Foundation continues its commitment to develop the next generation of leaders in DIPG research by awarding a record 10 new fellowships around the world
The ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation, along with their Family Partners and Research Partners, has awarded 10 new Fellowships through their grant program, with a total new commitment of $2.6 million over 3 years. These Fellowships are designed to encourage outstanding pre-doctoral and post-doctoral fellows under the guidance of a mentor to help develop the next generation of leaders in DIPG research. The foundation is proud to add these 10 to the 20 fellowships previously funded over the last five years. This commitment brings the total amount funded for DIPG research to $29.6 million across 39 institutions across the world.
One of the primary goals of ChadTough Defeat DIPG is to attract more brilliant minds to the field of childhood brain cancer research. Over the few years, the foundation saw a 50% increase in research grant applications and shows more researchers than ever before are turning their attention toward a cure for DIPG.
These 10 new Fellowship grants have been awarded:
- Aimee du Chatinier of Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, mentored by Esther Hulleman
- Andrea Cruz of UPMC Children’s Hospital, mentored by Sameer Agnihotri
- Jiasen He of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, mentored by Candelaria Gomez-Manzano
(and co-funded by Cal’s Angels and the Violet Foundation for Pediatric Brain Cancer)
- Yoon Seok Kim of Stanford University, mentored by Michelle Monje
- Joanna Lum of the University of Michigan, mentored by Sriram Venneti
- Siva Kumar Natarajan of the University of Michigan, mentored by Arul M. Chinnaiyan (and co-funded by the Alvin L. Glick Foundation)
- Reyes Hernández Osuna of CIMA Universidad de Navarra, mentored by Marta Alonso and Sara Labiano
- Shahab Sarmashghi of the Broad Institute, mentored by Rameen Beroukhim
- Minhui Su of Stanford University, mentored by Michelle Monje (and co-funded by McKenna Claire Foundation)
- Andrea Timpanaro of Seattle Children’s Hospital, mentored by Nick Vitanza
(and co-funded by Cal’s Angels and the Violet Foundation for Pediatric Brain Cancer)
“Early support from ChadTough inspired me to focus my work on DIPG research,” said 2017 Fellowship awardee Zack Reitman of Duke University. “This type of funding is critical for encouraging young investigators and ensures top labs are prioritizing the study of this disease.”
Awards are based on a rigorous review by the foundation’s Scientific Advisory Council. This council is composed of leading experts on DIPG to ensure funds are used for the most incremental and promising research studies. The foundation is currently accepting applications for its next round of funding that includes New Investigator and Game Changer grants. The deadline is February 8, 2024 with an announcement expected in the Spring.
Click here to learn more about research grants awarded through the ChadTough Defeat DIPG grant program.
