ALF's 2026 Pilot Research Awards Fund Emerging Leaders in Liver Research
The American Liver Foundation (ALF) has recently announced its prestigious Pilot Research Awards for 2026, highlighting a commitment to innovative research in the field of hepatology. This year, 14 early-career investigators have been selected to receive funding to support their groundbreaking projects, focused on various aspects of liver biology and diseases.
These awards, which provide $50,000 each in funding for a year, are aimed at nurturing fresh scientific talent and encouraging the exploration of high-risk, high-reward research ideas. The goal is to address crucial questions surrounding liver disease and transplantation, thus contributing to therapeutic advancements that could significantly impact the 100 million Americans affected by liver conditions.
David Frank, Chair of ALF’s Board of Directors, underscored the importance of funding diverse research initiatives that explore cutting-edge interventions. According to Frank, the findings from these research projects are vital as they lay the groundwork for future research funding applications to institutions like the National Institute of Health (NIH).
Among the distinguished recipients of this year's Pilot Research Awards are:
1. Lay Teng Ang, PhD, from Leland Stanford Junior University, who is focusing on engineering mature hepatocytes from human pluripotent stem cells aimed at enhancing liver regeneration.
2. Yuki Bekki, MD, PhD, of the University of Rochester Medical Center, whose research explores precision biomarkers for selecting liver transplant candidates, particularly in cases of unresectable colorectal liver metastases.
3. Shijun Deng, PhD, from Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, researching gene therapy related to lipoprotein endpoints for metabolic syndrome-associated dyslipidemia.
4. Ben Dulken, MD, PhD, at the University of Washington, tasked with spatially analyzing the microenvironment linked to organ rejection to identify new tissue markers.
5. Xiaodong Ge, MD, PhD, from the University of Illinois Chicago, focusing on the role of specific proteins in the progression of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).
Additionally, researchers like Leigh Goedeke, BS, PhD, and Chris Hsiung, MD, PhD, will be investigating the connections between macrophages and liver cells or conducting high-throughput genomic studies to uncover new pathways involved in liver diseases.
The importance of these awards is amplified by ALF's long-standing dedication to research since 1980, having invested over $30 million into research funding, allowing more than 935 qualified scientists to pursue careers in liver biology and treatment development.
Helene Jordan, PhD, the National Senior Director of Research Program Management at ALF, pointed out the critical need to explore unanswered questions in liver regeneration and transplantation. Addressing these gaps in knowledge is essential, especially given the ongoing public health crisis of liver disease that affects millions across the nation.
The American Liver Foundation remains a vital resource in supporting liver health advocacy, funding medical research, and providing educational resources to patients and healthcare professionals. As the largest organization focusing on liver diseases, ALF continues to strive toward innovative solutions to combat liver-related health challenges. For those interested in more information about ALF’s research initiatives or to support their mission, visit www.liverfoundation.org.
As the awards ceremony approaches, there is a palpable excitement about the potential of these early-career researchers. Those interested in remaining informed about ALF’s research awards can join their mailing list for updates and news.
These awards, which provide $50,000 each in funding for a year, are aimed at nurturing fresh scientific talent and encouraging the exploration of high-risk, high-reward research ideas. The goal is to address crucial questions surrounding liver disease and transplantation, thus contributing to therapeutic advancements that could significantly impact the 100 million Americans affected by liver conditions.
David Frank, Chair of ALF’s Board of Directors, underscored the importance of funding diverse research initiatives that explore cutting-edge interventions. According to Frank, the findings from these research projects are vital as they lay the groundwork for future research funding applications to institutions like the National Institute of Health (NIH).
Among the distinguished recipients of this year's Pilot Research Awards are:
1. Lay Teng Ang, PhD, from Leland Stanford Junior University, who is focusing on engineering mature hepatocytes from human pluripotent stem cells aimed at enhancing liver regeneration.
2. Yuki Bekki, MD, PhD, of the University of Rochester Medical Center, whose research explores precision biomarkers for selecting liver transplant candidates, particularly in cases of unresectable colorectal liver metastases.
3. Shijun Deng, PhD, from Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, researching gene therapy related to lipoprotein endpoints for metabolic syndrome-associated dyslipidemia.
4. Ben Dulken, MD, PhD, at the University of Washington, tasked with spatially analyzing the microenvironment linked to organ rejection to identify new tissue markers.
5. Xiaodong Ge, MD, PhD, from the University of Illinois Chicago, focusing on the role of specific proteins in the progression of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).
Additionally, researchers like Leigh Goedeke, BS, PhD, and Chris Hsiung, MD, PhD, will be investigating the connections between macrophages and liver cells or conducting high-throughput genomic studies to uncover new pathways involved in liver diseases.
The importance of these awards is amplified by ALF's long-standing dedication to research since 1980, having invested over $30 million into research funding, allowing more than 935 qualified scientists to pursue careers in liver biology and treatment development.
Helene Jordan, PhD, the National Senior Director of Research Program Management at ALF, pointed out the critical need to explore unanswered questions in liver regeneration and transplantation. Addressing these gaps in knowledge is essential, especially given the ongoing public health crisis of liver disease that affects millions across the nation.
The American Liver Foundation remains a vital resource in supporting liver health advocacy, funding medical research, and providing educational resources to patients and healthcare professionals. As the largest organization focusing on liver diseases, ALF continues to strive toward innovative solutions to combat liver-related health challenges. For those interested in more information about ALF’s research initiatives or to support their mission, visit www.liverfoundation.org.
As the awards ceremony approaches, there is a palpable excitement about the potential of these early-career researchers. Those interested in remaining informed about ALF’s research awards can join their mailing list for updates and news.
Topics Health）
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