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FIC - John E. Fogarty International Center for Advanced Study in the Health Sciences

In Vietnam, adolescent and young men vulnerable to HIV through sexual behaviors are among those most affected by the infection, with an HIV prevalence that quadrupled from 3% in 2011 to 13% in 2020. More than 20% of Vietnamese young men living with HIV had moderate-to-severe depression and anxiety symptoms. These youths experienced extensive stigma related to their HIV status and sexual behaviors. There is a dearth of youth-friendly mental health services in Vietnam where there is less than one psychiatrist per 100,000 people. Project YES+ is an intervention integrating two evidence-based interventions, Project YES! and Self-Help+ to improve mental health, stigma, and HIV outcomes among youth living with HIV in Zambia (5R01TW012411). Youth Engaging for Success (Project YES!) is an HIV clinic-based peer mentoring CDC-designated intervention that successfully decreased HIV self-stigma and increased viral suppression. Self-Help+ is a group-based lay-delivered program endorsed by WHO that effectively prevents the onset of mental disorders and reduces mental health symptoms in different cultures. We propose to adapt Project YES+ for adolescent and young men living with HIV in Vietnam to create To Hieu (I Understand) and to pilot test the adapted intervention. The specific aims are to (1) Adapt Project YES+ to create To Hieu to improve mental health and reduce internalized HIV stigma for adolescent and young men living with HIV in Vietnam and (2) Examine acceptability and feasibility of To Hieu among adolescent and young men living with HIV through a pilot randomized controlled trial. In Aim 1, the adaption will follow the 8-step ADAPT-ITT framework.38 We will conduct in-depth interviews with adolescent and young men living with HIV (N=20) to explore preferences for the core components and formats of To Hieu. We will hold a human-centered design workshop to engage adolescent and young men living with HIV in co-design activities to refine To Hieu. In Aim 2, we will recruit 80 adolescent and young men living with HIV with depression or anxiety symptoms at two HIV clinics in Hanoi, Vietnam and randomize them 1:1 into two arms. The intervention arm will receive To Hieu in 4 months, while the control arm will receive standard of care at the clinics. The RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) framework will guide the measurement of the outcomes. We will calculate participation rates of participants (Reach) at baseline. We will assess acceptability through the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire and feasibility through intervention attendance (Adoption) at 4 months. Depression, anxiety symptoms, internalized HIV and sexual stigma, ART adherence and viral suppression of participants will be evaluated at baseline, 4 months and compared between groups (preliminary Effectiveness). We will conduct exit interviews with participants, youth peer mentors and HIV providers (N=30) to explore acceptability, feasibility (Implementation) and sustainability (Maintenance) of To Hieu. This research will build local capacity and develop networks for collaborative research on mental health and stigma among adolescent and young men living with HIV between Vietnam and the US.

NINDS - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Spinal cord injury (SCI) affects over 300,000 patients in the US, often leading to severe complications. For example, more than 80% of these patients experience urinary dysfunctions, significantly diminishing their quality of life and sense of dignity. No effective treatment exists for these patients, as SCI frequently results in significant and permanent loss of neurons essential for normal functions. Progenitor cell transplantation is currently the most prevalent approach for replacing lost neurons following SCI. While progenitor cell transplantation has advanced to clinical trials, it presents several risks, including immunoreactions, uncertainty regarding the timeframe for transplantation following injury, and ethical considerations. Tumorigenesis is also a major concern with transplantation of cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. As an alternative, this project focuses on adult neurogenesis from resident glial cells in the adult spinal cord. This strategy not only generates neurons immune-compatible with the host but also ameliorates the pathological lesion microenvironment. Excitingly, our preliminary results demonstrate that adult neurogenesis promotes bladder function recovery following contusive SCI. Given that clinically relevant contusion SCI often leads to significant neuronal loss, generating a large number of new neurons may be particularly beneficial. Through recent in vivo screens, we identified a combination of transcription factors capable of rapidly inducing substantial neurogenesis from resident glial cells in the adult spinal cord. In this collaborative project, we will first systematically investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying induced adult neurogenesis after contusive SCI. Next, we will examine the maturation and synaptic integration of these newly generated neurons. Finally, we will assess their role in restoring bladder function post-SCI. Utilizing state-of-the-art technologies, this study has the potential to introduce a paradigm-shifting therapeutic strategy for treating autonomic dysfunction in SCI patients.

NIGMS - National Institute of General Medical Sciences

PROJECT SUMMARY This application describes the Columbia University Molecular Biophysics and Structural Biology (MBSB) Training Program, a cross-campus PhD training program designed to prepare graduate students for careers at the interface of biology, chemistry, physics, computation, and medicine. The program equips trainees with the theoretical, computational, and experimental skills needed to investigate the molecular mechanisms that govern biological function and disease. Molecular biophysics and structural biology have become central to modern biomedical research, driving advances ranging from fundamental studies of macromolecular structure and function to the development of new therapeutic strategies. As these fields continue to evolve rapidly, there is a growing need for scientists who can integrate quantitative approaches with state-of-the-art experimental technologies. A distinctive strength of the MBSB Training Program is its close integration with the Vagelos Institute for Research in Biomedical Education (VIBRE), which provides administrative support, trainee progress monitoring, and program evaluation. VIBRE supports Individual Development Plans, regular faculty-student reviews, and structured mentoring activities that strengthen trainee development and program effectiveness. Trainees receive advanced instruction in thermodynamics, kinetics, macromolecular structure, and quantitative methods, complemented by professional development activities that enhance scientific communication, leadership, and career readiness. Additional activities, including annual retreats, cross-campus seminars, and focused nanocourses, which help foster collaboration and intellectual exchange among trainees and faculty. The overall goal of the MBSB Training Program is to develop highly skilled biomedical scientists prepared for careers in academia, industry, government, and related scientific professions. By combining Columbia University's extensive research strengths with the resources of VIBRE and the New York Structural Biology Center, the program provides a comprehensive and integrated training environment that prepares trainees to address important challenges in biomedical research and contribute to future advances in human health.

NIMH - National Institute of Mental Health

ABSTRACT Despite advancements in antiretroviral therapy (ART), only 65% of people with HIV (PWH) in the United States (US) achieve viral suppression, with significant differences observed across sociodemographic groups. Long- acting injectable ART (LA ART) has the potential to address challenges associated with daily oral ART, but its adoption has been slow, with only 1.44% of PWH—approximately 15,000 individuals—on LA ART after two years of availability. This low uptake highlights persistent barriers and mirrors challenges seen with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), including slow adoption and differences in awareness, interest, and use. Further research is needed to understand factors shaping PWH decisions regarding innovative ART therapies. PWH face complex considerations when selecting treatment regimens, including regimen characteristics, psychosocial factors, and logistical barriers. While these factors are well-studied for oral ART, less is known about how PWH weigh these considerations for LA ART. This study will use advanced quantitative methods, including latent class analysis (LCA) and structural equation modeling (SEM), to identify treatment preference typologies and examine how individual, provider, and clinic-level factors shape ART preferences, addressing critical gaps in knowledge. Guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Science 2.0, this project has two aims: 1) Identify HIV treatment regimen consideration patterns (classes) and assess the association between class membership and sociodemographic characteristics among PWH; and 2) Examine how patient (treatment regimen preference patterns), provider (trust, shared decision-making) and clinic-level factors (quality of clinical care) influence ART preferences among PWH. Findings will inform multilevel interventions to improve outcomes. Moreover, the identification of patient treatment typologies will enable providers to align discussions and interventions with the unique preferences of PWH. To achieve these aims, the proposed training plan focuses on developing advanced skills in LCA and SEM, deepening expertise in implementation science frameworks, and applying these findings to design multilevel interventions. Through mentorship, coursework, workshops, and applied research, the applicant will gain the knowledge and experience necessary to become an independent behavioral and implementation scientist, equipped to address access challenges in the evolving landscape of HIV treatment. This NRSA award will provide the necessary mentorship and resources to achieve these goals.

NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

7. PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Globally, approximately 300 million live with chronic HBV (CHB) and 40 million people live with HIV. Due to shared transmission routes, approximately 10% of people with HIV (PWH) also live with HBV (PHBV). Importantly, HIV/HBV coinfection is associated with increased mortality. Like HIV, while effective HBV treatments are available, there is no cure for HBV. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss, the definition of HBV functional cure, decreases incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and end-stage liver disease (ESLD), yet is not easily attained with current therapy. As such, the development of novel HBV therapies, aiming for HBV functional cure, is rapidly advancing. HBV functional cure research has become a scientific priority of the NIH, industry, academia, and the community with over 50 clinical trials and compounds in development. Interestingly, HBV functional cure occurs more often in PWH/PHBV, making this an ideal cohort in which to study HBV curative therapies. Despite the pace and volume of HBV cure research, there is little knowledge about patient and provider perspectives on key HBV clinical trial approaches – unlike in HIV cure research, where over a decade of experience has informed priorities. One of the key clinical trial–related questions is whether and how to implement HBV treatment discontinuations, which will be necessary to study the efficacy of curative and finite HBV novel therapies. This will pose specific challenges in PWH/PHBV, such as the heightened likelihood of rebound hepatitis and the ongoing need for HIV antiretroviral treatment (ART). There is a notable lack of data regarding both patient and provider knowledge and priorities concerning this pivotal research phase, including questions of whether HBV treatment discontinuations are desired, the duration of discontinuation, or how to manage it. Similarly, there are limited data on trial design elements such as type of novel therapies, timing of therapy initiation, and willingness to participate in HBV cure trials. These knowledge gaps remain key hurdles to advancing effective, safe, and acceptable HBV cure strategies. Data from this application will be crucial for the development of HBV clinical trials attractive to PWH/PHBV and PHBV. Our proposed work will inform outreach, recruitment, consent, and retention of participants in future HBV clinical trials. To this end, our Specific Aims are as follows: Aim 1 will explore priorities of PWH/PHBV, PHBV and providers around key aspects of HBV clinical trials including HBV treatment discontinuations, choice of novel HBV agents, and trial participation using in-depth interviews. Aim 2 will quantify priorities of PWH/PHBV and PHBV around these same trial elements through a national U.S. survey. Aim 3 will develop ethical considerations and obtain feedback on provider- and patient- facing materials in collaboration with key stakeholders. Together, our three aims will clarify therapeutic advancement priorities and guide the ethical design of future innovative HBV clinical research with significant implications for population health. This work is directly relevant to the health of all Americans, as it addresses chronic disease management, co-morbidities, and the reduction of long-term burdens on the healthcare system.

NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Project Abstract The successful identification of bacteria and the specialized metabolites (SMs) they produce are key challenges in understanding the ecology of the microbiome, and its interaction with its host. Matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS) has enabled low-cost, high throughput identification of bacteria. However, the ability to annotate bacteria remains limited to pathogenic-focused libraries and locked within vendor-specific software. Our recent introduction of the IDBac-Knowledgebase (IDBac-KB) has facilitated the creation of a crowd-sourced library of MALDI proteomic fingerprints, enabling the identification of microbes in a broader setting but has exposed new challenges in cross-platform and cross- laboratory identification. Therefore, the development of a parameter- and platform-conscious approach for identifying bacteria based on proteomic fingerprints is essential for the broad annotation of the organisms in the microbiome. This advancement will accelerate the discovery of bioactive, health- promoting supplements and the isolation of natural product scaffolds for therapeutic development. We propose to develop a novel approach for bacterial comparison and identification based on state-of-the-art machine learning methods, enhancing the utility of this new resource. Further we propose extending IDBac to enable the identification of SM by integrating cutting-edge tandem MS (MS/MS) workflows on MALDI-Time-of- Flight (TOF) instruments with machine-learning-based methods for annotating MS/MS spectra with compound libraries. These aims will enable the characterization of SMs at scale, allowing for the identification of metabolites associated with up to 384 bacterial colonies within four hours. In doing so, we will illuminate the SMs responsible for mediating microbial interactions and creating stable communities. These discoveries will inform research in the production of bio-active supplements that improve microbiome health and allow for the isolation of compounds that enable the growth of otherwise unculturable bacteria thereby expanding the space of bacteria accessible in isolation. Downstream, this will enable the study of novel natural product space, unlocking access to novel natural product chemical space and new therapeutic scaffolds. Successful completion of these aims will constitute a major advance in microbial ecology and our understanding of the human microbiome. It will enable researchers to explore new chemical space and identify compounds that promote microbiome-host symbiosis or contribute to dysbiosis and disease.

NIDA - National Institute on Drug Abuse

Project Summary Multimodal data have been generated and collected as part of HIV care delivery and research including, but not limited to, structured data and unstructured data in electronic health records (EHRs), claims data, pharmacy records data, imaging data, omics data and other molecular biomarker data. Such rich data offer great opportunities for harnessing the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to enhance personalized clinical decision support and address unmet needs in HIV prevention and care. Multimodal AI that can integrate multiple modalities of data encountered in clinical practice has been shown to yield superior performance over simpler, unimodal models in various disease areas outside of HIV. However, multimodal biomedical data are typically complex and heterogeneous, and are fraught with missing data and other sources of biases. For example, patients with less access to healthcare or lower socio-economic status tend to have more incomplete data in their EHRs. Thus, advancing multimodal AI for HIV applications faces significant technical challenges in the training, validation, and implementation, including, but not limited to, quantifying the dimension of heterogeneity, identifying interconnections, and addressing missing data. Another major barrier in advancing multimodal AI in HIV applications is that multimodal data in HIV are typically not publicly available. Our project seeks to address these and other challenges through three specific aims. In Aim 1, we will develop novel accurate, efficient and unbiased multimodal AI models for HIV care and prevention. In Aim 2, we will adapt and create causal knowledge graphs to enhance interpretability for applications in HIV care and prevention. In Aim 3, we will develop synergistic integration of knowledge graphs and multimodal AI models for more precise model and increased usability in HIV care and prevention. We will train and test the proposed multimodal AI models and knowledge graphs using multimodal data from the Veteran Health Administration, the largest integrated health system in the US, and the Veteran Aging Cohort Study for three important use cases in HIV prevention and care, namely, 1) identification of HIV patients at risk of medication non-adherence and/or loss to care; 2) prediction of complications of HIV patients; and 3) identification of patients at high risk of HIV infection. Our model development will be guided by ethical principles to ensure data privacy, security, and transparency. We will adopt a human-centered approach that seeks valuable inputs from and meaningful engagements with key stakeholders informed by the theory of Participatory Action Research. Once successfully completed, our project is expected to advance the state-of- the-art multimodal AI and knowledge graphs that can be applied/adapted to other use cases in HIV and transform HIV care and prevention.

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

PROJECT SUMMARY More than one million children who are HIV-exposed but uninfected (CHEU) are born to pregnant people with HIV (PPHIV) every year. CHEU have a higher risk of adverse early-life outcomes than HIV-unexposed peers, including neurodevelopmental deficits and a >2-fold risk of growth stunting. The pathophysiology of adverse CHEU outcomes is incompletely understood, but mounting evidence suggests that placental abnormalities play a key role. A better understanding of the causes and mechanisms of poor developmental outcomes in CHEU is essential to improve the care of PPHIV and their offspring. Our overarching goal is to determine which 1) clinical, 2) placental histological, and 3) placental stereologic features predict adverse CHEU neurodevelopmental and growth outcomes. Leveraging our ongoing multi-country (Uganda, South Africa) birth cohort (n=1,200) and linked placental biobank, we will perform state-of-the-art 3D placental stereology and build artificial intelligence (AI) classifier models to predict CHEU child health outcomes, employing causal inference and instrumental variable analysis to account for confounding. We will also perform mediation analysis to determine whether placental features mediate the relationship between clinical and laboratory features and child outcomes. Innovation: Distinct advantages of our proposed research include 1) simultaneous collection and comparison of CHEU and HIV/antiretroviral-unexposed placentas and children, 2) use of rich clinical data and complementary methods [3D stereologic imaging and histopathology] to evaluate associations between placental abnormalities and adverse CHEU neurodevelopmental and growth outcomes, and 3) use of causal inference and mediation analysis methods to identify key and modifiable features. Investigators: Our interdisciplinary team with expertise in placental collection and birth cohorts (Bebell, Gray), placental pathology and AI (Goldstein), bioinformatics, AI, and mediation analysis (Dreyfuss, Kawuma), placental ARV effects (Serghides), developmental psychology (Malcolm-Smith), and pediatric neurodevelopment (Donald) is well-poised to complete this work. Approach: We will leverage biobanked placental samples and extend follow-up of enrolled mother-child dyads in Dr. Bebell’s (R01HD11232) and Dr. Gray’s (R01HD102050) birth cohorts; Dr. Serghides’ laboratory infrastructure, Dr. Goldstein’s AI algorithms, and Dr. Dreyfuss’ mediation analysis and causal inference methods to elucidate the effects of HIV and specific ARV exposure on the placenta and child neurodevelopment and growth through age 5 years via these Specific Aims: 1a) Identify clinical and laboratory features that predict neurodevelopmental and growth outcomes in CHEU, 1b) Determine whether placental histologic diagnoses advance neurodevelopmental and growth outcome prediction, and 2) Incorporate placental stereology features into prediction models for neurodevelopmental and growth outcomes. Identifying HIV- and specific ARV-related placental abnormalities and associations with adverse CHEU outcomes has great potential to improve child health by informing ARV selection in pregnancy and early identification and intervention for at-risk children.

NIGMS - National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Project Summary Advancing Probe Technology for Ultrasensitive RNA Imaging via Hybridization Chain Reaction Encoded in the genome of each organism, biological circuits direct development, maintain integrity in the face of attacks, control responses to environmental stimuli, and sometimes malfunction to cause disease. RNA in situ hybridization (RNA-ISH) methods provide drug developers, pathologists, and biologists with a critical window into the spatial organization of this circuitry, enabling imaging of RNA expression in an anatomical context. While it is desirable to perform multiplex experiments in which multiple targets are imaged quantitatively at high resolution in a single specimen, using traditional RNA-ISH methods in whole-mount vertebrate embryos and thick tissue sections, multiplexing is cumbersome, staining is non-quantitative, and spatial resolution is routinely compromised by diffusion of reporter molecules. These multi-decade technological shortcomings have significantly impeded the study of gene regulatory networks in systems most relevant to human development and disease. To overcome these challenges, in situ amplification based on the mechanism of hybridization chain reaction (HCR) draws on concepts from the new field of dynamic nucleic acid nanotechnology to redefine the state-of-the- art for RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (RNA-FISH), achieving four breakthroughs in highly autofluorescent samples including whole-mount vertebrate embryos, thick brain slices, and FFPE tissue sections: 1) straight- forward multiplexing with 1-step quantitative signal amplification for up to 10 target mRNAs simultaneously; 2) analog mRNA relative quantitation with subcellular resolution in an anatomical context; 3) digital mRNA abso- lute quantitation with single-molecule resolution in an anatomical context; 4) automatic background suppression throughout the protocol, dramatically enhancing performance and ease-of-use. However, automatic background suppression is achieved using a dual-probe technology that does not apply to short RNA targets (e.g., miRNAs) that are only long enough to stably bind a single probe. Moreover, for single- molecule imaging of low-abundance mRNA targets, where each target molecule is resolved as a distinct dot, variable probe hybridization yield due to competing secondary structure within the target leads to a distribution of dot intensities that can overlap with autofluorescence, leading to false-negatives or false-positives. The proposed R&D will address these two critical technology gaps. To suppress background for imaging short RNA targets, we will develop a new probe architecture that minimizes non-specific binding while preserving robust HCR am- plification. To achieve high-fidelity single-molecule imaging across all classes of RNA targets, we will develop an automated probe design pipeline that combines physics-based simulations with bioinformatics to generate probe sequences with minimal off-target binding and high-yield hybridization to cognate RNA targets. These advances will enable biologists, drug developers, and pathologists to perform ultrasensitive imaging of all classes of target RNAs with anatomical context in the samples most relevant to human development and disease.

NIGMS - National Institute of General Medical Sciences

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Single-cell experiments reveal levels of biological complexity and heterogeneity that are otherwise lost in ensemble measurements. This recognition motivates the creation of experimental methods that can provide highly sensitive, micro- to nanoscale insights under physiologically relevant conditions. Amid the second quantum revolution, there is increasing interest in creating quantum sensing technologies that support single- cell analysis and drive progress in biological research. The emergent optically addressable spin-based quantum sensors represent a new class of magnetometers that have demonstrated remarkable sensitivity and nanoscale spatial resolution. Thanks to these capabilities, spin qubits are exceptionally well suited to detecting a broad range of biological signals related to molecular magnetism and biomagnetism—often in an entirely label-free manner. These signal types, which were previously difficult to access, offer a privileged window into cellular activities such as mitochondrial metabolism, oxidative stress responses, inflammation, membrane dynamics, and iron regulation, transport, and storage. They have also created new opportunities for biomarker detection and disease diagnostics. However, the application of quantum sensors to study biological systems remains a nascent field and still faces major issues related to their coherence and biocompatibility. These limitations hinder the widespread adoption of quantum sensing technology in biomedical research. Our proposed research over the next five years focuses on both technology development and practical application of these novel quantum sensors to sense biological magnetic fields originating from individual cells. We will particularly work on improving their coherence and biocompatibility to advance molecular and cellular biology research. Specifically, we will employ cross-disciplinary methods to design and fabricate hybrid sensor structures, devices, and modalities. We also plan to integrate advanced microfluidics for single-cell analysis. Moreover, we will develop strategies to understand the physical basis of the quantum performance of these novel sensors. The successful completion of this research will yield methods for effective sensor–sample interfacing and multiple novel sensing modalities surpassing current state-of-the-art. These advances will be essential to drive practical applications of quantum sensing in biological settings. By focusing on oxidative stress and iron regulation as our initial research areas, we seek to reveal new insights into how individual cells behave differently under the same global conditions. Such insights will illuminate heterogeneous cellular responses underlying immune defense, inflammation, and iron transport and homeostasis, ultimately contributing to improved diagnostics and therapeutic strategies. More broadly, progress in quantum sensing technology will expand the experimental toolkit for investigating biological systems and create new opportunities for transformative research in cellular physiology, disease mechanisms, and biomedical intervention.

National Park Service

The National Park Service (NPS), through its National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT), supports basic and applied research and develops and disseminates technologies for the preservation of cultural resources. NCPTT trains practitioners in new technologies and promotes technical preservation education for student and career professionals. The Recipient and NPS have identified mutual interests and goals for this agreement including: A. Research: develop and implement new technologies for the preservation and conservation of cultural heritage. B. Training: adapt new and existing technologies to the field of art conservation. Offer training courses for students and convene experts on technical and scientific aspects of hands-on conservation. C. Information Management: serve as knowledge centers and clearinghouses for conservation and preservation information. D. Financial Assistance: serve the preservation and conservation community by offering professional development opportunities through internships and training. E. Conference participation: to include holding sessions, participation in exhibits, and sharing meeting facilities.

Africa Regional Services

Priority Region: Sub-Saharan Africa Africa Regional Services (ARS) Paris, part of the U.S. Department of State s Bureau of African Affairs, invites U.S. citizen speakers, artists, and athletes/coaches to submit Statements of Interest (SOIs) for inclusion on the ARS U.S. Speaker Program roster. Roster members may be selected for small program specific grants to conduct in-person and virtual outreach across sub-Saharan Africa. The ARS Speaker Program supports U.S. foreign policy goals in Africa by strengthening security, supporting shared prosperity, and promoting American excellence. In line with the Department s Freedom 250 initiative marking the 250th anniversary of the United States and the Decade of Sport in America programs are encouraged to: Share the American story and 250 years of American excellence in innovation, technology, and culture; and celebrate American achievement in sports. Lead the next era of results driven U.S. Africa partnership. This Annual Program Statement seeks U.S. citizen individuals with demonstrated expertise who can deliver programs in English and either French or Portuguese. Priority Program Areas include security; economic prosperity, innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship; energy security, and critical minerals; and American arts, sports, and creative industries as engines of economic opportunity. Selected individuals will be added to the ARS roster following review and interview. Being on the roster does not guarantee funding; individual grants will be made only when a specific U.S. embassy or consulate request matches a roster member s expertise and availability. SOIs must be submitted using the dedicated form available at https://forms.office.com/g/NyK95VxSH9. All supporting documents (credentials/testimonials/endorsements, U.S. passport and a CV or r sum ) must be emailed to arsspeaker@state.gov. Make sure the email subject line says SOI with your full name. Incomplete Statements of Interest will be rejected.

African Village Experience Leadership Team

The African Village Experience is a week long immersion into the African Diaspora where participants will engage in traditional African dancing, arts and crafts, language learning, African fashion, griot circle of elders, instrument making and food tasting from the African Diaspora. The African Village Experience will run July 22, 2019-July 26, 2019, Monday through Friday from 5pm til 8pm at Pratt Park 1800 S Main Street.

BEGO, Inc.

On Sunday, August 22nd, 2021 from Noon through 10pm. BEGO a Ethiopian community organization will be hosting the Ethiopian Music Festival at the Amphitheater in Seward Park. The event will showcase Ethiopian heritage through LIVE Ethiopian music, dance performances, pastry-cooking, coffee ceremony presentations, art, and deliciously prepared foods. The event is free and open to the public.

NIA - National Institute on Aging

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Difficulties finding one’s way in novel environments may lead to anxiety and restrictions in daily activities for older adults. There is a substantial literature documenting age-related deficits in spatial navigation, with particular deficits observed in the acquisition, retrieval and use of a cognitive map of the environment relative to route learning. This is particularly problematic as cognitive mapping permits more flexible navigation, such as taking shortcuts. However, the most common design involves learning and retrieval in a single session. However, the typical study design used in this literature involves learning and retrieving a novel virtual environment in a single session, which could lead to an under-estimation of the full navigation capacities of older adults. Thus, we have gained knowledge of the nature of age deficits in cognitive mapping in the early phases of acquisition and retrieval, but we now need an enhanced understanding of the evolution of older adults’ environmental knowledge and flexible navigation behaviors over more extended time frames, which is more similar to our everyday navigation. Our underlying model is that age-related limitations in processing speed as well as in attentional control and associative processes slow acquisition of relevant associative details of an environment thereby limiting flexible navigation; as well as contribute to greater forgetting and impaired retrieval of this knowledge and thus a reduction in flexible navigation after an extended delay. We will test this model in a paradigm that entails study-test trials across 3 days and a 2-week retention interval. During study, participants will take a “tour” of our city art museum. During test, measures of environmental knowledge and flexible navigation will be obtained. Our experiment will be conducted in a real-world environment as this provides a strong foundation for acquisition, flexible navigation and retention for older adults. Furthermore, it is estimated that around 20-30% of healthy older adults have elevated Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology (i.e., preclinical AD). Enhanced understanding of whether there are specific patterns of acquisition or enhanced forgetting over time in preclinical AD would be useful in developing more sensitive cognitive indicators of the earliest disease stages. In addition, the presence of AD pathology is generally not taken into account in much of the healthy aging literature on spatial navigation. Thus, what is considered an “aging” deficit may to some degree reflect the preclinical AD stage. Thus, the proposed research will determine (1) the pattern of age differences in acquisition and use of a cognitive map over multiple learning episodes; (2) the pattern of age differences in long-term retention and use of a cognitive map; and (3) the role of AD pathology in acquisition and retention of a cognitive map. We will secondarily consider the roles of basic cognitive abilities (i.e., processing speed, attentional control and associative learning), visual attention, and sleep quality as potential contributing factors to spatial navigation deficits. Collectively, these aims will provide a strong basis for programmatic research investigating an array of encoding and retention manipulations to enhance cognitive mapping in older adults. Examining the role of AD pathology provides a foundation for additional cognitive tools for distinguishing healthy aging from the very earliest stages of AD.

West Seattle Junction Association

On December 9th 2023 from 4-9pm at Junction Plaza park in West Seattle we are having a free community holiday festival allowing everyone to submit their artificial intelligence generated art to be projected onto a 7 story building which will be shown for one week after the festival.

European Commission - HORIZON

AI integration in CCSI work practice: catalysing innovation and competitiveness. Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society 2026. Programme: HORIZON. Keywords: Artificial intelligence, intelligent systems, multi agent systems, Business models, Capacity building, Creativity management, Cultural heritage, cultural memory, Data and image processing, Digitalisation/ICT and cultural heritage, Entrepreneurship, Experimentally-driven research and innovation, High performance computing, Intangible cultural heritage, Knowledge transfer, Machine learning, statistical data processing and applications using signal processing (e.g. speech, image, video), Open innovation, Public administration, Social innovation, Tangible cultural heritage, Trustworthy ICT, Visual arts, performing arts, design. Open call from the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

NIGMS - National Institute of General Medical Sciences

PROJECT SUMMARY Macrocyclic peptides offer unique therapeutic potential, particularly for targeting intracellular protein-protein interactions considered ‘undruggable’ with traditional therapeutic modalities. Additionally, peptides can combine the benefits and bridge the gap between conventional small molecule therapeutics and large biologics. However, developing new peptide-based therapeutics using traditional approaches, such as natural product discovery or high-throughput library screening, has remained slow and challenging. Moreover, these conventional approaches cover a small fraction of the chemical and structural space, are restricted to a few starting peptide scaffolds, and typically fail to optimize for multiple therapeutic properties simultaneously. Our central hypothesis is that structure-guided deep learning methods can rapidly explore the chemical and structural space beyond natural products and enable precise, rapid, and custom design of functional peptides simultaneously optimized for target binding, selectivity, and membrane permeability. In our recent work, we developed physics-based methods for designing constrained peptides and macrocycles and, more recently, introduced deep learning methods for structure prediction, sequence redesign, and de novo design of peptide monomers and targeted binders. Here, we propose to develop a new generation of structure-guided deep learning (DL) tools to address the current limitations of computational and experimental methods and enable accurate, accessible, and broadly applicable design of macrocycles. Specifically, we will pursue the projects focused on: (i) leveraging DL methods to systematically enumerate the chemical and structural space of constrained peptides and membrane-traversing peptides to develop scaffolds and core design principles for functional peptide design; (ii) high-throughput design and data collection to improve design selection, filtering metrics, and sequence design algorithms; (iii) developing generative DL methods that expand beyond current capabilities and allow sequence and structure design with vast chemical space of non-canonical amino acids; and (iv) use those new generative methods to design macrocyclic binders against different therapeutically-relevant targets, including the critical fusion and attachment proteins from viruses of pandemic concern. Our preliminary work in these proposed areas demonstrates the feasibility of this approach. The proposed computational tools, scaffold sets, and designed peptides will significantly advance therapeutic design beyond the state-of-the-art and enable rapid and custom design of drug- like peptides tailored for addressing complex therapeutic, diagnostic and research challenges.

NIAID - National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Project Summary/Abstract Tuberculosis (TB), especially in drug-resistant forms, urgently requires faster and more reliable diagnostic tools. This project will advance a CRISPR-based diagnostic platform using Cas13 (an RNA-targeting enzyme) to detect drug-resistant TB with high accuracy. The broad objective is to decode the sequence rules that govern Cas13’s activity and to engineer enhanced Cas13 enzymes for more precise and sensitive RNA detection. For this overarching goal, I will leverage a cutting-edge high-throughput microfluidic platform, mCARMEN (Microfluidic Combinatorial Arrayed Reactions for Multiplexed Evaluation of Nucleic acids), that is capable of testing ~10,000 reactions at once. In Aim 1, I will apply artificial intelligence–specifically a transformer-based machine learning model–to learn how the sequences of CRISPR guide RNAs and their RNA targets affect Cas13’s activity and specificity. I will generate a large dataset of Rifampicin-resistant target and crRNAs (~50,000 crRNA/target pairs) via CRISPR-based assays based on mCARMEN, and train the transformer model to recognize the sequence patterns (including mismatches or insertions). I will benchmark against state-of-art models including ADAPT (activity-informed design with all-inclusive patrolling of targets) and BADGERS (building artificial diagnostic guides by exploring regions of sequences). In Aim 2, I will use structure-guided protein engineering to create high-fidelity, high-activity Cas13 variants. By analyzing 3D structures (using computational models such as AlphaFold) of Cas13, I will identify key regions of the enzyme to modify. I will then construct a library of Cas13 mutants and screen thousands of variants in parallel to find improved enzymes that have higher specificity (e.g., single-nucleotide resolution) without sacrificing sensitivity or with better sensitivity than wild-type Cas13. Integrating them together, this work will result in a predictive tool for designing effective CRISPR diagnostics and new Cas13 enzyme variants that greatly improve test accuracy. While the main goal is to develop a point-of-care testing tool for detecting drug-resistant TB, more broadly, I envision that the insights and technologies developed will extend to other infectious diseases and diverse CRISPR-based applications including gene editing, RNA imaging and beyond. This fellowship will provide a critical training opportunity for becoming an independent researcher, focusing on the development of next-generation diagnostic tools. The expertise of my sponsor, coupled with the abundant resources available at Princeton University (e.g., core facilities, high-performance computing centers, world- class researchers, and a mentoring committee), will allow me to substantially expand my postdoc training–from learning new skills (e.g., protein engineering, fundamental understanding of CRISPR systems, and deep learning) to career development through departmental and university-wide programs.

NHLBI - National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

PROJECT SUMMARY Chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) limits survival after lung transplantation and there are no approved therapies to prevent inexorable declines in lung function. Transplant pulmonologists have been using mTOR inhibitors off label, and there are some promising data to support this practice. However, we lack key knowledge to guide their use. We have developed airway brush gene scores to assess inflammation that is undetectable on transbronchial biopsies but associated with risk of CLAD and death. Specifically, we found that mTOR signaling is an early hallmark of CLAD. Our single cell sequencing studies have linked mTOR gene expression in basal and club cells to the transition from acute lung allograft dysfunction (ALAD) to CLAD. In airway cell culture models, mTOR-associated gene expression was linked to epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is a hallmark of CLAD. We also observe mTOR signaling in mouse models of acute and chronic lung transplant rejection. Paradoxically, we found that recipients who failed to respond to mTOR inhibitors had higher mTOR signaling in their airways, suggesting that the lack of response may result from dose-limiting toxicities. To address this issue, our center is conducting a trial of inhaled mTOR inhibitors, the INSPO trial, that could deliver more potent suppression of mTOR in the airways. Building on these data, this proposal will test the hypothesis that mTOR signaling drives CLAD through airway epithelial cell reprogramming. Aim 1 will test whether mTOR signaling during ALAD is a predictive biomarker of ALAD and CLAD progression. Using bio-banked samples from UCSF lung transplant recipients, we will analyze mTOR gene scores across airway brushes, BAL, and transbronchial biopsies and determine their links to ALAD progression and CLAD pathology. Aim 2 will examine mTOR inhibition in a mouse lung transplant model. We will quantify airway fibrosis and EMT pathology with and without mTOR inhibition. Using a transgenic model lacking mTOR in airway epithelial cells, we will examine airway-specific EMT-associated reprogramming. Aim 3 will determine how mTOR inhibition impacts human airway epithelial reprogramming. We will culture human airway cells to see if mTOR inhibitors can blunt EMT phenotypes. We will also leverage BAL and airway brush single cell data from the INSPO study, a randomized controlled trial of inhaled mTOR inhibitors, to quantify the effects of mTOR suppression in airway epithelial and immune cells. This highly feasible study leverages an extensive biorepository, an innovative clinical trial, and proven state of the art approaches. By understanding the cell-specific mechanisms of mTOR signaling in CLAD, this proposal will enable appropriate mTOR targeting to improve survival and lung function following lung transplantation.

NIH

Background and Innovation: Infection is a leading cause of death after acute kidney injury (AK). Poor innate immune function, dysregulated cytokine production and clearance, and other comorbid conditions are often implicated as reasons for the high rates of infections in individuals with AKI. However, there is little consensus or progress in understanding the unique immunodeficiency AKI creates in a host, and if acute kidney disease (AKD), defined as a more subacute decline in kidney function that encompasses many individuals with and without AKI predisposes to similar risk. We propose a series of highly innovative studies to study and intervene on this apparent immunodeficiency: 1) we have developed novel animal models of AKI and AKD, which are sequentially paired with peritoneal infection to recreate a complex but common human disease with high fidelity, 2) we test both immune blocking, and immune stimulating therapies in our model, establishing a translational rationale for treating individuals with AKI and AKD, 3) we propose using state of the art approaches: non-invasive kidney function monitoring, spectral flow cytometry, and transfer of donor inflammatory cells into our AKI and AKD rodents with immunodeficiency to test our hypotheses. Significance and Impact to Veterans Healthcare: AKI and AKD are extraordinarily common in the Veteran population, both in and out of the intensive care unit (ICU). Very few therapeutic approaches have demonstrated benefit to improve the outcomes of veterans with AKI or AKD. As mentioned, infection is a leading cause of death after AKI, and even without AKI, infection rates are higher in veterans than the general population. Our studies will effectively “reverse model” a common clinical scenario appreciated all to common in veterans, then screen therapeutics which can be rapidly translated to clinical trials. Path to translation/implementation: Data from our studies will inform the approach to treat patients with AKI and AKD with subsequent infection. Given that trials of these therapies in individuals with sepsis are already ongoing, our approaches may rapidly expand the indications for this therapy, but in a different population who has a unique predisposition to sepsis. Notably, we are designing our animal studies to mirror many of the approaches used in these ongoing human clinical trials. This will add heightened translational impact to our results. Outside the immediate clinical translational potential, the novel animal model system we have built can effectively screen many other therapeutics and provide a more rapid bench to bedside pipeline.

Akron Community Foundation

Akron Community Foundation ($300M in assets) supports nonprofits in OH through grants focused on education, community development, health, arts. Awards range from $1,000 to $75,000.

Alabama State Council on the Arts

Alabama State Council on the Arts provides grants to support arts and cultural programming, artist fellowships, arts education, and community-based arts projects across AL.

Alabama State Council on the Arts

Supports partnerships between arts organizations and schools to integrate arts into K-12 education, funding artist residencies, professional development for teachers, and arts programming for students across Alabama.