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Funded Projects

Novel Approaches to Discovering Rheumatoid Arthritis Susceptibility Genes

Awarded in 2025
New Investigator Program
Updated Jul 21, 2025

At a Glance

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.

More Funded Projects

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

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.