Northwestern's Ryan Family Research Acceleration Fund, a $35 million initiative, accelerates life sciences research with real-world impact. In two funding rounds, it has awarded $4 million to 16 groundbreaking projects. By bridging the gap between academic innovation and commercialization, the fund drives advancements in therapeutics, medical devices, and AI-powered diagnostics, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and societal transformation.
Ryan Fund Fuels Medical Research: Northwestern University, in partnership with the Ryan Family Foundation, continues to redefine the landscape of life sciences research through the Ryan Family Research Acceleration Fund—a bold $35 million initiative aimed at propelling groundbreaking discoveries toward real-world impact. In just two rounds of funding, the initiative has distributed over $4 million in seed grants, empowering 16 transformative research projects selected from a highly competitive pool of 139 proposals.
In its latest round, the fund awarded more than $2 million to eight innovative projects that promise to accelerate the translation of cutting-edge scientific breakthroughs into practical applications. These projects span various disciplines—including therapeutics, medical devices, and health data analytics—showcasing Northwestern's strength in interdisciplinary research and its commitment to advancing biosciences with immediate societal benefits.
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The Ryan Family Research Acceleration Fund addresses a persistent challenge in scientific research: the gap between academic innovation and commercialization, often referred to as the "valley of death." Many promising discoveries fail to reach the marketplace due to a lack of funding at critical stages of development. By offering seed grants of up to $300,000 per project, the fund provides researchers with the necessary resources to bridge this gap, refine their innovations, and attract additional investment from the private sector or government agencies.
"We established the research acceleration fund to elevate Northwestern's translational capabilities," said Patrick G. Ryan, founder of the initiative. “By strategically investing in exceptional research, we are narrowing the divide that often stalls groundbreaking discoveries, unlocking their potential to change lives and strengthen society.”
This strategic investment is crucial to Northwestern's broader mission of fostering scientific discovery while also driving economic growth through the commercialization of faculty-led research. The University's research enterprise is expansive, with an annual sponsored research portfolio exceeding $1 billion, and the Ryan Acceleration Fund plays a pivotal role in ensuring that Northwestern remains at the forefront of life sciences innovation.
The latest funding cycle saw 67 proposals submitted by principal investigators from across Northwestern's schools, reflecting the University's vibrant research culture. A rigorous review process evaluated each submission based on several key factors, including:
The latest funding cycle saw 67 proposals submitted by principal investigators from across Northwestern's schools, reflecting the University's vibrant research culture. A rigorous review process, evaluating each submission based on several key factors, ensured that only the most promising and impactful projects were selected for funding.
Meet the Round 2 Grant Recipients, a diverse group of researchers and projects that collectively represent the breadth and depth of research in life sciences.
PI: Timothy L. Sita, Feinberg School of Medicine
Glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer, presents significant treatment challenges. Sita's project will combine advanced diagnostic tools with novel therapeutic approaches, utilizing electrical modulation to activate Brigimadlin, a promising new treatment. The goal is to improve both detection and treatment efficacy, offering hope for patients facing this devastating disease.
PIs: Bharath Chandrasekaran, Sumit Dhar, and Jacie McHaney, School of Communication
Hidden hearing loss, a condition often undiagnosed by traditional tests, affects millions worldwide. This research team is leveraging AI and data analytics to develop a revolutionary diagnostic tool capable of accurately detecting the condition. The project fills a critical gap in hearing health and aims to improve early intervention strategies.
PI: Karan Ahuja, McCormick School of Engineering
Imagine affordable, high-quality motion tracking available for everyday consumer health monitoring. Ahuja's project seeks to develop scalable, accessible motion-capture technology, unlocking new possibilities for digital health applications, from rehabilitation programs to fitness tracking.
PIs: Joseph R. Leventhal, James M. Mathew, and Hong Xu, Feinberg School of Medicine
Organ transplant patients face lifelong immune suppression therapy, which carries risks. This research builds on pioneering Phase 1 trials to explore a first-of-its-kind approach using regulatory T cells to induce delayed immune tolerance, potentially revolutionizing long-term transplant outcomes.
PIs: Aline Martin and Nicolae Valentin David, Feinberg School of Medicine
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 700 million people worldwide, and many patients suffer from severe bone loss, increasing their risk of fractures. This project focuses on developing a novel therapeutic approach to target mineral bone disorders, significantly improving the quality of life for CKD patients.
PIs: William A. Muller, Daniel C. Lee, and David Sullivan, Feinberg School of Medicine
While current treatments for myocardial infarction (heart attack) save lives, they also cause complications like arrhythmias and congestive heart failure. This research aims to develop a groundbreaking drug to minimize tissue damage, enhancing long-term recovery outcomes.
PIs: Xiaoyu Zhang and Jaehyuk (Jack) Choi, Feinberg School of Medicine & Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences
Less than 15% of cancer types currently respond to immunotherapy. This team is creating a new therapeutic probe technology to enhance the immune system's ability to recognize and attack cancer cells, potentially broadening immunotherapy's effectiveness across multiple cancer types.
PI: Gabriel J. Rocklin, Feinberg School of Medicine
Many critical disease-related proteins remain "undruggable" due to their intracellular nature. Rocklin's project seeks to develop mini proteins capable of delivering therapies directly into cells, opening the door to a new class of intracellular treatments.
The Ryan Family Research Acceleration Fund is more than just financial support—it is a catalyst for transformative breakthroughs that can change lives, improve healthcare, and drive economic impact. By funding high-risk, high-reward research, the initiative enables Northwestern faculty to advance discoveries that might otherwise struggle to reach the commercialization stage.
Eric J. Perreault, Vice President for Research at Northwestern, emphasized the program's significance:
“The Ryan Family Research Acceleration Fund is transforming innovation at Northwestern, empowering our faculty to translate their groundbreaking discoveries into real solutions. This funding is advancing a University priority and spurring brilliant innovation with societal impact.”
In addition to accelerating translational research, the fund fosters a culture of collaboration across disciplines, bringing together experts from medicine, engineering, chemistry, and data science. Many of the funded projects involve cross-field partnerships, demonstrating the power of interdisciplinary teamwork in solving complex scientific challenges.
As the fund continues to expand, it will play an increasingly pivotal role in advancing drug discovery, regenerative medicine, and AI-driven healthcare solutions. By enabling projects to secure further funding and move closer to commercialization, the initiative ensures that Northwestern remains at the forefront of global scientific progress.
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"Congratulations to all the recipients for their visionary work advancing life sciences research with the potential for significant societal and commercial impact," said Jian Cao, Associate Vice President for Research. “These projects highlight Northwestern's interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation leadership, furthering its mission to transform cutting-edge research into meaningful real-world applications.”
With each funding cycle, the Ryan Family Research Acceleration Fund strengthens its legacy—fueling discoveries, supporting innovation, and ultimately improving lives on a global scale. Keep reading at Education Post News for more global updates.
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