DENVER, June 1, 2022 — The Boettcher Foundation is proud to announce its 2022 class of Boettcher Investigators, recipients of grant funding through the Foundation’s Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Awards Program. The eight Investigators work in teaching and research positions at Colorado State University, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado Boulder, and National Jewish Health.
The prestigious award supports promising, early career scientific researchers, allowing them to advance their independent research in Colorado and compete for major federal and private awards in the future. Each Boettcher Investigator will receive a $235,000 grant to support up to three years of biomedical research.
The new Boettcher Investigators and their research topics are:
Colorado State University
Jaclyn A. Stephens, Ph.D., OTR/L – Evaluating yoga intervention-induced changes in performance and neurophysiology in adults with chronic brain injury.
Allison Vilander, D.V.M., Ph.D. – Characterization of immune response to oral rotavirus vaccination in a murine model of environmental enteric dysfunction.
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Martin W. Breuss, Ph.D. – Elucidation of the features of germ cell mosaicism and its impact on human health.
Shanlee Davis, M.D., Ph.D. – Pathophysiology of cardiometabolic dysfunction in Klinefelter Syndrome.
Michael S. Leibowitz, M.D., Ph.D. – Altering the tumor microenvironment to increase epitope spreading and augment chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy for metastatic osteosarcoma.
Andrew C. Smith, P.T., D.P.T., Ph.D. – Spinal cord lesion determinants of optimal responsiveness to spinal cord stimulation.
University of Colorado Boulder
Aaron T. Whiteley, Ph.D. – Novel mechanisms of STING signaling in disease.
National Jewish Health
Jessica W. Hui-Beckman, M.D. – The role of temperature on the atopic march.
“At a time when we are reminded of how vital biomedical research is to a healthy society, the Boettcher Foundation is honored to invest in these eight exceptional early career researchers as they investigate causes and treatments of disease, injury, and more,” said Katie Kramer, president and CEO of the Boettcher Foundation. “We know the ripple effects of their leading research at our beloved Colorado institutions will have immense beneficial impacts for people far into the future.”
With the newest class, the 12-year-old Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Awards program has accelerated the breakthrough work of 90 Boettcher Investigators. Notably, this year’s cohort is consistent with a recent trend of an equal proportion of women and men recipients. Over the past three years, 50% of the Investigators have been women researchers, compared to 35% during the program’s first nine years.
In total, Boettcher Investigators have attracted more than $110 million in additional federal, state, and private research funding. Additionally, Investigators have published more than 100 articles and registered eight patent applications.
“Colorado BioScience Association congratulates the newest class of Boettcher Investigators and thanks the Boettcher Foundation for its vision to advance Colorado’s leadership in health innovation by supporting researchers during the critical, early stages of their careers.” said Elyse Blazevich, Colorado BioScience Association president and CEO. “The Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Awards Program makes a critical contribution to our state’s momentum as a leading national and international hub for life sciences.”
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.
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
About the Boettcher Foundation : We believe in the promise of Colorado and potential of Coloradans. Every day we build up and connect doers and difference makers from across the state, working to elevate people, programs, and organizations. Because by investing in Colorado’s leaders, we provide a foundation for transformational impact and community building across the state.
Photos of individual recipients are available by request.
