research icon: microscope and stethoscope
New Investigator Program

Supercharging the Impact of Sleeve Gastrectomy on Postoperative Metabolism


Year Awarded: 2025
Obesity and related diseases like Type 2 diabetes, liver disease and heart disease have become major health concerns in Wisconsin. Bariatric surgery, especially sleeve gastrectomy (SG), is the most effective long-term treatment, often resulting in significant weight loss. However, many patients eventually hit a weight-loss plateau. Using mouse and pig models that mimic SG, this study aims to better understand how protein intake influences recovery and long-term outcomes after surgery, with the potential to develop new diet-based therapies for people with obesity and related diseases.
research icon: microscope and stethoscope
New Investigator Program

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Kidney Health


Year Awarded: 2025
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread, long-lasting synthetic chemicals found in the blood of over 99% of people in the U.S., including Wisconsin residents. PFAS exposure has been linked to multiple conditions like thyroid disease, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular death and cancer. While animal studies show PFAS can harm the kidneys, its impact on chronic kidney disease (CKD), a growing public health crisis affecting 1 in 7 U.S. adults, remains unclear. This study aims to better understand how PFAS exposure contributes to CKD in adults living in Wisconsin and across the country to better inform therapeutic options.
research icon: microscope and stethoscope
New Investigator Program

Novel Approaches to Discovering Rheumatoid Arthritis Susceptibility Genes


Year Awarded: 2025
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease that affects joints and increases the risk of fibrotic lung disease, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. In Wisconsin, it affects about 90,000 individuals and is a leading cause of disability. This study aims to discover new genetic risk factors for RA by using advanced statistical methods to analyze large-scale genetic data from biobank databases. These innovative approaches could uncover previously unknown genetic variants that contribute to RA, paving the way for better diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
research icon: microscope and stethoscope
New Investigator Program

Identification of Novel Biomarkers and Pathogenesis of Kidney Transplant Rejection Using Cell-Free DNA Fragmentation and DNA Methylation Patterns


Year Awarded: 2025
More than 25,000 kidney transplants are performed annually in the United States. However, 92,000 individuals remain on the kidney transplant waitlist. Repeat transplants often have worse health outcomes, so preventing graft failure after the first transplant is crucial. Acute rejection (AR) is a major cause of failure, but there is still a lack of understanding of its causes and reliable, noninvasive ways to detect it. This study aims to better understand the pathophysiology of AR and identify noninvasive biomarkers. Modification of donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) presents a promising target for early diagnosis and supports the development of more effective therapies.
research icon: microscope and stethoscope
New Investigator Program

Defining Vulvar Cancer Subtypes and Implications for Clinical Outcomes


Year Awarded: 2025
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that can cause various health issues including certain cancers. Even with an established HPV vaccine, vaccination rates remain below the national average, putting people at risk for infections and related cancers. Particularly in the Midwest, disparities in race, ethnicity, rural or urban location and Medicaid status contribute to high rates of vulvar cancer nationally. This research aims to identify biomarkers of prognosis and treatment response for vulvar cancer, including the role of immune cells and their interactions with HPV in tumor tissues. The outcomes of this research will clarify and provide better treatment options for patients with vulvar and other HPV-related cancers.
research icon: microscope and stethoscope
New Investigator Program

Defining New Paradigms for Epithelial-Immune Interactions in Dysbiosis by Understanding the Response of Tuft Cells to Commensal Microbes


Year Awarded: 2025
The gut microbiome plays a key role in our health, but poor diets and disease can disrupt its balance, leading to dysbiosis. In Wisconsin, where obesity rates are high, dysbiosis worsens conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease and increases the risk of metabolic syndrome. This study investigates how tuft cells, which are specialized gut cells, help maintain intestinal health and immune responses. Findings will enhance understanding of microbiome-gut interactions and guide the analysis of tissue samples from patients with dysbiosis and inflammatory diseases.
research icon: microscope and stethoscope
New Investigator Program

Bridging Cultures: Redefining Registries for Latino Communities Affected by Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia


Year Awarded: 2025
Latinos represent the fastest-growing population group in Wisconsin but are severely underrepresented in health research studies for dementia, despite having a higher risk and burden of the disease. This study aims to increase the engagement of Latinos in dementia research, which could improve the relevance of the research findings, and the development of interventions and programs better suited to serve Latino communities in Wisconsin.
research icon: microscope and stethoscope
New Investigator Program

Leveraging Haplotype Diversity to Study Coronary Artery Disease Risk


Year Awarded: 2024
This project aims to elucidate the function of a genetic risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), the leading cause of death in Wisconsin. Identifying molecular pathways driving CAD risk has the potential to inform actionable targets for preventive medicine and enhance health in the state and across the nation.
research icon: microscope and stethoscope
New Investigator Program

Liquid Biopsy Biomarkers of Targeted Therapy Resistance in Metastatic ER+ Breast Cancer


Year Awarded: 2024
This project will pioneer a liquid biopsy approach to identify treatment-resistant and aggressive features in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) metastatic breast cancer. The innovative technique, using blood samples, aims to predict the efficacy of standard regimens early, enabling personalized treatment strategies and improving outcomes for breast cancer patients in Wisconsin.
research icon: microscope and stethoscope
New Investigator Program

Determining the Mechanisms by which Common Genetic Variation Affects Molecular and Cellular Traits in Macrocephalic Autism


Year Awarded: 2024
In response to the rising prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), this project seeks to uncover genetic modifiers influencing ASD outcomes using innovative genetic studies in diverse human cell lines. This work has the potential to uncover how common genetic variations impact specific traits in brain cells, laying the groundwork for targeted therapeutic strategies.