Research We Fund

By connecting basic, translational, and clinical researchers, HA is accelerating hydrocephalus research and working to fulfill our mission.

Bench to Bedside

AHCRN_HCRN_HAPPIER_new2

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.

Past Grantees and Programs

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.

2021 Innovator Award Recipient TITLE:  Department Chair, Neurosurgery INSTITUTION: University of Arizona GOAL: Dr. Justin…

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2021 Innovator Award Recipient TITLE: Professor INSTITUTION: University of Connecticut GOAL: Dr. Joanne Conover is…

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2021 Innovator Award Recipient TITLE:  Professor of Biology INSTITUTION: Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis…

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2020 Innovator Award Recipient TITLE:  Professor, UC Department of Surgery INSTITUTION:  University of Cincinnati GOAL:  Dr.…

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2020 Innovator Award Recipient TITLE: Professor, Neurological Surgery INSTITUTION: University of Michigan GOAL:  Dr. Pandey…

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Discovery 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.

2018 Discovery Science Award Recipient TITLE: Assistant Professor, Scintillon Institute GOAL: Test a new way…

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2018 Discovery Science Award Recipient TITLE: Associate Professor, Boston Children’s Hospital Overview: Dr. Maria Lehtinen…

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Resident's Prize in Hydrocephalus

Frequently Asked Questions

Please view our Frequently Asked Questions below. If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, need support, or if you have a suggestion for a future enhancement, please email our development team at hydroassist@hydroassoc.org.

Young 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.

Andrew Scott Emmert, BS
L1cam Mutation Exacerbates Neonatal Hydrocephalus in a CCDC39-Deficient Rat Model Characterized by Impaired Glymphatic CSF Flow

Jeff Horbatiuk
The Flow Limiting Operator: FLO

Eri Iwasawa, MD, PhD
Inflammation and Impaired Neural Differentiation in CCDC39 Rat Model of Neonatal Hydrocephalus

Jason Karimy, MS
A role for inflammation: TLR-4-mediated cerebrospinal fluid hypersecretion in post-hemorrhagic and post-infectious hydrocephalus

Riccardo Serra, MD
Evaluating the effects of CSF proteins on valves and anti-siphoning devices in a benchtop shunt system

Margaret Tish, BS
Neuronal characterization of hydrocephalic symptoms

Joseph “Tyler” Vasas, BS
Glial Scar Formation And Concomitant Glymphatic Impairment In The Hydrocephalic Brain

Vanessa Wall, MA, MS
Social-emotional outcomes in children with hydrocephalus

Kathryn Woods, MS
Microglial Secreted IL-10 Mediates Increase in Neuron Death following S. epidermidis Biofilm Exposure

Kathrin Zimmerman, BA
Psychosocial Distress in Pediatric Hydrocephalus

Past Grantees and Programs

Improving 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.

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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.

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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.