January 2024
Jiyong Bae, Ph.d.– Oklahoma State University-$164,035-Switching metabolism to promote heart regeneration following myocardial infarction: Role of PFK-2
Ying Ann Chiao, Ph.D.– Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$167,676-Age-related proteostasis imbalance in obesity related heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Susan Kovats, PhD– Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$156,800-The synergistic impact of cigarette smoking and lymphatic vessel defects on immunity and lung tissue regeneration following influenza virus infection
Swapan K. Nath, Ph.D.– Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-Defining the role of CDKN1B in lupus with CVD comorbidity
Roberto J. Pezza, Ph.D.– Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$144,115-SNF2H chromatin remodeler control of gene transcription regulates spermatogonia stem cell survival and differentiation.
Michael C. Rudolph, Ph.D.– University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$168,000-NR2F2 establishes fat-burning adipocytes for later-life obesity protection
July 2023
Martin Paul Agbaga, Ph.D.– University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$168,000-Understanding energy metabolomic changes in retinal development and degeneration using retinal organoids
Dean Dawson, Ph.D.– Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$156,606-Identifying functional networks for MPS1 kinase
David J. Forsthoefel, Ph.D.– Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-Roles of neutral lipids in adult stem cell-driven tissue renewal and regeneration
Sathish Srinivasan, Ph.D.– Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-Lymphatic vascular function in chronic inflammation
Archana Unnikrishnan, Ph.D.– University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$149,780-Characterization of the molecular heterogeneity of the Intestinal Stem Cells
Wan Hee Yoon, Ph.D.– Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-The role of mitochondria-mTORC1 axis in Yoon-Bellen neurodevelopmental syndrome
Pengchun Yu, Ph.D.– Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-A novel mechanism regulating proliferative diabetic retinopathy
January 2023
Audrey Cleuren, Ph.D. – Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$159,880-Research to study the role endothelial cells in obesity.
Catherine Hunter, MD-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$143,360-Smoking causes an increase in premature births. This research will study the cause of a deadly intestinal disease that impacts up to 7% of premature infants in order to identify therapeutic interventions.
Chi Fung Lee, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-Research to study how a malfunction in mitochondria causes irregular heartbeats.
Raju Rajala, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$168,000-Research to study how an enzyme can help replace dead cells in retinal disease.
July 2022
Jose Alberola-Ila, MD, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$166,840-Research to understand cells that are important for repair of injured lung, skin, and intestinal tissues.
Gary J. Gorbsky, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-Basic science research to understand how the DNA of stems cells changes when they are grown in a dish. This could impact their therapeutic use for regenerative medicine purposes.
Deepa Sathyaseelan, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$168,000-Research to study if cell death contributes to chronic liver inflammation in obesity.
Leonidas Tsiokas, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$168,000-Research to study stem cells that regenerate bones, fat, and muscle.
Archana Unnikrishnan, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$146,788- This research will study the capacity for dietary restriction to rescue intestinal stem cells from their aging-related decline.
Lijun Xia, MD, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-Research to transplant stem cells into mice and monitor how that improves intestinal inflammation in the mice.
January 2022
Ying Ann Chiao, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$165,754-Research to determine if an intervention can rejuvenate the heart and reverse specific symptoms.
John Kimble Frazer, MD, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$140,000-Research to study blood stem cells to determine the active genes in cancerous and normal cells.
Catherine Hunter, MD-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$134,400-Smoking causes an increase in premature births. This research will study the cause of a deadly intestinal disease that impacts up to 7% of premature infants in order to identify therapeutic interventions. .
Ralf Janknecht, Ph.D.-$168,000-Research to study a protein and how it effects sperm cells and tumor cells.
Lin Liu, Ph.D-Oklahoma State University-$168,000-Smoking causes respiratory disease and more susceptibility to COVID-19. This research aims to develop lung tissue so that drug testing can be done to identify drugs for treating respiratory illness like COVID-19.
Julio Cesar Morales, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$156,800-Research to study stem cells and cancer.
Michael C. Rudolph, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$162,483-Obesity is prevalent in Oklahoma. This research will study fat stem cells that could ultimately create treatments that could reprogram metabolism.
Christopher L Sansam, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$150,881-Research to determine how DNA protects cancer stem cells.
Wan Hee Yoon, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-Research to understand how genetic mutations impact energy production and damage brain cells.
July 2021
Michael Detamore, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma-$166,429-Research grant to regenerate cartilage for use in treating osteoarthritis
Xi-Din Ding, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$151,200-Research grant using adult stem cells to replace eye cells that degenerate and cause vision loss with diabetes and smoking
Gary Gorbsky, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$167,751-Research grant to study abnormalities in adult stem cells that cause challenges in using them for regenerative medicine purposes
Judith A. James, MD,PH.D-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$135,166-Research grant to study the origin and consequence of abnormal blood cells during Lupus flares
Sathish Srinivasan, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-Research grant to study heart valve degeneration and to test if an available FDA drug could be used to prevent this process in mice
Matthew Walters, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$140,797-Research grant to study how adult stem cells can be harnessed to repair damaged lung tissue in COPD patients
Kurt Adam Zimmerman, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$168,000-Research grant to study the origin and function of a subset of immune cells that protect the body from infection and control the progression of several diseases
January 2021
Jacquelyn Gorman, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$144,965-People who smoke are more likely to develop an autoimmune disease. This research will study DNA variations related to the autoimmune disease lupus in order to help understand the causes of this disease and to eventually generate more effective treatments.
Catherine Hunter, MD-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$134,400-Smoking causes an increase in premature births. This research will study the cause of a deadly intestinal disease that impacts up to 7% of premature infants in order to identigy therapeutic interventions.
Gerwald A. Koehler, Ph.D.-Oklahoma State University- CHS-$112,000-Oklahoma ranks 9th in the nation in overdose deaths involving opioids. This research will study the impact of opioids on the intestines in order to gain insight into new ways to treat or prevent side effects of opioid abuse.
Lin Liu, Ph.D-Oklahoma State University-$168,000-Smoking causes respiratory disease and more susceptibility to COVID-19. This research aims to develop lung tissue so that drug testing can be done to identify drugs for treating respiratory illness like COVID-19.
Raju VS Rajala, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$112,000-Smoking causes eye diseases. This research will study an enzyme that could help damaged cells in the retina regenerate.
Michael C. Rudolph, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$167,679-Obesity is prevalent in Oklahoma. This research will study fat stem cells that could ultimately create treatments that could reprogram metabolism.
Madhan Subramanian, Ph.D.-Oklahoma State University-$168,000-Obesity causes heart diseases. This research will study the nervous system and how it is impacted by obesity, which could lead to therapies to prevent/treat heart diseases caused by an obesity-damaged nervous system.
Archana Unnikrishsan, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$143,444-Smoking causes premature aging and subsequent loss of stem cell function. This research will study the capacity for dietary restriction to rescue intestinal stem cells from their aging-related decline.
Weidong Wang, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$112,000-Obesity causes diabetes and other metabolic disorders. This study will seek to change “bad” fat cells into “good” fat cells that would burn more energy and could therefore prevent obesity.
July 2020
Resham Bhattacharya, Ph.D.– University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$168,000-Research to study a protein in ovarian cancer that could help with treatment decisions.
Jiyang Cai, Ph.D.– University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$167,443- Research to test the response to transplant related to age related macular degeneration.
Xi-Din Ding, Ph.D.– University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$151,200- Research to test the potential of using a type of stem cells for retinal diseases.
Mary B. Humphrey, MD– University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$168,000- Research to study bone breaks and the potential to speed bone healing.
Sathish Srinivasan, Ph.D.– Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000- Research to test a gene that regulates how bodies respond to diet.
January 2020
Judith James, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$133,885-Research to study how a protein effects Lupus flares.
Chi Fung Lee, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-Research to study how a high-fat diet and hypertension effects the ability of the heard to regenerate and repair.
Darren J. Lee, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$134,400-Research to study a stem cell treatment of the eye.
Lin Liu, Ph. D.-Oklahoma State University Department of Physiological Sciences,-$168,000-Research to develop a model that can be used to test pharmaceuticals for treatment of respiratory diseases.
Ann L. Olson, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$112,000-Research to study why some cancers are more common in obesity.
Roberto Pezza, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$162,065- Research to study spermatogonial stem cell function.
Susannah Rankin, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$133,508-Research to study how chromosome structure and duplication are connected.
Christopher L. Sansam, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$158,751-Research to study DNA replication and chromosomal folding.
July 2019
Jasimuddin Ahamed, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$112,000-Research to study stem cells in liver injury and fibrosis.
Lea D. Bennett, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$150,000-Research to study the behavior of stem cells in retina development.
Dean Dawson, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$134,829-Reseach to study chromosomes and their relation to distinct populations of stem cells.
Michael H. Elliott, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$151,200-Reseach to study a gene that causes stem cell reduction on the cornea.
John Kimble Frazer, MD, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$112,000-Research to determine what genes cause leukemia stem cells to be chemotherapy resistant.
Dimitrios Karamichos, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$120,000-Research to study the feasibility of 3D printed corneas for transplants.
Lorin E. Olson, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-Research to study how a growth signal controls stem cell renewal in bones and skin.
Pengchun Yu, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-research to study an enzyme that when inhibited my be able to stop pathological growth in diabetic retinopathy.
January 2019
Mary B. Humphrey, MD-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$168,000-Research to study how blood stem cells make new cells.
Darren J. Lee, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$134,400-Research to study how healthy eye stem cells can replace or repair damaged cells.
Lin Liu, Ph. D.-Oklahoma State University Department of Physiological Sciences-$168,000-Research to study lung stem cells.
Benjamin Miller, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$115,334-Research to study how muscle cells regenerate which could have implications for treatment for muscle wasting.
Ann L. Olson, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$112,000-Research to study how fat stem cells change to become mature cells.
Roberto J. Pezza, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$157,548-Research to study how cancer stem cells repair damaged DNA.
Arlan G Richardson, PhD.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$143,493-Research to study how dietary restriction improves stem cell function.
Christopher L Sansam, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$147,220-Research to understand how DNA replication and structural proteins work together.
Sathish Srinivasan, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-Research to use gene therapy and stem cell therapy to correct lymphedema and other complications of lymphatic defects.
July 2018
Resham Bhattacharya, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$140,000-Research to study cancer stem cells.
David Forsthoefel, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$112,000-Research to determine the genes required to repair injured intestinal cells.
Gary Gorbsky, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$142,269-Research to study the genetic basis of stem cell regeneration.
Timothy Griffin, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$112,000-Research to study how aging effects stem cell generation in cartilage.
Lorin Olson, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-Research related to bone-forming stem cells.
Sathish Srinivasan, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-Research to study lymphatic stem cells.
Matthew Walters, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$161,261-Research to study airway stem cells.
Xin Zhang, Ph.D.-Stephenson Cancer Center-$168,000-Research to study the function of stem cells in the formation of fat cells.
January 2018
Willard M. Freeman, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$111,421-Research to study neural stem cells and the potential ability to increase memory in older adults.
Mary Beth Humphrey, MD-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$168,000-Research to study how blood stem cells make new cells.
Judith A. James, MD, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-Research to study the role of stem cells in inflammation and the forming of autoimmune disease.
Ann Louise Olson, Ph.D. -University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$112,000-Research to study how fat stem cells change to become mature cells.
Roberto J. Pezza, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$167,588-Research to study how cancer stem cells repair damaged DNA.
Arlan G. Richardson, PhD.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$141,266-Research to study how dietary restriction improves stem cell function.
July 2017
Resham Bhattacharya, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$140,000-Research to study cancer stem cells.
David J.Forsthoefel, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$112,000-Research to determine the genes required to repair injured intestinal cells.
Gary Gorbsky, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$142,269-Research to study the genetic basis of stem cell regeneration.
Timothy M. Griffin, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$112,000-Research to study how aging effects stem cell generation in cartilage.
Lorin E. Olson, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-Research related to bone-forming stem cells.
Sathish Srinivasan, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-Research to study lymphatic stem cells.
Matthew S. Walters, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$161,261 -Research to study airway stem cells.
Xin Zhang, Ph.D.–Stephenson Cancer Center-$168,000-How Integrin Regulates the Adipogenesis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells
January 2017
Willard M.Freeman, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$119,529-Research to study neural stem cells and the potential ability to increase memory in older adults.
Judith A. James, MD, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-Research to study the role of stem cells in inflammation and the forming of autoimmune disease.
Ralf Janknecht, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$168,000-Research to study a method of suppressing breast cancer stem cells.
Susan Kovats, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$157,242-Research to study how blood stem cells become lung cells which could have implications for treatment of lung disease.
Yun Z. Le, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$168,000-Research to study how stem cells can be used to treat vision loss.
Chuanbin Mao, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma-$168,000-A new approach is being developed for producing stem cells.
Susannah Rankin, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$159,095-Research to study how specialized stem cells are reprogrammed into nonspecialized cells.
Tanaka Tanaka, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$134,400-Research to study how cancer stem cells are generated.
July 2016
Heather D. Gappa-Fahlenkamp, Ph.D.-Oklahoma State University-$104,355-Research to create a 3D tissue-engineered model to study allergic diseases.
Gary Gorbsky, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$158,913-Research to study the genetic basis of stem cell regeneration.
Lin Liu, Ph. D.-Oklahoma State University -$168,000-Research to explore the use of stem cells to treat influenza virus infection.
Christopher L. Sansam, Ph.D. –Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$159,900-Research to study the methods of reprogramming mature cells to iPS cells.
Sathish Srinivasan, Ph.D.–Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-Research to study stems cells and the ability to repair valves that are associated with lymphedema.
Leonidas Tsiokas, Ph.D.–University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$168,000-Research to study the effect of drugs on bone marrow stem cells and cilia.
Lijun Xia, Md. Ph.D.–Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-Research to study intestinal stem cells and their function.
Xin Zhang, Ph.D.–Stephenson Cancer Center-$168,000-Research to study stem cells that promote fat cells.
January 2016
Daniel Carr, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$119,112-Research to study the role of cornea stem cell.
Yun Le, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$168,000-Research to study how stem cells can be used to treat vision loss.
Roberto Pezza, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$113,585-Research to study how DNA repair and cancer stem cells.
Susannah Rankin, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$146,493-Research to study how specialized stem cells are reprogrammed into nonspecialized cells.
Tanaka Takemi, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$68,318-Research to study how cancer stem cells are generated.
Lauren Zenewicz, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$102,880-Research to study stem cells that help fight infection.
July 2015
David A. Jones, Ph.D. – Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation- $168,000- Study of requirements for intestinal stem cells.
Lin Liu, Ph. D. – Oklahoma State University Department of Physiological Sciences,- $168,000- Research to study a method for treating COPD in mice.
Chuanbin Mao, Ph.D. – University of Oklahoma- $168,000- A new approach is being developed for producing neuronal stem cells.
Mary B. Humphrey, MD – University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center- $112,000- Research on a method to convert normal cells into stem cells.
Muna L Naash, Ph.D. – University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center- $168,000- Research to examine the ability of stem cells to become retinal neurons.
Xiao-Hong Sun, MD, Ph.D. – Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation- $168,000- Knowledge of a protein made by stem cells could have implications for leukemia treatment.
Leonidas Tsiokas, Ph.D. – University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center- $168,000- Stem cell characteristics may depend on a critical protein.
Lijun Xia, Md. Ph.D. – Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation- $168,000- Research with mice that could lead to treatment and/or prevention of some colon disorders.
January 2015
Jose Alberola-lla, Ph.D. – Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation- $168,000-Research to understand the qualities of hematopoietic stem cells.
Patrick Gaffney, MD – Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation- $167,191 -Research to study a gene that has been found to be associated with Lupus.
Lorin Olson, Ph.D. – Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation- $168,000-Research to study fibrosis to better understand scar formation.
Christopher Sansam, Ph.D. – Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation- $159,057 -Research to study how a gene affects the replication and the timing of a cell.
Sathish Srinivasan, Ph.D. – Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation- $168,000-Research to study lymphatic cells that may have implications for repairing lymphatic cells.
Xin Zhang, Ph.D. – Stephenson Cancer Center- $168,000-Research to study a certain protein, tetraspanin, to determine how it affects cancer metastasis.
Alana Welm, Ph.D. – Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation- $63,500-Equipment grant to analyze proteins in stem cells to understand their function in cancer, developmental biology, and tissue regeneration.
Christopher Sansam, Ph.D. – Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation- $38,000-Equipment grant to detect mutations with better quality and speed than current methods.
David Jones, Ph.D. – Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation- $20,953- Equipment needed to rapidly study adult stem cell genes.
July 2014
David Jones, Ph.D. -Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$150,000-Research to study a tumor suppressor in colon cancer.
Gary Gorbsky, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$18,015-Equipment upgrade to a high-resolution microscope.
Christopher Sansam, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$7,100-Enabling grant for a device that enables easy and rapid collection of cells.
Daniel Carr, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$90,889-Research to study the role of neural stem cells in inflammation of the cornea.
Pamela Lloyd, Ph. D.-Oklahoma State University Department of Physiological Sciences-$100,000-Research to study the role of an engineered stem cell in repairing or replacing damaged lung tissue in COPD.
Augen Pioszak, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$100,000-Research to study the use of stem cell growth factors that may provide information for therapies for intestinal disorders and cancer.
Gary Gorbsky, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$144,143-Research to study specific cancer stem cells to improve cancer therapy.
Yun Le, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$150,000-Research to study an adult retinal stem cell in preventing degeneration of the retina.
Lin Liu, Ph. D.-Oklahoma State University Department of Physiological Sciences,-$150,000-Research to study the ability of an engineered stem cell on lung cells damaged by smoking.
Chuanbin Mao, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma-$150,000-Research to study induced pluripotent stem cells and the effect on bone formation.
David Jones, Ph.D. -Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$88,410-Equipment grant for equipment to identify stem cells at various stages more efficiently and effectively.
Roberto Pezza, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$100,644-Research to study spermatogonial stem cells and their effect on chromosomal cell division.
January 2014
Alex Cohen, MD, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$123,200-Research to study how a protein affects corneal stem cells with implications for treatment of corneal blindness.
Lorin Olson, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-Research to determine how stem cells for fat can be controlled in health and disease.
Susannah Rankin, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$117,882 -Basic research that will reveal how adult cells of a given type can be turned more efficiently into other tissues.
Christopher Sansam, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$162,215 -Research to determine what is special about the division of stem cells.
Xiao-Hong Sun, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-Research to determine how normal blood-forming cells differ from cancer stem cells, thus suggesting new therapies.
Weidong Wang, MD, Ph. D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-Stem cell lines will be prepared from patients with genetically determined diabetes so that defects can be identified.
July 2013
Patrick Gaffney, MD-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$112000-Research to examine cells that play a large role in the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).
Gary Gorbsky, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$119,513-Research to determine if certain cancer stem cell genes are responsible for cancer coming back after treatment.
Timothy Griffin, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$47,788-Shared equipment grant to purchase a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system that will enhance the ability to study the state of stem cells.
Mary Humphrey, MD-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$112,000-Research to study the process of taking arthritic cartilage cells, “resetting” them and then turning them into normal cartilage. This could have implication for many orthopedic conditions.
Augen Pioszak, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$168,000-Research to determine how growth factors bind to adult stem cells of the intestine, stomach, colon, hair, and skin.
Sathish Srinivasan, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-Research to study the stems cell of the lymphatic vasculature that could lead to treatment options for people with lymphedema (swelling of tissues).
January 2013
Jana Barlic-Dicen, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$123,200-Research to determine how stem cells can affect atherosclerosis.
Hong Chen, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-Research to study intestinal stem cells which could lead to therapies for gastrointestinal disorders or cancers.
Alex Cohen, MD, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$123,200-Research to study how a protein affects corneal stem cells.
Lin Liu, Ph. D.-Oklahoma State University Department of Physiological Sciences,-$112,000-Research to determine how stem cell therapy can repair or replace damaged lung tissues.
Pamela Lloyd, Ph. D.-Oklahoma State University Department of Physiological Sciences -$112,000-Research to determine how stem cells and growth factors affect chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Florea Lupu, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$112,000-Research to study how a protein effects stem cell transformations which could have implications for weight loss and atherosclerosis.
Chuanbin Mao, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma-$134,400-Research to study how stem cells can be created to improve tissue regeneration.
Xiao-Hong Sun, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$168,000-Research to determine how blood-forming cells differ from cancer cell which could lead to better therapy for blood cancer.
Leonidas Tsiokas, Ph.D.-University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$168,000-Research to study how stem cells can affect bone formation which could lead to interventions to prevent bone loss.
Xin Zhang, Ph.D.-Stephenson Cancer Center-$168,000-Research to study breast cancer stem cells which could increase our understanding of metastasis.
$20,000 in grants for researchers to attend scientific conferences.
July 2012
Dan Carr, Ph.D., – Dean McGee Eye Institute- $158,008 – Research to understand better the effect of a specific brain infection on stem cells in the central nervous system.
Florea Lupu, Ph.D.– Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation- $56,000- Enabling technology to generate mice that will help to understand better the difference between “good” and “bad” fat.
Lorin Olson, Ph.D.– Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation- $168,000- Research to understand better the role of adult stem cells in wound repair.
Augen Pioszak, Ph.D.– University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center- $112,000- Research to develop a better understanding of how growth factor stimulates adult stem cells growth.
Weidong Wang, MD, Ph.D.– Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation- $168,000- Research using technology and cell profiling to understand the activities of the beta cells in the pancreas.
Carol Webb. Ph.D.– Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation- $157,246- Research to determine methods of creating adult stem cells in adult humans that could accelerate adult stem cell research.
January 2012
Jose Alberola, Ph.D.- Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation- $120,000-Research to study how low-grade infections affect stem cells which could have implications for preventing or reducing some effects of aging.
Myron Hinsdale, Ph.D.- Oklahoma State University-$72,800-Research to determine if stem cells can heal lung disease and to explore the potential of therapies.
Lin Liu, Ph.D.– Oklahoma State University- $72,800- Research to test if stem cells can be used to cure chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Pamela Lloyd, Ph.D.– Oklahoma State University-$72,800-Research to test if stem cells repair or replace damaged lung tissue which will have implications for a potential treatment for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Chuanbin Mao, Ph.D. – University of Oklahoma–$112,000-Research to study how to how adult stem cells can become bone forming cells.
Daniel Carr, Ph.D. –University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center- $2,000–Education grant to work in a lab at the University of California-Irving to learn how to identify and change brain and nerve cells in mice.
Muna Naash, Ph.D. – University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center- $112,000– Research to test the timing and effectiveness of treatment with eye stem cells for those with retinitis pigmentosa.
Florea Lupu, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$112,000-Research to determine if stem cells modified to have more of a specific protein could have implications for preventing obesity and fat deposits in blood vessels.
July 2011
Carol Webb, Ph.D., $112,000 at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation to determine methods of creating adult stem cells in adult humans that could accelerate the development of more effective tissue replacement therapies.
Leonidas Tsiokas, Ph.D., $112.000 at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center to determine how calcium “improves” bone formation which could result in a better treatment for osteoporosis.
Weidong Wang, Ph.D.,$112,000 at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation to determine a different way of creating adult stem cells without using potentially tumor-causing viruses.
Jana Barlic-Dicen, Ph.D., $112,000 at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation to study a mechanism that increases the number of fat cells which could advance the development of anti-obesity therapies.
January 2011
Lin Liu, Ph.D.- Oklahoma State University-$62,638- Equipment grant to allow investigators to monitor animals’ response to stem cell therapy for COPD and other breathing conditions. Enhances previously awarded OCASCR grant.
Florea Lupu, Ph.D.-Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$70,038- Equipment grant to allow investigators to see how molecules interact on the surface of stem cells. It enhances a previous OCASCR grant.
Muna Naash, Ph.D.- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-$112,000- Research to study the role of eye stem cells to improve the structure and function of the retina.
Xiao-Hong Sun, Ph.D.- Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$112,000- Research to study the role of mesenchymal stem cells in replenishing blood cells.
Courtney Houchen, MD– University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center-OUHSC-$112,000-Research to study the potential of pancreatic stem cells being converted to insulin-producing cells and to replace damaged pancreatic tissues that cause Diabetes.
Lijun Xia, MD, Ph.D.- Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation-$104,800-Research to improve appropriate stem cell movement to replace damaged brain tissues.
July 2010
Myron Hinsdale, Ph.D., at Oklahoma State University,$72,800 for research into using adult stem cells to heal lung disease.
Courtney Houchen, M.D., $192,215 (two grants) at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center for equipment to test how adult stem cells respond to different drugs and compounds.
Lin Liu, Ph.D., $72,800 at Oklahoma State University to test if stem cells can be used to cure chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Pamela Lloyd, Ph.D., $72,800 at Oklahoma State University for research on the repair of damaged lung capillaries which could have implications for treatment of emphysema.
Leonidas Tsiokas, Ph.D., $56,654 at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center for research into using stem cells to combat osteoporosis and other bone loss diseases.
Linda Thompson, Ph.D., $123,950 at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation for equipment to increase the ability of researchers to identify and study stem cells.
Carol Webb, Ph.D., $114,311 at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation to improve a method of generating better stem cells that may increase the pace of research and accelerate development of therapies.