Made possible by a generous gift from the Obstler Family Fund, the second Yale Child Study Center (YCSC) Trainee Pilot Research Awards were announced on March 29, 2022. YCSC trainees in the Albert J. Solnit integrated training program and psychology, social work, and postdoctoral fellowships were invited to apply for the first round of these awards in late 2022. Recipients and their proposal titles are as follows.
- Sarah Abdallah, MD - "Pilot Study of the Genetics of Intense Imagery Movements"
- Alan Gerber, PhD – "A Novel Approach to Understanding Loneliness and Suicidality in Autistic Adolescents"
- Jelena MacLeod, MD, MHS – "Evaluating EHR-derived Proxy ACEs as Individual-Level Risk Predictors of PTSD"
Offering up to $12,500 in research funding, the intent is to provide support for early-stage investigators interested in pursuing careers in academic mental health research. The goals are to: 1) provide funding for initial pilot research projects relevant to child mental health; 2) provide real-time, interactive feedback on early grant applications for trainees; and 3) increase candidates’ competitiveness for future external funding.
Following the submission of letters of intent in January and full applications in February, a review committee came together using an NIH study section meeting format, with two main reviewers providing written critiques and all members scoring the applications. Committee members recused themselves from discussion and voting on any grant in which they are closely associated with the applicant.
Review committee members Kammarauche Aneni, MBBS, MHS; Amanda Dettmer, PhD; Thomas Fernandez, MD; Ellen Hoffman, MD, PhD; Karim Ibrahim, PsyD; Suzanne Macari, PhD; and Kartik Pattabiraman, MD, PhD, were impressed with the diversity and quality of the submissions. All applicants received detailed feedback that will enhance their future research funding applications.
“These pilot research awards will help our talented early career scientists develop their expertise and increase competitiveness for future grant opportunities,” commented YCSC Vice Chair for Research, Tom Fernandez. The YCSC hopes to offer this award again in the next academic year, pending funding availability. A new request for applications will be shared with the community in advance of the deadline.