Research Scouts & Scholars 2023
Photo of Research Scouts scholars

46 new projects fostering collaboration and testing bold ideas 
A word cloud showing the wide variety of the areas of study funded by Research Scouts

Part of the “Great Minds, Greater Discoveries” strategic research plan, Research Scouts were given $150,000 in 2023 and empowered to support their fellow researchers’ bold ideas. Scouts searched for early-stage ideas that can transform our current understanding of a scientific concept or field, challenge common dogma, or are wildly new and imaginative. Year one of funding for the program closed with:

  • $3.2 million distributed

  • 46 projects

  • 51 researchers

  • Projects from 11 basic science departments and 12 clinical departments
Bold Ideas & Scholars Funded in 2023

M-SENSE: Establishing a Michigan Sensory Biology Consortium
Benjamin Allen, Ph.D.

The Human Microbiome is Ripe for Translation as a Clinical Prognostic Tool
Jonathan Golob, M.D., Ph.D.

Potassium Channel Activators for Rescue in Spinocerebellar Ataxia
Sharan Srinivasan, M.D., Ph.D.

ComBaT Glaucoma (Community-Based Treatment for Glaucoma)
Angela Elam, M.D., Ph.D.

Discovery of Human-Virulence Factors of the Parasitic Pathogen Toxoplasma Gondii
Yifan Wang, D.V.M., Ph.D.

Building Regional Alliances to Advance Treatment in Respiratory Failure
Joseph Kohne, M.D.

A Collaborative-AI Cancer Patient Advocate to Support Patient-Centered Care
Lawrence An, M.D.

Healing Communities for Black Fathers
Maria Muzik, M.D., M.S.

Foundations of Responsible AI in Healthcare
Jodyn Platt, M.D., Ph.D.

Genotype to Phenotype Across Clades in the Emerging Fungal Pathogen Candida Auri
Teresa O’Meara, Ph.D.

Targeted Protein Degradation of the P2X7 Ion Channel from the ER
Ryan Baldridge, Ph.D.

Moving Upstream: Uncovering Opportunities to Prevent Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Through Untapped Data Resources
Alex Peahl, M.D., M.S.

Social Media Single Session Intervention to Promote Youth Insight, Self-Efficacy, and Knowledge to Make Changes
Jane Harness, D.O.

Generative AI for Radiology Reports on Scarcely Labeled Images
Cristian Minoccheri, Ph.D.

An Optical Platform to Discover Lead Compounds That Target the Integrated Stress Response in Living Mammalian Cells
Stephanie Moon, Ph.D.

Insulin Biosensor
Carrie Ferrario, Ph.D.

Exploring the Roles of Enzyme Filaments in Prokaryotic Metabolism
Tobias Giessen, Ph.D.

Mechanisms of Glucocorticoid Resistance in Sepsis
Joanna Spencer-Segal, M.D., Ph.D.

Real-Time In Vivo Adaptive Stimulus Response Mapping
Anne Draelos, Ph.D.
Elise Savier, Ph.D.
Christian Burgess, Ph.D.

Vision-Language Models for Interpretation of Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Todd Hollon, M.D.

Reverse Age-Associated Neurodegeneration and Sarcopenia by Tissue Regeneration
Longhua Guo, Ph.D.

Investigating a Minimally Invasive Treatment Strategy for Obesity in Reproductive-Aged Women
Samantha Schon, M.D.
Allison Schulman, M.D.

Rapid Gene-Directed Therapy for Pediatric Epileptic Encephalopathies
Julie Ziobro, M.D., Ph.D.
Louis Dang, M.D., Ph.D.

Ultra-High-Speed Imaging for Advancing Ultrasound-Based Theranostics
Mitra Aliabouzar, Ph.D.

Deployment of Wearable Technologies and Ecological Momentary Assessment to Develop a Multimodal Digital and Clinical Database for Personalized Prediction of Fatigue, Pain, and Cognitive Disturbance Trajectories
Cathy Goldstein, M.D., M.S.

Dynamic Scheduling for Otolaryngology Using Machine Learning Models
Devin McCaslin, Ph.D.

Cardiomyocyte Autonomous and Non-Autonomous Mechanism for Cardiac Repair
Ahmed Abdel-Latif, M.D.

Kidney Organ Quality Education Initiative
Randall Sung, M.D.

Strengthening Preclinical Models of Infection with Ambient Temperature
Jean Nemzek, D.V.M., M.S., D.A.C.V.S.

Novel Depression Target
Jessica Anand, Ph.D.

Detection of Exhaled Breath Markers After Traumatic Brain Injury Using Point of Care Gas Chromatography
Hakam Tiba, M.D., M.S.

Tissue That Naturally Regenerates, Almost Every Time
Andrea Alford, Ph.D.
Jaimo Ahn, M.D., Ph.D.

Investigating Active Surveillance for Management of Low-Risk Basal Cell Carcinoma in the Elderly
Allison Billi, M.D., Ph.D.

Patient-Centered Pathology Communication Tools for Prostate Cancer Patients
Cathryn Lapedis, M.D., M.P.H.

Next Generation Drug Discovery: Looking Beyond Canonical Drugs Using Mechanistic AI
Sriram Chandrasekaran, Ph.D.

Deciphering the Role of the Tumor Microenvironment in Primary and Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Eileen Carpenter, M.D., Ph.D.

Diversification of Coritcal Function in Health and Disease Via Developmentally Programmed Deletions in Large, Brain-Specific Genes
Thomas Wilson, M.D., Ph.D.

Towards A Fundamental, Operative Law of Mammalian Cerebral Cortex Function
Pierre Apostolides, Ph.D.

Screening FDA Approved Therapies in A Brain Organoid Model of Neural Tube Defects: Unveiling Risk Factors and Potential Treatments
Andrew Tidball, Ph.D.

Neurotransmitter Switching: An Epilepsy Pathomechanism Hiding in Plain Sight?
Joanna Mattis, M.D., Ph.D.

The Impact of Baseline Knowledge and Patient-Related Factors on the Receipt of Surgical Care Among Black Patients With Common Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Rachel Hooper, M.D.

Dramatic Reduction in Sequencing Cost for Transcriptomic Profiling of Rare Cells in Single-Cell/Single-Nucleus RNA-Seq Experiments Through Targeted Sequence Enrichment
You Lu, Ph.D.

Gene-Editing Therapeutics for Hereditary Eye Diseases
Shahzad Mian, M.D.
Lev Prasov, M.D., Ph.D.
Yan Zhang, Ph.D.

An Antibody-Based, Targeted, Nanoparticle Drug Delivery System for Inflammatory Disease of the Airway
Amarbir S. Gill, M.D.

Quantitative Imaging Biomarker to Predict Lung Metastasis
Gary Luker, M.D.

Identifying Novel Therapies for Sickle Cell Disease
Rami Khoriaty, M.D.

Computational Modeling of Cell-Paired Morphological and Gene Expression Data
Joshua Welch, Ph.D.
Research Scouts 2023
portrait of Research Scout - Kevin Bohannon Kevin Bohannon, Ph.D.
As an inaugural member of the Research Scouts, I'm looking forward to having an extra incentive to listen for bold, emerging concepts in our great seminar and research-in-progress series here at Michigan Medicine. I'm a microscopy expert that's always on the lookout for new technical and biological ideas in imaging but I have wide interests in cell biology, microbiology and immunology, and pharmacology. It's exciting that being a Research Scout will allow me to help my colleagues explore advances in the basic sciences that help us understand the cellular basis of disease.
 portrait of Lorraine Buis Lorraine Buis, Ph.D., M.S.I.
I’m excited to serve as a Research Scout and help to identify early-stage, innovative, and potentially high impact research. Supporting good ideas and passionate investigators to get to a position where they are ready to be competitive for major research awards is exciting. I’m looking forward to meeting new people across the university and learning more about the awesome work that’s happening across campus.
 portrait of Research Scout - John DeLancey John DeLancey, M.D.
U-M has long been a launching pad for junior faulty with unusual ideas who need a collaborative environment in which to pursue ideas whose importance has not yet been recognized. The Scout program is an exciting effort to help these early investigators with novel ideas prove the worth of their vision. I’m excited to be a part of this effort.
 portrait of Research Scout - Ivo Dinov Ivo Dinov, Ph.D.
My areas of interest are at the interface of mathematical modeling, statistical computing, data science, health analytics, and biomedical applications, and I believe that some unorthodox ideas are bound to radically change healthcare practice. I have a deep appreciation of the potential healthcare impact of innovations capitalizing on the University of Michigan’s unique and dynamic research ecosystem.
 portrait of Research Scout - Sarah Hawley Sarah Hawley, Ph.D., M.P.H.
I'm thrilled to be a Research Scout, as it will provide the opportunity to identify, develop and promote the work of the outstanding faculty at UM. With my co-scout and long-term colleague, Dr. Megan Haymart, we are excited to build upon our work with the Patients First Innovation Initiative to support exciting and innovative research at UM.
 portrait of Research Scout - Megan Haymart Megan Haymart, M.D.
I'm excited to be a Research Scout because it is an opportunity to help promote and highlight the work of U-M's talented, creative faculty. I look forward to working with my long-time colleague, Dr. Hawley, as we try to identify and support innovative research.
 portrait of Research Scout - Jorge Iñiguez-Lluhi Jorge Iñiguez-Lluhi, Ph.D.
I look forward to scouting across our campus for novel ideas that can spark innovation and interaction, especially at the interface of disciplines, where bright areas of progress often emerge. It will be fun to engage with the members of our research community and catalyze impactful science.
 portrait of Research Scout - Frederick Korley Frederick Korley, M.D., Ph.D.
I am excited about the opportunity to help identify compelling research ideas in their nascent stage and help catalyze their ultimate transformation into solutions that may improve human health and well-being. So many bold ideas go unstudied because traditional funding opportunities find them risky. I am excited about the opportunity to look for the novel and risky!
 portrait of Research Scout - Joanna Kountanis Joanna Kountanis, M.D.
I am thrilled to be a Research Scout and identify hidden research opportunities. In the past, I was fortunate enough to have my own exploratory project receive seed money, which led to future funding. I am looking forward to supporting a novel research idea in the same capacity.
 portrait of Research Scout - Andrew Lieberman Andrew Lieberman, M.D., Ph.D.
I'm excited about the opportunity to help catalyze new ideas and foster new scientific connections.
 portrait of Research Scout - Njira Lugogo Njira Lugogo, M.D.
Being a Research Scout affords me the opportunity to invest in ideas that are high risk and have immense potential. Experiences inform new ways of thinking and contribute to the richness of scientific discovery. I am excited about playing a small part in catalyzing new ideas.
 portrait of Research Scout - Michael McKee Michael McKee, M.D., M.P.H.
I am most excited about the opportunity to support my colleagues' ideas that are both community-supported and focused on addressing the accessibility and quality of health care for those with disabilities.
 portrait of Research Scout - Venkatesh Murthy Venkatesh Murthy, M.D., Ph.D.
I’m honored to be a part of the Research Scout program and am looking forward to the chance to catalyze innovative science. My areas of interest are applications of quantitative approaches to cardiometabolic disease, advanced imaging and multiomic integration methods.
 portrait of Research Scout - Daniel Myers Daniel Myers, D.V.M., M.P.H. & D.A.C.L.A.M.
As a Research Scout, I am excited about the opportunity to identify and invest in early-stage investigators' bold scientific visons. I would actively look for investigators that develop unique research models for benchtop or translational research applications that expand our knowledge.
 portrait of Research Scout - Nithya Ramnath Nithya Ramnath, M.B.B.S.
In recent years, interdisciplinary science has taken off in new ways, intersecting with the field of Medicine in previously unimaginable ways. Particularly in cancer, new knowledge derived from deep sequencing of single cells, multi-omics platforms, and computational advances allow us an unprecedented window into cancer biology that is informing the entire spectrum, from early detection to precision oncology. I am excited to be nominated as a Scout, to discover some of the scientific breadth the University of Michigan offers in this new age.
 portrait of Research Scout - Alvaro Rojas-Peña Alvaro Rojas-Peña, M.D.
A scout in research has a similar role to a 'scout in war' who needs to evaluate the terrain, skills, assets, and allies to identify the problems to defeat the enemy and 'win the war' or help a bold idea to triumph. Having the opportunity to seek out and test a worthy idea that may solve unsolved clinical problems is a fascinating and compelling challenge that also provides a unique mentorship opportunity.
 portrait of Research Scout - Simpa Salami Simpa Salami, M.B.B.S., M.P.H.
As a urologic surgeon-scientist with a translation cancer research laboratory focused on biomarker discovery, I have mentored graduate students, residents, fellows, and junior faculty. Thus, I am in vantage position to scout for, identify, and invest in risings stars in the field of medicine, with creative and innovative thinking, that can engage in high risk, high reward projects that advance the field. I am honored and delighted to serve as a research scout for the medical school.
 portrait of Research Scout - Charles Schuler Charles Schuler, M.D.
I love the earliest phase of research, when the kernel of an idea forms. Being named a Research Scout presents me the opportunity to engage my colleagues at that early time when a little funding, some key data, and a lot of hard work determine whether a good idea takes root. I cannot wait to support the continuous renewal of our research enterprise by finding a few good ideas to help grow into full-fledged, productive projects.
 portrait of Research Scout - Peter Scott Peter Scott, Ph.D.
50 years after the all-Wolverine Apollo 15 crew, it's time for a 'Mars shot' that will pave the way for the future of research at Michigan Medicine. As a Research Scout, I will fund faculty who are intense and passionate about their work, and whose ideas have the potential to realize Michigan Medicine's equivalent of a mission to Mars.
 portrait of Research Scout - Geoffrey Siwo Geoffrey Siwo, Ph.D.
Many ideas that changed the world sounded crazy at first. Being a Research Scout gives me the opportunity to invest in bold ideas and creative minds that few would give a chance. I hope it unleashes the creativity of our faculty at Michigan Medicine.
 portrait of Research Scout - Peter Todd Peter Todd, M.D., Ph.D.
I love the idea of giving a little push to out-of-the box concepts and truly novel thinking. These 'Loonshots' too often get ignored- even by the people producing them- because they don’t fit neatly into the mold of our expectations. Real advances happen when we break the mold and think about the world in a different way.
 portrait of Research Scout - Matthias Truttmann Matthias Truttmann, Ph.D.
My goal as a research scout is to identify, support, and thus showcase high-potential research that has so-far flown under the radar. I'm particularly interested in learning more about research projects that involve cross-discipline collaborative aspects, may seem impossible, and/or are led by research faculty colleagues.
 portrait of Research Scout - Susan Woolford Susan Woolford, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.P
Being a Research Scout is a super opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children who receive care at UM and beyond.
portrait of Research Scout - Bing Ye Bing Ye, Ph.D.
I’m excited because this is an innovative program that will identify and support disruptive research in the university. Such research projects usually start small and often lack conventional funding support. Research Scouts aims to support them so they can grow into big projects.
Questions?
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Office of Research
University of Michigan Medical School
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