.
To date, HA has invested $15.5 million in these initial awards. This funding has proven successful, as the researchers have gone on to secure an impressive $90.9 million in additional federal grant funding, resulting in an overall return on investment of $106 million.
Dr. Brandon Miller recently received a $2.6 million grant from the NIH for 2024. Dr. Miller’s NIH R01 project investigates how intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) impacts the brain’s immune system during development. Following IVH, immune cells in the brain exhibit altered behavior, which may contribute to brain injury and the development of hydrocephalus. His work aims to mitigate inflammation after IVH, ultimately reducing the incidence of hydrocephalus.
“I would like to thank the Hydrocephalus Association for their support of my laboratory and the entire community of scientists studying hydrocephalus. The Innovator Award provided crucial momentum for my lab when I was new to the field,” said Dr. Miller. “More importantly, HA’s programs foster dialogue and collaboration between research groups across the country and around the world.”
Dr. Sheng Chih (Peter) Jin recently received a $3.2 million grant from the NIH for 2024. Dr. Jin is focused on uncovering the genetic factors that contribute to congenital hydrocephalus, particularly given that the causes of approximately 80% of cases remain elusive. His NIH R01 grant utilizes advanced genomic technologies and computational methods to identify novel genetic elements linked to this condition. Importantly, Dr. Jin’s research aims to include diverse populations, ensuring that findings are representative and beneficial to all. He is also developing the HYDRO-Seq Genome Browser, a secure tool for analyzing genetic data while protecting patient privacy.
“This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of the Hydrocephalus Association and the foundation laid by the Innovator Award,” said Dr. Jin. “Thank you once again for your partnership and support. I am truly excited about the pioneering research we are about to embark on with this grant.”
The Hydrocephalus Association is proud to support scientists like Dr. Miller and Dr. Jin, whose innovative work is crucial for advancing our understanding of hydrocephalus. Their NIH grants represent not only a significant financial investment in the future of hydrocephalus research but also a commitment to improving patient outcomes and fostering collaboration within the scientific community. As they embark on these ambitious projects, we look forward to the discoveries that will emerge and their potential impact on those affected by hydrocephalus.