Texas Children’s Researchers Secure Over $1.5M in Pediatric Cancer and Neurodevelopment Grants

Five physician-scientists at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center have been awarded more than $1.5 million in new grant funding to advance groundbreaking studies in childhood cancer, CNS tumors and neurodevelopmental disorders. The competitive, peer-reviewed grants will support innovative, investigator-led projects aimed at improving outcomes for children facing life-threatening and complex conditions.  

The funded projects include: 
Dr. Mohammad Abu-Arja (Rally Foundation & Kids Join the Fight): Investigating the neurovascular niche in Group 3 medulloblastoma to disrupt tumor progression. 
Dr. Eveline Barbieri (NIH): Studying how the MYCN gene drives immune suppression in neuroblastoma, with the goal of developing new immunotherapies. 
Dr. Sujith Joseph (Rally Foundation & Kids Join the Fight): Advancing locally delivered endoglin CAR-T therapy for high-risk medulloblastoma. 
Dr. Frank Lin (Matthew Larson Foundation): Launching a first-in-human clinical trial of C7R-GD2.CAR T cells for children with high-grade CNS tumors. 
Dr. Melissa Richard (Department of Defense): Mapping the clinical and genetic architecture of autism in individuals with tuberous sclerosis complex. 

These leaders are shaping the future of pediatric care through rigorous, peer-reviewed research and collaborative innovation, with a focus on improving the lives of children with cancer and blood disorders.