#United States #Novato, California #National Eczema Association #Eczema Research #Grants for Research

NEA Awards Nine New Grants for Eczema Research in 2024

The National Eczema Association (NEA) has announced its 2024 research grant recipients, distributing a total of $365,000 across nine innovative projects. This announcement marks a significant advance in understanding eczema, which impacts over 31 million people in the U.S. alone. The selected research aims to tackle various critical aspects of eczema, including the underlying cause of itching, inflammation, skin barrier dysfunction, and the role of the microbiome in skin health.

Since its first grant in 2004, NEA has invested over $4.4 million into eczema research. These grants are vital for developing a deeper understanding of eczema’s symptoms, comorbidities, and the significant burdens placed on affected individuals. Notably, many past grantees have successfully secured further funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), leading to groundbreaking developments in eczema treatment and care.

Wendy Smith Begolka, the Chief Strategy Officer at NEA, emphasized the program's significance, stating, "Eczema is a chronic condition affecting many, and the NEA grant program was created to address essential research gaps in this field. Over two decades, it is encouraging to see the diverse range of research that holds promise for improving lives."

Grant Categories and Recipients

1. Champion Research Grant

This category is intended for established researchers focusing on ongoing eczema challenges. The following project is notable:

• - Christopher Montgomery, MD (Nationwide Children's Hospital, Ohio): Investigating a Staphylococcus aureus vaccine to prevent atopic dermatitis.

2. Childhood Eczema Challenge Grant

Developed in collaboration with the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA), this grant is designed to enhance the health and quality of life of pediatric patients:

• - Diego Lopez, DDS, MPH, PhD (University of Melbourne, Australia): Researching how oral microbial composition may play a role in early-life eczema onset.

3. Catalyst Research Grant

This initiative supports early-career scientists aiming to become future eczema leaders:

• - James Chambers, MPharm, MSc, PhD (Tufts School of Medicine, Boston, MA): Analyzing US health plan coverage for atopic dermatitis therapies.
• - Zelma Chiesa Fuxench MD, MSCE (University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA): Studying the cutaneous microbiome in adults with seborrheic dermatitis, emphasizing skin mycobiota.
• - George Maiti, PhD (NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY): Exploring the role of extracellular matrix proteoglycans in T cell functions during allergic contact dermatitis.
• - Meng-Jen Wu, PhD (Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD): Evaluating innovative treatments for addressing itch and infection in atopic dermatitis patients.

4. Engagement Research Grant

This category is open to emerging investigators piloting new concepts:

• - Mohini Bhattacharya, PhD (University of Colorado, Denver, CO): Researching skin matrisome effects on skin infections in atopic dermatitis.
• - Raquel Sanabria-de la Torre, MS (Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Granada, Spain): Investigating genetic and skin barrier dysfunction as biomarkers for therapeutic responses in patients.
• - Emily Robbins, DO (NIH/NIAID, Bethesda, MD): Studying the implications of an infants' microbiome in NICU settings on their later risk of developing atopic dermatitis.

The ongoing support of the NEA for eczema research is critical as the organization continues its mission to improve the quality of life for millions living with this condition. NEA's strategic plan, Blueprint 2025, aims for a future free of eczema, showcasing the community's dedication and the increasing recognition of eczema's challenges.

To learn more about the NEA's dedicated efforts in advancing eczema research, visit NationalEczema.org.