Uplifting Athletes Issues Total of $200,000 in Grants to 10 Emerging Rare Disease Scientists

The nonprofit Uplifting Athletes, which connects student athletes to their local rare disease community to raise awareness and funds, announced a total of $200,000 in grants to young researchers ahead of its annual Young Investigator Draft.

Grant submissions for the Young Investigator Draft are evaluated by an expert panel of scientific advisors prior to the selection of each year’s Draft Class. CSL Behring is a vital partner to Uplifting Athletes, serving as the title sponsor for the Young Investigator Draft since its inception in 2018.

“The members of our 2023 Young Investigator Draft Class represent a group of early-career, diverse researchers who are tremendous assets to the rare disease community,” said Rob Long, executive director of Uplifting Athletes. “These individuals stand to make a profound impact on the 30 million Americans impacted by a rare disease.”

The organization is providing unrestricted grants of $20,000 to each of the selected researchers. The following scientists will receive grants:

Researcher: Jithma Prasad Abeykoon
Category of Research: Rare Cancers, Rare Blood Disorders
Institution: Mayo Clinic, MN
Nominated by: Erdheim-Chester Disease Global Alliance

Researcher: Zain Awamleh
Category of Research: Rare Genetic Disorders
Institution: The Hospital for Sick Children
Nominated by: TBRS Community

Researcher: Steven Baker
Category of Research: Rare Muscular and Neurological Diseases, Rare Genetic Disorders
Institution: University of Utah
Nominated by: Association for Creatine Deficiencies

Researcher: Kelly Crowe
Category of Research: Rare Muscular and Neurological Diseases
Institution: Xavier University
Nominated by: Neuromuscular Disease Foundation

Researcher: Alex Felix
Category of Research: Rare Muscular and Neurological Diseases, Rare Genetic Disorders
Institution: Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Nominated by: STXBP1 Foundation

Researcher: Nishanthi Mathiyalagan
Category of Research: Rare Muscular and Neurological Diseases, Rare Genetic Disorders
Institution: Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School
Nominated by: TANGO2 Research Foundation

Researcher: Melanie Mumau
Category of Research: Rare Autoimmune Diseases, Rare Blood Disorders, Rare Cancers
Institution: Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Nominated by: Castleman Disease Collaborative Network

Researcher: Riley Perszyk
Category of Research: Rare Genetic Disorders
Institution: Emory University
Nominated by: GRIN2B Foundation

Researcher: Christopher Sande
Category of Research: Rare Blood Disorders, Rare Genetic Disorders
Institution: Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Nominated by: Team Telomere

Researcher: Anna Stepanova
Category of Research: Rare Muscular and Neurological Diseases, Race Genetic Disorders
Institution: Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College
Nominated by: The Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance

In addition to honoring the new Draft Class, the 2023 Young Investigator Draft will provide a forum to recognize the newest members of Uplifting Athletes’ Rare Disease Champion Team―an exemplary group of leaders in college athletics who have made a positive and lasting impact on people affected by rare diseases.

The Young Investigator Draft is presented by CSL Behring and will take place February 4, 2023 at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Author: Rare Daily Staff