Nita Limdi, Pharm.D., Ph.D., interim director, Hugh Kaul Personalized Medicine InstituteNita A. Limdi, Pharm.D., Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Neurology in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, has been awarded a Midcareer Investigator Award in patient-oriented research by the National Institutes of Health. The purpose of these awards, known as K24 grants, is to provide protected time to devote to patient-oriented research and to act as research mentors for clinical residents, clinical fellows and/or junior clinical faculty.
Limdi, the interim director of the UAB Hugh Kaul Personalized Medicine Institute, is engaged in antithrombotic therapy pharmacogenomics research. Antithrombotic — or anticlotting — drugs commonly known as blood thinners, are widely used but can be challenging to prescribe. Limdi’s research focus is to understand the clinical, environmental and genetic factors that influence variability in antithrombotic response and to use this information to personalize antithrombotic treatment.
“The award will enable me to continue mentoring young clinician/scientists while augmenting my research, specifically incorporating aims that will address key knowledge gaps regarding oral anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy,” Limdi said. “The strongly supportive and collaborative environment of UAB provides growth opportunity for my research program and allows me to build capacity in patient-oriented research by mentoring junior investigators as they advance their own careers.”
The grant, more than $800,000 over five years from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, will fund research building on ongoing work to create unique and much-needed patient-oriented research training opportunities in the area of antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy, personalized medicine, and implementation of pharmacogenomics to tailor drug therapy. Limdi’s mentees will lead the new projects, conduct analysis and publish original research.
“The breadth and depth of the multiple institutional programs, UAB’s Center for Clinical and Translational Science, and Dr. Limdi’s leadership in the Personalized Medicine will provide the resources and the foundation to advance precision cardiovascular medicine,” said Robert Kimberly, M.D., senior associate dean for Clinical and Translational Research in the School of Medicine.