Neonatology The Evie Whitlock Fellowship Research Award in Neonatology

The Evangelina “Evie” Whitlock Research Award in Neonatology empowers Texas Children’s Neonatology fellows to pursue meaningful research during their three-year fellowship — an opportunity that distinguishes our program as one of the most uniquely supportive in the country.

Established in 2011, the award honors the brief but powerful life of Evangelina Kaniss-Whitlock, who passed away at just nine days old in our NICU. Her memory lives on through her twin sister, Leila, her family and through this fellowship, which fuels innovation and academic growth in her name. Thanks to the Whitlock family’s continued generosity, our fellows are equipped to explore bold, original ideas that can improve outcomes for fragile newborns here and around the world.

Uncommon access to research funding

Each Neonatology fellow at Texas Children’s is eligible to apply for Evie’s Research Award. This direct access to dedicated research support is rare among fellowship programs and underscores our commitment to developing the next generation of leaders in neonatal science.

Fellows are encouraged to use their award to:

• Launch new or ongoing scholarly projects
• Present findings at prestigious national neonatology conferences
• Collaborate with leading investigators and clinicians across disciplines

Building skills for lifelong impact

The application process itself is an intentional learning experience. Fellows learn how to craft a compelling research proposal, develop a detailed budget, establish a feasible timeline, and receive feedback from domain-specific experts. These skills introduce the rigorous process of future NIH or foundation grant applications, preparing fellows for sustained academic success.

A fellowship rooted in purpose

Evie’s story reminds us why we strive for breakthroughs in neonatal care. Her parents created this award not just to remember their daughter, but to offer hope and healing to countless others through science and scholarship. Their vision has already supported dozens of fellows — and countless babies — by nurturing a culture of inquiry, compassion, and excellence.