DENVER, May 25, 2021 — Boettcher Foundation today announced the names of six leading Colorado researchers who are the newest recipients of grant funding through the Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Awards Program. The program supports promising, early-career scientific researchers, allowing them to advance their independent research and compete for major federal and private awards in the future.
The 2021 Boettcher Investigators represent three of Colorado’s leading research institutions, Colorado State University, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and University of Colorado Boulder. Each researcher receives $235,000 in grant funding to support up to three years of biomedical research.
The new Boettcher Investigators and their research topics are:
Colorado State University
Julie A. Moreno, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology – Protein misfolding neurodegenerative diseases and aging
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Joshua J. Bear, M.D., M.A., Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology – Studying cortical networks in medication-refractory epilepsy
Sarah E. Clark, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology – Host-pathogen interactions in the airway
Craig M. Forester, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor; Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and BMT – Determinants of nascent gene expression in hematopoiesis
Mia J. Smith, D.V.M., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics – B-cells in the pathogenesis of T1D
University of Colorado Boulder
Nausica Arnoult, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology – DNA repair and genome stability
The $1.41 million in biomedical research grant funds facilitate the Boettcher Foundation’s goal to retain top scientific talent in Colorado.
Katie Kramer, president and CEO of the Boettcher Foundation, said:
“The 2021 class of Boettcher Investigators represents some of Colorado’s most dynamic and promising researchers. These leaders are committed to developing treatments and cures that will improve health and change lives, as we’ve seen the biomedical research sector in action during this past year. The Boettcher Foundation is proud to support these researchers at a pivotal time in their careers and to contribute to the incredible advancements in health innovation underway in our state.”
Since its inception in 2010, the Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Awards program has advanced the work of 82 Boettcher Investigators, including the 2021 class. Those researchers have attracted a collective $100 million in additional independent research funding from federal, state, and private sources. Ninety-six percent of award recipients remain at Colorado research institutions, advancing the Foundation’s mission of keeping Colorado’s top scientific minds in the state.
Jennifer Jones Paton, president and CEO of Colorado BioScience Association, said:
“Colorado BioScience Association thanks Boettcher Foundation for its enduring commitment to science and scientific research in Colorado. COVID-19 demonstrates the critical importance of science to our health, well-being, and economic stability. The Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Awards program invests in up-and-coming researchers, giving them support to continue their promising work in Colorado. I’m pleased to congratulate the Boettcher Investigators on this incredible honor.”
The Boettcher Foundation has been a leading philanthropic supporter of biomedical research in Colorado for many years.
For more information about the Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Awards, visit the Boettcher Foundation website.
Photos of individual recipients are available by request.
About the Boettcher Foundation:
At the Boettcher Foundation, we believe in the promise of Colorado and the potential of Coloradans. Every day we champion excellence across our state by investing in our most talented citizens and high-potential organizations, because supporting their hard work and leadership will enable them to give back for years to come.
About Colorado BioScience Association
Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) creates co-opportunity for the Colorado life sciences community. CBSA champions a collaborative life sciences ecosystem and advocates for a supportive business climate. From concept to commercialization, member companies and organizations drive global health innovations, products and services that improve and save lives. The association leads Capital and Growth, Education and Networking, Policy and Advocacy, and Workforce Cultivation to make its members stronger, together. Learn more: cobioscience.com
