Laying the foundation for the next generation of researchers and leaders in Spondyloarthritis is important to SPARTAN’s mission.
Purpose
The mission of SPARTAN is to advance research and education to improve the care of patients with spondyloarthritis. We feel strongly that laying the foundation for the next generation of researchers and leaders in SpA is an important portal to achieve this mission. With the aim of encouraging fellows to take up research projects under mentors with expertise in SpA, SPARTAN will support up to 2 pilot projects. The goal is to support the early stages of a fellow-led research project to generate preliminary data that will support grant applications to funding agencies such as the NIH.
Eligibility
A total of $10,000 is allocated to cover each new grant in with a maximum of $5,000 per fellow and $5,000 per mentor. This will be a combined application by the fellow and mentor.
- Fellow applicants must be PhDs or MDs currently in training at the level of internal medicine residency, rheumatology fellowship or SpA subspecialty fellowship.
- Mentors should have a strong track record in SpA research as evidenced by publications and should be a SPARTAN member.
Use of Funds
The funds can be used for activities directly linked to the proposal including expendables, services or salary/stipend of trainee. The funds cannot be used for salary support of the PI. Institutional indirect costs are not supported.
Mentored Fellowship Awardees
2023
Adam Mayer, MD, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia/University of Pennsylvania (Pamela Weiss, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Mentor)
“Clarifying the toolkit for pain control in spondyloarthritis with IBD: Association of prescription NSAID use with IBD-related hospitalization, a retrospective analysis across the age spectrum”
Patricia Remalante-Rayco, Schroeder Arthritis Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network
“The Role of DRAK2 and as a Potential Biomarker of Disease Activity and Treatment Response in Axial Spondyloarthritis”
2022
Greg McDermott, Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Joerg Ermann, Mentor)
“Determinants of Diagnostic Delay in Axial Spondyloarthritis”
Akhiro Nakamura, University of Toronto (Nigil Haroon, Mentor)
“Clinical validation of neutrophil DTL (a negative regulator of IL-23) expression in SpA”
2021
Swetha Ann Alexander, Yale (Abhijeet Danve, Mentor)
“Close Monitoring of Axial Spondyloarthritis (CLOMOSPA)”
Paras Karmacharya, Vanderbilt (Lianne Gensler, Mentor)
“Effect of Biologics in Subgroups of Axial Spondyloarthritis Based on MRI and CRP: A Subgroup Analysis by Objective Signs of Inflammation”
2020
Yuliya Afinogenova, Yale (Abhijeet Danve, Mentor)
“Awareness and Attitudes Regarding Axial Spondyloarthritis among Non-Rheumatology Providers”
Pamela Diaz, University of Toronto (Lihi Eder, Mentor)
“Axial Psoriatic Arthritis – Correlation between Clinical, Genetic and Axial MRI Findings”
Rouhin Sen, University of Colorado (Liron Caplan, Mentor)
“Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet/Lymphocyte Ratio as a Biomarker in Axial Spondyloarthritis”
2019
Paras Karacharya, Mayo Clinic (Alexis Ogdie, University of Pennsylvania, Mentor)
“Risk of Multimorbidity in Spondyloarthritis: A UK population-based cohort study”
Jean Liew, University of Washington (Lianne Gensler, University of California San Francisco, Mentor)
“Does body mass index impact disease activity in axial spondyloarthritis?”
Akihiro Nakamura, Toronto Western Hospital, UNH (Nigil Haroon, Toronto Western Hospital, UNH, Mentor)
“Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor as a Critical Regulator of Inflammation and Bone Formation in Spondyloarthritis Mouse Models”
Application Information
Applications will be accepted spring 2024
Project proposal: Within a maximum of 6 pages, include the following sections in your application.
- Signed Cover Page with Title of the project, applicant contact information and supporting signature of the head of your institution (i.e. Division chief).
- Description – Abstract, Specific Aims, Preliminary results (including descriptive data) / Supporting Literature and Methods.
- Brief Budget justification (Max 250 words)
- Timeline for completion of project milestones
Additional pages should include:
- Figures and References may be added as an appendix (Combined maximum 2 pages)
Mentor - BioSketch or CV: Max 5 pages with publications from last 5 years.
- Letter of Support – from the director of fellowship or residency stating the availability of time and support for the trainee to engage in the proposed research project.
Adjudication
SPARTAN will institute a peer review committee for this competition that will review applications.
Requirements
Grant recipients must acknowledge SPARTAN in any presentations or publications related to the project. In oral or poster presentations, the SPARTAN logo must be displayed.
Recipients must present their results at the annual SPARTAN meeting.
Reporting
A post activity report must be submitted via email to SPARTAN at completion of the grant period. Reports are mandatory for applicants’ continued participation in future SPARTAN projects and competitions. The progress report should contains milestones, any results, budget allocation and any abstract presentations and/or publications that have resulted from this effort. Additionally, we would like to understand how this funding has helped or will help advance the trainee’s career.
