Top L to R: Tom Harris, Ariel Salas, Jeffrey Blount, Christy Foster, Byron Lai and Hope WilsonChildren’s of Alabama and the Kaul Pediatric Research Institute (KPRI) are pleased to announce the 2024 awards. The major goal of the KPRI grant program is to allow investigators to obtain data that will advantage applications for additional extramural funding. This will bring new knowledge to the care of children, leverage the investment of the KPRI, and allow projects to be competitive for the very best science on the national stage. A second, but important, goal is to ensure that a dedicated funding source is available to unique segments of the pediatric research, education, and quality improvement enterprise.

Two categories of grants are funded: New Investigator Awards, and Established Investigator Awards. All funded applications are directed toward the improvement of child health care. Thank you to all who submitted applications! Congratulations to the following awardees.

Established Investigators

Tom Harris, M.D.
Professor
Division of Pediatric Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine
Project Title
"Cell-specific miRNA manipulation to enhance efficacy of CFTR-directed therapeutics"

Ariel Salas, M.D.
Associate Professor
Division of Neonatology
Project Title
"Racial Differences in Respiratory Outcome After Early Vitamin D Supplementation in Infants Born Extremely Premature: A Randomized Trial"

New Investigators

Jeffrey Blount, M.D.
Professor
Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery
Project Title
"Effectiveness of novel folic acid fortified iodized salt in Zambia, a non-fortifying country"

Christy Foster, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes
Project Title
"Evaluation of Chromogranins in New onset Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents"

Byron Lai, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine
Project Title
"Virtual Reality Gaming to Improve Physical Activity and Psychosocial Health Among Pediatric Cancer Rehabilitation Patients that Transition From Clinic to Community: Idiopathic Clinical Trial"

Hope Wilson, M.D.
Assistant Professor
Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Project Title
"Evaluation of Factors Associated with Anticoagulation Adherence in Children"