Pitt Pediatrics and the leadership of the RK Mellon Institute for Pediatric Research congratulates the three recipients of the RK Mellon Institute for Pediatric Research awards for the January 2024 cycle.
The first recipient is Anita McElroy, MD, PhD, who received a one-year Pilot Award for her proposal, “Modulation of Rift Valley Fever Virus Disease By Host Genetics.” McElroy is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Infectious Disease and a member of the Center for Vaccine Research at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The focus of her research is on immunity and the pathogenesis of emerging viral infections, and in understanding how host immunity can be both useful and detrimental following viral infection. She recently joined a multi-center collaboration to combat Rift Valley Fever outbreaks in humans and animals in rural Africa.
The second recipient is Baoli Hu, PhD, who received a two-year Pilot Award for his proposal, “Developing A Differentiation Therapy For Children With Group 3 Medulloblastoma.” Hu is an Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery and the Director of the Brain Tumor Evolution and Therapy Lab. Hu’s research is aimed at understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of brain tumor evolution, and developing new therapies for these diseases.
The final recipient for this cycle is Xiangwei Xiao, MD, PhD, who received a two-year PIlot Award for his proposal, “In Vivo Polarization Of Macrophages To Treat Type 1 Diabetes.” Xiao is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Pediatric Surgery. Currently, his lab is working towards studying signaling pathways that govern the interplay among different cell types in islets. There is also a heavy focus on the role of macrophage in beta-cell growth, T1D, and other immune and neurodegenerative diseases.
The RK Mellon Institute was established in 2007 with a groundbreaking gift from the Richard King Mellon Foundation. A cornerstone of UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh’s research program, the Institute’s aim is to facilitate coordination, communication, and mentorship of scientists across disciplines and career stages, and to be a leader in pediatric health care.
Congratulations to all three winners!