HMH Awarded Nearly $1 Million in Grants by New Jersey Health Foundation
What You Need To Know
Hackensack Meridian Health has been awarded 22 grants totaling nearly $915,202 from the New Jersey Health Foundation (NJHF) for important research and community health projects.
The grants support work across the state’s largest and most comprehensive health network, spanning not only the Hackensack Meridian Health Research Institute and clinical and basic research, but also the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM), and a multitude of sites across the Garden State.
Among the areas supported by the grants: cancer, infectious disease, community health, education, diabetes, and rheumatology, among other topics. The amount for Hackensack Meridian Health and the Hackensack Meridian Health Research Institute increased from 16 grants totaling $486,876 last year.
Based in Princeton, the New Jersey Health Foundation fosters a culture of innovation in New Jersey by supporting research to cure diseases and find solutions to health-related needs. It also supports donor-specified research and educational programs through the management of an endowment portfolio.
Twelve of the 22 grant recipients are also faculty members of the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM), which boasts experts from across the entire health network. Eight of the grant recipients are on faculty of the Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI).
Grants
Johannes Zakrzewski, M.D.
$50,000
CDI, John Theurer Cancer Center, HMSOM
“Strategies enhancing NK cell-based immunotherapy of multiple myeloma informed by a comprehensive analysis of the immunosuppressive effects of non-hematopoietic components of the multiple-myeloma-associated tumor microenvironment”
Byungwoo Ryu, Ph.D.
$50,000
CDI, HMSOM
“A Novel Strategy for Developing a New Class of Cancer Drugs Targeting MYC”
Aseel Al-Jadiri, M.D.
$16,472
Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC)
"While You Wait" Workshops to Improve Parental Knowledge, Well-Being, and Preparedness for Developmental Adversities in Children”
Faiz Bhora, M.D.
$50,000
CDI, JFK University Medical Center (JFKUMC), HMSOM
“Fabrication of Tissue-Engineered, Personalized Tracheal Grafts”
Anna Broder, M.D.
$50,000
HUMC, HMSOM
“Early Detection of Proteinuria in Lupus Related Kidney Disease”
Neeraj Chauhan, Ph.D.
$50,000
CDI
“Skin colonization mechanisms of Candida auris”
Huifang Cheng, APN
$35,000
JFKUMC
“Enhancing Diabetic Foot Ulcer Awareness in Underserved Communities”
Georgianna Dart, PsyD
$34,460
JFKUMC
“Transition to home program for caregivers of brain-injured patients in a post-traumatic confusional state”
Cheryl Fittizzi, RN, MBA
$34,619
HUMC
“Research Roadshow: Educating Students on Alternative Research Careers”
Srikanth Jaikumar
$35,000
JFKUMC
“Addressing Social Determinants of Health and Health Disparities in the South Asian Population”
Milena Kordalewska, Ph.D.
$50,000CDI, HMSOM
“Enhanced diagnostic assays for CAndida auris bloodstream infections”
David Kountz, M.D., MBA, MACP
$35,000
Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC), HMSOM
“Teaching the Teachers: Incorporating Social Determinants of Health in HS and College Curriculum”
Robert Lebovics, M.D., FACS
$50,000
CDI, JFKUMC
“All-trans retinoic acid for the treatment of tracheal stenosis”
Charitha Madiraju, Ph.D.
$50,000
HMSOM
“Immune regulatory markers in COVID-19 cases of sepsis”
Yeraz Markarian, Ph.D.
$50,000
HUMC, HMSOM
“OB-WELL: Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Innovative Intervention to Prevent and Treat Postpartum Depression Among High-Risk Mothers”
Maria Montealegre, DrOT
$34,900
JFKUMC
“Improving Emergency Preparedness through Comprehensive Awareness and Education on the Unique Needs of Individuals with Spinal Cord Dysfunction in the Community”
Dereje Negatu, Ph.D.
$50,000
CDI
“Repurposing of novel B-lactamase inhibitors to improve efficacy of cefoxitin and imipenem for the treatment of Mycobacterium abscessus lung disease”
Vidmantas Petraitis, M.D.
$50,000
CDI
“Discovery of a Novel Compound (Allosteric Inhibitor PK-188) Targeting a Common Enzyme (MDM-1) and Assessing Effectiveness as a Promising Therapeutic Against Antibiotic-Resistant Pathogens”
Beryl Sowah, APN
$35,000
JFKUMC, HMSOM
“Addressing Social Determinants of Health and Diabetes Education in the Hispanic Population”
Michelle Titunick, Ph.D.
$50,000
HMSOM
“The Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation Along the Fracture Healing Timeline in Diabetic Rats”
Tanchun Wang
$35,000
HMSOM
“Medication Use and Safety Educational (MUSE) Program: Improving Care for the Elderly in Underserved and Immigrant Community”
Jennifer Zepf, D.O.
$35,000
HMSOM
“Improving Diagnosis on Diverse Skin Tones: A Project to Expand a Skin of Color Medical Image Repository”