Research We Fund
By connecting basic, translational, and clinical researchers, HA is accelerating hydrocephalus research and working to fulfill our mission.
Bench to Bedside

The Hydrocephalus Association Research Program is focused on advancing promising avenues of hydrocephalus research and building a committed and connected hydrocephalus research community. Through the support of three research networks and our patient-powered registry, HA has created a research ecosystem that improves the lives of those with hydrocephalus now, while identifying and testing new hypotheses and therapies. By connecting basic, translational, and clinical researchers, HA is accelerating hydrocephalus research and working to fulfill our mission.
Meet Our Latest Grantees
Funding high-impact, high-quality basic, and translational research is essential for the identification and testing of new drugs and other therapies that could change how we treat hydrocephalus. That is why, each year, the Hydrocephalus Association runs grant cycles to fund individual researchers conducting innovative and exciting research that will improve our understanding of the condition, identify and test new interventions, and move new discoveries towards clinical use.
Innovator Award
About the Award
In 2015, HA launched the first-ever Innovator Award for Investigators in Hydrocephalus Therapeutics Research. The goal of this grant is to provide seed funding for bold and innovative research with the potential to transform the field of hydrocephalus through the understanding of disease mechanisms and the development of novel therapies.
Ryann Fame, PhD
Identify common genetic pathways between neural tube defects.
Read MoreOlufemi Idowu, MBBS, FWACS, FACS
Identify the barriers which exist for patients with childhood hydrocephalus in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).
Read MoreRamin Eskandari, MD
Determine the most effective treatment window and dose for a previously determined therapeutic target of Post-Hemmorhagic Hydrocephalus.
Read MoreCarolyn A. Harris, PhD
Understand how the secretion and barrier functions of the choroid plexus are altered in response to inflammation. Develop shunt catheters with topographical changes to reduce shunt obstructions. Develop a patient-specific computational model and test ventricular catheters, placement, and outcomes with it to improve predictive capabilities of ventricular failure. This will inform in-house manufacturing to continue optimizing the shape of the shunt’s ventricular catheter.
Read MoreGabriel Haller, PhD
Identify novel genes and pathways implicated in Post-Hemorrhagic Hydrocephalus (PHH) and identify potential biomarkers of PHH as well as explore potential drugs already developed which can be repurposed to target PHH.
Read MoreJames (Pat) McAllister II, PhD
Understand a disease pathway in Post-Hemmorhagic Hydrocephalus and analyze a potential therapeutic target.
Read MoreMaria Lehtinen, PhD
Identify a disease pathway that could be targeted therapeutically to potentially minimize white matter damage in Post-Hemmorhagic Hydrocephalus.
Read MoreJustin Cetas, MD, PhD
2021 Innovator Award Recipient TITLE: Department Chair, Neurosurgery INSTITUTION: University of Arizona GOAL: Dr. Justin…
Read MoreSheng Chih (Peter) Jin, PhD
2021 Innovator Award Recipient TITLE: Assistant Professor INSTITUTION: Washington University School of Medicine GOAL: Dr.…
Read MoreMats Tullberg, MD, PhD
2021 Innovator Award Recipient TITLE: Professor & Senior Consultant of Neurology INSTITUTION: University of Gothenburg…
Read MoreJoanne Conover, PhD
2021 Innovator Award Recipient TITLE: Professor INSTITUTION: University of Connecticut GOAL: Dr. Joanne Conover is…
Read MoreBonnie Blazer-Yost, PhD
2021 Innovator Award Recipient TITLE: Professor of Biology INSTITUTION: Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis…
Read MoreDiscovery Science Awards
About the Award
Discovery Science Awards provide multiyear support for high quality, innovative, and timely research projects by established investigators. The goals of this grant are to expand the scope of promising research studies, increase a lab’s focus on hydrocephalus, and involve junior investigators in conducting the research through a substantial multiyear commitment. In 2018, the Discovery Science Awards were focused on posthemorrhagic and postinfectious hydrocephalus research.
Yun Yung, PhD
2018 Discovery Science Award Recipient TITLE: Assistant Professor, Scintillon Institute GOAL: Test a new way…
Read MoreDavid Limbrick, MD, PhD
2018 Discovery Science Award Recipient TITLE: Professor, Washington University in St. Louis GOAL: Test a…
Read MoreMaria Lehtinen, PhD
2018 Discovery Science Award Recipient TITLE: Associate Professor, Boston Children’s Hospital Overview: Dr. Maria Lehtinen…
Read MoreR. Reid Townsend, MD, PhD
2018 Discovery Science Award Recipient TITLE: Professor, Washington University Overview: Dr. R. Reid Townsend is…
Read MoreKristopher Kahle, MD, PhD
2018 Discovery Science Award Recipient
Read MoreResident's Prize in Hydrocephalus
About the Award
One way the Hydrocephalus Association promotes research and leadership in hydrocephalus is through our annual Resident’s Prize. This prize is awarded each year to the most promising hydrocephalus-related research paper presented by a neurosurgical resident at the Pediatric Section meeting of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons (AANS/CNS). The prize is designed to encourage young doctors to focus their research efforts on advancing treatment and care of individuals with hydrocephalus.
Mohammed Alshareef, MD
2020 Resident’s Prize in Hydrocephalus PROJECT TITLE: Complement Activation Leads to Worse Cognitive Outcomes Following…
Read MoreYoung Investigator Travel Award
About the Award
The National Conference on Hydrocephalus brings renowned clinicians and scientists together with the hydrocephalus patient community. The Conference is an ideal place for young investigators to meet the families affected by hydrocephalus and hopefully strengthen their commitment to a career focused on hydrocephalus, however, few young investigators are able to attend. This award aims to encourage young investigators to attend.
Tyrone DeSpenza Jr., BA
CSF hypersecretion in a genetic mouse model of congenital hydrocephalus
Read MoreTyler Vasas, BS
A role of the Immune System in Hydrocephalus Following Brain Bleeds in a Neonatal Mouse Model
Read MorePengfei Liang, PhD
Bleeding Can Increase Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Secretion
Read MoreMargaret Tish, BS
Ventricular enlargement and NPH symptoms in mice
Read MoreKedous Y. Mekbib, BS
Altered Genes regulating DNA Handling in Congenital Hydrocephalus
Read MoreJulianna Herman, MS
A Mouse Model of Post-Infectious Hydrocephalus: Stem Cell Zone Damage and Repair
Read MoreJeff Horbatiuk
An Inexpensive Way to Observe Initial Shunt Obstruction
Read MoreDavid Mazur-Hart, MD
The Role of GPR39 (Protein G) in Hemorrhage-Induced Hydrocephalus
Read MoreAngel Enriquez, BA
Self-clearing catheter for rapid ventricular hemorrhage clearance
Read MoreAjay Rajaram, PhD
Brain Monitoring to predict surgical outcome
Read MoreImproving Patient Care Now
We support two multicenter clinical research networks, the pediatric-focused Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network (HCRN) and the Adult HCRN (AHCRN). These networks of highly skilled clinician-scientists are changing how hydrocephalus clinical research is conducted and producing high quality, high impact studies at an unprecedented pace.
Bringing the Patient Voice to Research
The HA Patient-Powered Interactive Engagement Registry (HAPPIER) is an online database that was developed by HA and created to bring the patient perspective to hydrocephalus research. HAPPIER currently collects information on the treatment and symptoms, health, and quality of life of people living with hydrocephalus.
Communication and Collaboration Among Hydrocephalus Casic and Translational Researchers
The Hydrocephalus Association Network for Discovery Science (HANDS) is a platform for both communication and collaboration among hydrocephalus basic and translational researchers with a focus on mentorship, innovation, and shared infrastructure. Through HANDS we award research grants to individual investigators conducting innovative research and also hold research conferences and workshops that are designed to promote collaboration and identify promising new opportunities.