NEA AWARDS 9 NEW GRANTS FOR ECZEMA RESEARCH TO NEW AND LONGSTANDING INVESTIGATORS

New research will explore key aspects of eczema from the science behind itch and inflammation, to skin barrier dysfunction as a biomarker, to the microbiome

NOVATO, Calif., Feb. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Eczema Association (NEA) today announced the recipients for its 2024 research grant cycle. From both U.S.-based and international applications, the research projects of nine outstanding investigators were selected, representing grants totaling $365K. NEA has now invested over $4.4 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. For many grantees, NEA's early funding propels a career in research, with more than one third going on to receive funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), leading to significant developments in our understanding of eczema

"Eczema is a chronic condition that affects over 31 million people in the U.S., many with significant impacts to their overall health and quality of life," says Wendy Smith Begolka, Chief Strategy Officer at NEA. "The NEA grant program was started to fill a much-needed gap in research and, over 20 years later, it's encouraging to see the breadth and scope of work represented, with real potential to improve lives."

The 2024 research grants were awarded as follows:

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.

• Christopher Montgomery, MD, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
  
  A Staphylococcus aureus vaccine to prevent atopic dermatitis

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

• Diego Lopez, DDS, MPH, PhD, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
  
  Does the composition of oral microbes contribute to eczema in early life?

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.

• James Chambers, MPharm, MSc, PhD, Tufts School of Medicine, Boston, MA
  
  Examining US commercial health plan coverage of atopic dermatitis therapies: A longitudinal analysis

• Zelma Chiesa Fuxench MD, MSCE, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
  
  Characterization of the cutaneous microbiome in adult patients with seborrheic dermatitis with emphasis on skin mycobiota.

• George Maiti, PhD, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
  
  Extracellular matrix proteoglycans regulate T cell functions during allergic contact dermatitis

• Meng-Jen Wu, PhD, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
  
  Addressing unmet needs: Evaluating a novel tri-model therapeutic to address itch and infection in atopic dermatitis

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

• Mohini Bhattacharya, PhD, University of Colorado, Denver, Denver, CO
  
  Skin matrisome as a determinant of S. aureus skin infection severity

• Raquel Sanabria-de la Torre, MS, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Granada, Spain
  
  Genetic deregulation and skin barrier dysfunction as biomarkers of therapeutic response in patients with atopic dermatitis

• Emily Robbins, DO, NIH/NIAID, Bethesda, MD
  
  An Infants' Microbiome in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Their Later Risk of Development of Atopic Dermatitis

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

About the National Eczema Association
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.

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SOURCE National Eczema Association