2019

2019 Cycle 1 Award Winners:
Dr. Nisha Gilotra, Johns Hopkins Medicine: Immunological and clinical gender-specific differences in cardiac sarcoidosis
Dr. Wonder Drake,Vanderbilt University School of Medicine: What is the clinical impact of IL-6 blockade on sarcoidosis pulmonary fibrosis? 

2019 Cycle 2 Award Winner:
Dr. Rafael Perez, Thomas Jefferson University: Lung Tissue Remodeling in Sarcoidosis: Relationship to Clinical Phenotype and Disease Severity and Progression.

2018

2018 Cycle 1 Award Winner: Dr. Girish Bathla, University of Iowa: Vessel Wall imaging in Neurosarcoidosis: Underrecognized, Underdiagnosed and Undertreated.
2018 Cycle 2 Award Winner: Dr. Richard Silver, Case Western Reserve University: The Role of TCR/TLR2 Co-stimulation in Resolution vs. Progression of Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

2019-2020

Ohio State University – Elliott Crouser, MD, Landon Locke, PhD, Mark Julian, MS
Ex Vivo Human Granuloma Model of Sarcoidosis: Phase 2

Yale School of Medicine – Erica Herzog, MD, PhD
Development of an ex vivo mimetic of the Sarcoidosis lung microenvironment

Medical University of Vienna – Thomas Weichhart, PhD
Further Characterization and Improvement of a Novel Mouse Model that Spontaneously Develops Progressive Sarcoidosis by Chronic Activation of mTORC1 

2017-2019

·Medical University of Vienna – Thomas Weichhart, PhD
Characterization and Improvement of a Novel Mouse Model that Spontaneously Develops Progressive Sarcoidosis by Chronic Activation of mTORC1 

·Ohio State University – Elliott Crouser, MD, Larry Schlesinger, MD, Wolfgang Sadee, Dr.rer.nat, Peter White, PhD
A Novel In Vitro Human Granuloma Model of Sarcoidosis

·University of Freiburg – Peggy Engelhard, PhD, Gernot Zissel,PhD, Joachim Müller-Quernheim, MD, Marina A. Freudenberg, MD
Models for the investigations of the involvement of type I interferon (IFN-aB) in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis

·University of Hull, York Medical School – Simon Hart, MBChB, PhD
Development and application of a multi-scale computational model of sarcoidosis to predict therapeutic approaches for non-self-resolving disease

·Yale School of Medicine – Erica Herzog, MD, PhD
Development of an ex vivo mimetic of the Sarcoidosis lung microenvironment

2018-2020

Dr. Ozioma Chioma, Vanderbilt University Medical Center- Mentored by Dr. Wonder Drake
Microbiome and transcriptomic analysis of sarcoidosis pulmonary  biopsies aiming to signify disease outcome.

Dr. Lori Garman, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation- Mentored by Dr. Courtney Montgomery
Studying how genetic and environmental factors affect immune cells  that possibly predispose individuals to sarcoidosis.

Dr. Changwan Ryu, Yale University- Mentored by Dr. Erica Herzog
Understanding the racial disparities of sarcoidosis by elucidating the  mechanistic relationship between innate immune mechanisms driven  by DNA derived from mitochondria (mtDNA) and clinical phenotypes.

Dr. Bryan Young, Yale University- Mentored by Dr. Edward Miller
Novel patient-centered research in imaging and biomarkers of cardiac  and thoracic sarcoidosis.

Year

Investigator, Institution & Project Summary

2010

Dia Beachboard, Vanderbilt University
Multiple mycobacterial antigen recognition of Sarcoidosis BAL
Presented through the American Thoracic Society Assembly on Allergy, Immunology and Inflammation Ms. Beachboard’s work supports a role for mycobacterial antigens in sarcoidosis disease pathogenesis. Read the Abstract.
Jared Kravitz, Medical University of South Carolina
Intracavitary Amphotericin B for Pulmonary Aspergilloma Complicated by Serious Hemoptysis in Fibrocystic Sarcoidosis
Serious hemoptysis complicating pulmonary aspergilloma (PA) is the second most common cause of death in fibrocystic (FC) pulmonary sarcoidosis.  Presented through the American Thoracic Society Assembly on Clinical Problems Dr. Kravitz’s research assessed the safety and efficacy of Intracavitary amphotericin B (ICAB).  Read the Abstract.

2009

Ali A. Kanchwala, East Carolina University
Cathelicidin Deficiency and Its Association with Disease Severity in Patients with Sarcoidosis
Presented through the American Thoracic Society Assembly on Allergy, Immunology and Inflammation Dr. Kanchwala’s work investigates the disease mechanisms of sarcoidosis and how a specific antimicrobial peptide, cathelicidin, plays a critical role in innate immune defenses.
Read the Abstract.

Tahuanty A. Pena, Wayne State/Detroit Medical Center
Incidence and Outcome of Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Patients with Sarcoidosis
Presented through the American Thoracic Society Assembly Clinical Problems this work reviewed the risk of fungal infections among sarcoidosis patients.  Read the Abstract.Eleni Stagaki, Sismanoglio General Hospital (Greece)Th-1 cytokines in infectious and non-infectious granulomatous lung diseases. Presented as World Association of Sarcoidosis & Other Granulomatous Disorders Young Investigator Award.Claus Bo Svendsen, Statens Serum Institut (Denmark)A prospective study evaluating the presence of Rickettsia in Danish patients with sarcoidosis. Presented as World Association of Sarcoidosis & Other Granulomatous Disorders Young Investigator Award.

2008

Takeshi Hattori, MD (First Department of Medicine, Hokkaido University)
Hiroe Sato, MD, PhD (Clinical Genomic Group, Royal Bromptom and NHLI, Imperial College)
Awarded through the American Thoracic Society (ATS) Clinical Problems Assembly, Dr. Hattori’s studied the effect of smoking on susceptibility to sarcoidosis.  Focused on the immune mechanisms of inflammation and awarded through the ATS Asthma, Allergy and Immunology Assembly, Dr. Sato’s research investigated genetic variations (polymorphisms) associated with severe pulmonary sarcoidosis.  Read Dr. Hattori’s Abstract or Read Dr. Satoe’s Abstract.Elliott Crouser, MD (Ohio State University)
Dr. Crouser is Director of the Sarcoidosis Specialty Clinic at the Ohio State University Medical Center and was recognized as the 2008 K.I.S.S. Investigator of the Year.   Read the Press Release.

2007

M. Gabrilovich, MD, PhD (Case Western Reserve)
S. Chin, MD (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center)
Awarded through the American Thoracic Society (ATS) Clinical Problems Assembly, Dr. Chin’s research involved testing for a unique blood cytokine that identifies patients with active sarcoidosis inflammation.  Focused on the immune mechanisms of inflammation and awarded through the ATS Asthma, Allergy and Immunology Assembly, Dr. Gabrilovich’s research investigated the role of specific infection recognizing molecules called toll-like receptors and their involvement in pulmonary sarcoidosis.David Stather, MD (University of Calgary)
Lobelia Samavati, MD (Wayne State University)
Awarded during the American College of Chest Physicians annual CHEST meeting, Dr. Stather’s research focused on diagnosis of sarcoidosis with endobronchial ultrasonography and Dr. Samavati’s research focused on treatment of sarcoidosis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension.2007 Grant Recipient:  Marc A. Judson, MD
Dr. Judson is director of the MUSC Sarcoidosis Center, one of the largest sarcoidosis clinics in the United States. He has extensive experience in the clinical management of sarcoidosis and is currently collaborating with Northwestern University’s Center for Outcomes Research & Education in Chicago on patient quality of life.  He was recognized as the 2007 K.I.S.S. Investigator of the Year.  Read the Press Release.

2006

W.P. Drake, MD (Vanderbilt University)
R. B. Hubbard (University of Nottingham)
Awarded through the American Thoracic Society (ATS) Clinical Problems Assembly, Dr. Hubbard’s research to assess the long-term prognosis of people diagnosed with sarcoidosis demonstrated a small increase in the relative incidence of cancer and an increased mortality rate. Focused on the mechanisms which lead to sarcoidosis development, and awarded through the ATS Asthma, Allergy and Immunology Assembly, Dr. Drake’s research investigated exposure to specific mycobacterial antigens in sarcoidosis patients and controls and her findings suggest disease progression may reflect an immune response to one or more of these antigens.Violeta Vucinic (Belgrade Institute for PUD AS and TB)
Lobelia Samavati (Wayne State University)
Awarded during the American College of Chest Physicians annual CHEST meeting, Drs. Vucinic and Samavati each presented clinical research focused on mechanisms to assess Health Related Quality of Life (HQRL) in sarcoidosis patients.Nadera Sweiss (University of Chicago)
Nadera Sweiss is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Chicago
in the Section of Rheumatology. She has an active clinical research program in
sarcoidosis, testing novel therapies in clinical trials and has an interest in
translational research to understand the underlying causes of sarcoidosis. She was recognized as the 2006 K.I.S.S. Investigator of the Year.  Read the Press Release.

2005

Andrew Shorr (Washington Hospital Center)
Sarcoidosis generally affects younger patients who have the potential to live for longer durations, they are however, more severely ill. Awarded during the American College of Chest Physicians annual CHEST meeting, Dr. Shorr’s research evaluated patient survival following lung transplant.Adrian Kruit (St. Antonius, Netherlands), Qiao Ye (Ruhrlandklinik, Germany), Dr. Kruit’s research focuses on a protein (TGF-β that regulates immune response and Dr. Ye investigated the role of a specific stress response enzyme (HO-1) in the development of pulmonary fibrosis.  Presented as World Association of Sarcoidosis & Other Granulomatous Disorders Young Investigator Awards.Deborah Bradley (University of Cincinnati)
Phillippa Lawson (University College London)
Vincent Manganiello (NHLBI)
Otto Villa (Tufts University)
Awarded through the American Thoracic Society (ATS) Clinical Problems Assembly, Dr. Bradley’s research compared the effectiveness of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents and Dr. Manganiello’s research evaluated a steroid-sparing agent in the treatment of sarcoidosis. Focused on the cellular development of sarcoidosis and awarded through the ATS Allergy, Inflammation and Immunology Assembly, Dr. Villa’s research focused on the protein make-up of T-cells and Dr. Lawson’s research analyzed specific genetic variants in sarcoidosis patients.Kyle Hogarth, University of Chicago
As a young investigator and clinician, Dr. Hogarth’s patient care and research efforts focus on measures to improve quality of life and outcomes for patients with all forms of interstitial lung disease with a strong focus on sarcoidosis and rheumatologic interstitial lung disease. He received his MD from Case Western University in 1998, and completed his residency and fellowship in pulmonary & critical care medicine at the University of Chicago.  Presented as KISS Chicago Young Investigator Award.  Read the Press Release.

2005-2020

ATS Travel Grants

FSR has supported over $20,000 to support emerging researchers via the ATS Travel Grants to ensure up-and-coming investigators, many of whom submitted abstracts to ATS, can attend the annual conference to be included in the progression of education in lung disease.

2011

Nabeel Hamzeh, MD (National Jewish Health)
Studies have already shown that antioxidant therapy reduces oxidative stress and inflammation in chronic beryllium disease, a disease that resembles sarcoidosis. The Effect of an Antioxidant, N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, on Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Markers in Pulmonary Sarcoidodsis is a pilot study to see how antioxidant therapy affects oxidative stress in sarcoidosis. Learn more.

2010

Kyra Oswald-Richter (Vanderbilt University)
Striking disparities exist in sarcoidosis clinical outcome. The Role of Differential Cytokine Production in Sarcoidosis Disease Pathogenesis will evaluate whether inadequate adaptive immune response contribute to disease progression in sarcoidosis.  Learn More.

2009

Lobelia Samavati (Wayne State University)
Both environmental and genetic factors appear to play a role in sarcoidosis. The Role of Intracellular NOD-like Receptors in Sarcoidosis will investigate the role of specific proteins (cellular sensors which recognize pathogens) as well as to identify variants in the genes for the sensors.  Learn More.

2008

Elliott Crouser (Ohio State University)
Some research has shown that nicotine suppresses the immune system and reduces inflammation characteristic of sarcoidosis in the lungs. Modulation of Pulmonary Sarcoidosis by Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors is a trial that will assess whether nicotine treatment (in patch form) will reduce the severity of lung disease.  Learn More or Join the Trial.

2008

Edward Chen (Johns Hopkins University)
Recent studies have shown that genetic variations may be associated with an increased risk of developing sarcoidosis. The Role of Serum Amyloid A and RAGE in Sarcoidosis is designed to determine whether SAA and RAGE are important in the development of granulomatous inflammation.  Read the 2010 Press Release about Findings.

2007

Michael Falta (University of Colorado Health Sciences Center)
T cell Ligands in Sarcoidosis focuses on understanding how immune blood cells, called T lymphocytes become overactivated in sarcoidosis patients and determining how they are involved in the formation of granulomas. This information might lead to an understanding of what causes disease and suggest new therapies for treating it.

2006

Richard Silver (Case Western Reserve University)*
Abnormal TLR Responses in the Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Sarcoidosis attempts to demonstrate that the response of specific infection recognizing molecules may be abnormal and contribute to the immune response in sarcoidosis. (*Received $50,000)

2006

Jan Wahlstrom (Karolinska University Hospital)
Identifying an antigen may provide clues to a cause, and potentially better treatments for this disease.  Antigen specificity in Sarcoidosis focuses on a specific group of sarcoidosis patients whose immune system response may be related to exposure to a specific antigen, or foreign substance.

2005

Dan Culver (Cleveland Clinic)*
Matrix Metalloproteinases Contribute to Disease Progression in Pulmonary Sarcoidosis and Are Inhibited by PPar-γ focuses on lung cells in sarcoidosis patients – specifically low levels of a molecule (PPAR-γ) that regulates immune responses. If this molecule can be regulated, inflammation from sarcoidosis and similar inflammatory diseases could potentially be controlled.  (*Received $50,000)  Learn More.