NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Grants

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

The objective of the associated Purchase Order is to obtain pre-clinical and/or clinical regulatory consulting services for a range of product development considerations (including multipurpose prevention technologies - contraceptives with anti infective properties) supported by NICHD’s Contraception Research Branch. These services shall provide expert consultation to NICHD staff on pre-clinical, ethical, policy, and regulatory issues related to NICHD’s extramural contraceptive research portfolio and other related product development related areas, as directed by NICHD staff.

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Project Summary/Abstract This CDA proposal seeks to investigate the long-term impact of modifiable health-related behaviors (e.g., smoking, exercise) on cognitive decline over time among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS; Specific Aim 1). This is important given the detrimental impact of cognitive impairment in MS, affecting symptom management, instrumental activities of daily living, and independence. Since there are no proven treatments for cognitive impairment, it is imperative to identify modifiable risk factors – specifically health-related behaviors – that can serve as potential treatment targets. Moreover, in order to modify these behaviors, this proposal will explore disease (MS)-related, person-specific, and environmental facilitators and barriers to engaging in health-related behaviors (Specific Aim 2). Such aims are consistent with the mission of the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR) to “determine the impact of modifiable lifestyle and health-related behaviors on prevention of secondary conditions, psychosocial functioning, and community participation,” as outlined in the 2016 NIH Research Plan on Rehabilitation. The Specific Aims will be accomplished via two longitudinal, observational studies among persons with MS. Cognitive trajectories will be established by standardized neuropsychological assessments. Health- related behaviors will be evaluated using self-report inventories. Facilitators/barriers to engaging in health-related behaviors will be determined by quantitative inventories and qualitative semi-structured interviews. Data from this investigation will serve as pilot data for a R01 grant in which a multicomponent lifestyle intervention to improve cognition among persons with MS will be proposed. Such intervention has been recently conducted in older adults at-risk of developing dementia, with ongoing replications around the world. Information from this project will help adapt this type of intervention to individuals with MS by accounting for MS-specific facilitators and barriers to engaging in health behaviors. I have assembled a multidisciplinary mentoring team, with expertise in clinical neuropsychology, cognitive rehabilitation, epidemiology, advanced biostatistics, clinical trial design, and digital health technology. By completing the proposed training and research plans, I will be able to achieve my training goals, including: (1) applying population-based survey research design to lifestyle behaviors; (2) learning qualitative research design and advanced statistical techniques; (3) learning how to conduct clinical trials and applications of digital health technology; and (4) honing professional skills, such as manuscript writing, grantsmanship, laboratory management, and mentorship. Achieving these goals will help me transition into an independent clinical investigator, with a long career of grant-funded research.

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

PROJECT SUMMARY Down syndrome (DS) is caused by a complete or partial trisomy of chromosome 21 (Trisomy 21, T21). DS is characterized by widespread abnormalities in numerous tissue systems, leading to heart defects, vision problems, hearing loss, variable degrees of intellectual disability, and sleep apnea. In addition, those with DS are highly predisposed to hypothyroidism, blood disorders, and autoimmune conditions, and are known to undergo accelerated aging processes, leading to Alzheimer's disease (AD). The rapid pace of progress in DS research over the last decade highlights the critical need for effective communication between scientists, clinicians, families and self-advocates, to take basic research discoveries from the laboratory to clinical trials that benefit people with DS. Furthermore, continued advances in DS research are dependent upon the nurturing of the next generation of junior scientists. In this grant proposal we therefore request funding to cover travel expenses of junior investigators, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students, to attend the 6th International Conference of the Trisomy 21 Research Society (T21RS), which will take place in Denver, Colorado, June 17-20, 2026. Attendees at this meeting will include established DS and non-DS investigators whose research directly or indirectly informs critical aspects of DS co-occurring conditions, including those mentioned above across the lifespan of individuals with DS. A new component the 2026 conference will be a workshop specifically for trainees during the first day, focused on novel technological advances in the field. The workshop will be open for all graduate and post-graduate students and will be include a mentor/mentee pairing session, allowing bridges to be built between different research groups, both within the USA and around the world. The mentees will self-select a junior or senior mentor from another research group and a panel discussion will be held including both mentors and mentees to discuss best mentor practices. Based on our previous successes, we anticipate that this conference will lead to fruitful discussions and novel collaborations that are essential for the future of DS research. The theme of our meeting will be: T21: Insights from Across the Lifespan.

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Project Summary/Abstract The Glycolipid and Sphingolipid Biology Gordon Research Conference (GRC) is a premier international scientific meeting dedicated to advancing the understanding of glyco- and sphingolipid biology through cutting- edge, unpublished research. This conference fosters dynamic discussions, cross-disciplinary collaborations, and networking opportunities among scientists at all career stages. The 2026 GRC will focus on the latest advancements in biophysics, biochemistry, and cell and molecular biology, with an emphasis on the role of glycosphingolipids in inborn errors of sphingolipid metabolism, development and tissue differentiation, and translational research. Novel research methodology to enhance translational research will also be emphasized during our conference. A central theme of this meeting is how glyco- and sphingolipids act as molecular codes for cell identity and recognition, influencing membrane organization, signaling, immune responses, and interactions with exogenous agents. Cutting-edge methodologies and novel approaches for studying these lipids—including structural analysis, imaging, and functional assays—will be showcased, highlighting their potential in therapeutic applications. The conference structure includes invited talks from leading experts, interactive discussions, and poster sessions to engage researchers at all levels. Ample time is dedicated to informal interactions, facilitating mentorship, networking, and the formation of lasting collaborations. The remote conference setting further enhances scientific engagement and community building. By bringing together a group of researchers from around the world, this GRC will serve as a vital forum for shaping the future of glycolipid and sphingolipid research, driving new discoveries and innovations in the field and developing novel approaches to rare pediatric disorders caused by genetic defects of sphingolipid metabolism that are increasingly being recognized by next generation sequencing. Results have implications for both children and adults, as these rare conditions often reveal the role of sphingolipid metabolism in more common diseases of adulthood and aging. Thus, the field is broadly relevant to a wide number of disciplines.

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

This supplement to our renewal application seeks continued support for the Vanderbilt Child Health Research Career Development Award (K12) – a program designed to prepare early-career pediatric physician-scientists to become future leaders in basic and translational research. The K12 program provides 80% protected time for mentored research, structured oversight, and individualized career development for up to three years. The Vanderbilt K12 pathway has produced a strong pipeline of pediatric physician-scientists, with substantial return on investment. Among the 11 scholars in the first funding cycle, 73% (8/11) secured individual NIH K awards, and 63% (5/8) of those K-award recipients transitioned to R01-level funding. Program alumni have secured independent research grants and assumed leadership roles in academia, underscoring the program’s impact. Both current K12 Training Directors are products of a Department of Pediatric physician-scientist training pathway (one a former K12 scholar and one a former pediatrics T32 fellow), underscoring our commitment to developing outstanding Vanderbilt Pediatric physician-scientists from fellows through late careers. A central feature of our program for the last 10 years has been the Vanderbilt K12 Club. This monthly forum brings together current scholars, alums, training directors, and multiple PIs to foster peer mentoring, professional development, and knowledge sharing. The program’s mentorship model is tiered and multidisciplinary. Each scholar is guided by a team of senior investigators and “Next Generation” near-peers, including former K12 recipients and mentors, ensuring both expert guidance and relatable peer support. We intentionally align our approach with Social Cognitive Career Theory, which emphasizes how self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and environment influence career development. This theoretical framework underpins our Individual Development Plan process and mentoring strategies, reinforcing scholars’ confidence and persistence. We also added a new mandatory Precision Medicine Research Rotation (1 day/week for 6 months). VUMC’s BioVU links DNA to de-identified electronic health records datasets (Synthetic Derivative, Research Derivative) for genotype–phenotype discovery and validation. Led by Dr. Jennifer Sucre (former K12 scholar and current K12 training director), scholars will build phenotypes, merge genomic and clinical data, and conduct phenotypic and genotypic analyses with bench validation. Additionally, Vanderbilt’s CTSA (Clinical and Translational Science Award) program has supported our scholars by providing infrastructure for clinical research translation, including a biorepository. Collectively, these resources, mentors, and our track record of success provide evidence that the K12 supplement will continue to support the pathway for physician-scientists committed to improving child health.

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

ABSTRACT Early stage pediatric faculty members, even those who have potential for success as academic investigators based upon substantial experience in basic research, will require further intensive training and mentoring in basic research to successfully embark upon an independent research career. Our proposed Child Health Research Career Development Award (CHRCDA) Program entitled “Developing Diverse Physician-Investigator Leaders for the Future of Child Health” will provide a cutting-edge research opportunities, combined with a carefully constructed mentoring and career development pathway, to enable our Scholars to emerge as leaders among the ranks of pediatric academic investigators. The basic biomedical research training community at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) has a long-established reputation of excellence, and UCSD Pediatrics now ranks in the top five in NIH research funding of all Pediatric Departments in the country. Notably, the last 5-10 years have witnessed an impressive academic expansion within of the UCSD Department of Pediatrics and the research it conducts, coupled with the formalization of its partnership with Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, the largest Children's Hospital in California. The key objectives of our CHRCDA are as follows: (1) To increase the number Pediatrician-Scientists engaged in basic research as applied to children's health; (2) to attract outstanding young pediatricians to UCSD and to facilitate their career development under the guidance of world class, established investigator-faculty mentors; and (3) to cultivate the early careers of women and minority investigators in children's health. With close input from the program pioneers in our Department, CHRCDA Scholars will participate fully in the program of UCSD National Center for Leadership in Academic Medicine (NCLAM), a longstanding and highly successful junior faculty mentoring program in UC Health Sciences that provides workshops and longitudinal mentoring in all facets required for successful advancement in academic medicine, and diversity enrichment modules including the Border Health and Doc-for-A-Day programs. All CHRCDA program faculty mentors are highly regarded scientific investigators, each leading a vibrant and cutting-edge basic or basic/translational research program of strong relevance to pediatric medicine. Research training opportunities for CHRCDA Scholars are organized into six research themes of five members each, which an integral role in the program structure, curriculum and mentorship approach: (1) Genomics, Big Data & Systems Biology; (2) Infection, Immunity & Inflammation; (3) Organ Physiology & Metabolism; (4) Neuroscience & Brain Development; (5) Human Microbiome & Child Health; and (6) Developmental & Stem Cell Biology. A guiding philosophy of this CHRCDA will be to support the greatest possible number of young physician-scientists within this Program, and an additional year of Department-funded support has been added to three years of K12 support to create a vibrant program with one new Scholar per year and four fellows total in the steady state.

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Project Summary. In May 2026, the Northeastern Society for Developmental Biology (NESDB) will host its annual regional meeting at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA. This conference convenes researchers from across the northeastern U.S. to share new discoveries in developmental biology, with a strong emphasis on trainee participation and community building. NESDB provides a critical platform for early-career scientists to present their research, build networks, and explore a broad range of scientific perspectives. The 2026 meeting will feature keynote lectures, invited talks, contributed oral presentations, undergraduate flash talks, poster sessions, and workshops on science communication and advocacy. We are requesting funds to 1) support event logistics such as venue and A/V costs, 2) provide financial assistance to trainees and early-career researchers through reduced registration fees and travel support, including provisions for childcare, and 3) offset the cost of attendance of invited speakers, so that we can attract scientists from many different types of institutions. By expanding participation and access, this meeting will advance both scientific exchange and professional development in the developmental biology community.

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Abstract The Child Health Research Career Development Award (CDRCDA) Program was first established at Children’s National Hospital in 2000, and over the past 24 years, we have successfully trained 30 Scholars. The purpose of the program is to facilitate the development of successful basic, translational, and clinical research careers for junior faculty members in pediatrics across the T0-T4 spectrum. The rationale for the program is that while many opportunities exist to use molecular biology, biomedical engineering, and translational science to advance treatment of pediatric diseases, the comprehensive scientific knowledge and practical experience that are required to capitalize on these opportunities are often deficient among young pediatrician-investigators who have recently finished clinical training. The CHRCDA addresses this need by providing protected time for nascent scientists during their initial academic appointment. In our program, scholars: 1) take coursework in basic, translational, or clinical science areas relevant to their research; 2) learn state-of-the art laboratory and computational methodologies; 3) develop preliminary data under the supervision of established mentors that will lead to submission of independent NIH grant applications; and 4) learn to effectively advance accomplishments in basic, translational, and clinical research into improvements in child health. To accomplish these goals, the CHRCDA scholars spend at least 75% effort honing these skills under the mentorship of established mentors over a 3-4 year period. During this period, each of the above tasks will be addressed in a systematic fashion, including participation in a core curriculum in research methodology and biostatistics, training in responsible conduct of research, and performance of increasingly independent research under senior investigators. We fund 2-3 Scholars annually and match these scholars with senior mentors within four scientific affinity groups: neuroscience, molecular genetics, cancer and immunology, and biomedical engineering. The administrative structure includes a Principal Investigator/Program Director, a Training Director, an Executive Committee, and an external Advisory Committee. The outcomes of this program are measured by the products of the scholars’ subsequent academic careers: publications and independent external grant support. Recent innovations to our program include: expansion of funded research to include T2-T4 science with recruitment of a cadre of appropriate mentors, new pipeline programs to increase our pool of candidates including two R38 awards to fund research among pediatric residents and significant capital investments including the new Children’s National Research and Innovation campus. This administrative supplement is necessary to sustain the CDRCDA program during an unanticipated funding gap, ensuring uninterrupted support for scholars and continued program operations until a future funding opportunity is released.

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Project Summary/Abstract This application is submitted in response to RFA-HD-18-011, Child Health Research Career Development Award (CHRCDA) Program to provide K12 awards through the CHRCDA mechanism to young pediatric investigators. This new application requests resources to support three pediatricians each year who hold MD or MD/PhD degrees and have completed scholarship training in a clinical subspecialty. The rationale for the program is based on the well-documented and urgent need to support mentored career development for pediatricians to enable them to become fully independent and productive basic science researchers, and the fact that the department of Pediatrics at UCSF has the vision, experience and infrastructure to train the next generation of leaders in pediatric science. Our aims are to (1) offer a structured program for training academic pediatricians, (2) foster career development and promote retention of junior faculty, (3) expose promising early career pediatricians to the intellectual richness of UCSF research and (4) promote diversity in academic pediatrics. The scholars trained by this program will bring state-of-the-art approaches to bear on diagnosis, treatment and prevention of health problems in children as well as childhood onset of adult illness. The design of this program involves harnessing the expertise of world- class basic laboratory scientists who will serve as mentors for interdisciplinary training. The basic science training program is focused around eight scientific cores: cancer, cardiopulmonary medicine, developmental biology, genetics, immunology, neurobiology, stem cell biology, and our new computational sciences core. Each core has a Director, designated faculty, and a specific didactic curriculum. The scholars, in conjunction with their mentor and Core Director, will also participate in a program of additional discipline-specific course work dependent on both the prior experience and training of the applicant and the scientific theme of the trainee’s research, which may often overlap amongst different cores. In this application, we provide evidence that the Department of Pediatrics together with the broader UCSF research community comprise an exceptional environment for preparing young pediatricians who will receive support through the CHRCDA mechanism for successful careers as basic science researchers. There are > 1,200 research laboratories and > 2,200 active research projects at UCSF, and the faculty includes 5 Nobel laureates, 64 members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 76 members of the Institute of Medicine, and 18 Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigators. This program is an investment in the future of children's health, as the diverse group of researchers we will train will harness advanced research strategies to address urgent problems that will result in new treatments to improve child health.

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Project Summary This R13 application requests funds to support the XXVIIIth North American Testis Workshop “Of Flies, Mice, and Men: Novel Models that are Changing our Understanding of Testis Biology”, which will be held from April 15-18, 2026, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Scottsdale Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Workshop will be held immediately prior to the annual meeting of the American Society of Andrology at the same venue. Since 1972, the North American Testis Workshop has been the foremost international forum for both basic and clinician-scientists to present and discuss their recent findings on the development, regulation, and functions of the testis. The Workshop regularly attracts 150-200 attendees from North America and around the world. It is also an important scientific platform for the next generation of testis biologists; approximately one-third of the Workshop participants are trainees. The requested R13 funds will be used to help defray travel costs for 20 trainees and/or early-career investigators who are selected based on scientific merit of the submitted abstracts. R13 funds will also be used to offset a portion of the accommodation costs for the 15 invited speakers. The main objectives of the Workshop are: 1) to provide a platform for the dissemination and discussion of new discoveries on testis biology, especially novel data obtained using the latest omics strategies as well as new biotechnologies (single cell, gene editing) and models of study (atypical species models, artificial intelligence). By combining multiple strategies, conference participants will be provided with a more complete picture of testis biology at the cellular and molecular levels. It will also inspire and encourage translation of the new knowledge to clinical applications and accelerate drug discovery and therapeutics; (2) to create opportunities for scientific exchange and collaborations among peers to foster career growth and to ensure continued advances in the field of testis biology; (3) to offer a forum for trainees (fellows, postdocs and graduate students) and early-career investigators (within the first five years of independent research) to present their research, receive feedback from established investigators, and build professional relationships, all of which are known to be critical for intellectual, scientific, professional, and academic growth.

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

PROJECT SUMMARY The US and world populations face numerous reproductive challenges. For example, an estimated 13% of women in their reproductive years have impaired fecundity. Furthermore, the World Health Organization estimates that 15% of all pregnant women — 14 million per year — will experience an obstetric complication such as preterm birth, preeclampsia, or postpartum hemorrhage. Between 10% and 20% of reproductive-age women have endometriosis, which impairs fertility. Additionally, 7% of men globally are affected by infertility. Finally, infertility is a potential biomarker of both present and future health. To solve these and other reproductive challenges, we must rigorously define the etiologies and develop new therapies and technologies to prevent or treat them. To advance science in this area, this R13 proposal requests funds to support an international symposium entitled “Membrane Excitability and Reproductive Biology.” This will be the 79th Annual Symposium of the Society of General Physiologists (SGP) and will be held September 2 through 6, 2026, at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA. The SGP symposia have a reputation as leading meetings for physiologists and biophysicists spanning all career stages and professional levels, across several disciplines. Each year the meeting topic is unique, designed to highlight emerging and important research areas within the field of physiology. The 2026 meeting will bring together ~150 scientists and trainees to discuss cutting-edge fundamental and applied research relating to the role of membrane excitability in reproduction and novel technologies for studying these problems. The overarching goals of the meeting are to inspire and recognize young investigators, create a place for scientific exchange, and disseminate new and significant discoveries that push forward our fundamental understanding of reproduction. We will achieve these goals by pursuing the following three Specific Aims: 1) Provide an opportunity for experts in the field to present cutting-edge science on the role of membrane proteins in reproduction. 2) Promote early-career investigators within the field of reproduction, and 3) Foster new, interdisciplinary collaborations. By providing an interactive forum to discuss interdisciplinary and cutting-edge reproductive research, the 79th SGP meeting will stimulate new ideas and technologies to advance the field of reproduction.

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Project Summary Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects roughly 1% of the world’s population, and currently, there are no mechanism-based treatments that address the core features of ASD. It is now clear that the genetics underlying ASD are complex; with several hundreds of genes conferring large risk as well as common variants contributing to a large proportion of ASD heritability. Genetic studies of ASD suggest a high degree of convergence on specific cellular processes and biochemical pathways, which have led researchers to posit that potential therapeutic strategies may be shared across different genetic etiologies. The study of monogenic or syndromic forms of ASD has been a leading strategy to gain insight into the complex mechanisms of ASD. Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is among the leading monogenic causes of ASD and is the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability. Since the Fragile X gene (FMR1) was cloned in 1991, the field has used cellular assays and model organisms to elucidate the functions of the FMR1 protein (FMRP), the consequences of its loss, and identify therapeutic targets for FXS and ASD. Other “syndromic” forms of ASD, such as tuberous sclerosis complex, Rett Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome, CHD8, NRXN1 and others, are being investigated using similar approaches. Recent technological advances in stem-cell derived neurons, single cell sequencing, gene therapy, human neurons, and organoids are setting the stage for transformative advances in therapeutic development for these neurodevelopmental disorders. This conference will bring together leading basic and translational scientists studying ASD, Fragile X and related neurodevelopmental disorders from around the world with the ultimate goal of developing mechanism-based treatments that address the core features of these diseases.

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Project Summary The primary goal of the 2026 Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Mammalian Reproduction is to bring together a distinguished group of scientists from around the world to share and discuss the latest breakthroughs in mammalian reproductive science. The meeting will be preceded by a Gordon Research Seminar (GRS), organized and led by two early-career reproductive scientists, and specifically designed to support the professional development of postdoctoral and graduate student trainees. Together, the GRS and GRC will provide a synergistic platform for scientific exchange and career advancement. The conference will foster a welcoming environment where researchers at all career stages can share their work, receive constructive feedback, and build meaningful academic and professional networks. The scientific program will feature leading experts across basic, agricultural, and clinical reproductive sciences, and will actively include scientists at various stages of their careers. A strong emphasis will be placed on supporting early-career researchers ensuring they are fully engaged and recognized as vital contributors to the field. Participants will be exposed to cutting-edge, transformative discoveries in reproductive biology and encouraged to participate in open, and critical discourse that values different perspectives and addresses global scientific challenges. By achieving these goals, the 2026 GRC and GRS on Mammalian Reproduction will help shape the future of the field, fostering a research community where all scientists are welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed in this essential area of science.

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

PROJECT SUMMARY On June 24-26, 2026, the 20th Northwest Reproductive Science Symposium (NWRSS) meeting will be held at the Best Western Plus Hood River Inn and Conference Center in Hood River, Oregon and hosted by the Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC), which is a part of Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). This long-standing meeting began in 1989 as the Washington State University (WSU) and the University of Idaho (UI) annual joint mini-symposium, but now organization and hosting rotates biennially between WSU/UI, Oregon State University (OSU), and ONPRC/OHSU. The NWRSS scientific program showcases reproductive science- related research being conducted primarily in the Pacific Northwest region and includes topics such as fertility and contraception, developmental biology, reproductive aging, environmental toxicology, and disease therapies to improve human reproductive and developmental health. Our overall objective is to promote the exchange of scientific information in an informal setting to advance our understanding of important events that occur throughout the entire life process. NWRSS organizers and participants remain committed to providing a safe and professional environment to foster the sharing of ideas and are pleased to welcome basic scientists, clinicians, and other leaders working in the reproductive or developmental biology field to the meeting. Because most of the attendees have historically been trainees, the NWRSS provides unique networking opportunities for undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows to interact with other trainees, early-stage investigators, and established scientists. NWRSS also seeks to support career development at multiple levels with encouraged participation from trainees in all aspects of meeting organization. To help facilitate this, an ad hoc trainee committee is established each year with representatives from all participating universities to oversee abstract submission and serve as session chairs during the meeting. Similar to previous years, at least one preeminent leader in the reproductive sciences will deliver a keynote address with additional prominent speakers invited from each university or chosen from the submitted abstracts. Due to shared interests in reproductive physiology and the relatively close proximity of attendees, many lasting and productive collaborations have arisen from these gatherings, and this is expected to continue at the 20th NWRSS meeting.

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Project Summary The Neural Development Gordon Research Conference (GRC) is a premier, international scientific conference focused on advancing the frontiers of science through the presentation of cutting-edge and unpublished re- search, prioritizing time for discussion after each talk and fostering informal interactions among scientists of all career stages. The conference program includes a broad range of speakers and discussion leaders from insti- tutions and organizations worldwide, concentrating on the latest developments in the field. The conference is five days long and held in a remote location to increase the sense of camaraderie and create scientific commu- nities. In addition to premier talks, the conference has designated time for poster sessions and afternoon free The 2026 GRC on Neural Development at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island USA will bring together scientists who investigate fundamental questions related to nervous system development, using molecular, cellular and organismal approaches. Topics include the genesis of neurons and glia, cell lineages, cell-cell communication including with CNS-resident immune, vascular and fibroblasts, and the assembly of neural circuitry. time, and communal meals allow for informal networking opportunities with leaders in the field. Our excep- tional speakers will address cutting-edge questions including how evolution shaped the emergence and diversi- fication of extant nervous systems, how developmental mechanisms prime the nervous system for future function In line with these broad topics, speakers employ a range of classical and emerging model organisms including flies, frog, fish, mice, ferrets, and non-human primates. They also use state-of-the art human-cell based models like neural organoids. The invited speakers employ broad approaches including: molecular genetic techniques and genomic approaches such as transcriptomic and epigenetic profiling; single cell mRNA sequencing and lineage barcoding; CRISPR-based manipulations and screens; live-imaging and high-resolution microscopy; neuroimaging and human genetics. The meeting will promote extensive exchanges between junior and senior scientists from different career stages, geographic locations and scientific interests. This collegial atmosphere will be fostered through interactions at talks, poster sessions, meals, and informal gatherings during free time. Networking will be promoted with journal editors and members of funding agencies that support research in this field. There will also be many short talks selected from abstracts, which will feature the most exciting recent work by early-career researchers We en- courage applications from researchers across institutions, career stages, countries, and relevant scientific topics, with the goal of having broad participants to enrich the meeting. A GRS is reserved for trainees only, including PhD students and postdocs. This will precede the meeting, and is organized and run by trainees, and will include sessions on related topics along with an invited keynote speaker. and how the nervous system ages under healthy and pathological conditions. .

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

PROJECT SUMMARY The Midwest Zebrafish Meeting (MWZM) is a biennial scientific conference that brings together researchers using the zebrafish model to study fundamental questions in developmental biology, reproduction, genetics, and disease. The meeting serves as a key regional hub for fostering collaboration, technical training, and early- career development in the zebrafish research community across the Midwest, with participation from researchers nationwide. This year, MWZM will be hosted at the Van Andel Research Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Grand Rapids is centrally located in the Midwest, and easily accessible via plane, train, or automobile. The Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) is well equipped to host a meeting of this size (approximately 175 attendees), with an auditorium and break-out rooms, AV specialists, and Events Team support on site. VARI is located within walking distance of hotels and restaurants. We have arranged for discounted hotel blocks at two neighboring hotels. Zebrafish are a powerful vertebrate model organism uniquely suited for real-time imaging, high-throughput genetic manipulation, and modeling of human developmental disorders. The MWZM will highlight zebrafish research in areas such as visualizing development, tissue patterning, neural development and regeneration, germ and stem cell biology, cardiovascular and hematopoietic development, and disease modeling. This R13 application requests support to enhance the MWZM’s ability to advance research and training in the areas of development and disease, especially neurobiology and cardiovascular biology. The meeting will feature keynote lectures, invited and contributed talks, poster sessions, and technical workshops that highlight zebrafish-based discoveries from researchers in the Midwest. Special emphasis will be placed on providing early-career researchers with opportunities to present their work and participate in professional development sessions. R13 support will ensure the continued success and accessibility of the meeting by helping to offset operational costs, providing travel assistance to trainees, and disseminating educational resources beyond the conference itself. Through this support, MWZM will continue to promote scientific excellence, accelerate biomedical discovery, and strengthen the workforce.

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

SUMMARY Relevant to NICHD’s mission is prioritizing research to improve the health of American children and families. Similarly, reducing the prevalence of childhood chronic diseases by understanding and diminishing contributions to disease risk is a goal of the Make American Healthy Again initiative. The proposed conference is unique in that it focuses specifically on the relatively new field of prenatal pediatrics; that is, optimizing fetal well-being through maternal-fetal research and fetal interventions to improve outcomes in the neonatal period and beyond. Our MPI team at the Prenatal Pediatrics Institute (Adre duPlessis, MBChB) and the Developing Brain Institute (Catherine Limperopoulos, PhD, and Katherine L. Wisner, MD, MS) at Children’s National Hospital (CNH) has evolved a progressive model of in utero pediatric care to underscore the importance of pregnancy and the womb as the time and place where childhood chronic disease first takes hold. The fetal environmental milieu has a key role in defining the trajectory of life-long health. Our objective is to concentrate on the potential of prenatal pediatrics as a powerful conceptual framework to guide research to reduce the escalating rates of childhood chronic diseases. Examining the potential dietary, behavioral, medical, and socio- environmental factors associated with childhood chronic disease is crucial to encourage interdisciplinary, evidence-based research to inform interventions, societal change, and policy. This conference was developed with the goal of reducing institutional and research compartmentalization. We plan two days of presentations by speakers representing a broad array of prenatal pediatrics/neonatology and subspecialties, maternal-fetal medicine, perinatal mental health, translational scientists in non-invasive technologies to evaluate fetal health, genetics/epigenetics, nutrition, infectious disease and the microbiome, public health, artificial intelligence and data science. Conference meals include extended periods of time for lunch and a dinner to support delegate networking. A final panel including the MPIs and Dr. Yoel Sadovsky will synthesize the conference proceedings and generate recommendations to advance the field. Manuscripts will be developed from the lectures for publication in an issue of the journal Seminars in Perinatology focusing on the theme, Translational Research to Integrate Maternal, Fetal and Infant Health.

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The goal of the F99/K00 award is to provide Talia Kieu, MSPH, with the training needed to become an independent investigator focused on using advanced methods to identify the risk and protective factors of mental health outcomes among populations with multiple marginalized identities across the life course, as well as provide resources to augment and support researcher diversity. In 2019, the economic burden of major depressive disorder in the United States was estimated at $333.7 billion. Those with multiple marginalized identities (e.g., a low-income Black woman) are more likely to experience severe and persistent depression than those with a single or no marginalized identities. Depressive symptoms may be reflective of experienced life events; therefore, examining social conditions from adolescence and their effect into adulthood is critical to understand. Current literature on depression outcomes primarily sums the effects of social identities (e.g., race, sex) without exploring their multiplicative effects (i.e., how being both Black and a woman may uniquely compound risks for depression compared to each identity alone), often relying on cross-sectional analyses, which may contribute to the mixed findings in the current depression disparities literature. These conflicting findings highlight the need for a more nuanced understanding of how depression manifests longitudinally in marginalized populations. It is equally important to identify protective factors, such as social integration—the degree in which an individual is connected to their social environment. Research in the F99 phase (Aim 1) addresses these gaps by investigating 1) how depression evolves over the life course in those with multiple marginalized identities; 2) how multiple marginalized identities can have compounding, multiplicative effects on depression outcomes; and 3) how social integration manifests as a protective factor. Findings from this study will have implications for practice by identifying vulnerable populations and exploring strengths-based, protective factors for mental health interventions. Mental health interventions should also be well timed. Some marginalized populations, such as sexual/gender minority (SGM) communities, experience off-time sensitive periods due to multiple forms of stigma, which may result in overlooking optimal timing for mental health interventions. There is a need to examine how early-life experiences and off-time sensitive periods shape the mental health of SGM populations. Research in the K00 phase (Aim 2) will address these gaps by collecting mixed-methods data to 1) retrospectively explore the impact of holding multiple marginalized identities on the sensitive periods and mental health trajectories of older, SGM individuals of color; 2) explore the long-term impacts of adolescent experiences; and 3) validate findings through intergenerational member-checking sessions with adolescent and older SGM individuals. Findings from this study will have practical implications for timing mental health interventions effectively, and tailoring interventions to facilitate the protective qualities of SGM communities.

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Project summary Infertility affects approximately 15% of the global population, and current assisted reproductive technologies fail to address the needs of several populations, including individuals who cannot produce viable gametes and same-sex couples seeking biologically related children. In vitro gametogenesis (IVG), and specifically, producing egg cells (oocytes) from stem cells, offers a promising solution for these underserved groups. The reconstituted ovary (rOvary) system, currently only possible in mice, combines embryonic day (E) 12.5 ovarian somatic cells with developmentally younger E9.5 stem cell-derived primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs). However, only 1-3% of PGCLC-derived oocytes achieve developmental competence, presenting a significant barrier to clinical translation. This developmental mismatch between PGCLCs and their somatic environment may contribute to this low efficiency. My preliminary data shows that E12.5 primordial germ cells (PGCs), which comprise 5% of germ cells in the rOvary, achieve key developmental milestones more effectively than PGCLCs. Specifically, PGCs complete meiotic prophase I earlier, establish timely interactions with supporting granulosa cells and produce significantly larger oocytes and follicles than PGCLCs. To address these limitations, I will: 1) Compare the progression of PGCs and PGCLCs through meiotic prophase I using immunofluorescence and single-cell RNA sequencing; 2) Assess oocyte-granulosa cell communication during follicle formation through protein expression dynamics and transcriptional profiling; and 3) Implement an established protocol using retinoic acid and BMP2 to mature PGCLCs to an E12.5-like state before rOvary formation, potentially enhancing their developmental potential and reducing chromosomal asynapsis. This research will be conducted at UCLA under the mentorship of Dr. Amander Clark, a world-renowned expert in stem cell biology and in vitro gametogenesis. Success in this project could significantly improve the efficiency of in vitro oocyte generation, advancing our understanding of germline development and the potential clinical applications of IVG technology. This work represents a crucial step toward expanding reproductive options for individuals facing infertility and broadening access to biological parenthood for currently underserved populations.

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Project Summary Addressing the rising trends in maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity (SMM) is a critical priority in the United States. About half of adverse maternal health outcomes were found to be attributable to preventable harm or unintended consequences arising from clinical practice and the system of delivering perinatal care. Significant resources are currently being invested to implement quality improvement (QI) initiatives in birthing hospitals across the country. There is great need to evaluate these efforts and demonstrate their effectiveness to reducing the burden of preventable SMM and maternal deaths. Virtually all QI initiatives in birthing hospitals use SMM as an outcome measure, but their evaluation is hindered by the need to risk-adjust SMM rates to control for differences in patient composition within and between hospitals. To date, 3 different research groups proposed obstetric comorbidity indices, yet all have significant limitations. The overarching goal of this study is to develop and validate a refined comorbidity index for obstetric patients that allows SMM rate comparisons across hospitals and adequate monitoring of QI initiatives in obstetrics. We will use Maryland’s unique, gold- standard, hospital-based, state-representative SMM Surveillance and Review data to identify a comprehensive list of comorbidities in patients with SMM events. Using electronic health record data from the Johns Hopkins Health System, we will employ variable importance estimation with machine learning techniques to develop the comorbidity index. Subsequently, we will ascertain its accuracy using receiver operating characteristic (ROC)/precision-recall (PR) curves and areas under the curve (AUC) for outcome discrimination and lowess- smoothed calibration plots. Also, we will compare the performance of the refined comorbidity index to predict SMM against that of previously published comorbidity indices. To further validate our refined comorbidity index and assesses its performance consistency across various sociodemographic groups, we will use national hospital discharge data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project’s National Inpatient Sample. A Technical Advisory Group comprised of clinicians, community partners, patient safety experts, and certified medical coders will meet quarterly for data interpretation sessions. At the end of the study, we expect to have a refined comorbidity index developed in gold-standard data, with superior psychometric properties than the previously published comorbidity indices and validated in both EHR and national hospital discharge data. Our results will be disseminated in the peer-reviewed literature and through presentations at scientific meetings.

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

PROJECT SUMMARY The overall goal of this application is to provide the principal investigator with targeted training in advanced methods for capturing and analyzing daily family dynamics relevant to child mental health. In the long term, the applicant intends to establish an independent research career focused on how everyday family processes shape children’s development, with the goal of informing interventions that strengthen family functioning and support mental health. To support this trajectory, the proposed training plan includes focused development in three key areas: (1) interdisciplinary collaboration to integrate technology into the study of family interactions, (2) advanced statistical methods for analyzing large, multimodal datasets, and (3) the conceptualization and dissemination of findings on adaptive and maladaptive family processes in daily life. Together, these components will lay the groundwork for a research career focused on advancing the science of family processes and enhancing interventions that support child and family well-being. Children’s exposure to family conflict can significantly shape their development, influencing both mental health symptoms and how they manage conflict in the future. While some conflicts promote problem-solving and emotional growth, others escalate into maladaptive patterns that increase the risk for mental health symptoms. Yet, key questions remain about the core features that distinguish adaptive from maladaptive conflict. This study addresses that gap by examining how conflict unfolds in daily life, focusing on natural escalation within individual episodes as well as broader day-to-day conflict patterns over two months. Findings will identify the features that contribute to maladaptive conflict, shedding light on when and how conflict becomes harmful. By identifying these distinguishing features, this research will inform the development of targeted interventions aimed at supporting healthier family relationships. This project addresses two complementary aims, offering both detailed and broad perspectives on parent-child conflict. The first aim takes a “zoomed-in” approach, examining naturally occurring conflict episodes captured through at-home audio recordings. It focuses on specific features such as baseline intensity and the trajectory of escalation, and how these dynamics are linked to same-day and next-day changes in child mood and parent- child interactions. The second aim takes a “zoomed-out” view, using ecological momentary assessment surveys to track daily patterns of conflict intensity, frequency, and duration over a two-month period. This broader approach will examine how families’ overall conflict patterns relate to child mental health symptoms and parent-child relationship quality. By integrating these two levels of analysis, the project will provide a more complete picture of how parent-child conflict unfolds in everyday life—offering valuable insights to guide interventions that strengthen family relationships and promote child well-being.

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Project Summary Sexual agency among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), or an individual’s ability to make decisions about engaging in sexual activity independently, fully informed, and free from coercion, has become a topic of interest in sexual and reproductive health and rights. However, readiness to initiate sexual activity, itself a reflection of sexual agency, has been less studied. To advance the understanding of sexual readiness, its causes, and associated sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), this study will explore the cross-cultural applicability of a measure of sexual readiness, examine its social determinants, assess its predictive value on SRH outcomes across LMICs, and evaluate the adaptation of the measure in humanitarian settings. Specifically, Aim 1 analyses will examine the construct of readiness at sexual debut Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), identify profiles of adolescents’ readiness at sexual debut, and compare the measures of age at sexual debut and readiness in predicting SRH outcomes. Using Performance Monitoring for Action (PMA) surveys with national longitudinal data about fertility and contraceptive behaviors among women ages 15-49 in five SSA countries, this analysis involves using latent class analysis to identify readiness profiles and assess their predictive effect on subsequent SRH outcomes. Secondly, using multilevel structural equation models, Aim 2 analyses will examine the association between social norms, individual attitudes, and sexual readiness as well as the association between sexual readiness and SRH outcomes and the moderating role of social norms. Finally, Aim 3 analyses will adapt this research and model to humanitarian settings with data on marriage and SRH outcomes among AGYW from the “Early Marriage and Fertility Decision Making Among Conflict-affected and Displaced Adolescents in Bangladesh and Yemen” (EMEC) study. Using multilevel multivariate logistic regression, the analysis will evaluate the influence of social norms on adolescents’ readiness in marriage in humanitarian settings in South and Western Asia and examine the effect of readiness in marriage on subsequent SRH outcomes and the moderating role of social norms. To support this dissertation research, the applicant has brought together a group of faculty with extensive subject-matter and methodological expertise related to the research proposal to serve as her mentorship team, led by Dr. Caroline Moreau. The training plan includes coursework, research, conferences, and other opportunities that will deepen the applicant’s conceptual understanding and subject matter expertise in adolescent SRH and social norms, strengthen her advanced methodological skills in statistics, including structural equation modeling, and expand her research experience addressing SRHR issues in humanitarian contexts. This research aligns with the NICHD 2020 Strategic Plan to “characterize typical and atypical physical, social, and emotional development in adolescence”. This training plan and research project will enable the applicant to build the skillset critical to becoming an independent researcher with expertise in applying a life course framework to issues of adolescent development and SRH.

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

PROJECT SUMMARY: The mechanisms by which stem cells orchestrate their program to become functional differentiated cells require accurate temporal regulation of specific gene expression programs. This complex network requires precise temporal regulation of transcription and degradation processes to activate specific programs in a coordinated manner. So far, most of the studies have explored the regulation of transcriptional pathways and chromatin remodeling events during the differentiation process. mRNA degradation processes may present an attractive and still poorly explored opportunity for enhancing our understanding of the differentiation process. However, the lack of technologies that can capture rapid mRNA degradation events over highly dynamic processes, such as differentiation, and the heterogeneity of the mRNA degradation machinery in composition and expression patterns during differentiation have presented major technical limitations to further exploring the role of mRNA degradation across the continuum of the differentiation program. Here I propose to explore the existence of specialized RNA degradation complexes that control the decay of specific mRNA subclasses at precise timeframes of the differentiation process. To test this, we will introduce a new platform that uses cutting-edge technologies integrated in an innovative way to interrogate the continuum of the differentiation process at an unprecedented resolution. Our programmable depletion and rescue strategy will allow us to control the expression level of each subunit of complex mRNA degradation machinery robustly and with a precise time resolution of hours. By combining this technology with a high-content imaging system, we can record phenotype changes and accurately determine the specific impact of any perturbed protein on differentiation. Additionally, the use of this platform will guide us to understand the exact gene regulatory network controlled by the machinery at the transcriptional and stability level. The conceptualization and development of this workflow have the potential to impact a broader scientific audience; due to its extremely high flexibility, it could be applied to the study of unlimited biological processes or proteins. In this essay, the application of our proposed platform has the potential to fundamentally overturn the current view of how mRNA decay is dynamically regulated, providing a definite understanding of the function of the degradation machinery on mRNAs and, at the same time, revealing the broader impact of the degradation process on differentiation.

NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

ABSTRACT Understanding and mitigating drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in children is crucial for pediatric healthcare. Children are more prone to liver damage due to differences in drug metabolism, liver development, and unique susceptibilities. DILI can cause immediate health risks and long-term issues like liver failure or chronic liver disease. Since children often need medications for chronic diseases such as epilepsy, infections, and pain, ensuring the safety of drugs is vital. Addressing DILI in children through advanced methods not only improves drug safety but also supports personalized medicine, enhancing care quality and reducing adverse drug reactions. For example, acetaminophen, commonly used for pain and fever, can cause severe liver damage. Valproic acid, used for epilepsy, also poses a risk of liver toxicity, especially with long-term use. In this proposal, we would like to investigate mechanisms of toxicity of acetaminophen, valproic acid, amoxicillin- clavulanate, cannabidiol (CBD), and isoniazid, which covers critical pharmaceuticals in pediatric healthcare, and develop biomarkers of pediatric DILI caused by these pharmaceuticals. The proposal has two main aims. Aim 1 is to evaluate the effect of selected drugs on liver toxicity markers using a sandwich cultured human hepatocyte model leveraging primary human hepatocytes from pediatric and adult donors. This will involve measuring proteomic and metabolomic biomarkers in drug-treated hepatocyte lots from infants, children, adolescents, and adults to understand age-specific mechanisms of DILI. The study will also analyze proteomics data of extracellular vesicles and untargeted metabolomics of media to identify molecular changes and drug-protein adducts. These data will be integrated into mathematical models using quantitative systems toxicology (QST) models to predict pathways and mechanisms of DILI. Aim 2 will measure the effects of acute and prolonged drug exposure using liver microphysiological system (MPS) using standardized liver tissue chip. By analyzing proteins and metabolites released in the media from these systems, the study will assess immediate and long-term impacts on liver function and toxicity in both pediatric and adult livers. Overall, utilizing advanced methodologies such as proteomics, metabolomics, and complex in vitro models, including MPS, the research will assess DILI across various pediatric age groups. Integrating these findings into mathematical models will provide a deeper understanding of DILI mechanisms and potentially identify specific biomarkers relevant to children. Ultimately, when validated in clinic, pediatric DILI candidate biomarkers will enhance drug safety profiles, inform better prescribing practices, and support personalized treatment approaches in children.