Children’s Trust, a group of rising philanthropists, hosts the Grantmakers meeting every spring. The meeting brings together a group of hand-selected researchers whose work aims at improving pediatric health. The researchers pitch their pioneering projects to members of the Trust for a chance to win seed funding that will kick start their research.
This year, members of the Trust awarded $150,000 to three promising UPMC Children’s researchers.
Investigating Chronic Infection
Taking home first prize, and $70,000, was Glenn Rapsinski, MD, PhD, for his research on chronic lung infection in children with complex medical needs who rely on ventilators. These patients make up only 1% of the population but account for half of all child health care costs and are especially vulnerable to ventilator-associated infections. By examining both bacterial behavior and how airway cells respond to infection and the presence of tracheostomy tubes, Dr. Rapsinski’s goal is to uncover how chronic infections take hold and persist. Ultimately, the findings aim to improve treatment and prevention strategies, keeping medically complex children healthier and out of the hospital.
Preventing Kidney Disease in Pediatric Patients
Takuto Chiba, PhD, investigates why some children develop chronic kidney disease (CKD) after experiencing acute kidney injury (AKI) during heart surgery, particularly newborns and young children whose kidneys are still developing. His research aims to uncover the pathways that drive the progression from AKI to CKD. These insights could help lead to safer, more precise therapies to prevent kidney disease in pediatric patients, where treatment options are currently limited. Dr. Chiba won second place and $50,000 toward his work.
Assessing Quality of Life for Patients with Intestinal Failure
Winning third place, and $30,000, was Vikram Raghu, MD, MS, whose research focuses on evaluating the quality of life in children with intestinal failure, comparing those who rely on long-term IV nutrition, those who’ve transitioned to oral or tube feeding, and those who’ve undergone intestine transplants. While medical outcomes have been well documented, little is known about how these treatment paths affect daily well-being. By collecting data from 230 children across major medical centers, the research aims to identify which treatments best support overall life satisfaction and to inform more tailored, timely decisions regarding transplantation.
Members of the Trust stay informed with the winners’ research as they receive quarterly updates that allow them to see their philanthropic contributions in action. Interested in putting philanthropy in motion? Join the Children’s Trust.