NEA Announces 2022 Research Grant Recipients

The research projects of 13 investigators were selected, representing grants totaling nearly $730,000. 2022.

The National Eczema Association (NEA) announced the recipients for its 2022 research grants.

From both U.S.-based and international applications, the research projects of 13 investigators were selected, representing grants totaling nearly $730,000. 2022 marked a significant jump in NEA's investment in innovative eczema research, from $515,000 in 2021, with a new award tier and an increase from nine to 13 recipients.

"Eczema is a chronic condition without a cure that affects over 31 million people in the U.S., many with severe, even debilitating impacts," says Julie Block, CEO of NEA, in a news release. "Our best hope to improve patients' lives (and those of loved ones) is through research. Our 2022 research grant recipients represent both new and longstanding investigators working across disciplines to identify opportunities for better eczema therapies, better care, better outcomes – and one day, potentially, a cure."

The 2022 research grants are awarded in categories as follows:

Impact Research Grant – Provides funding support for collaborative research projects to conduct multi-institution innovative eczema research.

Concepcio Soler, PhD, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

Role of TREX2, a keratinocyte-specific exonuclease, in AD and evaluation as potential therapeutic target

Champion Research Grant– Encourages proven researchers to continue research on emerging or ongoing challenges in eczema or bring their expertise to the field of eczema.

Jan Dutz MD, FRCPC, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia

Inhibition of tissue resident memory T-cells as a therapy for contact hypersensitivity

Aaron Drucker MD, ScM, FRCPC, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Canada

Long-term safety of topical corticosteroids in treatment of AD

Cassandra Quave, PhD, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA

Botanical-derived small molecules to target Staphylococcal cytotoxins in AD

Spotlight Research Grant – New in 2022, this award promotes research tied to specific areas of interest. This year focuses on eczemas outside of atopic dermatitis, specifically chronic vesicular hand eczema, nummular eczema and seborrheic dermatitis.

Michael Haft, MD, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA

Clinical characteristics and morphology of chronic hand eczema in children and adolescents

Childhood Eczema Challenge Grant – Created in collaboration with the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA), this is intended for early or mid-career scientists to accelerate research that improves the health and quality of life of pediatric patients and their families.

Emily Croce PhD, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC, University of Texas at Austin. Austin, TX

Role of outdoor air pollution on disease burden and corresponding racial and ethnic disparities for children with AD

Catalyst Research Grant – Designed to support talented early-career scientists on the path toward becoming the next generation of eczema thought leaders by supporting hypothesis-driven research projects.

Joan Manils, PhD, Bsc, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

Implications for CARD14 – a protein expressed by keratinocytes that when mutated produces skin inflammation – as therapeutic target for AD

Harper Price, MD, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ

Heterogeneity and disparities in disease among pediatric AD patients

Hazel Wilkie, PhD, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA

Role of staphylococcus aureus in eczema onset

Engagement Research Grant – Intended for emerging investigators exploring a new research concept, piloting a new experiment, or undertaking a novel or secondary data analysis. 

Elisabeth Cowin MA, MSW, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH.

Developmental vulnerability, caregiver stress, and family quality of life in young children with eczema

Emily Gurnee, MD, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO

Implications of dietary modifications for infantile AD

Theodora Karagounis MS, MD, New York University Grossman School of Medicine,
New York, NY

Effect of Staphylococcus aureus gastrointestinal colonization on gut microbiome in AD

Ge Peng, MD, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan

Therapeutic role of betacellulin, a ligand for the epidermal growth factor receptor in AD