Award Recipients

working with a cell culture in a petri dish

Top minds tackling today's challenges

The Frankel Innovation Initiative is designed to build on best practices of the standout programs developed at U-M and other top institutions.

2026 Awardees

Investigator: Miriam Meisler, PhD 

  • Department: U-M Human Genetics 

  • Co-applicant: Michelle Hastings, PhD, UM – Pharmacology 

  • Proposal Title: Splice-switching antisense oligonucleotides for the treatment of SCN8A Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy 

  • Vertical: Therapy

Investigator: David Markovitz, MD  

  • Department: U-M Internal Medicine 

  • Co-applicant: None 

  • Proposal Title: NETosis-blocking Monoclonal anti-DEK Antibodies to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus 

  • Vertical: Therapy 

Investigator: Eric Cantey, MD, MSc, FACC, FSCAI

  • Department: U-M Cardiovascular Medicine

  • Co-applicants: Albert Shih, PhD, U-M Mechanical & Biomedical Engineering; Alvaro Rojas-Peña, MD, PhD, “Robert H. Bartlett” Extracorporeal Life Support Laboratory, Department of Surgery 

  • Proposal Title: Development of a Low-Profile, Expandable & Durable Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device: The Michigan VAD (MiVAD) 

  • Vertical: Device

Investigator: Enrico Opri, PhD 

  • Department: U-M Biomedical Engineering  

  • Co-applicants: Daniel Leventhal, MD, PhD, U-M Neurology; Kevin Chen, MD, U-M Neurosurgery; Matthew Willsey, MD, PhD, U-M Biomedical Engineering & Neurosurgery; Amelia Heston, MD, U-M Neurology; Kelvin Chou, MD, U-M Neurology 

  • Proposal Title: Developing Next-Generation Real-Time Directional Mapping for Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy 

  • Vertical: Therapy

Past Awardees

The award year cycle changed, and no awardees for this calendar year.

Invetigators: Vishwaratn Asthana, MD, PhD & J. Scott Vanepps, MD, PhD

  • Department: U-M Internal Medicine & U-M Emergency Medicine
  • Co-Applicant: Satish Narayanasamy, PhD, U-M Computer Science and Engineering
  • Proposal Title: Development of A Rapid, Low-Cost, Universal Bacterial Identification System to Improve Outcomes in Patients With Sepsis
  • Vertical: Diagnostic

Investigator: Tomasz Cierpicki, PhD

  • Department: U-M Department of Pathology
  • Co-Applicant: Rahen Mody, MD, MS, U-M Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
  • Proposal Title: Harnessing Gene Repression for New Targeted Drugs in Hematological Malignancies
  • Vertical: Therapy

Investigator: Isabelle Lombaert, PhD

  • Department: U-M School of Dentistry, U-M Department of Biologic and Materials Science
  • Co-Applicant: Warren Swegal, MD, Allegheny Health Network, Division of Otolaryngology
  • Proposal Title: Non-Viral Gene Therapy to Treat Xerostomia
  • Vertical: Therapy

Investigators: Vishwaratn Asthana, MD, PhD, & J. Scott VanEpps, MD, PhD

  • Department: U-M Internal Medicine & U-M Emergency Medicine
  • Co-Applicant: Satish Narayanasamy, PhD, U-M Computer Science and Engineering
  • Proposal Title: Development of A Rapid, Low-Cost, Universal Bacterial Identification System to Improve Outcomes in Patients With Sepsis
  • Vertical: Diagnostic

Investigator: Tomasz Cierpicki, PhD

  • Department: U-M Department of Pathology
  • Co-Applicant: Rahen Mody, MD, MS, U-M Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
  • Proposal Title: Harnessing Gene Repression for New Targeted Drugs in Hematological Malignancies
  • Vertical: Therapy

Investigator: Shinichi Fukuhara, MD

  • Department: U-M Department of Cardiac Surgery
  • Co-Applicants: Gardner Yost, MD, U-M Departments of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery; Jeffery Plott, PhD, U-M Department of Mechanical Engineering
  • Proposal Title: Remora – A Novel Life Saving Fenestration Device for Acute Aortic Dissection and Chronic Aortic Dissection
  • Vertical: Device

Investigator: Isabelle Lombaert, PhD

  • Department: U-M School of Dentistry, U-M - Department of Biologic and Materials Science
  • Co-Applicant: Warren Swegal, MD, Allegheny Health Network, Division of Otolaryngology
  • Proposal Title: Non-Viral Gene Therapy to Treat Xerostomia
  • Vertical: Therapy

Investigators: James Moon, PhD & Yu Leo Lei, DDS, PhD

  • Department: U-M Biomedical Engineering and Pharmaceutical Sciences & U-M School of Dentistry
  • Co-Applicants: Vilma Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan, PhD, U-M - Human Genetics; Alison Renee Masyr, DVM, Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine
  • Proposal Title: New Nanoparticle Platform for Metallo-Immunotherapy
  • Vertical: Therapy

The Frankel Innovation Initiative awarded $1.39 million to three biomedical research projects in the third round of the initiative. One project from the second-year awardees received three months of additional funding. The winning projects are shown below.

Investigator: Molly Stout, MD, MSCI

  • Department: U-M Health Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Co-Applicants: Methodius Tuuli, M.D., M.P.H., Brown University Obstetrics & Gynecology; Peinan Zhao, Ph.D., Washington University at St. Louis Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Proposal Title: Fully Quantitative Elastography to Predict Preterm Birth
  • Vertical: Device
  • Notes: Funded until Dec. 2022; was part of Year 2

Learn more about the project

Investigator: James Moon, PhD

  • Department: U-M Biomedical Engineering and Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Co-Applicants: Yu Leo Lei, D.D.S., Ph.D, U-M School of Dentistry; Steven Chinn, M.D., M.P.H., U-M Health Otolaryngology; Weiping Zou, M.D., Ph. D., U-M Health Surgery
  • Proposal Title: New STING agonist nanoparticle for immune-oncology
  • Vertical: Therapy
  • Notes: Funded for all of Y3; new project

Investigator: David Markovitz, MD

  • Department: U-M Health Internal Medicine-Infectious Diseases
  • Co-Applicants: Marina Pasca di Magliano, Ph.D., U-M Health Surgery & U of M Cell and Development Biology; Wenjing Wang, Ph.D., U-M Chemistry; Malcolm Brenner, Ph.D., Baylor Medicine and Pediatrics Hematology/Oncology; Richard Dale Cumming, Ph.D., Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Surgical Sciences; Joseph M. Penninger, M.D., Ph.D., University of British Columbia Medical Genetics
  • Proposal Title: Sweet CARS: Attacking Glycans to Treat Pancreatic Cancer
  • Device: Therapy
  • Notes: Funded for all of Y3; new project

Investigator: Vishwaratn Asthana, MD, PhD

  • Department: U-M Health Internal Medicine
  • Co-Applicant: J. Scott VanEpps, M.D., Ph.D., U-M Health Emergency Medicine
  • Proposal Title: Development of A Rapid, Low-Cost, Universal Bacterial Identification System to Improve Outcomes in Patients with Sepsis
  • Vertical: Device
  • Notes: Funded for all of Y3; new project

Investigator: Paul Cederna, MD

  • Department: U-M Surgery
  • Co-Applicant: Cynthia Chestek, Ph.D., U-M Biomedical Engineering
  • Proposal Title: Bringing Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interfaces for Prosthetic Hand Control Home
  • Vertical: Device

Learn more about the project

Investigator: David Humes, MD

  • Department: U-M Nephrology
  • Co-Applicant: Stuart Goldstein, M.D., FAAP, FNKF, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital – Nephrology
  • Proposal Title: Immunomodulatory Device to Treat Pediatric Patients with Severe Sepsis and/or Multiorgan Failure
  • Vertical: Device

Learn more about the project

Investigator: Aditya S. Pandey, MD

  • Department: U-M Neurosurgery
  • Co-Applicant: Albert Shih, Ph.D., U-M Mechanical Engineering
  • Proposal Title: Miniature Mechanical Thrombectory Device for Removal of High Fibrin Clots in Brain Arteries
  • Vertical: Device

Learn more about the project

Investigator: Alvaro Rojas-Pena, MD

  • Department: U-M Surgery
  • Co-Applicant: Robert Bartlett, M.D., U-M Surgery
  • Proposal Title: The Frankel Organ Bank
  • Vertical: Device

Learn more about the project

Investigator: Ariella Shikanov, PhD

  • Department: U-M Biomedical Engineering
  • Co-Applicant: Molly Moravek, MD, MPH, MSCI, U-M Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Proposal Title: Immuno-isolating Capsule for Delivery of Cell-based Therapy for Restoration of Ovarian Endocrine Function
  • Vertical: Device

Learn more about the project

Molly Stout, MD, MSCI

  • Department: U-M Health Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Co-Applicants: Methodius Tuuli, M.D., M.P.H., Brown University Obstetrics & Gynecology; Peinan Zhao, Ph.D., Washington University at St. Louis Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Proposal Title: Fully Quantitative Elastography to Predict Preterm Birth
  • Vertical: Device

Learn more about the project

Investigator: Paul Cederna, MD

  • Department: U-M Surgery
  • Co-Applicant: Cynthia Chestek, Ph.D., U-M Biomedical Engineering
  • Proposal Title: Bringing Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interfaces for Prosthetic Hand Control Home
  • Vertical: Device

David Humes, MD

  • Department: U-M Nephrology
  • Co-Applicant: Stuart Goldstein, M.D., FAAP, FNKF, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital – Nephrology
  • Proposal Title: Immunomodulatory Device to Treat Pediatric Patients with Severe Sepsis and/or Multiorgan Failure
  • Vertical: Device

Investigator: Alvaro Rojas-Pena, MD

  • Department: U-M Surgery
  • Co-Applicant: Robert Bartlett, MD, U-M Surgery
  • Proposal Title: The Frankel Organ Bank
  • Vertical: Device

Investigator: Molly Stout, MD, MSCI

  • Department: U-M Health Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Co-Applicants: Methodius Tuuli, M.D., M.P.H., Brown University Obstetrics & Gynecology; Peinan Zhao, Ph.D., Washington University at St. Louis Obstetrics & Gynecology
  • Proposal Title: Fully Quantitative Elastography to Predict Preterm Birth
  • Vertical: Device

Learn more about the project