NEA AWARDS GRANTS FOR ECZEMA RESEARCH TO 13 INVESTIGATORS

New research will explore key aspects of eczema from the science behind itch and inflammation, to the role of racial and economic disparities, to new pathways for potential therapies 

NOVATO, Calif., Dec. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Eczema Association (NEA) today announced the recipients for its 2022 research grants. From both U.S.-based and international applications, the research projects of 13 outstanding investigators were selected, representing grants totaling nearly $730,000. 2022 marked a significant jump in NEA's investment in innovative eczema research, from $515,000 in 2021, with a new award tier and an increase from nine to 13 recipients.

The largest private nonprofit funder of eczema research, NEA has invested nearly $3 million since its first grant was awarded in 2004. Collectively, NEA-funded grants for basic science, clinical and translational research have supported a deeper understanding of the symptoms, comorbidities and burdens of eczema, provided insights into new treatment strategies, and furthered the ability to improve care and prevention.

Most notably, for every $1 NEA has invested in eczema research, grantees have collectively gone on to obtain an additional $13.14 in subsequent National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding to support further research.

"Eczema is a chronic condition without a cure that affects over 31 million people in the U.S., many with severe, even debilitating impacts," says Julie Block, CEO of NEA. "Our best hope to improve patients' lives (and those of loved ones) is through research. Our 2022 research grant recipients represent both new and longstanding investigators working across disciplines to identify opportunities for better eczema therapies, better care, better outcomes – and one day, potentially, a cure."

Impact Research Grant – Provides funding support for collaborative research projects to conduct multi-institution innovative eczema research.

• Concepcio Soler, PhD, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
• Role of TREX2, a keratinocyte-specific exonuclease, in AD and evaluation as potential therapeutic target

Champion Research Grant– Encourages proven researchers to continue research on emerging or ongoing challenges in eczema or bring their expertise to the field of eczema.

• Jan Dutz MD, FRCPC, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia
• Inhibition of tissue resident memory T-cells as a therapy for contact hypersensitivity
• Aaron Drucker MD, ScM, FRCPC, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Canada
• Long-term safety of topical corticosteroids in treatment of AD
• Cassandra Quave, PhD, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
• Botanical-derived small molecules to target Staphylococcal cytotoxins in AD

Spotlight Research Grant – New in 2022, this award promotes research tied to specific areas of interest. This year focuses on eczemas outside of atopic dermatitis, specifically chronic vesicular hand eczema, nummular eczema and seborrheic dermatitis.

• Michael Haft, MD, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA
• Clinical characteristics and morphology of chronic hand eczema in children and adolescents

Childhood Eczema Challenge Grant – Created in collaboration with the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA), this is intended for early or mid-career scientists to accelerate research that improves the health and quality of life of pediatric patients and their families.

• Emily Croce PhD, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC, University of Texas at Austin. Austin, TX
• Role of outdoor air pollution on disease burden and corresponding racial and ethnic disparities for children with AD

Catalyst Research Grant – Designed to support talented early-career scientists on the path toward becoming the next generation of eczema thought leaders by supporting hypothesis-driven research projects.

• Joan Manils, PhD, Bsc, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
• Implications for CARD14 – a protein expressed by keratinocytes that when mutated produces skin inflammation – as therapeutic target for AD
• Harper Price, MD, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ
• Heterogeneity and disparities in disease among pediatric AD patients
• Hazel Wilkie, PhD, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
• Role of staphylococcus aureus in eczema onset

Engagement Research Grant – Intended for emerging investigators exploring a new research concept, piloting a new experiment, or undertaking a novel or secondary data analysis. 

• Elisabeth Cowin MA, MSW, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH.
• Developmental vulnerability, caregiver stress, and family quality of life in young children with eczema
• Emily Gurnee, MD, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO
• Implications of dietary modifications for infantile AD
• Theodora Karagounis MS, MD, New York University Grossman School of Medicine,
  New York, NY
• Effect of Staphylococcus aureus gastrointestinal colonization on gut microbiome in AD
• Ge Peng, MD, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
• Therapeutic role of betacellulin, a ligand for the epidermal growth factor receptor in AD

Learn more about NEA's ongoing support of eczema research.

Founded in 1988, the National Eczema Association (NEA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the largest patient advocacy organization serving the over 31 million Americans who live with eczema and those who care for them. NEA provides programs and resources to elevate the diverse lived experience of eczema, and help patients and caregivers understand their disease, actively engage in their care, find strength in one another – and improve their lives. Additionally, NEA advances critical eczema research and partners with key stakeholders to ensure the patient voice is represented and valued in education, care and treatment decision-making. The eczema community is at an exciting juncture, with increased recognition of the seriousness and burden of eczema and a surge in scientific interest and development of new treatments. Bolstered by NEA's strategic plan, Blueprint 2025, we are driving toward the ultimate vision: a world without eczema. Learn more at NationalEczema.org.

SOURCE National Eczema Association