New Research Grants Awarded to Advance Congenital Heart Defect Research
DALLAS, Feb. 10, 2025 — Congenital heart defects (CHDs) remain the most prevalent birth defect in the United States, affecting over 40,000 infants annually.[1]
Collaboration Aims to Improve Understanding and Treatment
The American Heart Association and The Children’s Heart Foundation are teaming up to fund five promising scientific researchers through the joint Congenital Heart Defect Research Awards program. Since the collaboration began, these two organizations have committed more than $10 million over ten years to this vital research.[American Heart Association]
The Burden of Congenital Heart Defects
One in four babies born with CHDs require invasive surgery or early treatment within their first year of life.[2] Despite significant medical advancements, many children and their families continue to navigate a multitude of challenges. The latest round of grants, totaling over $570,000, aims to further advance knowledge and treatment options.
Grant Recipients and Their Research
Five leading researchers will utilize the funding to explore various aspects of congenital heart disease:
- Brendan Crabb, M.D., University of California, San Diego: Investigating regional myocardial function in repaired Tetralogy of Fallot using deep learning techniques.
- Feiya Li, Ph.D., J. David Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco: Studying the role of HMGN1 in cardiac defects linked to Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome).
- Tasniem Fetian, University of Pittsburgh: Examining mechanisms of co-transcriptional nucleosome modifications and their interactions.
- Nurselin Ates, Ph.D., Children’s Research Institute, Washington, D.C.: Analyzing the impact of impaired H3K4 methylation on white matter injury in CHD.
- Hongyan Guo, University of Houston: Researching nuclear factor proteins’ regulation of ventricular compaction.
Advancing the Future of Healthcare
“Our investment in research that tackles heart defects can significantly enhance the quality and duration of life for over 40,000 infants born with CHDs each year,” stated Keith Churchwell, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association and associate clinical professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine.[Keith Churchwell]
Jeffrey Franco, interim CEO of The Children’s Heart Foundation, echoed this sentiment: “Our partnership with the American Heart Association underscores our commitment to driving meaningful change in CHD research, care, and hope for affected families.”[The Children’s Heart Foundation]
Call for Future Research Proposals
The organizations encourage researchers dedicated to preventing and treating congenital heart defects to apply for funding. For information on submission guidelines and deadlines, visit professional.heart.org/CHDResearchAwards.
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