April 12, 2024

The Mary Heersink Institute for Global Health announces its 2024 pilot grant awardees

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The UAB Mary Heersink Institute for Global Health is excited to announce its third cohort of pilot grant awardees.

The institute provided pilot funding to three projects with the goal of fostering collaboration between investigators at UAB and international partners as they work to address pressing global health challenges. Successful applicants were notified on April 12. Congratulations to the teams selected in 2024. 

“Effectiveness study of novel folic acid fortified iodized salt to increase folate levels in Zambia, a non-fortifying country.”

“Effectiveness study of novel folic acid fortified iodized salt to increase folate levels in Zambia, a non-fortifying country.”*
*co-funded by the Center for Women’s Reproductive Health

Principal Investigator: Jeffrey Blount, M.D., UAB Department of Neurosurgery

Co-investigators: Anastasia A. Smith, MPH, UAB School of Public Health; Waldemar A. Carlo, M.D., UAB Department of Pediatrics; Albert Manasyan, M.D., MPH, UAB Department of Pediatrics; Alexander Arynchyn, M.D., Ph.D., UAB Department of Medicine; Inmaculada Aban, Ph.D., M.S., UAB School of Public Health; Andrzej Kulczycki, Ph.D., UAB School of Public Health; Lyn Steffen, Ph.D., University of Minnesota; Ron Hoogeveen, Ph.D., Baylor College of Medicine

“Feasibility of human milk pasteurization in neonatal units with limited resources.”

“Feasibility of human milk pasteurization in neonatal units with limited resources.”

Principal Investigator: Ariel Salas, M.D., UAB Department of Pediatrics

Co-investigator: Vivian Valcarce, M.D., UAB Department of Pediatrics

“Feasibility of Studying Sickle Cell Kidney Disease in a Brazilian Cohort.”

“Feasibility of Studying Sickle Cell Kidney Disease in a Brazilian Cohort.”

Principal Investigator: Jeffrey Lebensburger, D.O., UAB Department of Pediatrics

Co-investigators: Ana Cristina Simoes e Silva, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Andre Rolim Belisario, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Malgorzata Kasztan, Ph.D., UAB Department of Pediatrics; Najibah Galadanci, Ph.D., UAB Department of Medicine