Three University of Michigan researchers have been honored by the National Institutes of Health’s renowned High-Risk, High-Reward Research program. This recognition highlights their innovative research in genetics, neuroscience, and aging. The awards aim to support groundbreaking work that challenges existing scientific paradigms, offering significant potential to improve human health.
Sundeep Kalantry, a human genetics professor, received the NIH Director’s Transformative Research Award. This award supports interdisciplinary research that proposes new or challenges existing paradigms. Kalantry’s work focuses on chromosome biology, particularly how females with two X chromosomes manage gene expression compared to males with one X chromosome. “The NIH Director’s Transformative Award lets us chase ideas that controvert accepted wisdom,” Kalantry stated.
Changyang Linghu and Longhua Guo, both assistant professors, received the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award. Linghu’s research delves into molecular networks in neuroscience, focusing on brain computation and aging. His lab develops innovative technologies for large-scale cellular activity monitoring. “The NIH Director’s New Innovator Award will support our efforts to develop and apply radically innovative technologies,” Linghu explained.
Guo’s lab explores aging and regeneration in long-lived organisms like planarians and leopard geckos. His research uses advanced genetics and molecular biology to address aging-related challenges. “The whole world is getting older. To mitigate age-associated diseases has never been more important,” Guo emphasized. These awards reflect the University of Michigan’s commitment to pioneering, high-risk scientific endeavors, as noted by Steve Kunkel, chief scientific officer for Michigan Medicine.
“NIH recognition for these investigators shines a spotlight on the pursuit of bold science here at U-M,” said Kunkel. “These awards, much like our Research Scouts funding program, support investigators who are taking on high-risk projects that have the potential to be transformative.”
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