Nationally recognized non-profit, The Joe Niekro Foundation™ has announced the 2015 Joe Niekro Research Grant recipients. A total of $240,000 has been awarded by the foundation, which is committed to supporting patients and families, research, treatment and awareness of brain aneurysms, AVMs and hemorrhagic strokes. “We are honored to be able to collaborate with these amazing recipients and provide them with the critical funding needed to help support the advancements of neurological research,” states JNF Founder, Natalie Niekro.

Barrow Neurological Institute, has received a $160,000 grant for the study Deconstructing the vascular tangle-A molecular biopsy of cerebral arteriovenous malformations, by Joseph Zabramski, MD and Yashar Kalani, MD. This groundbreaking study will aim to understand the pathogenesis of AVM formation and identify signaling pathways involved in vascular development and AVM formation. This is the second grant Barrow has received from The Joe Niekro Foundation™ for this study and provides the funds to cover expenses for the entire 2016 year. “On behalf of all of us at the Barrow, we want to thank you for your appreciation and continued support of this project,” states Dr. Kalani. “We are incredibly grateful to the Joe Niekro Foundation™ for their continued support and ongoing efforts to help make this collaboration a successful one,” claims Joseph Zabramski, MD.

University of Texas has been awarded a $20,224 grant for the project, Application of Machine Learning Techniques to Improve Outcomes after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, by Huimahn Alex Choi, MD MS and Jude Savarraj, PhD. The goal of this project is the realization of a machine learning model that will reliably predict the occurrence of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) after a Subarachnoid Hemorrhage at least 24 hours before onset, allowing enough time for a meaningful clinical intervention.

A continued partner and collaborator of The Joe Niekro Research Grant, SNIS Foundation was the recipient of a $40,000 grant. This annual grant enables investigators to conduct pilot projects related to brain aneurysms, AVMs or stroke. It is the intention of the grant that the seed data from these projects will indicate feasibility and appropriateness of the research prior to applying for further funding; therefore, emphasis will be placed on research deemed to have the most potential for future funding. “JNF is a wonderful supporter of the SNIS Foundation and we are honored to steward JNF’s resources in innovating and improving care,” says SNIS board member and UCSF Interventional Neuroradiologist, Steven Hetts, MD.

Other 2015 grant recipients included:
Crouse Hospital – Syracuse, NY
St. Joseph’s Hospital – Phoenix, AZ
Child Legacy International – Boerne, TX
Houston Methodist Hospital – Houston, TX

Since inception, the Joe Niekro Foundation has awarded over $1,00,000 in research funding and has built a patient advocacy network that expands across the globe. The foundation provides education on the causes, risk factors and treatments of these conditions, while funding the advancement of neurological research.

Click here to view the list of previously funded projects.

For more information about funding opportunities including program guidelines and contacts, visit http://www.niekrofoundation.org/research-grants/grant-guidelines.